Just before dawn, December 25th.
Nobuna sat alone in the grass hut at the top of Mount Gifu.
This grass hut was located at the peak of Mount Kinka and was one of Dousan's most beloved places when he was still alive.
Right now, Nobuna wore a pure white kimono.
"I'm sorry for not wearing a proper bridal gown, Viper. I doubt I'll have a chance to actually wear a bridal gown, but let me send you off tonight like this."
The big snowfall had weaned off to thin snowflakes sometime ago.
Even at the top of the mountain, she could still clearly hear the Christmas carols from the foot. The current melody was a marvelous song sung by both guys and girls together. The tune was totally different from that of Japanese songs. She had heard of Yoshiharu saying this was a very popular "eengshi" song in the future, though she didn't have a clue what he meant. She did not understand any of the song either.
Such a mysterious song, it somehow brought tears to Nobuna's eyes as she silently listened to it.
"Now that I'm alone here, it should be alright if I cry out, right?"
After all, she had to gather herself again to conquer the world soon.
"If this is the only time, it's alright to cry out loud, right?"
"....The ones I love, and who were worthy of trust, everyone has died in the end."
Father passed away.
Viper has left.
Even that namban missionary....
Everyone... has left me.
So,
If I want to be together with him, he will be scolded by everyone, declared "the worst man in the history of overstepping authority" and be despised by everyone.
And finally, he will die because of me...
I want to run away.
But right now, my real wish is to stay by his side.
But if I extend my hands towards him, he will definitely be broken.
I want to throw away my status as the princess of Oda Clan; just throw all of this away.
To live as a simple city girl, just as "Kichi" and go everywhere with him.
But, I can't do it...
For this dream of conquering the world, countless soldiers have given me their lives.
I can't do such an irresponsible thing like abandoning everything.
So I banished him to Ise, expecting him to be safer if he were further away from me.
But, I can't endure the days without him, as expected.
Every day, every minute, every second my heart thinks only of him; I can't shake the thought away...
"....Uhh...Uhh...Uhh...Uhhh...."
Why?
Just why? I have worked so hard, but the heavens, Buddha-sama or even Jesus-sama, they don't reward me.
Why must I always face saddening things?
Why must I be lonelier and lonelier?
Even the one person that I want to have around is....
"Merry Christmas, Nobuna♪"
With a strange red hat on his head, his face pasted with white paper strips, a man wearing same color weird namban clothing stood in front of her. Across his back was a huge white thing like a sack for transporting rice.
Because her vision was clouded by tears, Nobuna couldn't see clearly.
Is this an illusion?
Did I eat Danjo's medicine and escape to the illusionary world?
Even if that weird fellow is Saru, such an attire is just too messed up...
"...What are you up to, Saru? What's with that attire? Does that big sack behind your back contain a girl you recently kidnapped from somewhere?"
"I don't want to hear it from you while you're cosplaying as a bride in such a place. Listen, now I'm not Saru or Sagara Yoshiharu, and this moustache isn't pasted on but the real stuff, cough, I'm Santa Claus. ♪" Yoshiharu chimed as he raised his hands for a weird pose.
"Sanda craws...? What is that? Or is it something like doing a trick to kidnap girls?"
"On Christmas night, Sanda, no no, Santa Claus rides a wooden sled around the world to give presents to good kids. This is an event in the future every year, so, merry Christmas. ♪"
What does this man think he is doing in this atmosphere?
If he wants to console me, this method is too unorthodox, right?
Hmph, and what do you want to give me?
Can you return Viper to me?
Or, do you have the guts to bring me with you and escape from here?
Coward.
Gutless idiot.
How many times has it been... I want to fulfill the promise with you, but you don't even have the courage to kiss me.
Every time you just pay lip service.
You swore to be loyal to me, you promised to be by my side when I fulfill my dreams, but when I just avert my eyes a little, you immediately run to other girls and flirt with them.
I heard...
You have been in a mixed bath with Sakon and Takeda Shingen, right?
So, to you, as long as they are cute, any girl will do!?
Even if it isn't me, you are okay with it?
Since...
You can't possibly do anything to your master, Oda Nobuna...
Such a guy like you,
Such a guy like you, I hate......