Act Three: Path of Insincerity, Extra

There don't seem to be many differentiating factors between these two paths.

I think we decided to rely on Tsubone's intuition at times like these, so... What do you think, Tsubone?

Hmm. Hmmm. Hmmmmmm...!

I think it's this way! As I've told you before, my family has a great track record when it comes to choosing between only two options!

My family was right in sticking with Lord Akechi and Lord Kobayakawa! Lord Akechi was right in his betrayal, and Lord Kobayakawa was too!

Granted, things didn't exactly work out well for them after all that, but that doesn't mean they didn't make the right choice! Now come on!

Oh, by the way, this seems like a good opportunity, so... Excuse me! I have a question, please!

Mmm, now that's a good hand raise! It's too bad you're not here in person, or I'd be patting your head right now!

All right then, I think we have time for an impromptu wet nurse classroom. Go ahead!

Thank you. This seems like as good a time as any to ask...

What's Matsudaira Nobutsuna like?

...Well, he's an excellent retainer. He's been serving the shogun for a very long time.

Didn't you say you've also known him for a long time, Lady Kasuga?

Oh yes, I've known him since he was thiiis small.

As you know by now, I was the shogun's wet nurse.

I cared for him like he was my own ever since he was born as "Takechiyo."

And since his pages were with him all the time too, I of course cared for them as well.

Pages?

Oh, yes. Back then, it was customary for boys from other samurai families close in age to the shogun heir...

...to be assigned to him as retainers right after he was born.

My own son, Senkuma, was one of Takechiyo's pages, and so was Choushirou...

...the boy who would later be known as Matsudaira Nobutsuna. So I basically raised him, too.

Come to think of it, a certain someone's son was another one of the shogun's pages...

...but he was relieved of his duties at one point after he and Lord Takechiyo had a falling-out of sorts.

Ah yes, you speak of Mitsuyoshi, my son.

I am sorry for any trouble he may have caused you, Lady Fuku.

A system where a ruler's retainers are assigned to them at birth, and they all grow up together, huh...

Raising them like that would certainly develop strong familial bonds, and would greatly reduce the odds of betrayal once they have begun their positions.

Well, that didn't do much good here, did it!? That accursed, traitorous Nobutsuna!

No, wait, that won't do. A good educator can't lose their temper when teaching children. All right, Fuku, deep breaths... (Exhale)

Anyway, Nobutsuna was always smart, but I'm afraid I might have focused on developing his intelligence to the detriment of other important qualities. I should have known better.

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He also gained the nickname "Wise Izu" at one point after he was assigned to guard Izu Province as Izu-no-Kami. Maybe that went to his head?

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Good question, but I think Lord Munenori there would be better equipped to answer it than me.

Nobutsuna was one of the warriors assigned to protect the shogun. He is moderately skilled, but he always appeared to lack the resolve needed to walk the path of the sword.

However...his own skill aside, he is intimately familiar with warfare.

In that one sense, he is as strong as the fiercest samurai.

After Lord Ieyasu won the Siege of Osaka and united the country, Japan went several decades without knowing war.

But then, it struck again during Shogun Iemitsu's reign.

This was not a battle between warring daimyo, but a revolt led by civilians called the Shimabara Rebellion. Perhaps you've heard of it?

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Nobutsuna was the general who led the shogunate's efforts to suppress it.

That should tell you how highly Shogun Iemitsu valued his abilities.

That may be why he came to be one of the few samurai who still knew war well, even in times of peace.

Still...I remember the look in Nobutsuna's eyes the day he returned from Shimabara.

They were the eyes of a man who had witnessed hell itself.

Master, isn't the Shimabara Rebellion where, um...

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Oh? What are you whispering about over there? And why do you look so sad?

Hmm. I should warn you, it may come as a shock to you, Lady Fuku.

Well, now I HAVE to know what you're talking about.

All right, let me ask you a question now. What might come as a shock to me?

Amakusa Shirou Tokisada is also present in the castle of Chaldea.

Whaaa!? Hold on. You're telling me Lady Chacha, Lord Nobunaga, and Amakusa Shirou Tokisada are all in the same place!?

And here I thought the Ooku could be taxing at times! How could anyone possibly relax in a workplace like that!?

I'm amazed you can handle it, Lord Munenori!

Oh, it is not as bad as you think. Everyone knows their place, and is content not to make waves.

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...Ah, I think I understand now. So in the end, it all comes down to your lord's ability to manage his people?

Indeed.

I see. Now it all makes sense. In that case, I think you deserve another round! (Pat pat)

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Oh hey, look at that. We reached the end of this corridor while we were talking.

It would seem to be a dead end. How unfortunate.

Damn. I guess it was a bad idea to take the easy-seeming route after all!

For some reason, the paths that seem most promising always turn out to be dead ends. This layout is just infuriating.

All right then, we'll just have to concentrate even harder from now on!