HI3: I Don't Want to Be a Valkyrie

"Oh…"

Yae Sakura's words left Natsuki visibly deflated. She had lost everything—her family, her home, and the life she had always known. Now, the only person she could lean on was this half-demon miko, someone she barely knew.

Hearing Yae Sakura hesitate was like the final crack in an already broken heart.

But Yae Sakura quickly noticed Natsuki's despondency and softened her tone.

"If you don't mind, I'll take you to Maple Village to live," she said gently. "Remember the miko we met last time? She's from there—strong and kind. You'll fit in quickly, I'm sure."

"Maple Village… Do you live there too?" Natsuki asked, her voice trembling with hope.

"For now…" Yae Sakura paused, then added, "It's a safe place, Natsuki."

Relief spread across Natsuki's face like sunlight breaking through clouds. "I understand! Thank you!"

Yae Sakura smiled. "Good. Let's get ready, then we'll head there."

"Okay," Natsuki said softly, but her eyes shone with a faint glimmer of determination.

-

Yuhara Castle was a shadow of its former glory. The proud mountain fortress, once bustling with life, now housed fewer than thirty souls, scattered like leaves in the wind. Its halls were silent, its ruler gone. Even the lord's only heir, Natsuki, knew it was time to let go.

After laying her father to rest, Natsuki took what remained of value and left the shattered castle behind. With Yae Sakura and Higokumaru at her side, she set out for a new beginning in Maple Village.

-

"This is Maple Village!" Yae Sakura declared with a smile as they entered the lively settlement. "From now on, this will be your home, Natsuki."

The village was nestled in a peaceful valley, far from the reach of war and strife. Kikyō's barrier ensured it was one of the safest places in the region. For Natsuki, who had lived through so much turmoil, it was a sanctuary.

"It really is a great place…" Natsuki murmured, taking in the vibrant surroundings.

"You'll be able to settle down here," Yae Sakura said reassuringly. Though Natsuki was used to a life of luxury, she was resourceful and adaptable. The villagers, charmed by her grace and generosity, welcomed her quickly after she shared heirlooms from Yuhara Castle.

As Natsuki began her new life, Yae Sakura quietly asked Tsuki to keep an eye on her, just in case.

-

The next day, Kikyō returned to the village, dragging a man behind her on a wooden board. His body was covered in burns, his breath shallow.

"Onigumo…" Yae Sakura muttered, her expression unreadable.

Why was fate so insistent on bringing this man back into the story, even without the Shikon Jewel?

"Kikyō, why did you bring back a bandit?" Yae Sakura asked, crossing her arms.

Kikyō's calm gaze met hers. "I found him on the road. He was still alive, so I couldn't just leave him to die. If we can save him, we should."

Yae Sakura sighed but didn't argue. After all, she had spent ages trying to track this man down. Fate had a funny way of working, it seemed.

"Fine," Yae Sakura said. "Put him down and let's eat. We'll figure out what to do with him later."

-

Days passed uneventfully until a rampaging yokai burst into the village one night. By the time Kikyō and the others subdued it, the creature had "accidentally" devoured Onigumo in the chaos.

Though the incident left Kikyō shaken, Yae Sakura couldn't suppress a wry smile. Fate had tied up that loose end neatly.

That same evening, Yae Sakura cooked a big pot of fried tofu for Higokumaru, who devoured it with glee.

-

Three years passed in a flash.

In the Western Lands, under the floating castle of the Dog Youkai Clan, Yae Sakura stood victorious. Her sword was pressed against Ryougetsu, Sesshoumaru's mother and the mistress of the cloud city.

"You win," Ryougetsu said, a serene smile gracing her lips. "Is that enough for you?"

Yae Sakura sheathed her sword and nodded. "That's fifteen. Quest complete."

Her main mission, to defeat fifteen great yokai, had taken her across the land. Some she had slain outright; others, like Ryougetsu, she had only sparred with.

As the quest completion notice flashed before her eyes, another message appeared:

Host has obtained the right to enter a new world and possesses sufficient crystals. Please initiate the new world within three days; otherwise, this privilege will be revoked.

"Three days? That's so short..." Yae Sakura was taken aback, feeling somewhat conflicted. After spending so much time in this world, she had grown deeply attached to it. The thought of leaving felt bittersweet, as if she couldn't bear to part with some lingering sentiments.

Yet staying behind was not an option either.

"Greetings, Ryougetsu-sama," Yae Sakura addressed the figure before her—a woman who bore a striking resemblance to Sesshōmaru—clasping hands respectfully. "Forgive me for any inconvenience. I must take my leave now!"

For these final three days, she decided, I'll return to Maple Village.

Glancing at her crystal count, Yae Sakura realized without realizing it had amassed nearly four thousand by now. Subtracting the fee required for transmigration, she still had a substantial sum left over.

-

"Kaede, long time no see!"

Upon returning to the village, I was immediately greeted by Kaede—a girl now fully come of age.

She stood there in a miko's outfit, but instead of carrying her traditional bow on her back, she wore four pistols at her hips and slung across her shoulders were several small yet formidable cannons.

In these past three years, she had officially went from a gun miko to a certified artillery miko.

Last year, Yae Sakura had equipped her with three Stigmata that all boosted physical strength. With this enhancement, bearing one cannon and four pistols posed no issue for her whatsoever.

Apart from Kaede, Yae Sakura had also gifted similar sets of second- or third-tier Stigmata and gear to our other close friends.

(TL Note: Truly a gun miko lol. I wonder if she taught her the legendary "American Breathing" style...)

"Lady Yae! You're finally back!"

"Only for a short while," Yae Sakura replied, smiling.

"That's wonderful! I'll go tell Kikyō-sama and the others right away."

As Kaede ran off to inform the others, Yae Sakura took a deep breath, savoring the familiar air of the village. She had three days to say her goodbyes. Three days to leave a lasting mark.

This chapter of her life was coming to a close, but a new adventure awaited just beyond the horizon.

And Yae Sakura was ready.

(Author P.S.: The story of the Gyakushin Miko has come to a temporary end, but it's not over yet. You might see her helping out as a friend in future chapters...)

(TL Note: Thats the end of volume one. Any guesses on the next world and valkyire? Also what did you think of volume 1? Did I do a decent job with the translation?)