Stardew Valley of Gensokyo

"It's not broken, is it?"

As the clay pot slipped from his hands and crashed to the ground, the kappa safety officer's face was filled with unease.

"It's alright. According to my calculations, it won't break at this height."

He Chenghe chuckled and reassured her.

"No, look, the note stuck to the mouth of the jar seems to be flashing?" the kappa safety officer asked, puzzled.

"What!?"

Upon hearing this, Kawashiro Nagoto was startled and looked down sharply, only to see that the yellow paper talisman was indeed flashing.

The next second, the spell went out completely.

Cracks spread along the bottom of the pottery jar, like shattered tempered glass, broken into tiny pieces.

At that moment, a gentle breeze blew from somewhere, and the powerless yellow paper talisman fluttered off, while the jar collapsed like yellow earth.

"This has nothing to do with me, I didn't even touch it!"

Cold sweat streamed down the kappa safety officer's face as she quickly explained.

But after waiting for a long time, the reprimanding voice of Kawashiro Nagatsu that she had expected did not come. Instead, a faint voice came from behind her.

"I...I'm finally out..."

Upon hearing this, the kappa safety officer looked up in astonishment, only to see a ferocious expression on the face of Kawashiro Nitori.

......

Chapter 137 The Victim

In the secluded Earth Spirit Hall, where even the wind couldn't penetrate, the soft candlelight illuminated Komeiji Satori's fair and rosy cheeks. She quietly opened the ancient book in her hand, its cover revealing the texture of skin, her violet eyes serene.

In her quiet moments, she enjoys reading, which is an important way for Komeiji Satoru to communicate with the outside world. Although some of the content is outdated, she doesn't care.

The condition of the windows on the wall is not important; what matters most is whether they let in light.

Since the last visit by that human named Akina Sawaya, the noise from the kappa construction site has disappeared. Komeiji Satoru, of course, knows the specific reason for this, because Rin had told her everything the moment she stood in front of her.

She wouldn't blame Lingwu Lukong, because it was unnecessary; a startled raptor attacking a creature that was destroying its habitat, that's all.

The ending is good, isn't it?

After all, no bloodshed occurred.

She had seen far too many battles between monsters like this in the past, especially in the old capital, a place where demons gathered.

Being bruised and battered is commonplace; losing an arm and then having it reattached is also a frequent occurrence. The monsters of the old hell are highly aggressive.

Or perhaps they are 'old relics', adhering to ancient customs in this new era of rising barriers, out of step with the monsters on earth, and nothing more than the conservative traditionalists.

So, is the reason why Lingwu Lukong only targets the supplies instead of the culprit Kappa because she is 'kind'?

It's probably because of me... Komeiji Satoru is well aware of this. As for her pet, although she was interfered with by the gods in the shrine on Youkai Mountain, her character hasn't changed, and she still respects me very much. Otherwise, she would have already been unable to suppress her desire to destroy the source of the noise.

Most debriefing processes are tedious, but Komeiji Satoru found them fascinating. Reading the recollections of many people to create a video review was no less enjoyable than experiencing it firsthand.

Akina Sawa was very clear about every move the old hell made, but the more she looked back, the more she wanted to know what the man was thinking at the time. Relying on other people's memories was just scratching the surface.

This is her curiosity about the unknown, which she is willing to pursue as a spice in her otherwise dull life.

Let’s not mention this matter for now.

Closing the ancient book in her hand, her delicate brows furrowed slightly, Komei noticed an uninvited guest entering the hall and getting closer.

Da da da--

The heels of the boots struck the floor with a steady, unhurried rhythm.

As the sound drew closer, it wasn't long before Kawashiro Nitori, with his head bowed, appeared before her.

"He Cheng... no, it's not her."

At first glance, Komeiji Satoru knew that the person in front of him was not Kawashiro Nitori. "Who are you?"

Komeiji Satoru's deep red third eye stared intently at the person in front of her who was not Kawashiro Nitori. As the owner of Flame Cat Rin, she knew very well that this was a sign of possession by a vengeful spirit.

However, ordinary vengeful spirits dare not approach the Earth Spirit Temple, and they are not powerful enough to possess and control the actions of monsters.

