Saint's Prison - Chapter 87

A Hard-Won Friend

―――A bed of nails.

That phrase best describes my current situation. Piercing stares that felt like they were appraising me made me uncomfortable.

I let out a shallow sigh and lowered my face to escape their gazes.

(…This is incredibly awkward.)

Called by Johanna for dinner, I felt like raising the white flag already.

In an attempt to distract myself, I only moved my eyes to examine the food. On the long table, there were black bread, apples, and other fruits, a soup with vegetables and beans, and a sharply smelling cheese laid out directly on the tablecloth.

Furthermore, I couldn’t see any spoons or forks. Could it be that we are expected to eat with our hands?

While contemplating this, a heavy cough echoed around.

“Let us be straightforward… Everyone must be wondering, and there’s nothing odd about that.”

The priest, Benedict, who was sitting at the head of the table, stood up and surveyed the other priests.

“―――Let me put it simply. The foreigner amongst us… the man in black, is a lost lamb. Yet, he is a peregrinus who leads us. Whether fortunately or unfortunately, we will duly fulfill our role.”

At his words, the priests stirred and started to look at me with indescribable expressions.

I didn’t understand what was happening.

I hunched my shoulders to avoid their gazes as much as possible.

“Now, let us offer a prayer. God, bless us and bless this meal so that we may continue to serve you. In our Lord’s name, Amen.”

“Amen,” the chorus of voices echoed in the dining hall.

***

“It felt like a form of torture…”

Walking down the corridor with drooping shoulders, I felt a sense of dread at the thought of enduring that again. I hadn’t expected to be accepted by everyone in the monastery, but those piercing stares were still hard to bear.

It’s understandable that they would have exclusive feelings towards a foreigner who appeared out of nowhere.

Especially in a closed environment, those feelings would be even stronger.

It made me realize the generosity of Amal and Priest Benedict, who had accepted me.

“Ah―――Excuse me, Kuro-dono!”

“Whoa!”

I let out a strange noise when someone called out to me from behind. To cover it up, I touched the back of my neck and turned around.

There stood a man with a round figure.

He wasn’t very tall, maybe around 160 cm. His eyes sparkled with curiosity.

“Didn’t mean to startle you.”

“No, it’s okay. …Um, who might you be?”

“Oh, my apologies. I’m Francesco. Francesco Poitier. Pleased to meet you!”

I retreated a step, overwhelmed by his energy.

Francesco took my hand without any reservation and vigorously shook it up and down.

“Ah, uh, thanks. I’m Ando Ryu… Andrew.”

“Hey there, Kuro-dono!”

My introduction was completely ignored.

Like Priest Benedict and Johanna-san, why is it that they stubbornly refuse to call me by my name? Is there some sort of rule about that?

…And, Francesco is so informal for a priest.

It throws me off because it’s so far from my image of a priest.

“Ah, Francesco, did you need something from me?”

“I didn’t have a particular reason, just got a bit curious. And, sir, feel free to call me Francesco without any formalities. I’m not good with stiff stuff.”

“You mean it?”

“…You mean it? What does that mean?”

Francesco tilted his head, and his double chin wobbled amusingly. It was so funny that I laughed.

“Ahaha, it means ‘for real’ or ‘truly’.”

“Oh, I see. Is that a word from a foreign land?”

Francesco nodded deeply. Then he grinned and squinted his eyes.

“Well, that’s the gist.”

“Hmm, hmm. I might start using that too.”

“Seriously?”

“Seriously.”

He responded immediately. Francesco… his social skills are no joke. I felt silly for being so tense. I relaxed my shoulders.

“…Francesco, you’re a priest, right?”

“That I am, but what of it?”

“Well, no offense, but you don’t really seem like one.”

“Ah, I’m still fairly new to the priesthood.”

“Is that so? Well, I find you easy to talk to, which I’m grateful for.”

“That’s very kind of you. Well, as fellow outsiders, let’s get along well. Pleased to be acquainted with you.”

“Same here, I’m counting on you.”

Francesco nodded deeply at my response, satisfied. He smiled cheerfully and ran off swiftly.

“…Despite his round figure, he’s pretty fast.”

I chuckled to myself as I watched his retreating back.

I apologize for the delayed update.

Author’s note : We’re nearing the end of the flashback arc. Important words and backgrounds that haven’t been revealed yet are coming up. I think we’re about to see the whole picture. I hope you enjoy it.