「...... Ha~i, adjustment complete~~~!"
By a beautiful spring garden Celehu Hana flowers.
The haze that covered my head dispersed, and I heard "words" for the first time.
There was strange tension in the air.
"Yoohoo little white snake cha~n, are you in a good mood?
My name is the Water God Willow, a flowing and purifying see-through god, nice to meet you!"
The existence resembled a human woman in silhouette alone.
However, its body. . . was composed of water, and her undulated hair reached her waist.
She was basically just water floating in the air with a somewhat humanoid form.
"Alright, phew! This is a rare transcendent experience, you're lucky you know~?"
I listened earnestly to the words of the water god who spun around and spoke happily, flicking my tongue.
"First of all, you are the new Patron Beast of the whole area around here, congratulations!... This area is called Zahanu in the human language."
The water god clapped her hands, but I shook my head.
What's a Holy Patron Beast?
"Oops, I'm sorry, you must be very confused~ Well, there are many kinds, for example, you could be one that protects the land! Like a land god! But in your case, you've become a Holy Patron Beast!"
Defend the land? Myself as such a small white snake?
I tilted my head.
I was just a weak creature who had desperately been trying to hunt a single insect.
Every day just to survive I had to work hard, but since that took all my energy, my body couldn't grow and remained small.
How would I play such a major role?
I genuinely wondered.
"Ah, it's okay, it's okay~~! You have wisdom and some power at the same time!"
The water god read my thoughts and explained more while she danced.
"Your task as a Holy Patron Beast, since it was me who appointed you, will be to control the water here so no floods occur, and the technique you need has already been engraved into your body!"
That's all?
"Oh yes! You're lucky for your wisdom and strength! Building such a win-win relationship has succeeded!"
Then... Is it okay?
"You're a beast who seems to have become a genus1Genus is like a family but more specificof mine, and so close to the spring... I mean, if you're in a place with water, you won't need food and you'll gradually get stronger! Super easy~!"
But what if I am attacked by a strong monster or human. . .
"If so, I'll take an oracle to the humans in my name! 'This is a holy place, and there is a guardian holy beast, so take good care of it!' is what I'll say! As for the monsters, there is no danger here, so it's okay!"
The Water God spoke happily, but her body gradually began to drip to the ground.
"Oh!? Looks like I'm already at the limit of my capacity~ It's time to say goodbye, white snake! Actually, I guess I won't be able to call you "white snake-chan" forever, right? I'm going to give you a name now! I'll only say it once, so listen carefully."
The Water God took a deep breath and exhaled.
The chatty atmosphere was blown away, and the area was enveloped in silence.
"Your name will be. . . Holy Patron Beast Janayahama."
When she said my new name so solemnly, the body of the water god returned to just water, fell down with a smack, and soaked into the ground.
. . . This was the birth of the White Snake Janayahama, and the first and last encounter between the Holy Patron Beast Janayahama and the Water God Willow.
◇ ◇ ◇
100 years have passed since then.
Janayahama did not travel away from the spring where he had become the Patron Beast.
It was bad to die because you couldn't fulfill the role given to you by the Water God.
. . . Of course, I had wanted to leave before.
However, the main reason why he didn't make any noticeable moves was because, as the Water God said, if you were in a place with water, you wouldn't go hungry at all.
Water that absorbs the magic of the earth and springs up.
The magic contained in the water was taken in by Janayahama, which would allow him to live.
Anyway, you can live without doing anything.
Then he didn't feel the slightest need to hunt in fear.
By then, his body, which had once been thinner and smaller than most of the twigs around him, had grown as thick and large as a log.
It was around that time that he first met a human after becoming a Holy Patron Beast.
A hunter wandered into his abode.
When the man saw the magnificent, sacred, and gigantic figure of Janayahama, he immediately understood that it was the holy beast that the old man of the village spoke of, the oracle of the Water God, and prostrated.
Seeing the man expose his indescribable goofiness, Janayahama felt that his self-esteem was satisfied.
The human immediately returned to the village and told the villagers the story of the holy beast he saw in the mountains of Zahanu.
The religious villagers immediately prepared an offering, which was offered to Janayahama.
It was completely unnecessary for Janayahama, who could survive with water, but they left it behind and he didn't bother to bring it out
Among the offerings were crops from the fields, meat from monsters hunted in the mountains, and human daughters who were sacrificed.
