Chapter 2, Episode 43: The Saint’s Triumphant Return

　The gentle breeze feels nice.
　I was sitting alone on top of the holy tree, staring at the sky.
　I defeated all the bad guys and ghouls.
　The bad guy was Claire's boyfriend, but he was already red, so I killed him.
　The fact that he knew I was the saint and still turned bright red means that he truly felt that way.
　Therefore, I believe he is one of the perpetrators of this commotion.

　I could hear loud voices coming from below Kardiana-sama, but I'm sure the priests were cleaning up.　

　But. I don't have the courage to look at everyone in the capital.
　Because surely everyone is black.
　Everyone must think I'm scary.

　I feel like crying when I think of Claire's face when I defeated the ghoul.

　She had a dark aura around her.

　Claire hates me now.
　We were such good friends.
　The first human friend I ever made.
　But I killed Claire's boyfriend, so it's goodbye now.
　I can't meet her anymore because she hates me.

　I feel lonely.

　I think differently from other people.
　That's why everyone hates Riese.

　I knew it. Farne-sama tried to erase my memories because I couldn't be a normal child.
　So I know that it would have been better if I had forgotten everything.

　But even so, I chose the path of not losing my memories.
　So I have to accept it.

　Even if I am disliked, avoided, or jeered at.
　
　This is the path Riese chose, and it's what I wanted.
　Rather than being liked by everyone.
　
　Because I want to cherish my feelings for Farne-sama.
　My memories with Farne-sama, Cyril, and Libelle are very important to me.
　That's more important than being disliked by someone else.

　That's why I'm not lonely. I have to stop crying.

"Riese."

　As I wiped away my tears, Farne-sama, carried on Libelle's back, came to me.

"Farne-shama."

　I called out his name, but I couldn't say it properly because I couldn't stop sobbing.
　When I saw Farne-sama, I couldn't stop the tears from welling up in my eyes.
　Don't cry, don't cry.
　The more I think I have to stop, the more I can't stop.

"You did a great job. You were great."

　The scent of Farne-sama, who said that and hugged me, was the same wonderful scent as always.
　Please pat me on the head.
　That makes me feel very secure.

『Riese, you did great! That was awesome!!! 』

　Libelle also tried to comfort me, frantically flapping around behind me.
　Yeah. I'm a saint, after all.
　Cyril said it's okay not to be with other people.
　So I won't cry.
　I know I'm different from other people.
　Even if you understand that something is different, you don't fundamentally understand how it is different.
　I understand that we are different, but I don't understand how we are different.
　That's why I think this is the only way I can live.
　
　I'm sad, but I don't regret it.
　Because my feelings for Farne-sama are the most important thing to me.

"I love you, I really love you, Farne-sama."

"Yes. Me too. I like you. I love you."

　The words he said were really kind.
　It gives me energy.

　When I hugged him tighly, he hugged me back. It makes me happy.

『And Libelle! ? And Libelle! ? 』

“Of course I love you! "

　Saying that, I hugged Libelle tightly.

『I'm so happy! I'm so happy! Libelle also loves Riese! 』

　Libelle held me by both sides and spun me around while dancing.
　
　Claire doesn't like me anymore.
　But Riese has very precious friends.
　I have to cheer up.
　
"What are you doing? Let's go home."

　As I clung to Libelle and giggled, Cyril, carrying Lars-sama, arrived on top of the holy tree.

"Cyril! Lars-sama! "

"Riese-sama Please excuse me, take this robe."

　He said, and handed me a robe.
　A pure white robe.

"What's this? "

　A crowd is gathering below to catch a glimpse of the saint.
　Please wear this to cover your face.

　Lars-sama said that, and I felt my chest tighten.
　Come to think of it, I lost the veil at some point.
　But……Do I have to see those black aura people again?
　Do I have to go in front of people who are afraid of me?

　When I turned back to Farne-sama, he gently draped the robe over me.

"I'm with you. It's okay."

　Saying that, he held my hand.

『Libelle is here too! Ride on Libelle! 』

　I jumped on the back of the Libelle.

　Behind me, Farne-sama was holding my hands and covering my face with the robe.

"Come on, held your chest up. The saint is returning triumphantly."

　Cyril gently lifted Lars-sama onto her back and jumped down from the holy tree, followed by Libelle.

　Then――Waiting under the holy tree were people in bright blue, waving their hands vigorously at me.

I heard cheers of “Waaah!” and everyone smiled as they expressed their gratitude, saying, “Lady Saint!” and “Thank you very much!”. 


　When I helped Claire, everyone around me was scared and turned black from fear.
　The people gathered around the holy tree were strangely blue.

　Watching people like that, I wondered.



　People are really hard to understand.



　It's difficult. What's the difference between now and when I defeated the ghouls?
　I made it all mushy back then, remember?
　Why are the reactions so different even though I'm the same?

　It's difficult. It's difficult. It's difficult for me.
　I'm not smart enough to understand.
　If I study more, will I eventually understand?
　Will I understand if I live a normal life?

　Suddenly.

　I gasped when I spotted Claire in the crowd.
　Surrounded by priests, she stared intently at me.
　Her aura is blue. It's not black. That's a relief.

"What would you like to do? "

　Lars-sama asked me, so I shook my head.
　I don't want to be looked at like that anymore.
　I killed someone important to Claire, so she must hate me.

　Just as I was about to ignore it and walk by.

"Saint-sama!!! Thank you!!!!!! I had fun!!! "

　There was so much cheering that I couldn't make out what they were saying.
　For some reason, I thought I heard Claire's voice and turned around.

　But Libelle was running so fast that Claire was already far away.

"Riese? "

　Farne-sama, who was holding my hand, asked me curiously, so I shook my head and smiled.

　I had fun too!
　Making sweets together and chatting away.
　The first human friend I ever made. Thank you, Claire.

　I wrapped my arms tightly around Farne-sama.
　Then, he patted me on the head.

　I may never be able to have normal friends.
　This incident made it clear to me.
　After all, I'm not a normal girl.

　But there's one more thing I know for sure.

　Normal children cannot protect everyone.
　Bad people are good at deceiving normal kids.
　Just like Claire was fooled by Alberto.
　Crying “It hurts, it hurts” to get attention.
　Pretending to be a friend and stabbing you in the back.
　Pretending to be someone who likes you, but actually being a bad person.
　Even Claire, who is a normal girl, was deceived, so being normal is not good enough.

　But me. I made a promise.
　I don't mind being a bad girl if it means protecting Farne-sama.

　Because Farne-sama always gets into dangerous situations.
　I have to protect him.
　It's okay to be a bad girl as long as I can protect Farne-sama.
　You have to be worse than the bad guys to fight them.

　If I can protect Farne-sama, I don't mind being called a bad child.

　I love you, I love you.
　Farne-sama, please stay with me forever.
　I'll protect you forever and ever.

　So please don't die. Let's stay together forever.
　Farne-sama.
　

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