The Saint’s funeral was held on a mountain outside of the city. As summer’s end gave way to autumn’s first whispers, a heavy wooden coffin was lowered deep into the earth, each shovelful of soil carefully packed to cover it. A stone marker stood facing west, bearing no inscription. Nameless and without title, only a white porcelain vase of pure…
Wakako watched as Miki wept silently, unable to speak, and didn’t press for answers. Instead, she gently brushed aside the strands of hair clinging to Miki’s tear-streaked face and softly said, “It’s alright.” A faint look of confusion filled Miki’s eyes, as if she couldn’t quite understand. How could it be all right? Was it truly fine to feel like…
When Hua Yumu returned, the restaurant had already been reduced to ashes. The building had collapsed in the inferno, though fortunately, none of the nearby residents were harmed. The restaurant owners fell to their knees in shock, breaking into tears as the reality of losing everything sank in. The city guards could only offer sympathetic pats on their shoulders –…
Saburo stood amidst the flames. He lowered his gaze to watch his white sleeves turn to ash inch by inch, the fire soon crawling up to his wrists, scorching his skin. Why? He remained motionless, still unable to understand the reason. Protected by a God, Saburo was currently immortal, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t feel pain. The burning sensation…
The crowd bustled around, and the guards worked to calm the onlookers and put out the fire. Despite the noise, for Miki, it was as if the world had fallen silent. She could hear only the thudding of her own heartbeat. Her throat had finally regained the ability to speak, but after hearing Wakako’s single word, “yes,” she found herself…