Fake Sisters! / Sisters Together Are the Best!

At this moment, Rin began to think and smiled, "Ling Xi, why don't you decide? I believe the food you choose must be delicious."

"Oh, alright."

Ling Xi didn't refuse. After all, there were so many delicious foods in the future that people of this era couldn't even imagine them. Even in the future, the cuisine of the Far East wasn't that great. It was basically all about hype and exaggeration. They could even make a rice ball and call it a rice fairy...

So, tonight's dinner was very lavish, and by lavish a modern standard, but for people of this era, it was a delicacy that even emperors could not enjoy.

However, Ling Xi noticed that Tokiomi's gaze towards her seemed increasingly strange, and even Yae Sakura's mother's gaze towards her had changed...

Two days later, the ritual, personally led by Tokiomi, began. Amid the cheers of the villagers, one of the instigators who caused Rin's death in the original plot finally received her due retribution.

As for Tokiomi, although he wasn't a good person in the original Tokiomi, in this timeline, he at least protected Rin. In addition, he was, after all, Yae Sakura and Rin's father, so Ling Xi didn't cause him any trouble.

Of course, we still need to be vigilant, after all, people in this era... feudal superstition can be deadly.

Therefore, this is why Ling Xi wanted to teach Yae Sakura and Rin scientific knowledge. Moreover, he indicated that Yae Sakura could talk to Tokiomi about it when she had time. He didn't mean to teach Tokiomi, but at least he wanted Tokiomi to know that superstition is unreliable.

However, shortly after the ceremony ended, the sky suddenly became overcast, and then a torrential rain began to fall.

Ling Xi "..."

Although it's depicted this way in comics, this incident might have made people even more superstitious...

Days passed by like this. Because Ling Xi knew that the development of civilization would lead to the arrival of Honkai, Ling Xi did not "invent" anything during this period. She continued to let the village live normally. Otherwise, what if she summoned Honkai Beast?

Therefore, Ling Xi did nothing more than provide some slightly higher-yielding crops and instruct the villagers to dig some irrigation ditches in the village to ensure that the village would not suffer from the same famine as in previous years.

A year later, Rin had fully recovered from her illness, and Yae Sakura kept her promise, taking Rin to see the cherry blossoms in the mountains. She also dragged Ling Xi along, although Ling Xi wasn't really keen on going...

Time flies, and three years have passed. Yae Sakura has reached the age of sixteen, which is equivalent to being an adult in this era. Tokiomi also plans to hand over the management of the shrine and the priesthood to Yae Sakura...

"I don't want to become a witch."

However, this time, Yae Sakura, who is usually very obedient, chose to refuse.

"What did you say?"

Tokiomi looked at Yae Sakura with a serious expression and said, "As a member of the Yae family, it is our family's mission to carry on the Yae Shrine. Do you intend to go against our ancestral teachings?"

"Father, I..."

Yae Sakura hesitated for a moment and said, "I don't want to stay in this village for the rest of my life. And Father, you should also know that believing in so-called gods is completely useless. The reason why our village has become prosperous in recent years is because Ling Xi brought science."

"But even so, the shrine is a tradition of our family."

Tokiomi said sternly, "Moreover, although we know that faith in the gods is useless, the villagers don't know that. They still come to the shrine to pray frequently. If our shrine is no longer passed down, do you know what the consequences will be?"

"I..."

Yae Sakura hesitated for a moment, unsure how to refute.

Yes, although Ling Xi's arrival has exposed me, my sister, my parents, and me to science, but...

The villagers, however, remained devoted to their so-called god. In fact, because of Ling Xi's actions, they became even more devout. And since Ling Xi was staying at their house, their Yae Shrine was now bustling with worshippers every day, and the amount of money donated was many times greater than before...

If the shrine were to close, the money from donations would be secondary, since the family doesn't need it now. However, the villagers would feel that they have lost their faith and that the gods are no longer protecting them, and then the whole village would fall into chaos.

Therefore, the shrine cannot be closed, at least... not yet!

Chapter 539: Plastic Sisters!

"I understand what my father is saying, but I still don't want to accept it."

Yae Sakura also raised her head, staring intently at the Tokiomi. She didn't want to become a shrine maiden, because becoming one would come with all sorts of restrictions: living in a shrine, never being able to marry, serving the gods, presiding over festivals, and so on...

