[Side A]
The rain continued.
Seems like the world itself is crying.
It was already morning. Soon,they will start attacking.
I'm already beyond saving.
…
The clock ticking sound was loud.
So much it irritated me.
I looked at the ceiling.
Strangely, I felt at peace.
I remembered everything. The sensation of killing lingering at my fingers.
The feeling of hatred and disgust consuming me.
Despite that, I felt at peace.
"Alisha-sama?"
A small female voice called out. I realized it was one of the maids.
"… Yes? "
"Breakfast preparation is done. "
I nodded and got up to the dining room.
The maid just stood by,ready for any instructions.
"You… Don't you want to go back to your family or anything?"
I casually asked not really expecting any response.
"Eh…"
There was a moment of silence.
"…T-"
"I do think of going back to visit them… Especially with the situation as it is now, I start to worry."
"Then… why are you still here?"
The maid laughed a little and smiled.
"Because,I still have my job here. We have to support Alisha-sama and the other officers during this situation."
"… Is that so."
I got up.
"Alisha-sama?
The meal… "
"It's fine, I will eat it later. I have something to do now."
She nodded her head,took the tray and went off.
I went out in the rain, not bringing an umbrella or anything.
There wasn't any particular reason but I just wanted to clear my head.
As I walk through the street, I witnessed a lot of things.
Children happily playing about even though it's raining.
Other adults seeming to have given up, but they still put on a smile to anticipate a better day.
Occasionally there will be people coming to greet me with a smile rather than a demand.
I looked up to the sky.
It was grey.
No sunlight could shine through.
It been like this for a few days.
I looked at my hands,and thought back on what I have done.
It's too late to repent,I am already beyond saving.
I have been tainted.
Just like the sky,isn't it?
It will stay grey forever wouldn't it…
…
Just like the sky …?
I slapped myself on both cheek,
as though to sober myself up,and ran back to the castle.
Even though I am beyond saving,
Sorey,you know,this world… I
really love it.
—
There was loud banging on the door.
"It's open."
Several people came in,all with a look of confusion.
"Alisha-sama! The Shepherd is attacking the Capital! "
"Does he plans to destroy the whole place… ?!"
I stood up.
"I get it.
I will make preparation for engaging combat, please leave it to me.
But before that,please help to take control of the situation and
evacuate the citizens as soon possible."
They looked at each other,gave me a look too and nod their head.
As soon as they went out, the same maid that always been with me entered.
Seems like she was the one who escort them here.
"Alisha-sama,you have been doing something since earlier,
what have you been doing?"
I smiled a little and stood up.
"Nothing much… The capital is under attack,
you should run as soon as you can."
"… No I… still want to be able to help out somehow."
"You might die, you know?"
"… But…"
I gathered up a few paper on the table,and placed them in the envelope.
"Then listen,this is the last order you will get from your mistress."
"Eh… Last order?What did you meant by tha-"
"I entrust this envelop with you,
please give it to the Shepherd after all this is finished.
I'm counting on you to stay alive no matter what in the end."
"E-Eh-"
"Guards, please hurry and guide her to a safe place."
I ordered in a loud voice and soon the maid was taken away by a few guards to the evacuation site.
"W-wait! A-alisha-sama!"
I smiled at her and said.
"It will be fine."
—
I ran to the hall, there was all sort of noises.
People shouting,crying,chattering.
Within moments,orders was passed about and I had the army with me.
All just to prepare war against the Shepherd.
We soon head out and they were within sight but a far distance away.
There was already soldiers engaging in combat with them
Sorey threw a side glance over here,but it doesn't seem he noticed us yet.
…
"How many casualties are there?"
"About half the place is destroyed,
there are no death yet but there is a few severely injured ,what are your plans?"
"We fight back. This is an urgent emergency."
"…! That's surprising,and here I thought the Shepherd is your friend. "
I closed my eyes, tighten my grip on the spear I always hold.
"This fight…"
Opening my eyes, I looked at him.
"It's either he goes down,or we go down."
I lifted up my spear and pointed in their direction.
With a roar, an order of Go was carried out.
—
There was blood everywhere.
He hadn't killed anyone but he made sure they were temporarily unable to move
Soldier on horses dropped one by one,shot by a blue arrow.
"Alisha-sama… The first-aid corner is already… "
I turned my head and saw the tents on fire.
Nurses and doctors seems to be joining the injured.
"We wouldn't hurt you,Alisha."
I remembered what he said,
he kept to his word.
