Chapter 244.1

Chapter 244 : The Sojourner’s Psalm

While I was dozing off, a small hand gently shook me awake.

“Can you wake up?” (Misha)

A calm voice reached my ears.

When I opened my eyes, I saw fluffy platinum blonde curls in front of me.

Misha gave a faint smile.

“Is it morning?” (Anos)

“Nh.” (Misha)

As I sat up, Misha quietly moved away.

Sasha, who must’ve woken up earlier, was sitting in a chair, staring blankly into the void with sleepy eyes.

Both of them were already dressed in the Demon King Academy uniforms.

“I saw your dream.” said Arcana, sitting on the edge of the bed.

“About those draconids targeting my sister?” (Anos)

“Yes.” (Arcana)

That dream had been odd.

In the world from two thousand years ago, there was no Underground World. Draconids shouldn’t have existed yet.

Or could their ancestors have already lived above ground?

“Did that bring back any memories?” (Anos)

“I’m not sure. But why do I feel like I’ve seen that dream before?” Arcana murmured, as if questioning herself.

“I wonder if it’s because I was indeed your sister.” (Arcana)

If Arcana’s dream and mine overlapped, that would be a reasonable assumption.

“I’d like to see what happens next, though.” (Anos)

“Perhaps tonight.” (Arcana)

I nodded.

There were things to do today.

And we couldn’t spend all day dreaming.

“How did it go for you two, Misha and Sasha?” Arcana asked the twins.

“I had the same dream as Anos.” Misha replied, causing Arkana to lower her head in thought.

“And after that?”

Misha shook her head slowly.

“What about you, Sasha?” (Arcana)

Arcana asked, but Sasha seemed lost in thought.

“Sasha, did you have a dream?” (Arcana)

“…Yeah… Actually… I had a dream about a small, cute Anos and his little sister…” Sasha replied in a dazed tone.

“Anything else?”

“…Anything else? Hmm… Umm… No, nothing else…” Sasha says sleepily.

“I had them watch our dreams, and then I had them dream about their lives before they were reincarnated.” (Arcana)

“Why couldn’t they see anything else?” I asked Arcana.

“…They have no memories. Either they were never reincarnated to begin with, or they forgot more than we have.” (Arcana)

Both possibilities seemed likely.

At the very least, it seemed that Misha and Sasha wouldn’t recover their memories through the power of the Keeper of Dreams.

“It can’t be helped. We’ll search for their memories by other means, like the God of Traces.” (Anos)

I got off the bed and walked casually to the door.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Sasha’s once-vacant eyes suddenly open wide.

“Wa-Wait, Anos! Put on your clothes! You’re… completely exposed!” Sasha exclaimed, pointing at me as she suddenly snapped awake.

Although, I was covered by a sheet, so I wasn’t exactly “completely exposed.”

Well, she was probably trying to say that stepping out half-naked in front of students wouldn’t be dignified.

“Don’t worry. I don’t intend to go upstairs like this.” (Anos)

I drew a magic circle and clothed myself in my Demon King attire.

“Still, you seem on rather high alert today.” (Anos)

Sasha’s face turned bright red as she averted her gaze.

“…It’s not like I’m… It’s not that… at all…” (Sasha)

Sasha shrunk into her chair, mumbling to herself.

It seemed she was still a bit drowsy.

“It’s almost time for breakfast. Get ready.” (Anos)

We joined the other Demon King Academy students for breakfast.

After resting a bit, it was about time for the Festival of Sacred Song to begin.

We left the Demon King’s castle and made our way to the sacred grounds of the Divine Dragon.

There were many pilgrims in the area, all offering their prayers at the large bonfire in the center.

Following the customs I had learned from Arcana, I hid my right hand with my left and offered a prayer to the great bonfire.

Next to me, Sasha looked at me with a surprised expression.

“What’s with that look?” (Anos)

“…Well, you don’t believe in gods and you hate them, don’t you?” (Sasha)

“I don’t deny it. But as long as they cause no harm, faith is up to each individual. Since this is a festival for those who believe in them, it’s only courtesy to offer a prayer.” (Anos)

“For a Demon King, that sounded pretty sensible of you.” (Sasha)

As I said this, Sasha also offered a prayer next to me.

“Anos is concerned.” (Misha)

“About what?” (Sasha)

“That Ahid is planning to disrupt the festival.” (Misha)

“Hmm, but that’s not really Anos’ fault. Sure, if he hadn’t put the <Shackle Collar Dream and Reality Nedneliaz> collar on him, maybe Ahid wouldn’t have gone around loudly claiming that gods don’t exist. But what he was doing was much worse. He was lying about the words of the gods and manipulating the believers for his own ends, wasn’t he?” (Sasha)

He also made many draconids commit suicide to strengthen the Moon of Creation.

“If Anos hadn’t intervened, who knows how much worse it could’ve gotten, and no one would have even noticed.” (Sasha)

I cackled.

“W-Why are you laughing?” (Sasha)

“Oh, nothing. I was just thinking how fortunate I am to have such a kind-hearted subordinate. You’re right, I’m not at fault here. I have no obligation to deal with Ahid for the sake of this country. I’ve already exposed his collusion with Gadeciola. If anything, they should be thanking me.” (Anos)

“As long as you understand that…” Sasha said, looking slightly embarrassed, her gaze dropping to the floor.

“She’s kind.” Misha murmured to me in a low voice so Sasha wouldn’t hear.

“The responsibility for creating a fool should lie with the country that raised him. If that man were still regarded as a devout believer, there’s no guarantee that I won’t be resented for defeating him, even under the guise of the Selection Trial.” (Anos)

Though I had already taken away much of his power by taking Arcana from him, I hadn’t expected him to escape after being captured once.

“Still, perhaps I should have put shackles on him to make him easier to catch again.” (Anos)

“Do you feel guilty?” Misha asked, staring at me with her usual impassive eyes.

“Me?” (Anos)

“Just a little?” (Misha)

“As I said earlier, they started the fire long before I got involved. I’m under no obligation to go out of my way to extinguish it. What belongs to the gods should be returned to the gods. A fool from Jiordal should be handed back to Jiordal.” (Anos)

Misha let out a soft chuckle.

“Sasha said so. That it’s not Anos’ fault.” she remarked, as if she could read my mind.

“You always overestimate me. I’m not as kind as you think.” (Anos)

But Misha shook her head slowly.

“You’re kind.” (Misha)

“Hey, what are you two whispering about? Is it something you can’t tell me?” (Sasha)

“Just small talk,” I said.

“Small talk,” Misha echoed.

Sasha’s eyes narrowed even more, clearly unconvinced.

“Oh, looks like something’s about to start!” (Eleonore)

Eleonore, who was standing ahead of us, turned around and pointed toward the stage where the altar stood.

A group of followers in blue robes emerged from behind the altar.

It was the choir of Jiorhaze.

As they stepped onto the stage, they immediately turned to face the large bonfire and offered their prayers.

The sound of a harp made from dragon materials echoed softly.

“O great Almighty Radiance Equis, we thank you for safely guiding us to this day, one hundred days later.” (Irina)

As the captain of the choir, it seemed she held a significant role as a clergyman.

Her robe was noticeably more luxurious than that of the others.

“Since ancient times, Jiorhaze has been blessed with the winds of new songs, gifted to us by the will of the gods. These songs break through all calamities and bring blessings to us, the people of Jiordal. This is proof that the gods are always watching over us,” she proclaimed, raising her hands high.