"I'm truly sorry I couldn't fight alongside everyone earlier."
Hanachirusato's voice was soft.
"Because I myself am a manifestation of impurity... I can't purify the other corrupted youkai."
Xia Zhen interrupted her. "You are an impurity, and the goal of the ritual is to eliminate all impurity. That means you'll be erased along with it, won't you?"
Hanachirusato lowered her head. "Yes."
The three gods present had already sensed her presence fading—bit by bit.
That was the effect of the ritual.
The [Sacred Sakura Cleansing Ritual] cleansed every trace of filth on Narukami Island. Unless Hanachirusato could somehow leave the island instantly, she'd be caught in it too.
But even if she did leave, she'd grow weak—and the aura leaking from her body would wreak havoc on her surroundings.
Just like Durin.
She didn't belong in this world to begin with. She should have remained within the Abyss.
Xia Ci asked, "So you knew all along that if the ritual went through, it would erase you too, didn't you?"
Hanachirusato gave a small laugh. "Yeah. I was torn back then—part of me wanted to fulfill my duty, but another part was terrified. Her will and mine were intertwined, yet I was something she had to destroy. I used to agonize over that. In the end, though, I followed her memories to a hidden place, where I found a legendary adventurer's relic. I used his Adventure License to secretly post a legendary commission. I didn't expect someone to accept it almost immediately. I don't even know if that was my luck—or my misfortune."
Yae Miko looked at her with a complicated expression. "So you're really going to disappear…"
Hanachirusato turned to her with a faint smile. "I've already come to terms with it. You carry Hakushin's bloodline, don't you? That means you're kin to Lady Kitsune Saiguu. I'm sorry—for making you experience this kind of pain again."
Qiqi reached out and tugged lightly on Xia Zhi's sleeve. "Master… can we help her?"
Everyone's eyes turned toward Xia Zhi.
He patted Qiqi's head gently. "She said she's already at peace."
Hanachirusato blinked, realizing he might actually be able to save her, and quickly said, "No, I mean—wait—"
Xia Zhi chuckled. "Come here."
Without hesitation, Hanachirusato walked toward him.
The first thing was to sever the [Sacred Sakura Cleansing Ritual]'s influence over her.
The simplest way would've been to take her off Narukami Island entirely.
But the ritual was long-lasting—it would persist for years. Unless Hanachirusato never returned to the island again, she'd be affected all over.
If space wouldn't work… then time would.
Xia Zhi extended his hand, freezing time in the surrounding area.
Instantly, it was as if he'd opened a pocket of invincibility.
Hanachirusato's fading presence stabilized.
Next, he had to restore her Abyssal essence—the part that had been erased.
In theory, the simplest fix was to toss her back into the Abyss and let her soak for a while.
Or—he could remove the [Golden Circlet] around Xia Lin's neck and let Hanachirusato stay close to her.
But that was only theoretically simple. In practice, it was a disaster waiting to happen.
If Xia Lin's Golden Circlet came off, she'd revert back into a walking cataclysm.
Even the purifying effect of the [Sacred Sakura Cleansing Ritual] wouldn't be enough to contain her Abyssal aura.
The entire island would plunge into another black calamity.
So… it was time for Plan C.
Xia Zhi pressed a hand to his chest and pulled out the [Universal Battery].
Then, he placed it against Hanachirusato's body and pushed it in.
"How do you feel now?"
"...Incredible!"
As expected—the [Universal Battery] never failed. Whatever you lacked, it could replenish—even Abyssal energy.
Soon, Hanachirusato felt her body "fill up," the emptiness gone.
Xia Zhi retrieved the [Universal Battery] and said, "There. Qiqi, your master's brought her back for you."
Qiqi stepped closer and whispered, "Thank you, Master."
Xia Zhi ruffled her hair affectionately.
Compared to Xiangling and Xia Lin, Qiqi was a quiet student—always training silently, rarely asking for anything.
If she'd spoken up today, it was probably because she felt a kind of kinship.
After all, Qiqi was a zombie—an anomaly.
And so was Hanachirusato. An impurity. An anomaly.
Qiqi didn't want to see someone like her fade away, full of regrets, from this beautiful world.
She'd died once herself.
She knew exactly how terrifying that final moment felt.
All she wanted was to help Hanachirusato, to give her the same miracle she'd been given—to let her stay in this world a little longer.
Even as something not quite human.
At least then, they could find warmth together in their shared strangeness.
With Hanachirusato's survival settled, the next step was deciding where she'd stay.
In a sense, she was Kitsune Saiguu's reincarnation—or at least, her reconstruction.
But since she hadn't yet regained all her memories, she hadn't recognized Xia Zhen—her once closest friend.
Given that connection, it was natural that Xia Zhen would want to take her in.
But that depended on Hanachirusato's own wishes.
Xia Zhi gestured toward the woman beside him. "This is the former Electro Archon—Baal. You can also call her Raiden Makoto."
Hanachirusato nodded politely. "Oh."
"Do you remember her?" Xia Zhi asked.
She tilted her head. "She looks familiar somehow… but I can't quite recall."
"Then don't force it," Xia Zhi said lightly. "Just tell us—would you like to live with her?"
Hanachirusato hesitated for a moment, then turned to Qiqi. "Can I live with her instead?"
Xia Zhi blinked. "Why?"
Hanachirusato shook her head. "No particular reason. I just… don't feel worthy of the name Kitsune Saiguu. I'm still an impurity."
Xia Zhen looked at her steadily. "Even if you are, you completed the [Sacred Sakura Cleansing Ritual]. That alone gives you the right."
Hanachirusato exhaled softly. "But I'm not Kitsune Saiguu. At most, I'm just a similar flower. Please—don't project your feelings for her onto me. If you must… wait until I recover all my memories. Okay?"
It wasn't that she rejected the name.
She just didn't feel strong enough to bear it.
Xia Zhen and Yae Miko exchanged glances, then nodded. "Alright."
Xia Zhi added, "Since you've made your choice, you'll stay with Qiqi for now."
Hanachirusato clasped her hands together. "Thank you. I'll be in your care."
Qiqi gave a small bow. "Please take care of me too."
Fischl tilted her head. "By the way, why are you still wearing that mask?"
Hanachirusato blinked—then chuckled softly. She raised a hand and slowly removed it.
A delicate, beautiful face emerged.
Like Yae Miko, her eyes were slightly narrow, with a natural hint of allure even when half-lidded—a face that could only be described as foxlike.
For a moment, both Xia Zhen and Yae Miko stared, lost in thought.
Fischl's eyes went wide. "So that's what Hanachirusato looks like! You're gorgeous."
Hanachirusato smiled. "Thank you."
She'd only worn the mask to avoid unnecessary trouble.
After all, Kitsune Saiguu's face was far too well-known—who knew what kind of old friends she might run into on the road.
Later, the group made their way to Inazuma City.
Fischl went straight to the Adventurers' Guild to turn in the legendary commission.
After handing in the quest materials, she presented her Adventure License.
Katheryne said, "Your companions can also receive the experience bonus for this commission."
Xia Zhi thought for a moment, then handed over his own beginner's Adventure License.
Katheryne swiped it through the terminal.
When Xia Zhi took it back, he saw a new star appear on it—he'd been promoted to a one-star adventurer.
As expected, legendary commissions gave a ton of experience. He hadn't even done much—just tagged along at the end—and still shot up ten levels instantly.
After leaving the Adventurers' Guild, the group began heading back toward the Grand Narukami Shrine.
But as they passed the Yae Publishing House, Xia Zhi suddenly stopped.
Because right there, on the front display poster—
Was an advertisement for his own book.
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