Chapter 341

"Hey, Miyu, this is a rare opportunity for adventure!"

Yoshiko transformed the fear and confusion hidden in her heart into courageous words, which she then spoke aloud.

"Are you planning to go take a look with your mom?"

The Sakatsuki, a family with a long history dating back to the Tenshō Era, is said to have girls born into this family with crimson eyes and extraordinary abilities. They can receive people's thoughts and unconsciously materialize them into children of the Child of God.

The first one saved Fuyuki from famine, but died at the age of only 2.

Second, the spirit is worn down even before life itself.

From the third child onward, their births were concealed. From then on, the girls of the Sakatsuki would be raised by their mothers alone within Bounded Field that isolated human thoughts. This was Ritual that caused the gods to fall into human form, advocating silence, thoughtlessness, and stillness—a cruel method completely opposite to ordinary parenting.

Due to the destiny of the Sakatsuki, the Divine Child cannot freely go out before the age of seven, because before the age of seven, she is still considered a 'Deity'. At the same time, there are strict restrictions on her information, meaning she is not taught anything. However, Yoshiko still hopes that Miyu can gain worldly knowledge, become a normal child, and be able to communicate with people normally, act normally, and think normally...

And every generation of 'mothers' knows this, yet still teaches their 'children' in this way.

Miyu shook her head again at her mother's words and looked in the opposite direction from where she had come from.

Yoshiko knew this meant Miyu was refusing.

Although she didn't know what was going on, she didn't intend to force anything, so she simply nodded and prepared to lead Miyu in the opposite direction... if Miyu hadn't turned around and slightly raised her head.

The young Black-Haired Girl, as always, turned her head slightly to look at a place that Yoshiko could not see, with an empty gaze that seemed to be looking somewhere unfocused, as if she wanted to absorb the whole world into her crimson pupils.

There was no explanation, no sympathy in her eyes, only a simple gaze. The young child himself resembled a finely crafted doll, even carrying a hint of melancholy. And those beautiful, crimson eyes only shone brightly at this moment—

In that instant, Yoshiko reflexively followed her gaze.

Although it was only for a moment, Yoshiko still saw it: on the summit of the Giant Mountain of Corpses, there was a small white figure.

"... This is!"

Sakatsuki Hiyori, who could sense the Od through the air, held her breath.

If the Child of God is barely Deity, then that white figure is undoubtedly a god among gods, and if I'm not mistaken, this white god's power contains a 'wish-granting' mechanism similar to that of the Child of God.

Although Yoshiko's face was ashen and she was filled with fear and confusion, she maintained her usual gentle expression in front of Miyu.

"Miyu, do you dislike that one?"

If both are wish-granting entities, the one that is too dominant will obviously provoke rejection from others of the same type, she thought.

However, the black-haired girl kept her head down, neither nodding nor shaking her head, and showed no reaction to Yoshiko's words.

Yoshiko chuckled.

She didn't have any expectations. If she did have any expectations, it was perhaps that her child would grow up smoothly, that she would look forward to what she would be like when she grew up, and that she would dream of the day when she could call her "Mom".

In the Sakatsuki, every generation of 'mothers' hopes that their 'daughters' can communicate, act, and think normally after the age of seven. This can be considered a job, but in essence, it is just based on the 'mother's' love for her 'children'.

During the four years that Miyu was born, Sakatsuki Hiyori used an extraordinary method of home education for her, after all, Yoshiko herself was raised by her mother in the same way. This included qualifications such as dance, flower arranging, tea ceremony, piano, swimming, archery, Aikido, accounting, legal scrivener, boiler engineer, interior designer, nail technician, pufferfish chef, etc., except for IT-related qualifications.

But suddenly--

Miyu gently shook her head.

Yoshiko's eyes widened slightly, but she found that she wasn't actually that surprised. 'Despite being in a terrifying place, it wasn't something to be afraid of,' she thought. The small white figure that appeared for only a moment gave her this sense of security.

"In that case, let's go."

Yoshiko generously picked up the child who looked 'rejected'.

"Miyu, you tell me, if that Deity is some kind of ancestor of our Sakatsuki, it would be good to meet them, right? Even if they aren't, their essence is so similar to that of the Sakatsuki, it would still be better to meet them. Maybe they can be of some help. Even my mother's mother has never seen one. Little Miyu is the first witness to something like this in our family."

