When I turned 10, I began commuting between the royal capital and my territory.
At that time, I was allowed to claim the title of Count, one of the titles my father held, so there was no problem with me ascending to the royal castle.
My mother seemed to dislike the royal capital and lived in the territory. She probably couldn't bear to see in the royal capital all the things she would have had if she had become queen.
I visited my mother periodically to ask if she was missing anything, but most of the time I never even got a response. My mother didn't even look at me as I spoke to her, but continued drinking her tea and looking at the flowers in the garden, as if I didn't exist.
Also, she was a very saintly woman. In other words, she was proud, always put her own desires first, and knew not to back down. She believed herself to be of higher rank than anyone else and wanted to be treated with the utmost respect.
For this reason, she hated the people of this land. The majority of the people here were from the remote island.
The people of the remote island had distinctive appearances that made it easy to tell at a glance that they were from the remote island, but she rejected that distinction. She despised the brown skin and azure hair typical of the people of this remote island as filthy, and cursed their webbed hands, which had evolved from years of living at sea. She had many maids and servants of noble birth who she had summoned from the royal capital, but she always compared them to the people of Sutherland and mocked their lawlessness and lack of refinement. My mother considered people who originally lived in the mainland to be superior, so the mere presence of people from remote islands who looked different from her around her seemed to be an insult.
On the other hand, for better or worse, the saints in this land were not at all like saints. Many of the saints here came from the remote island, and it may be that they were devoted to healing their kindred people, but these saints were neither arrogant nor selfish.
However, unfortunately, many of them had weak powers as saints, and their mother's power was many times stronger. Because of this, whenever the residents fell seriously injured or ill, they would rush to my mother for help, but she never once healed them.
When the father of a young girl came running to help because she had been burned, the man interrupted him and told him, "Oh, your accent is as terrible as ever, typical of the people of this remote island! I can't even understand what you're saying."
When a middle-aged man came carrying his bloody elderly father, who had been attacked by a monster, she replied that she was busy and had the butler respond without meeting him, while she continued sipping tea and admiring the flowers in the garden.
Even so, she was the most powerful saint of her time, and sometimes, on a whim, she would heal people and make them kneel down in gratitude. However, most of those who were cured were nobles who had come from far away to visit my mother, and not a single one of them was from the remote island.
Strangely enough, despite being treated so roughly, the residents still respected my mother.
Nobles would have been taught from an early age that the Saints was an absolute being, but the locals probably hadn't received such in-depth teachings. What is it that makes them so devoted to the Saint?
This was a place where faith in the Great Saint was strong to begin with, but I found it odd that the residents were so tolerant of my mother's unruly behavior.
However, the residents' unconditional respect and adoration for their mother would also come to an end.
——It all started with a single tree.
There was a large garden in front of the entrance to the Duke's house, and in the middle of it was a large tree that was 300 years old.
The tree grew to a height of 30 meters, with lush, green branches stretching out in every direction. When guests entered from the front, their eyes were first drawn to this tree. In the first place, the Duke's house was blocked by this tree, so only a part of the building was visible from the gate.
The large tree that dominates the Duke's garden was planted in memory of the Great Saint. It was said that when the Great Saint visited this place 300 years ago, she picked a branch from a young tree and planted it herself together with the local people. It had grown so large that it had become a landmark of the Duke's family.
Once a year, a festival was held here to commemorate the visit of the Great Saint. On the occasion, the Duke's gardens were opened to the public, and the villagers held an event centered around the tree. They performed a dance in front of the tree and gave words of thanks for the safety of the year.
My mother had never shown any particular interest in the matter, but one day she learned that the tree, so cherished by the local residents, had come from the Great Saint. My mother could not bear the fact that the locals treasured things that came from the Great Saint, who was said to be superior to her.
My mother immediately had the tree cut down and had the trunk carved into a table and chairs for the garden. Then, she used the table and chairs to enjoy some tea and ease her frustration.
To my mother it was just an ordinary tree, but to the locals it was a symbol of the Great Saint.
When the local residents found out that my mother had cut down the tree, they began to openly avoid her.
Whenever my mother went out, the residents would quickly flee like swarms of spiders, and no one would come to see her again in hopes of being cured.
However, my mother seemed unhappy about that.
My mother's theory was that the mere presence of a powerful saint was something to be revered, and that all should kneel before her in adoration.
My mother became increasingly frustrated and began to lash out at the residents more and more. The residents were insulted and ridiculed simply because they came from a remote island. By that time, the rift between my mother and the residents had become decisive.
——And then there was the accident.
That day, my mother had come to the cape in search of rare medicinal herbs.
On top of a steep cliff facing the sea, my mother was giving instructions to the residents.
"That's not the grass! Why don't you go down a little further? The grass is right at your feet. Pick that."
As my mother stood on the edge of the cliff looking down, giving direct instructions to the other residents who were clinging to the cliff and picking medicinal herbs, one of the residents put his hand on her arm.
"Duchess, if you lean forward like that, it's dangerous. Please step back..."
However, the resident was unable to finish his sentence. This was because my mother slapped the hand that was grabbing her.
"Don't you lowly people touch me! Oh, how disgusting! Listen, you and I are of different status! You must not speak to me! You must not even touch me! For any reason, under any circumstances, it is unacceptable for lowly people like you to touch me! If you do it again, I will cut off your hands and severely punish everyone from your parents, siblings, children, and grandchildren! If you understand, then get away from me!"
Then, moments later, a strong wind blew her off her feet and she fell off the cliff.
My mother was wearing a gorgeous dress, but perhaps because of the weight of the dress, she did not emerge from the water. The chamberlains and knights who had been accompanying the mother jumped into the sea in a panic, but the current was fast and the water was deep and murky from the previous day's rain, so they were unable to find her.
