fynovel Chapter 503 The Temptation of the Zhang Family
Chapter 503 The Temptation of the Zhang Family
Chapter 503 The Temptation of Going Home (Japanese Version)
"Three more days of travel!"
Ten days have passed since Haruhime, Kaguya, and a group of more than a dozen members of the Takemikazuchi Familia left Orario. They have traveled through mountains and rivers to return to the island nation in the East, and they are about three days away from their destination.
The journey was relatively safe, though not dangerous.
Yamato no Mikoto, Kashima Sakura, and Hitachi Chigusa of the Takemikazuchi Familia have reached LV.2, while the others are LV.1. However, after being trained in the dungeon, they can handle the monsters on the surface with ease. When encountering higher-level monsters, Haruhime and Kaguya, who are LV.5, will step in.
Bang!Bang!Bang!
Kaguya drew the blade Roy had forged for her, effortlessly dispatching the LV.3 and LV.4 monsters. Haruhime could also easily annihilate them with her bare hands and feet. Monsters of LV.4 and above were extremely rare on the surface, and could only be frequently seen in dungeons and the sea.
Yamato, Kashima Sakura, and the others watched Haruhime and Kaguya display their divine power with shock. These were the first-class adventurers of the Astraea Familia!
Chunji was their childhood playmate.
The gap in their strength is now enormous; it's infuriating to compare them!
Haruhime has been an adventurer for even shorter time than them, yet she levels up so quickly. This is thanks to Roy, the leader of the Astrea Familia, who has a special skill that helps people grow, making countless people envious to the point of madness.
If their mentality is even slightly fragile, they could collapse. They have worked themselves to the bone for more than a decade, while the other party has surpassed them in just a few years, even leaving them far behind, not even able to see their backs.
The members of the Takemikazuchi Kinkaku were mostly happy for Haruhime, who had found a home.
The battle ended, and the group continued their journey.
"Kaguya-senpai, thank you for your hard work."
Haruhime returned to Kaguya's side with a respectful expression.
"You too!" Kaguya took out a handkerchief and wiped the monster blood off Haruhime's pretty face. Among the old and new factions within the Familia, the two got along the best.
The two were originally named Sanjou Haruhime and Gojou Kaguya, but now their surnames have the character "Yo," a shameful word that represents those who have been exiled.
Both being descendants of island nobility, exiled individuals, and members of the Astrea Familia, the two share many similarities and common topics. As they chat, their relationship progresses rapidly, becoming as close as sisters.
Kaguya was very fond of the gentle Haruhime, as if she had gained a pitiful younger sister.
As the group drew closer to the island nation in the East, Haruhime, who hadn't returned home for many years, felt uneasy. "Kaguya-senpai, why did you leave your hometown in the first place?"
Kaguya silently gazed at Haruhime.
"Sorry—" The fox-girl stuck out her little tongue; she knew Kaguya didn't like talking about the past.
"Never mind, you've already told me about your past. It would be petty of me not to tell you," Kaguya sighed, her eyes full of affection.
The members of the Takemikazuchi Familia pricked up their ears curiously; this was the past of a first-class adventurer.
"I used to be an assassin—"
A hint of reminiscence surfaced in the depths of Kaguya's brownish-red eyes as she slowly recounted the past.
Their homeland is a clan-based nation ruled by a complex faction composed of the goddess Amaterasu and numerous subordinate deities. The central government is called the "Imperial Court," and the nine oldest families, as high-ranking nobles, control the national government and serve the gods with utmost devotion. The Gojo family, from which Kaguya was born, is one of these families.
The Gojo family is in charge of the Dark Division.
In other words, it was shady work: assassination, falsification, fabrication of false cases, and using every means to eliminate people and forces that posed a threat to the court.
Kaguya underwent hellish training from a young age, sacrificing countless innocent lives for the sake of the imperial court; at that time, she was a cold-blooded and ruthless assassin.
Until one day, Kaguya met her first love, a righteous young man from the Rokujo family, one of the nine great families. But their happiness was short-lived.
When Kaguya was twelve, the conflict between the nine great families intensified, triggering a military coup. The Rokujo family became the target of elimination, including that boy.
After a struggle with her conscience, Kaguya decided to abandon the assassination attempt and instead save the boy.
At that moment, Kaguya's chief deity, Konohanasakuya, stopped her and bewitched her.
Konohanasakuya is also one of the goddesses of beauty who governs "beauty." Like Freya, she possesses the power of enchantment and forcibly ordered Kaguya to kill her first love with her own hands.
Afterwards, Konohanasakuya took the initiative to terminate the contract of favor with Kaguya. Kaguya broke away from the court and was expelled from the Far East Island like a stray dog. Later, she came to Orario and joined the Astrea Spring Clan.
