The Weight of Kinship

Xie Haizhu couldn’t fathom what the previous Saintess had been thinking. A demonic invasion was destined to strike this continent in the future, an enemy that could not be vanquished by the kingdom alone. In her future plans, Xie Haizhu had no intention of destroying the Empire, even though the Empire had annihilated the kingdom in her previous life. This wasn’t a matter of forgetting past grievances, but a pragmatic choice to confront a formidable external foe—a choice for survival itself. Naturally, she would show no mercy to those deranged imperial citizens bent on the kingdom’s destruction. Yet, from their brief encounter, it seemed highly probable that Reinhardt was not one of them. Despite appearing to be only in his twenties, Reinhardt had already attained the high rank of Battle Lord, possessing strength capable of threatening even a War Lord. Even setting aside his potential to become a War Lord, this individual was undoubtedly a rare talent, exceptional across the entire continent. Therefore, Xie Haizhu resolved to resolve the current predicament through negotiation.

“……”

However, Reinhardt kept his lips tightly sealed, unwilling to utter a single word.

Xie Haizhu had a vague idea about this; Reinhardt seemed less interested in causing trouble for her and more intent on seeking her help. Yet, since he was unwilling to speak, she wouldn’t force the issue; after all, she had more pressing matters to attend to.

With a somewhat preoccupied Li Tianming looking after the others, Xie Haizhu flew towards the only relatively intact tent at the rear of the camp. Intriguingly, Reinhardt suddenly unleashed his magic, broke free, and followed her.

Noticing Reinhardt had no intention of fighting, Xie Haizhu vaguely understood his purpose and offered no resistance.

Soon, both landed simultaneously.

Before them stood the familiar pink-haired girl, Mizuki Aoi, and an old man who seemed utterly at ease.

“Run!” Mizuki Aoi cried out urgently.

Honestly, even without her warning, Xie Haizhu had already noticed the High Priest’s unusual demeanor. His strength was only at the initial stage of a Battle Lord, yet, facing her arrival, he showed no alarm whatsoever, instead wearing an expression as if watching a fascinating play. Xie Haizhu refused to believe he had no hidden trump cards.

But for Mizuki Aoi to wish Xie Haizhu to retreat, that was impossible.

“Don’t mind me, please proceed,” the High Priest said. With remarkable politeness, he stepped aside, adopting a posture that invited her to proceed as she wished.

Though uncertain of his true intentions, Xie Haizhu silently enacted necessary precautions and cast a sound-insulating barrier. Only then did she turn her full attention to Mizuki Aoi.

Mizuki Aoi’s eyes brimmed with worry and urgency. Yet, after her initial cry, she repeatedly parted her lips as if to speak, only to be silenced by an overwhelming sense of guilt.

Xie Haizhu understood the girl’s thoughts perfectly. Mizuki Aoi believed herself to be a descendant of the Heavenly King, the instigator of this entire chain of events. She felt responsible for repeatedly endangering Xie Haizhu and for burdening so many others. Ultimately, she had concluded that she was unworthy to be Xie Haizhu’s sister.

Her situation mirrored Xie Haizhu’s own past exactly. Mizuki Aoi was deeply insecure and introverted, burdened by an inexplicable sense of guilt and responsibility even for mistakes she hadn’t personally caused. She preferred to bury her feelings, unable to articulate them.

In the past, Xie Haizhu would have sentimentally mused that the pink-haired girl was truly her sister, so uncannily similar to herself. She would then have offered superficial, self-congratulatory gestures of care and concern. The reason lay in her former life as a puppet, trapped by an urgent need to perfectly embody the original host’s role. She had disregarded reality and others’ feelings, prioritizing the preservation of the original host’s existing relationships and family ties.

Fortunately, she now understood that such shallow, perfunctory affection was, in fact, detrimental to Mizuki Aoi. She had always cherished the thought, ‘How wonderful that my sister is so sensible.’ Yet, in this world, nothing was ever truly ‘a given.’ Especially when children, who should be innocent and lively, were unexpectedly sensible, obedient, and intelligent—this was never something that could be simply dismissed with a casual smile. While strict upbringing certainly played a role, such rigor inherently inflicted psychological trauma upon a child. The suppression and forbearance that began in childhood would ultimately erupt in adulthood. Some found healthy outlets and were fortunate enough to lead relatively normal lives, but others would, tragically, embark on a path from which there was no return.

