The Fierce Saintess

Episode 48: Joukyou 4 (1687) – Genroku 3 (1690) - Part 3

Your gift will give me the strength to post the next chapter, the next story.

*****

On the day following the fire, Princess Kana was tidying up after her arithmetic lesson, which had taken place as usual, when Old Man Jirō showed up. Wondering why he was here when there was still a little time before her afternoon practice—

「Princess, yesterday was quite an ordeal. I was thinking we could cancel this afternoon's practice and go out instead. What do you say?」

Surprised by the unexpected invitation, the princess quickly jumped at the offer, reasoning that if practice was canceled, why not?

「Very well. But where are we going?」

「I thought we might take a stroll around the castle ruins.」

「The mountain behind the estate? Yes, that sounds nice for a change.」

She immediately called out to Natsume and the others to prepare for their outing.

The area Princess Kana referred to as 'the mountain behind the estate' was a slightly elevated hill adjacent to Enkō-ji Temple, just north of the Tsuchimikado residence. It was once the site of a fortress—Umekōji Castle—though its moats had been filled in long ago. Aside from a few bamboo stalks growing sparsely among the scrub trees that barely hinted at the earthen ramparts of the past, not a single trace of the castle remained.

Together with Kurogane, Saki, and the rest, they climbed in a casual line toward the hilltop. Above their heads, Suou and Kaou floated lightly through the air, pretending to swim across the sky.

Though the path was not particularly steep, reaching the highest point warmed their bodies comfortably.

Standing in a small clearing and looking around, the surrounding townscape came into view alongside the scars left by yesterday's fire.

Though thin trails of smoke still rose from a few places, preparations to rebuild were already underway. Lumber was stacked here and there, while rubble from the burnt ruins was loaded onto carts and hauled away one after another.

At many temples, soup kitchens had been set up to feed those displaced by the blaze. The princess recalled smelling the savory scent of miso soup wafting even from Enkō-ji Temple nearby.

(How remarkably resilient they are.)

Yet elsewhere, she could see columns of smoke rising where victims of the fire were being gathered and cremated. Reminded of yesterday's cries and screams, her expression darkened.

「You look rather troubled, Princess.」

As Old Man Jirō peered concernfully at her face and asked, Princess Kana decided to share the doubt that had been weighing on her mind since yesterday.

「When we landed at the scene yesterday, I heard the weeping and screaming of the people, but I paid them no mind. I was told that suppressing the flames had to take top priority, and I agreed. I still believe that choice was correct.」

The hand she had been using to point at the scorched earth slowly dropped to her side.

「And yet, I cannot help but wonder... if I had moved to save even a few people then, might more lives have been saved?」

At her words, Old Man Jirō gently shook his head.

「If I may say so, Princess, that sounds a bit arrogant. A person can only ever accomplish what lies within their power. Once you have acted with all your might, whatever remains must be left in the hands of the Gods and Buddha. Yesterday, you extinguished the fire and saved countless people. I believe that was something only you could have achieved. To demand even more of yourself beyond that... is nothing short of greed.」

「Greed...」

「Besides, if anyone else were to demand such things of you, that would be the pinnacle of greed on their part. Such people rarely lift a finger themselves, yet expect the world from others. Those types are best paid no heed at all.」

With that, he let out a dry, hearty laugh.

(Arrogant and greedy... Perhaps he's right...)

「If anyone dares demand such a thing of Princess, I'll burn them to ashes!」

「And I'll freeze them solid!」

Having overheard the conversation, Suou and Kaou descended to her feet, puffing their chests out passionately as they declared. Strange as it was, even though her mind had logically understood, hearing it affirmed by others brought a genuine sense of peace.

「My apologies, Old Man Jirō, for burdening you with such foolish talk.」

「Princess! Master Jirō!」

Just as their conversation reached a natural end, Natsume, who had been waiting a short distance away, called out. Following her and Saki's beckoning gestures of 'over here, over here', the group walked toward them.

「Look at this! See?」

Where Natsume pointed, a solitary patch stood out with lustrous green leaves and delicate white blossoms. A camellia tree, about five feet tall, was currently in full bloom. Because the surrounding trees had shed their leaves and looked desolate, its vibrant colors were all the more striking.

「Oh, my... How beautiful...」

There were several camellia trees back at the estate, but since all of them bore red flowers, the white camellia was a novel sight. A gentle smile touched Princess Kana's lips. Stepping closer, she gazed at it for a moment before speaking.

「Tell me, Old Man Jirō. Was the castle that once stood here burned down by Lord Nobunaga?」

「Indeed it was. When Shogun Ashikaga Yoshiaki raised a rebellion against Lord Nobunaga and holed himself up in Nijō Castle, Nobunaga set fire to the capital of Kyoto as a show of force. This place was razed during that event.」

「Then where did this camellia come from? I doubt it simply sprouted on its own. Did some whimsical soul plant it here, or perhaps someone who survived the castle's fall planted it as a memorial to the fallen...?」

She pondered for a moment, though naturally no answer was forthcoming.