As Kaguya finished speaking, Haruhime and the Takemikazuchi Familia members were still unable to recover for a long time. This past was too heavy, especially since it happened on the land they knew so well.
A girl raised to be an assassination machine meets her ideal love, only to find herself caught in a political vortex, manipulated by a god, and ultimately kills her first love.
Their joy at returning home was thus diminished.
-
"I told you it wasn't such a nice story, but you insisted on hearing it." Kaguya pinched Haruhime's little face.
"I'm sorry!" Haruhime apologized sadly.
"It's okay, don't blame yourself so much. Now I have companions from the Astrea Familia, that good-for-nothing elf Leon, that cheerful idiot Alyssa—a whole bunch of good friends," Kaguya laughed.
Kaguya had initially thought she would find it extremely distasteful to bring up that past, but now, as she recounted it with such calm emotion, she realized it wasn't so bad after all.
Haruhime could also tell that Kaguya had moved on from that painful time, which was truly remarkable.
"My distant homeland, I've returned!"
After traveling for more than half a month, the group finally arrived in the island nation. The moment they jumped off the ferry, the oriental-style architecture and scenery came into view.
Haruhime and the Yamato no Mikoto and others from the Takemikazuchi Kinka looked around like curious children. All told, they had been away from their hometown for five or six years, and seeing those familiar things evoked mixed feelings in them.
"Kaguya-senpai, what's wrong?"
At that moment, Haruhime noticed that Kaguya was still standing in the same spot.
-
Kaguya's eyes darted left and right warily. As a former assassin and a LV.5 adventurer, her perception was extraordinary, and she keenly noticed it.
Someone is watching them!
Street vendors, pedestrians, and teahouse patrons—these seemingly ordinary, peaceful, and harmonious activities subtly cast their gazes in their direction.
"After you go to pay your respects, return to Orario as soon as possible. If you stay away for too long, that deadbeat in the guild will inevitably start gossiping—"
Kaguya suppressed the worries in her heart.
"Um!"
Haruhime and the Takemikazuchi Familia had no objections. Every team must have a decision-maker, and their leader is undoubtedly Kaguya.
The group arrived at the Sanjo family's residence.
It was even more lively than expected, with people coming to mourn filling the area inside and out. White cloths were hung from the rafters, and the air was thick with sadness and grief.
Kaguya frowned. She remembered that Haruhime's father was just a minor official serving the gods. Did he have such great influence? Or had he been promoted over the years?
"Waaaaaah!"
Upon entering the mansion, a coffin comes into view, with relatives surrounding it, weeping and wailing.
Chunji was a rather sentimental girl. Influenced by the atmosphere, memories of her father resurfaced, and her expression turned sorrowful as two tears slid down her face.
Yamato no Mikoto and Hitachi no Chigusa stayed by Haruhime's side, mourning the deceased according to island customs.
Kaguya, however, remained vigilant, sensing something amiss. She silently prayed that it would end here, and that they would leave the island nation unharmed.
Kaguya's wish was destined to be in vain.
"The goddess Amaterasu has arrived!"
As a sharp, duck-like voice rang out, the people inside the mansion looked surprised and knelt down at the entrance, heads bowed, not daring to overstep their bounds in the slightest.
The Takemikazuchi clan members were no exception.
Unlike the outside world, the island nation's gods are not only respected but also hold a high status and power. The concept of superiors being superior to inferiors is deeply ingrained in everyone's mind. Chun Ji was expelled from her home simply for mistakenly eating the gods' divine food. Although it was a trap set by the dwarf guests, it is enough to prove that no matter is insignificant when it comes to the gods. Even a meal can sever the bond between father and daughter.
In the spacious courtyard, only Haruhime and Kaguya remained standing out among the fallen crowd.
They are now members of the Astrea Familia, and their every move is related to the face of their goddess, so they certainly cannot kneel down to other gods at will.
"Insolence! Kneel down now!"
Others around noticed the two girls and scolded them in hushed tones, but they remained unmoved.
Kaguya looked at Haruhime, who was not kneeling either.
A hint of relief and satisfaction flashed in her eyes. Over the course of their time together, she discovered that this fox-girl appeared delicate but was actually strong-willed. With the "Roy" buff, she would be even more unstoppable.
At the entrance to the courtyard, a grand procession stood on both sides, and a beautiful goddess dressed in a flowing gown entered, her every step exuding elegance and grace.
It is none other than the ruler of the island nation—the goddess Amaterasu!
As if unaware of the conspicuous Haruhime and Kaguya in the crowd, Amaterasu approached the coffin and, with the most formal ceremony, mourned the deceased.
"Rest in peace, you did a great job."
