Reunion with Takanobu

"It has been quite some time, Ryosai. Have you been well?"

After a long silence, Matsuura Takanobu speaks briefly. His face is flat and expressionless like a Noh mask, allowing no insight whatsoever to those granted an audience regarding what emotions its owner might harbor. His voice is utterly cold.

On the night of arriving at Ikitsuki Island and reuniting with Koteda, Ryosai was already before Takanobu. Learning of the circumstances, Koteda Antonio, understanding the urgency of the matter, immediately dispatched a swift messenger and requested an audience with Takanobu. Takanobu, who once encouraged Christianity but now views it with suspicion. Koteda, who became a Christian at Takanobu's recommendation yet refuses to abandon his faith even as his lord's policy has changed. The rift between the two deepens year by year.

However, Koteda is the man who continued to support Takanobu even when he nearly lost the succession dispute. He could even be called Takanobu's guardian.

Moreover, persecuting Koteda's Christian faith would also mean completely losing the final possibility of reviving Nanban trade. Such conflicts within Takanobu made possible this midnight meeting while simultaneously creating that mask-like expression.

"Lord Takanobu. I am deeply grateful from the bottom of my heart for granting me an audience in the dead of night."

Ryosai prostrates himself and bows to Takanobu.

"Very well. I have heard the matter from Lord Koteda. You wish to take Raquel to Kyoto. State your reasons."

"Yes. I shall make my request directly. I wish to escort Lady Raquel to Kyoto to treat the illness of Lord Akechi Mitsuhide. Lord Mitsuhide is currently the foremost retainer of Lord Oda Nobunaga, whose name resounds throughout the realm from Kyoto. This humble Ryosai has been commanded by Lord Nobunaga to search for a Nanban physician. Could Lord Takanobu lend his assistance to Lord Nobunaga, who strives to save the life of his retainer? It is said that Japanese doctors are of no avail."

"I see. Nobunaga's foremost retainer. That is indeed an important personage. The reputation that Lord Nobunaga led his arquebus troops to defeat the Takeda of Kai and now advances with unstoppable momentum has reached even my ears. No wonder you came flying here in panic from Kyoto. To this Hirado. How far you have come."

Takanobu's words carry obvious barbs. However, Ryosai knew as much when he came this far. More importantly, Takanobu's words seemed favorable toward allowing Raquel to ascend to Kyoto, instilling a glimmer of hope in Ryosai's heart.

"By the way, I understand that you learned of Lady Raquel through a letter from Lord Koteda?"

"That is correct. That there was a Nanban physician in this Hirado with miraculous skills, treating the illnesses and injuries of the common people daily under Lord Takanobu's protection. If such a wonderful Christian existed, I thought I would very much like to meet them. Just at that time, I received word from Lord Nobunaga of Lord Mitsuhide's critical condition, so I came here. I am deeply impressed by Lord Takanobu's profound consideration and compassion in protecting such a person."

"I see. Lady Raquel's skills are indeed magnificent. We too have been saved by them. The townspeople have been greatly helped as well. If the condition of Nobunaga's foremost retainer is poor, then for the peace of our Matsuura domain as well, Raquel must lend a hand."

Ryosai feels relief at Takanobu's unexpectedly positive words and inadvertently breaks into a smile.

"I am grateful for your consideration. If Lady Raquel's journey to the capital is granted, this Ryosai will without fail convey to Lord Nobunaga all details of Lord Matsuura's brave decision and magnanimity."

"That is good. However, we must also hear the person's intentions. Such an important figure—if their life cannot be saved, it would invoke Lord Nobunaga's wrath. Lady Raquel's life would also be in peril."

"Lord Takanobu. I am fully aware this is a difficult undertaking. Please, I beseech you to make arrangements."

Ryosai prostrates himself before Takanobu again in supplication. However, his heart senses a definite response. Indeed, it was correct for me to come to Hirado. With foreigners like Frois or Organtino, Takanobu would surely never have nodded in agreement.

