The taste of dirt was not unfamiliar. Yamada Unko had never truly been far from it.
Before outsiders, he was a lofty young master. But in truth, before his grandfather, Yamada Ungai, he was merely one of many grandsons who had left a somewhat deeper impression on him.
Although Yamada Ungai was only a Kasumioji Clan Retainer, he had no shortage of wives and concubines, and countless descendants. In order to win his grandfather's favor, Yamada Unko was not even worth as much as a dog before him.
Especially after he had grown older, Yamada Ungai's behavior was no different from that of a beast.
Whenever Yamada Unko kowtowed to Yamada Ungai, he was often ordered to lie prone on the ground for a long time. Sometimes, he would not be allowed to get up for one or even two days.
And such things were far from rare. He had swallowed far too much dirt and dust...
But he had done so willingly, because every mouthful of dirt and dust he swallowed was a guarantee of his power and status.
Yet this time, the dust tasted especially bitter.
The man before him did not seem to have the slightest intention of sparing him.
Asano Kiyoshi's expression was cold as he looked at Yamada Unko kneeling on the ground, pondering briefly.
Yamada Unko, descendant of a Kasumioji Clan Retainer. Yamada Ungai, one of the people behind that Baku Katana... If possible, this fellow might be a good opportunity. I can use him to deliver the first blow against the nobles, and Captain-Commander seems to be planning to leave the matter of the Baku Katana to me as well.
The captured Baku Sword and the Deer-Masked Man had been thrown into the First Squad Prison by Vice-Captain Chōjirō Sasakibe without even being