——Oh, I wonder if this is the same dream I had before?
Normally, when I was dreaming, I didn't realize that I was dreaming, but I had the same dream a while ago, so I definitely realized that it was a dream.
"Serafina, if you're going to step on my foot, at least look at my face. If you keep stepping on my foot while staring at it, it makes me feel like you're doing it on purpose." (Sirius)
Apparently even Sirius's lines were the same as last time.
The dream was from 300 years ago, and in my previous life I was practicing dance with Sirius in a practice room. I was trying desperately to look like a lady in time for the evening party that was just two weeks away.
I pouted and, just like last time, complained to the flawless Captain of the Royal Guard.
"Maybe your time and mine flow differently? Or maybe I just don't take things seriously enough? Even if I was up at the same time as Sirius, I don't think I could learn as much as you." (Serafina)
Sirius looked at me curiously.
"... No one other than you would even question such a thing. With the words 'Because I'm _SIRUIUSU_ and Ulysses' you just think you understand and dismiss everything." (Sirius)
"I don't deny that you can do anything perfectly, but no one can achieve great results without trying! The amount of effort you put into being 'Sirius' is obvious from the results you've produced, and in the same way, the amount of effort you put into remaining 'Sirius' is obvious from how great you are right now." (Serafina)
Hearing what I said, Sirius narrowed his eyes as if staring at something dazzling.
"...You always look at me with those golden eyes and affirm everything. And you save me." (Sirius)
Sirius lifted my hand and lightly placed his lips on the back of it.
"You are the most revered great saint of this kingdom. I will protect everything that makes up you. Your beautiful, shining crimson hair, your loving golden eyes, your white arms that create miracles—I promise to protect you for all eternity." (Sirius)
Sirius had such a serious expression on his face that, even though I knew it was a dream, I felt a lump in my throat just like last time.
He looked at me with a very gentle gaze and called out to me as if asking a question.
"...What's wrong, my great saint?" (Sirius)
"Well, it certainly is a lovely scene, but why did I have the same dream twice?" (Fia)
The next morning, I tilted my head as I channeled magical power into Great Saint's Rose in the royal castle gardens. In preparation for the First-ranked Saint selection meeting, I would be spending this week cramming knowledge about saints and medicinal herbs. Perhaps that was why I dreamed about the period in my previous life when I put the most effort into my education as a lady.
"Hmm, but I don't have to try so hard this time, right?" (Fia)
After all, I knew everything there was to know about saints and medicinal herbs, and I didn't need to win. If that's the case, then I wonder if there was any meaning to having a dream about Sirius... Then, while I was wondering about this, Captain Desmond arrived.
"Fia, have you heard? Apparently, among the participants in this year's First-ranked Saint selection meeting, there is someone with the same name as you!" (Desmond)
Well, I only replied that I would participate in the selection committee yesterday, but the information had already been conveyed. Perhaps Captain Desmond was in a position to get the information faster than others, but even so, that's pretty quick.
I pretended to be nonchalant and spoke in a nonchalant voice.
"Oh, I see. It's said that there are three people in the world who look just like you. It's not strange that there are people with the same name, right?" (Fia)
Captain Desmond frowned when he heard what I said.
"Your ideas are as extraordinary as always. There's no way there are three other people like you! But when I think about the fact that there are four of you in the world, I don't think it would be a big problem if there were ten or twenty people with the same name." (Desmond)
Good, it seems that Captain Desmond has realized that Fia Ruud, who is participating in the selection committee, and I are two different people.
In this situation, the only thing to do was change the subject, right?
"The First-ranked Saint selection meeting is in a week. Is it alright to be wandering around here instead of helping with the preparations for the venue?" (Fia)
"Part of the selection committee will take place inside the royal castle. I'm currently inspecting the castle to see if there are any defects. It's a very important job that only someone with sharp insight like me can do." (Desmond)
Well, I did praise myself as someone with keen insight. Captain Desmond is always so carefree, right?
As I sighed in exasperation, Captain Desmond looked into my face.
"You look unusually tired. Did you not sleep well last night?" (Desmond)
Oh, you noticed well, huh?
It seemed that Captain Desmond really did have keen insight.
"That's right! I had the same dream last night as I had before. I woke up early in the morning, which is unusual for me, and I was thinking about the meaning of having the same dream twice, and then I missed my chance to go back to sleep." (Fia)
Captain Desmond frowned when he heard what I said.
"A dream? You must really have nothing else to worry about if you're worried about something like that! I should have been wrong in worrying about you. You're perfectly healthy!" (Desmond)
Being healthy was a good thing, so I thought that's something to be happy about rather than angry about. To begin with, I was saying I didn't sleep well, so I didn't think that's healthy.
"No, it's unhealthy because of lack of sleep, you know." (Fia)
"You probably went to bed early last night! That's why you woke up early, right? Tell me how long you slept." (Desmond)
"...nine hours." (Fia)
"That's enough!!" (Desmond)
I see. It seems that Captain Desmond is really good at gathering information and drawing accurate conclusions.
"Well done, Captain Desmond! You managed to get that important information out of me." (Fia)
"Not at all! It's easy to get information out of you, and your sleep information is not important!!" (Desmond)
Hmm, it seems like Captain Desmond isn't the type to take compliments too easily, right?
