Reality is always full of surprises. The sudden display of affection caught everyone off guard.
Yae Sakura instantly blushed, two crimson clouds creeping up her cheeks. She hurriedly said, "Kallen, ev... everyone is still here."
Yae Rin and Hiyokumaru both had expressions that said "as it should be," revealing understanding smiles.
Theresa's jaw nearly dropped to the floor, her worldview seemingly collapsing. Schicksal's evaluation of Kallen was already extremely high, and in her eyes, Kallen was a saint and a hero. But the scene before her completely shattered all her illusions.
Ming Yu's eye twitched, his expression also souring. *I fought tooth and nail to get Jizo Mitama, and you guys start showing off your love the moment you meet.*
But seeing the undisguisable happiness in Kallen and Yae Sakura's eyes, Ming Yu couldn't help but feel a pang of envy.
Standing up, the white-haired nun pulled the pink-haired shrine maiden into her embrace, whispering softly in her ear, "But, I can't wait another moment, Sakura~"
Five hundred years. She had watched as Yae Sakura relived that nightmare again and again, her heart breaking time after time, gradually sinking into a dark abyss, while she could do nothing.
Now, to be able to hold her beloved in her arms, to feel that familiar presence, how could she possibly wait? To Kallen, this was more precious than anything. Even if she were to perish in the next moment, she would have no regrets.
Sensing Kallen's feelings, Yae Sakura also let go of her shyness, closed her eyes, and hugged the person whose name she had called out countless times in despair. The greatest happiness in the world was none other than this!
"Ahem~" Smelling the sour stench of love in the air, Ming Yu tactlessly stepped forward. This had to be interrupted, otherwise who knows how long they would hug for. He was still in a hurry to leave.
Noticing her actions, Kallen gently released Yae Sakura and looked at the still somewhat embarrassed Ming Yu. She gave a slight bow and said gratefully, "You must be Mr. Yu. Thank you for honoring that hasty promise and rescuing Sakura from the abyss."
Back then, she had been acting out of desperation, taking a chance on the rare person who could enter the Stigmata Space. She never expected this young man to actually succeed, completely eliminating the root of the problem, and even gaining Judah's approval when facing Higokumaru. Although she had released Judah's lock, whether one could use it still depended on their own ability.
Yae Rin also smiled gracefully and said with gratitude, "Thank you, Big Bro Yu, for saving my sister and giving me the chance to see her again."
Hearing their thanks, Ming Yu felt a little embarrassed and scratched his head, saying, "Ha~ It's nothing. Miss Sakura was once kind to me, so I was just doing what I could."
"Even so, it is an immense kindness to us," Kallen shook her head, disagreeing with Ming Yu's statement and solemnly affirming his deed.
Ming Yu didn't think much of it but didn't argue further.
Taking Jizo Mitama from Yae Sakura's hands, Kallen held it out in front of Ming Yu and said with a serious expression, "I can feel that the power within this blade is very dangerous. Are you sure you are prepared to bear it all?"
When it came to understanding Divine Keys, Yae Sakura, who had lived in Yae Village, was no match for Kallen. Whether it was the Oath of Judah she had once wielded, or Celestial Phoenix's solemn warnings about such weapons, it all indicated the extraordinary significance of these weapons.
And as the most likely person to wield this Divine Key, Kallen believed she had a duty as a senior to admonish the young man before her on how he should view a Divine Key.
"When you choose this blade, are you sure you are prepared to protect humanity?" Kallen said with a stern face and a solemn tone. "This is a path to great power, but also an incredibly arduous one. Do you have the heart to match it?"
"Kallen..." Yae Sakura tugged at Kallen's hand, signaling that she shouldn't be saying these things.
But Kallen's eyes remained fixed on Ming Yu, without a hint of wavering.
Hiyokumaru opened its little mouth, wanting to say something, but seeing Ming Yu's contemplative expression, it held back its words. It believed that Ming Yu had his own judgment and would respect his choice.
Theresa, standing to the side, also became interested. These were words she should have said, but she never found the right opportunity. Now that Kallen had brought it up, she was also very curious about Ming Yu's answer. After all, this might determine the ownership of a Divine Key, and it was also an opportunity to understand Ming Yu.
Looking at the seriousness in Kallen's azure pupils, and then at the cold glint on Jizo Mitama's scabbard, Ming Yu also fell into thought.
Am I... really ready to wield a Divine Key?
He had been planning for Jizo Mitama ever since he met Yae Sakura in Nagazora, and many of his subsequent actions revolved around it.
Cultivating Yae Sakura's favor, plotting to enter St. Freya High School, and even learning from Fu Hua to become stronger were all preparations for this moment. But when this moment finally arrived, Ming Yu felt a little lost.
Divine Keys, super-divine weapons developed by Dr. MEI of the Previous Era using Herrscher cores, were the most powerful weapons in the Previous Era's fight against the Honkai. Apart from the mass-produced 10th Divine Key, there were only twelve in existence, making them arguably the most precious legacy of the Previous Era.
Even Schicksal, to a large extent, relied on Divine Keys for its current status and strength.
With the Key of Destruction, the Judgment of Shamash, Schicksal possessed the ultimate military force to combat the Honkai, and step by step, it conquered the entire European continent, becoming one of the most powerful forces in the world at the time.
And with the Key of Revelation, Void Archives, Otto traversed five hundred years of time, allowing Schicksal's application of Honkai to far surpass the rest of the world, gradually ushering in an era of his Schicksal.
Even now, Divine Keys hold an extraordinary significance for Schicksal. Each Divine Key corresponds to an S-rank combat power within Schicksal.
And now, the Key of Corruption, Jizo Mitama, was right in front of him. So close that he could grasp it just by reaching out his hand.
But, was he truly prepared to bear this Divine Key?
With great power comes great responsibility. Did he really have the resolve to bear this power and this burden?
Reaching out his right hand, Ming Yu gripped the black scabbard of Jizo Mitama and met Kallen's questioning gaze, saying with unwavering determination, "If it's about fighting for humanity and all that, then I can't do it. All I can do is protect the things I cherish."
Saving the world was a job for whoever wanted it. He was just an ordinary person who wanted to live.
Protecting his little home at St. Freya High School, protecting that group of lovely people. For him, that was enough.
After all, in this world, all he had left was this.