After spending the worst night of my life in the bosom of the Saintess, it became the next day as judged by my belly-clock since there was no way to confirm the time.
The next day wasn’t anything special. Just that the execution ceremony was a day closer, slightly dampening my mood – but it was such a trivial matter.
“Saintess, a visitor has arrived.”
With those words, Kelt entered the Tartarus iron bars and came in. Beside him stood a statue-like muscular man with an enormous build.
Ogre? Troll? No, the guy beside Kelt was definitely human. He just looked too large to be human. About as big as the Frankenstein that the Demon King’s Southern Duke kept around.
Damn, another visitor? During the 104 days I’ve been in Tartarus, I haven’t had a single visitor. Feeling like I’ve lost to the Saintess, my pride is severely hurt.
“It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”
From the Saintess’ voice, there was a clear sense of joy. But the man’s posture from the get-go seemed rather reluctant.
“Julius, Holy Emperor.”
“Saintess, have you been well?”
“Thanks to the Lord’s grace, I am always doing well.”
“Hmm… To say ‘well’ in this place seems…”
“Does the environment matter? It depends on one’s mindset. If given by the Lord, even stones can be happily chewed. This Tartarus, thought of as heaven, would be no different than heaven itself.”
That woman, she’s at it again. Spewing nonsense that doesn’t make sense. My face feels so hot listening to her, I want to step in and cover her mouth right away. If only my limbs weren’t bound, I probably would have done it.
Anyway, what did she say earlier?
Clearly, she called him “Julius, Holy Emperor.”
“Well then, I shall take my leave. You two talk.”
“Kelt, is this alright?”
“The visiting time is unlimited. In fact, it’s really rare for a prisoner in Tartarus to receive visitors… If any problems arise later, I’ll try to cover it under my authority.”
“…Always thankful, Kelt. You’re still the same whether as a White Knight or now.”
The Holy Emperor Julius raised his arm and patted Kelt on the shoulder with not his hand, but his forearm. Below his elbow, it was hollow.
“Understood, sir!”
Kelt responded with an uplifted shout and hurriedly left. Yeah, that’s how it should be.
When His Holiness the Pope himself and the Saintess come for a visit, how dare any prison guard loiter around them.
His Holiness Julius, the Supreme Emperor of the Holy Nation.
Also known as the Fist Emperor, he is undoubtedly one of the top warriors on the current continent. The saying that the Holy Emperor’s left fist splits the air and his right tears through dimensions isn’t baseless.
So, the fact that the Holy Emperor’s arms are numb means… Ah, Kelt mentioned it before. The Demon King demanded the Holy Emperor’s arm as a condition for accepting the Holy Nation’s surrender.
Hold on, does that mean the relationship between the Saintess and the Holy Emperor is strained?
The Holy Emperor who resisted the Demon King’s army for so long ended up cutting off his own arm to surrender to the Demon King. The Saintess, on the other hand, fought alone until the very end and was defeated by the Demon King’s Four Dukes, becoming a death-row inmate.
“Hmm… Saintess, I’m not sure where to begin…”
“Speak freely. Why does the leader of the church hesitate?”
“I’m sorry. No, I apologize.”
Ah, so that’s why he’s been shrinking back since the start. Piercing himself.
Honestly, I don’t understand. The end of the war was inevitably the Demon King’s victory. I knew it from the start since I’ve seen the Demon King for a long time, but when the Indomitable Warrior turned into a Cowardly Warrior, the hope of the continent basically went out.
Then, wasn’t the Holy Emperor’s choice correct from the Holy Nation’s perspective? Isn’t the Saintess being unreasonable by becoming a death-row inmate after resisting until the end?
…Still, I can’t understand the Saintess.
“What do you mean? Why is the noble Holy Emperor Julius apologizing to me?”
“Saintess, I will somehow devise a plan. Please… please endure just a little longer.”
“The trials given by the Lord should be embraced willingly. What is there to endure or not?”
