Brand New Life Online: Rise Of The Goddess Of Harvest

”Though we remain enemies, there is a delicate balance—one I... don’t wish to break. Not yet,” Lord Chaos spoke.

Amaterasu swallowed hard, sensing the ominous weight behind that single ”yet”—the promise of an eventual demise that had only been delayed.

”Now, let’s go,” Kireina’s father said. He warped reality with a casual gesture, opening a black gate that led to his home. ”I hope you don’t follow us. You would be welcomed... with plenty of surprises.”

He laughed, waving his hand in a friendly farewell before vanishing along with the others, as though they had never been there at all.

”Cough... cough...” Kaguya gasped for air, still struggling under Amaterasu’s lingering presence. ”You... I can feel we once shared a connection. You’re a Divine Spirit, the embodiment of two Primordials... and you managed to stand your ground against me?”

”Um, are you Lady Amaterasu?!” Elayne asked, eyes wide with disbelief. ”Oh my gosh! Perfect timing! I’ve been wanting to speak with you this whole time!”

”So you’re Elayne,” Amaterasu replied warmly. ”But... what happened to you? You’re...”

”It’s a long story. Maybe we could discuss it elsewhere?” Elayne suggested. ”Um... your granddaughter is dying.”

”She’s simply too exhausted to hold me for much longer,” Amaterasu said. ”Very well. Once this is all over, speak with Kaguya. She will guide you to my palace. Until then... thank you for protecting everyone. The Amaterasu Clan is forever indebted to you, Elayne.”

”A-Ah! Please don’t worry about that! I didn’t do it expecting anything in return...” Elayne replied, her clumsy cuteness genuine and disarming. The sight surprised Amaterasu—she wasn’t acting. This was simply who Elayne was.

”Hahah... you’re a strange one,” Amaterasu laughed, the sound lighter than before. ”But you’ve helped me relieve some stress. Let’s meet again soon. Take care, and thank you once more.”

Amaterasu’s divine presence faded. Kaguya nearly collapsed, but Elayne caught her gently in her arms and healed her with a surge of Life Magic.

”Kaguya-sama, are you okay?” Elayne asked, her face filled with concern.

”Y-You’re... someone my grandmother truly likes...” Kaguya groaned. ”Ugh... I guess I should trust you for now. Ah... thank you for saving me.”

”You’re welcome. I’ve been working at your clan’s school as Elayne-sensei,” Elayne said. ”I’m surprised you hadn’t heard of me...”

”Ah, that must be because you were only added a few days ago, and I don’t manage the school personally,” Kaguya sighed.

Elayne helped Kaguya to her feet. Though the young woman preferred to float, she managed to stand. Elayne glanced at the others. ”Alright, everyone. It’s time to leave. We can’t stay here much longer. The cleaners will handle the rest. Let’s use a teleportation spell. Vampires and werewolves should return to your clans for now.”

”I’ll go with Dad,” Erika said. ”Thank you for everything, everyone! See you tomorrow, maybe.”

”Alright, see you, Erika.” Harumi hugged her friend tightly and kissed her cheek. ”Take care and get some rest.”

”Hm.” Erika nodded, visibly exhausted, and departed with the werewolves through a special teleportation scroll.

”What about you, Harumi?” the Vampire Queen asked.

”I think... I’ll go with everyone first, then head home, Mom,” Harumi replied.

”Well... fine,” her mother sighed. She stepped closer and kissed Harumi’s forehead. ”I just wish you spent more time with me.”

”Sorry...” Harumi murmured.

The Vampire Queen nodded, but before leaving she approached Elayne, her eyes narrowing as she glanced at Olivia.

”Both of you... do you even realize what you’ve become?” she asked.

”Huh?” Olivia looked confused. ”W-What do you mean, Lady Clementine?”

”You fools really don’t know,” the Vampire Queen sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose.

”Um...” Elayne shifted awkwardly. ”Hi...”

”Hi,” Clementine replied with an annoyed glare. ”You are now the Progenitor of a Clan. Elayne, was it? Then please act like one. For now, my Clan will treat yours as an ally—especially since my daughter seems fond of you. You also saved us. We owe you one. I have no idea how you became a Vampire of such high rank, but be careful. Our kind has many enemies. An unregistered Clan like yours will draw attention whether you want it or not. You should establish a headquarters and probably a Domain if you wish for any lasting peace. But that’s up to you. Goodbye for now.”

”Uh...” Elayne stood in stunned silence. ”Vampire Clan...? Do I really need to do all that, Olivia?”

”I-I don’t know! Please don’t look at me like I should have the answers!” Olivia cried, cheeks burning. ”Um, Elayne... D-did I say something weird when I was dying? I feel like I said something I shouldn’t have...”

”Oh! Heheh, you said you loved me,” Elayne replied with a cute, blushing smile.

”Eeeeh?!” Olivia panicked, a grown woman suddenly flailing like a flustered schoolgirl. ”W-What?! I didn’t—! Or did I?! I did, didn’t I?! Uwaah!” She covered her face in mortification. ”I’m so sorry... That must have been weird, right?”

”Hm? Why?” Elayne tilted her head innocently. ”There’s nothing weird about reminding the people you love that you love them. I love you too, Olivia! Mooch!” She planted a big, affectionate kiss on Olivia’s cheek.

”A-Ah?!” Olivia turned even redder, sweating profusely, but quickly realized Elayne had misunderstood the type of love she meant. Perhaps that’s for the best... ”Uh-huh...”

”Mom!” Elena ran over and hugged her tightly.

”Aw, baby, what’s wrong?” Elayne asked with a gentle smile.

”D-Don’t call me baby in front of my friends...” Elena whined, blushing furiously.

”Hehehe, my bad,” Elayne chuckled. ”A lot happened today... everyone must be exhausted. Is the teleportation ready?”

”Yes, now,” Kaguya confirmed.

A glowing formation opened beneath them. In a flash of bright white and golden light, they were all teleported back to the Amaterasu Clan. Elayne noticed that even Maria’s group had gathered—likely upset she had stolen their prey. She hoped they wouldn’t be too angry once they learned she had tamed the beast instead.

After such an arduous battle, all anyone wanted was rest. Discussions about what had happened—and about Elayne specifically—would have to wait.

Elena had planned to sleep immediately, but Matsuo and Maria’s groups joined them, forcing her to stay awake for a long dinner with everyone. At least the food her mother made was delicious. It also gave her time to check her new Status and quietly ask Frank a few pressing questions about what this System truly was—and how he had gained access to it.

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