"By the way..."

Ryosai hears Takanobu's voice and lowers his face. He concentrates all his nerves on his ears. Takanobu continues speaking while observing suspiciously, not wanting to miss even the slightest reaction from Ryosai to his next words.

"That female doctor. She is not a Christian. She is Jewish. Did you know this?"

Ryosai clearly perceives his heart contracting violently at these unexpected words. He tries to maintain composure, pouring all his mental strength into concealing his agitation. However, his opponent is a military commander who has continued exchanging life and death in a world of constant warfare. The survival tactics of a mere Christian are no match for such a person. Seeing Ryosai's poorly concealed agitation, Takanobu is already certain.

"You knew Lady Raquel was Jewish, didn't you! Yet you feigned ignorance before me and called that person a Christian! What audacity to speak false words before me! Explain yourself. Just once, I shall listen to your ugly excuses!"

Ryosai realizes he has touched Takanobu's wrath and that his own death suddenly approaches. In his confused mind, he thinks desperately. How does Lord Takanobu know this? Even Lord Koteda hadn't noticed. Someone well-versed in Christian doctrine is present. Who? Ryosai recalls one man. Tagawa. It must be him. That man who became Christian at his lord's command and easily abandoned the faith at that same command. A man of keen intellect and utterly resilient spirit. Ryosai had thought that man never once, even for a moment, truly converted to the Gospel from his heart. Tagawa possessed only one thing: loyalty to the Matsuura house. Tagawa attended Christian church frequently and studied doctrine earnestly. But that was not faith—it was investigation. Tagawa probably noticed from the subtle inconsistencies that Koteda wrote about in his letter that the female doctor was not Christian but Jewish.

"Was that so? In truth, Lord Koteda's letter stated this: there is a wonderful Christian doctor, but for some reason she rarely participates in Mass and takes different days of rest. When I read this, I thought this doctor might be one of Israel's people, as I had once heard from Lord Xavier. However, I could not reach certainty. Therefore, today I referred to her as a Christian Nanban physician. I never intended to speak falsely before Lord Takanobu. Please, I beg your forgiveness."

Ryosai prostrates himself and says everything he can think to say in the moment. It is not a lie. However, the most important thing—the arrest order from the Holy Office of the Inquisition—must never be known. This is classified information known only to the three of them: Ryosai, Organtino, and Frois.

"Hmph. A well-crafted excuse. Did you prepare it beforehand? Christian monks are indeed clever. Very well. But you Christians hate those people of Israel, don't you? As heretics who reject Christian teachings. What will happen after we entrust Lady Raquel to you people? Perhaps even this talk of Lord Mitsuhide's illness is all fabrication, and you came to arrest Lady Raquel? I'm inclined to such suspicions. Am I wrong?"

"Absolutely not! I am merely a simple Christian monk, ignorant of politics. To disobey Lord Nobunaga's orders would mean being unable to live in this world. I simply follow orders and came here grasping at straws to make this request. Moreover, we do not hate heretics. We merely wish to dialogue with them, teach and guide them to awaken to the Gospel of Jesus."

Upon hearing Ryosai's words, Takanobu's expression transforms into that of a furious demon.

"Silence! You claim not to hate heretics? Even with Lord Koteda present, I can bear this no longer! Let me tell you clearly what I think of you Christians. Before that bloodshed at the shrine, you triumphantly defeated the Buddhist monks in religious debate. Your arrogant, haughty manner then was that of a tengu itself. And then there was that—I shall never forget. What that Christian monk called Gaspar had Japanese Christians do here in Hirado. Don't tell me you don't remember! From temples and shrines in Hirado, Ikitsuki Island, Taku Island, and Oshima—all my territories—they hunted out Buddhist statues, piled them high on the beach and burned them! My subjects, who until yesterday had prayed earnestly to gods and Buddhas, suddenly changed the color of their eyes and began gleefully smashing Buddhist statues. Then I saw the true nature of the Bateren. Was that dialogue? Having committed such acts without shame, you claim not to hate other religions? Preposterous! Though you too are Japanese, you participated in such acts—know your shame! Such foolish acts bought the people's resentment, became accumulated anger, and led to that incident at the shrine!"

