Someone was shaking my body with all their might.

I had been sleeping so comfortably, too.

When I opened my eyes, I was startled to find the worn-out, exhausted face of a middle-aged man dressed like he had stepped straight out of a historical TV drama right in front of me.

Huh⁇

Who is this old man?

I’m calling him an old man while conveniently forgetting that I’m an old woman myself, but seriously, who is this guy?

“You’ve awakened. There is no time left.”

“I ignored the ‘Butterfly Dream’ you showed me, and now my clan is about to be destroyed exactly as you foretold.”

“Please, awaken and take my place once more.”

“Protect my clan.”

“Protect this land of Japan.”

“My entire life until now shall become a part of you.”

“Do not worry.”

“Use this body to your heart’s content once again.”

“I leave everything to you.”

With that, he pressed his forehead against mine.

At once, the old man’s memories came flooding into me.

A vivid, blood-soaked life where it was kill or be killed, deceive or be deceived.

It was so intense that it nearly made me sick.

The glory he had gained through it all had shone only briefly.

In the end, the old man’s death had been unbearably lonely.

The old man clearly stated his name.

“I am Miyoshi Nagayoshi, Shuri no Tayu.”

“I was once called the Vice King of Japan.”

“But now, none of that matters.”

“I lost everything because of it.”

“Since I have been granted this life once more, I wish to prevent that tragedy from happening again.”

“Awaken.”

“And lend me your strength.”

“For the sake of the Miyoshi.”

“For the sake of Awa.”

“For the sake of Japan…”

“I am counting on you.”

“I will help however I can.”

Before I knew it, a massive hole had opened before me.

The next moment, I was pushed into it.

“What the hell are you doing?!”

I shouted as I fell.

After a brief moment of disorientation, I squeezed my eyes shut, bracing for the impact.

But no matter how long I waited, it never came.

Cautiously, I opened my eyes.

Just as someone suddenly leaned over and peered down at me—

“Chikuma~~~~! You’ve come to!”

“Someone! Is anyone there?!”

“Call the physician!”

“Chikuma has awakened!”

“Hurry and bring him here!”

As I sat there stunned by the booming voice of a man in his mid-twenties, somewhat younger than Uncle Nagayoshi and bearing a resemblance to him, I suddenly felt my thoughts synchronize with those of Uncle Nagayoshi.

“F-Father?”

“Father?”

Perhaps because I was sharing Uncle Nagayoshi’s emotions, a surge of overwhelming joy welled up inside me.

Or rather, it was his joy.

To my shock, confusion, and utter bewilderment, I found myself bursting into tears with the shrill cry of a small child.

Unable to do anything else, I simply surrendered myself to the flow of those emotions.