Village at the Foot of the Mountain
Night
Night, Village at the Foot of the Mountain
The two of you stand with the fox right in the middle of the market street. Passing villagers occasionally do a double-take because of your unusual clothes, but not a single one even glances at Yun Ye, as if the fox isn't even there.
The fox looks dead serious, sitting up straight and covering her tiny paws with her tail, looking incredibly solemn and earnest.
Led you astray? Don't lie to me!
How could I possibly have led you astray? There's only one human settlement down the Shrine of Union.
But this place indeed isn't where we live. Yun Ye, could you trace the path we took and guide us back?
Well...
Yun Ye's gaze sharpens, and it leans forward, scampering in tight circles around you. Its nose twitches as it sniffs the air, and then its expression shifts to one of utter astonishment.
So pure! You don't have a whiff of the mortal world about you.
Odd... you certainly don't seem like folks who live around here...
The fox cocks her head thoughtfully, then slowly extends a paw. A soft gleam of light shines from her and drifts towards you, making you instinctively step back.
Don't be afraid. This is spiritual energy—a gift from those who believe in the Goddess of Union.
Even though I don't receive offerings anymore, I can still work some spells with these gifts of faith.
Let me see... You're from...!
Yun Ye freezes mid-sentence, its eyes widening as a flurry of complex emotions flashes across its tiny face.
Oh my! You're actually from the Other Shore!
Oh no, oh no... This is really bad...
The fox's expression turns solemn as she anxiously paces in circles.
Seeing this, you exchange a glance with Selena before crouching down, softening your voice as much as possible.
Normally, that'd be just fine, but...
But the shrine priest took away the offerings from you, which caused something bad?
Exactly! If the shrine priest actually ties the knot with the Heavenly Path, you're in deep trouble.
The fox stands upright, earnestly stretching her paws outward in an elaborate gesture.
When that happens, this WHOLE region will turn into his divine realm. The villagers here are already devotees of the Shrine of Union, so they'll be in the clear.
But you? You'll never be able to go home again... Come on, let me get you out of here, now!
With that, the fox nervously peeks around before bolting away from the shrine.
But it barely takes a few steps before a booming chant stops her dead in her tracks.
The auspicious hour is upon us, threads binding mountain and stream, fate connecting heaven and earth...
Oh no... Please no!
And now begins the Divine Wedd...
We're toast!
As the chant wraps up, the crowd suddenly erupts into a commotion.
The fox's legs buckle, and she tumbles backward, hitting the ground in a surprisingly human-like manner.
Uh... you okay?
This is bad, so bad... There's no way out for you now.
The Divine Wedding is really happening...
The fox mutters to herself, then, as if she's made up her mind, scrambles back to her feet.
No matter what, I can't let innocent people get tangled up in this.
At this point, I'll have to put a stop to the Divine Wedding and help you make a break for it.
Despite the fox's good intentions, Selena can't help but notice something doesn't quite add up.
Wait, Yun Ye, you never planned to keep the shrine priest from going through with the wedding before?
I had no such intention.
Because...
The fox hesitates, her eyes darting away. Then, as if on cue, a smile creeps onto her face.
But the smile quickly fades, replaced by a calm expression as it begins to speak in a soft voice.
The shrine priest has been very kind to me, always.
Before I became the Goddess of Union, I was just a nobody in a tiny mountain shrine. Offerings? Forget about it. Hunting was a nightmare, and every winter, I starved.
It was the shrine priest who fed me, asked what I wanted, and helped me out in countless ways. Thanks to him, I got a proper shrine and became the Goddess of Union I am today.
The fox explains earnestly, her eyes not sad, just showing a faint hint of resignation.
Now that he wants that position, I should just give it to him...
But you'll be stuck here because of it, and that simply won't do.
Selena leans toward you, lowering her voice.
<size=32>Conductor, how much of what it's saying do you buy?</size>
<size=32>Just like when we got here, the communication module is jammed. I can't figure out why right now.</size>
Selena nods, her gaze shifting to Yun Ye.
