The Land of Rice Fields Daimyo Mansion was no longer filled with the music of zithers and the aroma of fine wine.
The daimyo, who had spent his days indulging in wine and women, paced anxiously back and forth through the hall. Every so often, he glanced toward the entrance, his eyes bloodshot.
The officials below him were just as worried.
The great hall was utterly silent.
"Report—!"
A messenger stumbled into the hall.
Seeing the pallor of the man's face, the daimyo's heart gave a sudden jolt.
The last few times bad news had arrived, the man had worn the same expression as someone whose family had just died.
"Y-Your Excellency..." The messenger fell to his knees, his voice trembling so badly he could barely speak.
"The New Martial Army... The New Martial Army..."
The daimyo swept the low table to the ground, sending golden cups and jade goblets crashing everywhere.
"What happened to the New Martial Army? Speak!"
"The New Martial Army... has entered the pass!"
At those words, the daimyo was struck as if by lightning. With a clatter, he collapsed onto the debris-strewn floor, his face deathly pale.
He shakily raised a finger, his lips quivering uncontrollably.
"You... you dare spread false news? The Land of Fire reinforcements and my twenty thousand troops were holding Tsurumi Pass. How did the New Martial Army get through?
"Did they attack Tsurumi Pass head-on and wipe out all forty thousand troops?"
"Your Excellency, I swear it's true!"
The messenger wore a grief-stricken expression.
"The New Martial Army didn't attack Tsurumi Pass. They went around to Ishi Plain and entered through the border. They've been heading south all the way, and now... now they're less than fifty miles from the Daimyo Mansion!"
The hall erupted into chaos. Officials' tablets and