Chapter 1: Prologue
Dark.
Since when had darkness become normal?
I tried putting strength into the fingers of my right hand. They barely moved. That alone was proof that I was still alive.
My left arm was gone. Both legs were gone too. My right eye had been crushed and no longer reflected light.
With my remaining left eye, all I could see were mold-covered stone walls and my own right hand.
How did things end up like this?
—Ah, because I failed.
I didn’t even know how many times I had thought that anymore. I had long since stopped counting.
The only thing I had gotten good at was healing magic.
A joke too cruel to laugh at.
Even if I healed myself, I would just be broken again soon after.
No matter how badly I was destroyed, my body healed on its own. Even when I wished it would stop, the magic automatically closed my wounds.
At this point, it was more of a curse than a blessing.
I wonder if the girls are doing well.
That part wasn’t a mistake.
That alone was the one thing I could proudly say I had done right.
So it’s fine.
Even if I have no limbs.
Even if I can’t see.
As long as they’re safe.
My decision wasn’t wrong.
—At least, I want to believe it wasn’t.
I’m tired.
How many times have I thought that already?
Once again, I swallowed down those feelings of “I’m tired” and closed my eye.
When I shut my left eye, everything became complete darkness.
Let’s sleep.
Tomorrow will surely be the same as always.
I’ll wake to that woman’s footsteps, be broken, heal myself, and be broken again.
—How long had I slept?
I thought I heard voices, so I opened my left eye.
Footsteps echoed nearby.
Not just one person.
Several sets of footsteps were approaching.
Those weren’t that woman’s footsteps.
These were heavier, faster, desperate.
Something metallic crashed loudly.
Someone was pounding on the door.
No… they were trying to break it down.
Then I heard a voice.
“—Rain-sama! Rain-sama! Are you safe?!”
It was such a nostalgic voice.
And it called my name.
I tried to answer.
My throat wouldn’t move.
No sound came out.
I stretched my right hand toward the door.
More voices rang out.
Several people shouting over one another.
Yells. The shriek of metal.
The door creaked.
Light poured in.
I narrowed my left eye.
It was bright.
So painfully bright.
Beyond the light stood the silhouette of a person.
“—Rain-sama…”
The figure looked at me—
and collapsed to their knees.
Seeing that figure brought back memories of long ago.
Back when my body had still been healthy.
Back when I innocently believed everything would work out.
Back when I still lived in a warm place.