“…I will prevent the execution at all costs. Even if it means opposing the Demon King.”
The Holy Emperor hid his severed arms behind his back, revealing his firm resolve. It’s an action that shows how much he values the Saintess.
However, doesn’t he know?
‘The Execution’ clearly refers to the Saintess’s execution. Since this is Tartarus, only prisoners sentenced to death enter here.
And if someone important enough to sentence the Saintess to death is involved, it must be the Demon King.
How can a weak human, who cut off his arm out of fear of the Demon King, oppose the Demon King?
It’s all just empty talk. That’s why the Saintess wears such a wry smile.
“Don’t do anything reckless.”
“But, Saintess…”
“Isn’t this peace achieved by sacrificing your precious arms?”
The Saintess reached out and grabbed the Holy Emperor’s severed arms. Amazingly, she managed to grab them accurately despite having no eyes.
“This is a matter involving the lives of millions of citizens. How can you be swayed by emotions?”
Uuuung…
A soft white light emerged from the Saintess’s small yet rough hands. The light illuminated the iron bars near me, brightening the darkness.
The light seeped into the bandages wrapped around the Holy Emperor’s arms. New flesh began to sprout where the light touched.
This is the mysterious light that healed my neck a few days ago. She calls it ‘love.’
“When the Lord takes you, accept it with joy. That’s all there is to it.”
The Holy Emperor’s aged face turned pale with shock. His thick beard trembled.
“Saintess! Stop immediately! How can you waste your precious lifespan on someone like me…!”
“The Lord gave me lifespan to bestow love upon the humble. Now I am merely fulfilling my duty. Do not refuse.”
Bones, muscles, blood vessels, flesh, etc., sprouted rapidly. When I blinked, the Holy Emperor’s arms were already restored.
Though they were slightly different in color from his original arms, nonetheless…
“Holy Emperor…”
“I tried to make it as similar to the original as possible. I hope it meets your satisfaction… Uuup!”
“Saintess! What’s wrong with you! Kelt, Kelt! Are you outside!”
Suddenly, the Saintess spat blood from her mouth.
Clearly, it wasn’t a normal cough. The blood flowing down the iron bars indicated something serious. The Saintess’s nun’s habit was stained red.
The Holy Emperor urgently called out to Kelt outside. When no response came, he stomped out himself, shaking his massive body.
“Tch, making such a racket.”
“Uuup… Cough, cough-.”
The Saintess slumped onto the hot stone floor, leaning her head against the iron bars. Blood continued to gush from her mouth.
Repeated coughs followed. Watching her silently, I spoke up.
“So, the secret to your almost omnipotent healing power was lifespan, huh?”
“Haha…”
“What? Love? Don’t make me laugh. Considering you used your lifespan.”
“My humble body… is created by the Lord’s grace…”
“You’re dying and still talking nonsense.”
“My short lifespan… is filled with the Lord’s love, so it is indeed love…”
Saying that, the Saintess collapsed face-down on the stone floor. She seemed semi-conscious.
Probably, she won’t be able to get up on her own for a while.
Lifespan, lifespan. Healing my injured throat, curing Vincent’s gunshot wound—both times used lifespan, and today’s collapse means regenerating the Holy Emperor’s arms required that much lifespan.
Hah.
Her blood on the stone floor started bubbling. Right, I forgot—it’s Tartarus.
Hmm, if she stays here without using her sun power, her face will cook like grilled meat.
…But why should I care if she gets cooked? She’s not on my side anyway. Besides, she’s going to die in five days anyway, might as well die now.
“Cough.”
“What, you’re not dead yet?”
I want the Saintess to die. She’s disgusting.
I wish the goddess’s avatar would disappear forever. Touching her makes me uncomfortable.
I wish her mouth would shut forever, spouting weird stuff every day. Listening to her is pure torture.
“Cough, cough.”
The Saintess continued to cough up blood. The expelled blood began oxidizing in the air.
