Part Three: Descent! Demon King Nobunaga!

...So, Gonroku is dead.

Yes, my liege. By the time I arrived, I'm afraid there was nothing to be done...

No matter. Gonroku served me well. He has earned a respite.

As for the Chaldea clan, they are preparing to launch a direct assault on Azuchi as we speak.

Hmm... Then we will muster our entire regiment and ride out to meet them.

This battle will decide everything.

W-well, I'm afraid there have been some...complications on that front, my liege.

...What sort of complications?

You see, we are, um...currently unable to feed our soldiers.

Hm? I don't understand.

I thought we had plenty of rice to spare thanks to the string of bumper crops we've had in recent years.

Y-yes, well...I'm told a merchant by the name of the Kameyama Troupe has purchased the majority of Azuchi's rice supply...

...so I don't think we'll have to worry about Demon King Nobunaga's army making any moves of their own for a while.

When did you even find the time to start a merchant business since we last saw you, Sakamoto?

Well, it was the perfect cover for some information gathering, so I figured I'd take advantage of that.

You bought up the enemy's entire supply of rice, huh? That's...really clever.

Even the Demon King version of me can't raise an army without feeding it.

The rice was unusually cheap thanks to a string of bumper crops anyway, so it wasn't even all that hard.

Oryou has never carried so many bags of rice in Oryou's whole life.

Anyway, this has given us a good chance to march right into Azuchi and square off with Demon King Nobunaga without a big, long series of battles just to get there.

Devious bastard... I'm glad you're not working for the other side, and that you weren't with the shogunate back in the day.

I'll say... Were you always good at this sort of thing, Sakamoto?

Nah, I wouldn't say that. I just figure, if there's a way to avoid fighting, that's the way to go.

Hmm, so this is economic warfare.

I guess my Demon King self didn't see this coming, since there couldn't be many others who were good at that sort of thing in this time.

Yeah, Lord Toyotomi's about the only other guy I can think of who'd bother with such a boring plan.

Now that I think about it, I bet Monkey would've loved tactics like this.

He always seemed like the only one in the Oda clan who knew how to really make his money work for him.

At any rate, now that the Demon King's newfound impoverishment has greatly impeded their capabilities, does this mean we will finally be settling things directly?

I still can't imagine we'll be able to just walk into Azuchi, no matter how low on rations they may be.

So what if we split our forces here? One army could create a diversion by pretending to attack Azuchi head-on, and the main one would be free to slip into the castle undetected.

That could work. So you'll handle the diversion while the rest of us handle the Demon King, god of war?

Actually, there's something about the Demon King Nobunaga I want to make sure of for myself, so I would prefer to join the main force as well.

Hmm. In that case, I think the only ones here who can oversee the diversion are Hijikata, me, and me.

That's fine. I'll handle the diversion.

I don't have much experience commanding large armies, but we're just going for a diversion here so that shouldn't be a problem.

Then I'll go with you. I've got plenty of experience when it comes to large-scale warfare.

Great. With the famous Lord Nobunaga helping out, we've practically already won. Okita, I want you to lead the vanguard as Captain of the First Unit.

The vanguard? That's fine with me, but to be honest, leading isn't really my thing?

I've never told you all this before, but I'm actually much better when it comes to assassinations and such.

Yeah, I knew that.

You did!?

I think I'll join the main force. I may not be as proficient at fighting in silence as that man-slayer over there, but it still suits me better than a direct assault.

I'm coming with the main force too! I bet I'll get tons of points for taking down Demon King Boss!

All right then, Master, myself, Kagetora, Li Shuwen, Mori, and Infantrywoman Nobbu will join the main force...

...while Hijikata, Okita, and Kippoushi will lead the diversionary force.

Then Chacha will stay and hold down the castle! Honestly, Chacha's too tired to do anything else now anyway.

I think I'll do the same. I'd hate to come along only to end up getting in Sister's way.

What about you, Sakamoto?

You guys can handle the Demon King. I've still got some things I need to look into.

Like finding Izo. Oryou has no idea where that dumbass could be.

？！

Yeah!

Fuhahahaha! Impressive! I never thought they would attack our supply chain!

And here I was certain I was the only daimyo in this age of Warring States who knew how to wield economics in war!

It seems I let my conceit get the best of me.

I'm so sorry, Lord Nobunaga. I should have caught this before it became a problem.