Miyu stared blankly at Yoshiko, making no move, but still showing a look of 'rejection'.

Seeing this, Yoshiko first sighed, then took out a Temari Ball and waved it in front of Miyu, saying with a smile:

"Alright, then we won't go. But how about we play a game? Like before, I'll toss the temari ball, and you catch it, Miyu. Then I'll toss it again, and Miyu catch it. Hmm, it's decided then."

As soon as she finished speaking, Yoshiko threw a temari ball, but judging from the fact that she threw it in the direction of the white figure, she was just trying to lure her daughter to move forward with her.

Ultimately, Yoshiko was also puzzled as to why Miyu was so resistant. The answer was actually quite simple: as the child of the Divine Child, Miyu had always been cared for by her mother within Bounded Field that isolated her from outsiders. Therefore, people's longing could not be transformed into hope and projected onto Miyu. Her arrival here was purely by accident.

If Novia hadn't used the power of 'Maitreya' to get here, Miyu's power would only have been enough for her to get here for a moment. However, it was precisely because she had some support that she and her mother were able to come together and remain here for so long. As for her resistance, it was because, as a 'Wish-Granting Machine,' she naturally heard Novia's words telling the 'Wish-Granting Machine' to go back to their own homes and just stay the same as before.

However, this was easily solved by the very clever Yoshiko using her own unique method.

And so, the mother and daughter continued their journey towards the very center of the world, tossing Temari Ball along the way.

The further they went, the more terrifying it became. If the space above them was filled with creatures displaying their tragic ends, then the barren earth piled with the dead was a stark reminder of 'silence and death,' a suffocating Spider of intricate patterns.

Sakatsuki Hiyori could hardly imagine that a powerful Deity of the 'wish' type could survive in such a lifeless and Future 'World of Stasis'. In the process, she had already used Magecraft to discover that the growth of her own cells had stopped, but this curse-like manifestation had not caused her any damage.

Generally speaking, the most common reasons for stagnant cell growth are cell aging, apoptosis, disease, or lack of nutrition. However, these are usually partial and can be compensated for as much as possible. But now, the growth has stopped throughout the entire body, which means that various organs and functions of the human body will experience a variety of problems.

However, rather than a stagnation, this stagnation is more like a pause button being pressed, because the Yoshiko senses that the cells are still active.

Although it was unbelievable, she couldn't accept it so much when she thought about the Sakatsuki's tradition of Divine Child; after all, it was mysterious.

But only careful observation reveals that the pervasive death here cannot extinguish the 'hope' within.

Suddenly, an unusual, sharp voice warned Sakatsuki Hiyori as she moved forward.

Be mindful and prepared; only those who truly desire to achieve their goals can progress further.

An unusual, sharp voice warned her. Looking towards the source of the sound, she saw something flash across the sky... somewhat indistinct, seemingly human yet not quite.

This left Sakatsuki Hiyori completely bewildered, but after glancing at Miyu who was still playing with temari, she didn't pay much attention to it anymore.

Afterward, the mother and daughter walked through a long stretch of barren land, passing through intricate Great Gate far beyond the technological capabilities of this era, and climbing countless steps, finally arriving at the center of this world.

In reality, the distance wasn't that far, but it felt exceptionally long to Yoshiko when Miyu had looked at it together before.

"You--"

Just when Yoshiko thought she had successfully brought Miyu to see the God of Wishes, she found that she Miyu had somehow ended up at the bottom of the steps again. Confused, she continued forward, but every time she was just one step away, she found that they would end up at the bottom of the steps again.

Therefore, he could only gaze at the white figure that was becoming clearer from afar. It was a person with Silver Hair who had only an outline and no facial features.

Judging from his physique, he would appear to be only eleven or twelve years old from a human perspective.

The figure standing above also seemed to be sitting, as if looking at them, yet also looking elsewhere. It appeared to be melancholy and languidly resting its cheek on its hand, seemingly bored. Its image gave the impression of announcing the beginning of some great event.

