Surrounded by the residents of Sutherland, Commander Savis, Captain Cyril, and Captain Curtis, all of whom were equally formidable opponents, I was on guard, wondering what to do.
Hmm, it's as if they can read my desire to run away because I'm surrounded on all sides. What on earth should I do?
As I desperately tried to think of a way to escape, I suddenly realized something important and shouted out.
"C-Captain Cyril! I'd forgotten, but has the memorial ceremony finished yet? I don't think I've heard the closing yet." (Fia)
I doubted it was the case, but I wondered if I disrupted the ceremony by jumping into the sea. Suddenly realizing this, I looked at Captain Cyril with concern, and the captain nodded slightly.
"That's a good point. All that was left in the program was to announce the closing ceremony, but since even I, the person in charge, jumped into the sea, the closing ceremony hasn't been announced yet. It would be unthinkable not to announce the closing at such an important ceremony, so I will return to the venue once more and conclude the ceremony." (Cyril)
"Eh? In that case, I'll go too!" (Fia)
I hurriedly tried to join Captain Cyril.
Yes, it's an emergency task assigned to my direct supervisor, right? As his faithful subordinate, I will of course accompany him.
This was an action that comes from a place of honesty and responsibility, and it was not an action that comes from thinking, "I can just run away from this situation." So, to Commander Savis and Captain Curtis, please stop staring at me like that.
I hurriedly tried to return to the ceremony venue with Captain Cyril, but as we were doing so, Chief Radek called out to us timidly.
"Um... Great Saint, Duke Sutherland, would it be alright if we continued the ceremony as is?" (Chief)
"Continue?" (Cyril)
Captain Cyril turned around and repeated curiously, and the chief nodded nervously.
"We, the people of this remote island, have a traditional way of mourning our families. We don't do anything special, but after the annual ceremony, we gather together, drink local sake, sing traditional songs, and dance to mourn those who have passed away." (Chief)
"It's an ideal way to remember someone who has passed away, isn't it?" (Cyril)
When Captain Cyril answered in the affirmative to show understanding, Radek the tribe leader continued speaking as if relieved.
"So, ...if it's okay with you, I was wondering if Duke Sutherland and all the other knights could join us at our memorial service. And I was wondering if you could end the ceremony with the conclusion of our memorial service." (Chief)
"…………that is" (Cyril)
Having correctly understood the meaning of Chief Radek's offer, Captain Cyril was speechless and could not continue any further.
It was a rare sight for Captain Cyril, who was so free with words, but I guess that couldn't be helped. ——Because it was a complete offer of peace from the residents.
No matter how you interpreted it, the proposal to treat the national ceremony and the local ceremony, which had previously been held separately, as one and the same entity, was nothing but a proposal for reconciliation.
I clenched my hands tightly and looked at Chief Radek.
...The chief made a great decision. Perhaps not all residents would agree to join forces with the knights. However, as the representative of the clan, the chief chose to make peace with the knight.
I was filled with joy, but I could see from the expression on Chief Radek's face that he was nervous. Just as the residents had their own thoughts, the knights also had their own thoughts, and I might have been worried that the chief's proposal would not be easily accepted.
Seeing the gaze of Chief Radek, who had his hands clenched as if nervous, ——Captain Cyril burst into a smile. ...He smiled beautifully, looking truly happy from the bottom of his heart.
"Chief Radek, thank you for your offer. We will graciously accept it." (Cyril)
It was clear to everyone that Captain Cyril was smiling happily and was truly pleased with Chief Radek's offer.
…Umm, isn’t the Duke in a position to negotiate a bit more?
Although I couldn't help but think that at Captain Cyril's overly honest reaction, there was no doubt that at this very moment, the captain's expression of emotion was at its finest. The residents must have been thrilled to see Duke Sutherland so happy to be invited to their ceremony.
...See, this is how Captain Cyril's kindness and sincerity is conveyed to the residents. After 10 years, Captain's kindness has reached everyone. Seeing Captain Cyril's smile made me happy too, and I couldn't help but smile back.
Similarly, after seeing Captain Cyril's reaction, Chief Radek nodded with a happy smile. Then the chief turned to me and spoke, still smiling.
"Lady Fia, please attend as well." (Curtis)
"Yes, thank you!" (Fia)
Of course I replied with a grin.