Ryosai realizes that a thick nail has been driven straight into the old wound of his heart that had gaped open, and his soul bleeds profusely. But this brings not only unbearable pain. From the old wound he had hidden without trying to see or heal, putrid pus flows out and is purified—a strange sensation. Ah, I see. Deep in my soul, I had desired to be confronted directly with that error.

"This Ryosai understands that Lord Takanobu's anger and rebuke are entirely justified. At that time, I was so consumed with missionary fervor that I could think only of defeating Buddhist monks in debate. I could not stop Masters Gaspar Vilela and others from leading Japanese Christians in such foolish actions out of hatred for idol worship. That was not the teaching of Jesus. It was our own worldly desires. If Lord Takanobu's anger would subside, please cut down this Ryosai here. But in exchange, please assist in allowing Lady Raquel to ascend to Kyoto. Miguel here will serve as guide."

Ryosai squeezed out these words from the bottom of his heart. That error cannot be undone. However, if his life could calm Takanobu's anger in exchange, allow the female doctor to ascend to Kyoto, and save Lord Nobunaga's life, then a glimmer of hope for the survival of the Japanese Jesuit mission would emerge. It was a slim possibility like threading a needle. But if his life could be used for that purpose, it was God's mission. Ryosai believed this.

After some silence, Takanobu finally speaks.

"Cutting you down would change nothing. You are not even a warrior—do not speak lightly of offering your life."

A little color returns to Takanobu's expression. Takanobu simply wanted to expel what had been swirling in his chest for these ten years.

"Now then, what to do about Lady Raquel. I protect that person, but she is not my retainer. She is a guest. I do not intend to force Lady Raquel to journey to the capital. If she cannot save Lord Mitsuhide, she may be executed. Moreover, Raquel is Jewish. Even if she successfully saves Lord Mitsuhide's life, we cannot know what you Christians might do to her afterward in Kyoto. Whether to ascend to Kyoto or remain in Hirado—I leave this to Raquel's own judgment."

Ryosai cannot hide his inner surprise at Takanobu's words. Losing such a capable doctor would certainly be painful for Takanobu. However, Takanobu now stands at a disadvantage in power struggles with various Kyushu daimyo like the Christian daimyo Omura and Ryuzoji of Hizen. In such circumstances, to leave the request of Nobunaga—who might become ruler of the realm—to the female doctor's own judgment... But Ryosai does not think deeply about this. A mere Christian monk cannot fathom the far-sighted schemes a provincial lord considers. Now he must concentrate only on getting Raquel to ascend to Kyoto and treat Nobunaga.

"I am deeply grateful for Lord Takanobu's consideration. Then this Ryosai would like to visit Lady Raquel tomorrow morning. I shall explain the circumstances and request from my own mouth that she ascend to Kyoto."

Then Takanobu slightly relaxes his expression and shows a smile at the corner of his lips.

"That will not be necessary."

Saying this, Takanobu looks toward the sliding door separating the adjacent room and speaks deliberately.

"Lady Raquel. You have been listening to this conversation. Such are the circumstances. Let me hear your thoughts."

At these words Ryosai is surprised and listens for sounds beyond the sliding door. The door opens soundlessly. The hand opening it blooms with countless sword scars like flowers. It is Tagawa's hand. And beyond the opened door stands a foreign woman. Raquel. It is already the hour of the boar. In the darkness of the midnight mansion, candlelight illuminates the foreign woman. Ryosai lets his unseeing eyes wander in space while recognizing the female doctor's presence through his sense of smell.

Koteda, who had maintained silence beside Ryosai until now, speaks for the first time.

