And the next day.
I didn't have any plans for that morning, so I secretly called Captain Curtis.
Ever since I found out that Captain Curtis was Canopus, there was always someone nearby, so we couldn't talk about anything crucial. I had many things I wanted to ask and things I needed to talk about, so I decided to meet Captain Curtis in a secluded part of the forest so we could talk privately.
Although I went to the meeting place early so as not to be late, Captain Curtis had already arrived. Just to be sure, I looked around the area, and found that there was no one there, as this was the place where the terrifying basilisk had appeared just a few days ago.
"Curtis, I'm sorry! Sorry for keeping you waiting." (Fia)
As I ran off saying this, Captain Curtis came running up to me in surprise.
"Why are you running when I'm waiting for you? What will you do if you fall?" (Curtis)
I glared at Captain Curtis who was desperately approaching me and let out an exasperated voice.
"You're so mean! I used to fall just by running until I was seven years old. And since I'm a saint, I can heal minor injuries myself." (Fia)
"...I see. Lady Fi has grown up to be a very fine woman." (Curtis)
Seeing Captain Curtis spoke so sincerely, yet sadly, I tilted my head in confusion.
"Curtis?" (Fia)
"No, it's nothing. It's nothing, but... you've grown so much." (Curtis)
Captain Curtis looked at me intently, then sighed in admiration.
What's with that reaction? I wondered, and checked just to be sure.
"Um, you're definitely a Canopus, right? Am I correct in assuming that you have memories of your past life, just like me?" (Fia)
"That is correct. I sincerely apologize for the delay in reporting this to you. Three hundred years ago, I served Lady Serafina as Canopus Brajey. I only remembered this yesterday, so I sincerely apologize for reporting this to you today." (Curtis)
"Well, you're no longer my knight, so stop being so polite. But, you know. Your near-death experience reminded you of your past life..." (Fia)
As I was trying to apply this to the situation when I first remembered my past life, Captain Curtis added to what I was saying.
"That's exactly what you say. However, in my case, after I met Lady Fi, I gradually had what seemed to be fragments of my past life in the form of dreams. I became semi-awakened when I saw Lady Fi surrounded by the villagers in the cave. However, even at this time I still couldn't control my body well, so I was in an incomplete state. I only fully awakened when I woke up in the cave." (Curtis)
"Huh? Is that so? So you started to remember little by little after meeting me? That's strange..." (Fia)
"It is not surprising at all. I have always wanted to serve once more. Now that I am face to face with you in person, it is only natural that I am influenced by you." (Curtis)
"Huh? Um, once more..." (Fia)
While I blinked, not understanding what Captain Curtis wanted to say, he continued speaking with a deep emotion.
"You're already 15 years old, Lady Fi. You didn't have anyone to accompany you, but now you're on your own... that's impressive." (Curtis)
"N-no, most people grow up without a knight. I have families, after all." (Fia)
"Yes, that's right. Lady Fi's father, elder brothers, and elder sister were all knights. They must have been protecting Lady Fi, aren't they?" (Curtis)
"...Th-That's right. My sister was really nice to me." (Fia)
My father and two older brothers had treated me coldly because I had no talent for the sword, but I felt that saying that here would be of no use, so I left it vague.
"If it were possible, I would like to serve you once again, ever since you were a child..." (Curtis)
Captain Curtis muttered this quietly, appearing to be still trapped in the past.
Perhaps Captain Curtis... Canopus felt that he failed in his role by not being able to be there when I was last there. That's not his fault at all.
I glanced up at the blue-haired knight with an impressive physique standing before me, and then I realized that I had to tell him this much, so I spoke casually.
"Curtis, you see, about the time I died in my previous life... well, it was a draw? I sealed the Demon King away, but I was killed at the same time. It all happened in an instant, and by the time I realized it I was dead, so the pain was also instantaneous." (Fia)
Without my escorting knight, Canopus, knowing, I had died. For Canopus, this would be an unlikely event.
