We were scheduled to stay at Sutherland for 10 days.
During our stay, the visiting group would be staying at the Captain Cyril's mansion. Although only a few people stayed in each room, I thought it's amazing that a mansion could accommodate 100 people at once.
After sorting out our belongings and taking a short rest in the room we were assigned, we were gathered in one room and given an explanation of the schedule at Sutherland.
According to the explanation, the ceremony would take place in seven days, so until then we would spend the time relaxing in Sutherland and interacting with the local residents.
——Ceremony.
It was an event to offer prayers at the memorial site for the residents of Sutherland who lost their lives.
According to the story explained, 10 years ago, Captain Cyril's mother, the Duchess at that time, lost her life in Sutherland. Captain Cyril's father, who was present at the time the Duke, believed that the people of Sutherland were to blame, and led his knights in an attack on the residents.
The fighting between the knights and the residents only lasted two days, but the difference in strength was clear, and hundreds of people were killed.
The circumstances of the incident were later revealed, but the crimes committed by the residents were never clearly determined. In other words, the Duchess was thrown into the sea due to an accident. Although the residents were not involved in the Duchess's accident, they did not actively try to help her when she was drowning, which resulted in her drowning.
The government expressed the view that residents should have taken proactive steps to save the lady's life when she was in danger, which drew resentment from residents. Also, because the duke was killed in the battle, the Sutherland family was given some penalties for having suffered the loss of both the Duke and Duchess, but the family continued to inherit Duke's house and its lands, which caused dissatisfaction among the residents.
Because of this, the residents whose friends were killed harbor a strong hatred for the duke and his knights, and even now, ten years later, their relationship had not improved.
Perhaps because of this, the country later acknowledged certain crimes in what became known as the "Sutherland's Lament," and members of the royal family visited the area every year to offer condolences. They also said they would hold a ceremony on the anniversary of the incident to pray for the peace of the residents who died.
"Hmmm" (Fia)
After hearing the explanation, I tilted my head in confusion.
From what I've heard, I didn't think the residents had committed any obvious crimes.
The ocean where the incident occurred had fast currents, making it dangerous to go to help. Even if you hesitate to jump into the ocean, I think it's understandable.
Yet, not only were many of their comrades killed unilaterally, but the government had ruled that there was a problem with the failure to take any rescue action. In contrast, the knights who attacked the residents only received a light punishment.
Despite the situation which would justify anger, the residents did not resist but simply accept it in silence. The duke's family, who commanded the knights, had ruled the land for ten years, and it had endured without a single rebellion.
Even if it was a royal visit, there was no obligation to accept it. They could have just rejected by saying, "I don't accept your feelings," but—well, in reality, they would probably have to give various reasons to turn them down indirectly—and instead they just silently accepted it.
...Yeah, I think the residents of Sutherland are very kind-hearted.
I was vaguely thinking back to 300 years ago.
The people of Sutherland were always laughing and having fun. "Great Saint," "Great Saint," everyone called her with all their heart and showed their goodwill. They cooked delicious food, picked beautiful flowers, and told fun stories. They never left me alone, not even for a moment.
...Yes, the residents were kind, friendly, and loyal. Maybe that's just their nature. That's why I hoped that Captain Cyril and they could understand each other.
Captain Cyril was a kind and caring knight. Despite being single, he loved and cared for the knights in his order, treating them like his own children. I was sure the captain would love, cherish, and look after the residents in the same way. That's why, it must be tough for him to be in this situation where he couldn't compromise and was simply rejected—
If the residents knew about Captain Cyril, I was sure they could become good friends.
I stood up and moved to the window. From the window you could enjoy the beautiful view of Sutherland, surrounded by the sea and mountains.
...Sutherland may be a place of sadness for Captain Cyril.
Ten years ago, Captain Cyril was 17 years old. It must have been a terrible tragedy to lose both parents, one after the other, at the age of 17. Moreover, they did not die from old age or an incurable illness, but from freak accidents or war. He might repeatedly regret things he could have done to save them.
On top of that, his parents were the ones responsible for the deaths of the residents he was meant to protect. As a result, the residents had built walls around it and were unable to get close.
…Yeah, for Captain Cyril I know, this would be a situation that would be unbearable.
"Fia, it looks like you have free rein for today, so why don't you come and explore the area with me?" (Fabian)
I was in a daze when someone suddenly called out to me, and I blinked in surprise.
Before I knew it, everyone had dispersed and only Fabian was waiting for me.
"Fabian... I'm sorry. I was spacing out for a bit. Yes, I'll come with you!" (Fia)
I answered hastily, and Fabian smiled.
"Great, now I don't have to travel alone. Where do you want to go?" (Fabian)
"Oh, anywhere is fine? If so, I want to see the ocean! And the streets of Sutherland!" (Fia)
"Is this your first time at Fia or Sutherland?" (Fabian)
"...Huh, ah, yeah. Right." (Fia)
To be honest, I had been here once before in my previous life, but I only stayed there for a few hours and never took a single step outside the mansion, so it wouldn't be wrong to say that this was my first time here.
"I've always wanted to see the ocean at Sutherland. And the white-walled streets that glitter in the sun." (Fia)
I remembered that I had promised the residents in my previous life who had bid me farewell that I would visit again and take my time to look around the town.
...Ah, I couldn't do it in the end. If so, then I had to fulfill that promise in this life, right?
Fabian and I walked to the beach. The breeze blowing from the sea carried the scent of the sea. The crisp feeling of the sand under your feet felt great.
I stopped for a moment and looked around. The beautiful blue sea stretches out endlessly.
...Ahh, this is the land that Canopus, the guard knight in my previous life, loved, right? And this beautiful land is still loved by its residents even after 300 years.
As I approached the shore, a strong wind blew and ruffled my hair.
"Oh, oh, it's going to be all crumpled...!" (Fia)
As I frantically held my hair back with my hands, a cute voice called out from behind me, "Great Saint!"
I turned around and saw several children around 5 or 6 years old looking at me with sparkling eyes.
"Golden eyes! Red hair! The Great Saint!" (Children)
They said happily as they ran up to me and one by one they hugged me.
I immediately crouched down to try and catch them, but after the third child I couldn't withstand the force and fell backwards.
"Ahahahaha, Great Saint!" (Childred)
The children were so amused that they jumped on me and hugged me when I fell down, which made me laugh out loud as well.
"Hahahaha, kids! You've done some great work rolling me over!" (Fia)
I rolled over to the side and ran away, laughing and tickling the children, when I heard a voice from above me.
"Sounds fun, Fia." (Cyril)
When I turned around with the children, Captain Cyril and Captain Curtis were standing together.
"Oh, my, Captain Cyril. Well, it's just a little training." (Fia)
I quickly stood up and turned to face the captain and the others, glancing back at the children, who had stopped laughing and their faces had become stiff.
Oh my, what happened to you when you were laughing up until now?