Moreover, faintly, Yoshiko heard these words coming from above:

"The first generation of prophets at the beginning of the organization mostly started from the bottom, traveling around to practice medicine and save lives, forming self-governing groups to help each other. At that time, other religions were in power, but the believers showed idealism and spontaneity. Despite being persecuted repeatedly over the decades, they were full of vitality and eventually spread throughout the Mediterranean Sea with mutual assistance."

"But after being established as the state religion, it unknowingly transformed into a tool for accumulating wealth and promotions. The deeds of the old prophets were excessively mythologized, the new bishops were dressed in unparalleled luxury, and the bishops repeatedly spoke of holiness and morality, repeating the old prophets' salvation of the lambs, not caring what they said, but merely opening and closing their lips. The grateful cries of the believers drowned out the clinking of gold coins into the box."

"Whether in the fourth century or now, it remains the same."

"Baptism is something anyone can do, yet the so-called 'divine blessing' has degenerated into a power struggle between the Old Church, and it's continued to this day. It's truly an ugly sight."

During the Reformation in the 15th and 16th centuries, in order to counter the rising Protestantism and consolidate its influence, the Church of Rome formally declared at the Council of Trent that "no one can enter the Kingdom of Heaven without baptism."

The Ecumenical Council's Canons on the Sacraments further clarified this doctrine, stating that anyone who says baptism is optional, that is, not necessary for salvation, should be considered a "curse." It also emphasized that baptism is not merely symbolic, but a sacrament that bestows real and effective grace and is necessary for salvation.

However, prior to this, although baptism was generally considered a necessary condition for salvation because it was a way for a person to be born into a life of grace, the Church at that time also acknowledged that God's mercy was not limited by sacraments, and that in some special circumstances, salvation could be obtained without formal baptism.

After the fall of the Western Rome, Saint Augustine, who took up the banner of the Church after being enlightened by Avia, also believed that the grace of God could operate beyond the visible sacraments, and that God's mercy could benefit those who had not been baptized but lived virtuous lives and sincerely sought God.

However, during the Reformation, the attitude towards baptism degenerated into a 'means' for vying for the right to speak.

"You guys seem to be living such a comfortable life, I'm so envious! Want to join me?"

To whom were these words addressed? Or were they simply a monologue?

In any case, Yoshiko was certain that she wasn't Miyu. Her tone conveyed a sense of 'indifference,' yet there was also a feeling that she might kill without hesitation at any moment.

In fact, this wasn't just Sakatsuki Hiyori's imagination. In Rome times, although Novia's mentality remained the same, her personality had actually undergone a subtle change, thanks in large part to Martha... But perhaps it's because she's smaller now that her personality has subtly changed as well.

At the same time, just watching from afar was enough to make the mother and daughter feel an overwhelming sense of oppression, like a curse compressed to its limit, thus reaching a state of silence. In other words, the two of them didn't have much time left. If they didn't see each other before the 'momentum' reached its peak, they would probably be sent back.

Seeing Miyu trembling like this for the first time, Yoshiko felt a pang of heartache. She thought, "Let it be, let it be, don't force Miyu anymore." But then she suddenly remembered that warning, which made her make up her mind.

So she knelt down and placed her hands on Miyu's shoulders to comfort her, and the mother and daughter looked at each other with their Crimson eyes.

"Miyu, let's play Temari Ball toss one more time!"

Since she thought she was about to arrive, Yoshiko had put away her Temari Ball, but now she wanted to give it one last try.

Hearing her mother's warm yet courageous words, Miyu's trembling body gradually calmed down, and she finally nodded.

So, just like before, Yoshiko held the temari ball with both hands and threw it forcefully upwards onto the steps. Miyu then ran over to catch it. If they were still inside the Bounded Field, the two would have stood still. However, here they chose to run towards each other because they caught it and threw it backwards.

Knowing this was her last chance, Yoshiko forgot all her emotions and thoughts, focusing all her consciousness on her steps.

It makes the senses more acutely integrated into one point, obscuring all unnecessary stages of perception.

Unlike nerves and blood vessels, there are invisible circuits throughout the body, through which one can feel the invisible flow of hot water.

Then, in the next instant, as Yoshiko, with her eyes tightly closed, felt an overwhelming radiance, she vaguely sensed the world itself trembling, as if blessing the mother and daughter's courage, or perhaps fearing the Wrath of the controller.