Is there anything we can lend a hand with?
Huh? That's really not necessary. Umm... you two seem pretty capable, but—
It's a deity's job to solve mortal problems, not the other way around. How could I possibly ask humans for help?
Just leave it to me! You two can just kick back in the village and wait for my good news!
The fox acts all confident, but judging by how she's been talking and acting this whole trip...
You catch Selena's eye, and she immediately gets it. She leans down and gives the fox a gentle pat on the head.
Thanks for always looking out for us, Yun Ye. But you already went out on a limb for us back on the mountain, and now you're looking to take risks for us again. How can Conductor and I just sit here twiddling our thumbs?
But...
With some help from us, maybe you can get him to spill the beans about the reasons?
Hm...
The fox grapples with herself for a bit before finally caving, nodding her head hesitantly.
Alright then, but you've got to promise me—if things go south, you'll run immediately!
Seeing Yun Ye's serious face, Selena and you can't help but share an amused glance.
We promise.
Village at the Foot of the Mountain
Night
Night, Village at the Foot of the Mountain
The pair treads along, hot on the fox's heels as they thread their way through the market streets.
Selena pulls out the small notebook she uses for work sketches and notes, her gaze flicking between taking in her surroundings and leaning in to murmur to the human beside her.
This village definitely seems like the predecessor to Conservation Area 357. Their clothing and culture hail from Kowloong, with striking similarities, though not quite identical.
The shrines, which stand apart from temples and Taoist halls, offer even more proof of this.
Conductor, are you talking about my past experience? When I tuned into the Red Tide's sounds and walked into scenes from the past?
While there are some similarities on the face of it, the core difference is clear. I've already confirmed this—there are no signs of the Red Tide having passed through here.
Given where we are right now, I reckon we could... No, wait, that's not right. The environment here isn't compatible with those modules...
But if we try other approaches and something goes wrong, I would be fine as a Construct, but Conductor, you might...
Selena continues to talk to herself after her explanation, her expression growing increasingly serious as she goes deeper into her analysis. Soon, traces of anxiety appear in her eyes and knit her brows.
You gently snap your fingers in front of her face.
Ah...?
She jumps slightly, turning her head with a bewildered look.
Conductor?
You lean in close and softly whisper her name right next to her ear.
Eek! Huh...?
Selena claps her hands over her ears, spinning around with a startled, bewildered expression.
C-Conductor...?
Ah... ah...
Selena's speechless for a moment, and it takes her a second to get her head around what you are saying before a smile breaks across her face.
Heh...
Are you worried I'm too much of a worrywart, Conductor?
Selena clasps her hands behind her back, tilts her head just a bit, and looks away.
Shouldn't I be serious? I mean, I'm on a mission with you, Conductor.
...Okay.
What you meant as a lighthearted quip, simply to match the mood, takes an unexpected turn toward sincerity when Selena faces you. Your eyes meet as she responds with a gentle smile and a surprising earnestness.
{226|153|170}～
What's wrong? Am I not allowed to worry about you, Conductor?
Oh, aren't these lanterns a bit too bright? I feel like you look kind of... Heh...
With an exaggerated cough, they lock eyes again, but can't hold it for more than a few seconds before both crack up, lightening the mood.
They both shift their gaze, no longer on guard or scrutinizing everything, but instead soaking up the celebratory vibe of the village ceremony, just like real travelers would.
Their swaying hands brush by chance amidst the flickering lights, then quietly entwine.
After meandering through several more narrow streets, where signs of life grow increasingly thin, the two companions and their fox hit the edge of the village.
At the end of the street sits a wooden cabin decked out with various flower arrangements hanging from its exterior.
Welcome to my shop. I had no idea such distinguished guests were coming... please forgive me for not rolling out the red carpet...
