Saint's Prison - Chapter 31

The Sound of Crawling

―――Fwoosh.

From the darkness, the sound of crawling is heard.

An irreverent and filthy beast. A terrifying yet pitiable empty shell.

Be cursed by muddy blood.

May you hear the voice of a fallen baby.

May you receive the recompense for slaughter.

Forever and ever, without end.

Until the day you atone for your sins, may you see an unending nightmare.

***

I awoke.

I had a terrifying dream. I understand that I had a terrifying dream, but somehow I can’t remember what it was about.

Cold sweat traced my cheeks. My chest was pounding so hard it hurt. I instinctively pressed my chest. Calm down. Don’t make a fuss.

I took a deep breath to settle my feelings. Once my heart regained its calm, I was able to regain my senses.

I felt a comfortable weight on my left shoulder. As I moved, a cute, nasal voice leaked out.

Relieved by that voice, I buried my face in the girl’s hair. It was the comforting scent of Amal.

“Uh, Andy… sama?”

“Sorry, did I wake you?”

“Hehe, it’s okay. Good morning, Andy-sama.”

“Ah, good morning.”

I stroked her head once before getting up, getting out of bed, and fumbling to light the candlestick. The room was enveloped in the warm light of the candles.

When I looked back, Amal was sitting up, combing her hair with her hands. Though her glossy hair reached her waist, I had never seen it with bed hair. Perhaps she noticed my gaze, as she bashfully blushed. It was incredibly adorable.

When she saw me about to change, Amal got out of bed and quickly came over. She took out clothes from the dresser and gently offered them to me.

I thanked her and put on the jacket. After changing into pants, Amal diligently collected the sleep pants I had taken off, folded them, and placed them on the desk.

“Sorry, Amal.”

“No. Taking care of Andy-sama is my greatest pleasure.”

With a loving glance, she looked up at me with moist, pleading eyes and modestly tugged at my clothes. I couldn’t help but smile wryly at her quiet insistence, and I bent down to give Amal a simple kiss on her fresh lips.

***

I entered the library, timing it with the mass.

The smell of dust and mold wafted through the air. I inhaled it deeply and couldn’t help but cough. Once my coughing subsided, I collected myself and began checking the spines of the books one by one.

Books that could reveal the history of the monastery.

“Hmm, it’s not here.”

I made several rounds of the bookshelves in the library, but I couldn’t find the book I was looking for.

I checked the upper shelves as well, but there was nothing. It seemed like a wasted effort.

I was at a dead end. I massaged my temples and let out a small sigh. My hopes had been dashed.

I remember when I was searching for information on heresy before, just like now, nothing came up.

Just some old parchment… Wait, parchment?

Come to think of it, wasn’t the word “vows” included in the tattered scrawls on the parchment?

I tried to reel in my memories.

I hadn’t paid it much attention at the time, thinking it was some form of religious rule.

But perhaps that was the vows to protect secrets.

(What did I do with that parchment afterward…)

I remembered the high-pitched sound of the cathedral doors opening at the end of the mass, and in my impatience, I just shoved the parchment into my pocket. And then, and then…

I can’t remember.

For now, I should go back to my room.

If I don’t remember putting it back in the library, it means it’s still in my room. There’s still hope.

I suppressed my excitement and left the library. I walked through the corridor with a composed face.

My mind was full of thoughts about that parchment. Because if I found the parchment, I might be one step closer to the truth. Of course, there’s also a chance it’s irrelevant.

As I proceeded through the cloister and was about to turn a corner in the hallway, I ran into an unpleasant fellow.

“Hmph, I’ve seen an unpleasant face first thing in the morning.”

“That’s my line.”

I replied sullenly, irritated by Sals’s sarcastic remark. It was all the more annoying because he was handsome on top of having a nasty personality. I wish he would go bald.

“You can only say that now, you heretic.”

“Hah, I don’t understand what you mean. If that’s all you want to say, I’m leaving.”

“…That woman is finished. A defiled beast. A fetus of heresy. You who are enchanted by her are the same. That was the end of your luck.”

“Sals, what are you talking about…”

“It won’t be long now. Soon. The hammer of God will come down on you. Until then, dream your ephemeral dreams. ―――Until they turn into nightmares.”

With clouded eyes, Sals sneered at me.

He left the cloister, laughing loudly, leaving me frozen in bewilderment.

That was extremely upsetting.

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