The handkerchief I received from Canopus was soaked with my tears.
However, Canopus, without paying any attention to the pitiful state of the handkerchief, merely reached out hesitantly towards my cheek, then pulled back.
Seeing Canopus like this, my heart began to calm down, thinking, "Ah, it's Canopus." But then I noticed Ereal and the others prostrate behind him, and I was brought back to reality.
"E-Ereal! I'm sorry, I forgot about you!"
As I hurried to stand up, Canopus extended his hand to help me up.
...He really is a gentleman. My guardian knight is a fine knight.
Just as I was feeling proud of him, Canopus opened his well-formed lips and spoke.
"It seems the time for the Great Saintess's merciful prayers has ended. Then, it's time to depart for the afterlife!"
As he said this, he unsheathed his sword from his waist without any hesitation.
"Wait a moment!"
What a gentleman! I thought he was a fine knight, but I have to correct that. He has no mercy at all!
I touched Canopus's arm in surprise and pleaded urgently.
"No! Ereal and the others haven't hurt me! Besides, being the Great Saintess is a thing of the past; I'm a knight now."
"What do you mean, 'what am I now?' Of course, you are still the Great Saintess, aren't you?"
Canopus deliberately glanced at his almost healed wound.
"Ugh..."
I was momentarily speechless, then opened my mouth.
"Let's talk about this later. ...Anyway, you mustn't hurt Ereal and the others. Understand?"
I asked Canopus with a serious expression.
Canopus had a reluctant look on his face, but he lowered his eyes and sheathed his sword with a loud clank.
"...I understand. If it is your command, I cannot disobey."
His voice was already flat, and I could tell he was suppressing his emotions.
To sheathe his sword with such a loud noise must have been extremely unwilling, yet he was already calm. I patted Canopus's arm, thinking how impressive his emotional control was.
"I'm sorry for making you endure this, even though you were trying to protect me. Thank you always."
"...Please don't concern yourself with my feelings. I feel unworthy just thinking that you, even a little, are thinking about me."
"...We'll talk about this later."
I sighed and turned to Ereal and the others.
"Um, if it's not too much trouble, could you please stand up? And then, could you guide us to the sick people?"
Ereal and the others stood up as if they had been shot.
Then, they bowed deeply and spoke.
"...We are truly sorry. We are aware that our actions towards the Great Saintess were unforgivable. When this situation is resolved, we will properly deal with ourselves without troubling you, Sir Knight, so please rest assured."
"Wait a moment! For some reason, the 'proper handling' you're thinking of doesn't seem right to me. Wait, calm down! If you're thinking of hurting yourselves, I won't allow it!"
As I spoke hurriedly, Ereal and the others teared up.
"Oh, Great Saintess... How merciful you are, even to those who have committed such atrocities..."
Canopus, as if boasting, added to what Ereal said.
"That's right! You are the most beautiful and merciful Great Saintess! Your understanding is less than one in a million!!"
I looked up at Canopus, feeling exasperated, but Ereal and the others nodded grandly in response to Canopus.
"You are right, Sir Knight. And Sir Knight, even though you were trying to protect the Great Saintess, I am truly sorry for what happened earlier. Here, as a first aid measure, let's treat your wounds..."
"No need. They are just minor scratches."
Canopus interrupted Ereal.
The residents who had stabbed Canopus with swords were looking worriedly at Canopus, who was wearing a white knight's uniform stained red. However, Canopus walked with a steady gait, stopped slightly behind me, and stood with a straight back, as if on guard.
His posture was dignified, and he did not look like he had any major injuries or was feeling unwell.
Therefore, Ereal and the others, though worried, could not say anything more, and an awkward silence fell.
To avoid further questions, I turned to Ereal and prompted him to continue the interrupted conversation.
"Um, so, are the people lying over there the sick ones?"
Ereal, as if suddenly realizing, turned around, bowed, and answered respectfully.
"Yes, that's correct. There are 52 patients lying in the back. Those with mild symptoms are suffering from high fevers, and those with severe symptoms are delirious."
"...I see."
I examined the three residents with the most severe symptoms.
While pretending to examine them, I used my healing magic to stop the progression of their illness.
As I felt the healing magic flowing through their bodies, I tilted my head in confusion.
...Indeed, it is the Yellow Stripe Disease, but this...
"There is a special medicine prescribed by the Great Saintess for this land."
I turned around at the sudden voice and saw an elderly woman crouching at the feet of the sick.
From her white robe, I assumed she was a saintess.
The woman stood up slowly, still looking at me, and bowed deeply.
"I am Saintess Sariela. I am deeply grateful that we have been able to welcome the Great Saintess to this land."
"Nice to meet you, I am Fia Rude."
I introduced myself and bowed, but even after I raised my head, Sariela remained bowed, which made me feel uncomfortable.
"Um, could you please raise your head? I might be the reincarnation of the Great Saintess's soul, but I am currently a knight."
Hearing my voice, Sariela finally raised her head and looked at me.
Then, she pressed her hands to her chest and spoke with a serious expression.
"Are you not the Great Saintess? With such beautiful dawn-colored hair and returning at this time, I thought..."
She stopped speaking, her expression tense as she stared at me.
Intimidated by Sariela's serious demeanor, I spoke without thinking.
"Um, well, yes. I might be the Great Saintess."
Hearing my words, Sariela's eyes welled up with tears.
"Oh, indeed, you have returned in the season when the Adela flowers bloom. ...Great Saintess, I know it is a bold request, but please, please help us again. I beg you."
As she said this, she bowed deeply once more.
Seeing Sariela's desperate state, I nodded.
"W-Well, if there's anything I can do. Um, these people have the Yellow Stripe Disease, so..."
Before I could finish, Sariela shook her head.
"It might not be the Yellow Stripe Disease. Because the special medicine from the Great Saintess is not working."
Sariela had a troubled look on her face, as if she didn't know what to do, and she whispered weakly.