Saint's Prison - Chapter 35

Wriggling Shadows

I took the parchment out of the drawer.

Just then, a wave of dizziness hit me, and I staggered involuntarily. I took a short breath and placed a hand on my forehead to steady myself.

(The one most likely to have taken this parchment is Amal. And yet, am I shocked by this…?)

I shook my head to dismiss the thought.

This was not the time to worry about such things.

Let’s organize my thoughts for now.

Anyone who enters Stonehearst Monastery must uphold this vows. And it is absolutely forbidden to divulge its contents to the outside.

Johanna had said so. Therefore, it is a natural conclusion that Amal would hide this parchment from me.

However, she also said this:

As long as one is bound by the vows, one is not allowed to interfere with that person, Amal.

The vows undoubtedly includes a clause prohibiting contact with Amal. It applies to anyone in the monastery other than Amal. Conversely, it’s safe to say that Amal herself is not affected by the vows.

If Amal, who is not bound by the vows, hid this parchment from me, there must be another reason, and she did not want me to know it. That’s probably the right take.

Suppose the vows stipulates that “members of the monastery must not have contact with Amal/Amal must not have contact with members of the monastery.”

If Amal were to abide by it, she wouldn’t have been able to approach me or exchange words with me from the beginning. That is evidence enough.

Considering this, a question arises.

If every person who enters the monastery must uphold the vows, why was I not included in that “every person”?

It must mean that there is a certain latitude to those bound by the vows.

Benedict, the priest, had once told me not to get too involved with Amal.

Looking back, perhaps that was a considerable gray area in upholding the oath. Maybe that’s why Benedict looked around fearfully, as if he understood that.

Yet, did Benedict leave me that advice as a last act of conscience or mercy, trying not to involve me?

I took a notebook out of my pocket and began to copy the words from the parchment. It would be far too risky to steal the parchment outright.

I finished copying every sentence.

I was about to return the parchment to its original place when, without thinking, I turned it over and saw small writing on the back.

‘Secrets are karma. That’s why they must be hidden.’

Secrets are karma? Is the secret that the monastery guards a sin that deserves retribution? How is that karma connected to Amal?

I wrote down that sentence in my notebook, too. Once I finished, I put the parchment back where it belonged.

With that, I achieved my goal. I then turned my gaze to the ring and the small box that had been placed with the parchment. I felt bad, but I decided to check them.

I illuminated the ring with the candle. Dull gold shone back at me. The flat, round decorative part was engraved.

Could this be a seal ring? The impression on the seal featured a shield in the center, topped with a crown. A grandly spread eagle and lion were engraved, as if leaning against it.

I put the ring back and picked up the small box. Opening it carefully, I found a yellowed, short fragment on top of the cotton.

It felt eerily familiar. This fragment reminded me of the umbilical cord my mother showed me when I was a child. No, not just similar—it must actually be an umbilical cord.

An indescribable sense of apology welled up within me, and I closed the lid and returned the box to the drawer. Then I put the secret drawer back in place, followed by the other drawer that had been on the desk.

After ensuring no trace was left, I left Amal’s room.

***

I walked back the way I had come.

Suddenly, the candle flickered violently as if caught by a gust of wind.

There shouldn’t be a draft in a windowless corridor. Puzzled, I looked around.

And my eyes widened.

(The door to the chapel is open.)

Had someone opened it? At this late hour?

I peeked inside the chapel. There was no one to be seen where the candlelight fell.

Feeling an inexplicable terror, I was about to leave when a shrill sound, like a plucked string, echoed in my brain.

Against my will, my feet moved. Step by step, I entered the chapel. I was conscious, but my body wouldn’t obey.

I knew this sensation. It was the same as when I was drawn to the stone circle.

A chill ran down my spine. Something invisible was luring me, calling to me.

As I approached the altar at the front, countless candles behind it mysteriously lit up. The flickering candlelight illuminated the interior.

And then, the marble sculpture placed on the altar revealed itself.

Both hands raised to the sky, the human figure draped in a hood seemed to be praying or pleading.

I approached the sculpture and reached out.

―――I felt as if the shadow of the sculpture wriggled.