Author: Akashari	Original Source: Syosetu
Translator: Mui	English Source: Re:Library

Project GB is an official initiative by Re:Library.

“…Not exactly a pleasant story.”

The chair creaked under my weight as I leaned back. I didn’t want to believe it, but it wasn’t something I could dismiss outright either. The thought that this city was merely a sacrificial offering to a single ‘curse’ drifting in the sea was too heavy to casually swallow over tea.

“Shall we stop here for now?”
“No, stopping here would just leave a bad taste in my mouth. Do the people know about the sacrifice?”
“Of course not. Only a select few know the truth. Most of the people living in this city believe wholeheartedly that as long as the Saint remains, Aldebaran will be protected.”
“Just to be sure, has anyone tried to destroy it outright?”
“It seems the previous Saint attempted it. She perished in the process, unfortunately.”
“…I see.”
“Yes. Even if I were to train for a hundred years, it would still be difficult to destroy it. The nature of the curse is simply on a different level.”

Her immediate response and sense of resignation told me everything. The Saint had already given up on the idea of sinking the ghost ship. And I couldn’t blame her. If someone told me to go and defeat it, I would refuse as well.

We had barely survived an encounter with one of its tentacles, and we couldn’t even be sure if anything other than the Saint’s magic could harm it. It was an opponent beyond the reach of most wizards.

“I see… so that’s why they call you the ‘Saint of Aldebaran.’ Quite the ironic title, isn’t it?”
“Hehe, I don’t dislike it as much as you’d think. It’s not entirely a name of disgrace, after all.”

With a refined gesture, the Saint smiled and tilted her teacup, from which the steam had long since dissipated. I had a similar cup in front of me, but I couldn’t bring myself to take a sip. The mood just wasn’t right for it.

“…It’s gone cold. Shall I brew some fresh tea?”
“No, I’m fine. I’ve heard what I needed to. I should get going.”
“I see. Just to be sure, you won’t—”
“I have no intention of telling anyone. …But why did you share this with me?”
“You weren’t going to leave without hearing it, were you?”
“Well, that’s true, but—”
“Just a joke. It’s a secret, but my eyes see a bit more than most.”

As she said that, the Saint finally opened her eyes, which had been firmly shut until now.

Her blue eyes were devoid of light, filled only with an abyssal darkness, like the depths of the ocean.

“Long ago, I impulsively tried to crush them myself, but it didn’t affect my sight at all.”
“…Is that also one of God’s blessings?”
“Who knows? These eyes saw too much even before the stigmata appeared.”
“So it’s a condition you were born with. That’s… interesting.”
“It’s not as great as you might think. I can see the emotions and intentions of people around me as colored mist rising from them.”
“That sounds… rough.”

Even as I spoke, I realized how shallow my response was and regretted it immediately. In her position, not everyone who approached her did so with good intentions. She must have seen humanity’s ugliest parts ‘in color,’ whether she wanted to or not.

It’s no wonder she could have become distrustful or even mentally shattered. In fact, the mere fact that she could still hold a normal conversation seemed almost miraculous.

“Hehe, it’s true that these eyes have caused me plenty of hardship. But in the first half of my lifetime, I’ve also met many good people. I have no reason to lament.”
“Well, that’s admirable… but how does that connect to you leaking confidential information to me?”
“Hm? Because you’re a good person, Ms. Laika. The color of your heart is so clear and pure.”
“……”

――――――――…………
――――……
――…

“Oh, are you done talking, Mast—Master? Why do you look so grumpy?”
“Hmph, just a waste of time! We’re heading back to the guild, Momo. The Saint’s eyes are nothing but clouded glass beads!”
“Uh-huh… I don’t really get it, but I’m pretty sure you’re just pouting over something weird, Master.”
“What did you just say!?”
“Nothing at all, nope! Absolutely nothing!”

――――――――…………
――――……
――…

“Oh, little Laikaaa… welcome baaack… Let me pat your head…!”
“Call the guards.”

Upon returning to the guild for various reports, I was greeted by a zombie-like, creepy figure. On closer inspection, the other staff members were wandering around with the same exhausted expressions, sluggishly completing their tasks. Even the battle-hardened adventurers looked on in shock at the sight.

“Now now. What happened, Ms. Hoshikawa? Those are some serious bags under your eyes.”
“I… I finished my overtime, finally went for a nap, and then… I got woken up… and have been working since then…”
“M-My condolences…”

I had anticipated that last night’s disturbance would have reached the guild, but it seemed it had hit them at the worst possible time. Even so, the guild managed to keep things from spiraling into total chaos. They had fought hard, to the point of exhaustion, to maintain order.

“…It can’t be helped. Turn your head this way for a moment.”
“Huh? AaAaA↑! T-Tiny hands are touching my heaaad!”
“Momo, maybe you should take over after all. That noise just now didn’t sound human.”
“Master, please be nice to Ms. Hoshikawa and the others. They worked hard too.”
“Hah, very well then. I’ll remember this one. Anyway, do I need to submit a report to the guild?”
“Oh, yeeeah… If you’re fine with me in this state, I can take your report anytime you like…”
“Call someone higher up. I’ve got complaints to file.”
“That’s a joke, just a joke—about 20% of it, at least. By the way, we’ve got some reports of our own to share… is that alright?”
“Go ahead. Is it about Cozmiki?”
“Exactly. Well, it turns out… Lady Cozmiki has already been confirmed dead.”

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