Beyond that, a child’s ‘sensibility’ could also stem from a painful price they had to pay. If it was merely to avoid familial blame, and not excessively severe, then it was still manageable. However, if a child became sensible out of guilt, believing their mistakes had harmed their family, or in response to something their family had said, then their heart had undoubtedly suffered an indelible wound. This wasn’t just true for children; adults were much the same. Consider Li Tianming’s pathological loyalty, displayed earlier in his desperate attempt to atone for everything. The pink-haired girl’s current state was a similar case. Her lifelong obedience and sensibility were born from deep-seated insecurity and guilt. Over time, she had become like a startled bird. Whenever something related to her occurred, her mind would instantly spiral towards the worst possible outcome, plunging her into despair. Trapped within this abyss, she found herself utterly unable to escape.

‘What a fool,’ Xie Haizhu mused internally. ‘Though I’m hardly one to talk. If not for Reinhardt, my own situation wouldn’t have been much better. But now… it’s my turn to do something similar for her.’

“Who were you telling to run just now?” Xie Haizhu’s slightly playful tone and faint smile indicated that she was still not the person from Mizuki Aoi’s memories; she had not yet fully recovered.

Mizuki Aoi was instantly speechless. However, the High Priest was still nearby, and though Reinhardt hadn’t attacked, he had followed. In such a situation, every extra second Xie Haizhu remained would be extremely perilous.

Mizuki Aoi gritted her teeth and shouted, “You leave!”

“Even though I haven’t taught you much these past five years, speaking to your sister like that is quite rude, you know,” Xie Haizhu replied.

Mizuki Aoi didn’t know what to do. Last time, hidden behind a door, it was only through self-abandonment that she could muster the courage to yell at Xie Shenhong. But now, with Xie Haizhu right in front of her, the thought of all the care and help she had received over the years made it impossible to utter truly harsh words. No, perhaps it was more accurate to say that, after much internal struggle, she could only speak words that were even more hurtful.

“I am the Heavenly King’s daughter, I am Mizuki Aoi, not your sister. Don’t do anything unnecessary, don’t worry about me…”

Yet, Xie Haizhu was no longer the same person she once was.

“No, your sister here isn’t so dense as to not recognize reverse psychology.”

‘This… this isn’t reverse psychology!’ Mizuki Aoi thought desperately. ‘Words that betray one’s true desires are undoubtedly a form of reverse psychology.’

“Please, just go! It’s too dangerous!” Mizuki Aoi pleaded.

“Do I look like the kind of person who would abandon her sister because of danger?” Xie Haizhu asked.

Mizuki Aoi’s tears welled up. More than emotion, it was born of helplessness and bewilderment. But Xie Haizhu walked over and embraced her tightly. It was exactly like before, still so warm and gentle, still making her feel utterly unworthy.

“Shenai, don’t think so much, okay?” Xie Haizhu whispered.

“But I…” Mizuki Aoi began.

“Even without blood ties, even if you’ve caused me countless troubles, the fact that you are my sister will never change,” Xie Haizhu affirmed.

“How… how can that be?” Mizuki Aoi stammered.

“Of course, if you don’t consider me family, then you absolutely cannot leave. After all, you owe me so much, and you haven’t repaid any of it yet.”

“I will repay you…” Mizuki Aoi promised.

“Since you’re not my family, I have no reason to trust you. You must stay by my side, under my watchful eye. You’ll also need to study hard and go to school, preparing to repay me in the future.”

“I…” Mizuki Aoi started.

“Let me think,” Xie Haizhu continued playfully. “You’ll probably accumulate more debt during this time, so afterward, you’ll need to find a good husband and live a happy, fulfilling life to repay me. This isn’t a small sum, but I’m not a devil. I’ll just punish you by making you my sister for life to settle the debt.”

Xie Haizhu gently stroked her head. Mizuki Aoi, however, could no longer hold back. She maneuvered her wheelchair backward, breaking free from Xie Haizhu’s embrace, and then screamed hysterically:

“Enough! I told you to run! Why are you still saying things like this?”

“This is all my fault! Why aren’t you blaming me? Why are you still saying such things?”

“Yes, it’s my fault! It’s my fault! It’s all my fault!” Her cries were hysterical.

“Why? I treated you so badly! I was so awful! I was so detestable! Why do you still say such things? Are you a fool?” Her hysterical screams sounded like both pleas and accusations.

“Why aren’t you running?”

“Are you going to stay here with me and die together? Do you want me to never forget you for the rest of my life? Do you want me to be tied down by you forever?” Her hysterical cries grew sharper and sharper.

“Run! Run! Run!”

“Please, run! I’m begging you! Please! Run!” Her hysterical cries continued, Mizuki Aoi had lost all reason. As she screamed, she wildly flailed her limbs, trying to push Xie Haizhu away.

