In the end, the meeting ended with a single word from Captain Cyril.
"Chief, from what you've been saying, I suspect that someone here has just recovered from an illness. If so, I think it would be best for them to hurry home and lie down." (Cyril)
Upon hearing Captain Cyril's words, the chief looked up in surprise and bowed his head in embarrassment.
"That is correct, Duke Sutherland. Well then, I will take you up on your offer and will excuse myself and a few others from here. The next time we meet will be at the reception in five days." (Chief)
Then, the chief hesitated for a moment and spoke to me with some difficulty.
"Lady Fia, if you don't mind, could you please wear that light blue dress to the memorial ceremony? ...It suits you very much." (Chief)
"Huh? Well, I would like to grant your wish if I could, but I have come to this land as a knight, so..." (Fia)
When I hesitated to say something, Captain Cyril came to my rescue.
"Fia, this is the first time I've heard a wish from the chief. If you don't mind, could you grant it?" (Cyril)
"Huh? Yes, of course, I'd be happy to wear it, provided I get permission from Captain Cyril." (Fia)
When I answered, the chief and the other residents laughed happily.
Well, what a cheerful family, one dress is enough to make them smile. I was so happy that I couldn't help but smile.
——Well, as soon as we returned to the mansion, Captain Curtis and I were naturally called to Captain Cyril's office.
Captain Cyril wanted to prioritize Captain Curtis's treatment first, but Captain Curtis explained that he had already been treated, so we both were called into the office.
The locals were beginning to believe that I was the great saint, covered in blood, and there were talks of a new miracle cure. All of this was probably a complete surprise to Captain Cyril, and he was full of questions. There's no doubt that I'd be questioned on a number of things.
I put on a serious expression and sat on the sofa opposite Captain Cyril while repeating in my head, "Silence is golden, silence is golden." Captain Curtis sat next to me.
...Since joining the First Knights, I have learned a lot about Captain Cyril. The optimal solution based on this learning is "Silence is Golden." I can say this with certainty. Whatever I say from now on, I will be scolded by Captain Cyril. 100% chance. Now, I have no choice but to remain silent. Of course, I will still be lectured if you keep quiet, but this will be the minimum of pain.
"………………" (Fia)
I shifted his gaze ever so slightly, staring at Captain Cyril's mouth and avoiding eye contact. Staring at me in silence, Captain Cyril tapped his finger on the table.
I reflexively looked up and my eyes met with Captain Cyril, who had a lonely look on his face.
"Hey, Fia. Am I that untrustworthy? That you can't tell me anything?" (Cyril)
"That's not true!!" (Fia)
Captain Cyril's voice sounded sadder than usual, so I denied it forcefully.
"Well, it's not that, well, how should I put it, it's not just about me..."
——Yes, the most troublesome thing about keeping the secret that I was a Saint was that I wouldn't be the only one to suffer if it's discovered. If the Demon King's right-hand man found out that I was the reincarnation of the Great Saint, he would undoubtedly come to kill me, but in that case, Captain Cyril and the other knights might try to protect me. However, the difference in ability was all too clear, and the outcome was foreseeable. So maybe that's something we needed to avoid.
"Well, Captain, I have a secret. ...If I tell you about it, it will cause trouble for those who hear it, so I've decided not to tell anyone yet." (Fia)
...Yes, Captain Curtis already knows, but it's not because I told him. I felt like the locals were somehow aware of this, but I hadn't said a word about it to them. Zavilia? Well, I didn't tell him that, that smart kid realized it on his own.
"Well, it's my secret, but I thought that telling it would cause trouble for Captain Cyril..." (Fia)
Captain Cyril was a truly wonderful knight. I didn't think it's right for this wonderful knight to be hurt because of me. It would be easy to understand if I could say it so clearly, but there was so much to hide that my statements ended up sounding vague.
"Oh my, are you trying to protect me..." (Cyril)
Seeing me stammer, Captain Cyril's eyes widened in surprise. Then, he laughed a little, as if he found it amusing.
"Hehe, I don't feel bad knowing that you're trying to protect me..." (Cyril)
——Captain Cyril is really kind. Looking at Captain Cyril's funny smile, I felt that way from the bottom of my heart.
It didn't matter that I was trying to protect Captain Cyril. More importantly for Captain Cyril, the person in charge, it was important to get an accurate grasp of what was happening in this area. That's why, I should tell him that any secrets I had were trivial and to tell him right away. However, out of consideration for my feelings of not wanting to talk, I tried to avoid listening by even changing the subject himself.