"It has been quite some time, Lord Tagawa. I had sensed a faint presence since earlier, but it was indeed you and Lady Raquel. Lord Takanobu's skillful handling is admirable. The explanation we just gave represents the circumstances without concealment or falsehood. This Koteda also deeply requests Lady Raquel's assistance."

Raquel turns slightly toward Koteda and bows silently. Raquel had heard everything from beyond the sliding door. Her expression shows not a trace of doubt or hesitation.

"Lord Takanobu. I have heard everything. My decision is simple. A doctor's path is to save human lives. Since deciding to make this my lifelong profession, this has never changed. Whatever the situation, I wish to do all that can be done. I will go to Kyoto."

At these words, Takanobu shows just for an instant an expression of relief. Then immediately returns to his stern face. Unusually for this man, he hesitates briefly, gazing into space while searching for words to address Raquel. However, Takanobu knows full well that empty words hold no meaning for one about to face a life-or-death situation.

After a brief silence, Takanobu finally speaks.

"Lady Raquel. I understand your decision. I too ask this of you. And I wish to do whatever I can for you. As escort for your journey to the capital, I will have this Tagawa and several skilled subordinates accompany you. I would truly like to attach a full squad to send you, but traveling to the territory of one who may become ruler of the realm, that would not do. Tagawa alone has the strength of a squad. If danger approaches you, obey Tagawa's commands."

Having said this to Raquel, Takanobu fixes his gaze on Tagawa and commands.

"Tagawa Seibei. I appoint you as escort for Lady Raquel's journey to the capital. I rely on you."

"I understand. This Tagawa once nearly died from an arquebus wound. Had Lady Raquel not saved me, I would no longer be in this world. Now it is my turn. I shall risk my life to protect this person."

Tagawa prostrates himself and accepts the command. Takanobu watches this intently, then looks at Ryosai and commands. His piercing gaze leaves no room for objection from the one being commanded.

"That boy Miguel beside you. Leave him in Hirado. If you Christians arrest Lady Raquel, this boy's life will be forfeit. You understand, don't you?"

Ryosai immediately begins to say something in response. How cruel to take a common youth who is neither adult nor child as hostage. But cutting off Ryosai's words, Miguel himself answers as if shouting.

"I understand! This Miguel will pray and wait in Hirado for Lord Mitsuhide's life to be saved!"

Miguel's clear, direct eyes are elevated by the first great divine mission to arrive in his life. Hearing this, Ryosai swallows the words he was about to speak. Forgive me, Miguel. This too is a trial for saving the Japanese people with the word of Jesus. If you are Christian, please understand. Ryosai murmurs this in his heart. Hearing Miguel's resolve, Takanobu simply nods with satisfaction. And Raquel, having witnessed all the exchanges, makes a request to Takanobu.

"Lord Takanobu. Lord Tagawa's escort is most reassuring. Might I ask you to hear just one wish of mine?"

At Raquel's words, Takanobu nods greatly.

"Of course. Not just one—ask anything."

"Thank you for your gracious words. Then I make this request. I wish to have Diego accompany me to Kyoto this time. His brute strength and large frame will be useful in various ways during the journey. But I wish to leave Rodrigo behind. This journey indeed involves mortal danger. While we are in Kyoto, or even if we never return to Hirado again, I wish Lord Takanobu to protect Rodrigo for life."

Never return to Hirado again. These words pierce deep into Takanobu's heart. Takanobu savors these words while nodding deeply and responding in a resolute voice.

"I understand! As long as the Matsuura house endures, I vow to protect Rodrigo in Hirado. I hear his skills as a shipwright are improving considerably. He will surely become a full-fledged craftsman and support this Matsuura. You need worry about nothing."

At these words, Raquel shows an expression of heartfelt relief.

"Thank you. When our escape journey began, Rodrigo was still a boy. He was an orphan wandering the port town of Lisbon after Christians killed his parents. Since taking him in as a sailor's apprentice, he has been like my own child. Please, under Lord Takanobu's warm protection, may he live in peace."

Takanobu nods silently at these words. When everything was finished, it was already the hour of the rat.