The Saintess in the Birdcage Knew Love, and Then She Fell Into Madness - Chapter 11: Vanished

Chapter 11: Vanished

“We’ve made it out…”

“We really did…”

Aria-san and I, still holding hands, were frozen in shock, staring at each other.

“…Hmm.”

Why… how did we manage to get out? 

There were so many unanswered questions, yet the simplicity of our escape left me feeling almost anticlimactic.

“So this is the outside… wow, it’s amazing!”

“Whoa…”

I cautioned as she pulled my hand in excitement.

Aria-san gazed outside the castle from the corridor. Her face, a blend of astonishment and wonder, captivated me for a moment.

“…?”

However, as I looked at her, I found myself tilting my head in confusion.

It was our intertwined hands… it was as if I couldn’t bear to let go, gripping her hand tightly.

This was strange, unusually so.

(I shouldn’t let go of this hand… I have this feeling.)

Honestly, whether we held hands or not seemed trivial.

But this uneasy sensation… it was something new, something I instinctively knew I should heed.

“Aria-san.”

“What is it!?”

I apologize for interrupting your excitement, but I need to tell you something.

“I don’t know why we were able to get out… but, let’s not let go of each other’s hands. I have this feeling that we shouldn’t.”

“…Understood.”

She nodded, sensing the seriousness in my voice.

Aria-san then offered me her other hand, the one that wasn’t already holding mine, as if to test something.

“Laurent-kun, could you try removing this ring for me?” 

“Huh?”

I was surprised when Aria-san asked me to remove the ring from her middle finger, a ring that seemed incredibly valuable and likely to fetch an immense price if sold. Nonetheless, I complied and slowly began to take it off.

“Drop it, please.”

“…Okay.”

As told, I dropped the ring… and it vanished without a trace.

“…”

“If it’s not in contact with Laurent-kun, it might not work.”

“…I see.”

But what could be the rule behind this?

Is there something about me? Something that makes the impossible possible?

“…Huh?”

“What’s wrong?”

Wait… anything of Aria-san’s that completely separated from my body disappeared.

Does that mean… if Aria-san herself gets too far from me, what would happen to her? Thinking this, I felt we should head back immediately.

“Aria-san, we should go back to the room…”

But no… after finally getting outside, am I going to disappoint Aria-san, who seems so thrilled and excited about this opportunity?

No… that’s not right. If there’s any danger to her, it’s only natural to avoid it at all costs.

“Laurent-kun, I’m causing you worry, aren’t I?” 

“…”

“Let’s go back to the room, Laurent-kun. It’s regrettable, but…”

…Would that be the wise decision?

It’s good that we’ve stayed together without parting… but I dread the thought of something irreversible happening if we ever do get separated.

“…Ah, wait a moment.”

“What’s the matter?”

At that moment, Aria-san seemed to have an idea. 

She murmured a spell, and soon the area around her ring finger warmed up… and after a while, a splendid silver ring appeared.

“This is…”

“It’s a Blessed Engagement Ring. Oh, don’t read too much into it—it’s just a guess, but I thought maybe if it keeps us connected in some way, it might work. Wearing it would mean our souls are lightly connected.”

“…I see?”

…Eh?

Does that mean… we’re in that kind of state now?

The warmth from the ring… undoubtedly, it felt like Aria-san’s presence, enveloping me in a reassuring comfort.

Aria-san chuckled softly and then let go of my hand.

“Here, this should—”

As soon as our hands separated, Aria-san disappeared.

Just like the ring before, she vanished, and I stood agape for a while.

“What the—!?”

Panicked, I noticed another change. The ring she gave me disappeared too… as if with Aria-san’s absence, it lost its reason to exist.

My heart raced, and an overwhelming sense of urgency and fear struck me.

I hurried towards Aria-san’s room… and with a strong push, I opened the door.

“Aria-san!!”

“Oh, Laurent-kun.”

“…”

“…”

…I see?

“…You’re back!!”

“I am back! It seems like it’s okay even if we’re not holding hands!”

Well, that’s a relief!

I must have been wearing a mix of relieved and panicked expressions… but then, does that mean everything is okay?

I’m not sure how far this assurance extends, but for now, I’m just glad nothing happened to Aria-san.

“Aria-san, please sit down.”

“Laurent-kun…?”

But I think a bit of a lecture is needed here.

She looked scared, but there was also an excited gleam in her eyes. Could it be…?

“Are you excited because this might be the first time you’re getting scolded?”

“No, no, that’s not it at all!” 

…Sigh, I’m losing the will to be angry now.

But seeing Aria-san’s face like this is a pleasure… So, let’s go ahead and scold her while in this good mood.