Meanwhile.
While Natsuhiko and Drampa were looking at the mural, Kage was holding Little Meiyu's hand, reenacting a "mother-daughter reunion" with a woman.
But nonetheless, even though Meiyu's mom looked like she was in her thirties, she gave off a vibe of a woman around twenty, dressed in a pristine white hemp robe, white vest, and hood, which at first glance had a kind of religious nun-like appearance.
However, seeing Meiyu's mom surrounded by attendants wearing similar hemp clothes in gray-white tones, it was clear her status in the Divine Hall of Snow Peak should not be low.
This also explained some of the reasons why Meiyu's father could have a top-quality Stone of Light.
If it was through Meiyu's mother, who held a high status in the Divine Hall of Snow Peak, then it made sense.
After all, the Regigigas that fell into slumber also transformed into a Stone of Light.
Whether it had anything to do with the Stone of Light currently in Natsuhiko's hand, he did not know, but he was sure the generations of followers guarding Regigigas in the Divine Hall of Snow Peak for thousands of years were not solely because of their faith in Regigigas.
Of course, deep-rooted faith was the main reason, but it did not prohibit them from gaining benefits.
Observing the tearfully joyful embrace between Meiyu and her mother, Natsuhiko was a bit curious how Meiyu's father managed to win over such a noble, beautiful woman, whose strength was possibly also impressive.
He had her bear a child for him.
Yet they did not live together, and he ran away with the child.
Until he was on his deathbed did he suddenly remember his child had a mother.
It was just like watching a clichéd TV drama.
And he was indeed observing from a spectator's viewpoint.
Perhaps sensing Natsuhiko's confusion, or just fond of communicating, Drampa's voice sounded in his mind.
"Little Meiyu's mother is named Feather Moon, the Divine Maiden of this generation at the Divine Hall of Snow Peak, the supreme leader of all Regigigas followers."
Divine Maiden?
Supreme leader?
Natsuhiko's expression became odd, "Don't tell me this so-called Divine Maiden can't marry and have children?"
If that's the case, it would be too melodramatic.
However, Drampa looked at him a bit surprised, "Why would you think that?"
Natsuhiko shook his head, "Glad it's not."
"Actually, this issue has troubled the Divine Hall of Snow Peak for a long, long time. It even led to multiple internal conflicts within the Divine Hall of Snow Peak, being one of the main causes of its decline," Drampa said heavily.
"Hmm?"
Natsuhiko was stunned.
Internal strife over whether or not a Divine Maiden could marry and have children?
But for believers serving Regigigas according to ancient customs and ways, it was indeed significant.
With Drampa's explanation, Natsuhiko gradually understood the general reasons.
Once upon a time.
When the Divine Hall of Snow Peak was established, the Divine Maiden was a girl with special powers and responsibilities, the only channel for followers to communicate with Regigigas, thus holding a sacred status and authority.
However, ancient thinkers believed the Divine Maiden should be immaculate and pure, so initially, the Divine Maiden indeed could not marry or bear children.
But generation after generation of Divine Maidens could not ensure every Divine Maiden would willingly live such a life.
Until one generation when a Divine Maiden secretly gave birth to a child.
The Divine Hall of Snow Peak was in an uproar, with everyone demanding the removal of the Divine Maiden and the elimination of the "impure" bloodline.
But the Divine Maiden protected the child vigorously.
Gradually, people discovered that the Divine Maiden's child had extraordinary aptitude, even more formidable than her mother, able to attempt communication with Regigigas at a young age.
Eventually, rationality overcame outdated thinking.
The child became the next Divine Maiden.
And the Divine Maiden's decision to protect the child greatly weakened the Divine Hall of Snow Peak's strength and influence at that time.
Fortunately, the final outcome was good, as the Divine Hall of Snow Peak abolished the rule of "Divine Maiden shall not marry or bear children."
Yet within the Divine Hall of Snow Peak, one faction still opposed this, known as the "Conservatives."
The most significant turning point arrived.
Meiyu's father was originally one of these Conservatives.
But as known, the outcome changed.
He turned against his faction, realizing that his original beliefs were wrong.
Yet his actions did not induce reflection within the Conservatives, but instead provoked a strong counterattack.
Helplessly, Meiyu's father could only take her away from the place to avoid becoming a burden to Meiyu's mother, Feather Moon.
Eventually.
The storm calmed, and the Conservatives vanished from within the Divine Hall of Snow Peak, except for a few strong individuals who escaped, the old-fashioned thinking was gone from the Divine Hall.
Recently.
Feather Moon, as the current Divine Maiden, decided to open the doors of the Divine Hall of Snow Peak to engage with the Sinnoh Alliance, which currently governs Sinnoh.
They intend to look forward, towards a new era, rather than remaining immersed in the past, or else the Divine Hall of Snow Peak may eventually disappear in the long river of history.
After listening to the story, Natsuhiko remarked, "A person with great courage and capability."
Drampa nodded in agreement.
"Indeed."
Just then, Feather Moon, holding Meiyu's hand, along with Kage and a few attendants, approached Natsuhiko.
With a thankful expression, she slightly bowed to him, "Mr. Natsuka, we are truly grateful for your help this time, without which our mother-daughter pair might never have reunited in this lifetime."
While Natsuhiko was engaging with Drampa, Kage must have told her the general course of events.
As for who was targeting Meiyu and what the purpose was, she probably already had an idea.
"I just did a job for money," Natsuhiko waved his hand.
"But still, we must thank Mr. Natsuka for his 'say and do,' I know there were surely countless obstacles in the process, yet you persisted in completing the commission. This wasn't merely for money, just Mr. Natsuka's way to reassure himself by making excuses," Feather Moon stated confidently.
'She almost convinced me.' Natsuhiko retorted in his mind, but outwardly he just shrugged silently, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.
Just slippery.
Letting them imagine for themselves.
Feather Moon sincerely proposed, "Our Divine Hall of Snow Peak is planning to engage with the Sinnoh Alliance, hoping Mr. Natsuka might become one of our representatives."
It seemed she noticed she had given Natsuhiko one less excuse for self-reassurance and thoughtfully provided one.
"You will gain the friendship of the Divine Hall of Snow Peak."
Natsuhiko lowered his head and grimaced, the Divine Hall of Snow Peak was already in decline, how much value did friendship have?
Like an empty promise.
Better to have something more tangible.
And most importantly, Natsuhiko's current status.
In their view, he was "Mr. Natsuka," a status somewhat difficult to handle and explain.
"As well as methods to develop and train supernatural abilities," Feather Moon added.
Natsuhiko was taken aback for a moment, then gradually raised his head, showing a sincere smile, and effortlessly ruffled Meiyu's hair, saying:
"Long live friendship."
Beside him, Yujira slowly turned his head, pretending not to know.
And in Feather Moon's eyes, Natsuhiko's image was confirmed.
'Mr. Natsuka indeed has a tough mouth but soft heart.....'