What can I do for such a kind Captain Cyril?
As I stared at him, thinking that, Captain Cyril reached across the table and lightly patted me on the head.
"I can really feel your desire to protect me. Thank you, Fia. As a Captain, nothing makes me happier." (Cyril)
The Captain then crossed his legs slightly and smiled.
"So, can you tell me what happened, just what you can tell me?" (Cyril)
I couldn't be a bother to such a kind Captain. I opened my mouth to tell her everything except the part about the Saint.
"Yes, Captain! Well, I snuck out of the mansion this morning and returned to the festival, but the word that I might be the reincarnation of the Great Saint had already spread among many residents. The children had also come, so we went around the shops together. First, we had roasted fruit, which was very delicious. Now that I think about it, I should have brought some back as a souvenir for Captain. I'm sorry for being such a thoughtless member. But the shopkeeper wouldn't accept my money! Even though I insisted on paying for it many times! So, even if I had bought a souvenir for Captain, they still wouldn't accept my money, so I guess it turned out well in the end. Next, we went to the amber candy shop..." (Fia)
"Fia. Your story is very detailed and easy to understand, but I don't mind if you cut out a bit more." (Cyril)
In an attempt to show some sincerity, I explained in as much detail as possible, but Captain Cyril stopped me with a smile.
"Oh, is that so? Well, in that case..." (Fia)
While I was searching for a good middle ground, wondering how much detail I should give to convey my sincerity, and how concise I should be to provide an accurate report to the Captain, Captain Curtis, who was sitting next to me, spoke up.
"Lady Fi, if you don't mind, I'll explain it to you. As a third party, I think I can explain it more succinctly." (Curtis)
"...Th-that's right. Please do." (Fia)
Certainly, it was common knowledge among Captain Curtis that I wanted to hide the fact that I was a Saint, so I decided not to say anything inappropriate and instead took over the role of explaining. Actually, Captain Curtis's explanation was very good. I should have asked him from the beginning.
Feeling relieved, I picked up the glass that was on the table. When I took a bite, a sweet taste went down my throat. Oh, it's delicious. As expected from Captain Cyril. The drinks you've prepared are perfect too.
Thinking that, I leaned my back against the sofa, took a sip from my glass and focused my attention on Captain Curtis.
After Captain Curtis confirmed that I had calmed down, he nodded with satisfaction and spoke proudly.
"In short, Lady Fi now has hundreds of thousands of people on this remote island under her control! Within days, Lady Fi's words will spread among the clans, and everyone will become Lady Fi's obedient servants! Sutherland now belongs to Lady Fi!!" (Curtis)
"Pfff――ft……!" (Fia)
Captain Curtis's explanation was so long that I couldn't help but spit out the juice in my mouth.
"Wh-w-what are you explaining to me, Captain Curtis! Ahhhh, I mean, ahhhh? C-Captain Cyril. I-I-I'm so sorry! I-I was thinking about what wonderful things I could do for the kind Captain Cyril, but in the end I ended up spraying juice...!!!" (Fia)
I didn't want to believe it, but Captain Cyril's beautiful gray hair was dyed orange. Oh, so does that mean the orange juice that flew out of my mouth got into Captain Cyril's hair? Surprised and flustered, Captain Curtis snatched the towel from my hand as I tried to wipe Captain Cyril's wet hair.
"Taking care of a man's body is not something a Lady Fi should do. I'll do it." (Curtis)
"W-w-wait! C-Captain Curtis! I-Is there a problem with the choice of words you just used? I'm sure no one will misunderstand what you're saying, right?" (Fia)
"If anyone could misunderstand such an innocent person as you, then they have a base heart. Please rest assured. I will use all my power to crush such a person." (Curtis)
"No, no, no, before that, it's a matter of your choice of words, right? Let's be careful!" (Fia)
Perhaps finding my constant ramblings annoying, Captain Curtis turned to Captain Cyril without saying a word and began roughly wiping his head with a towel.
Meanwhile, Captain Cyril was just letting it happen and murmuring in surprise.
"...What a surprise! Quentin's disease is spreading. No way... you're infected even though there was no direct contact... How contagious it is." (Cyril)
Captain Cyril stared at Captain Curtis with eyes full of disbelief.