Saint's Prison - Chapter 36

In the Crimson Mud

The moment my hand touched the statue, something surged directly into my mind.

It felt as if paint was being smeared haphazardly onto a pristine canvas. My head throbbed, a pain as if it were splitting apart.

Hot. My blood felt like it was boiling. I thought I might lose control.

A noise similar to the static of a television echoed intermittently.

After what felt like seconds or maybe minutes, my brain reached its limit, and my consciousness quickly faded.

***

Until that day, the days had been peaceful.

A sea of wheat. The sound of the wind sweeping across that expanse. The joyful singing of young girls. Encouraged by their clear voices, the men tilled the fields and went hunting. Meanwhile, children energetically ran around, and the elders watched them with warm smiles.

I thought it would last forever.

In the sun’s warmth, everyone was smiling.

There was no excitement, but we lived in a gentle happiness.

That peaceful slumber was shattered when you arrived.

Merciless conquerors, bearing swords and clad in armor.

―――I heard screams.

A world engulfed in flames. The air so hot it scorched my throat. The smell of charred death.

There were no houses, animals, people, boundaries. Whether alive or dead, all were the same. It wasn’t a matter of concept, but of timing.

Those who are dead. Those who are about to die.

That was the only difference.

Death filled to the brim.

Charred death scattered everywhere.

Death mercilessly cast aside.

Death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death―――Die.

A mud embodying grief, fear, and resentment erodes this world.

Ah, look, another one died.

By the flames, by the sword, by the hatred.

The conqueror’s voice was heard saying,

“The God you believe in is dead.”

No, it’s your god who died.

He fell to the earth at the end of his blasphemous arrogance.

The same applies to you.

Honor and glory are illusions. Brutality and slaughter, greed like a beast.

You who are human yet lost sight of humanity.

You will die. You will die here. Our god will kill you.

You are finished.

Ah, but so be it.

Follow your hollow lord. For now, you may steal. You may violate. You may kill.

But someday, you must atone.

With your own blood.

Until the very end, when this filthy mud is washed away.

Conquerors, swear on the red cross, and offer.

Offer your womb, your newborn, your blood.

Our god is here.

He will be found.

He is watching.

Our eyes will meet.

They will meet…that―――

“……Dee…ma! An…Dee-sama! Andy-sama!”

I heard a voice calling for me.

“This person is not the child you desire. He is certainly not someone who inherits tainted blood!”

Shadows rustled.

The crimson mud was yearning.

Beckoning.

Staring at me.

“Back off! Even if you…there are things you must not violate! I will not allow you to touch this person. Return to the mud. Do not approach my beloved any further!”

I was held tightly.

A comforting scent filled my nostrils.

Like a blooming flower, like a ripe fruit.

For some reason, I felt very relieved, and my consciousness started to fade again.

***

When I woke up, I was no longer in the chapel.

(Is this…my room?)

I slowly sat up.

I still felt like I was dreaming.

Night had passed, and the morning sun was streaming in through the window.

I stared blankly at the sunlight pouring in from the window until my brain awakened. After a while, I heard a groan next to me.

I turned my gaze.

A cascade of silver hair like a river. Skin so white it was transparent. A perfect beauty that still retained some youthful features.

“……Amal?”

She seemed to be having a nightmare. She groaned painfully several times and furrowed her brows. Was she having a bad dream?

I shook Amal’s body and spoke to her.

“Amal, Amal, wake up. Are you okay?”

“……Nn, ha, Ah, Andy-sama…”

Barely opening her eyes, Amal softly called my name. Once her unfocused eyes recognized my figure, her gaze sharpened rapidly.

She immediately sat up and hugged me tightly.

“Andy-sama! Oh, thank goodness. Andy-sama, you had collapsed in the chapel. I was scared out of my wits.”

“……Sorry. I worried you.”

“Is there…is there any place that hurts or feels strange?”

She pat my body all over.

It tickled.

Her desperate expression made me reflexively relax my face.

“I’m fine.”

I answered briefly and gently intertwined her slender fingers with mine, pressing her hand against my cheek. Amal stared at my face as if to burn it into her memory, then let out a relieved sigh.

“I’m really glad you’re safe, Andy-sama…I love you. So please, don’t go anywhere.”

“Yeah, I’m not going anywhere.”

When I said that, Amal’s eyes moistened.

She looked up at me, tugged at my clothes, and begged.

When I bent down, she brought her face closer and overlapped her lips with mine as if in prayer.

She repeated sweet, melting kisses that were just barely a touch. Her moist, soft lips clung, seeking more.

Thinking about it, this might be the first time Amal has kissed me.

She had urged me, but she had never done it herself. It made me happy, and I wrapped my arms around her back.

I gently embraced her body, so delicate it seemed it might break.