The Saintess in the Birdcage Knew Love, and Then She Fell Into Madness - Chapter 01: Laurent and the Secret Room

Chapter 01: Laurent and the Secret Room

Just a soldier in the castle, armed with moderately defensive armor and a spear of decent attack power—that was the person I was.

In a world where conflict wasn’t limited to humans alone, but also riddled with magical beasts, resulting in a death every few seconds, the kingdom of my birth, Furyas, was a place of peace among many nations.

Thanks to the support of the people and the presence of royal family members and knights—professionals in swordsmanship and magic—the kingdom stood protected.

“Such a disappointment…”

“The shame you bring to our father’s great deeds is immeasurable.”

“Laurent, you are just too weak and incompetent.”

So, born in the heart of the prosperous Furyas Kingdom, in the royal capital of Lynthia, I was branded a weakling.

Normally, things wouldn’t have turned out this way. Sympathetic friends and colleagues pitied me, but what made my situation abnormal was merely the incredible achievements of my parents and the competence of my brothers, unlike me.

Thus, finding home increasingly unbearable, I ended up crashing at an acquaintance’s place and, one thing leading to another, became a low-ranking soldier responsible only for guarding the inside of the castle.

“But, it’s quite a comfortable life.”

Competent or not, my job was simple: report any anomalies and put my body on the line when necessary. There were no fences like at home, and no annoying brothers around, so I was living quite freely, not bad at all.

My parents probably knew about me… but, well, they probably weren’t interested.

“…What’s this?”

During my usual routine, I discovered something unusual. Assigned to guard the upper floors, even above the royal family’s living spaces, I stumbled upon a mysterious door.

“This isn’t on the map…”

I generally knew the layout of the castle, but this was a new area, so I had a map for reference. While checking it against my surroundings, I found an impressive door, resembling something you’d expect for a prince or princess. But it was unmarked on my map.

“Ah, excuse me!”

“Hm? What is it?”

I decided to ask the stern-looking knight who had guided me here.

“About this map… It doesn’t show this door here. Is there a mistake?”

The knight looked at me intently, then sighed.

“You know… I’m generally a patient man, but I don’t appreciate obvious mockery.”

“Eh?”

What was he talking about?

He sighed again and approached the door, knocking on it as if it were just a wall.

“A door here? What are you talking about? It’s just a wall.”

“…”

I was utterly dumbfounded. Clearly, I could see a grand door right before me, but the knight seemed genuinely unable to see it, just staring back at me.

“That look on your face… Do you really see a door here?”

I hesitated, unsure if I should agree. But then, the knight cautiously leaned his ear against the door, as if trying to hear something from inside.

“…I don’t hear anything. There’s only a wall here… Give me a break. Despite how I may appear, I’m really afraid of invisible and mysterious things.”

“Eh, that’s a surprise…”

“Don’t say that. Everyone has one or two things they fear!”

With that, the knight hurriedly left, seemingly frightened. His reaction made me chuckle, but it also made me wonder if I was hallucinating.

Could it be some sort of magic that induces hallucinations without my knowledge? But then again, there’s no point in magic that only shows such a meaningless vision.

“Hey, Laurent! Finished checking out the new place?”

“…Luke.”

My colleague and friend, Luke, approached. I decided to test it with him too, asking if he sees a door here.

“Hey Luke, there’s a door here… right?”

“…Huh?”

His reaction said it all—Luke couldn’t see the door either. He laughed, knocking on the door, and then something even more unbelievable happened.

“What!?”

As he reached for the part where the door’s handle should be, his hand just passed through as if it were air. Now I was the one scared.

I quickly pulled Luke away from there and we ran down the long staircase… By the time we reached our usual barracks, we were both out of breath.

After parting ways with a puzzled Luke, I went straight to the captain to request a change in my duty station… Of course, it was denied.

“…Maybe I’m just tired!”

Convincing myself it was just fatigue, I immediately took a rest that day. However, the next day, the door was still there, and I was too scared to approach it.

“…”

Fear… I kept wondering what it was.

But human curiosity often overcomes fear, so I decided to approach the door and, with a click, stepped inside.

And then…

“Oh? Who might you be?”

“…”

Inside the room was a woman. Her silver hair flowed down to the floor, and her figure reminded me of the ladies in the brothel glimpsed in passing—a body that inspired various thoughts, yet there was a sacred aura about her.

She was beautiful… breathtakingly so. Her eyes, as red as blood, locked onto mine, and she covered her mouth in surprise.

“Why are you here?”

“Uh… um…umm…”

It wasn’t fear anymore; it was utter embarrassment that overwhelmed me. Because this woman… she was completely naked, without even undergarments.

“I-I’m so sorry~~!!”

“Wait, wait a—”

I immediately fled the room.

What was that… Why was there a naked woman!?

Reflecting back, I would later say that it all started so abruptly. 

From that day, the life of Laurent Bless, a mere soldier, came to an end.