They've barely stepped up when the wooden door swings open, and the shop owner pops out to greet them, as if she knew they were coming. Unlike others in the village, the moment she steps out, her eyes land directly on Yun Ye.
Oh my! I was just wondering why the summer seed flowers in my basket suddenly bloomed with such good fortune—it's because the Goddess of Union has arrived, isn't it?
Is there something you need? You could have just summoned me with your magic. The Divine Wedding is approaching—a bride should stay tucked away in her chambers.
Long time no see, Miss Viola!
The fox gets up on her hind legs, puts her front paws together in a polite bow, then drops back down to all fours.
I'm not the Goddess of Union anymore, and I'm not the bride for the Divine Wedding Ceremony either.
The shrine priest... he grabbed the token of Union and plans to marry the Heavenly Path instead.
The shop owner's eyes go wide in shock as flowering wisteria vines unintentionally sprout from her exposed skin, trembling despite the still air.
Is—is this for real?! W-what are we going to do about this?
It's true. It's a long story, but in short, I'm here to ask you for a favor, Miss Viola.
Did you get an invite to the Divine Wedding Ceremony at the shrine?
Of course, I did. Are you thinking of...
Could we borrow your invitation and your magic to get back to the shrine and stop the shrine priest from getting married?
The shop owner, whom Yun Ye calls Miss Viola, has a conflicted look on her face, seemingly weighing the consequences. After a long moment, she lets out a gentle sigh.
Sigh...
Goddess of Union, you once showed me great kindness, so I really shouldn't say no, but...
It's not that I don't want to—there are just some complications. If you don't mind me asking, Goddess of Union, can you still take on human form?
Without my divine powers, I might still pull something off within the shrine grounds, but outside? It's a lost cause no matter what.
This is quite a hassle then...
Following Miss Viola into the wooden cabin, I finally spot a stand tucked away among elaborate flower arrangements, showing off an elegant bridal gown.
To be perfectly honest, when I received the invitation, I had no clue about the chaos at the shrine.
And having recently fallen in love with the Mountain Lord, I was hoping to use this opportunity to attend the ceremony and get a blessing for our relationship.
Since it's about the Divine Wedding, I can't just decide on my own. So, after getting the invitation, I formally ask the shrine for permission and only start getting ready once they give me the go-ahead.
Miss Viola takes the wedding dress off the stand and shows it to Yun Ye.
Goddess, if you want to attend as me, without the wedding dress or a partner, the shrine priest will easily see right through it.
Well...
The room goes quiet for a bit until Selena, after a moment's thought, offers a suggestion.
What if the Conductor and I pretend to be Miss Viola and the Mountain Lord, and we escort Yun Ye up the mountain? Could that work?
The Mountain Lord has a pretty different build than yours. Even though you, honored guest, have a sharper look about you, it shouldn't be a problem.
My romance with the Mountain Lord hasn't really gotten around, and I never actually named him in the letters I sent to the shrine.
Not even the shrine priest, let alone the other spirits in the village, knows anything more than what he looks like.
Well, then...
No way!
No one expects the usually cheerful Yun Ye to suddenly shoot down the idea so fiercely.
If you're worried about us getting caught, my frame... I can totally change how I look and smell to blend in.
Oh, no, that's not it at all.
Spirits rarely snoop into each other's business. Even if they spot something a little off, they usually don't dig deeper. I mean, the path of cultivation is long, and changes are perfectly normal.
The thing is...
Yun Ye's face takes on a seriousness no one's ever seen before.
Being a married couple isn't something you can just fake! Marriage is an important matter. VERY IMPORTANT.
It's totally understandable for Miss Viola and the Mountain Lord to want marriage blessings since they're in love, but Selena and [player name]...
Even though you seem quite close, you're still miles away from being an actual married couple.
With that, the fox jumps onto the counter, putting her at eye level with Selena and you.
In this pose, she truly embodies the commanding presence of a matchmaking deity from ancient tales.
What are you to each other, anyway?
