The main event, the dance performance, was interrupted after just one song, and the residents around were excitedly chanting, "Great Saintess, Great Saintess." No matter how you looked at it, it was an abnormal situation.
Such abnormal situations are immediately reported to the person in charge, and the more responsible the person in charge, the more likely they are to come and check the scene with their own eyes.
Indeed, indeed. ...It's a perfect example of a capable person in charge.
Without missing the timing when the situation was at its worst, seeing Sir Cyril rush to the scene, I thought, "Impressive."
Impressive as it was, I felt that it would have been kinder to both Sir Cyril's and my own mental state if he had come when the excitement had calmed down a bit. I felt dissatisfied with my superior's overly capable ability.
As expected, the moment he found me at the center of the commotion, Sir Cyril's expression turned into that of a demon king.
"EEEEEEEEE."
He's angry! He's really angry! This is definitely going to get me in trouble!
As a form of resistance, I tried to hide behind Sir Curtis.
Sir Cyril, without any hesitation, but with a somewhat rougher gait than usual, walked straight toward us.
"Chief Radek, Sir Curtis, what is going on here?"
Sir Cyril looked around at the residents who were excitedly calling out the Great Saintess's title and then fixed his eyes on us with the gaze of an observer who misses nothing.
"This is Duke Sutherland. Thank you for your hard work during the festival," the chief bowed deeply to Sir Cyril.
"No, Chief Radek. We are grateful to you every year," Sir Cyril, whose question had been dodged, looked somewhat deflated but replied politely.
Then, as if seizing the moment when the tension had eased, the chief dropped the bomb.
"Actually, Duke, it has come to light that your knight, Fia, is the reincarnation of the Great Saintess."
"………………Huh?"
Sir Cyril froze, still wearing his formal smile.
"Our clan has a belief in the reincarnation of souls, and we have been waiting for the return of the Great Saintess for 300 years. Fia does not possess the power of the Saintess and seems confused by the concept of reincarnation, but there have been several remarks suggesting that she may have inherited some of the Great Saintess's memories."
"…………I see."
Sir Cyril, still with an unnatural smile, placed a bent finger on his chin and responded.
Ah, this is a very bad habit of the Duke when he's in a very bad mood.
Driven by the desire to escape, I slowly backed away.
"Therefore, if possible, we would like to treat Fia as the reincarnated Great Saintess. Is that acceptable?"
"……That is not something I can decide alone. Fia!"
"Y-Yes, Sir Duke!"
I stopped retreating and hurriedly ran out from behind Sir Curtis.
Sir Cyril greeted me with a smile that was far too bright for the situation.
"Well, Fia. I am hearing for the first time that you are the reincarnation of the Great Saintess. What exactly does that mean?"
"The dance! When I said that everyone's dance looked like dolphins, I was recognized as the Great Saintess!!"
I tried to explain clearly, but Sir Cyril furrowed his brow as if deep in thought.
"……Is my understanding poor? I cannot understand your explanation at all."
"Huh? In other words, if I had said it was a jellyfish dance, there wouldn't have been such a problem!!"
I tried to rephrase it in gentler terms so that the Duke could understand, but he frowned even more.
"Sir Curtis, please explain."
And so, Sir Cyril gave up on understanding my explanation.
"Yes, this land originally has a belief in resurrection, and there has been a strong desire for the Great Saintess to return. Fia's comments on the stage included words that reminded people of the Great Saintess, and her interest in the 'Blue Knight,' who was the Great Saintess's guard, led the residents to recognize Fia as the reincarnation of the Great Saintess."
"I see……"
Sir Curtis casually approached Sir Cyril and whispered in his ear.
"Sir Cyril, although it goes against your beliefs, you should accept the situation where the residents believe Fia is the reincarnation of the Great Saintess. Yes, both Fia and I think it's a misunderstanding by the residents. However, the residents have been waiting for a reincarnation for 300 years and want to repay a debt. This is an opportunity! This is a strong stimulant."
"………………"
Sir Cyril looked very dissatisfied for a moment but eventually nodded.
He glanced at me, and I nodded vigorously in agreement.