"I'm giving you one last chance: get out of her body." The voice was utterly ruthless.

Although she looks rather young, Komeiji Satoru is the genuine administrator of the Old Hell - the vengeful spirits, and basically all the vengeful spirits in the Old Hell are under her jurisdiction.

"Heh... Why don't you read my mind?" the vengeful spirit asked disdainfully through Kawashiro Nitori's voice.

Those who become vengeful spirits will certainly not have pleasant memories... Komeiji Satoru originally only wanted to keep it on the surface, but faced with such provocation, he had no choice but to step in.

Komeiji Satoru opened his deep red eyes wide, but after reading only a bit of the vengeful spirit's memories, he abruptly stopped reading with a solemn expression.

"A sinner forever... Shouldn't someone like you be sealed away in the Mafuba?"

Those who can be called eternal sinners must be extremely wicked and sentenced to never leave hell for all eternity.

"Am I to be judged as a sinner? I don't think so."

Kawashiro Nitori's grin was utterly ferocious, then she smiled, "Haha, anyway, I'm out now. I'm just saying hello, my dear manager-san~"

As soon as he finished speaking, the possessed Kawashiro Nitori collapsed, and the vengeful spirit vanished without a trace.

Komeiji Satoru stood there, his brows furrowed.

She read Kawashiro Nitori's memories; the Mafuba container appeared at the construction site and was then dug out.

However, this first point is impossible, because the Demon Sealing Wave Container actually has a special storage location and it is absolutely impossible for it to appear alone on the construction site.

Could it be that an insider threw the container into the construction site, intending to release it through the hands of a kappa?

Komeiji couldn't understand... but now that the vengeful spirit had escaped, she had no choice but to help. However, this escaped vengeful spirit had a great connection with Gensokyo, which made her feel somewhat troubled.

It's not a good thing to read minds and discover things you shouldn't know; it's even worse if the person who experienced it is still alive.

"Hiss~ What's wrong with me?"

Kawashiro Natsumi, clutching his forehead and with a pained expression on his face, struggled to his feet.

She felt as if she had been beaten up, her whole body ached, and she couldn't help but grit her teeth and groan softly.

"You are possessed by a vengeful spirit," Komeiji Satoru said calmly.

"What kind of vengeful spirit dares to possess my head, Kawashiro Nitori?!" Kawashiro Nitori cursed, clutching her waist, and turned to look at the person who answered her question.

In an instant, the expression on Kawashiro Nitori's face, which had just been very angry, froze, and his red cheeks quickly turned white.

"Yes! It's the Satori!"

Like a porcelain plate shattering, the physical pain in Kawashiro Naritoshi's body couldn't stop the fear in her heart. She scrambled out of the Earth Spirit Palace without even asking which vengeful spirit was possessing her.

Komeiji Satoru remained silent, having long been accustomed to this kind of scene; at most, the Kappa-san's performance would just be more intense.

The Earth Spirit Palace has returned to its former tranquility, but the vengeful spirit has indeed escaped. Such a resentful creature will surely have a great impact on the people on Earth.

However, Komeiji Satoru was not worried about the humans in the Human Village, but rather the youkai living under the Hakurei Barrier.

"Does solving the problem itself eliminate the problem?"

Reaching out to stroke the textured ancient book, Komeiji Satoru murmured to himself.

Some things leave no trace in books, and historians never mention them. Only those involved understand the suffering, but most are completely forgotten.

"Being able to read minds isn't a good thing..."

Turning the page of the book, Komeiji Satoru suppressed the turmoil in his heart as he looked at the dense text on it.

Miyaguchi Ruiling... Will you get the justice you want?

This was the name of the vengeful spirit possessing Kawashiro Nitori that Komeiji Satoru hadn't had a chance to tell her.

......

Chapter 138 A Lasting Peace

Despite being a young girl, she exudes a motherly warmth, like the long-awaited warmth of the winter sun. It feels illusory and dreamlike, but the girl sitting before me genuinely evoked the same feeling in Akina Sawa.

