Brand New Life Online: Rise Of The Goddess Of Harvest

”Really, trying to find a kind person in this world is so hard,” Sailor sighed. ”Especially because I ain’t kind either, heh. But I’ll follow you, missus. I know you’re a good person, and somehow, deep down, I think you’re making me and everyone else better just by being around you.”

”Norman, Sailor... thank you,” Elayne said with a gentle smile that radiated warmth.

”Yeah, especially this noble here,” Granny Yaga added, nodding toward Blank. ”Not long ago you used to look at undead the same way anybody else does, didn’t you?”

”Ah...! Wait, me?” Blank looked shocked. ”I... I don’t... Uh...”

Blank sighed deeply and lowered his head. His long white hair fell forward, covering much of his face as he nodded in acknowledgment.

”Yes... I am guilty of that,” he admitted quietly. ”I must say, the prejudices of my society had brainwashed me into thinking that undead were truly inferior. Now I have seen the truth through Elayne and, to a lesser extent, through those who follow her. The community you have built here opened my eyes. I originally thought it would be strange and barbaric, but I began to learn how every single undead, no matter how strange or creepy they might appear, are people too. They have their own minds, unique personalities, and often sorrowful pasts. Judging them solely based on their appearance was wrong.”

”Yep!” Elayne replied with a big, enthusiastic nod. ”But don’t beat yourself up over it. There was no need to say any of that. I know you’re a good person, Blank. Thank you for following me and staying with us.”

”Elayne...” Blank felt his heart touched once more by her kindness. His gaze softened noticeably. ”Of course... I would do anything for you. You are the most—” He stopped mid-sentence when he noticed Mark narrowing his blazing eyes at him.

”Ahem.” Blank cleared his throat. ”As I was saying, the world will change as long as the people in it are willing to change it with their own hands. Sometimes the good things someone does in their life tend to echo through others. If they do something so powerful, it lingers forever in their hearts. I believe others will then do the same if they are inspired enough. I think this is what you are doing, Elayne. Beyond just existing, you have already left your mark on this world. I am sure even those in White Tooth Village or White Bone City know about you and your fight, and above all, what you represent to the undead of this world. Even now, there might be some undead fighting against oppression, running away and starting anew. Maybe a member of a noble race has started changing their ways, being kinder to the undead, offering shelter or food, and much more. Well, at least Chalk and my father... I am sure they are doing their part.”

Elayne’s eyes sparkled with emotion as she listened to Blank’s gentle and sincere words. She nodded happily. ”Thank you, Blank!”

She looked into the distance with Mark by her side as the group resumed their steady walk toward the Ghostly Garden Village. Mark seemed slightly sorrowful and had barely spoken during the conversation. His unusual silence stood out, though it was not because he lacked the desire to speak.

”I’m sorry,” he said suddenly, shocking Elayne.

”Eh?” She turned back toward him. ”W-Why?”

”Everyone took the words out of my mouth,” he replied with a faint smile. ”They are right about everything... but I can hardly say anything myself. I wish I could speak such inspiring words. I cannot even lift you up properly or speak my heart. I am a failure of a man...”

”No, you aren’t...” Elayne said softly, reaching out to hold his hand with genuine care. ”Mark, you are not a failure. You are my love. I know you have gone through so much. You were tortured and suffered terribly. I am not expecting anything from you other than your company. And I won’t ask anything from you either... other than a hand to hold as we brave this world together.”

Mark looked at Elayne, tears made of flames streaking down his face. ”Elayne... thank you for being here with me...”

”Hm! I’m the one who should be thankful,” Elayne replied warmly, hugging his arm tightly. ”So don’t worry and please don’t be sad, okay?”

”I’m sorry once more,” Mark sighed. ”I guess I have been truly self-loathing too much. But you’re right. This world is unjust. As someone who has been a victim of the horrible people who serve that bastard, I know firsthand the terrible things they do in pursuit of power. The Demon King of Death, in his quest for power and to regain what he had lost, has completely become a warped monster with no regard for anything else. It makes me wonder what his wife and children would think of what he has done. After everything he lost, to go this far for them... I don’t think any of this will ever bring them back. You once showed mercy to Erebus, and although I didn’t like it much, it was justified to an extent. But now... there is no justification left.”

”I know,” Elayne nodded, letting out a quiet sigh. ”I won’t show him any mercy, and I will not offer him a second chance either. But the idea of fighting him anytime soon feels too far-fetched. Our battle is still a long way off... or it might never happen. I don’t know.”

”It will happen. We will fight together,” Mark said with a firm nod. ”Don’t worry. If we can reach the world of the living and merge with our avatars, if that can truly work, we might gain the power to finally oppose him.”

”So let’s find a way out, I guess,” Elayne replied, nodding as the plan remained the same as before. ”Let’s go now. We’ve talked too much, haha.”

”I agree,” Mark said.

The group stepped forward and soon reached the entrance of the Ghostly Garden Village. A pair of White Ghost guards stood watch there, a man and a woman with short white hair and silver eyes. They wore full white plate armor and held long spears firmly in their hands. Their faces appeared stern and emotionless, which was typical for White Ghosts.

Elayne glanced back at her party. Blank nodded in understanding and decided to take the lead. He stepped forward confidently with Granny Yaga by his side.

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