「In any case, Old Man Jirō, you are remarkably knowledgeable about warlords.」

「Well, it was essentially my trade, after all. Furthermore, Lord Nobunaga was famous as a sword collector. Not only did he collect them, but he also bestowed them upon his retainers, and even shortened long blades so he could wield them himself. Though, much like Lord Yūsai, most warlords of that era were of a similar mold.」

「Are things different now?」

「Collectors these days seem to collect merely to show off to others. Perhaps because of that, troubles regarding forgeries increase year after year—a truly deplorable state of affairs.」

He let out a lonely sigh.

「In the past, swords and spears were weapons meant to protect what truly mattered—oneself, one's lord, or the land one governed. But today, they have degraded into mere money-making tools or ostentatious display pieces. Perhaps that is why I favor stories from the era when those warlords flourished. Ah, not that I mean to say peace is a bad thing, mind you. Nor do I hold any desire to see people die needlessly. I simply feel a touch wistful.」

「I cannot help but feel pity for things born as weapons if they are never used as weapons. Rather than turning them into showpieces, I find myself thinking it would be better to let them rest in quiet peace.」

「A tool is meant to be used, then. Is that it?」

「Ah, merely the ramblings of an old man, so pay it no mind.」

* * *

As they made their way back down the mountain together, just as they had come—

「Come to think of it, what has become of Master Yasumasa's departure?」

「It remains scheduled for three days from now, as planned. I feared it might be delayed due to recent events, but it seems unchanged.」

「I hear he is going to the newly constructed observatory at Master Yasui's place.」

Yasui Santetsu, who currently served as the Shogunate's Official Astronomer, had doted on her elder brother Yasumasa since he was a small child. The princess clearly remembered how, whenever he visited their estate, the two of them would passionately discuss mathematics and astronomy. There was no way Yasumasa would refuse an invitation from such a mentor.

「Indeed. I heard a letter arrived inviting him to observe a solar eclipse together early in the new year. I offered to have Suou carry him all the way to Edo, but he turned me down.」

「While divine messengers could reach it in a single day, doing so would strip away the true charm of travel. The sights in unfamiliar places, the local delicacies unique to each region... even dropping by hot spring towns along the way brings great joy.」

「There will surely be difficult passes along the route, and traveling in such cold weather will be freezing as well as exhausting.」

「That, too, is part of the charm, after all.」

At Old Man Jirō's words, Princess Kana screwed her face up in total distaste, silently declaring that she wanted nothing to do with cold or fatigue. Natsume giggled at her reaction, while Saki piped up.

「Let us have afternoon tea once we return. I have prepared warm zenzai for today.」

「Is it rice cakes, or is it dumplings? I prefer dumplings!」

「I prefer rice cakes!」

Hearing mention of snacks, Suou and Kaou began clamoring while remaining airborne, and Old Man Jirō joined right in.

「In that case, I'll have both!」

「「Ah! That's unfair!」」

Watching them, the princess thought to herself that if a journey were filled with moments like this, perhaps traveling wasn't so bad after all.

* * *

Making various arrangements in preparation for his departure in three days, Yasumasa was currently pondering which mathematics books to bring with him.

While Osaka and Kyoto had once been the centers of mathematics, Edo had now become the primary hub. Consequently, astronomy was also shifting its center there. The Shogunate establishing the Office of Astronomy and appointing Yasui Santetsu to head it was a clear reflection of this shift.

That was precisely why Yasumasa's desire to eventually study in Edo grew stronger with each passing day. Thus, he viewed this invitation as an exceptional opportunity.

In accordance with his promise to his father, he had adopted his younger brother Yasutsura upon his coming-of-age ceremony two years ago. Barring any unexpected troubles, his preparations to study in Edo would be fully set in a few years. Yasumasa intended to use this trip to lay the groundwork for that future.

Although Shutetsu was his only escort on the journey, he felt little cause for concern with Matsuba and Kaede by his side.

(Kana offered to give me a ride, but as her elder brother, I could hardly accept that...)

With a wry smile, he recalled the fire from the other day. Seeing his younger sister soar through the sky atop her enlarged divine messenger and contribute to quenching the flames with vast quantities of water and a formidable barrier had vividly laid bare the stark difference in their divine power.

(There were times, more than I can count, when I envied that talent and felt jealous of that power...)

Yet the reason Yasumasa had managed to keep going without falling into bitterness was thanks to mathematics and astronomy. These two fields alone were 'his own talent', and he possessed complete confidence that his passion for them yielded to no one.

Above all, it was also thanks to Master Yasui, who had recognized that talent and guided him to foster it. That was why, despite the somewhat harsh season for travel, he had chosen to accept this invitation.

(Observing a solar eclipse alongside Master Yasui at the brand-new observatory... Just thinking about it sets my heart racing!)

Furthermore, several others studying under Yasui were said to be joining as well. While he felt a touch of anxiety over how well his skills would measure up among them, he felt far greater anticipation at the prospect of making friends his own age who shared his passions.

(If I could build a relationship with such people where we spur each other on to greater heights... No, I will definitely make friends like that!)

Dreaming of a near future where he would gaze up at the sky, converse, and challenge each other in calculations alongside such friends, Yasumasa picked up a book and packed it into his baggage.