He didn't really understand the idea of a man offering his kindred, but he didn't hesitate to eat what he could.
◇ ◇ ◇
Such interactions with people continued for another 100 years.
Janayahama's body was already as huge as any other large tree, and no creature approached his territory.
By that time, he was able to create fog and make his territory more comfortable for him.
This increased his mystique and elevated the faith of the humans and rewarded him with a majestic altar and a cobblestone path for worship.
His pleasure were the offerings made by humans once every few decades.
No, more specifically, he was looking forward to the sacrifices that would be offered among the many offerings.
Sacrifice was the best pastime that enriched his less stimulating daily life.
Man, unlike those beasts, they reacted in a variety of ways to amuse him.
Some cried in despair, some flew into a rage, and some gave up everything and just remained silent. . .
And no matter how they reacted, the humans who were sacrificed had their lives ended Janayahama.
A sense of superiority that could only be felt through overwhelming power.
It was enough to fill his heart, which had become arrogant with the passage of time.
I want more sacrifices. . .
However, he had been given enough wisdom by the water god to understand that this would not happen.
If he sacrificed in such large quantities, it'd be impossible to maintain the group of people who believed in him.
Therefore, the sacrifices were made only once every few decades.
It wasn't enough to satisfy him, but if he persevered, he would be even more excited when the time came.
He thus convinced himself, and slept on the altar, waiting patiently for the next sacrifice to be delivered.
◇ ◇ ◇
What awakened him from his slumber was the murderous intent towards him that slightly leaked out.
Immediately, he raised his head and saw the of owner of the murderous intent.
It was a dark-haired, dark-eyed girl dressed in a dingy manner.
Janayahama involuntarily flicked the girl who had descended from above with his tail.
. . . He regretted that he had done that.
In any case, the girl was not dangerous.
She may seem different from a sacrifice, but it is just a precious human who came to his territory.
I wish I had more fun while it lasted. . .
But to my delight, the girl whose body was struck by the big tree was not dead.
Were humans really that sturdy?
I hit it with such force, I thought that it would explode and become a messy lump of meat. . .
That was the thought that popped up.
But he paid little heed to it.
Anyway, the girl survived, so that's good.
Time to enjoy it more carefully.
He moved towards the girl.
The girl threw pebbles to resist, but it was all in vain.
Janayahama dodged everything and got even closer to the girl.
Be frightened and despair. Satisfy my heart, entertain me.
However.
The girl's expression reflected in Janayahama's red eyes. . . There was no fear, no sadness, no anger, no despair, no resignation.
Nothing.
Why was she s0 expressionless?
However, what does dwells in her eyes was a burning attachment to life. A fierce fighting spirit that almost frightened Janayahama.
He became the Holy Patron Beast and unknowingly lost the flame a long time ago.
. . . I am big and strong.
This girl is small, weak.
That's how it should be.
Yet.
Why doesn't this girl try to avoid it?
Don't you want to escape?
Are you waiting for yourself to die?
Considering the girl's past behavior so far, she could have jumped and escaped.
Yet.
This girl didn't even run away.
Throwing gravel that can't be hit in vain...
In vain?
Was it not in vain?
As if.
No way, this girl.
Did she make herself a decoy with gravel, guide your way.
. . . Have you lured yourself this far?
Janayahama was a mighty Patron Beast.
However, their strength was not something they won by fighting for themselves.
Sacrifices are made once every few decades.
Swallow the stray beast easily.
That's all I've ever done.
After all, he wasn't good at fighting.
Therefore, he jumped in, not even noticing the girl's trap.
By the time he sensed the danger, it was too late.
There was no way to stop his body from jumping towards the girl.
Reaching the girl, about 1 meter in front.
The [Magic Slash] that was installed there broke his head in two.
Dead.
. . . Just before his death, the moment he realized his death, Janayahama remembered the 200 years he had lived.
This is what is called "your life flashing before your eyes" he understood, referring to the knowledge he was given.
A pure spring that gushed out.
Celehu Hana flowers that bloomed profusely.
An occasional sacrifice.
That was it.
That was all that made up his 200 years of memories.
It was a life too bland.
I didn't do anything.
The only person who has spent 200 years in vain was himself.
A furious regret struck before his mind was split in two, and his thoughts dissolved into darkness.
It was the last of the Holy Patron Beast Janayahama.
Strippedhatbecomesgay Here is the edited version, I was the TL
And WorthyAdversary was the Proofreader
「...... Ha~i, adjustment complete~~~!"
