Soon afterwards the banquet was held.
Understanding that Lady Serafina was a busy man and that this was the only opportunity to entertain her during her visit, the residents hurriedly prepared a table for her.
A beautiful, colorful cloth was laid out in a corner of the garden and then several brightly embroidered cushions were layered on top of it. Lady Serafina's eyes lit up when she saw the cushion.
"Well, it's a traditional technique from a remote island, right? It's beautiful!" (Serafina)
It's hard not to be happy when our country's technology was praised. The residents smiled and showed Lady Serafina to a seat.
Just as Lady Serafina was about to sit down, the dishes began to be brought out one after the other. First of all, it seemed that things that could be prepared quickly were gathered. For the breakfast, there was bread baked the night before, a salad made with vegetables picked that morning, soup that had been simmered overnight, and freshly grilled meat. Fish, which is usually simmered for a long time until it becomes soft and tender, was served simply grilled.
When Lady Serafina saw them, her eyes lit up.
"Oh my, that looks so delicious! I haven't had a proper meal in two days, so I feel like I could eat as much as I want today! Thank you, everyone." (Serafina)
"I couldn't be more pleased and honored to have the Great Saint eat our food! The chefs are hard at work in the kitchen, so there's plenty more food to come."
"Well, I'm happy!" (Serafina)
Saying this, Lady Serafina quickly gobbled down the egg dish in front of her and stuffed it into her mouth.
Startled, I instinctively ran over to her, but Lady Serafina stopped me with a look, and softly muttered, "I'll be fine, I've just taken a magic recovery potion."
Royals always run the risk of being poisoned. The same could be said of the second princess, Lady Serafina.
However, Lady Serafina was a powerful saint, so poison was no problem. The moment one ingests a poisonous substance, the saint's powers begin to detoxify oneself without one even realizing it.
However, there were exceptions when they run out of magic power.
It's true that Lady Serafina had drunk a magic recovery potion, but that was just a moment ago. Moreover, she was given a type of medicine that slowly restores magical power. If she did take poison, it was impossible to tell if her magic power had recovered enough to self-detoxify.
As if unaware of my worries, Lady Serafina gobbled down various dishes one bite at a time, with great enthusiasm.
...Yes, I understand, I understand. Given that the food came out in such a short time, it seemed likely that each dish was prepared by a different chef, and that the ingredients used in each dish were likely collected by different people. So, I understood that she ate a variety of different foods in order to receive everyone's feelings. However, that would increase the risk of poisoning...
"Canopus, your brow is furrowed. Why don't you sit here too?" (Serafina)
I was so engrossed in watching Lady Serafina eating that I almost forgot to blink, when someone called me closer.
Normally I would have refrained from doing so, but my desire to be closer to guard her won out, so I took a position diagonally behind Lady Serafina. Since he is the lord of this land, it would not be considered disrespectful for him to serve close to Lady Serafina.
Just as I sat down, I saw the chief running towards me from the other side of the group of residents. The chief was not suffering from yellow spot disease, so he should not have been staying at the mansion. He must have rushed over from his home.
The chief stopped short of Lady Serafina and prostrated himself, almost rubbing his head against the ground.
"Great Saint, thank you so much for saving our clan. We will be eternally grateful to you and pledge our loyalty to you." (Chief)
"You're the chief, right? Well, please lift your head. I should be the one to thank you... I'm grateful that you lead your clan and continue to be a part of supporting this country. It's only natural that I help the people of my country. We live by helping each other, so those who are able will do what they can." (Serafina)
The chief was speechless for a moment as Lady Serafina smiled brightly, then he spoke as if overcome with emotion.
"Wh-Wh-What precious words... You call us citizens of your country... And that we will help each other... I-I promise! Our clan will never fight with anyone in this country. We will live by helping each other." (Chief)
"...Well, if there's something you don't like, I think it's okay to have a proper fight. Sometimes I lose my patience too and end up arguing with Canopus." (Serafina)
Overwhelmed by the chief's enthusiasm, Lady Serafina became overwhelmed and even blurted out unnecessary information.
Hearing those words, my brows creased deeply.
…Why did you bring up that argument here? Lady Serafina had a great talk, but it had been cut in half.
