Fenghua Castle, council hall.
Facing Kazahana Dōtō's aggressive words and feeling his daughter trembling beside him, Kazahana Sōsetsu's heart bled.
How had it come to this? How?
If you wanted the Daimyo's position, you only had to say so. Others might be reluctant to give it up, but why would I be?
As long as you could govern the Land of Snow better, what would it matter if I handed the position to you?
"Brother, stop this. Withdraw your troops, and I'll pretend tonight never happened. If you want to be Daimyo, I'll formally announce my abdication in your favor tomorrow. Seize power through rebellion, and people will despise you for the rest of your life."
Sorrow filled Kazahana Sōsetsu's eyes. He cradled his daughter's head with one hand and reached toward his brother with the other, doing everything he could to persuade him.
"We've already come this far. What good does any of that do now? Only a baptism of blood can truly transform the Land of Snow."
Kazahana Dōtō ignored his pleas entirely, determined to carry out his own will.
"Brother, this is the last time I'll call you that. Give me the Daimyo's scepter and seal, and draft the abdication decree now. I'll spare your life."
"My lord, why waste words on him? Take him down now. Any delay could bring trouble."
Nadare Rōga, who had been standing half a step behind him, took two steps forward and quietly offered the reminder.
Seeing that Kazahana Sōsetsu still refused to budge, and urged on by his subordinate, Kazahana Dōtō finally stopped hesitating and swept his hand forward—
o
"Attack! Kill them all!"
His subordinates surged forward. At a time like this, even a second's hesitation meant throwing away their own chance at earning merit.
Above them, Kazahana Sōsetsu