How she met the Matriarch was unexpected. While she was awake, she found herself in a wasteland. Sakuya wasn't asleep or unconscious in any way. One moment she was in her house, another moment she was here. In that barren red wasteland without a single blade of grass, was a simple hut.

Sakuya knew her life and death were no longer in her hands. Cold sweat was formed and her hands were trembling.

“Don't be nervous, child. Come in.”

Sakuya hardened her will and pushed the door.

“Descendant Sakuya, greets the Matriarch of the Sakaki clan!” She bowed deep without daring to look at the person inside the hut.

“Fufu, don't be so alarmed, child. Is my reputation so scary? I won't eat you, I promise,” the voice carried a playful tone. “Now raise your head and let me take a look at you.”

Slowly, Sakuya did as she was told.

The woman sitting on a weird chair in front of her was supposed to be really old but she still looked like a woman in her forties. Powerful Pathseekers could halt the show of aging in their body but to be as old as her and still look like so was proof of her power. Her hair was all white and her face was naturally a mature beauty. However, Sakuya found she had more similar characteristics to the people on the continent rather than her clan. While her physical appearance was eye-catching, what gave Sakuya the biggest impression was the stillness about her. In fact, the whole hut, the whole wasteland seemed to be captured in a painting.

While Sakuya was observing the Matriarch, the opposite was also true.

“Hmm, good seedling. Tempered too. Comparing the current you and the you from last year is like seeing two different people. Your growth is remarkable. Your experience from Aletro’s Book World is priceless.”

“Thank you for the praise, Matriarch, but I cannot claim it was all me. I’ve been aided by someone.”

“Yes, Tanael. You’ve mentioned him before in your report, although you're very protective about matters concerning the man himself. But we’ve strayed. First, allow me to give you my sincerest gratitude for unshackling the Flaring Wither Curse that my father cast upon my descendants. It was the greatest regret of Shinjurou before he died.”

It was then that Sakuya realized the identity of the Matriarch. She was the spouse of the first Sakaki. The saintess of a certain religious organization from the continent.

She was at least 300 years old!

“M-matriarch. As someone born in the Sakaki clan, it was what I should do,” Sakuya tried to remain calm.

“Nevertheless, this grandma thanks you for rectifying the old mistake. You did what I could not.”

“...Matriarch, your words are wasted on me.” Sakuya bowed.

“Good. You’re not exiled.”

“...”

“Fufufu, you don't look happy. Disappointed you can't go after your crush?”

“Ah!?”

“I met that remarkable young man yesterday.”

Sakuya’s breath stopped from the tension. What happened?

“Want to see?”

The Matriarch waved her hand and the space in front of her showed scenes from another place and another time.

It was night, at the Amaterasu Temple, Sakuya was certain because she planted the seed that Tanael gave her at the temple’s rear.

Sakuya saw a portal was opened and Tanael -his appearance was the same as in the Book World- looked around without crossing. A green-skinned little girl that she’d never seen was standing beside him.

Tanael seemed to be looking at a festival that was ongoing and it was there that the Matriarch appeared.

“My, what unusual guests.”

If Tanael was surprised, he didn't show it. The little girl moved forward as if shielding him. They both never took a step from the portal.

“A plant-based teleportation anchor of some sort. If my descendant planted this even after knowing what it does, I’ll give her a scolding later,” the Matriarch said. Sakuya looked like she was swallowing saltwater.

Tanael chuckled. “I apologize for the intrusion. Rest assured, Sakuya didn't know what it did. She was simply following my request. Please don't be too hard on her. But where are my manners? Pleased to meet you, honored elder. This one is Tanael, a villain and currently trespassing. I apologize for the latter but not for the former.”

Sakuya saw the Matriarch seem more attentive about the little girl beside Tanael. There seemed to be an unseen border between the Matriarch and Tanael.

“How refreshing for a villain to boldly declare himself so. I am Irini Sakaki née Calix. You have taken care of my descendant so I’ll forgive this offense once. What is your purpose here, young one?”

“Soy sauce.”

“...Pardon?”

“I wish to procure some soy sauce or shoyu. Considering this village’s roots, I believe there should be some.”

“Mmm. This village indeed has soy sauce but I don't have any on me. What a shame.”

“What a shame indeed. Naturally, I can't ask an august madam to bring me some. Before I leave, may I greet that happy-looking girl over there?”

“...You may do so in front of me.”

“Naturally.”

Tanael conjured a white card in his hand and pressed it to his forehead. Sakuya guessed this was the moment when she heard Tanael’s voice.

“She looks happy,” Tanael said, looking at the festival. The distance from the Amaterasu Temple was far but it didn't seem to be an issue for him.

“She does,” Irini, the Matriarch said while similarly looking at the festival.

“And this village is peaceful too. A bringer of chaos such as myself shouldn’t set foot in this place. But one last thing, may I ask Madam Irini something? It concerns Sakuya.”

“In my experience, smiling polite people hide hideous intent. Are you the same, young man?”

“I am hideous inside and outside. I am lies and evil given form. Therefore I humbly asked you this. I have reason to believe that Sakuya will seek me out.”

“And?”

“I hope you stop her. My road is of carnage. Dangerous, especially to people around me. A nice girl like her should be in a place like this. Surrounded by family and friends, get married, grow old… A life of peace.”

“I’ll inform her of your words. But what if she still wishes to follow you?”

“Then I won't reject her. We all have to make our own choices someday,” Tanael looked to the stars. “Though, I fear she would make that choice without fully realizing what it means. I hope Madam Irini can help her before she leaps into a bottomless chasm.”

“Young man, are you an old monster toying with the life of the young? How old are you?”

“I like to think I’m young, Madam. I shall take my leave. If Fate wills it, we will meet again.”

Sakuya watched as Tanael retreated and the portal closed. The scene then ended.

“So, what do you think?”

Sakuya’s mind was a mess. “I-”

“If my eyes haven't become rotten, in a few years, his enemies will be at the level where they can kill you with no effort. In a few decades, you won't even be qualified to stand on the same battlefield as him,” Irini gave the naked truth.

Sakuya felt the words stab her. She faintly realized it during their time training together in Stage 5. The strength disparity between her and Tanael wasn't shrinking but expanding. Tanael thought she wasn't strong enough for the final part of Stage 5, that was why he made her leave first.

“Three years,” Irini said.

“Matriarch?”

“There will be changes in the village. With the curse gone, isolation will not last and is unnecessary. Don't rush to make your decision, go back to the village. Slowly observe the changing world and expand your horizons. Think about your future for the next three years.”

…I am too immature.

“Descendant Sakuya accepts the Matriarch's command.”

“How rigid! Haah… I suppose this is what I get after hiding in the shadows for two centuries… My own grand, grand -a couple times more- daughter treats me no different than a speaking monster.”

“T-this Sakuya didn't mean-”

“It’s fine. I suppose it’s time for these old bones to come out of the closet. Here.”

Irini gave Sakuya an orb.

“What is this, honored Matriarch?”

“For your training. It’s been a while since I met a seedling like you. It would be a waste to let it grow undernourished.”

Sakuya realized she would get some training directly from the Matriarch!

A Level 5!

“H-honored Matriarch, if I may… I know a few people with talents not less than mine. Perhaps-”

“Yayoi and your friends, yes? You cherish the bonds you made. Good, it will give you strength. But don't worry, everyone will get their special menu, even little Kondou and little Ayane. Ohohoho! In a week or two, you all will wish I never left my isolation!”