SLBP - Date Masamune Act 1 -

Episode 1:Your First Assignment

[Me]
"I have come to serve as the poison taster for the lord of this castle...my name is Yahiko"

I announce, as confidently as I can, when I arrive at Yonezawa Castle.

[Guard]
"Wait there"

The guard glares at me sharply before turning to go back into the castle.

(. . . He's not acting so cold because he can tell I'm a woman. . .is he. . . ?)

However, despite my fears, when the guard returns moments later he is much more polite.

[Guard]
"Our thanks to you for coming all this way. Please, come inside"

(Thank goodness. . .looks like I'm in the clear. For now, anyway. . .)

Relieved, I bow to the guard, and start to follow him. . .until. . .

I hear a shout from the battlements just above us.

[Lookout]
"Look alive, men! The army has returned!"

The voice of the lookout rings out, and immediately those left in the castle begin to make their way outside.

(Well. . .that's good timing. . .)

The retainers as well as the female maids stream past me.

[Guard]
"Hey, you there!"

[Me]
"Y-yes?"

[Guard]
"Come on, hurry up, everyone has to greet our lord upon his return. Get out there"

Still a little confused, I decide to just follow along.

Finding an empty place between some of the maids, I fall to my knees after them and bow.

Before too long, I can hear the horses and the distinctive sound of bodies moving in armor.

I take a quick peek when I think no one is looking.

[Me]
". . . !"

And, what I see renders me speechless.

(Every last one of them is covered in blood. . .)

I can hardly breathe against the smell of it, now that I know it is there. . .

Somehow, it seems so different, so. . .

(. . .terrifying)

My hands begin to shake, so I ball them into fists to try to hide it.

(I'm supposed to be a man serving a warlord by choice. . . I can't be frightened of a little blood!)

A shadow comes over me as the hooves of a single horse stop in front of my hands.

The next thing I know, I am looking up, and meet the eyes of the man riding it.