Saint's Prison - Chapter 109

The Corruption of Wisdom

I ascended the stairs of the pilgrimage tower.

The inorganic sound of my steps on the stone floor oddly lingered in my ears.

*sigh* A sigh escaped me. And then, I felt an indescribable mood come over me for having sighed in the first place. Still, I did not stop my steps. No, it would be more appropriate to say that I couldn’t stop.

My legs were heavy. Incredibly heavy. With each step, another slow step, I moved forward sluggishly. This wasn’t the heaviness that comes from chronic fatigue. It was purely psychological.

“…Ah, how depressing.”

That single phrase summed it all up.

Trying to calm myself, I took a deep breath. Damp, dusty air rushed into my lungs, causing me to cough.

“*cough* *wheeze* *cough*… *phew*, ha, *cough*, Damn it!”

Reflexively, I wiped away the tears that had formed and cursed at myself. The feeble gasps seemed to be swallowed up by the stone walls and disappear. I placed a hand over my left chest, squeezing my heart through my clothes. The pounding heartbeat seemed to highlight my own foolishness. It made me feel even more miserable. I was truly glad that no one was watching. If someone had seen me, I would have died of shame.

This time, I took shallower breaths to avoid another coughing fit and then continued up the stairs. Looking up, I could see the evening sun streaming through a window. Night was approaching.

—Night is coming.

A world dyed in the red-black of spilled blood.

My heart danced with glee, *thump-thump*.

Ah, how delightful. This is fun.

Come here, something beckoned with an outstretched hand. Drawn to it, I reached out towards the twilight. I simply wanted to

“Come,” something beckoned, extending a hand. I was lured in, reaching out into the twilight. I simply desired to see what was beyond. It was an emotion as innocent as a child before a toy, almost enviable in its purity.

Was it the right action to take? I no longer knew. Nor did I wish to know. Even if I understood, it was clear that it wouldn’t result in anything worthwhile. Satisfaction might come from knowing everything, but not happiness.

Not knowing meant not having to bear unnecessary burdens. That’s why I had always acted this way, both now and in the past. Even though I wished to know, I never made the effort to actually learn. I wanted to live unburdened, always looking for an escape route.

Even if I took a step forward, I didn’t progress. I stood in the same place. Over a year and a half had passed since I came to Stonehurst, and my inability to find answers was simply because I desired it to be so.

As if affirming my decision, a flickering shadow writhed and sneered.

—Clang.

A dry sound rang out.

(…Wait, what was I just thinking about?)

Coming back to myself and looking up, I was faced with an old wooden door. Before I knew it, I had arrived at my intended destination.

I slapped my cheeks lightly, braced myself, and knocked several times. After a moment, a feeble voice from beyond the door barely audible, invited me in.

“Pardon my intrusion.”

With those words, I opened the door and entered. My gaze then found the woman sitting on the bed.

“Andrew, you’ve come to visit today as well.”

“Of course. After all, Sofia-san, you can’t sleep without me, can you?”

“That’s right. I’m sorry to trouble you.”

“No, it’s fine. We should help each other out in times of need.”

“…Yes, thank you.”

At my words, Sofia-san gave a faint smile. Seeing her apologetic expression made me feel an immense sense of guilt.

You’ve got it wrong, Sofia-san. It’s not that I dislike meeting with you. I don’t find it bothersome. It’s just that I feel gloomy about the interactions with Amal that follow after this is over.

After meeting with Sofia-san, I return to my room and invariably encounter a jealous Amal, who then sulks in a yandere state. It’s a serious effort to improve her mood. It’s become a daily routine, and frankly, it’s exhausting.

Amal is a woman of deep sentiment. The trouble is that her affection is directed solely at me. Her love is an abyss—endless, falling deeper and deeper.

I scratched my head, trying to redirect my thoughts.

“Sofia-san, are you feeling alright?”

“Yes, because you, Andrew-sama, are here with me, I am fine.”

“That’s good to hear. Still, don’t overdo it. Lie down, and I’ll stay by your side until you fall asleep, as usual.”

“Yes…”

I gently pushed Sofia-san’s shoulder, and she lay down on the bed without resistance. Her soft chestnut hair spread out on the pillow. I brushed the hair off her face and covered her slender body with the blanket.

“Sofia-san, are you cold?”

She nodded slightly.

Her drooping eyes stared vacantly at the ceiling. She seemed to be quickly succumbing to sleep.

“Andrew-sama… Oh, could you… hold my hand, please?”

I took her slender, small hand that was offered to me. Sofia-san’s lips relaxed into a gentle hue of peach, an expression of complete tranquility and vulnerability.

“Andrew-sama?”

“Mhm.”

“Please, hold on to it forever.”

“Of course. I will hold it until you fall asleep, Sofia-san.”

“I’m scared. When you’re not here, Andrew-sama, I have scary dreams.”

“Scary dreams?”

“Yes, very, very frightening dreams…”

“Sofia-san?”

“Andrew-sama… it’s scary.”

Saying so, Sofia-san pulled on my hand. Caught off guard, I couldn’t resist and fell on top of her. I tried to get up, but she held me with a surprising strength. Something was off.

“Sofia-san, let go of me. What’s happening?”

“I am me, and yet… it’s different. It’s coming in. Trying to look. It’s scary. Being watched, heard, spoken to. I am… I am… Oh, you, you are… Can’t you see… who are you…to me?”

My voice didn’t reach her.

It was just a monologue, no, more likely sleep talking. I tried to wriggle free, but Sofia-san wouldn’t allow it.

“Sophia…nnn!?”

She forcibly pulled my face closer to her and captured my lips, biting. I can’t move. Her tongue invades my mouth and tramples . A sticky, lewd sound filled my ears.

I couldn’t tell how long the kiss lasted. Before I realized it, the day had ended and the room was enveloped in darkness.

“Calix Dea.”

Within my hazy consciousness, I heard someone’s voice.