Yeah, just die already. I’m getting tired of talking to you too.
Just…
“One could say you look decent.”
Die properly already, why bother surviving…
“…Hey, why did you waste your lifespan on me…?”
“Cough…”
“Don’t misunderstand. Humans already have ugly average faces. I just don’t want a pretty face to get ruined. Absolutely not because I want you to live. It’s about artistry, I like artistry.”
Seriously. I like artistry. I like beautiful things.
That’s all. I swear it’s absolutely not because I care about her.
Uuung…
“Kueeeeeeeh…!”
“Cough.”
I moved my finger slightly to activate mana force. To ensure she doesn’t misunderstand, I added:
“Don’t get the wrong idea. Most humans look like crap anyway. I just don’t want one of the few decent-looking faces to get messed up. Definitely not because I want you to live. I’m talking about artistry.”
Really. I like artistry. I like beauty.
That’s all. I swear it’s absolutely not because I care about her.
Uuung…
“Kueeeeeeeh…!”
“Cough.”
I flicked my finger to use mana force. The Saintess’s upper body automatically rose and leaned against the iron bars.
Pain shot through my entire body as if my bones were breaking. My stomach twisted painfully. This is due to forcing mana use.
My vision blurred. My mind went blank. The seizure that had been silent all along returned, making a ‘crack’ sound.
Am I losing consciousness?
“At least it’s fortunate…”
In the fading consciousness, I mumbled while looking at the Saintess gracefully leaning against the iron bars.
“At least your face won’t get burned…”
At that moment, the Holy Emperor and Kelt rushed in breathlessly, and my consciousness faded.
Damn bastards. Hurry up and come already. What will you do if your Saintess dies…
*
When I painfully opened my eyes, I saw the Saintess sitting and the Holy Emperor kneeling in front of her. Kelt was fidgeting beside them.
The Holy Emperor was earnestly apologizing for something. The Saintess nodded with her usual gentle smile.
“Well then, I shall take my leave. Saintess, please take good care of yourself.”
“Yes, Holy Emperor. Let me remind you not to harbor unnecessary guilt. You have done your best.”
“…Thank you.”
After answering calmly, the Holy Emperor stood up and left Tartarus. His footsteps were as heavy as an ogre’s.
Kelt handed two breads to the Saintess through the iron bars and followed the Holy Emperor.
Just as they were leaving, the Holy Emperor turned back briefly.
“The cell is dark, I don’t know who the person lying there is… but please assist the Saintess well.”
He said that to me and disappeared completely. I wonder what his reaction would be if he knew I was one of the Demon King’s greatest enemies.
Since he’s already gone, we’ll never know.
“What a precious thing…”
The Saintess looked warmly at the bread Kelt had given and came to me. I already knew what she was going to do next.
“What is it?”
“Eat it.”
“I don’t like bread.”
“You enjoyed it last time.”
“That was because I was starving.”
“Aren’t you hungry now?”
The Saintess teasingly placed her hand on my stomach. Though it was a delicate gesture, it made me feel intensely repulsed.
“What, what are you doing!”
The annoying hand tickled my lower abdomen.
“Hasn’t your belly stuck to your back yet?”
“You, you perverted woman!”
“Eat first, benefactor.”
“Benefactor? Seriously… Do you remember that when you were practically dying?”
“Even someone as stupid as me wouldn’t forget the benefactor who saved my humble life.”
“Shit! What a useless thing you’ve done!”
Despite my loud protest, the Saintess smiled and shoved the bread into my mouth. Never helping you again!
“Umuuuk…”
“Does it suit your taste?”
“Shut up! Troll meat would taste better than this!”
Shit, it’s actually delicious.
However, I really hate bread. I’ve hated it for a long time.
Even during the war with the empire, in the middle of the battlefield, in the polar regions of the north, when I got lost in the monster’s hellish forest, when I massacred the Holy Nation’s White Knights, and when I felt hungry while logging the World Tree…
I always searched for bread to the extent that I hate it.
