Chapter 6

Light Beyond 2 ~ Chapter Six~

Asyut picked up a piece of the report that was spread out in front of him and then tossed it aside after a glance.

Unable to feel motivated, he stood up from the sofa and poured himself a glass of water from the shelf before draining it in one go. As he thought, work wasnt something to be brought into his private room. Along with his sigh Asyut felt that keenly. But there was a mound of problems and they were all serious matters that could not be ignored. During the day he was up to his neck in dealing with business that the only way to think slowly over these problems was to set aside a short time at night.

The enviroment surrounding the Saint Celiastina was once again starting to change greatly.

There were many points related to her that he was concerned about. First, the most immediate problem was the matter of her bodyguards. Ever since Neisan, a victim of the Holy Jail, was announced as a candidate to be her bodyguard, everyones doubts began to swell again.

The same situation occurred when Aeneas became one. Why did he expressly want to serve as the hated saints bodyguard? Was he not hiding a plot to avenge himself? If that was not the case then, conversely, was the saint the one who appointed him as a bodyguard again? If so, then for what reason?

Certainly, the surrounding voices gradually became smaller as Aeneas did his work with devotion. From an outsiders view, the master and servant relationship was also favorable and, from the start, Aeneas nature made it hard to associate him with shadowy actions like deceiving people for revenge.

But what about Neisan? Those who had knowledge of him, know him. Originally, he was a man whose specialty was gathering intelligence and assassination. Various factors, which happened in a row, led him to walking a path as a squire but, even if his title changed, he might still be acting behind the scenes of the royal palace as a shadow.

(Just when everyone was gradually starting to accept her.)

Celiastinas existence.

She had been a saint who pushed the limits of cruelty but, since she lost her memories, her earnestness was certainly changing the atmosphere of the royal palace. That all her hard work would come to nothing was something that vexed Asyut.

Of course the problems werent just the talks from their surroundings.

Currently, even Asyut did not know what Neisans intentions were. He hadnt shown any noticeable movements so far, and his work attitude was as serious as always. But still, Asyut thought that he was certainly planning something. And yet.

(My head hurts)

What exactly was he really planning? The person in question had actually just visited Asyuts room. Once he said that he had something to report on Lady Celiastina, even Asyut was unable to coldly send him away.

What he heard was that, about an hour ago, Celiastina slipped out of her room alone. Furthermore, she met with Linus at a courtyard. In the past, he had heard that this frequently happened but for that to continue even now there was something about that which made his heart noisy, but the problem was that her movements had been caught by Neisan from beginning to end.

Asyut had told several of his subordinates to keep a watch over Neisans movements. That none of his subordinates reported anything meant nothing but that Neisan was able to circumvent them. This was exacerbating the impending danger and just as Asyut knew without a doubt that he couldnt leave Neisan as a bodyguard, Neisan continued to give a more detailed report in an indifferent manner.

There was a strange point to the twos conversation. They should have been talking a

bout Celiastina herself and yet it was a very objective and calm talk. They treated her past and wrongs, and the circumstances that led up to her committing those wrongs, as if it were the problem of a third person, who was not there.

He could understand that portion of Neisans report. Neisan didnt know but Celiastina was currently experiencing memory loss. It wasnt strange that she was talking together with Linus about past events objectively in order to regain her memories.

However, at the same time, there was something that caught at Asyut.

Like Neisan mentioned, Asyut had also thought many times that Celiastinas speech and conduct was very much like a third party. It didnt feel like it was because she couldnt experience the emotions of her past with her memories lost. She could be seen as a completely different person, sectioned from the past Celiastina.

For example, it had been like that during the time they stood together in the flower field. When Asyut said they could come back next year to see the torch bugs together, she looked like she had been about to cry. She soon smiled and nodded but he was unable to forget the expression she just had. It was a look like she had given up somewhere and that she realized, next year, that it wouldnt be her who would stand beside him in that same place.

The current Celiastina was always standing at a distance one step away. Even though she focused on the future and dealt with everything positively, she didnt create a place for herself to belong in that future. It was as if she were intentionally thinking about distancing herself from there. They werent the same. They werent the same person. It was a completely different existence, not Celiastina

When he thought that, Asyut wondered if this was nothing more than a delusion from his own desire. In reality, it was an idiotic thought. The experience of falling down a cliff and nearly losing her life created another personality inside of her. Wasnt there a report that made such a conclusion to Celiastinas sudden change? But it was clear that it wasnt just him and that other people felt the same strangeness towards Celiastina. What was the truth?

During the time Asyut was thinking, Neisan silently watched Asyut. He might have expressly come here to report to Asyut, thinking that he might know something. He was hoping that, if Asyut knew the answer to that strangeness, then at least Asyut might show a reaction could be a clue.

If that was the case, then would Neisans actions change depending on the answer? If he was personally out for revenge on Celiastina then, possibly, just knowing that she had no memories of those days might be a chance for him to give up. However, if he wasnt acting as an individual, and was acting as a member of an organization then.

That was another large problem related to Celiastina.

Recently, the people who were driven out of the royal palace due to the past Celiastinas tyranny had gathered, and created an organization stating that they were against the saint.

The existence of such an organization was known by them long ago. But it wasnt anything they needed to be concerned about, and so they didnt particularly do anything and left the organization alone. However, it seems lately that their numbers have increased and their unity has strangely strengthened. On one hand, there were written protests calmly distributed through towns, but it was said that recently there was an increase in people who carried arms and declared their intentions. Before they became a stronger organization, the royal palace needed to take measures.