As I stared at her with my eyes half-closed, Lady Serafina laughed happily.
"Do you know, Chief? Canopus is a kind person. After arguing with me, he always reflects on his actions and apologizes. Sometimes he doesn't have the words to say, and I wonder why he does such things, but when I look at the results, I see that it's always for my own good. ...I'm sure it's this peaceful, fertile land that nurtured Canopus. Thank you, Chief. For delivering such a wonderful knight to me." (Serafina)
"………………"
"………………"
...I think Lady Serafina is cowardly. What should I do when, so suddenly, and without any context, my beloved master gives me the highest praise?
The chief looked at me with eyes of genuine envy.
"Lady Serafina..." (Canopus)
I couldn't think of anything to say, but I felt I couldn't bear the situation, so I called out her name. Then, as if he had just thought of something, Lady Serafina said, "Ah."
"That's right, chief. I just treated everyone for yellow stripe disease... I experienced the process of healing magic passing through everyone's bodies, so I completely understand this disease. That's why I can now make a special healing potion. When we get back to the royal castle, I'll have the medicine made and delivered. There will probably be more people falling ill in the future, but if it's just a mild case right after the onset, a healing potion should be enough to cure it." (Serafina)
"Thank you so much! Thank you so much for everything!" (Chief)
The chief's head was already completely pressed against the ground. I think he was prostrating himself too much.
And I think that's just the way it was.
The great saint, more precious than anyone else, was said to be the nation's greatest treasure.
That great saint...
She pushed herself too hard for us, even coming all the way to the faraway land of Sutherland, even though she was in a shaky condition.
She cured a disease that no one else could cure and saved our clan that was on the verge of extinction.
Although we were oppressed and never considered to be equals, she called us fellow citizens and showed us love.
What's more, she even thought about our future and were even creating and delivering medicine for those who might develop the disease in the future.
...Ah, I can see the future. Just as all those who had been cured by Lady Serafina had done so far, in the future, everyone in the clan, starting with the chief, would be devoted to, fascinated by, and worshipped this noble and the merciful Great Saint.
Just as I was breathing a sigh of relief, the sounds of musical instruments began to ring out.
It looked like the dance to be performed at Lady Serafina was about to begin.
First up was the opening act, where children dressed in colorful traditional costumes began to dance in a line. Lady Serafina seemed drawn to the adorable children and stared at them with sparkling eyes.
"Oh, how adorable! Hmm, that's the jellyfish dance, right?" (Serafina)
As Lady Serafina opened her mouth as if she had just had an idea, I calmly replied.
"The idea of replicating underwater creatures is great, except that it's a dolphin, not a jellyfish." (Canopus)
"Well, in general terms, jellyfish and dolphins are the same, right?" (Serafina)
"...I'm sorry. Such broad generalizations are beyond my understanding." (Canopus)
As Lady Serafina was about to open his mouth further, the residents interrupted.
"Great Saint, I've created a new dish! It's our traditional dish, made by baking deep-sea shellfish together with flour!"
"Well, this is the first time I've seen this dish. You said deep sea, but how deep was it?" (Serafina)
"The sea is so deep that only those who have reached adulthood and are particularly skilled at diving can reach it. We have webbed hands, which allows us to dive deep into the ocean. No one other than our clan can retrieve these shells."
"Well, well, then these shellfish are very valuable... Ahh. Oh, my, what is this? It's delicious! It has a unique texture and a slightly bitter taste, but it's delicious! Ah, I wish I could eat this dish every day. What is this dish called?" (Serafina)
Lady Serafina asked the residents with sparkling eyes and curious eyes. The residents, on the other hand, responded with joy and pride.
"It's oatsun."
"Oachun? I'll remember it." (Serafina)
"Hehehe, Great Saint. That's a bit different."
As we were all laughing, some small children came over to us.
"Great Saintess, flowers, flowers please!"
"Great Saintess, I made a wreath. The flowers are yellow, so I think they will look good with your red hair."
Looking at the children's hands, they were holding mountains of flowers that were clearly blooming in the flower beds of the manor house.
…Yeah, let’s pretend I didn’t see that.