By a beautiful spring garden Celehu Hana flowers.
The haze that covered my head dispersed, and I heard "words" for the first time.
There was strange tension in the air.
"Yoohoo little white snake cha~n, are you in a good mood?
My name is the Water God Willow, a flowing and purifying see-through god, nice to meet you!"
The existence resembled a human woman in silhouette alone.
However, its body. . . was composed of water, and her undulated hair reached her waist.
She was basically just water floating in the air with a somewhat humanoid form.
"Alright, phew! This is a rare transcendent experience, you're lucky you know~?"
I listened earnestly to the words of the water god who spun around and spoke happily, flicking my tongue.
"First of all, you are the new Patron Beast of the whole area around here, congratulations!... This area is called Zahanu in the human language."
The water god clapped her hands, but I shook my head.
What's a Holy Patron Beast?
"Oops, I'm sorry, you must be very confused~ Well, there are many kinds, for example, you could be one that protects the land! Like a land god! But in your case, you've become a Holy Patron Beast!"
Defend the land? Myself as such a small white snake?
I tilted my head.
I was just a weak creature who had desperately been trying to hunt a single insect.
Every day just to survive I had to work hard, but since that took all my energy, my body couldn't grow and remained small.
How would I play such a major role?
I genuinely wondered.
"Ah, it's okay, it's okay~~! You have wisdom and some power at the same time!"
The water god read my thoughts and explained more while she danced.
"Your task as a Holy Patron Beast, since it was me who appointed you, will be to control the water here so no floods occur, and the technique you need has already been engraved into your body!"
That's all?
"Oh yes! You're lucky for your wisdom and strength! Building such a win-win relationship has succeeded!"
Then... Is it okay?
"You're a beast who seems to have become a genus1Genus is like a family but more specificof mine, and so close to the spring... I mean, if you're in a place with water, you won't need food and you'll gradually get stronger! Super easy~!"
But what if I am attacked by a strong monster or human. . .
"If so, I'll take an oracle to the humans in my name! 'This is a holy place, and there is a guardian holy beast, so take good care of it!' is what I'll say! As for the monsters, there is no danger here, so it's okay!"
The Water God spoke happily, but her body gradually began to drip to the ground.
"Oh!? Looks like I'm already at the limit of my capacity~ It's time to say goodbye, white snake! Actually, I guess I won't be able to call you "white snake-chan" forever, right? I'm going to give you a name now! I'll only say it once, so listen carefully."
The Water God took a deep breath and exhaled.
The chatty atmosphere was blown away, and the area was enveloped in silence.
"Your name will be. . . Holy Patron Beast Janayahama."
When she said my new name so solemnly, the body of the water god returned to just water, fell down with a smack, and soaked into the ground.
. . . This was the birth of the White Snake Janayahama, and the first and last encounter between the Holy Patron Beast Janayahama and the Water God Willow.
◇ ◇ ◇
100 years have passed since then.
Janayahama did not travel away from the spring where he had become the Patron Beast.
It was bad to die because you couldn't fulfill the role given to you by the Water God.
. . . Of course, I had wanted to leave before.
However, the main reason why he didn't make any noticeable moves was because, as the Water God said, if you were in a place with water, you wouldn't go hungry at all.
Water that absorbs the magic of the earth and springs up.
The magic contained in the water was taken in by Janayahama, which would allow him to live.
Anyway, you can live without doing anything.
Then he didn't feel the slightest need to hunt in fear.
By then, his body, which had once been thinner and smaller than most of the twigs around him, had grown as thick and large as a log.
It was around that time that he first met a human after becoming a Holy Patron Beast.
A hunter wandered into his abode.
When the man saw the magnificent, sacred, and gigantic figure of Janayahama, he immediately understood that it was the holy beast that the old man of the village spoke of, the oracle of the Water God, and prostrated.
Seeing the man expose his indescribable goofiness, Janayahama felt that his self-esteem was satisfied.
The human immediately returned to the village and told the villagers the story of the holy beast he saw in the mountains of Zahanu.
The religious villagers immediately prepared an offering, which was offered to Janayahama.
It was completely unnecessary for Janayahama, who could survive with water, but they left it behind and he didn't bother to bring it out
Among the offerings were crops from the fields, meat from monsters hunted in the mountains, and human daughters who were sacrificed.