“I’m not your sister! I’m not your sister! I’m not your sister!” She shouted, as if trying to prove something.

Xie Haizhu simply stood there quietly, watching Mizuki Aoi’s outburst, her face devoid of any expression.

“I’m the bad one! I’m the demon! I’m the culprit!”

“I’m the one who deserves to go to hell! I’m the one who deserves to be destroyed! I’m the one who deserves to be abandoned!” She shouted loudly, as if wanting to vent everything within her.

“Run! Run! Run!”

“Please, run! I’m begging you! Please! Run!” Xie Haizhu simply stood there quietly, watching Mizuki Aoi’s outburst, her face devoid of any expression.

“I’m the one who should die! I’m the one who should die! I’m the one who should die!” She shouted loudly, as if wanting to vent everything within her.

“Yes, it’s my fault! It’s my fault! It’s all my fault!” Her cries were hysterical.

“Why aren’t you running? Are you going to stay here with me and die together? Do you want me to never forget you for the rest of my life? Do you want me to be tied down by you forever?” Her hysterical cries grew sharper and sharper.

“Run! Run! Run!”

“Please, run! I’m begging you! Please! Run!” Her hysterical cries continued, Mizuki Aoi had lost all reason. As she screamed, she wildly flailed her limbs, trying to push Xie Haizhu away.

“I’m not your sister! I’m not your sister! I’m not your sister!” She shouted, as if trying to prove something.

Xie Haizhu simply stood there quietly, watching Mizuki Aoi’s outburst, her face devoid of any expression.

“I’m the bad one! I’m the demon! I’m the culprit!”

“I’m the one who deserves to go to hell! I’m the one who deserves to be destroyed! I’m the one who deserves to be abandoned!” She shouted loudly, as if wanting to vent everything within her.

“Run! Run! Run!”

“Please, run! I’m begging you! Please! Run!” Xie Haizhu simply stood there quietly, watching Mizuki Aoi’s outburst, her face devoid of any expression.

“I’m the one who should die! I’m the one who should die! I’m the one who should die!” She shouted loudly, as if wanting to vent everything within her.

“This is all my fault! Why aren’t you blaming me? Why aren’t you scolding me?”

“I’ve done so many outrageous things, caused you so much trouble, so why aren’t you ever angry?”

“You say I’m your sister, but why have you always been so polite to me? I’m your sister, not a guest!”

‘Ah, what is she saying? How can she be so outrageous? How can she be so willful?’ Mizuki Aoi regretted her words. But she couldn’t apologize. She had to make Xie Haizhu angry, make her leave this place and go somewhere safe.

However, her wish was destined to remain unfulfilled. Xie Haizhu not only wasn’t angry but actually showed an expression of guilt.

“I see… I’m sorry, it was my oversight,” Xie Haizhu said softly.

For this, Mizuki Aoi couldn’t help but inwardly scream, ‘Why are *you* apologizing? It’s clearly not your fault! She hasn’t understood her own identity! She’s being completely unreasonable! It’s all her fault!’

“Indeed, for a stranger, you would be far too much. I truly don’t know what makes you expect so much… but as family, as a sister, all of this is perfectly acceptable,” Xie Haizhu continued.

“What are you talking about?” Mizuki Aoi asked, bewildered.

“It’s perfectly normal for family to argue, to be willful, mischievous, and cause a bit of trouble. Of course, honestly, I do prefer a sister who is obedient and sensible, but that’s simply because it’s easier. It certainly doesn’t mean a sister must suppress herself or suffer in silence.”

“Enough!” Mizuki Aoi cried.

“Don’t say any more!”

“After all, if my sister is happy and well, I’ll be incredibly happy too,” Xie Haizhu said softly.

“That’s enough!” Mizuki Aoi screamed.

“So, what do you say? Becoming my sister would erase all your debts. Won’t you consider it?” Xie Haizhu offered gently.

“I said, that’s enough!” Mizuki Aoi roared.

“No matter what you say, what you try to persuade, our relationship is already set,” Xie Haizhu stated calmly. “Yes, everything I’ve said cannot change one fact. Kinship isn’t built overnight, nor is it a matter of convention, and it certainly isn’t something I can win with flowery words. If a stranger truly said they wanted to be my sister, I would definitely refuse. I wouldn’t let someone I had no feelings for become my sister. The reason I’ve said so much to you, worried about you, helped you, and came to save you, is entirely because— ”

Walking to Mizuki Aoi’s side, Xie Haizhu extended her hand.

“You were already my sister, my family.”