For a moment, the image of the gardener with blue veins on her forehead came to mind, but I shook my head and drove it away. Lady Serafina looked fun and the residents couldn't be happier. This day shouldn't be the day to blame anyone.
When the children finished their dance and the next group took their places, everyone noticed that Lady Serafina was buried under the cushions.
Holding the flowers the children had given her and with a wreath on her head, Lady Serafina fell into a faint sleep.
"That was better than I expected... After two days and nights of galloping on horseback, she used up all her magic power. She has reached her limit, please let her sleep." (Canopus)
There was no way that my words would raise any objections from the residents.
Afterwards I, instead of Lady Serafina, watched a few dances dedicated to her. When the time was right, I picked up Lady Serafina and the residents came running over as if startled.
"I'm sorry, but it's time for the Great Saint to go home. We only have two and a half days left. Lady Serafina wanted to stay another half day, but if she gets her way, she'll have to risk her life on horseback for two days and nights, just like on the way there." (Canopus)
Having explained this much, I put her foot into the stirrup of the horse being led and mounted the horse while holding on to Lady Serafina.
"On the way there, the Great Saint was reluctant to share the ride with me because it would slow her down, but she is exhausted right now. She will likely not be able to wake up for a full day and night. So, I will carry her while she travels so she can rest." (Canopus)
"Oh, so that means that for the remaining two and a half days, Lord Canopus will be carrying the Great Saint back to the castle! Lord Canopus, please do not let the Great Saint fall!"
When I heard what the residents said, I couldn't help but frown.
...Oh my goodness. It's already started.
I put on a serious expression and began speaking to the residents.
"Did you hear me properly? I said I would be carrying the Great Saint for a whole day and night. Not two and a half days. You guys don't seem to notice, but I haven't had a wink of sleep in two and a half days and nights. Aren't you making me work a bit too much?" (Canopus)
"But isn't Lord Canopus a knight? Knights are supposed to protect princesses! Besides, Lord Canopus said that the Great Saint is exhausted! Please let the Great Saint rest! Lord Canopus can do without sleep for another two days!"
...Here it comes, here it comes.
I look saddened at how dramatically the residents had changed.
The locals, who had loved and respected me and called me "Lord Canopus, Lord Canopus" until my last visit, began to treat me rudely the moment I met Lady Serafina. It was a familiar sight, but I never imagined that my fellow countrymen, the inhabitants of my territory, would end up like this...
I shook my head in exasperation and decided to try again.
"Ah——, well, you see. I don't think it's possible for me to go without sleep for five days and hold the Great Saint for more than two days. So..." (Canopus)
Even though the lord of the territory was in the middle of speaking, the residents mercilessly interrupted me.
"What a pathetic thing to say! Such a small Great Saint has been working hard for two days without sleep! Lord Canopus is twice as heavy as the Great Saint, so of course he can work twice as long!"
"...Listen, guys. You guys don't seem to know this, but there is no proportional relationship between weight and amount of work." (Canopus)
Even though I was saying something perfectly reasonable, no one was listening to me.
"What a shame, Lord Canopus! I'm disappointed in you for whining about not getting enough sleep!"
"A little bit… It’s been two whole days and nights, and we’ve been riding our horses at a gallop. You guys are telling me to do the same thing again without sleeping, you know?" (Canopus)
I tried to appeal to the residents' common sense, but my words seemed to have no effect on anyone, as they simply changed the subject to talk about their next visit.
"Lord Canopus, next time you return, please make sure you bring the Great Saint with you!"
"It's a promise!"
"N-no, the Great Saint is busy. Besides, the tree won't flower so soon." (Canopus)
I hesitated, trying to defend myself against the momentum of the residents.
"In that case, Lord Canopus must also stay by her side and protect the busy Great Saint!"
"That's right, it would be terrible if something were to happen to the Great Saint! Please stay close and protect her in our place!"
"Wow, my people are telling me not to come back to the territory unless I'm with the Great Saint!" (Canopus)
When I complained jokingly, the people of my territory nodded in agreement.
"As expected of Lord Canopus! What an amazing understanding!"
"I look forward to you returning together with the Great Saint!"
"………………" (Canopus)
...Thus defeated, I found myself unable to return to my own territory unless I was with Lady Serafina.
