Chapter 1, Episode 40: Feelings (1)

"What in the world is going on!? "

　Farne, dressed in the masked black of the priest's formal attire, exclaimed as Libelle held him in her left arm.
　In addition, Libelle had Kyle on her back. She was fleeing with Lars in her right arm.

　In the meeting with Cyril and the others, they had heard that Sharla and the others would be made physically immortal and only the four of them would be tortured to no end at the venue.
　Otherwise, she said, she would not feel comfortable.

　But there was a promise not to harm anyone else in the square.
　And yet the sacred tree began to attack even the people in the plaza.

　The situation looked somewhat unfavorable, although Cyril was doing her best to defend against it.

『This is serious! Riese has regained control of her body!
　Riese is confused, attacking everyone!!! 』

　Libelle said while running away with Farne, Lars, and Kyle.

"No way, when she saw her abusive cousin and aunt, Riese became upset and took control of her body!? "

『Maybe so! Kardiana-sama, she's in a hurry to get the body back!!! 』

"Libelle-sama!! Take me to Riese!!!"

『Impossible!! Impossible!!!

　Riese, right now she can use the full power of the Saint! Even I will die if I get too close!!! 』


――Totally bothersome!!! ――

　Along with Libelle's words. Now another voice echoed in their heads.
　
"This voice…… Eldia-sama!? "

　At that moment Lars shouted out.

　The world turned completely white all over.
　The people in the plaza who had been running away earlier disappeared, and Riese and the others were the only ones in this space.

『This is? Perhaps Eldia? 』

　Kardiana's voice asked.

『That's right. We isolated the world alone.
　This way, people who are not involved will not be harmed.
　I'm glad I followed Cyril on this trip.
　What are you doing, Kardiana?』

　A beautiful blonde woman appeared behind Cyril, who looked determined and strong.

　At the back stood a beautiful young girl with purple hair.

　Yes, Eldia and Kardiana.

『Riese's will was too strong and it took over.』

『Don't tell me you've been hijacked!?
　What are you doing, letting a human take over?? 』

『……Seriously I wonder why you're letting them take the reigns.』

　This time, a beautiful dark-haired girl stood behind Libelle.
　The Holy Tree Faralina.

"T-This is……"

　Lars, still being held by Libelle, shouted out unexpectedly.

『This place is in between the other world and this world. The world of spirits.
　It's a world where we, the spiritual bodies of the Holy Trees, can be seen and heard.』

　Eldia, the beautiful blonde woman, replied.
　To help Kardiana, both Eldia and Faralina allowed their own saints to go to the region.
　Because of Cyril and Libelle, both Eldia and Faralina could materialize.

"It's been a long time, Sacred Tree-sama!! You look great!! 』
『Have you been a good girl? My dear child.』

　When Libelle happily addressed Faralina, Faralina smiled and patted Libelle.
　
　Looking at the scene of that bear Kyle wondered in his mind, 'Is the bear a female?'.
　Kyle also came into this world with them, as he was dressed in black and was behind Lars.

　Meanwhile, the atrocities of the merciless Riese continued a short distance away.……

　Since Sharla and the others were made incapable of dying in the first place, the holy trees did not care about them.
　Gah! Wah! The screams of Grasil and Sharla and the others were just background noise.

"Kardiana-sama, is Riese, is Riese okay?
　Wasn't she supposed to have had her memories removed? "

　Farne exclaimed as she looked at Riese, who was attacking Sharla and the others mercilessly.
　Riese's behavior was clearly strange.
　It appeared as though she was attacking out of fear, rather than out of anger.
　Farne's chest tightened at the sight of Riese crying and attacking.

　Were not Riese's painful memories removed?

『That's the thing. She doesn't want to lose her memories, so she won't listen to me.』

"What do you mean? "

『She doesn't want to lose the memories of you. I can't erase her memories because she resists.』

"But!! She will suffer for the rest of her life if she keeps her memories intact.
　Won't she forever be tormented by the painful memories of her torture!?
　Just as she is frightened now with those two in front of her!! Her wounds will never heal!!
　We have to stop her quickly!! "

『Say. Isn't it arrogant of you to decide on her happiness by yourself? 』

"……Eh? "

　Farne froze at Kardiana's words.

『She is desperately trying to protect the memories of you.
　Even against me.

　Painful memories too. Bitter memories too.
　Because it's with her own efforts that she endured it, and as she says it, got to meet Farne-sama.
　Don't deny my efforts, she said.』

"……But for that reason, does she have to possess the memories of that kind of pain all the time!? "

　Farne couldn't stop the tears from welling up as he said it.

　He asked Cyril to communicate with Riese, who could not speak the language so that he could know directly what Riese was thinking.
　It allowed him to understand her feelings and communicate with her, but at the same time, he could also understand her pain.

　The memories of torture she occasionally recalled were brutal.
　It was so awful that he would have wanted to die if it had been him.
　Intense pain, fear. Abuse that could drive you crazy if you were an ordinary person.
　Will she have to carry that kind of pain with her for the rest of her life?
　It was too much for that honest and pure girl to bear.

　Farne couldn't get himself to believe that she could be happy while possessing such terrible memories.

『Say, is happiness something that others decide for you?
　Maybe that's why humans are so arrogant.』

　Kardiana touched Farne after saying it.

"……Kardiana-sama? "

『Take it. How happy that child is. How much she loves you.』

　At the same time, Kardiana's hands glowed.

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