With that thought in mind, I parted ways with Captain Desmond.
Leaving the rose garden behind, I headed straight for the villa and visited Charlotte. Wanting to have a secret conversation, Charlotte and I went into a small room in the villa together. We sat side by side on the benches in the room and I reported on the selection committee.
"Charlotte, I've been selected to participate in the selection meeting for First-ranked Saint." (Fia)
"Oh, Fia is coming out?" (Charlotte)
Charlotte spoke loudly, which was unusual for her, and she seemed surprised by the volume of her voice. She quickly covered her mouth with both hands and looked around nervously.
Since it's just the two of us in the room, there's no need to worry about anyone else hearing them, but Charlotte was a good girl because she was still worried about what might happen outside the window if the Saints hear her.
"You may not know this, Fia, but the selection meeting is an event that holy maidens from all over the country are dying to take part in. However, the number of participants is inevitably limited, so only a few holy maidens can attend. It's amazing that you can take part in the selection meeting!" (Charlotte)
Judging from Charlotte's behavior, I was disappointed to learn that she wouldn't be attending the selection meeting.
"I wonder if Charlotte isn't old enough to participate?" (Fia)
Upon hearing my question, Charlotte shook her head vigorously in disbelief.
"It would be ridiculous for me to take part! I have never even considered such a thing. But, yes, even if I were a powerful saint, given my age, it would be difficult for me to take part, right? I would probably have to be fifteen." (Charlotte)
Speaking of 15, that's not my age. Well, if I was on the edge of being old enough, it would certainly be difficult for Charlotte to participate.
The saint who was chosen first in the selection meeting was said to be marrying Commander Savis. Apparently, royalty and saints each had a set age for marriage, so Charlotte was inevitably stuck on the issue of age. Charlotte was a capable saint, but there's nothing she could do about this. Just as I was thinking that, Charlotte asked me timidly.
"How did Fia get to participate in the selection committee? No one knows about Fia, so the Church wouldn't recommend you. So, did you receive a special recommendation?" (Charlotte)
"You're very insightful, aren't you! I was chosen to participate through the King's recommendation." (Fia)
"Just as expected of Charlotte. Your deductive skills are also impressive," I thought, admiring her as I nodded. She clasped her trembling hands together and was speechless.
"K-King? Fia..." (Charlotte)
Well, even though he was called the king, he was actually just a mischievous boy who always dressed up as a clown. However, I couldn't bring myself to say that, and while I was at a loss as to what to do, Charlotte, who didn't know the facts, rolled her eyes in awe.
"Well, it just happened that way, but I don't want to stay until the end and be ranked as a high-ranking saint, so I'm planning to leave halfway through the selection meeting. Look, I got Sacred Stone from Sutherland, right? Whatever I do, the people involved will think it's all thanks to that stone, so I shouldn't be suspected." (Fia)
I had explained Sacred Stone to Charlotte so she should know how to use it, but for some reason she frowned.
"I wonder?" (Charlotte)
Even though I explained that it was perfectly safe, Charlotte seemed worried about me. So I smiled to reassure her.
"It'll be fine, Charlotte! I'm actually a pretty good saint. So, no matter what happens, I can handle most things well." (Fia)
"That's... I wonder if it's okay." (Charlotte)
I thought Charlotte would feel relieved when she heard what I said, but for some reason she looked even more worried.
"Huh? Of course. Since I can do almost everything, I can adjust the balance to my advantage and act as a 'fairly excellent saint'." (Fia)
Charlotte seemed to choose her words carefully before speaking.
"It sounds like a very difficult thing to do, but I wonder if Fia could do it. Ah, no, it's not that you can't do it, but if you see an injured or sick person, you might become engrossed and not be able to stop." (Charlotte)
Charlotte is sharp, right?
It's true that there are such tendencies, but I was also growing every day.
"I know exactly why I'm participating in the selection meeting, so don't worry. Charlotte, I really want to see the current Saint's magic." (Fia)
Nav Kingdom was vast. Perhaps there was a saint somewhere who could use magic I didn't know about, or a saint who was more skilled than I was. Just the thought of possibly meeting such saints made me excited and nervous.
"I understand how you feel, Fia. I too would love to see a saint worthy of being chosen by the _HITOSHIJOU_ use magic, even if just once. I wonder if she's as amazing as Fia?" (Charlotte)
Hehe, I guess so, right?
I'm glad that you've inherited my magic from my previous life and there are some similarities.
"Shall we ask the King if Charlotte can participate? The King may have one more slot available, and if the final ranking is low, there will be no need to marry into the royal family, so age shouldn't be an issue." (Fia)
I thought it would be fun to watch the great saint's magic together with Charlotte, but she shook her head vigorously.
"No, no, no! Not at all! No way. If that were to happen, I would be so overwhelmed I would stop breathing." (Charlotte)
"It's a problem if you stop breathing, isn't it?" (Fia)
If that's not what she wanted, there's nothing I could do, right? I placed my hand on Charlotte's head.
"In that case, I'll burn the magic of the Saints into my memory for Charlotte!" (Fia)
Saying that, Charlotte broke out into a big smile.
Author's Note
Thank you for always reading!
The 9th volume of the comics will be released on October 12th, and the 9th volume of the novel will be released on October 18th. We look forward to your support. (❁ᴗ͈ˬᴗ͈))))