Did Yae Sakura truly understand what love was? In Evan's view, she did not.
She had spent most of her childhood caring for her sister, only to witness that cruel sacrificial ritual with her own eyes. Disheartened and broken, she then met Kallen.
As the shrine maiden of Yae Village, Yae Sakura had silently fought against Honkai Beasts and zombies, protecting the very villagers who had cheered over her sister's corpse. When Kallen arrived, Yae Sakura felt warmth for the first time. She gained a partner who was willing to fight by her side, someone who ensured she no longer had to face everything alone.
That was an emotion Yae Sakura had never experienced before. In truth, her life prior to this had been devoid of friendship from peers or affection from her father. The only connection she had known was her sister's dependence and attachment, and even that was eventually stripped away.
As for Kallen, the strongest Valkyrie of Schicksal, she had discovered the sinful experiments hidden beneath the organization's glamorous facade. After realizing the tragic destiny of Valkyries, she fled to the Far East and met Yae Sakura. She received Sakura's care and found a sense of warmth after the upheaval of her life. Yet, Evan did not believe that the feelings Kallen held for Yae Sakura back then were love, either.
Being Schicksal's strongest Valkyrie meant Kallen was perpetually busy. She led troops to combat the Honkai across the globe, earning illustrious military merits at a young age and enjoying immense prestige among the common people. This meant she had almost no free time to call her own.
Kallen, too, lacked many experiences that were commonplace for ordinary people.
To Evan, Yae Sakura and Kallen were simply two lost souls sympathizing with each other—two wounded people licking each other's wounds.
It was a bond that undoubtedly transcended normal friendship, but it was not romance.
As for the proof...
Evan had taken Kallen's hand right in front of Yae Sakura. aside from Kallen looking a bit shy, Yae Sakura showed no strange reaction.
Evan had actually been prepared for Yae Sakura to draw her blade on him.
Previously, Evan had worried that if he left Kallen here, Yae Sakura might use her Pseudo-Herrscher powers to do something untoward. Now, he felt much more at ease.
Right, I can also have this little one supervise things.
Evan shifted his gaze downward to the tiny figure resting in his other hand. Seeming to sense the attention, the chibi figure, who had been dozing off, rubbed her eyes and finally woke up.
"Where is this?"
The little one's voice was as cute as her appearance. However, the question itself revealed something significant, causing both Kallen and Yae Sakura to raise their eyebrows.
It was Evan who gave the answer.
"Yae Village."
"Oh, oh, oh. So, this Big Bro who doesn't look like a bad guy, and the two Big Sisters next to him... who are you?"
"B-Big Sister?"
Kallen's eyes went wide. She had many titles: Schicksal's Strongest Valkyrie, Captain of the Valkyrie Squad, Strongest Warrior of the Kaslana Family, Lady Kallen, and so on. But she had never been called "Big Sister" before. It felt weird.
Yae Sakura wore a thoughtful expression. It seemed Higokumaru had not only lost her power but her memories as well.
"I am Evan. These two are Kallen and Yae Sakura. What is your name?"
"My name is... uh... why can't I remember? Who... am I? Aiyaya, I've forgotten my name, and I can't remember anything else either. It's quite inconvenient not having a name. How about this? Since Big Bro and Big Sis are the first people I saw after waking up, why don't you just give me one?"
The carefree attitude the little one displayed made the corners of Evan's mouth twitch upwards. It also surprised Kallen and Yae Sakura; they simply couldn't connect this cute little figure with the ferocious giant fox from before.
If Higokumaru had hurt anyone the most deeply, it was undoubtedly Yae Sakura.
Evan looked at the shrine maiden, handing the choice to her.
It wasn't just a name; it represented Yae Sakura's choice. Would she let the past fade into smoke and start anew? Or would she hold onto the grudge and maintain her old attitude, even though Higokumaru had lost both power and memory?
Yae Sakura sensed Evan's gaze and understood his meaning.
She looked at the little one who had climbed onto Evan's shoulder and found a comfortable spot to sit. The tiny creature stared back at her with pure, expectant blue eyes. Sakura spoke softly.
"I had an old friend who looked very much like you, but its name was too fierce. I want to give you a gentler name. You shall be called—Higokumaru. Is that okay?"
"Eh? That name sounds pretty good! Thank you, Big Sis."
Higokumaru smiled a purely innocent smile, then reached out a tiny hand and poked Evan's cheek.
"Big Sis gave me a name, so Big Bro, can you do me a favor too?"
Evan turned his head to look at the little guy sitting on his shoulder and asked with interest.
"Let's hear it."
Perhaps because Evan was the first person she saw, or perhaps because the power of the original Higokumaru now resided in the tachi Evan had dismissed—making him its master—the current Higokumaru was clearly more attached to Evan.
"Ehehe, I'm hungry. Does Big Bro have anything to eat?"
"Wait a moment. Once we get back to the shrine, your Big Sister Yae Sakura will make lots of delicious food."
"Then let's go back quickly!"
Although she didn't know where the shrine was, Higokumaru didn't care. With an impatient look, she hopped off Evan's shoulder and miraculously floated in mid-air. She tried to lead the way, urging everyone to hurry, but since she didn't know the direction, she ended up just flying in circles around Evan.
This sight made Evan's eyes light up slightly.
The vast majority of Higokumaru's power had been sealed. What remained now was barely anything, at most just a trace of the Corruption ability that had become instinct. Yet, she could still float in mid-air and move with such agility.
Evan really wanted to learn that.
And as the master of [Jizo Mitama], Evan felt that he definitely could.
Read ahead with 100+ chapters now with daily updates!
@patreon.com/Zefyrus