After Urakami and his men had finally left the throne room, Sadamasa slowly lowered himself back into his seat.
For several moments, no one spoke.
Then the silence broke.
"How dare he speak to the Daimyo in such a manner?"
"These samurai have always been arrogant."
"The capital has given them far too much power," another retainer said bitterly. "I have said it for years. They are no longer merely servants of the realm. They have become a threat to everyone beneath them."
The anger in the hall rose quickly. Knights and nobles alike spoke with restrained fury, their pride wounded by the way Urakami had walked through their castle and insulted their lord without fear of consequence.
Sadamasa listened without reacting.
Then he raised one hand.
"Leave me."
The command was quiet, but it cut through the room at once.
Every voice fell silent.
