As the eldest brother of all the yakshas, Bosacius looked fearsome with his four powerful arms. But in reality, he was a careful and considerate person. He often helped his companions in daily life and in battle, earning the respect of all the yakshas.
But in battle after battle against monsters, he had watched his companions be eroded by karmic debt. He had seen Menogias lose his mind before his very eyes. He had seen Bonanus raise her weapon against Menogias. He wanted to use his authority as the eldest brother to stop their conflict, to save the two yakshas from the erosion. But he himself was also being eroded. He had no strength to spare.
Thus, Menogias and Bonanus, two of the foremost yakshas, ended their lives fighting each other.
Not only them—Bosacius tried to help every yaksha who was being eroded. He tried to cleanse their karmic debt. He even used his own body as a vessel, actively absorbing the karmic debt from their souls to save them. But it was useless. Not only did he fail to save the corrupted yakshas, but his own karmic debt grew worse. It became so severe that he could no longer control it.
The only thing that comforted Bosacius was that the yakshas' efforts and sacrifices had not been in vain. Through their work, monsters were slain one by one, and evil spirits were sealed beneath the rocky earth. The turbulent land of Liyue was restored to stability. The people lived in peace. The yaksha race had a safe place to call home.
Bosacius looked at Xiao and said with some sadness, "Menogias and Bonanus left together. Indarias is also gone. Xiao, only the two of us remain."
He wanted to pour out his heart to Xiao, to share all his sorrow. But when the words reached his lips, he held them back. Because he knew that soon, they too would lose their minds like the others, perhaps even kill each other. He did not want to see that happen.
Xiao was also deeply saddened, but he was not good at expressing such feelings. He could only stare at the Hepuyuan polearm in his arms, thinking of his departed brother. His yaksha companions had also left this world, their souls gone to the underworld.
Xiao said slowly, "Brother Bosacius, when will we be completely eroded by karmic debt and become monsters like those demons?"
He seemed unafraid of the debt, unafraid of death. Because after death, he could go to the same world as Hepuyuan. He might even see Menogias, Bonanus, and Indarias again.
Bosacius was silent for a moment. "I don't know. But if one day I lose my mind and become a monster, you must not hesitate. For the sake of protecting Liyue, strike me down with your spear."
He looked at Xiao with sincere eyes. As a yaksha born for battle, he had never feared any opponent. But he was afraid of becoming a monster himself, afraid of becoming the very thing he hated most.
Xiao could not meet Bosacius's gaze. He turned away. If that day truly came, he did not know if he would be able to do it.
Just as they were speaking, a monster appeared behind them. Both yakshas rose at once. Bosacius clenched all four of his fists, spun around, and struck the monster behind him. Xiao did not rest either. In the years they had fought together, they had developed an unshakable默契. The moment Bosacius threw his punch, Xiao circled behind the monster and thrust his spear into its back.
The next moment, the hideous monster was sent flying by Bosacius's punch, landing directly on Xiao's spear. It was slain in an instant.
One monster was dead, but dozens more were closing in. There was no time to think. The two yakshas clenched their fists and raised their spears, charging into battle once more.
No one knew how long they fought. Under their swift and relentless attacks, monsters vanished one after another, dissolving into dust. But with each kill, more evil energy and karmic debt spread through the battlefield, absorbed by the yakshas as they fought.
When the last monster was slain, Xiao gripped his Hepuyuan spear and forced himself to stand. He quickly turned to look at Bosacius behind him. Thankfully, Bosacius was also still alive.
Just as Xiao was about to help his gravely wounded brother, Bosacius suddenly threw a punch that nearly struck Xiao in the face. He murmured, "Kill demons... Slay monsters..."
Seeing this, Xiao was horrified. "Brother Bosacius!"
Hearing Xiao's voice, Bosacius muttered, "Bosacius? Who is Bosacius? That name sounds familiar... Who are you? You're a demon... Kill the demon!"
Under the influence of karmic debt and evil energy, Bosacius had forgotten even his own name, forgotten his comrade-in-arms, and mistaken Xiao for a monster.
Fortunately, at Xiao's call, Bosacius's strong will prevailed. He resisted the erosion and regained his senses. His face filled with remorse.
"Brother Xiao, forgive me. I almost attacked you. If one day I truly lose myself, do not hesitate. Strike me down."
Seeing the deepening seriousness in Bosacius's eyes, Xiao could only nod reluctantly. But he wished that day would never come.
Just as they finished slaying the monsters and Xiao had managed to rouse the nearly lost Bosacius, a crane flew over the mountains, crossing the sky until it reached them.
It was Cloud Retainer.
"Rex Lapis has suppressed the demons at sea and returned to Liyue. He has given me a letter for you."
Cloud Retainer handed the letter to Bosacius. He opened it. It was written in Rex Lapis's own hand. The content was simple: Rex Lapis had learned of the yakshas' suffering from karmic debt. He ordered them to hand over the task of slaying monsters to the adepti, who had just returned victorious. The five foremost yakshas were to return to Liyue Harbor to rest and recuperate.
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Translator's Note
New fanfic with Dottore as MC dropped:
Genshin Impact: The Fool's Delusion