episode_0017

The place I followed the priest to was the church’s prayer room.

Amidst the numerous candles surrounding us, there was something.

“What in the world is this?”

“It must have been when His Majesty made the sixth candle shine.”

A feather.

A pure white feather lay in its place.

Too massive to call it a bird’s, too delicate and pristine to belong to any other creature.

“Can you believe that this is a prayer directly inspected by an angel?”

An embodiment of divinity, the most beautiful and powerful being in the heavenly realm.

If the angel personally descended one feather, is it akin to when he handed me the sword?

“Rena, really? An angel -”

“I was only thinking about my brother, so I’m not sure if he came and went.”

Her face, which seemed to urgently need rest, couldn’t even muster a proper smile.

Her forcibly raised corners of the mouth sagged again, embracing me along with her body.

“So, what are your plans for that feather?”

“We’ve already contacted the cathedral. Once they confirm its authenticity, it will be carefully moved for safekeeping as a relic.”

If Rena received a divine revelation, she would undoubtedly be… the saint depicted in heroic tales.

However, to become the saint who would step forward for everyone.

Should I accept this joyfully?

For the knights, and more so for the judge who always emphasized responsibility… it was burdensome.

“Priest, could you provide me with a spacious room?”

“It’s already prepared, so please follow me.”

Inside the cathedral was a place beyond imagination.

Rena, with her arms around me, purring like a cat and pouting her cheeks.

…Perhaps she had become unusually sharp due to exhaustion.

She’s such a gentle child.

“Here we are. You shared a room at the cathedral, right? It’s fine if you each have your own -”

“No, Priest. Sharing a room feels familiar to us.”

With a body laden with weight, ready to collapse at any moment, she immediately sprang up.

It was truly, what should I say, rising just in case she might get another room.

…But what about Sir Godwin?

“Apologies. Priest, may I ask one more thing before you leave?”

“Yes.”

“What about the Holy Knight who came as our guide?”

“The monks and nuns are keeping watch, so you need not worry. He hasn’t regained consciousness yet… but he will soon awaken.”

Although Rena might be able to help – her face, turned away, was already looking back and forth between me and the door.

…So that’s how it is. I’ve already started to resent her.

“Understood. Then…”

“Both of you have worked hard. We will take care of the rest, so please rest.”

Opening the door and entering the room revealed two beds placed side by side.

Since those who polish their minds shouldn’t harbor strong emotions towards others, maintaining distance was common practice.

Hence, sleeping alone or even placing the beds apart in the same room was typical.

“You must be exhausted, right?”

“Take off your armor. Quickly.”

As the metal plates blocking Rena’s warmth fell away and the things dragging her body down were sequentially removed –

Beyond two thin sheets, there was Rena’s warmth emanating through.

“Okay, okay. You don’t have to push that hard; I’ll go to bed.”

A handful of scattered golden threads in the air.

When I was young, I used to neatly fold them under my back.

Now, to hide beneath the heavens, she had put on a splendid act.

And as she tried to reach out with gentle hands – she caught my wrist instead.

“Please do it for me.”

“Even if you tie my hair, I’ve never let it loose -”

Her gaze was intimidating.

Was she so averse to having Hilde’s hair tied up?

…Come to think of it, there was an attitude that needed to be tailored from this.

“It doesn’t matter how much it costs. I believe you’ll treat me kindly since you’re my brother.”

Indeed, one could say it was the captivating gaze that had won over many students at the cathedral.

It felt like releasing a snake in one’s heart and squeezing it, as if not doing so would result in having even one’s breath stolen by that gaze.

“…You’re still the same even as you age.”

I remember the warmth of the small body that was tucked into the blanket, lighter than clothes.

But now, we’ve grown too old to feel only cuteness.

I wanted to distance myself, but there was nowhere to retreat with my arms bound.

“You’re not my brother?”

“It’s been seven years since that day.”

“…I’m just your brother, not your brother?”