They also have to spend all day at the shrine giving advice to people who come to pray or repent. The worst part is that they know perfectly well that the gods are unreliable and that the stories are all made up, but they still have to pretend to be experts and fool the other people...

In short, Yae Sakura clearly prefers her current life to becoming a shrine maiden or something, spending all her time with Ling Xi and Ling Xi, playing games when she's bored, going out for a stroll, or going to the mountains to enjoy the scenery.

Isn't it great to live such a free and unrestrained life? Why bother being a shrine maiden?

Moreover, the shrine was too deserted. There was no Ling Xi, no younger sister, and not even a TV. Yae Sakura really wasn't used to it.

In short, she naturally didn't want to accept the identity of a priestess at all. After all, she had spent so much time with Ling Xi, and her thoughts had long since changed. God?

Sorry, she no longer believes in God, because she now believes in... atheism!

If one had to pinpoint a belief, it would be... the electromagnetic shaman Tesla, the spacetime patriarch Ein, and the Black Hole magnate Hawking—that's what she truly believes in... science!

"Why..."

Finally, Tokiomi sighed and said, "Sakura, you've grown up too..."

"Father..."

Yae Sakura was also feeling somewhat distressed, after all, this was probably the first time she had formally disobeyed her father's wishes...

"Rin, what about you?"

Tokiomi hesitated for a moment, then looked at Rin. Since the eldest daughter was unwilling, why not try the younger one? Besides, Rin was more obedient than Sakura.

"Um... well..."

Hearing her father call her, Rin, who was eating a ripe watermelon, was momentarily stunned. What... has this to do with me? Hasn't her father always been raising her older sister to be a shrine maiden?

"Father, I... know absolutely nothing about priestesses, and I'm too stupid to learn, so..."

Rin chuckled and said, "Let's leave the shrine maiden thing to my older sister."

In that instant, Rin sold her sister without hesitation, because she was less willing to become a shrine maiden than Yae Sakura; she hoped to go somewhere else with Ling Xi in the future.

The world is so big, I want to see it.

Yae Sakura: "..." I should have sacrificed you three years ago...

Tokiomi "..."

Tokiomi was completely speechless. He felt like he had raised these two daughters for nothing. Was he really going to have to make a decision today that went against the family tradition and close down his family's shrine?

"Yae Sakura".

Just then, Ling Xi suddenly spoke up, smiling slightly, "I think you can agree to this."

"Huh?"

Hearing Ling Xi say that, Yae Sakura suddenly felt a little wronged. What the hell? Why would Ling Xi...?

"Ling Xi ..."

Rin gently tugged at Ling Xi's sleeve and said, "If you become a shrine maiden, you'll have to stay at the shrine all day, and you can't get married. You'll also have to take on a lot of work..."

Rin seemed to think that Ling Xi might not know the mission of a shrine maiden, so she whispered a reminder to Ling Xi. After all... how could she not understand her own sister's thoughts?

Yae Sakura silently watched Ling Xi. She understood her father's encouragement to become a shrine maiden, as it was a tradition of the Yae family. But... why was Ling Xi also trying to persuade her to accept this? Could it be...?

Ling Xi felt she was being too annoying and planned to get away from him so she could be alone with Lin.

Waaah... it's very possible!

After all these years, Ling Xi has always called her younger sister Rin, a more intimate term, but when she calls herself, she always uses Yae Sakura's full name. You... are unwilling to call me Sakura.

In that instant, Yae Sakura seemed to realize the truth, and she felt like crying. She hadn't expected that, despite being the one who rescued Ling Xi, and despite arriving first, things would end up like this...

It seems that it was right to sacrifice Rin back then!

"I think you might not have understood what I meant."

Ling Xi smiled slightly and said, "The villagers may not know science, but we do. Besides... why be so fixated on the identity of a shrine maiden? As for the fact that shrine maidens cannot leave the shrine at will or marry, these are remnants of feudalism. Why can't we change them?"

"Um?"

As soon as Ling Xi said this, everyone present looked at Ling Xi with curiosity, while also pondering Ling Xi words.

"What I mean is, the identity of a shrine maiden doesn't need to be treated as some kind of inheritance. It can be set up as a profession, just like a regular job. When she's at work, she's at the shrine, doing her job, and when she's off work, she goes home to sleep, and..."

