Antagonist Protection Service

The tenth sun arose.

『9 - "Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour."』

This one could also have only been one of a few people.

Because I had not confessed to anything, I'm sure some people here were suspicious, but so long as Cecilia herself knew I was innocent, I had nothing to worry about.

Now, with the two sins that remained, the only possible people they could relate to is either the little girl "Andrew", or the late highschooler boy "Matthew". Fortunately or not, the latter is no longer with us, and so all we had to concern ourselves with was what sin the girl had committed.

"Y-yes, it was me..."

It didn't exactly take long to figure out the answer.

"Um... One time, someone in class was making fun of my family for not having a lot of money, but the only reason for that is because my brother was working so hard to help pay for my medication... I-I was angry that she was saying mean things about him, so I spread lies about her... I'm sorry..."

The verdict on the sinner was thus: Not guilty by virtue of confession.

The Tenth Day concluded on that note.

❖─────★★☆☆☆─────❖

The Sun of the Eleventh Day dawned upon us, and with it, I sported a question.

Because this was the end, if someone sinned on this day, would they even be punished?

It was hard to say, and though I felt desperate, I was less inclined to take that risk the more I thought about it. I still had no idea what would happen from this point on, and though I was not from this world, I could tell that Cecilia would not hesitate to show me a righteous fury the moment I disrespected the law laid down by her 'Lord'.

So, although it was risky in and of itself, I made the decision to withhold that bloodlust.

"We have now arrived at the final day. First of all, everyone, it is commendable of you all who have confessed, and thus who have been reborn anew within the sanctity of our Lord's abode."

As everyone gathered in the nave for the morning confession, Cecilia began an odd announcement.

"It is unfortunate that today's sinner cannot be here to confess... alas, had he not already sinned once more in this holy place, he would not have forfeited the gracious opportunity you all have accepted. Or rather, most of you."

Saying that, she cast a single glance at the Protagonist, who only gave a sweet smile without saying anything. Of course, it appeared that way on the surface, but I didn't want to know what sort of vicious thoughts lay in her mind, and I especially didn't want to hear them all over again.

In any case, I had no doubt that the "today's sinner" Cecilia mentioned was referring to "Matthew", the highschooler boy.

『10 - "Thou shalt not covet."』

I didn't know what it was he 'coveted', but I thought it was only natural for a boy that age to be at least a little envious of what someone else had, especially if he felt insecure about something. It was sad that this had to be the outcome.

Anyway, it was because of that that there was no need to hold a trial of confession on this final day.

Instead, we would have the whole day to what, bask in the knowledge it was ending?

For everyone else here, it might as well have been a cause for celebration, but for me...

'Tch... Is all I can do seriously just wait for it to end...?'

...I could only soak in the result of my own failure.

"Kihihihi, kihahaha...! Aw, why the long face...? Slave of the mad zealot, are you...? That's why you two have been scheming together all this time, praying oh so desperately for my downfall, to see me be brought to my charming little knees before the might and power of your 'Lord', is that it...? Don't think you've fooled me for even a single instant, pathetic swine."

Swaying over to my side as if strolling through a field of flowers, the Protagonist snickered, and with a lowered voice containing not just a hint of venom, she whispered to me with the same detestable look.

"Do you understand? You and that crazy bitch. I own you."

"..."

Glaring back at her, there were countless things I wished to say in retaliation.

In fact, not just limited to words, but there had been no greater temptation to summon the Black Wisp ever before than at this very moment.

"...It isn't over yet."

Yet, I reigned it in.

Somehow, and with an undeniable great deal of willpower, I managed to subdue and suppress that desire to get it all over with quickly, and to act with just my rationality.

Because only that would bring me the greatest chance of success.

In response, the Protagonist let out a single laugh.

"Is that so? Then I welcome you to bring it on. As many times as you like, in fact..."

Then, leaning forward until her face was no more than a few inches away, she peered deep into my eyes and once again whispered, her lips contorting to form that familiar, repulsive grin.

"I will slay God."

"I will slay the deranged bitch who thinks she can own me."

"And, of course, I will slay you."

Before I knew it, her citrine eyes shone bright like a fire, and two sharp fangs like those of a snake could once again be seen.

"You would do better to remember that. Or rather, believe me when I say, I promise not to let you forget. For when all is over and every remaining sliver, every crumb of hope has been lost, stolen, devoured away, what will be left for you but me? Nothing. You will have nothing, and therefore, you will have no choice but to see me, but to look at me, and from then on... well, I wouldn't want to taint your own virgin imagination with my dastardly words, would I? Hihihihi~"

The shape of her eyes having turned long into sinister crescents, I didn't know how to react as she reached an arm up to my face, and with her frail hand stroked my cheek, the same creepy expression on her face all the while.

It only lasted a second or two before she retracted her arm, and with a final glance, turned heel.

'What the fuck...'

Almost immediately thereafter, while I was still in the midst of processing just what exactly happened, Cecilia slightly raised her voice as if she had been waiting.

"Now then. As there are no more sinners to confess, let our time's Decalogue Trial realise its conclusion."

Following her words, a hefty 'clunk' resounded. Flicking my head instinctively towards the source of the noise, everyone else appeared to do the same as our gazes convened in one place.

To the entrance of the church.

With that, the pervasive creaking of a door, the exact one we had found to be utterly impenetrable and unopenable during our stay here, echoed endlessly throughout the cold atmosphere of what had become our torturous home.

"Let it be known that this is not the end of your sins. The time has not yet come to celebrate nor to cheer, for this trial is merely one of many. The Lord will continue to judge you as you have been judged, and thus, should you confess, and repent, and be forgiven, you shall pass once more."

Cecilia's dispassionate voice likewise bounced off the stone walls alongside the creaking, and the door continued to ever so slowly open, so gradually it was almost painful.

"Remember. Particularly you, witch."

And as it opened enough to reveal just a sliver of what lay beyond, white light shone through―an impossibly bright light, so intense it forced not just me but everyone to squint their eyes.

"This is not the end―"

Then, my vision, narrowed to a slit and overwhelmed by bright light, began to darken.

"―And it will not end until you face your rightful judgement."

The creaking of the door grew so loud I could no longer hear anything else, and as the light became so powerful I had no choice but to shut my eyes, everything else grew distant.

❖─────★★☆☆☆─────❖

At some point unbeknownst to me, the creaking ceased.

I also found the strength to open my eyes, the realisation that the intense light had dissipated likewise striking me.

As I did, I noticed something strange.

"...?"

I was sitting down. The ever-present stench of blood was also gone, thankfully.

However, more than that...

'What... What's going on?'

Turning my head, my eyes widened.

"――Ey ey!? The hell's goin' on 'ere, ah!?"

"..."

The Decalogue Trial, Round Two, had commenced.