Saint's Prison - Chapter 108

The Sky Where You Reside

Ah, sinner.

Bow your head in submission.

Even if those wounds heal, even if those memories are forgotten, your sins, the stigmata of those wounds, will never disappear.

—Fear. Revere. Be wary.

My lineage will take everything, violate, and kill.

Bow your head.

Know that this is the only atonement.

Therefore, bow your head at the guillotine.

…Know that this is the only mercy.

***

It was raining.

A downpour, with the bonus of thunder. Although it had been clear during the day, the weather is indeed capricious. That far in my thoughts, Johanna’s conversation came to mind.

I gaze at Amal sitting across from me. Amal skillfully uses a knife to peel an apple for me.

“The sky, huh…”

“Andy-sama?”

The words I muttered were trembling, surprisingly so. I set down the black bread I was holding in my right hand and let out a small sigh. Amal looked at my expression with a worried frown. What kind of face am I making right now? Surely, it’s a pitiful one.

“Andy-sama”

Amal places her hand over mine.

“…Andy-sama”

My name is called once more.

I nod and ask Amal.

“Hey, Amal, do you like the sky?”

“…The sky?”

“Yes. So, what about it?”

“I dislike it.”

Her response was brief and decisive. Amal doesn’t lie to me, so this must be her true feeling.

“The dawn sky is opaque and chilly. The blue sky resembles the abyss. The sunset brings the laughing night. The night is… the night is noisier than anything, so I dislike it.”

I don’t understand the deep meaning of her words, nor the feelings Amal harbors. There’s a part of me that thinks it’s okay not to understand, and another part that feels it’s not okay. What should I do? Before I could ponder further, words spilled from my mouth.

“—Then, how can you come to like the sky?”

“How can I come to like the sky…”

Amal’s eyes wander anxiously.

Amal is not good at questions that cannot be answered with a simple “yes” or “no.” Perhaps she’s lived a life where she never had to think or choose. She might even believe that she shouldn’t make choices at all. That self-deprecating thought is too lonely and sad.

I let go of the hand laid over mine and once again grasp Amal’s hand firmly. Amal lowers her gaze to the joined hands and her cheeks relax.

“—The dawn sky I welcome with Andy-sama. The blue sky I look up to with Andy-sama. The sunset sky I gaze at with Andy-sama. The night sky I become one with Lord Andy. I may detest the sky hopelessly, but if Andy-sama is beside me, declaring the sky beautiful with a smile, then I, too, want to come to like that sky.”

“O-Oh. Thanks.”

Her unexpected reply throws me off balance. It’s unexpected, but it feels like she’s said something similar before. It’s more embarrassing than saying “The moon is beautiful.”

“…Hey, you. Aren’t you embarrassed saying that?”

“Eh, why?”

She looked utterly perplexed.

Exactly that kind of expression. I place a hand on my forehead and let out a sigh.

“Haah, why? …Well, whatever. Let’s resume our dinner?”

“If that is what Andy-sama wishes.”

Amal smiles obediently, yet she doesn’t let go of my right hand. Her words and actions are contradictory.

“Amal, if you don’t let go, I can’t eat.”

“Yes.”

She nods in response to my words. She nods, but her hand remains. Those crimson eyes reflect only me.

“Amal.”

“Yes.”

“Um, let go of my hand.”

“Yes, Andy-sama.”

“…Amal, so let go.”

“Yes.”

“Let go.”

“Yes, Andy-sama.”

…That unproductive exchange continued until Amal was satisfied.