He didn't really understand the idea of a man offering his kindred, but he didn't hesitate to eat what he could.
◇ ◇ ◇
Such interactions with people continued for another 100 years.
Janayahama's body was already as huge as any other large tree, and no creature approached his territory.
By that time, he was able to create fog and make his territory more comfortable for him.
This increased his mystique and elevated the faith of the humans and rewarded him with a majestic altar and a cobblestone path for worship.
His pleasure were the offerings made by humans once every few decades.
No, more specifically, he was looking forward to the sacrifices that would be offered among the many offerings.
Sacrifice was the best pastime that enriched his less stimulating daily life.
Man, unlike those beasts, they reacted in a variety of ways to amuse him.
Some cried in despair, some flew into a rage, and some gave up everything and just remained silent. . .
And no matter how they reacted, the humans who were sacrificed had their lives ended Janayahama.
A sense of superiority that could only be felt through overwhelming power.
It was enough to fill his heart, which had become arrogant with the passage of time.
I want more sacrifices. . .
However, he had been given enough wisdom by the water god to understand that this would not happen.
If he sacrificed in such large quantities, it'd be impossible to maintain the group of people who believed in him.
Therefore, the sacrifices were made only once every few decades.
It wasn't enough to satisfy him, but if he persevered, he would be even more excited when the time came.
He thus convinced himself, and slept on the altar, waiting patiently for the next sacrifice to be delivered.
◇ ◇ ◇
What awakened him from his slumber was the murderous intent towards him that slightly leaked out.
Immediately, he raised his head and saw the of owner of the murderous intent.
It was a dark-haired, dark-eyed girl dressed in a dingy manner.
Janayahama involuntarily flicked the girl who had descended from above with his tail.
. . . He regretted that he had done that.
In any case, the girl was not dangerous.
She may seem different from a sacrifice, but it is just a precious human who came to his territory.
I wish I had more fun while it lasted. . .
But to my delight, the girl whose body was struck by the big tree was not dead.
Were humans really that sturdy?
I hit it with such force, I thought that it would explode and become a messy lump of meat. . .
That was the thought that popped up.
But he paid little heed to it.
Anyway, the girl survived, so that's good.
Time to enjoy it more carefully.
He moved towards the girl.
The girl threw pebbles to resist, but it was all in vain.
Janayahama dodged everything and got even closer to the girl.
Be frightened and despair. Satisfy my heart, entertain me.
However.
The girl's expression reflected in Janayahama's red eyes. . . There was no fear, no sadness, no anger, no despair, no resignation.
Nothing.
Why was she s0 expressionless?
However, what does dwells in her eyes was a burning attachment to life. A fierce fighting spirit that almost frightened Janayahama.
He became the Holy Patron Beast and unknowingly lost the flame a long time ago.
. . . I am big and strong.
This girl is small, weak.
That's how it should be.
Yet.
Why doesn't this girl try to avoid it?
Don't you want to escape?
Are you waiting for yourself to die?
Considering the girl's past behavior so far, she could have jumped and escaped.
Yet.
This girl didn't even run away.
Throwing gravel that can't be hit in vain...
In vain?
Was it not in vain?
As if.
No way, this girl.
Did she make herself a decoy with gravel, guide your way.
. . . Have you lured yourself this far?
Janayahama was a mighty Patron Beast.
However, their strength was not something they won by fighting for themselves.
Sacrifices are made once every few decades.
Swallow the stray beast easily.
That's all I've ever done.
After all, he wasn't good at fighting.
Therefore, he jumped in, not even noticing the girl's trap.
By the time he sensed the danger, it was too late.
There was no way to stop his body from jumping towards the girl.
Reaching the girl, about 1 meter in front.
The [Magic Slash] that was installed there broke his head in two.
Dead.
. . . Just before his death, the moment he realized his death, Janayahama remembered the 200 years he had lived.
This is what is called "your life flashing before your eyes" he understood, referring to the knowledge he was given.
A pure spring that gushed out.
Celehu Hana flowers that bloomed profusely.
An occasional sacrifice.
That was it.
That was all that made up his 200 years of memories.
It was a life too bland.
I didn't do anything.
The only person who has spent 200 years in vain was himself.
A furious regret struck before his mind was split in two, and his thoughts dissolved into darkness.
It was the last of the Holy Patron Beast Janayahama.
Strippedhatbecomesgay Here is the edited version, I was the TL
And WorthyAdversary was the Proofreader
