High Priest in Japan

What do you think? Tokimi asked without hesitation, knowing that she was free in terms of strategy and military affairs.

You can send someone to contact the Asakura family in Echizen, the Asai family in North Omi, and the Rokkaku family in South Omi. The first two are the closest to us, and they are likely to be Imagawa's next target after capturing Mino. The latter is in Imagawa If you don’t want to be wiped out, you can only surrender and join the Imagawa family or dispel Imagawa Yoshimoto’s idea of ​​going to Luo before the Imagawa family enters Omi, so there is a great possibility that they will support us.” Hanbing Takenaka After thinking for a while, Wei replied, In this way, coupled with our own combat power, it is possible to temporarily block Yoshimoto Imagawa from Mino.

Can it only be temporarily... Tokimi murmured a little greedily.

Yes, for the time being. After all, in terms of strength, our national power is far behind the Imagawa family who controls the Suruga, Toe, Mikawa and Owari four countries. Hanbei Takenaka smiled wryly.

Then do as you wish. Tokimi thought about it.

If you don't try hard, Tokimi is really unwilling to just give up Mino who just got her.

In this case, there is someone I think you should meet first. Hanbei Takenaka did not object, looking at Tokimi and reminded.

Who? Tokimi asked suspiciously.

The current governor of Kita Omi's Asai family, Asai Nagamasa, he is now in Inabayama Castle. Hanbei Takenaka said.

Nagamasa Asai? Why is he here? After listening for a while, Yoshimichi Inaba, who finally had a chance to jump into the topic, asked in surprise.

As the actual owner and lord of Inabayama Castle, why didn't he know that Asai Nagamasa had entered his castle?

He's here to recruit me. Takenaka Hanbei explained.

Tokimi, who was staying with Takenaka Hanbei before, naturally knows this, so she doesn't have to worry about things like suspicion after saying this.

What's more, Tokimi herself couldn't do such a thing.

Because the brain is not there...

Then see you. Tokimi said without hesitation.

What about the battle outside? Ujiie Naomoto asked.

Hanbei will handle it. Tokimi said.

All right.

Then Hanbei Takenaka left the room to arrange the battle, and sent someone to notify Asai Nagamasa, who was still in the city, to see Tokimi, the unexpected special guardian of Mino.

And it didn't take long, and Nagamasa Asai appeared in the main hall of Inabayama Castle in a straight suit——

Asai Nagamasa was taken aback, and then he adjusted his mentality and said, The Kita Omi Asai family Asai Nagamasa has met Her Royal Highness Princess Toki.

Excuse me. Toki Miku raised her hand and said.

Thank you, princess. Asai Nagamasa got up and said, I never thought that after nearly ten years, Mino would be able to return to the descendants of its original owner. I have to say that this is a surprising thing. , I’m here to congratulate Your Highness the Princess.”

Thank you. But whether it can continue to be kept, or whether it can be stably assigned to my name, is still a matter for discussion. Tokimi said with a wry smile without hiding it.

But I want to believe that Her Highness Princess Toki can realize this sad wish. Asai Nagamasa said seriously.

So I hope the Asai family can help me. Tokimi said without hesitation, and immediately went straight to the topic.

Of course. Asai Nagamasa responded without any hesitation.

Really?! Asai-kun is really anxious and righteous. He is a friend worthy of deep friendship and trust. Tokimi was delighted when she heard this, and praised with a smile on her face.

His Royal Highness, the princess, the award is not unconditional, but there are other demands. Nagamasa Asai said with a smile.

What is the appeal? Tokimi's expression froze, and she asked back with a downcast face.

I hope to be able to establish a relationship with His Highness Princess Toki and become a husband and wife. Only in this way can I have enough reasons to persuade the elders and all the retainers at home to send troops at the risk of offending His Royal Highness Imakawa Yoshimoto at this critical moment. Enter Mino to help the princess resist Imagawa's army. Asai Nagamasa announced with a serious face.

What?! You said you want to marry me!? Toki Mimi, who hadn't expected the conversation to suddenly turn here, exclaimed with a face full of astonishment.

Yes. Asai Nagamasa said confidently.

It's true that strategies are not afraid of old age, as long as they are useful.

You've heard of me before? Tokimi asked back with a strange expression after shedding her breath.

Before we met today, I had never heard of Miss Toki's existence. Asai Nagamasa shook his head.

Then why did you think of marrying me? Tokimi asked puzzled.

There are two reasons. One is to strengthen the connection between us, so that the support plan we are discussing now can be achieved, and the other is for the future. Nagamasa Asai explained.

In the future? Tokimi asked suspiciously.

Yes, in the future, Her Highness the Princess will not think that after defeating the Imagawa army this time, Mino will be safe and sound in the future? Asai Nagamasa asked back with a smile. Then without waiting for the silent Tokimi to answer, Asai Nagamasa continued, As an important portal on the road to Luo, the princes of the Kanto region, whether it is Yoshimoto Imagawa or someone in the future, as long as they want to go to Luo and obtain righteousness , Mino will definitely become the target of their crusade!

And with Meinong's current military strength and national strength, how many times can it resist? Therefore, attracting the powerful families of the nearby countries and forming a solid offensive and defensive alliance is the fundamental way to ensure the long-term continuation of Meinong.

It just so happens that my Asai family also has the idea of ​​expanding our influence. In addition, I am unmarried and you are unmarried. Apart from marriage, I really can't think of a stronger alliance than this.

... Tokimi was silent, unable to speak for a long time.

Marriage is something she is no stranger to, after all, she has been educated in this way since she was a child, and before transforming into Demon Saber Fairy, she was also ready to be married out, but who would have thought that things would change and develop so quickly? fast? The Toki family actually fell down a thousand sticks, and they were kicked out of the guardian position of Meinong. Apart from the identity of a famous family, they didn't have any real things on them.

How is this different from directly knocking the Toki family into the dust? Naturally, the possibility of Tokimi being married off has been eliminated, and she has become an ordinary noble girl who has obtained the freedom of marriage to a certain extent.

In this way, adding her current identity--the demon sword girl and the unstable guardian of Mino, and then thinking about things like contact, it is not as simple as it used to be.

This not only involves Mino's interests and future, but also the future of the fiancée's life, so she can't help but treat it with caution and prudence.

You two go out first. After a long silence, Inaba Yoshimichi and Ujiie Naomoto on both sides of Toki Michō said.