Pallides, who had reported that the two men were still arguing inside, spoke in a roundabout way.
"Since it's a shame, at our mother-daughter hat shop……."
"I'm not buying you a helmet."
Pallides, having received a scolding from me, dejectedly lowered her head.
To live and breathe all this time, I never imagined I'd become a plaything for Dullahans.
"I won't accept this kind of thing anymore. If you like that sort of thing, wear it yourself."
The only reason I was going along with this absurd game was because I had been forcibly confined for a day or two. Anyway, I had to kill time doing something.
But there would be no second time.
At my words, Pallides protested with a pout.
"Why would I wear it? It suits the Captain better than me……."
"I'm not here to do things you can't do for you."
When I stared at Pallides with a stiff expression, she mumbled and lowered her head.
"I'm sorry, Captain. I just thought of the old days and…… wanted to go shopping together like before……."
Pallides apologized with drooped shoulders and made excuses in a barely audible voice.
And I became puzzled.
'Like before?'
"What do you mean? What old appearance?"
"Huh? W-well, the Captain from before."
"……The 'before' you're referring to, is it before you became like this?"
Looking at Pallides with suspicious eyes, she nodded vigorously.
"That's right. Because I remember choosing hair ornaments together with the Captain. The Captain's taste was something no one could match!"
She met me before becoming a Dullahan. It must have been ages ago, but does that mean we had a connection since then?
I was completely stumped by this incomprehensible situation. I opened and closed my lips a few times before carefully asking again.
"When did you recall that memory?"
"After fighting that unpleasant holy knight. Although that's all I remember……. But Captain, didn't you also recall that memory and offered to buy me a helmet and armor?"
Pallides' answer was filled with bewilderment.
"You think I would remember you?"
"Yes!"
"Isn't it possible you confused me with someone else?"
"No way! I couldn't possibly fail to recognize the Captain!"
Pallides cried out with an aggrieved tone. The Dullahans who had been listening to our conversation from the side interjected.
[How mean of you to recover your memories alone!]
[I want to recall memories with the Captain too!]
[Captain, I will recover my memories without going berserk.]
Wait, what is everyone talking about?
"……Are you all acquainted with me?"
Since when?
"Of course we're acquainted. You're our Captain after all."
Starting with Pallides' claim, the other Dullahans also insisted they knew me.
[It's true!]
[That's right!]
But the Dullahans couldn't explain the circumstances at all. Since their memories weren't intact, that was natural.
The basis for their claim was that upon sensing the resurrection, they recognized me at first glance. But that was precisely the evidence that I had no connection with them.
"You didn't even know of my existence until the resurrection."
"That's……."
"If the Captain in your memories was really me, and if there was some connection, you should have awakened before I went to the execution platform."
The Dullahans only awakened after I was resurrected. That means before the resurrection, I wasn't their Captain.
"Even if I generously concede that some special mission arose after resurrection, I would understand. But your former Captain and I are different people. I don't know you."
At my denial, Pallides twitched as if wanting to rebut. However, she couldn't bring herself to interrupt my words.
Nor did I have any intention of stopping.
"So don't expect me to do what your original Captain might have done."
Even if the former Captain may have kindly looked after them, I am not that person.
I'm taking in the Dullahans not for their sake, but for my own safety.
"If what you're hoping for is your former Captain……."
[Our Captain right now is you, Captain.]
Nadab said hastily in an uncharacteristically urgent voice. Following that, Zigor also jumped in to answer.
[Captain, Captain! The Captain is our Captain!]
[Captain, I apologize for my disrespectful words and actions that offended you!]
Even Tristan flew about frantically apologizing. Finally, Pallides, who had bowed her head deeply, spoke while choking back tears.
"I'm sorry, Captain. I won't say such things again so please don't abandon me."
It was a frightened voice. If I could have seen her face, she would probably be looking at me with desperation?
I suddenly became curious why the Dullahans were cowering so much.
I vaguely guessed it was because of their lost heads, and lightly patted Pallides' shoulder.
"I won't abandon you, so don't go berserk."
I didn't want my mood, which had finally improved after stopping by the clothing shop, to worsen again.
"You were here…… why is the atmosphere like this?"
Just then, Xenon and Samuel emerged from the clothing shop.
Xenon made a puzzled expression while looking back and forth between me and Pallides. I quickly waved my hand at him and hastily pulled Nadab's reins.
"It's nothing. If you're done, let's move to the armor shop quickly."
The presence of the Dullahans, who had become quiet with their spirits dampened, nagged at me, but I deliberately ignored it.