Ling Xi stroked her chin slightly and smiled, "The priestesses also follow the two-day weekend system, working only five days a week and resting on the other two days. Priestesses also have holidays as usual. As for work during holidays, we can handle it as we see fit."

"At last..."

Ling Xi looked at Yae Sakura with a smile and said, "Yae Sakura, your identity as a shrine maiden is only temporary. Later, we can recruit some girls from the village who are interested in this divine office and train them to become shrine maidens. Then Yae Sakura, you can shed your identity as a shrine maiden!"

"Witch, this is our tradition. To treat it as a job is an insult!"

Ling Xi finished speaking, Tokiomi was in a dilemma. Although he knew very well that gods were unreliable, this was still a belief passed down from his ancestors. If it were to disappear like this, it would truly be a disgrace to his ancestors.

"Then there's nothing I can do."

Ling Xi stretched and said, "After all, neither Yae Sakura nor Rin likes being a shrine maiden. If you force them, they might run away from home."

"Running away from home?"

Rin's eyes lit up immediately, and she asked, "Ling Xi, where are we going this time? Last time we only went out for less than a week before we came back. Can we stay longer this time? Also... are we leaving tomorrow?"

"Tokiomi..." My Rin, this bastard has corrupted her...

"Rin, how could you do this?"

Yae Sakura looked at Rin with a somewhat serious expression.

Tokiomi was somewhat relieved to see this. Fortunately, Ying was quite sensible; she truly was a thoughtful little sponge...

Then, before the Tokiomi was up and everyone was having a good time, Ying looked directly at Ling Xi and said seriously, "Ling Xi, I'm going to pack my luggage. Let's not wait until tomorrow, let's leave tonight. Also, let's not cook dinner at home anymore. From today onwards, we will no longer belong to this family."

The Tokiomi... This must be a personal caltrop...

Chapter 540: Sisters Together, That's the Way!

Listening to the speeches of these two dutiful daughters, Tokiomi just wanted to silently light a cigarette. Damn it, damn it, damn it! He was still debating whether Sakura or Rin was more suitable, but now it seems...

I'm afraid both of my daughters are going to be gone.

"Sister, let's go pack our luggage."

Rin decisively grabbed Yae Sakura's arm, seemingly ready to make a move.

"Wait, give me a few days to think about it."

In the end, Tokiomi could only rub his temples and sadly say that he needed to think about it, because he really had to consider it now. If he didn't compromise, this guy might really run away with his two daughters.

After all, this wasn't the first time. He remembered over a year ago, Rin wanted to go somewhere far away, but he refused because he was worried about her safety. He even scolded her to dissuade her, and the result...

The next morning, I didn't see the three of them anymore. Then I found a note from Rin on the table. "The world is so big, I want to go see it." And then...

Then Ling Xi kidnapped her two daughters and kept them away for a whole week before they came back.

Therefore, given the two girls' past behavior, Tokiomi really didn't dare to force them this time, otherwise they would probably have to go on another spontaneous trip.

"Ling Xi, why do you want me to become a priestess?"

Back in her room, Yae Sakura glared at Ling Xi with some dissatisfaction. She had already refused, yet Ling Xi had only added fuel to the fire. Although Ling Xi's subsequent methods sounded reasonable, but...

She never really wanted to become a priestess.

"Heh, it's simple, the demolition effect."

Ling Xi smiled slightly and said, "If you refuse to serve as a priestess directly, even if you are very firm, your father will most likely not agree. However... if you propose to serve temporarily and then step down once a new priestess is found, he might agree."

"Eh..."

Yae Sakura thought for a moment and said, "But... judging from Father's expression, he doesn't seem to have agreed."

"Don't worry, he'll agree."

Ling Xi remained calm and smiled, "Besides, I really hope that you, Yae Sakura, will become a shrine maiden. After all, shrine maiden outfits are so beautiful, they would definitely look even better on you. This is just a little selfish wish of mine."

In reality, this was Ling Xi's biggest goal: the shrine maiden, Yae Sakura!

Because of his influence, Yae Sakura's personality and fate have changed somewhat from the original story, even to the point that she no longer wants to become a shrine maiden, but...

If Yae Sakura, then what's the difference between her and Sakura? So...

Ling Xi must correct Yae Sakura's fate and make her a true priestess; that is the real Yae Sakura.

Moreover, the priestesses of this era are true clergy, symbols of holiness and nobility, and even their demeanor undergoes a change!