No matter. Our army alone was never going to prevail against the enemy's Servants anyway.

I was always going to have to face them myself at some point.

Forgive the interruption, my liege, but the Chaldeans have begun invading Azuchi!

Their forces appear to number about sixty thousand!

Oho... No wonder they were able to conquer almost all of the eastern provinces. What do you make of this, Mitsuhide?

If that count is accurate, this invading force would constitute the bulk of their army.

However, as you said yourself, an army alone can never prevail against Servants.

So I suspect this is a diversion, and that a separate unit will be taking advantage of it to make their way here.

Yes, I expect so as well.

Very well then, I leave my army in your command, Mitsuhide. Muster our troops and meet these attackers in the field.

My liege? That would be playing right into the enemy's hands.

...Do you truly think I would lose to the likes of them?

Or perhaps you're plotting to turn my own forces against me once more?

N-not at all, my liege! Never again!

Very well then, but I ask that you at least take him with you. He should be at least some help against Servants.

Hmph. I can easily handle the likes of them all on my own, but I suppose I can give you this opportunity to save face.

Thank you, my liege. Rest assured, the Chaldeans' army will never set one foot past my gunners.

Good. Now then...I hope these Chaldeans prove to be at least somewhat entertaining.

That's odd... There should be many more guards than we're seeing here.

That's true... We still haven't run into any real resistance.

Hmm. Maybe this just means our diversion is working better than we expected?

Well this sucks. If I'd known it was gonna be like this, I'd have gone with the frontal assault and gotten waaay more points that way.

？！

By the time you realize something's off, it's already too late!

Ah! Master!!!

Hmph, just the sort of cowardly tactic I'd expect from an Assassin. Not that I'm in any position to criticize.

Dammit! How the hell'd an old man like you figure out what I was up to?

？！

I-Izo? Is that you!?

Huh? You know who I am? Yeah, it's me! I'm one of Demon King Nobunaga's faithful retainers...

Man-Slayer Izo!

Well, I guess we don't need to ask what happened to him. He's obviously been brainwashed.

Master, you don't mind if I kill this guy, right? Great, thanks. I'll just do that right now.

Hey, you! Nobody makes an attempt on my Master's life and lives to tell about it!

Wait. He was talented to begin with, and this Demon King seems to be enhancing his strength further.

You shouldn't rush in without a plan.

Hmph, guess I don't have any other options! Get out here, men! We'll finish them all off right now!

Yes, Lord Izo! We will attack on your command!

It looks like Izo wasn't the only one lying in wait for us.

They've got us surrounded... What should we do now?

...Kid, come with me. We'll stay behind and hold them off.

The rest of you, go take care of this Demon King person.

Who the hell're you calling "kid," old man!? And why should I!? I got plans to kill me a Demon King!

Ha! Don't make me laugh. You really think a couple of weaklings like you can so much as slow me down?

Yeah, okay, I'm in! Go on ahead, Master! I'm gonna kill the shit outta this guy.

Next time I see you, his head'll be decorating my spear!

？！

In that case, we'd better make our way past them! Let's go, Mash!

Understood! Chief Retainer Mash Kyrielight, preparing for battle!

Oh no you don't! Not one of you is getting out of here alive!

...Tell me, Caster, how is your plan progressing?

I'm pleased to say that the Chaldea clan is finally gearing up to confront Demon King Nobunaga.

Wonderful. Once the Demon King is out of the picture, we can finally go about saving all living creatures.

True, the Chaldeans seem like they'd be much more receptive to our goal than the Demon King.

Why, they might even volunteer to help you accomplish it.

...All that we do, we do to bring about paradise on earth.

...

I never thought we'd find Okada here brainwashed into working for the enemy.

Eh, maybe it's not so odd. He never struck me as much of a thinker.

It's too bad Sakamoto isn't here with us. He might have been able to get through to Izo...

You said the castle keep was down this corridor, right? I trust you're all ready for what awaits us there?

This place seems pretty much the same as I remember it, so yeah, the keep should be right up ahead.

Then it won't be much longer until we meet Demon King Nobunaga for ourselves. Let's go, Senpai!

？！

Come on then. Let's go see what this Demon King me is like.

I'm impressed you made it this far, Fujimaru of Chaldea.

...So you're Demon King Nobunaga.

And you must be Nagao Kagetora, Echigo's god of war...

