Genshin Impact, I, a mere mortal, cannot accompany you to the very end.

He gave you his whole life, yet you commanded him to give you even more.

Is this what is meant by the 'eternal' way?

“Your Majesty Narukami…” She bit her lip, tasting the bitter, metallic flavor, “I beg you to leave the castle tower and go see him. He longs to see you.”

Three days have passed.

But Narukami did nothing. She dismissed all the servants of the castle tower, locked herself deep inside the tower, and didn't ask Kiyono Raimei a single question.

The fact that Lord Sarano no Narukami spoke today was something she earned by kneeling before the palace all night.

"I've already said it, I don't have time, and I won't leave the castle tower."

His voice remained calm and indifferent.

"Your Majesty, Ming Shen."

Sara gripped the scabbard tightly in her hand. Overwhelmed with rage, she lost control. She stood up, her golden eyes filled with naked hatred. All notions of hierarchy, etiquette, the dignity of the Pillar State Mansion, and the duty of a servant were gone.

"Barzebu".

She almost bit her tongue, uttering each word slowly and deliberately, directly calling out Narukami's name—a completely presumptuous and offensive act, but she no longer cared about such things.

Why, why, these words kept echoing in my chest. Why, why, why, why!

Why can Narukami be indifferent just because she is a monarch?

Rely on

What is it that so wantonly harms the things I cherish?

Why is it that even as my father is dying, Lord Narukami remains so high and mighty? What eternity? Whose eternity is it?

Is it your eternity, or the eternity of your people?

With the patriarch gone, she no longer has a home. What is the meaning of eternity? She is all alone again. What kind of celestial dog is she? She is nothing more than a stray dog ​​wandering the streets all alone, unable to find a bridge to sleep under!

Someone gave her food and a small place where she could go back and live, but now that person is dying, Kiyono Sara is all alone again!

Ten years ago, Sara's family was destroyed, the forest burned to the ground before her eyes, and there was nothing she could do... Ten years later, the head of the family died alone, and she still couldn't do anything for her father.

She deeply loathed her own sense of powerlessness.

Kiyono Sara didn't want to remain powerless any longer. Even if the consequence was death, even if it disappointed the head of the family, she had to say something for His Majesty the Pillar of the State.

“He died for you, Balzeb.”

The words were already a rebuke.

Saro said, her words, though usually quiet and reserved, were piercingly scathing.

When an honest and kind person utters harsh words, they are colder than anything else.

"His health has always been poor. He coughs day and night and wakes up from his sleep every night. But you don't know this. You are Lord Narukami, who sits high above the castle tower!"

"How great you are! He must come at your mere decree."

Silence. The castle tower remained silent.

Ignoring someone is the greatest insult, and this indifference fueled Sara's anger even more. She gritted her teeth.

"He took the position of close attendant because he knew he couldn't stay with you forever. He trained me for ten years so that I could take his place and protect you, but you knew nothing of this. You noticed nothing. You tore up his letter and cursed, 'He truly deserves to be beheaded!'"

He was five hundred years old, an old man whose oil lamp had burned out, but he still wanted to do something. So he took his sword and went to Ba Yun Island. He bled and fought, just as he had done for you four hundred years ago.

You still don't know, but from your attic in the castle tower, you made me write a letter telling him to "die out there!"

He has waited for you for a hundred years, and now he is dying of waiting, yet you still refuse to see him, refuse to leave this attic, guarding your so-called eternity!

Sara's heart clenched violently. She straightened up, her katana emitting a faint clang. She gazed at the deep castle tower, waiting.

And then came another long, long silence.

"...You're right."

Finally, Narukami's voice came from deep within the attic:

“But I will not leave this attic. Nor will I go to see him.”

"I need time, every minute and every second."

Lei said softly.

Her heart trembled slightly.

Kiyono is recovering well and can get out of bed now. He says he can live for another year, which means he has to live for half a year. No, that's not right.

Perhaps only a few weeks.

She only has a few weeks left to complete it.

But there is still hope.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

This is a long chapter, but for a better reading experience, I've combined two chapters into one.

I updated four chapters today, and then I put up a bounty... Okay, I admit I'm too scared to check my inbox.

You guys are terrifying.

Then I'll have no choice but to try my best.

