During our stay, the visiting group will be lodging at Sir Cyril's manor.
Even though several people will be sharing a room, I think it's amazing that the manor can accommodate 100 people at once.
After organizing our luggage and taking a brief rest in the assigned rooms, we were gathered in one room to be briefed on the schedule for our stay in Sazaland.
According to the briefing, the ceremony will take place 7 days from now, and until then, we are to spend our time in Sazaland, interacting with the residents.
--- The ceremony.
It is an event to pray for the souls of the Sazaland residents who lost their lives in the place of mourning.
According to the explanation, 10 years ago, the then Duchess, who was Sir Cyril's mother, lost her life in Sazaland.
The then Duke, Sir Cyril's father, who was present at the scene, mistakenly believed that the residents of Sazaland were responsible and led the knights to attack the residents.
The conflict between the knights and the residents lasted only two days, but the disparity in strength was clear, and hundreds of residents were killed.
Later, the circumstances of the incident were revealed, but the residents' involvement in the crime was not conclusively determined.
In other words, the Duchess was thrown into the sea by an accident.
The residents did not participate in the accident, but they did not actively try to save her, and as a result, the Duchess drowned.
The country took the view that the residents should have taken active rescue actions during the crisis of the Duchess, which caused resentment among the residents.
Additionally, since the Duke lost his life in the battle, the Sazaland family suffered the loss of both the Duke and the Duchess, and although they were given some penalties, the fact that the family continued to rule the land and inherit the dukedom also caused dissatisfaction among the residents.
Therefore, the residents' strong hatred towards the ducal family and the knights, who killed their companions, has not improved even 10 years later.
Because of this, the country later acknowledged a certain degree of responsibility for the incident known as "The Lament of Sazaland" and has been sending royal family members to visit the area annually for condolences.
The ceremony is held on the anniversary of the incident to pray for the peace of the deceased residents.
"Hmm..."
After receiving the explanation, I tilted my head in thought.
From what I heard, the residents do not seem to have committed any clear crime.
The sea where the incident occurred has a strong current, making it dangerous to attempt a rescue.
It seems understandable that they hesitated to jump into the sea.
Despite this, the country ruled that the residents were at fault for not taking rescue actions, and many of their companions were killed unilaterally.
On the other hand, the knights who attacked the residents received only light penalties.
Given the situation, it would be understandable for the residents to be furious, yet they have accepted everything silently without resistance.
For the past 10 years, while the family that led the knights has continued to rule the land, the residents have never rebelled.
Even the royal family's visits for condolences are not obligatory.
The residents could have refused, saying, "We do not accept your condolences," but they have not done so, even though they might have found various reasons to politely decline.
...Yes, the residents of Sazaland must be very kind-hearted.
I vaguely recalled 300 years ago.
The people of Sazaland always seemed to be laughing joyfully.
Everyone showed me their utmost kindness, calling me "Great Saintess" and "Great Saintess."
They would make delicious food for me, pick beautiful flowers, and tell me interesting stories.
They never left me alone for a moment.
...Yes, they were kind, friendly, and principled residents.
Probably, that is their true nature.
I hope they can understand Sir Cyril.
Sir Cyril is a kind and considerate knight.
He dotes on the knights of his own order, treating them like his own children despite being unmarried, and takes care of them.
I think he wants to treat the residents with the same affection and care.
Therefore, the current situation where he is being unilaterally rejected must be painful for him...
If the residents get to know Sir Cyril, I'm sure they will become good friends.
I stood up and moved to the window.
The beautiful scenery of Sazaland, surrounded by the sea and mountains, spread out before me.
...Sazaland might be a place of sorrow for Sir Cyril.
Ten years ago, Sir Cyril was 17 years old.
Losing both parents at the age of 17 must have been a terrible grief.
Moreover, it was not due to old age or an incurable disease, but an accident and a battle.
He might repeatedly regret not being able to save them.
Furthermore, his parents were the cause of the deaths of the residents he was supposed to protect.
As a result, the residents have built a wall and do not allow him to approach.
...Yes, for the Sir Cyril I know, this must be an unbearable situation.
"Fea, it seems we are free to do as we like today. Would you like to explore the area together?"
I was startled out of my reverie by a sudden voice and blinked in surprise.
Everyone had already dispersed, and only Fabian was waiting for me.
"Fabian... I'm sorry. I was just spacing out. Yes, let's go together!"
Relieved, Fabian smiled.
"That's great. Now you don't have to go alone. Where would you like to go?"
"Um, anywhere is fine? Then, I'd like to see the sea! And the streets of Sazaland!"
"Is this your first time in Sazaland, Fea?"
"...Um, a, yes. That's right."
In my previous life, I had visited once, but I only stayed for a few hours and never left the manor, so it's not wrong to say this is my first time.
"I've always wanted to see the sea of Sazaland. And the white-walled streets that sparkle in the sun."
I remembered the promise I made to the residents who bid me farewell in my previous life: "I'll come back, and next time, I'll take my time to see the streets."
...Ah, I never fulfilled that promise.
Then, I must fulfill it in this life.
I walked to the seaside with Fabian.
The wind from the sea carried the scent of the sea.
The crunchy feeling of the sand under my feet was pleasant.
I stopped and looked around.
The beautiful blue sea stretched as far as the eye could see.
...Ah, this is the land that Canopus, my former bodyguard knight, loved.
And this beautiful land is still loved by the residents even after 300 years.
As I approached the shore, a strong gust of wind blew, lifting my hair.
"Ah, it's getting messy...!"
As I hurriedly held my hair, a cute voice called out from behind, "Great Saintess!"
I turned around to see several children, aged 5 to 6, looking at me with sparkling eyes.
"Golden eyes! Red hair! It's the Great Saintess!!"
They ran over, excited, and one by one, hugged me.
I crouched down to catch them, but after the third child, I couldn't withstand their momentum and fell backward.
"Ha ha ha ha, Great Saintess!"
The children found it amusing and continued to hug me as I lay on the ground, which made me laugh out loud.
"Ha ha ha ha, children! You're quite skilled at knocking me over!"
I rolled to the side and tickled the children, laughing, when a voice came from above.
"You seem to be having fun, Fea."
Turning around with the children, I saw Sir Cyril and Sir Curtis together.
"Ah, oh, Sir Cyril. Yes, well, it's just a little training."
I quickly stood up, turned to face the captains, and glanced at the children, who had stopped laughing and stiffened.
Oh, what happened? They were laughing just a moment ago.