Beneath the torii gate, a path paved with fine white stones wound onward.
Lush trees lined both sides of the path, their leaves swaying gently in the breeze with a soft rustle.
Yet no matter how enchanting the scenery around Yae Shrine was, Kallen had no mood to appreciate it.
The reason was very simple.
A little girl who looked only seven or eight years old was running toward them with excitement written all over her face.
After stopping before them, she asked carefully, her voice carrying a trace of shyness and anticipation.
"Kallen, Sakura, did you save my little sister?"
Looking at the hopeful little girl before her, Kallen felt an indescribable ache rise in her heart.
She shook her head, her blue eyes filled with helplessness and sorrow.
"I'm sorry, little one. We... couldn't save your sister."
Kallen's voice was low and heavy, as though every word had been forced out from the depths of her heart.
At those words, the little girl's face instantly turned pale, and the light in her eyes dimmed.
She opened her mouth, her lips trembling slightly, as if she wanted to say something, yet not a single word came out.
After a long while, she finally gathered her courage and asked in a trembling whisper.
"Then... was Lord God satisfied with my sister?"
Kallen fell silent upon hearing that.
How could she answer?
Should she tell her that the god she worshipped was nothing more than a cruel and heartless Fox-type Honkai Beast?
Or should she tell her that the little girl had lost every last one of her relatives and become the final survivor of Yae Village?
More importantly, all of this tragedy had been caused by Yae Sakura—the shrine maiden who had once stepped forward to protect the villagers.
Even