Horizon:Volume 4C Chapter 62

The top of a hill. Amidst the emerald grass that swayed in waves from the wind, a white pavilion stood.

Beneath its shade from the sky, there was a girl with a cup in her mouth.

She had rich golden tresses that flowed down her back.

"....Musashi's course will be decided in just an hour's time. Well then, what will the two of you do, Mouri Terumoto, Louis XIV? This Rene de Garou under your command is extremely interested in the plan of action after this yes?"

Rene de Garou inquired first.

She met the eyes of Terumoto, who was clad in Hexagone Francais' summer uniform and the nude XIV.

Terumoto responded first, her brows rising as she smiled, while folding her arms.

"What shall we do...We have no choice but to out-maneuvre the Hashiba opposition."

"Bold, Terumoto, but do you have a plan?"

Tes, nodded Terumoto, looking at the east.

Descending through hills, passing through forests, finally, after the flat plains and streams of distant barley fields, there were again forests.

"Alllll the way over there. Opposite where it blurs into blue. Near the border with M.H.R.R. the aerial transport ship that is destinied for the frontlines, the Tottori Castle, is moored. Do you know of this history recreation?"

"Tes. Due to a 200-day siege by the Hashiba, the greater portion of troops within the castle have starved to death. The lord of the castle pleaded for the survivors lives to be spared by offering his own life in suicide in the wake of the battle. However, their utter resistance left a deep impression on the Hashiba and to smoothen the process of ruling and negotiation afterwards, they tried to save the life of the castle lord but..."

"The lord stubbornly refused, and Hashiba asked Nobunaga whether it was fine to allow his suicide. In the end, permission was granted, and with the lord's death, Tottori Castle became the site of Hashiba's overthrow of the Mouri..."

At XIV's voice, Terumoto looked to the east.

Into the distance which was illuminated by the afternoon glow yet blurred into white.

In that sky, was a sandstorm that spanned 10km, and a floating dark shadow.

"When the accompanying vessels deploy defences against the sand, we'll become the "Tottori Castle" that guards the skies of Mouri's east. The long term defensive deployment that hinges on our being a transport ship will be over soon-- Mouri-01."

At that address, a voice from the open-air kitchen outside the tent, some distance away from it, responded.

"Tes, hime-sama. The automaton in command of the Tottori Castle, Mouri-32b, has gladly passed these 200 days. As there were replacements made to the machinery of the body, movement is still possible even without eating anything for 200 days. With the sandy environment of the Tottori, we had to be free to clean up daily. When the Hashiba forces on the eastern side exhausted themselves, the children of our troops would on occasion set up food stalls to deliver provisions."

"And so those 200 days gradually draw to a close."

At Terumoto's voice, Rene de Garou twisted her head legthwise.

"....P.A Oda may boast a massive fleet but to extend influence to K.P.A Italia and Kantou they expanded the traditional 30% that comprised their territories so they have a shortage of ships. To attack our Hexagone Francais, they would capture the Tottori Castle if they can as they hope to make use of its transport capabilities and reserve supplies. Of course, to prevent any insurrection by the local populace, they wish to, at that point, adopt the "succession" state for the castle protecting them."

"That's why we use that as bait."

Terumoto regarded Rene de Garou

"We surrender the Tottori Castle to the Hashiba forces in an undamaged condition. In place of a handover, Rene de Garou will succeed the military command of the Far East side of the battle."

Having done that,

"Rene de Garou will intervene on the Mouri side of battle when it is possible to do so. Against the Hashiba, with regards to Hexagone Francais and Mouri, they are the ingredients for a feint of the highest order."

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"Matchless, Terumoto! We trembled at your wisdom!"

"That's simply my belly being cold, nothing else....Anyway, you may as well intervene when it appears possible. That is still a valuable opportunity. The vice-chancellor takes to the battlefield instead of the chancellor.... That kind of image is critical."

At Terumoto's words, Rene de Garou smiled thinly.

"I understand what you are largely aiming at. You want to manipulate the Hashiba yes?"

"Straight-laced idiots are terrible. I and those with authority belong to opposing camps.....but still, some interesting news came to me."

"That is?.........With regards to myself, The moment that I've been waiting for is here?"

Rene's smile deepened as she asked.

"If I intervene in the battle, the Tottori Castle, devoid of Hashiba, would not be deployed to the frontlines yes? It's likely that with Mouri-32b setting up branch stores, information from spies will be obtained no?"

"A wolf's nose truly is sharp eh."

Terumoto laughed acidly. She settled into a chair and stretched her arms behind her. Mouri-02 approached one of the steps and placed a cup of hot milk in her hands.

"Oh...thanks......Well anyway, the requirement is simple. The Hashiba are loading supplies bound for Kantou and Edo onto Azuchi Castle. As this news is from 2 days ago, that would be complete by now. In other words, with Azuchi Castle being sent back to Lake Biwa to be returned to Nobunaga, the Hashiba are going to make use of that to ferry the supplies from the Tottori Castle. Simply...."

Simply,

"When that is done, the Hashiba will resupply the Shibata force."