Kyo-rin

Aesculapian Sentinel

Overview

Heiress to a lineage of medical practitioners, she pledged to transcend her mother's untimely death by becoming an eminent healer.
Her selfless dedication to mending and saving lives was, however, derailed by the machinations of Torah.

Chapter One

(778–805, Era of Eternal Flame) Kyo-rin's parents were a nurse and doctor. As their daughter, she'd likely follow her mother's path and become a physician too.
The little one's youth was cozy and carefree, with lush lawns and vibrant flowers at home.
On chilly days, they'd huddle by the heater. Dad would hold her, sharing funny work tales. Mom watched them fondly, sometimes knitting warm clothes.
The girl was shy like her mom. When they talked about her mother, dad would gush endlessly, seeming like the world's happiest man.
Her dad said mom was too shy to look up when they first met. She hadn't seen his face before the wedding, but had worn out his portrait from constant viewing.
It was clear she had inherited her mother's personality. But she was never shy about one thing: caring for animals. If an animal was injured, she showed remarkable courage.
Unfortunately, her mother wasn't a vet and couldn't teach her how to treat animals. But for an injured sparrow, her usually timid self could bravely go to the town's vet alone.
Neighbors praised her for being so caring, saying her parents were lucky and she would surely inherit her mother's job well.
These compliments often embarrassed her, as she felt lucky to be born into such a family. Yet, she couldn't suppress the joy and the desire for more recognition.
She admired her mother the most and wanted to become an excellent physician like her. Whenever she said this, her mother would smile and gently brush her hair.
However, as the saying goes, the cobbler's children have no shoes, which was true for their family too. When Kyo-rin's mother was diagnosed with Black Blight, her world fell apart.
She exhausted every remedy she knew, yet none eased her mother's pain. Her only solace was to offer emotional comfort.
As dusk fell, her mother peacefully passed away. Kyo-rin remained by her side until the end, unwavering.
After her mother passed, her grief-stricken father soon joined her. Honoring his wish, she laid them to rest together.
That summer, the garden flourished with vibrant blooms, and she matured amidst its beauty.

Chapter Two

From her early clumsy attempts to her eventual mastery, Kyo-rin surpassed her mother as a physician with ease.
Her shyness persisted, but she worked tirelessly to aid patients, driven by the pain of seeing children mourn their lost parents.
Throughout her medical practice, Kyo-rin encountered numerous bizarre, severe, and even intriguing cases.
Many diseases still bore names from the Sacred Dragon War, and medical texts were multilingual, leading to frequent mistranslations and varied practices.
Driven by the disarray, Kyo-rin aimed to standardize and structure the medical practices into a cohesive system.
All medical texts had to be translated into Lingua Communis, categorized, and meticulously checked for errors if there were conflicts between texts.
Kyo-rin was greatly encouraged by the adoption of her translated medical books and surgical standards by various institutions.
However, everything stopped there. Despite writing numerous reports and treatises on the errors in traditional medicines, they went unnoticed.
The lack of enthusiasm from her colleagues saddened Kyo-rin; they approached their work as routine, unlike her deep interest in new methods and ideas.
After much reflection, Kyo-rin took a bold step by detailing the flaws in current medical institutions and offering comprehensive solutions to most of the problems.
Kyo-rin highlighted several architectural flaws in medical institutions, arguing that current designs harmed patients, and sought detailed advice from the Elvirs.
Faced with Kyo-rin's repeated appeals, the director met with her privately and cautioned that her intense emotions were risky for someone in Lord Deity's circle.
He remarked that if Kyo-rin's assertions were true, Lord Deity would know, yet despite submitting her report to the Sanctuary, no divine decree had come forth.
Kyo-rin returned home disheartened, unable to recall the details of her journey. She questioned if she could have been mistaken, wondering if Lord Deity had seen the truth.
Just when Kyo-rin was about to give up, she met Kelsuna. Kelsuna and her companions acknowledged Kyo-rin's contributions.
Kelsuna said that if more people acted like Kyo-rin, many more lives could be saved and invited her to join their mutual aid society.
Kyo-rin felt content daily in the mutual aid society, particularly valuing Kelsuna's tranquility and vast expertise.
There was also the gentle sister Beatrice, who taught Kyo-rin the Elvish language, enabling her to translate ancient texts.
The mutual aid society expanded with each new member. Kyo-rin felt confident that, together, they could greatly lessen the impact of ongoing tragedies.
At that moment, a mysterious figure emerged, informing Kyo-rin and the others that while physicians can heal bodies, real medical progress demands healing the social system—change is unavoidable.
Initially hesitant, Kyo-rin experienced a profound shift after the mysterious figure healed Black Blight patients. Her resolve to save more lives grew, and she hoped Lord Deity would forgive her efforts.