Acquainted from the past? That couldn't be true. It must just be a delusion.
* * *
Long ago, the priests called 'Samuel Bent' 'a soul blessed by God.'
It was because of his innate divine power. Samuel's pure and powerful divine power proved God's love.
Having grown up in the temple since childhood, he accessed more information than most high-ranking priests. It was necessary to finely control his vast divine power.
In the process, it was natural for Samuel to learn of the temple's long history.
He still remembered the ancient legend records covered in pale dust that he had seen in the archive beneath the Grand Temple.
He could recall clearly enough the story of the twelve sinins written there.
For Samuel, who couldn't even imagine defying God, the twelve sinins were deeply impressive beings.
When Anelli asked about the Twelve Knights of the Round Table, he probably suddenly recalled the twelve sinins for that reason.
"……."
Samuel quietly gazed at Anelli's back as she walked ahead.
'Did God send the resurrected ones to judge the twelve sinins from the beginning?'
If so, was the 'rampant evil' in the oracle referring to those sinins?
There was much he was curious about, but he quietly kept it to himself.
Anelli didn't trust Samuel, and the beings guarding her side weren't favorably disposed toward him either.
Excessive curiosity would only heighten their wariness.
The hostility toward him wasn't anything new.
What was surprising was that Samuel himself also found the beings around Anelli quite disagreeable.
This was an uncharacteristically one-sided sentiment.
When Anelli asked him to subdue Pallides without hurting her, he felt a rebelliousness to do the exact opposite. This was before he even knew Pallides' identity.
This sentiment that even he himself couldn't understand continued to this very moment.
'But if this is discovered, she'll probably want to part ways immediately.'
At least he shouldn't reveal his sentiments outwardly. Thinking so, Samuel maintained the demeanor of a faithful and pure holy knight.
They had finished all their business and were returning home. Thanks to moving quickly when returning, unlike when going out, they were soon able to pass through the mansion's main gate.
"You have returned."
When they entered the lobby, the butler who had been waiting approached.
"The Master conveyed that he is proceeding with the finishing work."
Anelli nodded listlessly. She looked completely exhausted even though they had only visited the clothing shop and armor shop.
After confirming the butler who had delivered the message was leaving, Anelli pressed her forehead and turned around.
"I need to rest."
Samuel asked in a blunt voice at her retreating back.
"With those monsters?"
Pallides' shoulders, who had been naturally following behind Anelli, flinched. Looking at Anelli's expression, she apparently didn't even know Pallides had been following.
After a brief moment of contemplation, she nodded unconcernedly.
"Yes. They'll always be with me. So if you want to keep accompanying me, stop finding fault. I trust monsters more than you, whether in the past or now."
It was Xenon who reacted to Anelli's thoughtless reply. He pointed at Samuel in shock.
"Wait, keep accompanying? You're continuing to accompany this holy knight?"
"There's information I need to hear from Sir Samuel. Now I'm really going inside to rest."
With a vexed expression, Anelli briefly explained and walked away with a nightingale perched on her shoulder.
The black dot-like hornet bee followed making a clamorous sound. Pallides also quickly followed behind.
"Ha……."
Samuel clicked his tongue briefly at the sight. With such commotion, he couldn't help but know even if he didn't want to.
However they were disguised, they were all monsters. Of course, including that black horse in the stables.
'Seeing they have no heads, probably…….'
"Wait, why are you accompanying us?"
Xenon's irritated question cut off his thoughts. Samuel raised his eyes indifferently.
"Didn't I say just now? There's information I need to hear."
"Then I can just tell you right now."
"Once you're done with me, you'll probably run away again, so why would I tell you willingly?"
"……Can a temple's holy knight act this cunningly?"
Xenon's face was painted with absurdity. Samuel, who had coldly ignored him with arms crossed, began walking.
"Don't think of doing anything foolish!"
Samuel, who was heading to his assigned room, suddenly stopped. When he glanced back, his eyes met Xenon's, who was glaring coldly at him.
A mage belonging to the Magic Tower.
As far as Samuel remembered, Xenon had certainly been accompanying Anelli from before.
With his magic power sealed, for what purpose did she hire him? Watching from the side, he didn't seem to be performing any great services.
"Your intentions are rather what I find suspicious."
"What?"
What use could he be? No matter how much he pondered, Samuel couldn't come to any reasonable conclusion.
Anelli had clearly said she wouldn't keep people around. She was a woman who had refused even when desperately pleaded to accept an escort, summoning a wyvern instead.
If she needed a handyman, was there really a reason to keep specifically him by her side?
'From now on, I'll be accompanying, so there's no need.'