Yae Rin

"Yes, Rin, I'm back. Your older sister brought you some herbs. As long as Rin takes her medicine obediently, Rin will definitely get better."

The Miko gently stroked the girl's head, her eyes filled with pity and sorrow as she looked at Yae Rin's sickly, pale face.

This time, I will definitely save you.

She has always been weak and useless.

Even knowing it was all an illusion, she was so weak that she couldn't even save herself from Yae Rin's reflection.

But this time it's different.

Having shattered her obligations and responsibilities and broken free from the cage of false gentleness, the Miko made up her mind.

The Spirit Blade hidden in its sheath emitted an ominous, faint red glow.

What form will the Spirit Blade named Sakura Fubuki ultimately take as it is reshaped due to the Miko's change of heart?

No one will know.

"Yes. I will listen to my sister and take my medicine properly, even though the medicine my sister makes is a little bitter." Yae Rin nodded obediently, but then seemed to recall the bitterness of the medicine and unconsciously frowned.

Seeing the girl's somewhat naive appearance, Yae Sakura chuckled and gently pinched her soft, smooth cheek, saying:

"Alright, good medicine tastes bitter, right? Rin is the best girl. How about I tell you a story later, okay?"

The girl obediently agreed, and seemed to feel a little happy about Yae Sakura's affectionate pinching of her cheek; her slightly furrowed brows immediately relaxed.

"Now, sister, go and prepare the medicine for Rin."

The Miko gave the two people standing behind her a polite smile and continued:

"These two guests are travelers from a faraway place. Rin can ask them about their experiences and the customs and culture of that remote region."

"Since my older sister can't travel far, Rin might prefer listening to their stories rather than hers."

Yae Rin shook her head, and said somewhat anxiously:

"No! My sister can't travel far because of my health, so I love all the stories she tells me, no matter what."

Yae Sakura smiled as she tidied the girl's hair from her forehead and said:

"Okay, okay, don't rush it. As long as Rin likes it, that's all that matters."

Then, the Miko got up and headed towards the pharmacy.

Su Qing'an sat up straight and introduced himself to the somewhat timid girl:

"Hello, Miss Yae. My name is Su Qing'an. We may be staying at your home for the next few days. Please take care of us."

The boy's earnest expression amused Hiyori. His way of speaking was somewhat rigid, and his back was as straight as a bamboo joint while kneeling. His posture gave people a sense of solemnity, as if he couldn't do anything but be serious.

But these features, combined with that delicate and beautiful face, create a particularly interesting effect.

She remembered this person; it was he who had pulled Satou Yunona, who had already transformed into Pseudo-Herrscher, out of her Honkai Consciousness.

What kind of person could grant Pseudo-Herrscher the power to betray the Honkai?

She was very curious.

Hiyori understands the feeling of being affected by a Honkai Consciousness; she is being eroded almost constantly, and half of her consciousness has completely succumbed.

The Honkai Consciousness linked to the Pseudo-Herrscher is naturally easier to sever than that of the Herrscher, but even so Hiyori finds it hard to imagine how human willpower could accomplish such a thing.

A dark glint flashed in the girl's eyes, and the sudden surge of hostility made her very unhappy.

They're just human beings, after all.

"Miss Rin, may I call you that?" This voice, with its gentle tone, pulled Yae Rin out of her vortex.

"... Hmm." Yae Rin responded absentmindedly, and the anger in her heart strangely vanished. She looked at the white-haired girl in front of her.

Judging by her appearance alone, she should be about the same age as me.

But there was an inexplicable kindness and warmth in those gazes directed at him.

She seemed to understand why her sister had thought the girl looked a lot like Kallen that day; even she herself had to admit they really did resemble each other.

If the girl's physical age were any older, it would be as if she were Saintess reincarnated.

Theresa's eyes seemed to light up for a moment, and she said:

"Oh, that's wonderful. Ms. Rin, can we be friends? My name is Theresa Apocalypse."

Theresa made the decision to use her physical age to approach the other person as someone of the same age, making it clearly impossible for Su Qing'an to quickly become close to her.

Then this important task can only be undertaken by her, the headmistress of the academy.

Only by being slightly closer to Yae Rin can I better protect her.

Besides this reason, Theresa also felt some pity and affection for this girl in such a tragic situation.

"De... Lisa A... Pocalys..." Yae Rin muttered the name with a frown, seemingly finding it too long and difficult to pronounce.

Seeing the other person's troubled expression, Theresa smiled and said:

"Just call me Theresa."

Yae Rin nodded in response:

"Hmm... then Theresa can just call me Rin. We shouldn't be too formal with friends, right? My sister taught me that."

In the depths of his mind, the black and red fox shadow emitted a sharp, piercing laugh.

[Idiot, who would be friends with a human?]

Yes. Hiyori will not be friends with humans.

But Yae Rin can.

The current Herrscher of Corruption is just a little girl named Yae Rin.

The surging, boiling resentment and killing intent were suppressed and extinguished as Yae Rin smiled.

Now all she needs to do is enjoy these last few days; before this, these two people were just guests her sister brought back.

And the relationship between them will naturally not be hindered by the fact that the Herrscher is a Herrscher.

The girl said somewhat shyly:

"Big brother, just call me by Rin's name. Calling Miss Yae' or something like that feels weird."

Su Qing'an was taken aback. In fact, he had been silent since he entered the room, but he was usually quiet, so naturally no one could see the turmoil in the young man's heart.

In this world, only Hua can see right through him.

The moment he saw Yae Rin, he suddenly thought of Kambara Yuu; he thought the two girls were surprisingly similar.

Freedom imprisoned for various reasons, or lives destroyed by ignorant customs, are all so similar.

Yae Rin lived five hundred years ago, but five hundred years later, a similar story unfolded again in Kambara Village, which was born from the ashes of Yae Village.

Is this some kind of cycle?

The only difference is that Kambara Shuichi's choice led to a different final outcome.

Su Qing'an recalled the expression on the man's face as he desperately climbed towards the monster with the Sacred God Sword in his hand.

He thought that Kambara Yuu's future must be very, very happy.

Otherwise, how could I possibly live up to that man's perseverance and awareness?

Therefore, Su Qing'an felt very unhappy about the Yae High Priest who made a completely opposite choice.

He was so displeased that even though he knew perfectly well that the Yae High Priest here was nothing but an illusion, Su Qing'an wanted to ask him personally why he had made this choice.

Now, the boy's expression softened considerably, and he gave his answer:

"Well, since Rin thinks this is better."

Perhaps, coming to this world composed of illusion and emotion will have a profound impact on this boy's future.

But now, no one can know what the future holds for all of this.