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22 years old is the legal age for a shrine maiden to renounce her naturalization. After humans entered the technological age, religion became weaker and was governed by the government. Her naturalization was registered and approved not only at Izumo Taisha Shrine but also in the government's archives.
So now, both in religious and legal terms, she is a formal witch.
Only then did Fuji Takaya realize that the girl was Lingye, a name that Sakura often mentioned. He had just called her, but this was the first time they met in person.
Of course he had seen it on TV. Whenever he had time, he would watch any TV series filmed by Sakura. Ling also appeared frequently in the plot, especially recently, she and Tomoyo had more and more scenes.
But the magical girl's dress was replaced with a shrine maiden's white shirt and scarlet trousers, and Fujitaka admitted that he couldn't recognize it at all.
Perhaps it was because her appearance was too mythical, as if she had walked out of a story and was completely unconnectable with the people around her.
The arrow that pierced Madam Zhoushan's arm was deeply embedded in the tree trunk, which was enough to show the power of the blow.
Ling also stepped forward and pulled out the arrow, and softly apologized to the tree. She injected some spiritual energy into the tree to ensure that its injuries could be healed.
Because of the influence of the witch, people are used to calling it "spiritual power", but in fact the energy of Gaia's power is invisible, so to others it seems that the girl is just stroking the bark lightly.
"Excuse me, the one just now, Nadeshiko..."
Fujitaka had a lot of questions to ask, but Ling didn't answer them.
This is their family affair. Whether Nadeshiko is willing to show up and recognize each other is her own business.
Seeing that he could not get an answer from Reiya, Fujitaka looked at Sakura again. Because Nadeshiko, or the woman who looked like Nadeshiko, appeared with Sakura.
Sakura shook her head nervously, "Mom forbad me to tell you."
She was in a dilemma, with her beloved father on one side and her mother on the other, whom she had not seen for many years and could only miss in her dreams since she was a child. Her mother did not let her speak, saying that she was not ready to recognize her father yet.
She had promised her mother at that time, so she should keep her promise.
Sakura refused to say it, but her words revealed important information. Of course, there was only one person in this world that Sakura could call her mother.
Fujitaka didn't know what he felt right now. He knew very well that Nadeshiko would never come back. He watched Nadeshiko's body being cremated that year, and everything was only left in the photos. But just now, Nadeshiko was standing in front of him again.
Ling didn't stay long either, as she had more important things to do.
After Lady Zhoushan was eliminated by Lingye, Nadeshiko's dimensional ring returned to normal. She was not prepared to meet Fujitaka and chose to "escape".
However, there were not many places she could go, and Ling really met the other person in her own manor.
"So they were sent by the Yabo people?"
"Well, they are robots, but they are controlled by the Yawa people. They transformed a house that was originally in ruins into a base, and even modified the memories of nearby residents. Oh, and there is a child named Kangfu, who was not hypnotized for some reason. He, his sister, and his friend were captured by the Yawa people and locked up in that house."
Nadeshiko changed out of her somewhat frayed outer garment, but the pinch marks on her neck were still there.
When Lingye first heard the name "Kanfu", the first thing that came to her mind was Doraemon, the name of the protagonist.
However, it is not a transliteration, but a literal translation. Nobita means "the healthy child of the Nobita family". This is the meaning of the name. It was originally translated into Yasuo and then into Nobita.
The surname of Kangfu here is not Nobi, but his parents also hope that he will grow up healthy.
"I understand. I will rescue them. But before that, I think I need to apologize to you."
"apologize?"
Nadeshiko couldn't remember anything that Lingya needed to apologize to her for. She saved her, and even Sakura and Fujitaka. No matter how much she thanked him, it would not be enough.
“In fact, I have always been there.”
Nadeshiko was stunned for a long moment before she realized what Reiya was talking about.
"You mean you've been there all along, right? You mean you've been there at the King Penguin Park for a long time?"
"Correct."
Ever since Ling received the call from Sakura's father, she has been worried and returned to Tokyo.
