An unfamiliar ceiling.
'Where am I?'
My whole body was paralyzed. Somehow, my vision had recovered, too. It appeared to be an infirmary. I must have passed out since that battle. How long has passed? Who brought me here? So many questions filled my mind.
'...There is no point mulling over this.'
I slowly turned my head, taking a view of the scenery outside through a window. Trees. Flowers. A gentle breeze passed. They quivered. Huh, I was bad at describing things, but if I were to describe my feelings instead.
I felt unsettled.
***
Some time passed. Someone came in.
"Oh! Cain, you are awake. How do you feel? We have done everything we could to heal you. Seeing the severe state you were in, we feared we were too late. Truly, a Chosen One guided by fate won't succumb that easily."
Bishop Martha personally came to check in on my condition. I assumed this must be the Order's church, then. Guess I was indeed lucky not to have crossed the Styx River back then. Now, looking back, I was beyond reckless. What was I thinking, really?
"It's still a bit sore, but I feel better now. All injuries have vanished, as if they never existed. The Order's healing is truly miraculous."
"Certainly, a Chosen One deserves the best of our treatment. No matter what, you can always rely on us."
"I'm deeply grateful. I'll repay this debt one day for sure."
"Ah, please don't say that. Our Order has already owed much to the Chosen Ones for their appearance. Under the all-knowing gaze of God Polaris, keeper of fate, it is only right that we watch over and help one another—wouldn't you agree?"
"I suppose so."
When I am reminded of my goal in this way, I realize how hopeless I was. When will I finally accomplish something for once?
"...Also, who brought me here, bishop Martha?"
I already had some idea who did it, but I wanted to confirm it.
"Ah, a mage took you here after saving you from a demonbeast. She said her name was Eirlys. Do you know her, Cain?"
Opened, then closed, no words came out of my mouth. I hesitated.
"...No, I don't know her."
That is true. I met her just before that night, and I just came to this world not long ago, so there was no way I'd know her. That's how it should be.
"Anyway, how long was I unconscious?"
"You have passed out for three days now. You must be hungry, correct? I'll have something prepared soon."
"Thanks."
I spent another day at the church since they refused to dismiss me early. This place was quite comfortable anyway.
***
It is a known fact that the Order is very influential. They are the sole major religion in this world, spreading their doctrines across every land and country. Naturally, simply rich would be an understatement.
'Their food is so delicious! And their hospitality is incredible! If possible, I'd want to stay here forever, but then I would be treated like a bum...'
Oh well, whatever, not like I'd enjoy a life like that. Anyway, this place was massive. Only now I get to walk around and view this place in its entirety. By the way, I got discharged today, with sister Eliana leading me out.
Then, I noticed the beautiful and vast courtyard, yet it was awfully empty. I looked at it silently.
Sister Eliana seemed to notice my gaze. She too gazed at it.
"...It is still so strange to see the courtyard being this empty. Everyone used to gather here every day, exchanging trivial talk and enjoying simple games. Ah! Please don't mind my previous remark, brother."
"No, no. There's no need to be so formal. But that remark just now, did something happen?"
"...It is nothing, brother. Someone dear to us all just returned to Their embrace. It was too sudden, so we have yet to come to terms with it."
Ah, right.
That was too insensitive from me. It was painfully obvious who it was.
"...Can I visit her resting place?"
"Of course. It is just nearby. I can guide you there, if you wish."
"Yes, please."
I walked through the empty halls, two steps behind the sister. Before long, we arrived at the churchyard. There were not many headstones here, many of which were already weathered by time, so her newly placed headstone stood out even more.
As I stepped closer, the inscription there became clear.
Angela.
An epitaph: "Until we meet again."
A moment of silence.
Stretched into what feels like eternity.
I closed my eyes.
And shed tears.
...
"Emmanuel."
Sister Eliana spoke softly.
Some time passed, and I turned and walked away. I have mourned enough. This was not the first time I cried. I had done so alone many times before in that dark dungeon.
"Brother Cain, please remember that Angela chose to protect you all by herself, so don't be too burdened by it. Such was the fate Angela chose for herself."
What kind of look had I been wearing to make her comfort me like that?
Fate, huh? That word now felt unpleasant. Not because I hate it, but because it was such a cruel reminder. Of the past, present, and the future to come.
To be honest, I was scared. The demonbeast was terrifying, and I was too close to dying there. Angela gave her life for mine, and still I wonder if I've done anything to deserve it. Even protecting it was hard enough, so how could I afford to dream of more?
'I don't know anymore.'
I couldn't answer.
***
Bishop Martha told me someone was waiting for me at the guild for information regarding the demonbeast attack. When I arrived there, a person was waiting for me, leaning against the wall, being unnecessarily cool. His ashen hair really made him stand out easily.
