Saiga - Prince of Irogu - Main Story

Saiga - Prince of Irogu - Main Story

Chapter 1 - Rain Clearing Up

Kingdom of Heavenly Foxes, Irogu, June... As green was thriving on the trees, there were the gentle sounds of animals breathing among the serene atmosphere. 

MC: What strange weather... 

Even though the sun was showing in the sky, rain kept on gently pouring down. 

(Also, the atmosphere is kind of odd...) 

With nothing holding me back, I walked on the steep mountain path like I was told to. 

(Let's see, up ahead is where we're going to meet up, but will we meet?) 

Then, suddenly, I shivered when I felt a mysterious presence. 

??: Are you okay? 

MC: Eh...? 

Just as my heart pounded, the wind and sounds all stopped at the same time. When I looked up... 

Saiga: Even though I invited you, I apologize for causing you such discomfort. 

MC: Saiga-san!

The long slits of his beautiful eyes narrowed like a pretty fox. While being beautifully mysterious, the person standing there had a strange air around him. 

Saiga: I only came to show you in, but it ended up raining. 

MC: Eh...? 

Saiga: I can control the rain. This drizzle too, it's because I was so happy about you visiting. 

I looked up at the umbrella in Saiga-san's hand as rain was bouncing off it beautifully. 

Saiga: I've come to get you. We're going to get wet like this, so let's hurry and go. 

MC: You've come to get me...? 

Saiga: Come on. 

When he urged me to go under the umbrella, I nodded. Saiga-san lightly walked on the steep mountain path as if it was flat. 

(He's... He's tall.) 

Just as I thought of that in a daze, our gazes unexpectedly met. 

Saiga: Are you cold? 

MC: Y-Yes. 

Saiga: Hold on until we get to the palanquin. It'll be warm in there. 

MC: Thank you. 

While moving forward, I saw a huge palanquin with a golden crest on it up ahead. 

(What a lovely palanquin...) 

When the palanquin swayed as we were in it, we headed to the castle of Irogu... 

Chapter 2 - In Front of the Shrine

While I was in the swaying palanquin that Saiga-san has prepared, we were heading to the shrine of the Kingdom of Heavenly Foxes, Irogu. 

(I'm glad that Saiga-san came to get me.)

Just as I thought of that, I looked outside of the palanquin. 

(Eh!?) 

Saiga: Do you like the outside that much? You look like you could be picked up and eaten by a fox. 

Saiga-san looked outside too as he had his face right near my cheek. 

MC: N-No, I was just thinking that there are a lot of archways. 

Within my view, we passed by a row of archways nonstop. 

Saiga: ...That's because they're part of the barrier. 

Saiga-san lightly smiled as he said that somewhat proudly. 

(Barrier?) 

Saiga: Hahaha, you're just like a child. Is it that odd? 

When he asked me that... 

///Choices///

- It's really odd (☽)

MC: Yes, really... I've never seen this many archways before. 

Saiga: I see. You've never seen my kingdom after all. 

MC: I guess so. Somehow, they have such a nice appeal. 

- Not really... (☼)

MC: ...Not really. 

Saiga: It's okay to deny it. It doesn't matter if you've been looking at the archways this whole time. 

(Is he treating me like a child... How embarrassing.) 

///Choices///

Saiga: ...You're cute. You're such an innocently cute woman. 

MC: Eh...? 

Saiga-san softly touched my hair with his large hand. My heartbeat became fast as he gently petted me like that. 

MC: ...

Saiga: Hahaha, your face is red. 

When he looked at me with his jade-like eyes, I ended up looking down. 

MC: A-Anyway, what's this about a barrier? 

Saiga: Hm? Ah, that's... 

As Saiga-san spoke, he moved his gaze towards the outside of the palanquin. 

Saiga: In my kingdom, there's an herbal medicine that's been handed down called Iyaku. In order to make that medicine, everyone needs to go to various kinds of areas and kingdoms. Meanwhile, there are a lot of people that come here for that medicine, but all of those people need to be accepted by the kingdom. 

MC: So, that's why there's a barrier put up. 

Saiga: Yeah. Which is why... Aside from the people that were chosen, those who pass through these archways won't be able to reach my kingdom for eternity. 

MC: People that were chosen? 

Saiga: Yeah. Only those who have officially received an invitation can visit Irogu. Since you've awakened me... It's natural that you are welcomed. 

The moment Saiga-san said that, the palanquin that's been swaying until now came to a full stop. 

Saiga: Now then, let's go. 

He slowly held out his slender long fingers to me. 

(Such a pretty hand...) 

I looked at that hand... 

Saiga: Aren't you going to take my hand, Princess? 

MC: Ah, thank you.

When I made up my mind and held that hand, Saiga-san gently smiled. Although, right after that, he made a bit of a stern look. 

Saiga: ...This voice. 

MC: Eh? 