And if Neisan was involved with such an organization then

(As I thought, I had better remove him as Lady Celiastinas bodyguard, by force if needed.)

Just as his decision was settled alone.

Asyut, you free?

A loud voice was heard clearly through the door. It was the vice-captain of the Order of Holy Knights, Siegcrest.

Aa, the doors unlocked.

Asyut replied to Siegcrest while feeling somewhat relieved. Noticing that he had deep furrows between his eyebrows, he pressed his right hand against his forehead and sighed.

Siegcrest entered the room in an easygoing manner. It seemed that he had finished his work already and thrown off his military uniform to change into his simple civilian clothes. Although he was armed with a sword, any one or two ruffians would be thrown to the ground and ended by his thick arms.

Were you heading to bed?

As he spoke he sat down on the back of the sofa as if it were a natural thing to do, but Asyut didnt bother rebuking him.

No.

I see, thats good.

So, whats wrong?

When asked, Siegcrest returned a silly ahh noise.

I thought this place might be getting noisy again.

It seemed like even Siegcrest was thinking the same things that Asyut was.

On Neisans matter, the criticism from the outside must have gotten stronger again, right? Including Aeneas, theyre saying its strange that those two are acting as bodyguards for Celia.

Thats right.

Asyut nodded.

Those guys are doing their best but I also feel a bit sorry for them.

When he remained quiet, Siegcrest looked at him with searching eyes.

You thought the same, which was why you let the two be bodyguards, no? Especially Neisan; this time I thought you wouldnt allow it for sure.

Of course, he had intended not to allow it. But he had been unexpectedly struck by Celiastinas strong entreaty and went with that flow on the spot.

And what do you personally think about those two? Particularly Neisan, and what he intends to do by coming forward as a bodyguard.

Siegcrest, who was asked, twisted his large mouth and groaned.

Yeah, I think its an actual problem and really suspicious. Personally, I dont hate the guy. Hes certainly good at his work and a dependable subordinate. To the point where his direct supervisor entrusts hard jobs to him. But, when he unconcernedly completes his jobs, you dont know what hes thinking. Hes not easy to understand like Aeneas, though Im also easy to understand.

Really suspicious, huh. Asyut took those words down in his mind.

Siegcrest was thoroughly sweet to the people who entered his heart. He would often cover for or clean up after his subordinates mistakes, and when his friends wanted to cut loose and drink he would more or less match their mood and accompany them, even if he was tired. However, despite being good-natured, his mind was different. He was able to judge things accurately and calmly.

Actually, just a while ago, Lady Celiastina slipped out of her room alone.

Wha?!

Neisan noticed that and escorted Lady Celiastina back to her room.

Seriously?

Lady Celiastina was returned unharmed and without incident Do you still think Neisan is suspicious?

Uhhh, Siegcrest scratched his head roughly.

Looks like something absurd just happened. Well, but, even still hes suspicious. It was definitely an ideal opportunity to do something to Celia, and it doesnt make sense to let that go by. But, though we see it as an ideal chance, there might be reasons it wasnt for Neisan.

Reasons it wasnt?

For example, it was an ideal chance to kill her there but maybe it wasnt time yet so he let her go. You could say the go sign wasnt given.

Whose sign.

You know already. Those anti-saint faction people.

Of course they would arrive here, huh. Asyut nodded.

Well, anyhow, everythings nothing more than a guess. It could be that its completely unrelated to the anti-saint faction and, while he was together with Celia, the poison in him was removed. Like you.

What do you mean by that.

Although Asyut replied like that, he was unable to strongly object.

At any rate, theres the thing with the bodyguards, but we need to keep our eyes firmly on the anti-saint faction and make a move. Rather, that one is more important right now. Apparently there was a brush with them close to the royal palace today. There was a Molotov cocktail thrown at the royal armys office.

Was it unmistakably the anti-saint factions work?

They were kind enough to leave a letter claiming responsibility.

As he thought, was the situation heading in a bad direction little by little? If it was just a thrown Molotov cocktail then it wasnt something that Asyut and Siegcrest could publicly act on. The problem was that they held enough organizational power that their anti-saint controversies were gradually extending to ther royal palace. Up to now, the anti-saint faction only had small activity in rural areas. However, when looking at their recent actions, their area of activity was definitely spreading. This was by no means preferable.

Im annoyed. We should move loudly and soon with our current forces and crush them in one blow.

In reality, they were unable to grab the necks of the spies just from this skirmish. With Siegcrests spirited personality, it must be a terribly irritating thing.

Well, anyway, the first thing is Celias safety. If she learns about the anti-saint faction shell surely trouble over this and that and move around. Youll have to keep her in mind from here on too. That girl, even though she listens quietly and agrees to do what people say, she actually goes on alone all by herself. Sometimes you gotta take her by the hand and stop her.

Asyut had a stifled and difficult expression.

From here on, huh.

At that murmur, Siegcrest looked at him blankly.

Havent you already been watching over Celia? Thats why Im saying to keep doing that from here on too.

Siegcrest looked at Asyuts face with amusement.

Or did you not plan to do that?

Asyut did not answer and cast his gaze outside the window. Tonight was a cloudless starry night. This night sky was spread out equally above everyone and anyone. For some reason, Asyut thought that Celiastina might also be looking up at this wide sky.