With a loud, deliberate sigh, I said goodbye to everyone and rode off.
Even after I parted ways with the residents and disappeared from sight, I continued to hear a voice behind me saying, "Thank you, Great Saint!!"
...As I rode my horse, I looked down at SERAFIINASAMA, whom I held close to my chest.
Although Lady Serafina was sleeping peacefully and soundly, there were clear bags under her eyes and her fingertips were rough from gripping the reins tightly.
...She always do unreasonable things.
Without realizing it, I let out a deep sigh.
...Lady Serafina always tries to push herself beyond her limits. Ah, I guess I have to be by your side and protect you...
I looked up at the clear blue sky. And I was thinking back to what had happened just a few hours earlier.
——Under the light of dawn, the divine figure of Lady Serafina, who saved all the residents. Lady Serafina's_ smile when she praised me as a fine knight.
——I had a good master.
I truly felt that way. And I realized how lucky I was to be able to think that way.
Suddenly, I remembered the day I was chosen to be Lady Serafina's guardian knight. That day, the Vice Commander of the Knights' Order handed me a fine sword and lectured me on the mindset of a guardian knight.
"Guarding royalty is a job that puts your life on the line. Never be afraid to risk your life."
——It went without saying.
I would never hesitate to sacrifice my life. I would definitely sacrifice my life for Lady Serafina.
——That's what I felt from the bottom of my heart at that time.
At that time, I could never have imagined that a future would come where I would be unable to fulfill this promise and would have to let Lady Serafina die alone...
——But the reality was always worse than imagined.
For the incredibly long time that remained, I continued to make the vow, even though I knew it would never come true.
"If I could serve you once more, this time I would protect you from anyone, anything, and everything in this world."
——That became my prayer.
I just prayed every day as if asking for salvation.
………Those days came to an end with the liberation of death——But was even thinking that a dream?
Or maybe what I was seeing now was just a dream?
In my dream, I was working alongside a female knight with red hair and golden eyes. For some reason, the residents saw this red-haired knight as the reincarnation of that person.
Certainly, her appearance and basic personality were similar, but—as I was thinking about this, I suddenly realized that the red-haired knight was nowhere to be found. Feeling uneasy, I went to look for her and found her in a back alley surrounded by local residents.
Sensing that she was about to be kidnapped, I was about to take a step forward, but due to the residents' incompetence, their goal was not achieved. The moment of relief was fleeting, as the red-haired knight followed the people who had almost kidnapped her. Was she even sane? Although I knew I should warn her later, I decided to follow them.
When I arrived, I found myself in a cave. That was the last bit of sanity I had left.
——The moment I saw the red-haired knight surrounded by many people in the dimly lit cave, my reason suddenly disappeared. Because it was similar to the scene of the final moments that I had imagined over and over again over the course of a long time.
Suddenly, my consciousness became clear, as if I had woken up. The scenery that seemed to be seen through glass began to take on vivid colors, and the emotions began to resonate in my heart as if they were my own.
"...Who am I?...What is my role?"
The same question keeps repeating in my head, but before I could find an answer, a stronger voice echoed in my head.
"I need to help!"
"I must protect you from everyone, from everything, from everything in this world!"
——If I don't, I'll lose it again!
As I remembered those long, long days of despair, my whole body instantly became ice cold.
In addition to the sudden, intense headache and nausea that hit me, memories that I didn't recognize began to flood me.
——Calm down. Whose memories are these days of despair? Although a part of my head was certainly telling me that calm voice, my body and mind were being pulled by memories that I didn't know who they belonged to.
In my frustration I drew my sword and started to attack the residents, but perhaps it was a dream, the body were different from mine and I couldn't move as I wanted. In no time, I was cut down by the local residents.
"...Oh, what a shame. Am I unable to protect you again?"
The last thing I saw before I lost consciousness was a female knight peering at me with a worried look—with dawn hair and golden eyes...
——Is this a dream?
I dreamed of losing her again.
The next time I opened my eyes, would I feel the same regret and guilt?
"Lady... ra... fii..., ...put me down plea—..." (Curtis)
With a throbbing headache and a hazy consciousness, I managed to mutter that person's name, but it dissolved into the wind...