From Izumo to Tokyo, half of Japan, it only takes a moment for Gaia. As long as she is on Earth, she can teleport to any place, after all, the entire Earth is Gaia's body.
She is usually used to traveling in human ways, but that doesn't mean she will not use Gaia's abilities when necessary.
Ling had already returned to Tokyo and came to Sakura's home.
So when Nadeshiko and Sakura appeared, she was there to see them. Later, 'Mrs. Zhoushan' chased after them, Fujitaka's foot was injured, and Nadeshiko suffered afterwards. She was there the whole time, just watching from the sidelines.
However, Lingye didn't make a move until she was sure that the other party would really kill Nadeshiko in the next second. Before that, she knew that Nadeshiko and Fujitaka could not deal with the terrible "Mrs. Zhoushan", but she still chose to let them get hurt.
Because she wasn't sure.
Not sure if Nadeshiko really has nothing to do with the Yawa people.
Although no matter whether it was long-term contact or Gaia's ability inspection, no problem was found with Nadeshiko. But what if?
Ling also couldn't allow Sakura to go home with a 'Yawa mother'.
This was a sudden temptation from Lingye, and then she saw that Nadeshiko really loved Sakura and Fujitaka with all her heart, and was willing to sacrifice herself to protect them. She fought desperately and struggled in vain, and in the end, she just wanted to take the source of danger away from her husband and daughter.
So, she is indeed the real Amamiya Nadeshiko.
In fact, Ling had already realized just now that her test was unnecessary.
In Lingye's sight, he could see a thin, illusory shadow that was not even a human figure, and only a pair of hands remained.
That was Sakura's guardian spirit, the final proof left by her mother seven years ago that no one could see. The final obsession of the soul named "Amamiya Nadeshiko" who passed away seven years ago. Just to protect.
And now, these hands appeared beside Nadeshiko.
If it wasn't for 'it', how would Nadeshiko know that Sakura was in danger?
It was these hands that touched Nadeshiko when she was picking persimmons from the persimmon tree. The guardian spirit that no one can see can do nothing, so it brought another living self to Sakura.
Ling never knew that the guardian spirit that had always been with Sakura could do such a thing.
Perhaps it was just because she was also a Nadeshiko that she was able to sense the thoughts of the guardian spirit.
Since Nadeshiko was recognized by the guardian spirit, there was no need for Ling to test her.
She did go the extra mile.
When Reiya reached out his hand to her, Nadeshiko felt a little confused, but she also reached out her hand and put it together with Reiya's hand. Then she saw the golden hand.
The golden hand appeared suddenly and just lay quietly beside her, but Fuzi was not alarmed, not only because Ling was beside her, but also because it gave Fuzi a familiar and warm feeling.
Then, without Lingye's explanation, she realized that the golden hand belonged to the real Amamiya Nadeshiko.
"This is Sakura's guardian spirit."
"Guardian spirit? But why is it by my side?"
"Maybe she wants to ask you for a favor. She entrusted you with protecting Sakura and taking care of her."
"Can I...really?"
Needless to say, the golden hand had already actively merged into her body. Nadeshiko did not resist, but accepted it naturally, and then she felt it.
That was Nadeshiko Amamiya's short life, just twenty years, during which she met and got to know Fujitaka, was delighted when Sakura was born, and finally had to leave her at her best years. She only left with blessings and regrets.
It was not a rigid memory that was forcibly engraved between the sulci and convolutions of the brain like the Yabo people, but a clearer and more immersive memory. Her consciousness went through the life of "Amanamiya Nadeshiko" in a short moment, and felt her happiness and sadness.
"I'll leave the rest to you."
She saw the thin figure opposite her in a trance, just like looking in a mirror, exactly the same person. The two stood facing each other, and although it was the first time they met each other, they were already very familiar with each other.
"Take care of Fujitaka and Sakura for me. As compensation, I'll give you everything I have. It may not be worth much, but it's all I have."
The figure said this in his last words.