For some reason, I heard the hushed voices of people. 

(...What's going on?) 

Saiga: Well, it's no big deal. Let's get off first. 

MC: O-Okay. 

While feeling the unsettling atmosphere, we descended from the palanquin... 

Chapter 3 - The Omen

The rain continued pouring down with suspense... As soon as we arrived at Irogu, the outside was noticeably noisy and when we descended from the palanquin, I clearly felt my heartbeat. 

Saiga: ...What's going on? 

The people that have gathered had grave looks on their faces as they were talking about something. 

(What's wrong?) 

Then, the people noticed Saiga-san and shouted. 

Servant: Saiga-sama has returned! S-Saiga-sama! We got trouble!

As the servant was running before us, Saiga-san didn't move and gently placed his hand on my back. 

Saiga: You don't need to worry. It's not a big deal. 

When his gentle voice calmed me down, it softly penetrated my heart. 

(Saiga-san is such a mysterious person...)

Servant: Saiga-sama!

Saiga: What's wrong, tell me. 

Servant: Well... Is it all right to talk about it in front of the Traumerei Princess...

Saiga: Don't worry about it. We have a prudent princess here after all. 

MC: ...!

(Prudent... So, that's what he thinks of me.) 

Saiga-san's words made me straightened up by instinct. 

Servant: Okay, in that case, please pardon my rudeness... The people that were on patrol have reported that the water in the old well has suddenly increased. If this keeps up, the people are going to start an uproar... 

Saiga: Hmm, the usual old well... Must be some kind of omen... 

When Saiga-san's usual gentle expression turned stern, he placed his hand on his chin. Near his slender nose, his sensible looking eyes were deeply clear. 

Saiga: Investigate the well for now. Then, report to me again. 

Servant: Yes, as you wish. 

After the servant bowed deeply to me, he departed. I... 

///Choices///

- Ask (☼)

MC: Um... Is everything all right? 

Saiga: It's not a big deal. Even though I told you that you're especially welcomed, is that a bad thing? 

MC: No... Don't worry about me. 

Saiga: I see. You're so kind. 

Saiga-san looked at me even more gently. 

- Don't ask (☽)

MC: ...

Feeling surprised, I wanted to ask something and... 

Saiga: Don't make that kind of face. There's nothing to worry about. 

Saiga-san gently petted my hair. 

///Choices///

Saiga: It's not a big deal. So, there's no need to look so troubled. 

Saiga-san said that as if he was emphasizing with me. 

Saiga: I told you. The rain of Irogu welcomes you. 

MC: ...

As I placed my hand on my chest, I looked up at the sky. The rain that continued pouring down quietly calmed me down... 

......

After that... As I was staying in Saiga-san's kingdom, there were many opportunities for us to spend some time together. 

(Saiga-san surely made some time for me. That makes me relieved... and happy.) 

We talked about all sorts of things in the castle, walked in the town and he taught me some things when he took me to the mountains, the things to do were just endless. One day, Saiga-san was giving me a tour of Irogu. 

Saiga: Are you sure that you want to walk on the land of my kingdom like that? 

Saiga-san continued moving forward on the steep path with surprisingly light movements. 

///Choices///

- I'm fine (☽)

MC: I-I'm fine...!

Saiga: You don't look fine though... 

As Saiga-san was ahead of me, he said that troubledly and went back to where I was. 

Saiga: In that case, let's hold hands while walking. That way, you'll going at the same pace as me. 

- Walking is hard (☼)

MC: Y-Yes... Even though walking is a little hard. 

I'm happy that he's showing me around, aside from moving by the palanquin, I did my best moving, but the roads in Irogu were so steep that I was unable to keep up with Saiga-san's pace. 

Saiga: I see. Then... 

///Choices///

Saiga-san slowly held out his beautiful hand to me. 

MC: Ah... 

It was the mysterious hand that I held from the time I arrived to this kingdom... 

Saiga: What's wrong? Is my hand that strange? 

MC: N-No!

When I quietly held that hand, Saiga-san looked at me gently. 

Saiga: ...Such a small hand. 

As Saiga-san held my hand affectionately, his hand felt very warm... 

Chapter 4 - Closing the Distance

As I was passing the time in Irogu with Saiga-san for a while... The forest trees were shining brightly as they were being hit by raindrops... 

Saiga: I see, so your kingdom has something so modern. 

As we went around to all sorts of places and talked about each other's kingdoms, it felt like the distance between our hearts have gotten a bit closer. 

(Saiga-san looks like he's enjoying himself somehow.) 

His usual gentle voice would sometimes sound cheerful as well. It seemed like he wanted to know everything about me.

Saiga: How truly interesting... I would like to go see your kingdom someday. 

MC: Yes, of course. 

Saiga: Still, I can't tell if you're unsatisfied with my kingdom. 

MC: Eh...? 

When I shook my head in a panic... 

