Brave Story - Miyuki Miyabe [191]
This is ridiculous. That was all he could think. How could this happen to me? What have I done?
“And so we see that evil, too, knows fear,” the robed man said in a gentle voice. “But do not worry. Only by destroying your body, puppet of the Goddess, will your soul be purified. By the benevolence of the great Old God, your purified being will be reborn again in Vision, in whatever form you desire…”
“I’ll pass, thanks,” Wataru spat. “You have no right to kill me! I don’t believe in your Old God. I’m a Traveler, from the real world. I came here to change my destiny, not die!”
The robed men smiled even more broadly. “We have no words for those enslaved to the false beliefs.”
“Whatever! You don’t know what you’re talking about!” Wataru yelled. He turned to the other believers gathered there. “You know what you’re doing? Do you even know? Why…”
Just then, Wataru noticed someone standing beyond the guillotine. He wore the same robe as the rest of them, and he was holding an axe. Wataru’s words froze in his mouth. That’s the axe that will cut the rope that holds the blade…
“Enough of your foul words, polluted daemon.”
Wataru was pushed hard from behind onto the forest floor. The believers swayed, rapturous with joy and anticipation.
Heavy hands dragged Wataru to his feet, pulling him toward the guillotine. He stuck out his legs and jabbed to the side with his elbows, trying to resist, but the man holding him was incredibly strong. He only succeeded in kicking up dust, and further amusing the believers. He felt dizzy and nauseated. I’m only wasting my strength. I won’t be able to escape this way. But how, then…how?
The hands yanked on his chains, and he took a few more wobbly steps toward the platform. No, I don’t want to die this way! This is insane!
The more he shouted, the louder the song of the believers rang in his ears.
“I will give you one chance,” the robed man said, walking toward Wataru. “To truly purify your soul, and ease your rebirth into Vision, you must confess before your execution. Now, tell me, where is the other Traveler?”
Wataru’s hair stood on end. He’s asking about Mitsuru! They want to capture him too!
“I don’t know!”
“So you will be difficult.”
“I wouldn’t tell you even if I did know!” Wataru shouted, his voice hoarse. He spat at the robed man, surprising even himself. Didn’t know I could do that. No one ever taught me to do that.
His aim was good. His wad of spit scored a direct hit. The robed man slowly wiped his cheek, and smiled broadly. “You are pitiful, you who are to be sacrificed. The Goddess has consumed you, and destroyed your soul. Our voice, no matter how righteous, cannot hope to reach you as you are now.”
“Righteous? Says who?”
“We serve the Old God,” the robed man said solemnly, as though that in itself were proof enough.
“I don’t care!” Wataru yelled, summoning all his strength. “What? Are you from the Northern Empire? Let me guess. You don’t give a whit about the Old God. You just want to spread your system of prejudice to keep yourself on top!”
At last, the smile faded from the robed man’s face. His mouth formed a straight line. “Speak,” he said in a low voice. “Where’s the other Traveler?”
“Never!”
“If you do not tell us, we will search for him by our own means. And we will find him. But I fear much blood will be spilled along the way. Many will look into the flames and scream for mercy before our work is done.” The man laughed. “Those deaths will be on your conscience.”
Wataru stood dumbfounded. What did he mean, the flames? “That fire near Maquiba—did you do that?”
The robed man did not answer, but instead asked again. “Tell me. Where is the other?”
“Here,” came a clear voice from the dark sky above their heads.
Chapter 20
Mitsuru
Wataru looked up, his mouth still hanging open. Where did that voice come from?—there, on top of the hospital building, at the highest spot overlooking the courtyard where the guillotine sat.
A small figure stood on top of the high rock wall. His black robes