Consolation Ceremony (2)

"It's simple. The people of Sutherland believe what they want to believe. That's all."

Having finished drying Commander Cyril's hair, Commander Curtis dropped onto the sofa and continued his explanation.

"Three hundred years ago, the people of this land were saved by the Great Saint-sama. One by one, people from the remote island fell ill with a deadly disease. No Saint could cure it, and many died. Just when it seemed the entire clan might be wiped out, the Great Saint-sama rushed to Sutherland on her own initiative and saved the entire clan all by herself."

"...Huh?"

Commander Cyril cried out, looking utterly bewildered.

But perhaps Commander Curtis took his words as an acknowledgment, because he continued.

"For three hundred years since then, everyone here has held repaying their debt to the Great Saint-sama as their greatest wish. In other words..."

"C-Curtis, wait a moment! What are you saying?"

Commander Curtis glanced at Commander Cyril, who had raised his voice in surprise, and furrowed his brow in displeasure.

"...You were just getting to the good part about Seraphina-sama. Don't interrupt."...