I haven't had a single injuries on me because they weren't attacking me.
Even if there was any attack towards me or debris,
the others were all protecting me,the 'princess'.
I took a deep breath.
An entire army, against the Shepherd.
Causalities,
All severely injured.
0 deaths.
No one except me can move anymore.
The first aid area has been damaged by Lailah-sama, making sure no one can receive proper treatment,
no doctors and nurses are able to move properly either.
I looked at the battlefield.
There was blood everywhere, people lying down in pain and agony.
I looked at the first aid area and gave a pained smile.
That's good.
Sorey started walking towards me,he was quite a distance away.
I tighten my grip on the spear.
I could feel the same disgusting feeling inside me again.
Sorey you know…
Despite
all I have done or seen…
"Alisha."
I looked at him in the eye.
"Sorey, please stop this."
"… You know the answer."
I could feel the feeling gradually taking over me.
"Is there no way I can convince you?"
"We… No,I have already decided."
'I' raised up my spear before I can wield it down,
I was stopped by Sorey.
"Alisha … ?! What are you doing…?!"
'I' started laughing.
"Alisha?"
… The tainted me was trying to take over.
Don't hurt him-,them.
Disgusting.
… Did you think I would let you…?
"…! Alisha?! Sorey-! Hurry up and stop Alisha—!"
I heard Mikleo voice from within Sorey.
Hey Sorey…
Despite all I have seen and done…
I really love this world.
So that's why I…
"Huh?Wha-"
I realized I had tears in my eyes,I gave Sorey a smile.
Bringing down the spear I held in my hand,
and with Sorey still holding onto it,
I stabbed myself and pulled it out.
There was a sound.
Blood oozed out from the wound from my stomach.
A piercing sharp pain resonate through my whole body.
My vision went black.
I can hear a voice constantly calling my name and trying to shake me awake.
Slowly…
slowly…
I drifted off to sleep
—
[Side S]
"What are you doing?"
"Ah… No… Nothing much."
"The letter… have you read it yet?"
"… No,where's Lailah?"
"She said she wanted to be alone."
"I see…"
I stood on a relatively high grassland,looking over the place where the fight took place.
There were remains.
Broken wood pieces,tents and destroyed debris scattered around.
I was the cause of it.
I took a deep breath and felt the wind caressing my skin.
"… Mikleo?"
"Hm? What?"
I turned towards him and gave a small smile.
"This might sound bad after Lailah just said it to you.
Do you mind leaving me alone for a while?"
"…"
He then smiled a little too. A tired smile.
"You don't have to force yourself you know,Sorey."
"I'm not really…"
"… I'm sorry. For not telling you about Alisha."
"… What did you mean by that?"
He sighed and walked off,casually waving and he has a hand pressing onto his head,as though he has a headache.
"No,nothing. I guess I need some alone time as well. I will see you later on."
I took another deep breath and sighed,turning back to landscape earlier.
…
So he knew about it.
Holding a few sheets of paper in my hand,it felt heavy.
It was something a maid of hers has given to me,
saying it was what her master has wished,to pass on this letter to me.
I looked up at the sky.
Stormy clouds,seems like it's going to rain.
I looked at the pieces of paper.
I read it.
About everything.
"… Sorey. You know. I would like to believe in them,humans,that is."
I looked at the remains again.
There were people.
Soldiers,workers,clearing out the place.
Seeing if there was anyone else who was injured and not yet found.
Families supporting them.
"Humans, no matter how many time they fall, they will be able to pick themselves up.
They help each other, they don't give up.
This beautiful world,I love it."
… Strange.
Something cold slid down my cheek,falling on the paper. Leaving a wet mark.
Is it raining already?
I looked up at the sky.
It started raining.
A few cold drops made contact with me a few times.
It hurts.
It hurts.
What can I do to stop this aching pain.
If I have endured,maybe we would be all together despite everything.
I look at the landscape.
When did I start to forget?
The reason as to why I was willing to endure.
It's like what Alisha said.
Why did I forget?
How beautiful this world is.
"Alisha…I'm sorry. "
—
I wonder was it because of the rain.
It felt like I was a little delusional.
I saw a dull stream of light.
It slowly took on a human form of a recently deceased princess and for a second,it smiled and burst into thin air.
—
The rain continued to fall.
Drip… drip… drip.
A stained black cape of a Shepherd, as though floating light particles,
faint balls of black light started to dance around and scattered into white light.
One by one,the stained black cape seems to get lighter and lighter.
Turning it completely white.
[END]