Then the chief began to glance at Commander Savis.
The chief seemed concerned about the commander, but worried that even bringing him up would be rude.
Perhaps they know that the commander was a famous figure, and therefore worried that it would be disrespectful to confess that they could identify him.
Seeing this, I was impressed that he was able to guess at a glance that Commander Savis was an important person, just like the chief.
…Yes, that’s as you’d guess. There's no doubt that Commander Savis is an important character. After all, he is the commander of the Nav Kingdom Black Dragon Knights, one of the best on the continent.
Without his cloak, the commander's clothing was no different from that of the other captains, but the atmosphere he exuded was different. Everyone held their breath, expecting someone important to arrive, and watched the Commander's every move.
Everyone was silent, so no one said anything, but Commander, sensing the mood of the residents, stepped forward and introduced himself.
"The ceremony has not yet concluded, and I am pleased to be able to attend. I am Savis Nav of the Royal Black Dragon Knights." (Savis)
——Although the greeting was brief, it conveyed the essential message. From the commander's gaze, from his voice, from his attitude.
The Commander's voice was strong, and his figure in his white knight uniform was imposing.
——It was an unmistakable presence, the pinnacle of the Knights' order.
That was why the residents clearly understood it without any doubt.
The head of the Knights, or perhaps the king's brother, had taken time out of his busy schedule to visit the area to console the souls of those who had passed away.
"Eeek!" (Chief)
Upon hearing Commander's name, Chief Radek jumped up with a strange cry.
"Huh?" (Fia)
As I gazed upon Chief Radek, the words slipped out of my mouth without me even thinking.
...Huh, when humans are shocked, they jump. I've never seen that before.
The residents around and behind Chief Radek were no different, stiffening or stepping back in fear when they heard the commander's name.
"Lord S-Savis, isn't he the Commander of the Black Dragon Knights?"
"Um, well, he can defeat any monster by himself..."
"It seems he singlehandedly sacrificed all the knight captains to the blood of others..."
"Huh!?" (Fia)
Hearing the residents' raised voices, I turned to the commander in surprise. Then I looked intently at the commander.
...Y-yes, that's right. Commander Savis had an incredible physique and was extremely strong. I couldn't imagine the commander being killed by a monster, and I couldn't even imagine him being killed by one of the knight captains.
While I was thinking this, the chief regained his composure, knelt on the ground, and cried out in an overwhelmed voice.
"Y-Your Excellency, Your Highness Commander Nav, we are extremely grateful for your visit to this land."
...Commander's existence itself is truly charismatic, right? I'm so touched just to have visited this place.
That was what I thought when I heard the trembling voice of Chief Radek. As if to confirm my thoughts, behind the chief, the residents suddenly fell to the ground.
——And so, as Chief Radek had wished, a memorial service was held in the style of the islanders, with the knights including Commander Savis in attendance.
That being said, many of the knights and residents were soaked, so they decided to change clothes before regrouping.
Even so, the residents were concerned that the commander might need to take off his traveling clothes, but no matter how you looked at him, he was still wearing the same clothes he had at the royal castle. Moreover, he didn't look tired at all.
...It must have taken me several days to get to Sutherland, but he still doesn't look tired at all, which is what I'm wondering. The Commander of a Knight Order was generally an honorary position, chosen based on bloodline, and—Commander Savis did indeed have a fine bloodline—but it's also wonderful that his abilities were beyond reproach.
I am happy to serve the Commander of the Knights as he is such a wonderful person.
Feeling happy about this, I returned to the mansion with the knights who had jumped into the sea with me to get changed.
Author's Note
Thank you for always reading.
Thanks to you, we are now able to publish the third volume of the book!
Thank you to everyone who purchased and was interested.
(Details will be announced as soon as they are decided)
In the meantime, I have one request.
As a bookstore bonus for the release of volume 3, it seems that they will be including a short story in a separate paper, but if there is a story you would like to read up to around [SIDE Escort Knight Canopus], could you please let us know in the comments section?
Thank you very much for your support (≧へ≦). ・゜*・。
(I'm sorry, but I may not be able to respond to all requests due to character limit etc.)
Finally, the other day I announced a new work and many people read it.
thank you very much!
〇 "The villainess has entered the doting route!?"
https://ncode.syosetu.com/n2907ga/