Book 13: Chapter 21


    You can stand now, stated Ying, standing next to me.


    I finally managed to stand up after persisting for several days, albeit needing to use the wall for support. Being able to look at everything from a different perspective gave me a strange sense of joy. I turned my head to look at Ying. I discovered she wasnt tall. I probably thought she was tall, since I was always looking up at her. She looked simr to any ordinary girl from this angle.


    I slowly moved my feet. There was nothing different to before except my back hurt a bit. It wasnt an intense pain, though. I touched my chest: I feel that Ive recovered, Ying. I can probably go shopping for you tomorrow.


    Ying nodded: Start by buying the very light stuff, then. Buy some rice from the store in the vige. The store will have antern with the word rice on it. You dont need to pay money. Just let them know the shrine needs it. Then, go to the store next door to buy vegetables and eggs. Tell them the shrine requires them, too.


    I nodded and smiled: Remind me again tomorrow. I think Ill forget.


    Mm. You need to rest more on the way up. Have a rest as soon as youre tired. Your back is still very weak. If something happens, you may never be able to stand again.


    I nodded, and then looked to the big tree: I want to go, and see the tree.


    That tree? asked Ying. She nodded: The tree has been there for a long time. This shrine grew up alongside the tree. I remember the tree hadnt bloomed at the time; it has finally bloomed. Admiring the tree allows me to feel a state of tranquillity.


    I nodded. Ying reached her hand out to support me. The two of us went over to the tree. The closer I got to it, the more I felt it was sturdy. I could see the entire tree when I was previously lying inside, but I had to raise my head up to see the flowers that had bloomed when I was close to it.


    I was named after this tree. I originally didnt have a name. The people here call this tree Ying, so they called me Ying.


    Ying supported me with her hand, but I couldnt feel her warmth. The side of her face was next to my ear. Her hair blew along with the flower branches. I looked at her and then the tree. In a soft voice, I asked, Dont you have a surname?


    Ying shook her head and calmly replied, I dont have parents; how would I have a surname? I grew up here as a kid and found my purpose in life here. I must protect the people of this vige. I should protect them, since I have the strength to. The wyrm has killed far too many people. Perhaps I am the strength their hope created; hence, I must protect the people of this vige.


    Mm


    Ying didnt sound as aloof as she appeared on the surface. She wasnt cold-hearted. She liked to converse with others and didnt hate outsiders. She just didnt express herself with facial expression. Deep down, she was the same as everyone else.


    Her background was peculiar and shrouded in mystery. She didnt have parents as we did. Nevertheless, it sounded as though the vige below treated her decently. She protected the vige, and the vige provided her with free food. Both parties were friendly. Also, she sounded very grateful to the vigers. She mustve felt lonely residing at the shrine by herself, yet she willingly epted being restricted there solely so that she could keep everybody safe.


    I said, Ying, youre very kind.


    Ying shook her head in response: No, Im not. Only by doing that which is not ones duty can one be considered kind. Protecting the vigers is my duty. Im merely carrying out my duty the same way parents protect their child, and a husband protects his wife. Fulfilling a duty is not an act of kindness.


    Not everyone can fulfil their duties, though.


    Ying shook her head again: That still isnt a reason for me to be vaunted. This vige is my responsibility; therefore, I must protect it. It has nothing to do with kindness. Im merely somebody who fulfilled her responsibility Actually, I havent yet, because the wyrm still exists, and still threatens the vige.


    Smiling, I questioned, What happens if the wyrm is dead, then? If youre very lucky and manage to kill the wyrm, youll have fulfilled your duty. Have you considered life afterwards? What are you going to do after?


    Ying shook her head once again: Ive never thought about it. To be honest, Ive never thought about my future. Im not willing to think so much about meaningless things. I just need to think about how to ensure this vige is still in one piece tomorrow.


    Do you not want to kill the wyrm?


    Its not that I dont want to, but merely protecting this vige requires all of my strength. I cant find traces of the wyrm. Therefore, all I can do is defend, answered Ying, turning around after. You havent fully healed yet, so lets stop here for today. Head back and rest. Ill brew your medication. You still need to eat porridge tonight. Were out of rice at the shrine, so if you dont buy any tomorrow, well have to starve.


    Ying had no ns of continuing to talk to me; consequently, I had to turn around and return to the shrine with her help. The bright-red design of the shrine from the outside looked slightly old. The piled up leaves had a thickyer of flower petals on top. The flowers would gradually wither in cold weather. Theyd die, turn to ash andnd on the ground with the snow to provide moisture for the old tree, I presumed. I wondered if the same applied to Ying.


    Ying would live, fight, age and then passes away before finally being buried here to moisten the shrine and ancient tree. Actually, no, thats not quite right. She didnt nurture the tree or shrine but the vige at the foot of the mountain, I guess. The vige was everything to her. Simrly to the flower petals, her entire life was destined to be offered to the vige below.


    A life is wonderful, because of the unknown. Life is worth exploring and adventuring through precisely because of the unknown. How sad and lonely was her life where she knew her end already? I guess her feelings were the same as her kimono  beautifully white. She dedicated her entire life to fulfil her duty just as Nier once did.


    Nier once forewent her entire life for Her Majesty. Ying gave everything she had for the vige at the foot of the mountain. Nier, nevertheless, had the Valkyries aspanions while Ying didnt have anybody.


    I figured Id be able to understand why I felt so sad when I saw her in my dream at night. Youd feel iparably sad if you were a talented bird that could sing and dance, yet were locked in a cage.


    Son I heard Mommy Elizabeths call out to me in my head. My mind raced: Wait! Why? Why? Why did I suddenly think of Mommy Elizabeth? Why did her beautiful smile suddenly appear in front of me? When did I see that smile? When?! Why dont I have any recollection?


    <strong>Glossary</strong>


    *yingmeans cherry blossom (a.k.a. sakura)