My father happened to be passing by and saw the knights and chamberlains being tossed about by the raging waves searching for his wife, and the townspeople standing on the cliffs.
When the knights emerged from the sea, they reported to their father that they had lost the Duchess in the sea.
My father instinctively punched the knight who reported it.
"The Saint whom you entrusted to us by the heavens was left to drown in this world!?"
Then my father looked out at the sea from the top of the cliff.
The sea stretched out as far as the eye could see, and although there were some murky spots, it was just an endless blue, and not a single trace of a dress or a single person was to be seen. It was clear to everyone that the Duchess's life was hopeless.
My father staggered around, drew the sword he had at his waist, and attacked the residents present.
"Why didn't any of you come to the saint's aid? She's the second saint of the kingdom, the foundation of the country! What a negligence! You must pay for this with the lives of all of you and your families!"
So my father ordered his knights to defeat the residents.
This marked the beginning of a two-day battle between the knights and the residents. Unfortunately, my father was killed in the conflict, but his death marked the end of the hostilities.
"...Only those who have seen that distorted marriage can understand it. My father has always felt inferior to my mother. It pained him that he was not able to properly evaluate the country's greatest saint."
That's how I concluded.
Talking brought back trapped memories and emotions, piling up in my heart like murky sediment.
"I wasn't there, so I can only judge from what I heard, but I believe that my father and mother were responsible for that incident. However, even if I believe that, since the government has made a ruling, I cannot interfere. Even if I feel wronged, I cannot apologize. My status and position restrict my actions..." (Cyril)
After I blurted out what was on my mind, Fia tilted her head in confusion.
"You are right. If the Captain apologizes, the blame will extend to the knights who were ordered by the former Duke to subjugate the residents. As of now, the judgement has been reached that both parties have been punished, and no further punishment has been given to either side, so if we accept it as it is, the damage will be minimal." (Fia)
"………………" (Cyril)
Fia was sharp. She was basically absent-minded and ignorant, but when it mattered, she got to the essence of things. As I remained silent, Fia bit her lip with an indescribable expression.
"...It's a sad story. Perhaps if just one thing had been done right, this incident would not have happened." (Fia)
Fia muttered to herself and looked down at her outstretched hands.
"I think being a Saint is just a profession." (Fia)
"...Is that one of your jobs? A Saint?" (Cyril)
I was truly surprised to hear such an unexpected comment. Only those with the power chosen by God can become a Saint, and that's just one of the professions...
"Yes. Just as someone who is good at cooking becomes a chef, I believe that someone who can use healing magic becomes a Saint. Therefore, I think the cause of all this is that the position of the Saint has become distorted." (Fia)
"Ah, you have a unique way of thinking about saints..." (Cyril)
As I spoke, I put the glass I was holding on the table and turned to Fia.
"Fia, you may not remember this because you were drunk at the time, but you once expressed your opinion on how a Saint should be. You said, 'A Saint is not a Goddess, a distant being who only grants salvation on a whim. A Saint is a knight's shield.' The moment I heard those words, I felt like I had been shot right in the heart..." (Cyril)
The emotions I had when I heard Fia's words came back to me, and for a moment, I felt a stab in the heart. I clenched my fists to regain my composure and continued speaking.
"What I'm about to say to you is not fair to you. However... I believe that people change their words depending on their position. The words you just said, and the words you said that night about saints, are words you could only say because you are a knight. If you were a Saint, you would never say the same thing." (Cyril)
"……………………" (Fia)
Ever since the night we defeated the Flower-horned Deer and heard that shocking statement about Saints from Fia, I had been thinking about this over and over again. The meaning of Fia's words. Why Fia was able to come up with such ideas and speak out as she did.
...After much thought, I came to the conclusion that it was because "Fia is not a Saint." I concluded that it was precisely because she was a knight that he spoke with ideals and hope, saying, "The Saint is the knight's shield." In other words, within the scope of my knowledge, she could not have thought of anything else.
"...Yes, I understand. What I said was unfair to you. It is not your fault that you are not a Saint." (Cyril)
After hearing what I said, Fia looked straight at me. Then, with a strange expression on his face that was hard to describe, she replied in a dignified voice.
"...That's true. But, Captain Cyril, even if I were a Saint, I would say the same thing." (Fia)
Strangely enough, Fia's words struck me right in the heart.
...Ah, maybe that's true. Fia might make the same statement even if she were a Saint.
For some reason, I was able to honestly think that way. At the same time as I thought this, I felt as if the murky, filthy things that had settled deep in my heart are being purified and reduced little by little.
"...Hehe, I'm glad you're not a Saint. If you were a Saint and, despite your power, made such a statement, I would have no hesitation in becoming your follower and kneeling before you." (Cyril)
When Fia heard what I said, she looked very displeased for some reason, even though it was just a hypothetical statement.
"No, no! I don't need a follower like Captain Cyril. I plan to find a lover and get married in the future, so a follower like Captain Cyril would only get in the way." (Fia)
"Hehe, then I'll give you an assessment of my Saint's lover."
"I-I refuse! When anyone is evaluated, they use themselves as the standard! If Captain Cyril becomes the standard, then no one will be left behind!!" (Fia)
Seeing Fia frantically pleading, I couldn't help but laugh out loud.
...Ah, Fia may really be a saint.
At this time of year I always felt depressed and gloomy. But, I wondered. I was laughing out loud right now.
Fia may be able to save people's hearts. Isn't that already the same power as the Saint?
While I was smiling calmly, Fia continued to frown.
As I gazed upon Fia, I sipped my glass with a sense of calm for the first time in a long time.