Chapter 60 Dear You, Sleeping On A Starless Night
"Hey, knight. Have you heard of the Ygg religion?"
"It's that religion that respects and praises the attitude and mindset of those who fight, right? I know about it."
Of course, she knew. The Ygg religion was well-known even in Asgardam. But Shura seemed to dislike the Ygg religion, as her words had a sharp edge.
"I see. Then you might have noticed when you saw the inside and the chapel, but this place was an orphanage built by the nuns of Ygglith."
"So, you were the one who was asked to do it?"
"Yes. Back then, there were many orphans due to beast attacks, droughts, and natural disasters in this area. Some villagers were against it, but the nuns' passionate persuasion made everyone gradually change their minds. I was one of them."
Eigun was also deeply involved in starting the orphanage. Shura, who felt a strong sense of responsibility for the destruction, couldn't help but bite her lip. But there was no sign from the gravekeeper that he wanted to blame her.
There was only a feeling of longing for the past and immense sadness.
"She was a stubborn person. But she was so caring and kind that the orphans looked up to him like a mother. She worked hard for their future and taught them reading and math. Her dedication moved me and the village, and we started to help more. Ah, that's why... I couldn't 'believe it.'."
"Wait, are you saying that nun started the fire?"
"No, after the incident, we found out that the fire started because a kitchen worker made a mistake. It wasn't her."
"Then why..."
"She ran away. She escaped alone to the village, leaving the orphans behind in the burning orphanage."
"Wait, what?"
Shura's breath caught in her throat.
For her, who felt warmth towards that nun, Eigun's words were too hard to believe. But it was an unchanging fact.
"I blamed her. I asked why she abandoned the kids. But I didn't think she could save them. She cried out that she was scared for her life. If you ask what's wrong with wanting to save yourself, that's one thing. But I couldn't help but feel betrayed. She left the orphans, whom she had often said were precious to her, and ran away... I couldn't forgive her. I even felt hatred. But I should have realized that hatred only leads to more mistakes."
"More mistakes?"
"The next day, she hanged herself from the branch of that old tree you see over there."
"No way──."
Did she deeply regret abandoning them?
Did she despair over losing her place in the world?
We don't know the exact reason. But the nun took her own life. The only thing that remains is the loss of everything.
"It's like I killed her."
"..."
"The one who took a life has to take care of the dead. Isn't that a twisted thing, knight?"
"Yeah. But that's your way of atoning, right?"
"...Yeah."
"Everyone has their own way of facing death. It's not something someone else can criticize. If it were, we wouldn't need graves."
"... Is that so?"
He seems to be seeking judgment. But Shura refused.
It's true that his hatred might have pushed the nun to take her own life. But she couldn't bring herself to blame the old man who became a gravekeeper and is still trapped in atonement.
How one faces death is up to each person.
Whether it's carrying a cross as a gravekeeper or seeking revenge as a warrior, it's the choice of the living.
"Hey, knight. Do you think that nun, who was good at singing, ascended peacefully to heaven?"
"..."
"If that's the case, I owe you all a thank you──."
"I don't know. Not at all."
That's why Shura cut off Eigun's murmured core.
"The only thing here was the cursed beast. It was just the nightmare that attacked this village. We don't know anything about the nun. So..."
What she saw, faced, and what Hiiro defeated was that beast, the nightmare of this village. Nothing more, nothing less.
"Since you keep regretting it... maybe that person's soul has already found peace."
"... Is that so?"
The mourning has long been over. At least, that's what Shura thought.
It's unclear how the gravekeeper took that. He just smiled sadly and gently stroked the newly erected gravestone.
* * *
"Indeed. Old bones are getting too into their stories. But, the medicine should have settled into his body by now."
"!"
It seemed like he had sorted out his feelings.
Shura looked at Hiiro's sleeping face while Eigun shifted his focus from the past to the present. She let out a sigh of relief.
Hiiro's burn was starting to be covered by a thin blue layer of Magi.
Blue is part of water, and water symbolizes healing. This was proof that the medicine was working.
"We can't leave the hero who saved this village lying on the ground forever. Let's head back to the village. Sorry, but could you help me carry him? It's a bit too much for this old man alone."
"...No need for that."
"Huh?"
We can't just leave the person who did so much for us like this. Shura agreed with that, but she also had her pride.
She said it firmly and lifted Hiiro onto her back by herself.
Hiiro was much heavier than her, but for a strong warrior like Shura, it was no problem at all.
"You..."
"I'm fine. You go ahead."
"... Alright."
Even if it was an unbearable weight, she wouldn't give in. The girl carrying Hiiro followed Eigun, who was holding a lantern and leading the way.
She moved carefully, trying not to shake him.
'I will end this nightmare!'
As she felt Hiiro's heartbeat through her back, she remembered his strong words. Compared to Shura, he was practically unknown. But in Korghi village, everyone would know the name Hiiro Merifar.
He really did end the nightmare.
"Why didn't you run away, you idiot?"
Tonight's battle must have felt like a nightmare for Hiiro. The knights who were supposed to be on their side were being controlled by beasts, and the battlefield was surrounded by flames that could burn them at any moment.
But this idiot never tried to run away.
'──So I gotta stick with it.'
In her hazy memories, she could barely recall the scene.
Maybe it was a phrase to motivate himself. Random mutterings, but they were vivid.
A strong will that wouldn't back down. Just remembering his closed jade-green eyes made her heart feel warm.
"Seriously. You're the first idiot like this I've met."
On the path she chose, there shouldn't have been any light from people.
But a man appeared, smashing through the dark world with a chunk of iron, not caring about that.
Even on a starless night, Shura squinted her eyes.
She cherished the light coming through the cracks.
"────Hiiro."
The girl, who still found it hard to be honest, didn't have the confidence to express her gratitude when tomorrow came.
So, on this quiet night, with even the owls silent, she decided to share her feelings quietly.
"Thank you for helping me."
She was glad he was there.
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