Seemingly realizing that she was being watched, Lady, who had been gazing at the three fairies playing and frolicking in the courtyard, turned her gaze away, turned her head and smiled gently at Akina Sawa, revealing shallow dimples on both sides of her cheeks.

"Thank you for allowing a snow woman like me into your courtyard."

It is filled with the radiance of compassion!

Akina Ze also involuntarily covered his eyes, even though he knew that Lady didn't emit light and he wasn't blinded by the light.

"As long as someone is cute, I welcome them whether they are a monster or a human."

There was no need to hide one's true nature; following the call of one's heart, Akina Sawa responded honestly.

The very straightforward response startled Lady for a moment, and a slight smile curved her eyes.

"Mr. Akina...you're really straightforward~"

"I think it's alright." Akina Ze also glanced at the study. Shameimaru Aya was out researching and wasn't home. His eyes were scattered and he said, "Liking cute and pretty things should be human nature."

“This is just your true self,” Lady replied bluntly.

She had seen many humans before. In the past, humans would scream and run away as soon as they met, as if they had seen something terrifying. Recently, humans were not so exaggerated, but they would still leave silently without any opportunity for in-depth communication. However, Lady also felt that it might be because her power had become weaker.

"Maybe, but it's fine this way too."

Akina Ze also peeled an orange from the basket on the table, revealing the juicy and plump flesh inside, and handed it over, "Lady, would you like an orange?"

"No, thank you, I don't need to eat to replenish my energy."

Before Lady could recover from the series of conversations, she instinctively declined the orange offered to her.

"Oh, okay." Akina didn't stand on ceremony and, seeing that Lady refused, he turned around and stuffed the orange into his own mouth.

Sweet oranges are a rare treat in winter, especially in this materially scarce Gensokyo, so they must not be wasted.

Unmoved, Lady turned her head and continued to watch the three fairies still playing in the yard, but a few drops of crystalline liquid spilled from the corner of her mouth.

......

Today was just another ordinary day, several days having passed since Akina Sawa returned from the old hell.

The daily routine remained largely unchanged. Miss Wenwen would go out to gather materials, and after watering the greenhouse, Wenwen would sit in a rocking chair and do nothing. It wasn't market day in the village, so the routine was the same every day. Although it was boring, it was also very peaceful.

However, things changed today. After Aya Shameimaru left, several muffled thuds suddenly came from the courtyard gate, breaking the tranquility of the courtyard.

When Akina Sawa opened the door, unexpected people appeared before him: Lady, wearing a soft white hat, and Cirno.

Lady's sudden visit did surprise Akina Sawa somewhat, but he wasn't surprised enough to jump up on the spot.

Memories are like bubbles; fragmented and chaotic memories will soon disappear, and the seasons will eventually turn. In Gensokyo, there are no unchanging seasons.

Gathering her thoughts, Lady looked at the man lounging lazily on the table, lost in thought. She felt a strange sense of having entrusted herself to the wrong person, but the feeling quickly disappeared.

Lady noticed that although he seemed to be daydreaming, his gaze was always fixed on the direction of the yard.

Time is running out for this round... There's no time to hesitate, a hint of seriousness flashed in Lady's eyes.

"Mr. Akina, what do you think of Cirno?"

Turning around, Lady, dressed in a white and purple outfit, faced Akina Ze and asked.

"Ok?"

Upon hearing this, Akina Sawa was visibly taken aback; this kind of conversation was not what he had expected.

What does she want to ask?

Seeing Lady's serious expression, Akina Ze, who had initially intended to give a perfunctory reply, actually thought about it more seriously and then responded, "Cirno is great. Although she's a fairy, she can get along well with many people."

"Sometimes even I forget that she is actually a fairy."

As he said this, Akina Zeya shifted his gaze from Lady's face to the yard.

Cirno was the first 'person' he met when he came to Gensokyo. Although their first meeting wasn't very friendly, he still left a very deep impression on her.

Who could have imagined that things would gradually develop into what they are now? Their dilapidated little house has transformed from a drafty place into a large house with walls and a yard.

Lady sensed the emotion hidden in Akina Zeya's calm words, glanced at him slightly, but still nodded gently. "I will be going on a long trip soon."

"how long?"