Chapter 1, Episode 26 Reason (Other’s POV)

『In any case, Riese is one thing, but you.
　Why did you come out before your soul took root?』

　Cyril muttered as he looked at Riese, who had fallen asleep crying in Farne's lap.

　Yes―― Farne was not supposed to wake up until much later.
　Because his soul had not yet taken root.
　Now Cyril had given him a ring of the sacred tree to keep his soul from leaving his body.

"I am sorry.
　I was so determined not to let this child kill any more people so I found myself getting up."

　Farne smiled apologetically as he said this.
　Farne, too, was able to see what was going on outside, albeit vaguely, inside the ball of light.
　How every day Riese would make a bed of flowers.
　How she also worked hard on her vocal exercises.
　And how she even looked at him with a lonely gaze.

『Any more? Did you watch those thugs get killed too? 』

"Yes, somehow."

　Ramdem stomped on my injured spot, and just when I thought I was losing consciousness.
　My soul was separated from my body.
　I felt something tugging at me, but as soon as I reached out to help Riese, my soul was floating in the air.
　In the end, I couldn't do anything for her except remain in spirit――
　As it was, I could do nothing but watch over Riese.
　
　Riese also frantically instructed the children of the Holy Tree.
　And trying very hard to get myself to drink blood.

　All the time in a detached state.
　I felt frustrated with myself for not being able to do anything or speak to her.

　Still, there is something I noticed.
　Riese has no qualms about killing people.
　Not even a sense of guilt exists.
　When she saw the dead body, she was not afraid and rushed to me as if nothing had happened.

　I knew she was desperately trying to incapacitate her opponent.
　Yet there was no hesitation at all.

　Because she was abused from a young age, she lacked any sense of ethics that she should have naturally developed.

　I was only concerned about recovering my strength.
　I did not even try to understand the darkness in Riese's heart.

　Cyril told me about Riese's past. It was cruel.
　
　I was surprised to be told that she was actually 15 years old.
　I had guessed that she would be about 10 to 12 years old, stunted from lack of food, but she is much older than that.

　And most of all―― the problem is that she is a saint.
　According to Cyril, the saint of Eldia, the saint of Kardiana is Riese.
　Sharla was a fake saint and Riese's abuser.

　I feel an irrepressible disgust for Sharla for putting Riese in that state.
　When I first picked up Riese, she was all skin and bones, as if she would break even if I just held her in my arms.
　I can't believe she is a human for leaving her in such a bad state.
　I resent the fact that such a heartless person calls herself a saint.
　Riese was in such poor condition that it was a wonder she recovered, even though she could not be placed in a proper hospital.
　It made sense to me that it was also the resilience of a Saint.

『So what are you going to do with the child now?
　In my personal opinion, though, I wouldn't recommend bringing her back to the human world.』

　Cyril said and began to groom her.
　Of course, I was also worried about Riese.
　But there was a greater concern that Riese might harm others.
　With Riese now, she could easily kill someone just for complaining about Farne as she passed by.

"……Good question.
　I don't know what to do."

　With having already killed several people.
　Farne was unsure if returning her to the human world would really make her happy.
　If one thought for her sake, she might be happier living here instead of going back home.
　If she never had to deal with humans, she would never feel guilty about killing people.
　But Riese is a saint.
　If she does not return, Kardiana will be headed for destruction.

　That way, Riese would end up with more guilt.
　Above all, Kardiana was the largest city on the continent, and if it were to disappear, other cities could also be destroyed in a chain reaction.
　That's how rich Kardiana's harvest was, and they shipped it to other cities that lacked food.
　It could even be called the center of the economy.
　If that city were destroyed, humanity would decline.
　I will have to return Riese to Kardiana.

『But then again, you're a bit odd for a human being, aren't you?
　Why are you giving that girl so much care?
　That was even before you knew she was a saint, wasn't it? 』

　When told, Farne looked at Cyril.
　Why…… she asked.
　I can only answer that I have a strong desire to protect her.
　Is it pity, sympathy, or affection?
　I didn't quite understand that myself.

"Now, why is it……I wonder?
　I don't want to betray her feelings that she likes me so much.

　Wouldn't that be a good reason then? "

　When I picked up Riese for the first time.
　Despite being so weakened.
　I developed an unfamiliar feeling for Riese, who smiled when she saw people's faces.
　I felt like I had to protect this child.




　The harder the times are, the more you have to smile, right?
　Because something good will happen.



　
　The words given to Riese by her mother.
　Riese had always followed them, not knowing that the abuse was worse because of it.

　And thanks to her upholding those words, she was picked up by Farne like that.

　Farne smiled at Riese, who held on to his hand and would not let go of it, even when she was asleep.

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