Chapter 58 (1/2)

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Why, Why, Why.

Even till the very end, Kaito-sama’s heart had remained imprisoned by that Devil.

Even when I’m the one who loves you most.

Even when I’m the one you should’ve loved the most.

Even when I’m the one most worthy of you.

But I’m, not the one beside you.

And you’re, not the one beside me.

Why, do you shed tears for that Devil.

Why, does your heart break for that Devil.

Why, do you desire that Devil.

If only you had desired me, I would’ve have given you my body, my soul, my everything.

Of course, if only that Devil was gone, Kaito-sama would finally open his eyes.

For he is the one destined to vanquish that Devil. And I, am the one who’d stand closest to him as he did.

I can still remember the joy from when I learned of that destiny. I can still remember the despair of having that destiny defiled.

Which was why I thought everything would be resolved once that Devil, the defiler of my destiny, was killed.

And after that, all was supposed to have returned as it should be.

Because Kaito-sama had used his own blade to cut away the chains that had enraptured him.

… And yet. And yet and yet!

By then, it was all too late. The cursed fragments of those chains had buried themselves deep, deep into his heart, his soul forever unclean, defiled.

I had no choice but to accept that fact.

So the least I could do was free that dirtied soul. Even that stolen, tarred, corrupted soul would surely be purified by the grace of God, and surely he and I would meet again in our next lives.

For I am the Saintess, and Kaito-sama is the Hero.

And so, I learned that God had granted my dearest wish.

The mistaken world was now no more, and when I realized that, I wept, I shed tears of utmost joy.

This time will be different. This time, I will not fail.

This time, I will become your one and only, I will be the one to fully occupy your soul.

Please, please wait for me.

My beloved, my Hero.

☆

As the coach rattled along the dirt road, I, Meteria Loreria, felt slightly fatigued from the journey.

(It’s because I’d gotten used to riding the unshaking carriage Kaito-sama had created.)

In the previous world, I could only marvel at its genius, and I recall seeing him talk to the merchant Avares about its technical aspects, I now regret not asking for those details myself.

I’d been sitting on this stiff coach seat for so long that my buttocks were numb from the constant vibrations.

I used heal to secretly alleviate the numbing pain during breaks in the journey. I was, after all, still the sheltered bird of a woman at the present time. I may remember the experiences I had in the previous world, but I clearly wasn’t as fit as I had been.

My adventures with Kaito-sama during which I increased my level and proficiencies in Holy Magic and Water Magic had all turned to nothing.

It was extremely disheartening to lose the fruits of my special training with my beloved.

Then again, we simply had to do it over, together of course. In fact, with the knowledge I have in my possession, he and I could crush all of our wretched foes on our own. Yes, we won’t need other ‘companions’ who would only get in the way of our love.

He only required me, and I him.

“… phew,” I sighed, “It’s also been so long since I’ve seen this country.”

“Pardon? You’ve seen it?” said the maid at my side as she cocked her head in confusion.

I had leaked an expression of nostalgia when I looked out the coach window to see the tall walls that enclosed Aurel, the royal capital of the kingdom of Aurelia.

Silly me. It should be my first time coming to this country, so of course, she’d question my words.

“It’s nothing. I simply mistook it for something else.” I spoke a tad coldly so she wouldn’t ask any more questions.

But then, the simple maid who knew nothing of my circumstances looked shocked and even a little scared. I felt sorry for that, so I spoke to her softly,

“You know, I’d definitely need to enjoy some calming tea once I’m done with my greetings. You should join me. I’d find it lonely to have tea alone after all.”

I gently smiled to her so that she would calm her nerves, and seeing that, the maid’s cheeks reddened slightly as she stuttered a ‘Y-yes, m’lady!’ her voice higher than normal.