Then, the light focused on the white figure—

"Congratulations, you have successfully reached me, Sakatsuki Hiyori. State your wish; you can say three."

The voice was clear and pure, yet it also carried a hint of cold indifference, as if it could encompass everything.

The white figure that then appeared before Yoshiko and Miyu was in Lily Form. In human society, she would be a boy in his early teens, with Silver Hair cascading down her bare upper body.

"Why... why do you want to see me Miyu...?"

Upon hearing this, Novia, appearing in this form, chuckled softly.

"It wasn't me who saw you, but you who saw me. Since you're just genuinely confused, I'll consider this a friendly answer. Tell me your wish."

After much deliberation, Sakatsuki Hiyori finally expressed her wish.

"My third wish is that you and Sakatsuki Hiyori be taken Miyu of together until Sakuya Yoshiko die."

Why doesn't the text mention what happened after the Sakatsuki Hiyori's death?

This was because she was self-aware; the Od power of the seemingly ten-year-old silver-haired boy before her was far too terrifying. She even felt that the Twelve Lords of the Clock Tower, if gathered together, might not be a match for him... Perhaps the master craftsman, Kischur Zelretch Schweinorg, could? But this was merely her personal speculation.

In Yoshiko's mind, the 'boy' before her was undoubtedly a powerful Deity. It is a good thing for a person to know their own limitations, especially since he was willing to grant her three wishes even though she had not done anything for him. So why should she be greedy?

The first wish was to learn that no matter what, despite the many hardships, Miyu would eventually find happiness.

The second wish revealed that the Fate of the Sakatsuki would end with Miyu.

Based on these two points alone, Yoshiko had a vague idea of what her children would experience in the future.

Isn't it incredibly romantic that a child with a special Fate, after enduring numerous hardships, finally escapes the troubles of their family and finds happiness? It's just like the unfolding of a fairy tale.

Why not just request that all of these be removed from the Miyu?

Because that's enough for Yoshiko. And think about it, don't some stories end in tragedy because of insatiable greed?

The fact that this unknown Deity could help me in this way is already incredibly fortunate.

Besides, I'm still so young, I can live a very long time.

Is that all?

Novia's smile vanished, replaced by a calm indifference. "Since this is your last wish, I'll tell you. The third wish lasts only a short time. Before I make a decision, you still have a chance to say it again."

If we count from now, Sakatsuki Hiyori's life is barely two years left, because she will unfortunately perish in the Bounded Field due to the disaster caused by the Enzworth Holy Grail War on the day of Miyu's sixth Birthday.

These words immediately made Yoshiko realize that she might not live much longer, perhaps by accident or illness. After all, her health was currently very good, so it could only be an accident. Even so, she still looked at Novia with determination.

"... No."

Sakatsuki Hiyori looked at him, her lips tightly pressed together, and shook her head.

"No need. Miyu will become independent someday, just like I once was. Sooner or later, she will go to a world that I, as her mother, don't know, get married, have children, and so on. Although I may not be able to see it, I will still be by her side watching over her, because I am both the Sun and the moon... Ah, sorry, I may have said something unnecessary."

"It's alright, you can continue."

The name Sakatsuki Hiyori carries the imagery of both the moon and the Sun.

"Although it may have been a little too soon for this child to leave my hands, and I regret it... But having touched your hands after leaving mine, will it be easier for her to bring about the end of the Sakatsuki's Fate? In any case, it will help her through her future hardships, right? Hmph, although the hardships will eventually pass, if there's a way to overcome them without getting hurt, I'll give Miyu everything I can."

"Is that so? But that's meaningless to me. Rather, your unrealistic plans are just a waste of this wish."

Novia smiled as she crafted her words, but her tone remained somewhat cold.

Yoshiko wasn't annoyed or surprised by Novia's frankness; she simply thought it was perfectly natural. Having witnessed Novia's earlier days as a white-clad figure, she found it hard to believe that someone like her would hold another person in their heart after such a short time together.

After all, for something to exist on a scale far beyond human imagination, even if it's hot on the outside but cold on the inside, we should be thankful.

"I simply want Miyu to have some kind of security."

"Is that what you call spoiling them?"