The thunderstorm in Kiyono will end around tomorrow, or at the latest the day after.

I'll update roughly like this every day from now on, around 8,000 words, until the reward is paid off.

Volume 1: Chapter 24 I Commanded Him to Live

"Do you need a Clippers?"

The recent events were too depressing, but Ayaka Kamisato still maintained the composure of the 'White Heron Princess'. She raised her head and looked at the boy behind the screen.

The boy had a pair of purple-brown eyes, wore an elegant kimono, and knelt on a futon. His long silver hair, tied with a crown, trailed on the tatami mats of the Japanese-style room.

"Yes, Lord Kamisato, I need a ship."

He said, his voice as light as the wind.

"Are you traveling alone?" Kamisato asked, her brows slightly furrowed.

“Yes, I’ll go alone,” Kiyono replied.

"To Mondstadt?"

"Mond".

The young man in front of them had a mysterious background, but he did indeed carry the token of the Pillar State Mansion. There was only one such token in the entire world. Seeing the token was like seeing the Pillar State himself. The She Fengxing was from the Pillar State faction, so arranging a ship for him would not be a problem.

It must have been a secret mission arranged by the Pillar of State, especially since his surname is 'Kiyono'.

Is Kiyono Fuue, like Kiyono Sara, also an adopted son raised by the Pillar of State?

Its origins are so mysterious, there was not a word of it beforehand, it seems to have been secretly trained by the Pillar of State.

However, the current situation is special, and it concerns the affairs of the nation, so we need to investigate carefully.

She always had a premonition, or rather an intuition—Ayaka Kamisato was afraid that one day, the old man would get tired and weary, and then leave Inazuma without a word.

It's funny, how could I have such a strange misconception? The Pillar State Mansion is heavily guarded now, with countless eyes watching it. Everyone in the village is concerned about the life and health of the Pillar State Lord. Where could he possibly run off to?

Because last time, the Pillar of State left without saying goodbye and went to Bayun Island alone to slay the demon god.

Lord Kuji was quite frightened and angry. The castle tower also issued an order to send the shogunate army to be stationed around the Pillar State's residence, to keep a close watch on the Pillar State's movements. Even if it offended Lord Kuji, the soldiers would not allow him to leave the residence.

Their determination was clear and unwavering: this time, they absolutely could not let him leave!

Stay at home and take good care of yourself.

"When do you plan to leave?" Kamiri asked again.

"The sooner the better," Kiyono said, staring at the horizontal pine branch outside the window, with only a few leaves drooping on it. "Leave before dusk, because I don't have much time left."

Time is running out.

Shenli didn't understand the meaning of those words and thought they meant that the military situation was urgent and they had to set off as soon as possible.

So she nodded and uttered the words she would regret for the rest of her life.

"A secret ship will be waiting for you at the port at dusk. Don't worry, I won't reveal your whereabouts to anyone."

Years later, whenever Ayaka Kamisato recalled what happened that day, she couldn't help but feel annoyed at her own stupidity and slowness.

"That's good." Kiyono said, "Little girl, Inazuma will have to rely on you from now on."

"We both have a future in Inazuma, so we should strive together." Kamisato Ryouka was a little annoyed. "Besides, I'm not young anymore, I'm not a 'little girl'."

...

Shouldn't we say goodbye to her?

After Kiyono walked out of the magistrate's residence, the system asked.

Upon hearing this, Kiyono paused, then subconsciously glanced in the direction of the castle tower. White clouds drifted lazily by, snow-capped mountains loomed over the tower, which stood alone atop the clouds.

Kiyono knew this as well; during the three days he was unconscious, Lei Yingdian did not come to visit him.

But he didn't resent it. On the contrary, he was very relieved and understanding. What's so interesting about a dying person? Why make such a fuss and cause trouble?

You could even say he was very pleased; this is the real Ying, she has matured.

This is the kind of deity who can promise the people of Inazuma an eternal paradise.

"No need, I don't need it."

Qingye smiled and said:

“If this is the path she seeks, then let her continue to pursue it. She has guarded eternity for a hundred years, and I do not wish to disturb her at the final moment.”

You have one and a half days left.

Kiyono Raimono's remaining time is dwindling, evidenced by the fact that Kiyono Kazein's body is able to exist for longer and longer each day.