Xia Xia Sister My sister
I sat next to Ying, who was lying on the ground. I, honestly, never thought the first expression Id see from her would be one of agony. She looked ghastly pale. Lucia sat to one side and held Niers hand. Concerned, Lucia quietly said, She has been this way the entire ti. Her fever is too serious. Your Highness, you need to bring a doctor, or she might not make it.
Nier asked, But are there doctors in this village?
Theres definitely a doctor except they wont be professional. Checking a fever is within their capabilities, though, I said, standing up. Ill go look for a doctor. You girls stay with her. Lets put tonights task aside for now. I need to ensure Yings safety first and foremost.
Its dark, Your Majesty.
Its all right. This village is considerably safe. There are only a few families. Ill be fine. Also, you should already be aware the people of this village dont have any actual combat abilities. Dont worry about , Nier. You two just watch over Ying.
Mm.
Nier was reluctant to let go of my head. I kissed her forehead and quietly said, Sorry, I know you two have just returned to , but I have sothing to do. I promise well go ho once this matter with Ying is over.
Nier gave a nod and sniffled. I walked up to Lucia and kissed her lips. I had one last glimpse of Yings painful expression before turning to leave.
I went down to the village. The stone steps were slightly cold at night. The green shrubs during the day were dark enough to be a little scary. The flas in the village below werent bright. Dark clouds shrouded the moonlight. I regretted not bringing a fire torch out with . I reached the entrance to the village, nonetheless.
The village didnt have any guards. The main door was shut, but it wasnt difficult to jump over the shabby fence by the side. I went onto the main street. Hos on either side of the street lit fires for light. I settled on the entrance of the store selling vegetables and at.
In my opinion, the owner was nice, relatively speaking. He was arguably reasonable compared to the others. He knew what the people feared, so he knew the aning of Yings existence. Therefore, I reasoned it would be all right to see him.
Im closed, said the owner.
The owner ca out from the store in coarse cloth clothing when I almost ripped the door down. He was angry, though. I told him, Yings condition is very poor. You saw her today, right? She needs a doctor. Is there a doctor here?
I guess you could say Im the doctor of this village. Having said that, I dont believe I can treat her. I dont want to enter the shrine, either. Youve caused an uproar. The shrine is a forbidden zone to us. The villagers will ostracise if I go inside. Theyll think I helped Ying. Consequently, if Ying once again
Again? I cut the owner off, eyes fixated on him.
The owner froze. He was aware he just had a slip of the tongue, therefore abstaining from speaking again. He fiddled with his hair, and then turned around: Thats just how it is. I cant offend the villagers for Ying or your sake. I need to live here
What exactly did Ying previously do?
That has nothing to do with you, does it? Moreover, its in the past now.
I took a swift step and grabbed his collar when he wanted to turn around and leave. In a serious tone, I said, Youre coming with to check Yings condition now, or Ill spare you from having to think about life as a villager anymore. You see those two girls today? I assure you just one of them alone is enough to massacre your entire village, because theyre my bodyguards.
The owner looked back at as though there was nothing in the world worth living for: If you kill , therell be no doctors to take a look at Ying.
Didnt you just say that you might not be able to treat her? Lets have a bet, then?
The owner sighed: All right. Ill go and take a look; however, I cant promise I can treat her. Im only a doctor in my spare ti. The wyrm wounded her of all things. My dicines might be useless. In any case, *sigh*, Ill go.
I looked around to check that there was nobody behind. The owner went back inside to change. He picked up a basket and went with . He warned, Dont stand out too much. Lets hurry before sobody sees . Ill be done for if they see .
Just walk normally. Nobody will see you in the middle of the night.
I wouldnt be so sure. I did sothing guilty, after all.
Atone for it, then.
Isnt that what Im doing now?
When we arrived at the shrine, he knelt down next to Ying and gave her a check-up. He let out a sigh of relief: Lucky. She has a fever, though. Her wound is just an ordinary wound. Theres no venom or rotting. You treated her in ti. Ill leave these few bags of dicine. Just serve them to her at the fixed tis.
Thats a relief, then. I let out a breath of relief.