A shiver ran through my skin as my untouched younger sister slapped my cheek.

“My savior, my caretaker, my ever-loving knight. Isn’t that right?”

“Lena.”

“You’re always my first. That’s why I leaped into the forest alone with all my might.”

A soft and gentle warmth passed by.

And then, it vanished along with her breath.

“…Could you not do that to me as well?”

“If you’re talking about Hilde…”

“That woman is a witch, Brother. No matter how much she owes you.”

A finger was raised to the lips.

The white fingers combing through the hair carried weight.

“I don’t fail to understand your intentions. Just…”

“I know exactly what you mean.”

I met her small nose exhaling softly with mine.

She lifted her chin immediately, meeting me head-on.

“I’m always just your brother.”

Like stamping the confirmation seal on an answer sheet, the pure white fingers pressed against my chest.

As its weight gradually lightened, it surely meant that sleep had come.

“Sleep well, Lena.”

Untangling bodies was a routine, so I lifted her while her cheek rested against mine.

After lifting her between my back and waist, I carefully laid her down with one hand placed between them – a smile forming as if satisfied.

She always does this.

– Knock, knock, knock.

As I rose to extinguish the fire, a knock suddenly came.

Lena… was already deeply asleep.

I couldn’t get up now. I had already spent the whole night awake.

“I – Oh, Squire. I apologize for waking you, but…!”

I reached out my hand to make the squire step back.

Then, I closed the door.

“Please lower your voice; Lena has just fallen asleep.”

“…Is it impossible for you to come with me?”

“Why do you ask?”

Awakening to Lena’s warmth fleeing and regaining composure.

When my blurred vision cleared, what I saw was a face filled with fear.

“That witch, Squire. The witch has summoned an evil spirit!”

Something strange slipped out.

Something unimaginable.

***

Crackle.

Giggle giggle…

As I drew closer, the sounds I heard were undoubtedly similar to those I heard in the forest.

The spirits entering the church was unwelcome news.

“No herbs. In that case…”

“Knight Lian, step back!”

Holding a faint light in his hand, the priest blocked the corridor.

His pallid face resembled that of a severely ill patient.

“The witch has revealed her true self. As soon as night fell, the spirits entered the church…!”

“Leave it to me, Father.”

He raised his sword towards the coldest direction.

A chilling sensation froze his hand, stiffening it, and even his aged face transformed.

“Knight?!”

Rather than explaining, he plunged the blade deep into the visible form.

With a scream echoing, the shadows dispersed and vanished from the dark corridor.

“What in God’s name have you done?”

“It’s my command, Father. It’s the power Hilde taught me…”

“You act without a single prayer? This… goes against the scriptures, does it not?”

He lit a fire on the white blade they brought together.

The figures retreating slowly amidst the extinguished flames could be seen.

“To save the lost souls. That’s why.”

“Whether that is right, I do not know well…”

Hilde summoned the spirits.

If they had stopped the spirits, it would be a different story.

“Are there others inside the corridor?”

“Two brothers who were watching the witch, one sister bringing necessary items, and the witch herself.”

“Have the rest evacuated?”

“They were instructed to recite prayers in their rooms.”

As he extended the Holy Sword forward, spirits hid into the corridor rooms.

The voices of the saved individuals seemed strangely absent.

“Father, you must wait here.”

“What are you trying to do? It’s dangerous!”

Entering the pitch-black darkness, he closed the open door.

“Knight!”

“I will go to rescue them.”

***

After swinging the sword vigorously, the forms of people finally became visible.

However, the fact that none of them were conscious was worrisome.

Hilde, unseen, was also missing.

Many doors were tightly shut. She must be behind one of them.

Die, die, die, die – aaargh!!!

Are there still some breathing?

Leaving behind the dispersing darkness, he opened the next room.

“It’s my fault, it’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have come in the first place.”

He could see a woman hunched over, clutching her head.