Honkai, why do you only throw me into high-level battles?

On the way, Lin Wei pondered a single question.

Su had told him to walk deep into the Elysian Realm, deep into his own memories, and connect his memory space with the Elysian Realm.

Easy enough to understand—SO-1129, the "creation of a memory body" surgery. Mei had done it before. It sounded simple.

But Mei was a Herrscher, her body and will tempered and incredibly powerful. Lin Wei, on the other hand, was just an ordinary person. How could he possibly withstand the surgery performed by Dr. Su?

Even Su himself, a MANTIS soldier, had been in a coma for a long time after the surgery.

If ordinary people could undergo this surgery and succeed, why didn't Dr. MEI leave her own memory body?

Given Dr. MEI's importance and her relationship with the Thirteen Flame-Chasers, Elysia would have definitely pestered her to leave a memory body if it were possible.

Dr. MEI's absence from the Elysian Realm already gave Lin Wei the answer—

It wasn't his memory that needed to be expanded.

Lin Wei muttered to himself.

It was obvious that his consciousness wasn't just entangled with RIN, but also with Yae Sakura, who was currently asleep. The stigma on his body was the bridge connecting everything.

Now, he just needed to extend that bridge a little further and connect it to the Elysian Realm's data space.

Then, he needed to find the little girl who was hiding.

Lin Wei briefly surveyed his surroundings.

The fresh air, the familiar mountain path, the chirping of insects and birds… Everything felt vibrant.

The location seemed familiar, like he had been here before. He looked around, then ascended to a high vantage point he remembered, gazing into the distance.

Yae Village in the distance wasn't the prosperous place he had seen last time, with its tiled roofs, paved roads, and city-like bustle.

There were only dirt roads, wooden walls, and thatched roofs. There was no discernible planning, and the layout of the houses looked rather haphazard. The few scattered fruit trees weren't lush and laden with fruit like before, but drooped listlessly in the wind, with only a few houses showing signs of a cooking fire.

This was just a village struggling to survive. This was Yae Village.

Lin Wei sighed and turned back, following the mountain path, which was as clean as he remembered, toward the bamboo forest. He could make out the row of torii gates, still solemn and sacred, a testament to the villagers' devotion.

He closed his eyes and waited, but no one called out "Stranger" from behind him as they had before. He felt a pang of regret, but not disappointment.

"Miss Yae Sakura, it seems it's time to fulfill our promise," Lin Wei murmured. He still remembered the girl's deep bow before the dream shattered.

"After today, you can come with me to see the outside world."

Shattering her beautiful dream and revealing a harsh reality.

It was cruel, but he hoped she wouldn't blame him…

Lin Wei descended and walked toward the distant Yae Village, retracing the path Yae Sakura had once led him along.

The river at the foot of the mountain was low, barely more than a stream, and there were no lush reeds along its banks.

The bridge wasn't the broad, sturdy one he remembered, capable of supporting horse-drawn carts. It was just two wooden planks laid across supporting stones, barely wide enough for a person to walk on.

Lin Wei carefully crossed this precarious "bridge." Thankfully, it didn't slip. He breathed a sigh of relief.

Looking back after crossing, Lin Wei shook his head with a sigh. "Such a small stream, barely ankle-deep. If someone actually drifted here in this current, it's no wonder Yae Sakura treasured her."

Putting himself in her shoes, as someone from five hundred years ago, a shrine maiden serving a god, seeing Kallen like that… she might really have seen her as a "gift from the gods."

What a twisted fate…

Lin Wei shook his head. It truly was a "gift" from a god, but the "god" of this world was not a benevolent being.

He continued on, walking along the path between the fields. The farmland was dry and cracked, the meager crops withered and drooping.

Still, there was no one around.

No one in the fields, no one in the village, no one in the villagers' homes.

The doors of those impoverished homes stood wide open. Of course, there was no real need to close them.

Lin Wei even considered going inside and leaving some money…

He continued in the direction he remembered. Though the path he walked now bore little resemblance to the one Yae Sakura had led him down, he believed this direction was correct.

Because she had subtly cried out to him for help.

Halfway there, he saw a fruit tree. While it looked different, he felt it was the same one he had picked fruit from.

He walked over, took out the little money he had, and placed it at the doorstep of the nearby house, weighing it down with a stone.

He had promised Yae Sakura he would pay.

Lin Wei stepped back, checked to make sure the money was secure, then turned and strode forward.

He passed a giant sakura tree, the only thing in the village that matched his memory.

He turned a corner, entered an alley, and reached a small courtyard at its end. The gate was closed.

Lin Wei stepped forward and knocked gently.

Knock, knock, knock…

"Come in! The door isn't locked…"

A young girl's frail voice called out from within. It wasn't Yae Sakura.

Lin Wei was surprised by the voice.

He replied and gently pushed the gate open. With a creak, the familiar small wooden house came into view. The courtyard in front was planted with flowers, vibrant and well-tended.

