Within the dream.
Flames.
Boundless flames.
The figure of a young girl stood upon a ruin, watching her own castle turn to ashes.
She wore a deep purple kosode kimono, her long black hair draped over her shoulders, stained with dust and blood.
Her petite frame appeared exceptionally frail in the firelight, and that exquisite yet somewhat gloomy face was now filled with despair.
Hojo Ujiyasu.
The third head of the Hojo Clan, known as the 'Lion of Sagami'.
Although she was a woman, she was known throughout the world for her cunning.
But compared to Imagawa Yoshimoto, she actually did not have the ambition to unify the world; she only wanted to become the master of Kanto and rule a region, and for this, she could use any means necessary.
It was said that she was extremely fond of defending castles—standing on the castle walls watching the enemies outside starve and freeze, she would feel heartfelt pleasure.
It was said that she was the most unreliable ally—when allied forces were pursuing the enemy, she might suddenly stab them in the back.
It was said that she only fought sure-win battles; any campaign with risk, she would abandon without hesitation.
But at this moment— "No..." she murmured softly, watching the city before her burning, her people dying.
And she could do nothing.
This was her most feared scenario.
Not defeat, nor death.
But watching everything she protected turn to nothingness, yet being powerless to stop it.
What Hojo Ujiyasu was most proud of in her life was the impregnability of Odawara Castle.
But now, that city was collapsing before her eyes.
"Odawara Castle... my city..."
She knelt on the ground, her hands thrust into the ashes.
The flames burned ever brighter, and the heat waves hit her face, scorching her skin.
Pain.
A very real pain.
It didn't feel like a dream.
"Damn it..."
She gritted her teeth.
Hojo Ujiyasu was no ordinary person.
She knew this was an illusion; she knew a yokai was behind this.
But she—couldn't break free.
Those golden scales, like chains, entwined her consciousness, preventing her from waking and forcing her to experience despair repeatedly in this infinite loop of a nightmare.
"My Lord—"
Screams came from her side.
Her vassals fell one by one, swallowed by flames and buried under ruins.
She wanted to save them.
But her body wouldn't move, as if she were pinned to the spot by something.
"If that damn Takeda Clan woman saw me like this..."
Takeda Shingen, whose real name was Takeda Harunobu, the Tiger of Kai, was her nominal ally but actual arch-rival.
If she were to see her in such a pathetic state...
"Absolutely not."
Hojo Ujiyasu gritted her teeth.
She tried to stand up, but her legs always felt as heavy as lead.
Just then—
"So this is..."
An unfamiliar voice came from the flames: "the thing you fear most?"
Hojo Ujiyasu looked up abruptly.
Within the flames, a figure was walking toward her.
Gray robes, pale long hair.
In the firelight, that face was pale to the point of being sickly, with handsome yet cold features that carried an indescribable chill.
But the most striking thing was those eyes.
Crimson, non-human eyes.
"Who are you..."
Hojo Ujiyasu's voice was full of caution.
"Just passing through to save you."
The figure spoke simply.
"Save me?"
Hojo Ujiyasu sneered, clearly not believing him: "Saying such things in my dream?"
"Why don't you say you're an immortal descended to earth?"
The figure seemed to contemplate for a moment before saying, "Something like that."
"Though I'm not an immortal, I'm a ghost."
Hojo Ujiyasu was stunned for a moment.
Was this guy... serious?
"My name is Kanbe Hikaru."
The figure continued, "I just came from the Imagawa Clan's side, having killed a thunder beast along the way."
"Now I've come to kill the moth that's trapped you all."
Hojo Ujiyasu's expression changed.
Imagawa Clan.
Thunder beast.
Imagawa Yoshimoto, the woman she fought with from time to time.
Over the past few days, she had indeed heard some rumors—the Imagawa Clan had been attacked by yokai, lightning had run rampant in the city, and the people were in a state of panic.
She had mocked that woman before, but she hadn't expected to fall into a trap herself tonight.
And now it seemed...
The Imagawa side had actually 'escaped'?
"You..."
"Enough talk."
Kanbe Hikaru interrupted her. "Do you want to wake up?"
Hojo Ujiyasu looked at him.
Those crimson eyes were exceptionally piercing in the firelight.
"Of course I do,"
she said, unable to lie.
"Then get ready."
The corners of Kanbe Hikaru's mouth curled up. "It's going to get a little loud."
With those words, he raised his hand.
A purple single horn appeared in his hand.
That was the thunder beast's horn, the core of lightning power.
Hojo Ujiyasu's pupils suddenly contracted.
She felt it.
The power contained within that horn was violent and blazing, like a thunderbolt that would tear everything apart.
"You—"
Boom!!!
Thunder erupted from the horn.
Not in the dream, but in reality.
At that moment, Kanbe Hikaru's consciousness returned to his body.
-------------------------
If you enjoy this story, you can read 70+ advanced chapters on Patreon!
Webnovel will keep getting 1 new chapter every day but Patreon readers can stay far ahead.
Maybe it's not a big deal now… maybe it will be later.
[email protected]/Rexlent
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"