Saint's Prison - Chapter 77

A Voice Calling Out

I just kept climbing.

My hometown, Ryogu Village, located deep in the mountains of the Koshinetsu region. A mountain path leading to the village with no roads.

Due to no one entering, the vegetation has grown thick, the scent of the village is hidden. I secretly follow my memories and slip through the dense trees. Despite visiting Ryogu Village every year for the grave visit, I have the illusion that I’m walking in an unknown place.

After a long walk, I finally heard the sound of a stream.

It’s not big enough to be called a river, but there’s a place where mountain water flows down. In the back, there’s a particularly large tree. I crossed the flowing water and approached the tree cautiously.

“…Found it.”

Two small stone statues of Jizo, standing quietly behind the tree. Their expressions are indistinguishable due to the long years exposed to wind and rain. This serves as a landmark leading to Ryogu Village. They are the village’s guardian deities.

“From here on, it’s the village’s territory…”

Taking a deep breath, I stepped forward.

***

The sound of stepping on fallen leaves.

In the silence, even such a small sound echoes.

I returned to my hometown for the grave visit.

Ryogu Village.

No, I should say the place where Ryogu Village used to be.

Thirteen years ago, there was a massive fire in this village. The village was burned down as a result of the fire. All the villagers perished in the fire.

Except for one person who was away from the village at the time.

I headed to the Andou residence, my family home.

The surrounding houses were scorched black and had crumbled beyond recognition. The smell of burning still lingered, even though it had been over ten years since the fire.

At the far end of the village, I reached the Andou residence.

It’s a large mansion.

It has become a ruin now, but it still exudes a majestic atmosphere, just like the old days.

My sister, Andou Shizuyo, was there until the end.

Shizuyo’s body was found in the basement of the Andou residence. She must have tried to escape the fire. However, she died from the smoke, despite her efforts. She ended her life alone in the darkness.

How painful it must have been. How hard it must have been. How lonely it must have been.

If only I had forced Shizuyo to leave at that time…

I can’t regret it enough.

I survived, leaving Shizuyo behind. I survived.

I prayed silently in front of the Andou family grave.

For the many lives that had vanished in the flames.

***

I walked along the side path of the village, heading towards the Ohashira Shrine.

Catching my breath, I climbed the long stairs.

Finally, I arrived at the shrine and sat down on the stairs. As I caught my breath and looked at the view from the stairs, the mountains stretched out and the sun was shining right in the middle of the sky.

After a while, I got up and brushed the sand off my pants.

I looked back at the shrine.

A place where Shizuyo and I used to play when we were young.

It was fortunate that the location was away from the village, so only this place remained as it was.

“…We used to play tag and hide-and-seek here. Shizuyo was bad at running and even worse at hiding. But still… still, she never showed a displeased face and played with me.”

She was a gentle girl.

She was always concerned about me and put her own needs second, saying, “If brother is happy, Shizuyo is happy too.” I couldn’t help but smile.

I walked along the stone pavement beside the shrine, and the village cemetery came into view.

Here, all the villagers, including Shizuyo, were mourned.

There was a torii gate at the entrance of the cemetery. I bowed before entering and passed by. I drew water from the well and went to the Andou family tombstone. Unlike the surrounding graves, it was a magnificent and large tombstone.

I splashed water on it and cleaned it carefully. I polished the tombstone until I was satisfied, and then I offered the flowers I had brought with me.

I placed candles and lit them with a lighter, then lit a bundle of incense and placed it in the incense holder.

I clasped my hands and offered prayers to Shizuyo.

Ever since Shizuyo passed away, I’ve been praying the same thing over and over.

Tears flowed down my cheeks naturally. I didn’t wipe them, and I opened my eyes. It’s no good. If I’m like this, Shizuyo will worry.

I exhaled and calmed myself down.

“Hey, Shizuyo. I’m working at a hospital now. It’s busy every day, but it’s a very rewarding job. And, recently, I’ve been invited to have dinner with someone from work. She’s quite a beautiful lady. Can you believe it?”

I tried to sound cheerful.

“We’re going to have dinner together after Obon. You should support me too, Shizuyo. If things go well, you might get a sister-in-law.”

I joked and laughed to the grave. I hope my laugh looked good.

“…I’ll do my best so that you can rest assured. I’ll keep moving forward, slowly but surely, even if it’s clumsy.”

Saying that, I stood up.

I said a brief goodbye and put on my backpack. I left the cemetery with a sure-footed stride.

***

By the time I reached the entrance of the village, the sun was beginning to set. I had to get down the mountain quickly before it got dark. I hurried down the path I had taken earlier.

I reached the place where the guardian deity was.

As I was about to pass by, I heard a high-pitched sound, like a string being plucked.

It must have been just tinnitus.

I tried to walk again, stepping forward.

“Don’t leave me…”

A whispering voice was heard from behind.

I covered my ears and turned around.

No one was there.

Only the swaying trees were in front of me.

I felt scared and started to run. It was just an auditory hallucination. I told myself that.

I finally managed to get off the mountain, catch a bus, and somehow get on a train.

As the train swayed, I looked out at the scenery.

Thinking back, the auditory hallucination must have been because I was thinking about Shizuyo during the grave visit.

That’s because the voice I heard at that time was unmistakably that of Shizuyo, who had passed away.

As I thought about it, I suddenly felt sleepy, perhaps because I was tired.

A pleasant drowsiness enveloped me.

Ah, I wish I could just fall asleep like this.

My consciousness faded.

The moment my consciousness disappeared, a high-pitched sound, like a string being plucked, echoed in my head.

TLN : Guys, because its past arc, the prologue before MC going to totwald. I will release it daily. Please dont forget to left a good rating and reviews on NovelUpdates. its helps me a lot. Thanks guys. please be prepared for Daily Release of Saint’s Prison past arc since its really important , the cause of everything is explained here.