"Uh, you are the one who called me, right?"
"Yes. Theron, a hunter from the Pathfinder Guild. I'll get to the point: demonbeasts are unusually active, so I suspect there must be an "anomaly" among them, the cause for this unprecedented rise in numbers. Therefore, I need you to describe the demonbeast you encountered to assist in this investigation. Characteristics, manners, and your circumstances when the incident happened. Everything."
"Oh, uh, alright?"
He was unexpectedly straightforward. Speaking of which.
"But what about Eirlys? You know her, right?"
"I do. She is an exceptional guild member, and problematic, too. To be honest, she has made the investigation more difficult by burning the demonbeast carcass completely, so the inquiry will be quite long. She is quite elusive, so I have not been able to contact her for the past few days."
"I see."
I was led to a reception room. There, I was offered tea or coffee, so I took coffee. I was surprised too, never knew they had coffee. It tasted awful, as it should. Theron scribbled down everything I said on a piece of paper, silently.
An hour passed by simply like that. I was used to silence, yet the sound of the pen scratching the paper somehow made me stand on edge.
The sound suddenly stopped. I waited, no question. Seemed like the inquiry was over.
"Thank you, Cain, for cooperating nicely with the investigation. The inquiry ended earlier than expected. Nice and efficient. I like it."
I was simply not in the mood for small talk. Normally, I wasn't like this. Everything had taken a great toll on me. Mentally and physically.
"You can leave now. Additionally, I ask that you exercise caution when traveling the streets at night. Demonbeasts are very unpredictable and active now."
"Will do."
Suddenly, I remembered something.
"Ah, do you know of a newbie named Evan? I heard he recently took a demonbeast commission. Do you know anything about it?"
"He formally withdrew from the guild yesterday."
"...Huh?"
"His entire party was wiped out, except for him. Quite unfortunate. A victim of this unusual demonbeast activity."
He gave me a look of condolence, then left the room. I sat there, baffled.
"...Hah, guess I was luckier than I thought. How ridiculous. This world, really."
Was it really because of luck? Had I joined Evan's party, would anything have changed at all? Regrets. Will never get used to them.
People died so easily. People gave up so easily.
Oh well, whatever, I am still alive. That's what is important.
...But for how long? And why?
Pondering questions, walking aimlessly through the streets, dusk arrived. I flopped onto the bench in an empty park. It felt abandoned, in a state of disrepair.
Darkness engulfed everything. There were no functioning streetlamps here. The moon was not visible. The only lights here were the stars.
I was truly lost, disregarding Theron's warning, alone, at night. A demonbeast could appear anytime and rip me apart, yet I found myself fixated on the night sky.
Maybe it was tiredness, but I didn't want to leave. Maybe it was boredom, but the stars were captivating.
What was I looking for?
-Swish
Something was coming. I snapped my head back instantly.
"...Eirlys?"
"Don't make a face like that. Why are you here at this hour? You know demonbeasts roam around at night, so why sit here? Do you want to die?"
It was Eirlys. She just vanishes and appears as she wishes. How scary.
"What about you then?"
"You haven't answered my questions yet."
"Uh, I don't know? Maybe I was bored. Maybe I was tired. It's a spur-of-the-moment thing. I want to watch the night sky."
"What a laughable answer."
"...Ugh."
"For your information, I'm hunting demonbeasts, clearly. It just caught my eye that the foolish guy I saved a few days ago is now having a death wish. Maybe I shouldn't have saved you at all?"
"Wait, how are we coming to this conclusion? Sorry for being so carefree, but I'm having a bad time too. Also, hunting demonbeasts? Are you a hunter?"
"Just temporarily."
She sat down next to me. Her eyes fixated on mine, as if trying to read my thoughts. Her face was still unreadable as ever.
"Cain. You are overwhelmed, right?"
"What? Why are you even questioning me so much anyway? You have nothing to do with me, right?"
"You are a Chosen One, correct?"
"!!"
How? I never told anyone aside from the Order that I am a Chosen One, even the Pathfinder Guild.
"Looks like I'm indeed correct, judging from your reaction. How curious. A traveler from another world, summoned by the God of Fate, Polaris. In a remote place like this, too, what brought you here?"
"..."
"Silence, hm? Well, you don't need to say anything. I will find out eventually."
"What do you mean—"
"Cain, do you want to join my demonbeast hunting party? Actually, it is just you and me, so a party might not be quite the right word."
Eh? Why was she dropping bombshell after bombshell? Does she even care about my answer, actually?
"Cain, I need you to answer clearly, now."
"I..."
My word trailed off. Instead, I looked at the night sky again. Contemplating my answer. Eirlys seemed to be bothered by that, but she stayed silent.
We just gazed at the night sky like that. For a long while.