The closer he got, the stronger the smell of medicine became.

As I thought…

Following the scent of medicine, Lin Wei reached a room with closed doors and windows. He knocked gently.

"Ah… Please, please come in. The door shouldn't be locked."

The girl inside sounded surprised, then there was a rustling sound.

"Excuse me," Lin Wei said, gently opening the door. He closed it behind him immediately.

Yae Rin's health was poor; she shouldn't be exposed to drafts.

This was Yae Rin's room. Yae Sakura's younger sister, the frail girl.

He saw the pink-haired girl sitting on the bed, bundled in thick clothes but covered with only a thin blanket, as if her weak body couldn't bear anything heavier.

Beside Rin's pillow was a small bowl filled with something strange. She was awkwardly trying to gather the various herbs spread across her bed and sort them, but her haste made the task difficult.

"Ah…"

Rin, startled to see Lin Wei, nearly fell over. He quickly stepped forward to steady her and helped her sit up.

"Thank you. I'm so sorry, it's a bit messy. I didn't have time to tidy up. Please don't mind," Rin said, apologizing as if she were the one imposing.

"Not at all. I should be the one apologizing. Sorry, Rin, I came rather suddenly. Did I frighten you?" Lin Wei adjusted her blanket and spoke softly.

"No, no, you have my sister's scent on you. It smells nice, very comforting. It wouldn't frighten me." Rin shook her head vigorously, her two small pink ponytails swaying. She gave Lin Wei a sweet smile, her blue eyes, just like Yae Sakura's, shining brightly. A teardrop mole adorned the corner of one eye, making her seem even more fragile.

"What are you doing?" Lin Wei gestured to the herbs on the bed and the small bamboo basket.

"Ah, this?" Rin looked embarrassed, turning away. She picked up the small bowl from beside her pillow and blushed. "I accidentally spilled the medicine my sister worked so hard to make for me this morning, so I was thinking, I shouldn't worry her anymore. I wanted to brew it myself, but… my body is just too weak…"

Her voice trailed off, and she fell silent for a moment. Then, she sniffed and looked up at Lin Wei with an innocent smile. "But I thought of another way! Look, if I crush these herbs into powder like this beforehand, I just need to add water, and the medicine will be ready! Then, I won't have to trouble my sister to make a fire and brew it for me anymore…"

Rin grew more animated as she spoke, picking up a small piece of herb from the bed and putting it in the bowl to demonstrate. She struggled to grind it with a small spoon, sweating with the effort, but managed to produce only a tiny amount of powder.

Plip. A tear dropped into the bowl.

Rin wiped her eyes with her sleeve and stubbornly continued grinding with the small spoon she usually used for drinking medicine.

"Am I… useless?" she asked quietly, her voice thick with tears.

"Not at all. Rin is so thoughtful and strong. We couldn't ask for more…" Lin Wei reached out and wiped away her tears, helping her settle back into a comfortable position. He took the bowl from her and gathered the herbs on the bed, placing them back in the basket.

"Sakura asked me to help take care of you, so… would you let me brew some medicine for you?"

"That… that's too much trouble. I couldn't ask you to do that," Rin protested, trying to get up, but Lin Wei gently pressed her back down.

"Just think of it as listening to your sister. Let me do it, okay?"

"Well… okay. Thank you," Rin hesitated for a moment before nodding, a grateful smile on her face.

Lin Wei smiled and ruffled her hair, earning a playful pout from Rin. He then picked up the basket and went outside.

He had seen the clay pot and stove outside when he entered.

The pot was clean, but the strong smell of medicine lingered. Lin Wei lit the fire, placed the pot securely on the stove, added the herbs and water, and covered it.

He then picked up a small fan and carefully controlled the fire, keeping it burning steadily.

"Rin, would you like to tell me about your sister?"

Through the window, Lin Wei began chatting with Rin.

Rin happily shared stories about her and her sister. She talked about how she was too frail to go outside, so every year when the sakura bloomed, her sister would bring her a branch. They had made a promise to travel together to the place in Shinano with the most beautiful sakura blossoms and become shrine maidens together…

She talked about how her sister would go into the mountains every day to gather herbs for her medicine, often returning with cuts and bruises, yet pretending to be fine, playing with her, making her laugh, brewing her medicine, and feeding it to her spoonful by spoonful…

"I also know… that my sister secretly keeps bees. Because the water I drink after taking my medicine always tastes sweeter than usual… and… I've seen it many times, the stings on my sister's arms, neck, even her forehead. Sometimes they swell up…"

"I know it hurts. But my sister never shows her pain in front of me so I won't worry. But… I always see it. I just pretend I don't notice, and try to be happy every day so she won't worry about me…"

Rin's voice grew quieter as she spoke.

"I'm so useless. This illness just won't go away. I'm just a burden to my sister. I just watch her suffer for me every day…"

"That's not true at all. Rin is so thoughtful and understanding. How could you be a burden to your sister?" Lin Wei opened the door and returned to Rin's bedside with a bowl of steaming medicine. He picked up the small spoon and fed it to her, a spoonful at a time. Rin obediently took small sips.

