Text;

[onerous]

What is it that keeps you living? Why? What makes it worth it to you?

[That’s, uh. That’s it. That’s the message. There’s no follow-up explanation or anything.

She’s just curious and doesn’t seem to see how alarming a question like that out of the blue might be]

Comments

[wearingguess]

[ hoo boy
that's gonna be a yikes from him ]

And if the match was unsuccessful?

[onerous]

The men who came to the mountain for a bride were coming to die anyhow. [Just...to clarify that before she continues] But if the match wasn't successful, instead of being with the priestess, they die alone and are put in their own boxes to be buried on the mountain, to try and strengthen the seals that way.

[wearingguess]

So
you are going to the mountain for a bride, too...

What made you want to do it?
Or was it not entirely your own decision?

[onerous]

It's a long story. The short version is that Ouse-san chose me, rather than the other way around. I just live on the mountain, I hadn't really planned on going there to die or to seek out a bride.

But she's trapped on the mountain. I can help her by doing this marriage with her. It would save her and heal her and likely save the mountain itself too and all the souls trapped on it. Maybe the seals would hold permanently afterwards and no one would have to go through this again.

But I would still have to die for it.

[wearingguess]

I see...
So that's why you asked what you did.

But can there truly be no other way to save everyone?

[onerous]

I don't know. I hope so, but I'm still working on finding out a way. I'm not really giving up or anything. Just... Weighing my options, I guess?

Thank you for talking with me.

[wearingguess]

I was happy to! I am only sorry I cannot be of more help.
I am Titus Alexius. I hope we may talk more in the future.

[onerous]

Yuri Kozukata. I hope we can talk more too.

And don't worry, you were a big help, even if you might not think so. Thank you.