The handkerchief that Canopus gave me became soaked with my tears.
However, Canopus paid no attention to the handkerchief in such a pitiful state, and simply frantically reached his hand out towards my cheek, then pulled it back.
Seeing Canopus like that, my heart calmed down and I thought, "Ah, it's Canopus," but then I saw Erial and the others still kneeling behind, and I was brought back to reality.
"Eh, Erial! Sorry, I forgot!" (Fia)
When I tried to stand up in a hurry, Canopus held out my hand to help me stand.
...He's truly a gentleman. My guardian knight is a fine knight, right? As I felt proud of this, Canopus opened his beautiful lips and spoke.
"It seems the time for prayer, courtesy of the Great Saint's mercy, has come to an end. Now it is time to depart for the other world!" (Curtis)
As he spoke, he drew the sword at his waist without any hesitation.
"Wait!" (Fia)
What a gentleman! I thought you were a fine knight, but I'll correct that. You have no forgiving heart at all!
Surprised, I touched Canopus's arm and began to speak in a panic.
"No! Erial and the others have not harmed me! Besides, being a great saint is a thing of the past, and now I am a knight." (Fia)
"What about you? Of course, you are still the great saint, aren't you?" (Curtis/Canopus)
Canopus deliberately looked at his scar, which had almost healed.
"Ugh..." (Fia)
Suddenly at a loss for words, I opened my mouth.
"Let's talk about that later... Umm, anyway, don't hurt Erial and the others. Got it?" (Fia)
I asked Canopus with a serious expression.
Canopus looked as if he did not agree, but he lowered his eyes and clattered his sword back into its sheath.
"...I understand. If it's your order, there's no way I wouldn't obey." (Curtis/Canopus)
His voice was already flat, and it was clear that Canopus was suppressing his emotions.
It must have been extremely unwilling for him to put away his sword with such a loud noise, but he had already returned to his composure. I thought to myself, "As always, he has impressive emotional control," and patted Canopus on his arm.
"I'm sorry I made you endure this even though you were trying to protect me. Thank you for everything." (Fia)
"...Please don't worry about my feelings and leave them aside. Just the thought that you would even think a little about me makes me feel sorry." (Curtis)
"...Let's talk about that later." (Fia)
I sighed and turned back to Erial's group.
"Well, then, if you don't mind, could you please stand up and show me to the sick person?" (Fia)
Hearing what I said, Erial and his group rose to their feet as if they had been pushed.
Then, he bowed deeply once more and began to speak.
"...I am truly sorry. Umm..., I understand that we committed an unforgivable act of violence against the Great Saint. Once this matter is resolved, we will deal with the situation properly without bothering you, Sir Knight, so please rest assured." (Arial)
"Wait a second! For some reason, what you guys think is the 'right way to treat yourself' doesn't seem right to me. Um, wait, calm down! If you're thinking of harming yourself, I won't forgive you!" (Fia)
As I hastily spoke, for some reason Erial and his group found themselves in tears.
"Oh, Great Saint... How merciful you are, even to us who have committed such acts of mayhem..." (Curtis)
Canopus boasted to Erial's group.
"That's right! She is the most beautiful and merciful Great Saint, more than anyone else! However, your level of understanding is less than one millionth of hers!!" (Curtis/Canopus)
I looked up at Canopus in a dejected manner, but Erial and his group gave him an exaggerated nod.
"It is as you say, Sir Knight. And, Sir Knight, although I was trying to protect the Great Saint, I am truly sorry for what I did earlier. Umm, it's just a temporary measure, but first we need to treat the wound..." (Arial)
"No need. They're just scratches." (Curtis)
As if to interrupt Erial, Canopus spoke up.
The residents who had actually plunged their swords into Canopus looked at him with concern as he was wearing his white knight's uniform stained bright red, but Canopus walked forward with a firm step, stopped a little behind me, and straightened his back as if to guard his position. He carried himself with dignity and did not appear to have any serious injuries or to be in poor health.
So, although Erial and his group looked worried, they didn't seem able to say anything more, and an awkward silence fell. Not wanting to be questioned any further, I turned to Erial and urged him to continue the story where we had left off.
"Well, then, can we assume that those people lying over there are sick?" (Fia)
In response to my question, Erial turned around as if startled, bowed his head, and answered respectfully.
"You are correct. There are 52 sick people lying in the back there. Those with mild symptoms are suffering from high fevers, while those with severe symptoms are delirious." (Arial)
"……Understood" (Fia)
I visited three residents who were said to have particularly severe symptoms. During this time, I pretended to examine the patients and halted the progression of the disease in three of them.
As I touched their bodies and felt the healing magic flowing through them, I thought, "Huh?" and tilted my head.
…It is certainly yellow spot disease, but this is…
"In this area, we have a miracle cure prescribed by the Great Saint."
I turned around at the sudden voice and saw an elderly woman crouching at the sick person's feet. Judging from the white robes she was wearing, I assumed she was a saint.
The woman stood up slowly, still staring at me, and bowed deeply.
"I am Saint Sariella. I am truly grateful to have been able to welcome you to this land."
"Nice to meet you, I'm Fia Ruud." (Fia)
I also bowed deeply when I introduced myself, but even when I raised my head, Sariella still had her head bowed, which was a bit embarrassing.
"Um, well, could you please lift your head? I may be the resurrected soul of the great saint, but I am currently a knight." (Fia)
Hearing my voice, Sariella finally raised her head and looked at me. Then, she pressed her hands to her chest and spoke with a serious expression.
"Aren't you the Great Saint? With your beautiful dawn-colored hair, and returning at this time of year, I was sure..." (Sariella)
Unable to continue, Sariella stopped speaking and stared at me with a stiff expression.
Intimidated by Sariella's serious attitude, I couldn't help but speak up.
"Um, well, yes. Now that I think of it, I might be the Great Saint." (Fia)
Hearing what I said, Sariella's eyes began to tear up.
"Ah, so it seems that Great Saint has returned in this season when the Adela flowers are in bloom. ...Great Saint, I know this is a bold request, but could you please help us once more? Please." (Sariella)
As she spoke, she bowed deeply once again.
Seeing Sariella's desperate state, I nodded enthusiastically.
"I-if there's anything I can do. Well, these people have yellow spot disease. In that case..." (Fia)
As if to interrupt me as I was about to say something, Sariella shook her head.
"It may not be yellow spot disease... because the Great Saint's special medicine doesn't work on it." (Sariella)
Sariella muttered helplessly, with a troubled look on her face as if she didn't know what to do.