The medicine was bitter, but Rin's expression didn't show any discomfort. It was as if she were drinking some kind of delicious nectar.

This child... Lin Wei's heart ached as he looked at the quiet, well-behaved Rin.

After she finished the medicine, Lin Wei helped her rinse her mouth and settle back into a comfortable position. He chatted with her, making her laugh, and Rin listened attentively, a genuine smile on her face.

Who wouldn't love such a sweet girl?

As they chatted and laughed, Rin's expression suddenly turned wistful. She looked towards the window, as if trying to see the outside world through the closed shutters.

"It's a shame… I don't think I'll be able to see the sakura blossoms anymore…"

Lin Wei's heart stirred. Before he could speak, the door behind him opened, and a haggard, middle-aged man walked in. He was thin and looked much older than his years.

"Father… is it time?" Rin's expression was calm. She gave Lin Wei an apologetic smile, then addressed the man. She seemed far too mature for a young girl.

The man walked slowly towards the bed, seemingly oblivious to Lin Wei's presence. He remained silent.

"Do you want to escape from here?" Lin Wei asked Rin, feeling a surge of warmth in his chest.

"Sorry, I can't listen to your stories anymore!" Rin smiled and shook her head, sticking her tongue out playfully at Lin Wei. "Please don't tell my sister about today, okay?"

"Rin…" the man's voice was hoarse.

"Father, what is it?" Rin turned to look at her father, her playful demeanor gone.

The man opened his mouth, then took two steps back and spoke, his voice raspy and filled with sorrow. "Sakura will be back soon. Leave with her. Run far away and never come back… From now on, remember to listen to your sister. Eat well, take your medicine, and grow up strong…"

He looked at Rin with deep affection, gently stroking her hair. "Live well, my daughter…" His voice was filled with grief, a final, heartfelt blessing.

Lin Wei noticed then that the man also had a teardrop mole at the corner of his eye.

Rin resembled her father even more than Sakura did.

"Thank you, Father…" Rin smiled, tears streaming down her face. Then she shook her head, wiping her tears away, and seriously refused her father's offer.

"But… if I leave, what about the ritual?"

"Don't worry about that. I'll find a way," her father said, turning to leave.

With unexpected strength, Rin grabbed his sleeve, stopping him. "Father is the village priest, and my sister is the shrine maiden. If we leave like this, the villagers won't let you go!"

"This is a matter for adults, Rin. You're still young, you don't understand…" Her father tried to pull away, but Rin held on tight. Afraid of hurting her, he softened his voice, trying to reason with her.

"Father, this is my responsibility. I won't run away." Rin's eyes were resolute, with a hint of pleading. "Every year, during the village ritual, another family has to offer their daughter as a sacrifice. Everyone has a heart, they all grieve, they all suffer. But they never run away. Why, when it's my turn to fulfill my duty to the village, can I escape? It would break the village's spirit!"

"Times are hard. There's no rain, the crops are failing, and people are starving. If we can't unite, even more people will die! Father, you are the shrine's priest, you are the village chief. You should lead everyone through this famine! How can I just leave?"

Rin released her grip, as if all her strength had been drained. Her voice dropped to a whisper. "Father… I'm so useless! To cause you such trouble at a time like this… I shouldn't… I understand. I've been a burden to you and my sister all these years. At least now, I can do something for you, for my sister… and for me, that's… that's a great happiness…"

"Alas…" Her father sighed, looking up at the sky. His daughter was right. He was not only a father but also the village chief. So many villagers depended on him…

He slapped himself hard across the face. This damned world!

He felt a surge of despair, but forced a pained smile for his daughter and stiffly nodded.

Rin gave him a relieved smile, as if she had been praised. She nodded happily. "Mm!"

Rin pulled back the covers and carefully swung her legs over the edge of the bed. She declined her father's offer of help, slowly placing her feet on the ground and carefully steadying herself, letting her weak body find its balance.

"Father, look! I can get out of bed by myself!" Rin seemed excited, her face beaming as if she were showing off a toy.

Her father nodded sadly, gently stroking her cheek. "Yes, my daughter is the best… Sakura too, and Rin too… You are both my pride…"

"Thank you, Father." Rin took a deep breath and slowly shuffled towards the door, stumbling several times but stubbornly regaining her balance each time, refusing help from her father or Lin Wei.

Reaching the doorway, she pushed open the door with effort. She tried repeatedly, but couldn't manage to step over the low threshold.

After several failed attempts, Rin gave up with a sigh. She turned back to her father with an apologetic look. "Father… Sister will be back soon, but I don't think I can walk anymore. So… would you please help me?"

Her father crouched down and lifted her onto his back. Then, he slowly, silently carried her out of the room.

Lin Wei watched in silence, following behind them towards the inevitable conclusion.