The residents, understanding that Lady Serafina was busy and that this would be the only opportunity to entertain her during her visit, hurriedly prepared a seat for her.
In a corner of the garden, they spread colorful and beautiful cloths, and stacked several cushions embroidered with vivid patterns on top of them.
Lady Serafina looked at the cushions and her eyes sparkled.
"Ah, the traditional craftsmanship of the island. How beautiful!"
It was impossible not to feel delighted when their country's craftsmanship was praised.
The residents smiled and led Lady Serafina to her seat.
Just as Lady Serafina was about to sit down, dishes began to be served one after another.
It seemed that they had gathered all the dishes that could be prepared quickly.
Freshly baked bread from the morning, a salad made with vegetables picked that morning, a soup that had been simmered overnight, and freshly cooked meat.
Even the fish, which was usually served after a long simmering to a tender state, was served grilled and light.
Lady Serafina's eyes sparkled as she saw these dishes.
"Ah, how delicious they look! I haven't had a proper meal for two days, so I think I can eat as much as I want today! Thank you, everyone."
"It's the greatest honor and joy for us to have the Great Saintess eat our food! There will be many more dishes coming from the kitchen."
"Ah, how wonderful!"
Saying this, Lady Serafina quickly took a bite of the egg dish in front of her.
She stopped me with a look as I was about to rush over in alarm and whispered, "I'm fine, I've taken a magic recovery potion."
Royals are always at risk of being poisoned, and this applies to Lady Serafina, the second princess, as well.
However, as a powerful saintess, she is not affected by poisons.
The moment she ingests a poison, her saintess powers automatically begin to detoxify her without her even being aware of it.
However, this is an exception when she is out of magic.
Indeed, Lady Serafina had taken a magic recovery potion, but it was just a moment ago.
Moreover, she had taken a type of potion that recovers magic slowly.
If she were to be poisoned, it would be impossible to determine if her magic had recovered enough to detoxify herself.
Ignoring my worry, Lady Serafina continued to eat various dishes, one bite at a time, as if to show that she was receiving everyone's feelings.
... Yes, I understand, I understand.
From the speed at which the dishes were served, it was clear that each dish was made by a different cook, and the ingredients used in each dish were likely gathered by different people.
Therefore, I understand why she would want to taste various dishes to receive everyone's feelings.
However, the risk of poisoning increases accordingly...
"Canopus, you have a frown on your forehead. You should sit down here as well."
As I was completely absorbed in watching Lady Serafina eat, she called me over.
Although I would normally be hesitant, my desire to guard her more closely won out, and I took a position slightly behind her.
As the lord of this land, it would not be considered disrespectful to be near Lady Serafina.
Just as I sat down, I saw the tribal leader running over from the other side of the residents.
The tribal leader, who had not been staying in this mansion due to not being infected with the yellow stripe disease, must have rushed over from his home.
The tribal leader stopped just in front of Lady Serafina and prostrated himself on the ground.
"Great Saintess, thank you so much for saving our tribe. We, the members of this tribe, will forever be grateful and loyal to you."
"Are you the tribal leader? Please, raise your head. I am the one who should be grateful. ... I am grateful for your leadership in guiding the tribe and supporting this country. Helping the people of the country is my duty. We help each other to live, and those who can do what they can do."
The tribal leader, momentarily speechless at Lady Serafina's smile, opened his mouth in emotional gratitude.
"What, what noble words... You call us the people of the country... and say we help each other... Oh, I promise! Our tribe will never fight with anyone in this country. We will help each other and live together."
"... Well, if you have a disagreement, it's fine to argue properly. I sometimes can't hold back and argue with Canopus."
Lady Serafina, flustered by the tribal leader's enthusiasm, said something unnecessary.
Deep wrinkles appeared on my forehead at her words.
... Why did she bring up our arguments here?
After all the wonderful things she was saying, it's reduced by half.
As I glared at her, Lady Serafina laughed happily.
"Do you know, tribal leader? Canopus is kind. After we argue, he always reflects and apologizes for being wrong. Sometimes his words are insufficient, and I wonder why he does such things, but in the end, it's always for my benefit. ... I think this peaceful and fertile land has nurtured Canopus. Thank you, tribal leader, for bringing such a wonderful knight to me."
"......"
"......"
... Lady Serafina, I think you're being unfair.
What should one do when suddenly and without context, one is praised to the highest degree by a revered master?
The tribal leader looked at me with envy.
"Se, Serafina-sama..."
I called her name, not because I had something to say, but because I couldn't bear the situation.
Then, Lady Serafina said, "Ah," as if she had an idea.
