The Chancellor's office, which I was entering for the first time, was truly magnificent.
First, the room was abnormally large.
It was so spacious that several offices of the Knight Commander, which I thought were already quite large, could fit inside.
At the far end of the room, a desk was placed, and behind it, an impressive carving covered the entire wall.
On either side of the desk, the flags of the Black Dragon Knights were displayed, and along the side walls, numerous swords and shields were hung.
...Yeah, it's clearly the room of a warrior.
Chancellor Savis seemed to be doing paperwork, but around him, about a dozen knights were standing by.
I could see some familiar faces, so I knew that the First Knight Regiment was providing security.
A knight near the entrance guided me to a sofa, and after standing next to the sofa with Commander Cyril, I waited for the Chancellor, who soon moved from his desk.
"Sit down."
With permission to sit, I confirmed that the Chancellor had taken his seat before sitting on the sofa.
After staring at me for a few seconds, Chancellor Savis spoke.
"You're leaving for Sutherland with Cyril in three days, I hear."
"Yes."
That's right, Chancellor. I haven't been told any details, though.
Did he pick up on my inner muttering? Commander Cyril took over the conversation.
"I haven't explained the details to Fia. ...I judged it better to explain them in front of the Chancellor."
"I see."
The Chancellor nodded briefly and put his hand to his mouth as if in thought.
"Fia, Sutherland is a place where an internal conflict occurred ten years ago. Many people there have yet to heal from the wounds of that conflict. Many of them do not welcome the Knights, who failed to resolve the conflict at the time."
The Chancellor's long fingers traced the eye patch over his right eye.
"You are still in training. Go there as a 'future Knight.' Go there not as a Knight, but as an impartial observer. See the place with your own eyes... and determine who should be impeached."
The Chancellor's single eye, which spoke quietly, carried an indescribable emotion.
I don't understand the Chancellor's true intentions because the explanation was too brief, but I understand that this is a situation where I can only agree.
Well, in the first place, when dealing with the Chancellor, the only responses are "yes" or "aye"...
"I understand. I will visit Sutherland with Commander Cyril."
When I answered, Commander Cyril let out a sigh of relief.
"Fia, that land is a place where the faith in the Great Saint is strong. ...I didn't truly understand that ten years ago."
"Great Saint, not just Saint?"
I asked, puzzled.
...I don't think there have been that many Great Saints in the past.
Why do they specifically revere only the Great Saint?
"By the way, how many Great Saints have there been in the past? Who is the most popular Great Saint?"
I asked, suddenly becoming curious about the answer.
...Wait. I asked very carelessly, but this could be embarrassing depending on the answer.
No, no, no, no, it's 300 years ago. It's natural for a newer Great Saint to be more popular.
So, even if my past self wasn't very popular, it's only natural...
"Of course, it's Great Saint Serafina."
"Huh!?"
Serafina... that's the name of my past self, right!?
I, I'm number one!?
With both hands on my cheeks, my face relaxed into a silly grin, and Commander Cyril nodded.
"Of course. Because there has only been one Great Saint in history."
"……………………………………Huh?"
...Huh, one?
Just one?
Only one person has ever been given the title of Great Saint?
"...S-Sure, I guess I should be number one—"
I felt embarrassed for mistakenly thinking my past self was very popular and bowed my head. The Chancellor's voice came from above me.
"Fia, as Cyril said, that land is strong in its faith in the Great Saint."
"...Yes, that's what I was told."
I raised my head and looked at the Chancellor, who returned my gaze with a serious expression.
"The residents of that land will react strongly to your hair and eyes, which are the same color as the legendary Great Saint. ...I can't predict what will happen, so you must never be alone."
"......Ah, yes, I see. Yes, I understand."
Right.
I have the same hair and eye color as my past self. But...
"Your combination of colors is unique. ...I repeat, be careful."
"Yes, I will be careful."
...These are the Chancellor's words.
Even if I thought otherwise, I could only answer "yes" or "aye."
◇◇◇
"Unique combination, the Chancellor said, but... hmm?"
On my way back to the dormitory, I muttered to myself.
I couldn't directly contradict the Chancellor's words, but this color... isn't it common...? ...Hmm?
Ah, I remember something...
Right. In my past life, I was told, "I've never seen hair this red before"...
"Such deep crimson hair, almost indistinguishable from blood, how much do you intend to be loved by the spirits?"
"Having the same hair color as the Saint's blood, what a terrifying capacity!!"
...Yeah, when I remember, I was told many things.
In summary, I think no one has ever seen hair this close to the color of blood... Indeed, I was repeatedly told by many people, so it might be rare.
...Ah, the Chancellor was right. I apologize.
--- That day, I remembered my past more than any other day.
That's why, I guess.
I was exhausted and went to bed early.
And I had a dream about my past for the first time.
In the dream, Canopus, my guard knight, was looking down at me.
His magnificent navy blue hair, which reached his waist, was flowing, and his handsome face was twisted.
"Your Highness, how many times must I tell you before you understand?!"
In the dream, I thought to myself.
Hehe, Canopus. You know I won't understand no matter how many times you tell me.
But in the dream, I was clever and made a solemn face, speaking in a sad voice.
"I'm sorry for not understanding, Canopus. I'm causing you trouble."
"Your Highness!!"
But Canopus immediately countered.
"Such an act is enough! Oh, really, what is the great Great Saint doing?!"
Well, Canopus. You're not fooled by my surface expressions at all, as expected of my guard knight.
In the dream, I changed my feigned expression and smiled at Canopus.
"Because I wanted to see your territory as soon as possible. So, I just hurried a bit."
"A bit? A bit? Hahaha, you call riding several horses without rest for two whole days 'a bit'? Be reasonable!!"
"...I'm sorry."
In the dream, I felt Canopus's genuine concern and became dejected.
Canopus sighed as if in resignation and knelt before me.
"Please, before you do anything reckless, consider why I am here. I am your guard knight. I exist to help and protect you."
"...I understand. I'm sorry for acting impulsively."
In the dream, I sincerely apologized, feeling truly bad.
Then, Canopus finally returned to his usual expression.
"I am relieved that you understand."
He bowed his head to the ground and continued.
"As the Great Saint and the Second Princess of the Kingdom, Princess Serafina Nave, I deeply thank you for visiting my territory. All the residents of my territory welcome you with open hearts."
From behind Canopus, where the door was slightly open, the faces of the residents could be seen peeking out.
Everyone was smiling in welcome.
...Ah, Canopus was loved by everyone in his territory.
Hey, Canopus.
I'll go to your territory 300 years later and see it for you.