Making a God of War (Uesugi: Legednary, Domination)

[Maltz]

Chapter 1. Clouds of Kasugayama Castle

Kasuga Mountain (yama) Castle is located, as you guessed, on top of the Kasuga mountain.
Twenty years ago, the Nagao clan took control of Echigo. Since then, the Nagao family lived in the Kasuga Mountain castle.
There is a waterfall behind the castle, accompanied by a little shrine, a bridge, which frequently spans a beautiful rainbow beneath.
A few years ago, the daimyo Nagao Tamekage remodelled the castle to a perfect square shape.
In the middle of the short walls was their humble two-storey house that people reportedly could not find the door in.
People used to criticize the unimaginative design of the new look. They rather stare at the waterfall.
But eventually they got used to it.

The Kasuga Mountain makes up the western rim of the Seki River (kawa) basin. Looking east, one can see dozens of miles of rice fields.
In late winter or early spring, the morning fog could cover the entire Seki River basin. Then on top of the Kasuga mountain, there is a spectacular view of the "sea of cloud" beneath.
The blue sky on top, the white clouds at the bottom, while the sea of cloud reflects the yellow and orange bits of the morning sun.
People could temporarily forget their worries in the mundane world, and merge their mind with the tranquil and grand nature.
And so goes the name of Kasuga, "spring sun".

February 18, 1530

Nagao Harukage: "Father, what a beautiful sea of cloud!"
Nagao Tamekage: "Yes. This magnificence will all be yours one day."
Harukage: "What's ..ficence? Is it related to defecation?"
Tamekage: "You are 21 years old but speak like a 2! Where did you go when you skipped class?"

Tamekage gave his son's head a few solid knocks.

Midwife Maoko: "My lord, the baby is born! A boy!"
Tamekate: "Wahaha. This one started kicking and punching in the womb. I knew it is a boy."

The midwife carried out the crying little baby, whose face look especially red under the morning sunshine.
The baby's limbs are chubby. There is a thin layer of fine hair covering his shoulder and forehead.

Tamekage: "What a strong baby. What should I call him?"
Midwife Maoko: "Madam suggests that since he was born on the Spring-Sun mountain, we call him Spring-Born."
Tamekage: "MEH. There are already so many spring-born, autumn-born around. Only four options - too many with identical names. Hm, isn't this year the year of Tiger? How about Tiger(Tora) chiyo?"
Maoko: "My lord, there are only 12 options. And you never heard of Dog-chiyo or Pig-chiyo..."
Tamekage: " There is actually a Pig-shiro clan nearby. Who are you? How dare you challenge my authority? Guards! Push this midwife off the mountain!"
Maoko: "My lord~ turn around and look!"
Tamekage: "I won't fall for your childish trick!"
Maoko: "No~ look quickly! It is beautiful!"

As Tamekage turned around, he was stunned by the view.
A large cloud was making its way here from the Shinano mountains, with golden-orange rims and rainbow-color aura.
As if it was accompanied by the chorus of angels, enchanted by the bells of the morning valley.

Tamekage: "I have never seen a cloud so beautiful..."
Maoko: "I heard that when a god reincarnates to become a baby, he rides a beautiful cloud. This is probably it..."
Tamekage: "Hm... what a sweet tongue. OK, you are forgiven. Come, cloud~"
Harukage: "Come, cloud~"

By the calling and waving of the people on top of the Kasuga mountain, the golden color slowly approached...
But suddenly, there comes a gust of powerful, chilling south wind!

"WOOOO----"

And the golden cloud was blown away to the northern sea.

Tamekage: "What a monsterous wind! Well, it looks like this god is not born into our family."
Maoko: "Looks like the cloud is heading toward a little island on the sea..."

The midwife looked at the baby with a little sympathy and murmured.

"This is the sixteenth century and people still buy this crap, stupid baga..."