Chapter 66
The Commander-in-Chief's office, which I was entering for the first time, was truly impressive.
First of all, it was abnormally large.
It was spacious enough to fit several knight commanders' offices, which I'd already thought were plenty large.
A grandly carved design covered the entire wall behind the desk at the far end of the room.
Black Dragon Knight Order flags hung to either side of the desk, while numerous swords and shields adorned the side walls.
...Yes, this is clearly a warrior's room.
Commander-in-Chief Savis seemed to have been working on paperwork, but around a dozen knights stood by him.
I recognized a few faces, so I realized the First Knight Order was providing his security.
A knight waiting near the entrance showed us to a sofa. Commander Cyril and I stood beside it as we waited for the Commander-in-Chief, who soon left his desk and came over.
"Sit."
Once we'd been given permission, I waited for the Commander-in-Chief to sit before taking a seat on the sofa.
Commander-in-Chief Savis stared at me silently for several seconds, then spoke.
"I hear you and Cyril are leaving for Sutherland in three days."
"Yes."
That's right, Commander-in-Chief. Though I haven't been told any details at all.
Perhaps he'd picked up on my silent thoughts, because Commander Cyril took over the conversation.
"I haven't explained the details to Fia. ...I thought it best to explain them in the Commander-in-Chief's presence."
"I see."
After giving a brief reply, the Commander-in-Chief touched his hand to his mouth as if deep in thought.
"Fia, Sutherland was the site of a civil war ten years ago. And many people there still haven't healed from the wounds it left behind. Most of them probably won't welcome the knight order that failed to bring the conflict in that land under control at the time."
The Commander-in-Chief's long fingers traced the eyepatch over his right eye.
"You're still in training. Go there as 'someone who will one day serve as a knight.' Don't go in your capacity as a knight; go as an impartial observer. With your own eyes... see who deserves to be condemned."
The Commander-in-Chief spoke quietly, his one visible eye holding an indescribable emotion.
He'd explained so little that I couldn't understand his true intentions, but I realized that I had no choice but to agree.
Well, when it comes to the Commander-in-Chief, all I can say is "Yes" or "Understood" anyway...
"Understood. I will visit Sutherland with Commander Cyril."
At my reply, Commander Cyril let out a breath and relaxed.
"Fia, the people of that land have a strong devotion to the Great Saint. ...Ten years ago, I failed to truly understand that."
"You mean the Great Saint, not a Saint?"
I asked, curious.
...I didn't think there had been all that many Great Saints.
Why would they go out of their way to revere only the Great Saint?
"Oh, come to think of it, how many Great Saints have there been? Which one is the most popular?"
Having asked the question, I suddenly found myself eager to hear the answer.
...Wait. I asked that so carelessly, but depending on the answer, this could really sting.
No, no, no, no. It was three hundred years ago. Of course a newer Great Saint would be more popular.
So even if my previous self wasn't very popular, that's only natural...
"Of course, it's Great Saint Seraphina-sama."
"Huh?!"
S-Seraphina... That was my name in my previous life, right?!
I-I was number one?!
As I cupped my cheeks in both hands, my face softened into a silly grin. Commander Cyril nodded.
"Naturally. There has only ever been one Great Saint."
"...................................Huh?"
...O-one?
Only one?
Only one person has ever been given the title of Great Saint?
"...Th-then of course she'd be number one—"
Embarrassed that I'd been so happy after mistaking my previous self's popularity for something impressive, I bowed my head in dismay. Then the Commander-in-Chief's voice came from above me.
"Fia, Cyril is right. The people of that land have a strong faith in the Great Saint."
"...Yes, that was what we were talking about."
I lifted my bowed head and looked at the Commander-in-Chief. He returned my gaze with a serious expression.
"Everyone who lives there will react strongly to your hair and eyes, the same colors as the legendary Great Saint's. ...We can't predict what might happen, so don't ever be alone."
"................Ah, yes. I understand."
That's right.
I really did have exactly the same hair and eye color as in my previous life. But...
"Your combination of colors is one of a kind. ...I repeat: be careful."
"Yes, I'll be careful."
...Those were the Commander-in-Chief's orders.
Even if I thought the opposite, all I could answer was "Yes" or "Understood."
◇◇◇
"The Commander-in-Chief called it a one-of-a-kind combination, but... hmm?"
On my way back to the dormitory, I muttered to myself under my breath.
I couldn't exactly contradict the Commander-in-Chief to his face, but there are plenty of people with hair and eyes like mine... Huh?
Ah, I'm starting to remember something...
That's right. Come to think of it, in my previous life, someone did tell me, 'I've never seen hair this red before.'
'How much must the spirits love you, to give you hair as deep a crimson as blood?'
'To have hair the same color as a Saint's blood... What a terrifying vessel!'
...Yes, now that I remembered, people had said all sorts of things to me.
To sum it up, I think they meant they'd never seen hair so close to the color of blood... They did say it to me over and over, so maybe it really was unusual.
...Ah, the Commander-in-Chief was right. My apologies.
―――That day, more than any other, I remembered my previous life.
Perhaps that was why.
Exhausted, I crawled into bed early.
And then, for the first time, I dreamed of my previous life.
In the dream, Canopus, the 'Blue Knight' who had been my bodyguard, looked down at me.
His magnificent, waist-length deep-blue hair flowed behind him, and his handsome face was twisted with frustration.
'Your Highness, how many times must I explain before you'll understand?!'
In the dream, I thought:
Hohoho, Canopus. You know perfectly well that no matter how many times you explain it, I won't understand.
But the me in the dream was crafty. I arranged my face into a solemn expression and spoke in a sad voice.
'I'm sorry I'm so slow to understand, Canopus. I know I've caused you trouble, too.'
'Your Highness!!'
But Canopus immediately retorted.
'You can drop the act! Good grief, what in the world are you doing, you peerless Great Saint?!'
As expected of Canopus. He wasn't fooled in the slightest by my outward expression. That's my bodyguard!
The me in the dream dropped her pretense and smiled sweetly at Canopus.
'I just wanted to see your domain as soon as I could, Canopus. That's why I hurried a little.'
'A little? Just a little? Hahahahahaha! You call riding horses nonstop for two whole days, changing mounts several times along the way, "a little"?! Enough already!'
'...I'm sorry.'
In the dream, I understood that Canopus was genuinely worried about me, and I hung my head.
Canopus sighed as though giving up, then knelt before me.
'Please, before you do something reckless, think about why I'm here. I'm your bodyguard. I'm here to help and protect you.'
'...I understand. I'm sorry for acting on impulse.'
In the dream, I truly felt bad, so I apologized once more.
At last, Canopus's furrowed expression relaxed.
'I'm relieved you understand.'
Then he bowed so low that his head nearly touched the ground and continued.
'I offer my heartfelt gratitude to Her Highness Seraphina Nav, the most exalted Great Saint and the kingdom's Second Princess, for honoring my domain with a visit. All of us who live here warmly welcome Your Highness.'
The faces of the people of the domain peeked out through a slightly open door behind Canopus.
Every one of them wore a welcoming smile.
...Ah, Canopus was loved by everyone in his domain.
Listen, Canopus.
I'll go see your domain three hundred years from now in your place.