The Saintess in the Birdcage Knew Love, and Then She Fell Into Madness - Chapter 09: Understanding Loneliness

Chapter 09: Understanding Loneliness

The day after the monster’s violent rampage occurred, there was inevitably some aftermath to deal with. Even though the incident was sudden, there were tasks for us soldiers, mingling with the knights, to handle. Honestly, it wasn’t anything too significant… However, there was something I wanted to check.

“…Oh, there you are.”

The person I needed to see was the boy I had saved the day before.

It seemed he had witnessed the wyvern opening its mouth to spew fire, and although he was saved, he was quite terrified afterwards.

I was concerned that the incident might have traumatized him, so I wanted to check on him… but it seems he was alright.

“About what happened yesterday. It was scary, right?”

“I’m sorry… but the princess and the knights were so cool, and Onii-chan, you who saved me too!”

…Well, that’s a bit embarrassing.

Having seen that he was fine, I left to attend to my next task. It was nice to have a little chat, but seeing him in good spirits was enough to fulfill my purpose.

“…Well, more importantly.”

The incident with the wyvern… For me, the suspense of what would happen with the wyvern’s fireball was terrifying, but what followed was even more so. 

The wyvern, unleashing its fireball with a strength reminiscent of a berserker, then showed a cruel scene that was hard to watch.

“…”

Even for a monster, the sight of it being gruesomely torn apart and suffering in death was… a truly frightening spectacle.

At that moment, I wish someone would praise me for momentarily blocking the boy’s view. Because of that, I ended up seeing everything clearly.

“Really, I should just forget about things like this quickly.”

I mutter to myself, shaking my head vigorously, trying to blow away the unpleasant memories.

But more than that, what’s really on my mind is Aria-san… Because I’m out here again today, I’ve missed the time to go see her. Still, I think I can make it to the guard duty a bit late, so there’s no doubt I’ll see her today.

“…?”

At that moment, I felt like the sky trembled, and I looked up.

There’s nothing… right? For some reason, since yesterday, I’ve been inexplicably drawn to the sky… It’s a view I’ve always seen, so why does it bother me so much now… Is it because of the barrier Aria-san creates?

“…Alright, let’s finish up quickly and go see Aria-san.”

I resolved myself, eager to meet her. 

Surprisingly, my work progresses smoothly, and by mid-afternoon, I’m able to head to the castle. But then, a little, really just a little troublesome, or rather, an honorable thing happens.

“Wait a moment, you there!”

“Y-Yes!?”

Someone at the castle entrance calls out to me—it’s Lyza-sama.

I never expected to be stopped by someone like her, and I’m so surprised that I involuntarily stand up straight. And there, to my astonishment, is my brother, also looking surprised at me.

“Um… may I help you with something?”

“Yes, actually. I’ve been concerned about yesterday’s incident. That wyvern’s fireball… Honestly, it was our negligence for not finishing it off, but that spectacle was more than enough to astonish us.”

“Ah, yes…”

What an overwhelming barrage of words…

This must be Lyza-sama’s relentless onslaught… I need to keep my humor about me to get through this situation.

“What did you do at that time?”

Lyza-sama’s eyes, as beautiful as gems, stare intently at me. They seem to see right through everything… Yet, there’s no discomfort in her gaze, rather a strong sense of tension.

But… honestly, I don’t really know what to say when asked what I did.

“Um… I’m not really sure myself. At that time, I thought it was the end for me, but then nothing happened.”

“…Hmm.”

I’m not lying… Lyza-sama seems to understand this, as she doesn’t look at me with any suspicion.

“I see… You don’t seem to be lying. But then, what was that all about… Hmm.”

She strokes her chin thoughtfully, a gesture that’s kind of cute. Usually, the word ‘heroic’ is all I can think of when it comes to Lyza-sama, but seeing her up close like this changes the impression.

“Lyza-sama, it seems I have no answers for you. May I head to my duty now?”

“Ah, sorry about that. By the way, where are you assigned?”

“Over there.”

I point towards the upper levels of the castle, then head off immediately.

Generally, royalty doesn’t visit there, and I doubt they’d find anything of interest… But come to think of it, other than at first, I didn’t really pay much attention to my brother…

I head to the upper levels without any breaks, so by the time I arrive, I’m practically out of breath. 

“…There it is.”

Though a day had passed, the door hadn’t disappeared.

I catch my breath, knock, and then open the door… and in that moment, just like on the second day, magical threads wrap around my body and pull me inside.

“Mmph…!?”

However, unlike that time, I don’t fall to the ground… Instead, I’m gently caught in a soft embrace, enveloping me in such comfort that it’s indescribable.

“Ah… you came, Laurent-kun.”

“…Aria-san?”

It’s Aria-san who has caught me… She’s the only one here. In this room, she’s the only one who could touch me.

Being away just for a day, yet her voice sounds so nostalgic to me. Perhaps because I’ve missed her too.

“Laurent-kun, you know? I’ve realized something new.”

“What is it?”

With a gentle smile, Aria-san said, 

“The feeling of loneliness.”