Necromancer, but pre-collapse civilization

　The black and red box ignored Yae Sakura's wariness and simply made a sound again.

　"Of course I know your name, because... Yae Sakura, I am you."

　The next moment, the black and red feather box suddenly burst out with an even more dazzling light, as if it was about to devour Yae Sakura completely.

　"This ominous red light... Could it be that those monsters that suddenly appeared were all because of you?"

　Remembering the "demon beast" that she and Kallen had killed together during the day, Yae Sakura exclaimed in surprise.

　"Hmph, how could this be because of me?"

　The black and red feather box sneered.

　"Yae Sakura, the appearance of those monsters is all in accordance with your will. You want to destroy this village."

　"No, my duty is... to protect this village and everyone in this village."

　Although Yae Sakura responded firmly, her eyes flickered, as if her words did not entirely reflect her true feelings.

　"Protect this village~ Protect everyone in this village~"

　The black and red feather box repeated the sentence in a sarcastic tone, then burst into laughter.

　"Hahaha, you're so cute, Yae Sakura. Is this really your true wish? To protect this village that sacrifices children's lives?"

　Upon hearing that the box had revealed Yae Village's greatest secret, Yae Sakura's face instantly contorted with anger.

　But that anger was fleeting, replaced by an undeniable bitterness and helplessness.

　"No matter what, I've already promised..."

　"You promised your sister? Don't forget, Yae Rin was forced to her death by those people you swore to protect."

　Interrupting Yae Sakura's self-deceiving words, the black and red feather box sneered again.

　"I...no, no..."

　Despair and pain appeared on Yae Sakura's face.

　“I was the one who killed Rin with my own hands! At that time, I wanted to take Rin away from the village, so I cut the ropes binding her with a knife.”

　"But her tendons in her hands and feet had been severed! She knelt there, raised her bright eyes and said to me, 'Sister, kill me. I am willing to die for the village.'"

　"I couldn't save her, I couldn't save her! Faced with Rin like that, Rin in so much pain, what could I do? In the end, I could only... end her suffering with my own hands."

　"But in the last moments of her life, she smiled and said to me, 'Sister, you must become the best priestess and protect everyone.'"

　Hearing Yae Sakura's tearful complaint, the black and red feather box spoke with a contemptuous smile.

　"Poor Yae Sakura, you are still suffering because of this, but you don't realize that all of this is just that group of people pushing the killings onto you in order to alleviate their own guilt."

　"No, that's not how it is..."

　Yae Sakura shook her head weakly in denial.

　However, a sense of agreement quietly rose in her heart.

　"Since you think that's not the case, then... what about those monsters?"

　"They, they were all summoned by you!"

　"Hehehe, I already told you, they came according to your will. Although you always actively kill monsters, what you're really thinking is this—kill me, kill me, as long as you kill me, no one can stop you from killing those people! Is this the ending you wanted to see?"

　"No, that's not right!"

　Yae Sakura shook her head repeatedly, refusing to accept the fact.

　However, the words in that black and red feather box were like a seed, deeply buried in her heart, and began to take root and sprout.

　"Stop deceiving yourself."

　The black and red feather box continued its seductive enticement.

　“Come on, pick me up. I have what you want most here: I can give you enough power to protect or kill. It’s up to you.”

　"Powerful strength, the strength to protect the village..."

　murmured softly, Yae Sakura gently cradled the box in her hands.

　Suddenly, a surge of intense heat erupted from the box, quickly entering her palm and then spreading along its path.

　It extended down to her back.

　She could clearly feel the heat gradually gathering on her back into a fiery pattern, which was continuously supplying her with power.

　Suddenly, the door to the room was pushed open, and Karen's anxious voice rang out at the same time.

　"Yae Sakura, my box is missing... Huh? Yae Sakura, how did you get the box?"

　As if possessed, Yae Sakura instantly regained her senses. She turned around, handed the box to Kallen, and said in a calm tone.

　"I don't know what happened. When I got back to my room, the box was already on my bed."

　At this moment, the black and red feather box seemed to fall completely silent, making no sound at all.

　Kallen, without a shred of suspicion towards Yae Sakura, took the box and said...

　"Anyway, it's good that the box is still there. Well... you get some rest, I'll go back to my room now."

　Watching Kallen's retreating figure carrying the feather box, Yae Sakura said nothing more.

　She lowered her head and stared at her palm, where the warmth from the box still seemed to linger.

　Was that power truly what she craved?

　Is it to protect the village, or to fill some kind of deep-seated...desire?

　Just as she was lost in thought, the air in the room suddenly became heavy, and an invisible pressure quietly descended.

　Yae Sakura suddenly looked up and saw that the room was shrouded in a thin layer of black mist.

　"What's this?"

　A wave of fear washed over her, and Yae Sakura quickly gripped her sword, preparing to face any potential danger.

　However, to her surprise, the black mist did not launch any attack. Instead, after completely sealing off all the exits of the room, it stopped spreading, seemingly waiting quietly for something.

Chapter 806 Sakura and Yae Sakura

　Seeing that Yae Sakura's room was firmly sealed by magical power, Sakura no longer concealed herself.

　【Moment】 is a fusion warrior, not a spellcaster, so she naturally cannot cast spells of this level.

　But Sakura doesn't need to perform it herself.

　Having served Moros for nearly thirty years, how could she not have received some reward from the necromancer?

　Thanks to the various magical artifacts bestowed upon her by Moros, Sakura is able to make up for her lack of skill as a pure swordsman.

