「Norman, go back first」
「………Understood」
Norman responded to Harold’s command after hesitating for a breath. Looking at Harold’s expression, which seemed as though he was brooding over something, he hesitated because he was thinking whether it would be fine to leave this boy alone.
However, that expression returned back to a calm one in a very small amount of time. In that case, now isn’t the time to unnecessarily interject – thinking that, Norman decided to withdraw.
And then, he immediately realized that it was a mistake.
While he was reluctantly heading back to the mansion, the wind carried Harold’s voice to Norman’s ears.
When the voice, which was broken due to it being mixed among the sound of rustling of the tree leaves, reached his ears, Norman reflexively stopped walking.
「Ha, unsightly face………no value in living……….」
The boy’s voice, which could be heard faintly, contained self-derision
「No way……..forgiven……..」
As though repenting for one’s sins
「Life……..useless…… At least, if…….death………,right?」
And yet, it contained a sharpness which could cut through one’s body.
The monologue of a 10 year old boy. With a cleverness unbecoming of a child, he saved the parent and child, and he, who had accomplished a praise-worthy thing, was suffering.
All alone, so that no one could find out.
「It’s over–『Flame Column』」
(Gou)
A thunderous roar, together with a hot wind blew through the forest. The pillar of fire, which was growing higher and higher, as though it was the manifestation of the feelings inside Harold’s heart, was fiercely blazing.
As though burning down the pain contained in that small body.