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Chapter 0: The Happy Prince
It was a long time ago, before anything had happened. With a kind and soft voice, someone told me the story of a hero of justice who saves everyone: The ‘Happy Prince’ story.
—In the center of a small town stood the bronze statue of the Prince.
Decorated with glittering gems and jewels, he, who had brought happiness and fortune to everybody, could not leave certain people alone. Those who were suffering, those who were all alone, those who were not smiling.
Borrowing the strength of a swallow, he divided his own jewels and gave them away. He gave presents to whoever was in need, and as if this were not enough, he continued again and again—Until he had given too much.
The residents of the town decided that the previously-beautiful statue was now shabby. His unsightly body could not be left there in the center of town. Thus, along with the exhausted swallow, the Prince was carried away and burned—
I really loved that story by Oscar Wilde. I had someone read it to me again and again. The heart-wrenching tragedy, the unwavering sacrificial thinking, the bittersweet happy ending.
Because of me, someone else had been saved from their misfortune. I managed to save someone. That alone was enough for all of my transgressions to be forgiven. Even if I’m erased to nothingness in this large fire, I’m not scared at all.
Up until the very last second his consciousness stayed intact, in that moment, the Prince must have been happier than anybody else.
CClaw Translations 