After confirming my agreement, Sir Cyril slowly turned back to the chief.
"Chief Radek, the idea that Fia is the reincarnation of the Great Saintess is hard to believe, but if everyone believes it, it might be good to take some time to verify it."
"Ah, Duke, thank you! We have been waiting for the time to repay the Great Saintess!!"
The chief, looking delighted, shook Sir Cyril's hands and bowed deeply.
...Well, after watching the dance, I had planned to use the farewell gift from Sir Desmond as funds to buy food until my stomach was full, but I had to reconsider my plan.
Because I was dragged into the manor by Sir Cyril, who had a pleasant smile, without any room for argument.
Sir Curtis followed behind with an expression that said, "There's nothing I can do."
"So? What exactly is going on?"
Unlike the night before last, the office door was firmly closed to prevent any noise from leaking out, and Sir Cyril alternated his gaze between me and Sir Curtis.
Sir Curtis responded with a troubled expression.
"Everything I explained earlier. I rushed to the scene after hearing about the commotion, and it seems the residents recognized Fia as the reincarnation of the Great Saintess after just a few words."
As he spoke, Sir Curtis glanced at me, and I nodded vigorously.
That's right, Sir Curtis! Just a little bit of normal conversation, and everyone started to misunderstand!
"In other words, the residents were eager for the reincarnation of the Great Saintess. They seemed more interested in venerating someone they thought was the Great Saintess and repaying a debt than in pursuing the truth. Red-haired Fia must have seemed like the right person for the role. Although it seems quite hasty and crude to recognize a non-Saintess as the reincarnation of the Great Saintess, it also shows how much they desire an idol."
"……I see. The belief in the Great Saintess in this land is very strong. My mother was treated poorly by the residents, but she was accepted because she had red hair like the Saintess. And after cutting down the 'Tree of the Great Saintess,' she was rejected. The Great Saintess is always a part of the residents' principles."
Sir Cyril's words were affirmed by Sir Curtis.
"There are many places that worship the Great Saintess. She saved many knights and civilians in battles, so their families in various regions venerated her with gratitude, which led to the spread of the Great Saintess faith. Although it is rare for a place to have maintained this belief for 300 years, it is not impossible to imagine that the residents continued to venerate her because she actually visited the land."
Sir Cyril nodded and stood up, approaching the bookshelf that lined one side of the room.
He stopped at a corner where old books were lined up and traced the spines with his fingers.
"I have done some research, but there is no official record of the Great Saintess visiting this land. There is a memorial festival, so she must have visited, but it was likely unofficial and not for an important mission."
"According to the residents, the 'Blue Knight,' who was the lord of this land, was the Great Saintess's guard. So, he might have brought her here. In any case, the Great Saintess's achievements are well-known. It is understandable that the residents want to show gratitude and repay a debt."
Listening to the conversation between Sir Cyril and Sir Curtis, I nodded.
...That's right, it was an unofficial visit.
I impulsively decided to visit Sutherland and forced it through.
"……In other words, Sir Cyril. Fia is not the type to make others feel bad, so I think it's fine to let the residents believe she is the reincarnation of the Great Saintess. If things go well, the residents might start to accept the knights and the ducal family again. After all, until a few decades ago, the relationship between the two was not hostile."
"Yes, I understand. Until my parents took charge of this land, the relationship between the residents and the knights was good. That's why I want to restore the relationship to a good one."
Seeing Sir Cyril speak earnestly, I nodded.
If Sir Cyril is the lord, I think it will be fine.
With a sense of responsibility as a lord, the ability to admit mistakes, and the willingness to take action to improve, I believe Sir Cyril will succeed.
"Fia, are you okay with this? It will be much more difficult than you initially thought..."
Finally, Sir Cyril asked with a worried expression, but I smiled and replied energetically.
"Of course! I think I'm the perfect person for the role of the reincarnation of the Great Saintess."
After all, I am the person!
Hehehe, no one can play this role better than me!
"……Although I am in a position to ask, please do it in moderation. After all, the Great Saintess is a supreme and beautiful existence."
"Hehehe, leave it to me, Sir Cyril."
I replied confidently, but Sir Cyril sighed deeply.