Heh. Now that a Demon King and a god of war are about to do battle, this truly feels like the conflict's climax.

？！

Well damn, I knew I was hot stuff, but Demon King me is next-level hot!

This is neither the time nor the place for that, Nobunaga of Chaldea!

It's not, huh? My bad. Guess I'd better just shut up and start killing.

Oh my, how scary... How very like me to get my enemy to lower their guard before mounting a surprise attack.

Damn. Guess it figures you'd know what I was thinking.

Demon King Nobunaga... You have been tormenting innocent people for too long. Now I, Nagao Kagetora, shall defeat you in the name of Bishamonten!

Oh? So you're here on behalf of the heavens, are you?

I've heard rumors about you, but it seems Echigo's god of war is an even greater fool than I was told.

Ever since you were alive, you've been hung up on fighting for honor and reason and all that. It's always gotten on my nerves.

If you love the gods and the Buddha that much, you should have contented yourself with chanting prayers in a temple somewhere.

The human world is bound by morality. I fight to ensure that that morality prevails!

Hmph. You talk a big game for someone whose heart is nowhere in it.

Huh!? What are you trying to say!?

Listen up! Neither the gods nor the Buddha have a place in my world!

I am the heavens and the law of this world itself!

I am Oda Nobunaga, Demon King of the Sixth Heaven!

If it wasn't clear you were an enemy of the gods before that show of conceit, it certainly is now.

Oh? You claim to be an avatar of the gods, you come to pass judgment on me as such, and you call ME conceited?

I can see there is no sense in us talking further, so I will say no more. All that remains now is to do battle!

Hey, this is me we're talking about. If peaceful resolution was in my repertoire, things would never have gotten this bad in the first place.

Hmm, it looks like we've got you vastly outnumbered. You're not gonna call foul there?

Funny you should say that. It doesn't matter how many of you weaklings band together. I could beat you all with both arms tied behind my back.

Now...experience the power of the Demon King of the Sixth Heaven!

？！

Good! Vanguard, advance! Keep your guard up, Okita!

Okita Souji, Infantrywoman of the Chaldea clan's First Unit, moving out!

You know, I'm pretty sure I've earned a promotion to captain at the very least by now!

The enemy vanguard is cutting their way in, Lord Mitsuhide! What are your orders to the gunners!?

...Nothing. At least not yet. We're going to draw them in as far as possible first.

...Now! Gunners, fire at will!

Wahahahaha! So Mitsuhide's their commander, huh? No wonder their defense is so tight! This isn't his first rodeo by a long shot!

I can see why he was such a decorated general in the Warring States period.

What do we do now? We can't just keep putting our vanguard through the grinder like this.

True... For the moment, I think we'd better have them retreat, then

Hey, are you all right? You're starting to fade away.

Hm? Oh hey, so I am! Wahahaha, this is so cool! I can see right through my own hand!

This isn't funny! Wh-what's going on!?

Looks like something must've happened to the other mes.

The enemy's advance has slowed, Lord Mitsuhide!

...So, it's begun.

Fuhahahahaha! Impressive!

Nagao Kagetora! You do yourself a disservice, describing yourself as merely the avatar of Bishamonten!

There is something far greater than Bishamonten in you. Something both human and inhumansomething deviant from humanity itself!

...It's over, Demon King Nobunaga.

True, Kagetora is crazy strong. I'm just glad she's on my side.

？！

Fuhahahaha! It would seem my role here is complete.

Fujimaru of Chaldea, was it!?

Now that the Demon King, the enemy and tormentor of all living things, is about to disappear...

...do you truly believe paradise will come to this world?

？！

Oh, nothing.

I just couldn't help but wonder what this world will hold for you now that I am gone.

Farewell, Chaldeans!

Fuhahahaha! Hahahahaha...!!!

...Demon King Nobunaga has...disappeared...

Honestly, that was a bit of a letdown, as easy as it was. Those last words were ominous, though.

True. You need to be a lot stronger before you go around claiming to be Demon King me.

Huh!? N-Nobunaga, look at you!

Wh-what's going on!?

Hm? What is it? Huh, that's weird. Did you all shrink a little?

？！

Hm? Oh yeah, you guys didn't shrink. I got bigger.

Aaah! ALL of me got bigger!

I-I guess it can't be helped?

It most certainly can be!