　The black mist that easily enveloped Yae Sakura's room was released by her using a magical artifact.

　Getting back to the point, when faced with Sakura's sudden appearance in her room, Yae Sakura's face instantly showed obvious shock.

　The pink-haired girl in front of her, dressed in strange clothes, was strikingly similar to her except for a pair of lively fox ears, like a reflection in a mirror.

　"Who...are you?"

　Gripping the spirit sword tightly in her hand, Yae Sakura's voice revealed an undisguised coldness and vigilance.

　"It doesn't matter who I am."

　Sakura calmly gazed at Yae Sakura's beautiful face, which was exactly like hers.

　"I just want to know if every word you just uttered is true?"

　Faced with Sakura's question, Yae Sakura frowned, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes.

　It was a product of a mixture of shock, doubt, and wariness.

　Although she did not immediately put down the spirit knife in her hand, she also had no intention of launching an attack immediately.

　After all, Yae Sakura was also filled with questions and curiosity about this girl who looked remarkably similar to her.

　However, before asking those questions, she needed to confirm one thing first.

　"When...did you start listening?"

　Yae Sakura's voice trembled slightly, a sign of her fear of past traumas and her unwillingness to confront them.

　"From the moment you said you killed your own sister with your own hands."

　Sakura's answer was calm and direct, without the slightest evasion or hesitation.

　Whether it was her ruthless experience as the ace assassin "Forget-Me-Not" or the keen intuition honed in the Poison Chrysalis unit, both told Sakura that these words would definitely touch the sensitive nerves of the person in front of her and ignite the anger in her heart.

　But Sakura still chose to face it all head-on, without the slightest hesitation or avoidance.

　The reason for this is quite simple.

　Sakura felt an uncontrollable rage towards her disqualified older sister who had failed to protect her younger sister.

　If the person in front of her had no connection with her at all, Sakura might not have reacted so strongly.

　However, since she had already decided that the person in front of her was another version of herself in this world bubble, Sakura would naturally put herself in that person's shoes and empathize with them.

　Just as Sakura had expected, Yae Sakura's body jolted upon hearing her reply.

　In her pale purple eyes, an undisguised anger and pain surged forth like a tide, as if the most hidden and vulnerable corner of her heart had been suddenly exposed.

　Even so, Yae Sakura still tried her best to control her emotions and not let her anger erupt.

　She took a deep breath, trying to calm her mind.

　Why did you do that? Is it fun for you to eavesdrop on other people's private lives?

　Yae Sakura's voice was filled with an indescribable anger and helplessness.

　She tried to understand Sakura's behavior rationally, but the pain that had been cruelly exposed in her heart was hard for her to let go of.

　Sakura's figure appeared and disappeared in the black mist, her eyes like sharp blades piercing Yae Sakura's heart.

　Without any unnecessary pleasantries or small talk, Sakura's words were direct and sharp.

　"Yae Sakura, I am not here out of selflessness, but for my own purpose. But there is one thing I must tell you frankly: I can truly understand your pain, because I have also carried a similar heavy burden as you."

　Yae Sakura's hand, gripping the spirit sword, trembled slightly due to the fluctuation of her emotions. She glared at Sakura, her eyes filled with anger and resentment.

　"Purpose? What purpose? What exactly do you want from me?"

　Yae Sakura's voice was filled with strong doubt and dissatisfaction; she tried to use her anger to cover up her inner vulnerability and unease.

　“I came to you not to get any material reward from you, but to seek a kind of resonance, a resonance that only those who have experienced similar pain can deeply understand.”

　"Resonance? Your so-called resonance means eavesdropping on other people's secrets and then shamelessly talking about your understanding here?"

　Sakura shook her head, her eyes softening slightly, but her tone remained as firm as ever.

　“No, Yae Sakura, you’re wrong. I’m not talking about my understanding, but trying to share my experience. I’ve also lost loved ones, and the pain and despair are still fresh in my memory. When I heard your story, I felt like I was seeing my own reflection, and the helplessness and struggle made it impossible for me to stand aside.”

　Yae Sakura was stunned; she had never imagined that Sakura would share her experiences so candidly.

　She stared intently into Sakura's eyes, trying to find a trace of deception, but Sakura's eyes were clear as water and utterly sincere, leaving her no room for doubt.

　"You...have also lost loved ones?"

　Yae Sakura's voice trembled slightly. She suddenly realized that the girl in front of her might not be as simple as she had initially thought, but rather a soul that had also experienced pain and despair.

　Sakura nodded gently, a hint of sadness flashing in her eyes, as if she were recalling that indelible past.

　"Yes, I've lost something too. So when I see you suffering because you couldn't protect your sister, I can empathize with you. I know what that feeling of self-blame and regret is like; it's like poison, eroding our hearts."

　Yae Sakura fell silent, suddenly feeling a resonance she had never experienced before.

　She never imagined that anyone could understand her pain and struggle so accurately, nor did she expect that her inner wounds could resonate with another person.

　Her grip on the spirit knife slowly loosened, and the anger and resentment in her eyes gradually dissipated, replaced by a deep understanding and sympathy.

　"So...why did you come to see me?"

　Yae Sakura's voice softened slightly. She suddenly developed a strong interest in Sakura and wanted to learn more about this girl who was strikingly similar to her.

　Sakura smiled slightly, her eyes shining with determination.

　"I have come to you to help us face our destiny together."

　Upon hearing this, a hint of hesitation flashed in Yae Sakura's eyes.

　She didn't know whether she should believe Sakura's words.