///Choices///

- This kingdom is nice (☼)

MC: No... I think this kingdom is nice because it has a lot of greenery and the air is so clean. 

Saiga: Really? You like the land here? 

MC: Yes! ...It's really calming. 

Saiga: I see. 

- This kingdom is interesting (☽)

MC: That's not true. I think this kingdom is really interesting. 

Saiga: Interesting? 

MC: Yes. It's kind of like my kingdom, but completely different... That's what makes it so interesting. 

Saiga: ...I see. In that case, I want you to know more about my kingdom. 

MC: Yes! Please tell me everything. 

///Choices///

Saiga-san paid full attention to my words. 

Saiga: Your kingdom is so mysterious. 

MC: Aside from mine, your kingdom is too... Also, you're pretty mysterious as well, Saiga-san. 

Saiga: Oh? Why? 

(When we were in the barrier that protects the archways, he was a mature, gentle and amazing person...) 

I wanted to say that, but I was unable to due to embarrassment. As I was troubled on how to respond, I kept silent... 

Saiga: It's okay. You don't need to tell me, I can tell how you're feeling. It's because you're beautiful like a perfectly clear river and your usual soft murmurs are like an instrument. 

MC: That's... 

Saiga-san gently caressed my hair with his hand. When I looked down, Saiga-san softly raised my hair that was covering my face.

(S-So embarrassing...) 

Saiga: Why won't you look at me? Among the thousands of years that I've lived, this is the first time that I've met someone like you. I want you to tell me more about what kind of person you are. 

(Saiga-san...) 

Just as I slowly raised my face. 

Servant: Saiga-sama, big trouble! The water in the well is increasing rapidly again!

MC: ...!

Saiga: ...I see.

Saiga-san didn't flinch or panic... When he said that calmly, he held my hand gently... 

Chapter 5 - The Truth Behind the Old Well

After receiving the news about the unusual circumstances with the well, Saiga-san gently held my hand and spoke with confidence. 

Saiga: ...Won't you come with me? 

MC: Where are we going...? 

Saiga: You'll know once we get there. There's most likely something unusual going on with the well... 

MC: The well? 

Saiga: Yes.

When Saiga-san gave me a single nod, he pulled my hand and walked towards the town... 

......

Thinking that it was strange as my hand was being pulled while walking, Saiga-san stopped in front of a house. 

MC: Here? 

Saiga: Yes... If you go straight to the other side of the house, the well is there. 

(Does this house have some kind of connection to the well...?) 

Saiga: ...You there? 

When Saiga-san asked that in front of the entrance, the door before us opened right away. 

Old Woman: Saiga-sama... It's been quite a long time. How are you doing today? 

Saiga: ...The well is acting strange. 

When Saiga-san suddenly said that, the old woman's brow twitched. 

Old Woman: ...I see. 

My heart became noisy when the old woman made a sad face for some reason...

///Choices///

- Hold Saiga-san's arm (☼)

Before I knew it, I tightly gripped the hem of Saiga-san's kimono. 

Saiga: It's okay. 

To reassure me, Saiga-san held my shoulder. 

MC: Saiga-san... 

Saiga: If you're scared, you can go back... 

- Slowly look down (☽)

Unable to bear it, I slowly looked down. 

Saiga: ...You must be scared. 

MC: Yes... My heart is being noisy somehow. 

Saiga-san softly placed his hand on my back as I had my head down. 

Saiga: I see... I'm pushing myself too, so it can't be helped. 

///Choices///

Saiga: But, I want you to hear about what we can do from this person. 

MC: ...I understand. 

Old Woman: I see, Saiga-sama, this girl... 

(By girl, does she mean me?) 

Old Woman: ...A long time ago, a man from Saiga-sama's household fell in love with a human woman. 

The old woman looked at me and Saiga-san alternately and spoke a little at a time. 

Old Woman: The people in Saiga-sama's household don't age, right? Even so, the human woman was different. While the man was young, the woman ended up turning ugly as she grew old... 

Saiga: ... 

Old Woman: Because of that, the man's feelings changed and the woman ended up grieving... She died by drinking the poisoned water from the well. 

MC: That's...!

(Then, what's appearing in the well right now is poisoned water...!?) 

Saiga: Just as I thought. ...The water in the well is increasing because MC and I have gotten too close lately. 

When Saiga-san said that softly, I looked at him in surprise. Then, Saiga-san furrowed his brow bitterly. 

MC: Saiga-san... 

Then, the inside of my heart throbbed in pain. 

Saiga: My household has a technique that can change the effects of the poisoned water... But, with the water level rising this fast, the kingdom will be overflowing with poisoned water. 

After Saiga-san said that, I became silent from worry. 

(What can we do...) 

Despite that I thought that, I couldn't come up with an idea... I was unable to do anything, but stand next to Saiga-san... 

Sun End

Moon End