Amidst the bloodshed and slaughter, he completely eliminated all resistance within Mino, allowing his will to spread unobstructed to every village within Nongzhou.

After easily laying the foundation for all of this, Gu Mo finally truly unleashed himself, proceeding with bold reforms according to his vision.

——In later generations, this era was known as the "Ascension Era."

Everything began from here, from this period; history was forcibly twisted in another direction, deviating from its original path and entering another world line.

...

...

From Owari Country to Mino Country, the distance wasn't too far.

The journey was relatively peaceful, with no encounters with wandering Demon Ghosts, roving thieves, or any of the era's commonplace "specialties"...

However, even though the journey was peaceful, Oda Chi was troubled and unable to calm down. As the large entourage traveled through the Nongwei Plain, she remained dazed, sitting silently in the carriage, her eyes vacant, her small face somewhat pale.

Though Miss Tamamo no Mae did not force her, but persuaded the noble lady...

Yet when it came down to it, she inevitably became anxious and restless, appearing despondent and increasingly uneasy about what lay ahead.

Her mind was involuntarily filled with strange thoughts and inexplicable emotions—blame, regret, fear...and suspicion that she had been bewitched by the Fox Elf, leading her to make such an impulsive decision, draining even more color from her face.

"That's not fair, Ah Shi, you obviously agreed to it yourself... If I were to enchant you, how would you even notice?"

An unsatisfied, melodic voice echoed in her consciousness; it was Miss Tamamo no Mae, having keenly detected the girl's emotional turmoil and understanding what was happening.

"You are now at a point where, before making the decision, you felt you had thought it through and were resolved. But after deciding, as time passes, you start doubting yourself and lose confidence, trying to find an excuse... But I don't blame you. Human intellect was designed this way."

"..."

"..."

Oda Chi bit her lip, saying nothing, only feeling bitter inside.

Indeed, she was wavering, lacking the clarity and determination she believed she had when she made the decision… naturally causing her to doubt why she thought that way, why she acted that way, locking her suspicion onto Miss Tamamo no Mae.

After all, fundamentally, the instigator of all this... was the Fox Elf; surely, blaming her isn't unjustified?

"Oh come now, don't think that way... Actually, Ah Shi, think about it, even if you don't do this now, you will experience this kind of situation someday right?"

Miss Tamamo no Mae gently exhaled and spoke casually—

"Eventually you will have to marry, and it's very possible it won't be your choice then either. What's the difference now... At least this way, it's mutually beneficial, right? You help me this time, and I'll help you after..."

Though it's true the plan was orchestrated by Miss Fox Spirit, no bewitching methods were used. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

It was purely a matter of elaborating on the benefits, stating the reality, and letting Oda Chi consider and choose, resulting in this decision... Partnering with her might at least help her escape this suffocating reality; not partnering would be fine too.

Miss Tamamo no Mae wouldn't do anything unnecessary; she'd simply find another suitable mediator.

And Oda Chi could continue her calm life along her original track, until a year or two later when she'd face her destined fate... Perhaps she could gamble on the chance that arrangements then would be to her liking?

However, precisely because Oda Chi did not think this way, this is how things ended up.

Taking a deep breath, Oda Chi bit her lip, softly murmuring: "I... I know, don't deceive me."

"I certainly won't, Ah Shi, you can be at ease..." The Fox Elf quickly replied.

She knew, had always known, given that this era offered few women autonomy, even this coveted jewel of Owari, cherished sibling of her beloved brother, could not escape that fate; perhaps in a few years, she would also become a political pawn in marriage alliances.

There was no such thing as free love, mutual selection; being arranged then is no different from now, merely a matter of timing...

Just thinking about it made the young girl fearful yet resigned to a suffocating future.

One look revealed the end.

If nothing happened, perhaps Miss Ah Shi would also accept her fate, gambling on her luck a few years later... But unexpectedly, a Fox Elf appeared, seeking her own desires, and told Miss Ah Shi that another path was possible.

Since it's just a matter of time, why not take a gamble?

According to the Fox Elf, she would replace her in action and arrange another life elsewhere, freeing her from worries to live blissfully...

Even if she felt nostalgic for family later, she could reclaim her identity to visit them...

Perhaps Miss Tamamo no Mae's vision was too enticing, and Oda Chi felt lost and anxious about her originally set future, fearing the suffocating dread, as well as oddly feeling that the Fox Elf wasn't as malevolent as legends suggest, so she was easily persuaded.

Thus, the current progression naturally unfolded...

She proactively summoned courage, found her brother Oda Nobunaga, and expressed her thoughts as taught by Miss Tamamo no Mae.

With the recent tension from Mino and some political considerations, she successfully convinced her brother to approve.

Recalling recent events, Miss Ah Shi bit her lower lip: "Th-that... We've already reached Mino, right, the wedding... procession should be up ahead..."

"Well... um, that's true..."

Miss Tamamo no Mae was momentarily stunned, then spoke in a subtly nuanced tone.

There was no real wedding procession; Mino or rather Master's side was completely unaware, allowing her to execute a brilliant ambush.

Her trump card in mind, the Fox Elf hummed confidently.

——Fox's Marriage.

With all the efforts and preparations during this time, she could elevate this skill into a grand ceremony, securing the impending outcome, ensuring Master couldn't escape!