She pursed her lips, her expression sorrowful and charming, every expression flawless.
After doing all this, Amaterasu seemed to have just noticed the two girls, "Who are you? I see, you are Sanjou Haruhime and Gojou Kaguya."
"You lowly people, banished!"
Upon hearing these two names, the nearby nobles realized why they were so audacious.
After becoming first-class adventurers, the two became famous throughout the world and were household names in the island nation. However, unlike others, the attitude of the island nation towards them was very strange, with some admiring them, some hating them, and even some wanting to kill them.
This country's culture is so incomprehensible that even heroes who slay demon kings and save the world are scorned and kicked out of their teams.
Haruhime was very uncomfortable with the disgusted and disdainful looks from everyone, but the goddess Amaterasu in front of her had a smile on her face, which made her favorability towards her rise rapidly.
"Lord Amaterasu, are you here to offer condolences as well?" Haruhime asked cautiously. As a native of the island nation, she had a deep-rooted sense of awe for the existence of gods and supreme rulers.
"Um!"
The goddess Amaterasu gently stroked the surface of the coffin. "This child stayed by my side and was always diligent and hardworking. He passed away unexpectedly. No matter how busy I am, I must make time to take care of him."
"Amaterasu is so merciful!"
"If Lord Sanjo could know this in the afterlife, he would rest in peace!"
"Waaaaaah!"
A wave of emotion erupted from the crowd. The presence of Amaterasu at the funeral was an unparalleled honor for any island nation. If this were the condition, many would willingly die.
Haruhime noticed the unusual tone in people's conversations. "Lord Amaterasu, how did my father die?"
"this----"
Amaterasu averted her gaze and said softly, "It's better that you don't know about this."
The more the other party said this, the more curious Haruhime became. "Amaterasu, please tell me!"
Upon hearing this, Amaterasu carefully examined Haruhime for a long while and exclaimed, "You have become stronger, and you have the courage and determination to bear the truth."
"It seems you've met many kind people since leaving the island nation," said Amaterasu, her gaze benevolent.
"It's all thanks to Lord Roy!"
The goddess Amaterasu, like a kind elder, warmed her heart. Haruhime's voice carried a hint of pride, concealing her deep sorrow.
Amaterasu said, "Your father committed suicide!"
The goddess's words struck Chunji like a hammer blow. She murmured, "Suicide?"
Amaterasu continued, "It's probably because you became a prostitute and later joined the Astrea Familia, gaining great fame. Many people secretly mocked that child, and he endured immense pressure. So—I was also at fault for not discovering all this in time and stopping those rumors."
Chunji's delicate body swayed uncontrollably. Was it she who killed her own father?
Listening to Haruhime and Amaterasu's conversation, Kaguya, standing to the side, frowned deeply. She felt that every word Amaterasu said was very deliberate.
Is the other party trying to make Chunji feel guilty?
"If you're not in a hurry, let's stay for a few days. I'm sure the child will be very happy." Amaterasu stroked Haruhime's little head and looked at the coffin.
Haruhime opened her mouth and turned to look at Kaguya.
Sensing something amiss, Kaguya said decisively, "Lady Amaterasu, there's no need. We still have a lot of business to attend to in Orario, and we need to get back as soon as possible."
Amaterasu smiled slightly, "Your companions don't seem to think that way."
T
Kaguya glanced at Haruhime, Yamato no Mikoto, and the others, her brows furrowing deeper and deeper. This was troublesome.
If Kaguya were to forcefully give the order, Haruhime and the Takemikazuchi Familia members would obey her instructions, but they would certainly feel uncomfortable. Half a month of travel, ten minutes of mourning! And then another half month of travel back to Orario—no one could accept that, especially since they had already been completely manipulated by Amaterasu's brilliant performance.
Faced with the pleading gazes of Haruhime, Yamato no Mikoto, and the others, Kaguya was torn. After much internal struggle, she finally agreed, "I understand. Let's rest for a day!"
A fleeting glimmer of triumph flashed in the depths of Amaterasu's eyes, unnoticed by anyone.
"Thank you, Kaguya-senpai!"
Haruhime, Yamato no Mikoto, and the members of the Takemikazuchi clan were delighted and thanked Kaguya.
Kaguya's mood didn't improve, and she silently said, "Whatever happens next, let fate decide."
Kaguya had a headache. Her jewel-like brown-red eyes looked up at the sky, and she couldn't help but wonder what her powerful and wise captain would do if he were in her position.
Undoubtedly, the other side will be able to make the right decision and thwart all conspiracies and schemes.
Unbeknownst to her, Kaguya's trust in Roy had reached near-maximum, to the point of almost being mindless.
Commander, when will you be back?
Kaguya called out the other person's name in her heart.
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