“Water… water…”
“It’s reassuring to hear you eating well.”
The bread was fragrant and soft. There was a strange aroma too. Regardless, I dislike it.
I chewed thoroughly and swallowed. The Saintess tried to place me on her lap again.
I resisted by moving my head, but since my limbs were bound, I ended up back in her embrace. Damn it, if these chains ever come off, I’ll kill the Saintess first. Though whether that day will come is uncertain.
“You said it was reassuring, so why are you hugging me again?”
“When the baby angel in your heart raises its head, we need to accelerate your reformation.”
“This rosary keeps poking my head, it hurts. Can you move it?”
“…Oops, I’ve overstepped.”
The Saintess quickly moved the rosary from her bosom to the side. Judging from this, her purpose doesn’t seem to be intentionally causing me pain, but she’s truly unpredictable.
“…However, I have a question.”
“Feel free to ask.”
I casually asked her a question. The Saintess responded enthusiastically. Was she that happy that I spoke to her?
“The conversation you had with the Holy Emperor… I guessed it. And the reason you told him not to feel guilty…”
“That’s right.”
“During the entire war, every race on the continent had only two endings: death or surrender to the Demon King.”
“That’s correct.”
“The Holy Nation resisted until the end, but eventually, the Holy Emperor surrendered to the Demon King, securing the safety of the citizens by cutting off his own arms.”
The Saintess’s expression suddenly darkened. She wore a melancholy smile.
“And you resisted until the end. I heard about it – fighting alone against ten thousand monsters in the canyon that devours the sun, and finally being captured here after being defeated by the Demon King’s Four Dukes.”
“That’s right.”
“Why? Exactly why?”
The Holy Emperor was wise.
The Saintess was foolish.
It was a war we couldn’t win. Once that was realized, unconditional surrender was the right choice. Only by accepting that could the minimum damage be sustained.
“The Holy Emperor made the right choice. We couldn’t risk the lives of the Holy Nation’s citizens in a war.”
“No, I mean you. Why did you stubbornly resist until the end?”
If you didn’t know you’d lose, that would be one thing. But even at your strongest, you were called a solo army with divine power…
“I have eyes too. I knew the result of the war.”
“Huh? Then why didn’t you retreat if you knew? Did fighting alone change the world?”
The Saintess immediately lowered her head toward me. Her rough bandage touched my skin.
Oi, is my head your child or something? Why are you holding me like your child? If you want to hold something so badly, just grab a random man and have a kid.
“Demon.”
“What.”
Your voice pierced my ear in the midst of my irritation.
“If evil is too powerful and resistance is impossible, everyone may submit to it. But people’s hearts haven’t submitted yet. There’s still a spark of resistance in everyone’s hearts. But if everyone gives up and does nothing… that spark will go out quickly. So someone needs to keep it alive. To preserve the sparks of justice and hope.”
For some reason, the Saintess’s words were filled with firm determination. In contrast, her small back was quietly sobbing.
Packaging certain death like this… I can’t understand it at all.
“Ultimately, it’s still a dog’s death.”
“Is it?”
“Am I wrong? You were captured, and soon you’ll face the guillotine. The spark is already extinguished. Whether you struggle or not, it was going to go out anyway. If that’s not a dog’s death, what is?”
Why am I arguing with the Saintess? Her life choices have nothing to do with me. Why am I getting angry?
Whether the Saintess lives or dies has nothing to do with me. In fact, she’s my enemy, so I should be happy.
Why is my heart uneasy? Why am I so angry? I have no idea.
Is it because I know she used her lifespan to help me?
Even if that’s true, as a demon, I shouldn’t feel gratitude…
“…Even if it’s a dog’s death, isn’t there something worth protecting?”
“Protecting? What exactly?”
“Refusing to compromise with injustice, whatever the reason.”
I…
“You upheld righteousness.”
I can’t understand you.
…
…