Beyond the Hero’s Death – 45 | Sousaku – 創作

Episode 45: Thus Spoke the Emperor ⑪ ~Seeking Answers from the Goddess~

―――When I opened my eyes, I saw Falty's face.

"……Raoul. Are you all right? "

When I checked my surroundings as Falty spoke, I realized that I was being given a knee pillow by the devil.
In the corner of my vision, the archbishop was watching over the bonfire.

"Good morning, Celestial Knight. I took that person out of storage and had them light the bonfire, then made him take care of the fire. It's getting chilly now that night has fallen, so please keep warm."

Nodding to the Devil's voice, I traced my thoughts back to the pain and vaguely recalled that after that, I'd lost consciousness and collapsed.

"Yeah, I've caused you worry. Sorry."

As I spoke to Falty and sat up, the archbishop, who had been adding dry branches to the bonfire, called out to me.

"I've cast a healing spell, but you shouldn't force yourself to move. It doesn't consume physical stamina, but rather mental fortitude—or rather, willpower—is being drained at an abnormal rate."

"I see. You went to a lot of trouble."

Come to think of it, this guy was here; I had completely forgotten. Still, I'll just say thanks for looking after me.

"……I only did it because that Devil told me to. I didn't do it because I was worried about you."

"Whatever it was, I made it out alive. ……It's a bit chilly, so the bonfire is a blessing."

Looking over, Falty was also warming herself by the campfire, wrapped in her cloak. The devil…… well, she's just that kind of person, I suppose—completely unfazed despite wearing such a thin maidservant outfit. Worrying about it is pointless.
Feeling the chill, I warmed myself by the bonfire. Seeing me there, the archbishop snapped off a branch, tossed it in, and muttered to himself.

"Hmph. ……But why the hell am I doing this here? What kind of karma is this?"

That's exactly how I feel, too. I've captured you as a prisoner, yet you've been quite useful to me. I'm grateful for that.

"And sorry to bring this up now but, I’d like to meet the goddess. Can I ask you for directions? "

"……I'm already in too deep. Fine."

What an unusually pious attitude…… or rather, it's like a spell has been broken, or he's burned out, or somewhat like that of a recluse. I no longer sensed the same commanding presence that once led the church's advance party, so I asked.

"While I was sealed away by the calamity over there, I observed your actions and heard your words. So I have my own thoughts on the matter.
……Besides, the empire is in this state too. I feel like this world has already reached a point of no return, and that thought makes everything seem so futile."

"……Right."

The archbishop's words struck a chord with me too, so I nodded along with a murmur. The archbishop nodded repeatedly at the sight and continued speaking.

"Calamity, calamity, huh? Ultimately, what is a calamity, Celestial Knight? I used to think calamities were dangerous entities that only harmed the world. But that girl was different from the others――― She risked her life to protect the Saint. And the emperor was a fanatic who ran amok in the name of justice. ……I don't know what's right and what's wrong anymore."

"I wonder. Maybe everything is all wrong after all."

When I vaguely responded to the archbishop's question, a dry laugh came back.

"――――Ah, well, yeah, that might just be true. ……Sorry for making you listen to my rambling. I'll keep an eye on the fire, so you should get some sleep. It seems even the Divine Bow is already asleep."

As the archbishop spoke, Falty was asleep, her nose pink from the cold.
Yeah, I'm still feeling a bit sluggish too, so I'll take a break. I laid down again.

"I wanted someone—everyone—to know my name. Celestial Knight, what did you want to do? "

I considered how to answer the archbishop's question, but decided instead to slowly surrender myself to sleep.

Hand-in-hand, a mother and daughter walked in sync through the white brick city glistening in the warm sunshine. The fair-skinned girl, who looked lovely in her light blue dress, wore a beaming smile across her face.
Several other children were gathered around them, and the city was lined with stalls, with everyone walking by looking cheerful.

"Mom, Mom!"

The mother's eyes narrowed happily at the sound of her daughter calling up to her with delight.
The other girls around her were pushing and shoving each other playfully, but everyone looked happy and was smiling. The children around her were fighting over the girl's open hand. The girl seemed to be quite popular among the children.

"Mom, everyone…… I love you all so much! "

"Yeah, me too."

Hearing those two speak, the other children around them shouted, “Me too!”
A lively, bright, and happy slice of everyday life.
Seeing that sight brought tears to my eyes.

……But amidst all this, the girl who had been holding her mother's hand and surrounded by the children let go and ran off.
I could not see the expressions of the mother and children who stopped to watch her back.
After turning around and waving her hand widely, the girl ran off, her back growing smaller and smaller.
……And then that girl looked at me and spoke up.

"――――Hang in there, hang in there!"

Leaving those words behind, the girl vanished into the crowd beyond the city.

―――Goddess, please enlighten me. How many people do I have to see off? How many more times must I kneel?

As I opened my eyes slightly in the morning sunlight, I saw Falty still puffing up ber visible breath through her still pink nose, the devil smiling at me upon noticing I'd woken, and the archbishop tossing branches into the bonfire.
……When I tapped Falty's nose, she suddenly woke up, her sleepy eyes wide with surprise. Seeing her like that soothed my heart just a little.
Then, I called out to everyone once more.

"I'm going to meet the goddess. Will you come with me? "

……I intend to ask the goddess about the meaning of this destruction.