624.Small vessel cut straight toward the faint outline of Karatsu Castle.
On the ship bound for Karatsu, the winter wind tore past the thin sail.
The small vessel that had left Iki Island cut straight toward the faint outline of Karatsu Castle.
Motonari stood at the edge of the hull, staring out at the sea with his fingers clenched tight.
So much strength had gone into his grip that his knuckles had turned white.
From behind him, Song I-jeong spoke quietly.
"You're shaking."
Motonari turned his head.
"I'm steadying my mind."
Song I-jeong let the question drop and shifted his gaze to Park Seong-jin.
Park stood at the bow, watching the Karatsu coastline.
His expression was calm, almost leisurely, as though he were out for a stroll.
Seeing him only made Motonari's own unease feel sharper.
He approached Park cautiously.
"General."
"Yes."
Park answered without taking his eyes off the shore.
Motonari lowered his voice.
"Karatsu Castle carries greater danger than you may expect."
Park turned his head slightly.
"Go on."
After a breath of hesitation, Motonari spoke.
Park quietly named the heart of it.
"You're worried your house will be shamed."
Motonari inhaled sharply.
"The samurai of Karatsu see it as their duty to strike down and force submission from any outside commander."
"Even after words of surrender are offered."
"Yes."
"Just because I knelt in apology does not mean their resolve changes at once."
Motonari clenched his hands.
"Even if you come with only a few men, they may see you as an enemy."
"My house's nature—pride and hot blood come first."
Park met his words.
Motonari continued, his voice edged with urgency.
"If I speak too openly, I stand against my house."
"If I hold back, the danger to you grows."
"I am standing here unable to grasp either."
He bowed deeply.
"General… what should I do?"
Park studied him for a long moment, then let out a small laugh.
"For a samurai, you lay your heart bare."
He stepped closer.
"You already know why I bring only a few."
Motonari lifted his gaze.
Park's voice was low and firm.
"If I come with an army, anyone will bow."
"Only by entering with few do their true intentions surface."
"I will see with my own eyes whether their surrender is real—or a blade held in silence."
Motonari parted his lips but found no words.
When the wind briefly eased, he finally said,
"The risk is great."
Park replied gently, yet with weight.
"That is where the danger lies."
"They are likely harboring dangerous thoughts."
He slowly loosened his wrist in the sea wind.
"I am prepared to bear that danger."
Motonari fell silent.
Park turned back toward the coast and added,
"Lay down your share of worry."
"…General."
"You've done your part."
"Telling me how your house may react is enough."
"I will make sure no harm comes to you because of it."
A thin warmth entered Park's voice.
"I value that honesty."
Motonari drew a quiet breath behind him.
This was different from the 'continental general' he had imagined.
Authority and composure stood together, and he read his opponent through to the end without humiliation.
Motonari spoke softly.
"…Thank you."
"I will take it that you trust me."
Park replied without praise or rebuke.
"Trust comes later."
"For now, I need you."
"That is why you come with us."
"…Yes."
The wind filled the sail.
The coastline grew clear.
Park pointed toward the distant outline of Karatsu Castle.
"Today, the center of danger is your house."
"How you respond will greatly shape what follows."
At those words, Motonari felt a chilling sense of relief.
The small ship crossed Karatsu Bayand slowly docked at the pier.
Dozens of armored samurai stood there with raised chins.
There was no sense of welcome in their posture.
Only the clear recognition of an "enemy" shone in their eyes.
Motonari stepped forward.
"I am Nabeshima Motonari. Report to my father."
He shouted toward the gate.
Instead of an answer, a low, sharp laugh drifted down from the walls.
"So you've returned from Iki, Motonari."
Other voices overlapped.
"Who are they? Goryeo soldiers?"
"They are."
"Hmph."
"Fewer than expected."
The samurai's gazes swept over Park's party.
Song I-jeong, a handful of warriors, one standard-bearer, and two civil officials.
Barely more than ten men.
They exchanged glances and curled their lips in faint smiles.
Motonari clenched his teeth.
"General, they may act without courtesy."
Park replied evenly.
"I know. And I am watching."
The palisade gate of Karatsu Castle creaked open.
Beyond it, hundreds of armored samurai stood in two long lines.
The wide stairway leading up to the castle was split by bodies on both sides, leaving only a single path through the center.
It looked less like a road of welcome than a hunting corridor.
Before the honmaru, the senior retainer Katō Tadamitsu (加藤忠光)rode out on horseback.
From the first moment, his gaze remained fixed on Park Seong-jin.
"Are you the Goryeo general who trod Tsushima and Iki?"
Park stepped forward.
"I am Park Seong-jin."
Killing intent and mockery spread through the eyes of Katō and the samurai behind him.
Katō clicked his tongue from the saddle.
"You mean to enter our castle with this many men?"
Park answered shortly.
"I came to confirm your surrender."
"Surrender."
Laughter rippled among the samurai.
"You burned a few islands and thought Hizen would bow?"
"We are samurai."
"Submission weighs heavier than a ship."
A grin rode on Katō's words.
"Today looks like your memorial day."
Park tilted his head.
"You speak of memorial days."
A samurai flared up.
"This insolent—"
Park's gaze touched him.
His fingers lifted lightly.
The samurai collapsed to the ground, strength gone from his body.
The distance was more than ten paces.
The movement was invisible.
Only the result remained—clear and final.
"What sorcery is this?" someone shouted.
Park spoke quietly.
"I only knew whose memorial day it would be."
"Report to your lord."
Motonari hurriedly stepped in.
"Lord Katō, I brought him here by my father's order."
Katō shot Motonari a sideways glance.
"That order must be examined. What kind of order was it?"
Park said,
"This is taking too long. Lead me to your lord."
Katō's neck muscles twitched.
He gestured toward the castle.
At that moment, two samurai slipped into the crowd behind them.
The shadows along the corridor wavered faintly in the direction they moved.
Whispers passed quickly.
"Lead them through the main gate. Lure them in."
"Reporting to the lord comes later."
"End it first."
Another voice murmured.
"If the enemy commander falls, it's over."
"Capture him. Use him as a hostage."
Another joined in.
"It's Park Seong-jin."
"The dozen behind him are skilled as well."
"Twenty will suffice."
"Strike in the corridor."
Deep within the castle, small squads armed with spears and daggers took their positions along the routes.
They waited for the moment Park Seong-jin would take one more step inside the gate.
Katō dismounted and gestured politely toward Park.
"Please enter. Our lord awaits."
The words carried the shape of courtesy, but the voice bore naked killing intent.
Motonari stepped half a pace closer to Park and whispered so softly it could barely be heard.
"General… be careful."
Park whispered back.
"I've already read it."
Motonari swallowed.
Beside Park, Song I-jeong lightly pressed his scabbard—a signal to slow their pace.
Park smiled faintly.
"From here on, we see whether this is true surrender—
or only the heart behind it."