Saint's Prison - Chapter 131

Resonating Beings

Dies iræ Dies iræ, solvet sæclum in favilla:

On the day of wrath, the world shall return to ashes,

Teste David cum Sibylla Quantus tremor est futurus,

As prophesied by David and Sibyl, how great will be the trembling,

Quando judex est venturus, cuncta stricte discussurus.

When the judge comes to examine all things strictly.

＊＊＊

I walk down the dimly lit corridor illuminated by candles.

As I listen to the dry sound of my footsteps on the stone floor, I raise my gaze.

The high ceiling with pointed arches.

Cross-rib vaults.

Flying buttresses.

This Stonehurst Monastery is a typical example of Gothic architecture. Churches and monasteries, especially those in the Gothic style, are said to prioritize the entry of light, as they are considered the closest places to God. However, Stonehurst Monastery is not like that.

A corridor where light does not reach.

A chapel without even a stained glass.

A gloomy and somewhat eerie atmosphere.

Francisco told me that it is rare for a monastery with Gothic architecture to not incorporate light like this. There is no doubt that this contributes to the eerie atmosphere.

“The monastery is a closed-off place from the outside world, so it feels even darker…”

A monastery is a place for priest to live a communal life following discipline, and only those who are admitted can live there. Because it is isolated from the secular world, there is a unique atmosphere that is somewhat detached from reality.

In contrast, a church is a place where people worship, perform rituals, or carry out official procedures. Therefore, the image of a church as a gathering place for Christians is the most appropriate.

The perception of churches and monasteries among the Japanese is quite ambiguous, and there are not a few people who regard them as the same. However, it is inevitable to say that it is wrong to lump monasteries and churches together.

“…Haa, damn it.”

I let out an exasperated sigh. Even from an objective viewpoint, I was extremely nervous.

This time, I let out an even bigger sigh and placed my right hand on my left chest. Rather than confirming the heartbeat, I pressed it down with all my might.

“Guh.”

This suffocating pain is proof that I am here.

I can’t help but laugh.

Such self-destructive proof is what makes me who I am.

I close my eyes and take a deep breath.

The smell of melted candles. The smell of moldy dust. The smell of cold air flowing in. I breathe it in through my nose and into my lungs, calming my feelings. Then, I focus my consciousness on the events that just happened.

The nightmare I saw in the graveyard.

That was the dream of the beginning, or the nightmare of the fool… It must have been Caelum Stonehurst’s.

In that nightmare, he said that he was a member of the royal family. Furthermore, he said that the proof of that was the seal.

The seal… I remember that.

There was a seal in the hidden drawer of Amal’s desk. If Caelum’s claim is correct, then Amal is a descendant of the royal family… in other words, a descendant of royalty.

–Offer the vessel to the goddess with blood.

Caelum said that in the nightmare. The “blood” mentioned here does not simply refer to blood, but probably refers to “Caelum’s bloodline.”

In other words, he said he would provide his descendants as vessels for the goddess. It’s utterly selfish and beyond saving. It’s disgusting.

All of this is because Caelum was obsessed with the woman in blue. No, it’s because he fell into the madness of love. Did he fall in love and then go mad? Or did he go mad and then fall in love? That must have been a trivial matter for him.

I remember Johanna’s words. The words she spoke to me while I was drowsy.

“Kuro-dono. Be strong and hold on tight! Ah, are you resonating with him? No, Kuro-dono… it’s not good. You must not be swallowed by the nightmare of the fool!”

Resonating… with whom?

I thought up to that point, and shook my head.

I know the answer. I just didn’t want to admit it. That’s right. I was resonating with Caelum Stonehurst.

“…That’s why I was able to understand the words and letters here. Ever since I came to Stonehurst, I’ve been foolishly influenced by Caelum.”

I squeeze the rosary in my left hand tightly.

“Whenever I thought about the monastery or Amal, my thoughts became unclear and my consciousness flew away. That’s because Caelum was interfering with my thoughts… to keep me away from the core of his secrets.”

Damn it.

I give Caelum the middle finger in my heart.

“An empty vessel, huh?… Caelum, you were planning to take over my body, using my weakness, just to be with your beloved woman in blue. It’s really disgusting!”

I bite my lip tightly.

Due to the force, my lip splits and the thick blood flows into my mouth, spreading the taste of rusted iron.