TLVGAJ 57

~Chapter 57~

“Hey… brother.”

Finn looked at Harry with faint eyes, speaking in a weak voice.

“Thank you for taking me on a trip. You were the best brother to me.”

“…Finn.”

“I know you worked hard to take care of me. I won’t forget, even after I die.”

“Die? What are you talking about, Finn? You’re not going to die.”

Harry shook his head. Anxiety gripped him. It felt like Finn might leave at any moment.

“And….”

Finn’s voice trembled.

“I’m sorry for being sick.”

Tears rolled down from the boy’s eyes. Harry clenched his teeth. His chest ached so much it felt like his heart had a hole.

“Finn, it’s okay. You can get better. We still have more trips to go together, right?”

But Finn didn’t answer. His lips were pale and dry.

Harry broke into tears. He couldn’t let Finn die like this, but there was no way left.

If only he could trade his own life… he would gladly do it. That’s how much he wanted Finn to live.

“Don’t die, Finn…”

Harry desperately prayed to the goddess Irene in the heavens.

He begged for a miracle, just once, to be saved from this nightmare.

For him, Finn dying was the same as dying himself.

While Harry wept, clutching Finn’s hand at the bedside—

[Oh. Three minutes before death.]

“….”

A strange voice came from above. Harry looked up.

From the ceiling, a great light shone down.

“What is that…?”

From the glowing light, something huge emerged and landed before Harry with a gust of wind.

Harry leapt up, shielding Finn’s bed behind him.

His eyes widened at the sight—

It was a giant bird.

A magnificent red bird with golden patterns, unlike anything he’d ever seen.

“W-what is this…”

Harry gasped. A bird this huge, inside the house? It was unbelievable.

Then he remembered his prayer just moments ago.

He had begged the goddess to save Finn.

And wasn’t it said that the divine beast of Goddess Irene took the form of a bird?

‘Could it be… the goddess sent her divine beast to answer my prayer?’

The bird’s gaze shifted to Finn.

[Three minutes before death. That was close. If I came any later, he would have died.]

“C-can you save my brother?”

Harry realized instinctively that this creature was speaking of Finn.

He fell to his knees before the bird.

“Please, save him. If I must give my life, I will gladly do so.”

Yes… this bird had divine power. Maybe this really was a miracle.

The bird flapped its wings, motioning Harry to step aside.

[Alright, now move. I have to heal him before he dies.]

“A-ah…”

[Even for me, I can’t revive the dead.]

Harry quickly stepped away, stunned.

The bird approached Finn, who had fainted again, breathing weakly.

It clicked its tongue.

[He was born weak. The fact he endured this long means his family must have given him much love.]

“….”

[Well… he’s lucky.]

The bird spread its great wing. A holy light poured out, wrapping Finn’s body and sinking into his heart.

Harry swallowed hard, staring in awe.

[…It’s done.]

The light faded. Finn’s face relaxed into peace.

[He’ll wake up soon. Don’t worry. I’ll be going now.]

“W-wait!”

Harry called out as the bird turned to leave.

“Did you really save him? Did you bring my brother back?”

[Yes.]

The bird nodded.

“Thank you! Truly, thank you. But… why? Why would you appear and save him?”

He still couldn’t believe what was happening.

The bird shrugged.

[Don’t thank me. Thank the saint.]

“The… saint?”

[Yes. Irene. She asked me to cure this boy.]

“Irene…?”

Harry froze. Lady Hartmann’s name?

But she had clearly told him there was no way to cure Finn.

The bird tilted its head.

[Yes. Irene Hartmann. She asked me to heal this child.]

Harry’s brown eyes grew wide in shock.

“Did you come back safely?”

Not long after leaving, the divine beast returned in a flash of light.

[Yeah. I’m back.]

“You really treated him, right? Finn is okay now?”

I asked urgently. I was worried I had been too late.

The chick flapped its little wings, back in its small form.

[He’s fine, don’t worry. By the way, why are you suddenly using formal speech?]

“It’s just… you looked different back there…”

After seeing its true form as a great bird, I couldn’t casually speak to it the same way.

[Hah. So now you finally realize how important I am? You always put me second.]

“….”

[Stop acting weird. Just talk to me as before. You’re my saint, so it’s fine.]

“…O-okay…”

The divine beast grumbled shyly. I scratched my head awkwardly.

Still, I was grateful. Thanks to its power, Finn was healed.

‘If someday it finds out I’m not really the saint… what will it do?’

“Anyway… thank you. For listening to my request.”

[Using my strength tired me out. I’m going to sleep.]

The chick hopped to the window sill and dozed off peacefully.

I thought of checking Finn’s condition, but I stopped.

Healing him was enough. I had done what I could.

I never imagined that soon, Harry and Finn would appear before me in a way I hadn’t expected.