No words.
The atmosphere outside was somewhat heavy, as if the air was about to solidify.
Not only was there a desire for the truth, but more so, there was concern for Fu Hua.
Even someone as indifferent to worldly desires as Sakura was forced to become an enemy of the Flame-Chasers.
From another perspective, this organization that saved the world in its time of peril likely committed some unspeakable, ugly acts.
Fu Hua didn't speak; she only felt her headache worsening.
She had a strange premonition that the upcoming scenes would definitely exceed everyone's imagination!
As for what exactly it was and what would happen...
This matter had been cast into the Fenghuang Down by her many years ago.
In the image, Seele asked a question.
"The person you're looking for, the child in the photo... is she your family?" she asked in a soft voice.
Sakura did not hide it and slowly explained:
"She is my sister, my only family."
"Her name is Rin, and she is locked in this base just like you."
Speaking of this name, a faint glimmer appeared in the corner of her eyes.
It seemed this person carried the full weight of Sakura's soul, the sole belief sustaining her ideals of light.
At this point, Sakura's tone gradually carried a hidden fury: "The Flame-Chasers imprisoned her, but she is innocent."
That anger was hidden at the bottom of the deep sea, like a volcano submerged beneath the waves.
Once it erupted, it would explode with unimaginable power, causing Seele to shrink back slightly.
"No wonder you came to the confinement room."
Sakura exhaled: "She was supposed to be in your room, but when I arrived, I saw only you inside."
After speaking, she turned her gaze toward Seele.
"Speaking of which, I've been busy traveling and haven't asked about you yet. Let's consider this a way to get to know each other better. In the confinement room earlier, you kept murmuring a name while you were unconscious."
From Sakura's mouth came a name that Seele dreamed of: "Bronya, who is she?"
"...She is Seele's family."
Seele placed her hand over her heart, a light shining in her azure eyes.
"She is just like you—very strong and very gentle. She stands up for me and is always concerned about my safety."
"As long as she's there, all the unhappy things seem to disappear."
Sakura: "Where is she now?"
"We were separated. Sister Bronya is outside now."
"Seele doesn't want to cause her any more trouble; I want to return to her side as soon as possible."
Hearing this, Sakura said with certainty: "No, she wouldn't think that. You would never be a burden to her."
Sakura seemed to react to Seele's words; she stood up straight and looked at the bewildered Seele.
The cherry blossom pendant had been hung back on her chest, looking particularly conspicuous under the lights.
Her voice was full of purity and hope.
"Seele, I will take you out of here."
"The Flame-Chasers have imprisoned too many innocent children like you and Rin. You were meant to be free."
"It's dangerous outside. Once we're out, come home with us first. After you've settled in, we'll go find your sister together."
Sakura chose her words carefully, hoping to gain Seele's trust.
"By the way, there are also cherry blossoms. Have you ever seen them?"
In her eyes floated emotions that Seele couldn't understand.
"Cherry blossoms... Seele has only seen them in books."
Sakura smiled slightly: "There's a plaza near our home with several cherry blossom trees. In the spring, they bloom together, and the entire plaza is filled with dancing petals, like a painted ocean of pink. In this world full of disasters, it's hard to see such a warm sight."
"Cherry blossoms are Rin's favorite thing. I think you'll like them too."
"So, let's leave here together, okay?"
Sakura looked at Seele.
What she received, naturally, was an affirmation.
"Mm." Seele also wanted to see the cherry blossoms.
Sakura searched through the files.
A few minutes later, the results were out.
According to the intelligence, Rin had been moved to the 33rd floor underground... the exterior.
Kiana watched the two of them speak.
What a beautiful scene this was.
Two girls whose fates had been overturned—one looking for a sister, the other looking for her younger sister.
They made a vow to find their loved ones and then enjoy the beautiful sea of pink in a scene of blooming cherry blossoms.
But the prerequisite was waiting until they settled down.
Kiana felt a sense of stuffiness in her heart, which condensed into hesitation.
How much it felt like a scene from a movie—those who make vows before a battle...
—Often do not get their wish.
She had a bad premonition in her heart, which grew stronger as the images unfolded.
Her heartbeat gradually accelerated, and tension surged into her heart in a flash.
Meanwhile, Yae Sakura was also very tense.
These people named Sakura and Rin clearly corresponded to her and Rin.
This was a World Bubble; they might be the versions of themselves from a parallel world.
If not for Yunduo's salvation, Rin would have died five hundred years ago.
Then what about Rin? As "Sakura's" sister, was she destined to have a bad ending?
As a Pseudo-Herrscher, Yae Sakura also had a "Herrscher consciousness" filled with negative emotions in her heart.
It was worth mentioning that for other Pseudo-Herrschers or Herrschers, the appearance of the Herrscher consciousness was the same as the person themselves.
Only for Yae Sakura, the form of the Herrscher consciousness was a fox.
And the deity Yae Sakura worshipped as a shrine maiden—Inari—was precisely a fox in mythology.
This also reflected her self that had been completely consumed by her "responsibility as a shrine maiden."
Perhaps the fox-shaped Herrscher consciousness had another layer of meaning: after losing her sister Yae Rin, Sakura's heart had begun to feel hatred, hating the Inari she worshipped.
Therefore, in her moment of despair, she would turn and strike her own Herrscher consciousness—the Inari of her perception—with the Spirit Blade in her hand.
If that Sakura lost Rin... Yae Sakura didn't want to see such a scene.
"Just an illusion, right?" Yae Sakura shook her head; how could it be such a coincidence?
At this moment, Rin's low voice caught her attention: "Sister, will Rin be okay?"
"She'll be fine. I promise, Sakura will definitely protect Rin." Yae Sakura forced a smile.
But suddenly, the scene in the images changed.
Sakura and Seele stopped in their tracks.
"Oh no, someone troublesome has appeared," Sakura said heavily.
A handsome man with short white hair in a ponytail walked toward Sakura step by step out of the night.
In his hand was the Seventh Divine Key, the Key of Destruction "Judgment of Shamash," a weapon made from the core of the Seventh Herrscher, the Herrscher of Flame. It was a pair of dual pistols possessing the strongest "destructive" power.
A black and white body, gilded barrels, and a crimson herrscher core embedded at the safety catch, flashing with a scorching glow.
"Sakura, stop."
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