Chapter 69: Me, Why Are You Crying?

Xin Yu gazed at the blooming cherry blossom trees, a sense of trance washing over him for a moment. Time truly flew. All his previous efforts in cultivation, all his rushing about in various places, hadn't seemed to take much time at all. Yet here, merely by spacing out and living a day-by-day routine, a month had already passed. During this month, Xin Yu had continuously spaced out, living each day in a manner that seemed like slacking off but was, in reality, cultivation. And while Xin Yu was spacing out, Yae Sakura and Yae Rin particularly loved to stay by his side. They could feel a very peaceful aura emanating from Lord God. It was as if simply being near him brought immense peace of mind and comfort, making them feel that this was the safest, most relaxing place in the world. Occasionally, Lord God would hum some unknown ballads. Although most people couldn't understand the meaning of these songs, the emotions and sensations they conveyed were shared by everyone. This situation led Yae Sakura to clearly perceive that the villagers, who were originally ill-tempered and crude in their behavior, were becoming peaceful and kind, one after another. Those who were once indifferent now greeted each other in the mornings. Those seemingly stern and serious old folks would now smile and chat with the children. Everyone was becoming better after the god's appearance, not just in terms of their lives, but in their hearts. Everyone was improving. Yae Sakura once felt that everyone was merely living for the sake of living, without any dreams or goals, their faces etched with apathy. But now, she could see smiles on many faces. She even heard some people talking about wanting to leave this remote village and develop themselves in a larger city. In the past, anyone who said such things would have been treated as an outcast. But now, people would encourage them to try and see the wider world, to try and make something of themselves, and subsequently help everyone in the village live better lives. It was truly hard to imagine. Lord God had only been present for a month, yet the entire village seemed to have been renewed. People helped each other, greeted each other, expressed gratitude to each other, and encouraged each other. When faced with misfortune, they no longer complained but instead looked for their own shortcomings, wondering if they had been unlucky because they hadn't noticed something. Yae Sakura had once mustered the courage to ask Lord God if he had rewritten everyone's hearts, which was why people had changed so much. She could still remember that after hearing her question, Lord God had first paused in surprise, then returned to his usual smiling demeanor, patting her head and saying, "The ability to rewrite others' minds, I don't have that yet. In truth, they were merely awakened to some things they had once lost because of the songs I sang. As for why my songs can have such an effect, I'm not entirely clear myself. It's something I can only occasionally achieve when I'm completely relaxed." "Then, Lord God, what did they lose?" "...Their past selves." "Then, does that mean if everyone finds what they've lost, their past selves, they will all become like everyone else here, no longer numb, but living each day full of hope?" "...Perhaps they will, perhaps they won't." At that time, Lord God had been gazing at the sky. Yae Sakura could tell that he wasn't lost in his usual reverie, but was silent, seemingly pondering something unknown. The sun and moon continued to alternate. Xin Yu gradually forgot about time, forgot about the passing years. He continued to wait here, waiting for the woman named Kallen to bring the black box that sealed the monster. Until one day, as he was quietly spacing out, a snowflake suddenly landed on him. Only then did Xin Yu abruptly come back to his senses, realizing that winter had arrived. Xin Yu turned his head and saw Yae Sakura and Yae Rin sitting beside him, keeping him company. "Sakura." "Lord God, do you have any instructions?" "Do you have any direction for your future life?" "As a miko, my duty is to accompany Lord God, to serve you eternally." "Er... this... Oh! I cannot stay in the mortal realm for too long. Perhaps in a year, or maybe a few years, I will leave this human world. After I leave, do you have any goals?" "As a miko, of course, I will continue to wait and serve Lord God in the shrine." "...Is that so?" Xin Yu actually wanted to say that there was no need for her to be trapped here her whole life for an ordinary person like him, or for that non-existent god. She could find someone she loved, build a family, and have a happy and fulfilling life. But in this era, as a miko, such things were likely impossible for her to ever do. If he were to actually say such things, it would instead cause Yae Sakura the greatest distress. She might even think she hadn't fulfilled her duties as a miko properly, earning Lord God's displeasure, and perhaps even resort to some extreme actions. But he would eventually leave. "And Rin?" "Lord God, I, of course, will be like my sister, becoming Lord God's miko and serving by your side." "..." Xin Yu looked at the snowflakes continuously falling before him. An inexplicable domain slowly spread and permeated the surroundings, causing the Yae sisters, who had initially felt somewhat cold, to suddenly feel the temperature rise considerably, their whole bodies becoming pleasantly warm. "I have already changed Yae Sakura's 500-year-long arduous life. After that woman named Kallen arrives, perhaps, just as in the original historical development, Yae Sakura will fall in love with her while taking care of her. When that time comes, if I notice these signs, I can also use my status as a god to help them get together and give them my blessing." "A marriage bestowed by a god—I believe no one in this era would object. Then, after dealing with that sealed monster, I can leave. Yae Sakura's originally painful future will thus vanish, and she will have a life that, though perhaps not as long as before, will be absolutely happy and fulfilling." "It seems the first wedding feast I attend won't be Kiana and Raiden Mei's, but perhaps Yae Sakura and Kallen's instead..." "How wonderful. What a truly happy and beautiful ending..." All sorrows and pains have been rewritten by me, and the price is borne by me alone, exchanged for the happiness and beauty of everyone else. I'm really cool, aren't I? Xin Yu asked himself this in his heart. But for some reason, he always felt there was another him, silently watching him from within his heart. That lonely self looked at him, tears streaming down its face, its eyes filled with sympathy and sorrow. Really now, what's there to cry about? This is clearly a good thing. Why are you crying?