Chapter Three

The man claims to follow the old god Jancis, promoting the Torah in Kyo-rin's mutual aid group, asserting that all his actions are for future freedom.
Many believe him, and so does Kyo-rin. She begins to passionately share her story with every new member.
"It's been like this since the Era of Eternal Flame. Change doesn't seem urgent to me, given the confusion it brings and the trouble it causes at work."
"I can't save their lives, no matter how hard I try and how persistent I am."
"My mother died in front of me, and then more people died. I should have done more, but I didn't, which is abnormal."
Normally shy, Kyo-rin speaks loudly and clearly at times like this, discussing and expressing her views with anyone.
Kyo-rin realizes Lord Deity disapproves of their actions only when the legendary Nova Kurokami Shion appears, surrounded by the dismembered bodies of the group members.
Kyo-rin cries, not from fear of death, but from grief. She longs to create a world where patients receive better treatment and no one has to helplessly watch their loved ones die.
She truly desires praise from Lord Deity, just like what her mother used to do.
But everything ends abruptly in flashes of blades. Even after learning the dark side of Torah from Kurokami Shion, Kyo-rin refuses to believe it.
"Sacrifice doesn't always pay off, but sacrifice itself is valuable. Caring for others is the essence of being a healer. Putting everything on the line for tomorrow gives today its true meaning."
"Do you understand the depth of war and suffering Mirren has faced? The countless families torn apart and children enslaved by those who killed their parents? Thanks to Lord Deity's grace, you can now live in peace."
"You've been spoiled by a good life, unable to accept your mother's peaceful death. The old god's freedom highlights humanity's darkness, trapping many in the mire without their awareness."
"Amidst the Chaos Tide, Lord Deity nurtures all through sacrifice. You're fortunate to live in this peaceful era, yet can never repay Lord Deity's grace."
The most dangerous sin often deceives people with the most glamorous appearance, and Torah is a perfect example.

Historical Notes

Black Blight:
A lethal disease from Elgron, mainly spread through bodily fluids. It has a nearly 100% fatality rate, and no cure exists. Legends tell of a mineral from the Abyss that, when ground and applied to the skin, can slow the disease's progression. Unfortunately, the Abyss is submerged beneath the Sea of Order, rendering it unreachable.

TORAH:
(792–Present, Era of Eternal Flame) A sinister group posing as noble, they prey on the immature and vulnerable. They create a false sense of rationality, promoting technology for change, which ultimately leads followers to depravity.

Kurokami Shion:
(793–822, Era of Eternal Flame) The inaugural leader of the Absolving Theocracy. Kurokami Shion distinguished herself by quelling revolts and became the youngest Nova at age 12, appointed by Lord Deity. She founded the Absolving Theocracy and instilled a principle of absolute loyalty to Lord Deity as a required virtue for all Novas. To this day, the Theocracy's flag displays Kurokami Shion's emblem. Her leadership solidified her family's position as the most powerful faction in Mirren.

Marriage Overseer:
Founded in 967 of the Era of Eternal Flame, Marriage Overseers were established by the Sanctuary to address declining birth rates. They organize marriages based on compatibility. While not a glamorous role, they are vital for social stability, with the Elins being the most notable overseers.