The soul of Amamiya Nadeshiko returned to Gaia seven years ago and started a new journey. She was just a guardian spirit transformed from the obsession she left behind. She had been accompanying Sakura for seven years without anyone knowing, not even Sakura herself. But now she has no reason to stay here any longer.
Because there is a more suitable person to protect the child for her, who can touch Sakura and accompany her.
She was willing to sacrifice her name, identity, and even her feelings for this. As she said, maybe these were just worthless thoughts, but these were all she had.
At some point, Nadeshiko found herself in tears. For the first time, she felt so clearly that she was Nadeshiko Amamiya.
Not a puppet, but a real person.
"Can I really live as Nadeshiko Amamiya?"
"Of course, if you want." Ling also replied, she watched the guardian spirit dissipate. No, maybe not, but merged with the Amamiya Nadeshiko in front of her, no longer distinguishing each other.
"No one will stop it, not even the Yabo people."
Sakura has already accepted this mother. As for Fujitaka, he can certainly make his own choice, but at least, he should have the right to know.
Chapter 132: Breaking into a Secluded House at Night
The night is getting darker.
Compared to a few hours ago, the villa area seemed much more gloomy. This was not a desolate place, but a secluded corner of Tokyo, not far away from the busy city.
But as long as you get close to this place, you will feel as if you have stepped into another world, and everything around you has become different. This is not an illusion, Ling also feels the traces of the dimension, there is indeed a spatial barrier here.
Compared to Sakura's fear when she entered this place before, Ling's heart was not much ripples. Although it was pitch black around and there might even be super beasts, all the fear came only from the lack of firepower.
After walking a few steps to the gate, Lingye calmly pushed open the bronze gate with one hand and held the ebony magic-breaking bow with the other. There were no arrows, and no need for arrows. Gaia's light was the best weapon.
She had already heard the bizarre stories about this place from Nadeshiko.
A villa that suddenly appeared from the ruins, neighbors who seemed to be non-existent to everyone around, and a belly button that disappeared when you swam.
I have to say, it feels like a Japanese horror movie. Mixing some weird elements together makes Ling feel confused. She doesn't understand what the purpose of the Yawa people is. Just to scare people?
Entering through the bronze gate, there is a welcoming path lined with two rows of low cypress trees. Walking a few steps forward, you can see a large lawn beyond the obstruction of the bushes.
Only the rich and noble could afford such a villa in Tokyo, especially with such a large lawn. At least when there were still people living in this villa, they were definitely not ordinary wealthy people. Compared with the Oshima family, this place is almost the same as the ranger's hut at the corner of the lake in the manor.
If you don't count the horse farm, this place is even more luxurious than the ranger's lodge, after all, the ranger's lodge doesn't have a golf course.
Her sight lingered for a moment on the dark patch at the end of the lawn, which should be the pool. But Ling quickly looked away. She did not sense the aura of the super beast. Of course, she did not have the piercing eyes of Sun Wukong to see anything at a glance. If it was deliberately hidden, she would not be able to tell.
Compared to avoiding the super beast, it is more important to rescue the people trapped in the villa at this time.
She walked towards the building deep in the courtyard without stopping. Ling was still wearing a shrine maiden's costume at this time, and she looked like a shrine maiden visiting a haunted house to exorcise ghosts late at night. If there was a camera nearby, there would be no need for props or rendering, and the original lens could be used directly as the entrance scene.
The autumn wind blew up the hem of the shrine maiden's costume, rolling up a few fallen leaves.
At a certain moment, Lingye suddenly grabbed the longbow, put his right hand on the bowstring and pulled it, and the light turned into an arrow.
But the arrow did not shoot, because Ling also saw clearly who came out of the house. It was a little boy, stumbling all the way over.
"Belly button...my belly button is gone."
"Are you Kangfu?"
The boy was similar to what Nadeshiko had described before, a little thin, but with a round face. If he wore black-framed glasses, he really looked like Yasuo Nobi in the cartoon.