***
This was Sakura’s sword technique.
Of course, it was by no means the original version.
Compared to the original master’s already perfected strike, what Jiang Qiao executed was merely an extremely crude imitation.
But what she needed wasn’t that transcendent and refined swordsmanship, but merely Sakura’s essence.
“Because this is a space of memory, it’s so convenient to reproduce this memory. Just fill it with the power of Origin, and you can obtain something that looks similar but isn’t the real thing.”
“But even though it’s far inferior to Sakura, for the current you, it’s already enough, isn’t it, Rin~”
Under the dumbfounded gazes of Kiana and the other observers, the blade in the pink girl’s hand slowly crumbled as she smiled at Higokumaru, leaving only pleasant words lingering in the air.
The surrounding scenery became flickering and uncertain with the swaying flames, finally extinguishing as Jiang Qiao grasped the flame in her hand.
Crack~
Like a shattered mirror, everything around them gradually collapsed.
They had returned to Yae Shrine.
Under the pitch-black night sky, Yae Village in the distance remained peaceful and tranquil, with scattered lights visible.
The great fire had disappeared without a trace, as if nothing had happened at all.
“Where did that big fox go? Where did it disappear to?”
The change in scenery left Kiana and the others in a daze. Elysia, who was the first to come to her senses, hurriedly looked toward Jiang Qiao.
“Big fox? Isn’t it right here?”
With a smile, a small, very chibi-like figure climbed onto Jiang Qiao’s shoulder.
It was a little girl with fox ears, wearing exquisite clothing, with sincere azure eyes full of innocence.
And the first words she spoke were:
“Big Sister Ellie!”
Completely confused about the situation but suddenly being called by name, Elysia snapped back to reality, her face lighting up with joy.
Finally, finally someone who could recognize her at first glance!
Although standing here in Elysia’s appearance, not being recognized would probably be more of a problem, but Miss Elf was still very happy.
She looked at the little girl circling around Jiang Qiao’s shoulder, not only delighted but also finding her incredibly cute.
What a well-behaved and adorable child~
Wait…
Why is this child circling around Jiang Qiao?
Elysia, who had been full of joy, suddenly noticed a big problem. She watched the little one continuously circling around Jiang Qiao while calling “Big Sister Ellie, Big Sister Ellie,” and slowly turned to stone.
Big Sister Ellie… was she calling Jiang Qiao?!
“I’m Elysia! Hey, you’ve got the wrong person!”
Struck by another blow, Elysia felt her heart ache terribly. Her eyes filled with tears, and feeling very teary-eyed and annoyed, she ran to Jiang Qiao’s side and caught the little troublemaker who kept circling around Jiang Qiao calling her Big Sister Ellie.
“Eh, why are there two Big Sister Ellie?!”
She was a bit panicked when caught, but after seeing clearly that it was Elysia, Higokumaru, whose brain capacity was quite limited, widened her eyes. After looking at Jiang Qiao and then at Elysia, she was confused.
“I’m the real Elysia~ you little troublemaker!”
The angry Miss Elf looked at the very cute Higokumaru and directly grabbed her little cheeks, forcefully venting her dissatisfaction.
“Right~ She’s your Big Sister Ellie.”
Jiang Qiao’s words came at just the right time, making Elysia’s expression brighten slightly.
At least you know what’s right! Bad Jiang Qiao!
But even so, I won’t forgive you!
“As for me~ you can call me Little Sister Ellie~”
“!!!”
The girl’s smiling words, carrying a certain malicious intent, made Elysia, who had originally thought Jiang Qiao was somewhat human, widen her eyes in shock.
But this wasn’t over yet—
“Of course, you can also call her Granny Ellie~”
The malicious words tempted Higokumaru, making the little one nod as if she understood.
Granny Ellie and Little Sister Ellie, got it!
“Ahhhhh! Bad Jiang Qiao! I’m really going to get angry!”
Coming back to her senses, Elysia’s cheeks puffed up at a visible rate, and she glared fiercely at Jiang Qiao, directly approaching and grabbing Jiang Qiao’s collar.
I’ll cry, I’ll really cry!!!
But Jiang Qiao, whose collar was grabbed, showed no sign of fear, just smiled at her with that kind of smile, almost like a mocking smile, as if saying: What can you do to me?
Her fist hardened, her fist really hardened.
This was the first time Elysia felt that 【Elysia】 smile could be so “detestable”!
Seeing that she had teased Miss Fatty enough, Jiang Qiao restrained her smile somewhat, stepped back a few paces, and said:
“Alright, you should leave for now. I still have some things to handle.”
With that, as a faint light flickered, the figures of Elysia and the others disappeared from the scene.
Jiang Qiao, watching them leave, shook her head slightly.
Looking toward the other side, at the donkey-eared girl who had appeared at some point, she spoke first:
“This is quite troublesome. What do you think I should do with you?”
“Big Sister!”
Higokumaru beside her, after seeing the sakura-colored girl, excitedly pounced over and threw herself into the other’s embrace.
Ignoring this, Jiang Qiao said frankly:
“Sorry, although I know you’re probably very reluctant to part with this little one, I still need her to help me accomplish some things.”
“So, what’s your choice?”
The master of this Sakura Samsara, Yae Sakura.
The latter seemed somewhat confused.
“Honestly, I don’t know what I should do either.”
“It’s already been over 500 years, and Kallen is no longer in this world. There seems to be nothing left in this world worth my attachment.”
“I see.”
After hearing the girl’s words, Jiang Qiao nodded in understanding, then extended an invitation:
“I understand. In that case, why don’t you help me out?
“What do you want to do?”
“Hehe~ I suppose it’s just… saving the world, that’s all.”
Hearing this, Yae Sakura was stunned.
In her mind, she recalled the figure of that white-haired girl.
When she first met her, she had also dreamed of changing the world and protecting the people.
It was precisely because she was enchanted by such a Kallen that she fell in love with her.
Saving the world and such, it seemed to be the same thing, right?
At this moment, she seemed to see a second Kallen.
In her eyes, Jiang Qiao’s appearance gradually overlapped with Kallen in her memory, leaving her unable to come back to her senses for a long time.
“What’s wrong? You keep staring at me. Don’t tell me you’ve fallen for 【me】?”
The girl’s words, along with that very familiar feeling, made Yae Sakura’s cheeks turn slightly red, and she quickly shook her head:
“You jest. I was just remembering some past events.”
“So, what’s your answer?”
“…If this insignificant power of mine can be of use to you, then no problem!”