"That's right, tribal leader. I treated everyone's yellow stripe disease earlier, and by experiencing the process of the recovery magic circulating through everyone's bodies, I fully understood this disease. Therefore, I can now create a dedicated recovery potion. I will have it made and delivered to the castle. There will likely be more cases in the future, but if caught early, the recovery potion should be sufficient to cure them."
"Ah, thank you! Thank you so much for everything!"
The tribal leader's head was already touching the ground. I thought he was prostrating too much.
And I also thought it was understandable.
The Great Saintess, who is said to be the most noble and the country's treasure.
The Great Saintess...
Rushed to the distant land of Sazaland, despite being exhausted to the point of collapsing.
Cured a disease that no one else could, and saved a tribe that was on the brink of extinction.
Called us, who were oppressed and never considered equal, the same citizens and treated us with kindness.
Thought about our future and even made and delivered a medicine for those who might fall ill in the future.
... Ah, I can see the future.
Just like those who were healed by Lady Serafina, the tribal leader and the members of the tribe will all be devoted, enchanted, and worship the noble and compassionate Great Saintess.
As I sighed in relief, the sound of instruments began to play.
It seemed that a dance to entertain Lady Serafina was about to begin.
First, as a prelude, children dressed in colorful traditional costumes formed a line and began to dance.
Lady Serafina was captivated by the adorable children and watched them with sparkling eyes.
"Ah, how cute! Hmm, that's the jellyfish dance, isn't it?"
As Lady Serafina spoke, I calmly replied.
"The idea of imitating underwater creatures is wonderful. However, that is not a jellyfish but a dolphin."
"Ah, well, broadly speaking, jellyfish and dolphins are the same, aren't they?"
"... I apologize, but such a broad classification is beyond my understanding."
Before Lady Serafina could speak again, the residents interrupted.
"Great Saintess, a new dish is ready! This is our traditional dish, where we bake deep-sea clams with flour!"
"Ah, I've never seen this dish before. How deep is the deep sea?"
"It's so deep that only the most skilled divers among adults can reach it. We have flippers, so we can dive into the deep sea. No one outside our tribe can collect these clams."
"Ah, so these clams are very precious... *munch*. Oh, how delicious! The unique texture and slight bitterness are delicious! Ah, I could eat this dish every day. What is this dish called?"
Lady Serafina asked the residents with sparkling eyes, and they answered proudly and happily.
"Deep-sea clam bake."
"Oahchi, I'll remember that."
"Hehehe, Great Saintess, it's a little different."
As we all laughed together, small children approached.
"Great Saintess, please take these flowers!"
"Great Saintess, I made a flower crown. The yellow flowers will match your red hair."
Looking at the children's hands, they were holding a mountain of flowers that were clearly from the flower beds of this lord's mansion.
... Well, I'll pretend I didn't see it.
For a moment, I saw the gardener's forehead veins, but I shook my head to dispel the image.
Lady Serafina looked happy, and the residents seemed incredibly happy.
Today is not the day to criticize anything.
After the children's dance ended and the next dancers took their places, everyone noticed that Lady Serafina was buried in the cushions.
She was holding the flowers she received from the children and wearing a flower crown, and she seemed to have fallen asleep as if she had fainted.
"She's more tired than I thought. ... She rode for two days and nights without rest and used her magic until she was out of it. She was at her limit. Please let her sleep."
There was no way the residents would object to my words.
After that, I watched a few dances dedicated to Lady Serafina in her place.
When the time was right, I picked her up, and the residents ran over in surprise.
"I'm sorry, but it's time for the Great Saintess to return. There are only two and a half days left. Lady Serafina wanted to stay for another half day, but if we allow that, she will have to ride for two days and nights again on the way back, risking her life."
After explaining this, I put my foot in the stirrup and mounted the horse with Lady Serafina in my arms.
"On the way here, she even refused to ride with me to avoid slowing down. But now, the Great Saintess is exhausted and will likely be asleep for a full day and night. So, I will carry her and move during that time to let her rest."
"Ah, so for the remaining two and a half days, you will carry the Great Saintess back to the castle, Canopus-sama! Canopus-sama, please don't drop the Great Saintess!"
Hearing the resident's words, I couldn't help but frown.
... What is this? It's already started.
I made a stern face and spoke to the residents.
"Did you listen to me properly? I said I would carry the Great Saintess for a full day and night, not two and a half days. You don't seem to realize, but I haven't slept for two and a half days. Isn't it a bit much to work me so hard?"
"But, Canopus-sama is a knight! A knight is supposed to protect the princess!! Besides, you said the Great Saintess is exhausted! Let her rest! Canopus-sama, you can go without sleep for two more days, can't you?"
... Here it comes, here it comes.
I made a displeased face at the residents' sudden change in attitude.
Until the last visit, the residents respected and admired me, calling me "Canopus-sama, Canopus-sama." But