The owner fumbled through his bag. He took out a few paper bags and placed them to the side. He told how to prepare and serve the dicine. He imdiately got to his feet after. He didnt want to stay inside for another second. I stood up and left the shrine with him, with him walking in front.
He suddenly stopped at the entrance of the shrine. He turned around. I tilted my head and asked, Whats the matter?
I think there are so things I should tell you. I cant ntion them in the village, but I can now. Furthermore, if I dont tell you now, youll probably go and verify it soon, wont you?
The owner reached into his pocket and took out a few rolls of paper. He took out a stick, lit it up then put it in his mouth. He took in a breath and blew out a mouthful of smoke. He didnt look at ; instead, he looked at the dark sky. Voice soft, he asked, You noticed her calling a na in her current state, right?
Yes.
Thats her younger sisters na.
I know that already.
Do you know where the child is right now?
I dont.
The owner smiled, and then had another smoke. I watched the lit up red circle slowly move. I waited for him to continue. He elaborated, I told you I did sothing guilty on the way here. I did sothing Im very guilty about. When Ying first arrived at the shrine, we didnt treat her with this attitude. Ying got along with everybody really well. Lots of kids were willing to play in the shrine, too. At the ti, Yings sister, Xia, was still with her. One unfortunate day, Ying went berserk. Xia tried to stop her but failed. That day, Ying murdered five kids in the shrine. After that fiasco, the infuriated villagers charged to the shrine and kidnapped Xia. They blinded Xia, and then locked her in the house by the harbour. Thats what led to Yings relationship with the villagers completely changing. From then on, Ying never showed any emotion again.
So, youre saying that Ying is here to atone? Youre saying the villagers fear her, because of her going berserk?
But I saw the truth. I ca to deliver stuff that ti and saw what exactly happened.
The red fla went out. The owner firmly stepped on it: The truth is Ying wasnt the one who went berserk. It was the children who went berserk. They picked up Yings sabre without her knowledge. The sabre is, in fact, the source of Yings power, which can also be described as a sabre containing hatred and souls. Its not a power an ordinary person can withstand. The sabre consud the children. The sabre turned the children into a part of the countless evil souls Ying had slain. Ying had no choice but to kill the children. She didnt explain herself; or rather, nobody wouldve believed her explanation. We blinded her sister, because of those children who brought it upon themselves. Consequently, we turned her sister into a chain to restrain her. The pain and self-bla Ying felt further pushed her to stay here and endure all of this for eternity.
Is that the reason she wont retaliate no matter what you do to her?
Yes. Im a sinner; I knew the truth, yet didnt dare to speak up. Do you know how it feels to personally steal the perfectly functional eyes of a girl? I, personally, took her eyes. Im now looking at the world Xia wont ever see again. Im watching those iron chains restrain her forever. Im still a weakling, even now. Youre not, though. Youre an outsider, and you care for Ying. I cant do it. I have too many concerns, but you can help Ying.
He gave a few soft pats on my shoulder. After a long sigh, whispered next to my ear, Dont let others know I was the one who told you. Xia is in that house. Bring her out. Ying has the right to choose her own life. It wasnt her mistake, but shes too kind and gentle Take her away. Im begging you. Take her away. Ying shouldnt belong here.
I never knew a persons tears could be so clear and bright. I didnt say anything so as to avoid making him feel awkward. He wiped the corner of his eyes. Then, he took in a big breath and gave a few shoulder pats before leaving the shrine.
I went up to the stone steps and watched the owner slowly vanish into the darkness. He looked feeble from the rear. He looked as if the darkness could swallow him at any given mont. He was comparable to a star weakly shining for its last few monts. Only a few stars shone through the sinister dark clouds. Even then, their light was almost invisible. However, a weak light was still a light. Perhaps I should say, Only when weak stars gather together, can they shine through the dark clouds shrouding the sky. I wanted to save her. I could save her.
I went back to the shrine. Lucia and Nier were lying down next to Ying. The two of them were falling asleep. The two of them had to busy themselves right after they were rescued. As a result, they were spent. I walked up to their sides and whispered, Rest up you two. Leave the rest to .
Mm Your Majesty
All right, Your Highness.
The two nodded. They grabbed my hands and shut their eyes.
I focused on Yings face, but I wasnt sleepy at all
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