Given Canopus's personality, he must have regretted not being there at the end and wondered over and over how my death would have been.
So I wanted to reassure him that at least I was at peace—Even if it's a lie.
".........Curtis?" (Fia)
I waited for a while, but Captain Curtis didn't reply, so I glanced at him curiously. However, when I saw Captain Curtis's face, I was shocked.
"Huh? Hey, what's wrong?" (Fia)
I instinctively asked, but perhaps he didn't hear me, as Captain Curtis stood with his back straight, his arms held down straight and clenched, and didn't move an inch.
"Curtis…………" (Fia)
Not knowing what to do anymore, I called out his name again——The name of the knight who stood there, quietly shedding tears.
Captain Curtis didn't say a word, but tears were flowing from his eyes.
I didn't know what happened. However, at least in my previous life, I had never seen Canopus cry.
Captain Curtis covered his face with both hands and turned his face towards the sky as if looking up at heavens. However, large tears were spilling out from between his hands.
"Um, what on earth is going on...?" (Fia)
Finally, not knowing what to do, I put my hands on Captain Curtis's knight uniform and looked up at his face, which he hid behind his hands.
"………………I...under...stand……" (Curtis)
A broken voice could be heard coming from between Captain Curtis's hands.
"If that's... the end you want, then... yes, I'll accept...." (Curtis)
"...um......" (Fia)
As Captain Curtis continued to shed tears without pause, I tilted my head in confusion.
Wh-what's going on here?
I wondered if talking about my final moments made him sad, remembering when I died in your previous life —— That is, when you were told that I had died? I feel like my emotions are a bit too high for that though...
Not knowing what to do, I just stood there helplessly in front of Captain Curtis, who was crying silently.
Seeing me like that, Captain Curtis removed his hands from his face — new tears still continued to flow, one after another — and, without seeming to mind the tears, he dropped to one knee in front of me and bowed deeply.
"I'm sorry I couldn't protect you. I apologize from the bottom of my heart. If you tell me to end my life now, I will obey immediately. However, if it is permitted, please let me protect you this time." (Curtis)
As Captain Curtis continued speaking with such agony, as if squeezing the life out of him, I was unable to say any more.
Author's Note
Thank you for always reading!
Please let me give you my thanks and information.
Volume 1 of Great Saint has been reprinted again w(*゜o゜*)w (surprised and happy)!
It's all thanks to the many people who bought it. Thank you so much.
However, since many people have already bought it, I started to worry, "Will there be anyone who will buy the first volume?" So I consulted with my editor...
"That's right! I was worried too, so I asked if it was okay, but our capable salesperson...!!"
...My editor was just as chicken-hearted as I was.
Since this is the decision of a competent salesperson, I'm sure it can't be wrong, but I'm still worried, so let me introduce it to you.
Volume 1 was revised and expanded under the direct guidance of the editor-in-chief.
So, I hope that the finished product represents the best of what the publishing company has to offer.
Approximately 25,000 characters of new story have been added (the equivalent of 6-7 chapters in the web version), and of those, over 20,000 characters make up one single story, which has become "another story of the beginning."
Opinions about the story tend to be mixed, but for some reason, "Another Beginning Story" has received positive reviews from all.
All the comments were about how interesting it was, and not a single one was critical.
This story continues into volume 2 and (someday I'm sure) will connect with the web version.
I hope you will join me in feeling the joy of that connection!
*Note: Don't worry, the web version will be structured so that you won't feel out of place even if you only use it.
I created the web story by myself, but the book version includes ideas from a variety of other people.
The editor-in-chief, editors, illustrators, designers, and everyone else brought their wonderful talents to the table, and this really is a wonderful book.
I would be so happy if those who haven't picked it up yet would pick it up and enjoy it.
Thank you very much for your support (*>人<). ・゜*・。
Thank you for reading this long article to the end.