◇Perspective of Furiae Naiya Rafiroig

　--There is a legend on the western continent that goes something like this.

　Long before a thousand years.
　There is an ancient tale that has been passed down since before the days of Abel, the savior of the world.
　It is the story of a princess and a knight in a certain country.

　It takes place in a small country that prospered somewhere on this continent.
　In that country, a witch came from the eastern continent.
　The witch was a tremendous magician.

　She cured the king of his physical ailments.
　She healed the grieving Prime Minister, who had lost his wife.
　She gave an enchanted prosthetic leg to a general who had lost his leg.
　Bit by bit, the witch coaxed the king, the vizier, the general, and other important people of the land into her lair.
　Before long, the country belonged to the witch.
　The witch who ruled the country exploited the people and went to the extent of luxury.

　There was a wise princess in the country.
　When the witch takes over the country, she and her childhood friend, a knight, are forced to flee the country alone.
　Along the way, the princess encounters many hardships, but she gathers allies in various places.
　Eventually, they defeated the wicked witch and regained their country.

　The princess became a great queen, and the knights who supported her were hailed as heroes of the land of salvation.
　The story of The Princess and the Guardian Knight is as popular as the story of Abel the Savior on the Western Continent.
　The origins of the guardian knight contract are based on this story.


　I loved this story.
　The people of the Land of the Moon don't like to talk about the story of Abel the Savior because they don't like the story of Abel the Savior, though.
　I've been told this story many times since I was a child.

In the story of The Princess and the Guardian Knight, there's a line I love to hear.
　It's what the knight says to the princess.



　--my princess. I am the only one who will continue to protect you, even though the whole world is against you.



　As a priestess of the Goddess of the Moon, who is shunned by all the nations of the continent, these are very poignant lines.
　I dreamed that someday there would be a guardian knight who would say this to me.

　But the reality was different.
''Miko-sama.''
Lady Freyae!
"Maiden of the Moon Goddess.
"Our beautiful maiden.
I'm at your disposal.
　I am surrounded by people who are fascinated by me.
　Blessings (cursing) that the moon goddess Naiya has put on me.

　All creatures in the world are fascinated by my beauty.
　Thanks to this, men and women I meet develop a crush on me at first sight.
　Therefore, the people around me protect me.

　However, they are not full of loyalty like in the "Guardian Knight" stories, they are just fascinated by me.
　They like me because I look good.
　It felt awfully flimsy to me.
　But I had resigned myself to the fact that that's just how it was in reality.



　--One day, I met a man.



　Sakurai Ryosuke.
　He was the "Hero of Light" from another world.
　At first he came to capture me, but he listened to my story, took pity on me, and turned his attention to me.
　And above all, my "fascination" was not effective against the Brave Man of Light.
Even though I wasn't 'charmed', he took my side.

''Friae, if you have any trouble, I'll come to your aid.
Yeah.
　I was happy.
　I felt like I was in love with someone for the first time.

　But he's a "Brave Man of Light".
　His fiancée is Noel, princess of the largest nation in the continent, the Highlands.
　I heard there are many other fiancées.

　And the people of the Moon Country don't like the Sun Country (Highland).
　They don't want me to be married to Ryosuke Sakurai, the brave man of the Sun Country (Highland).
　In other words, it's a love that can't be fulfilled.

(.........Well, they say that first love is unfruitful....

　It was lucky that I was able to love people, as I was the one who attracted all of them in the first place.
　Let's forget it.........
　Bitter and sweet and sour memories.
　That's all.



　-- And then I met a strange man.



　Takatsuki Makoto.
　He, too, is from another world.
　I had heard that name several times from Ryousuke.
　He's a very trustworthy and awesome guy.
What kind of person is it that Ryousuke, the "Hero of Light", would love me so much?
　I had imagined that he would be a magnificent outstanding man.

　But when I saw him in person, he looked frail and fragile, as if he would fall over if I pushed him.
　He's a wizard, but his magic power (mana) is only about a gentle breeze.
　My fellow wizards, the elf girl and the warrior girl who said she came from another world are much stronger than me.
　It was slightly disappointing.

　But he's a nationally certified hero of the Water Country, in case you were wondering.
　So, I attempted to escape from the Land of the Sun by making a "guardian knight" contract with Takatsuki Makoto.
　But this is where the unexpected happened.

　Takatsuki Makoto couldn't understand my 'fascination' at all.
　That's not what I'm talking about!　Moon goddess!
　I thought all creatures were supposed to be fascinated by me!
　Of course, the Goddess of the Moon (Naiya), with whom I've only had one conversation in the past, couldn't possibly respond.

　But Takatsuki Makoto has become my 'guardian knight'.
　Apparently he's a good-natured guy.
　After leaving the Sun Country, I'll give a good reason and terminate my 'guardian knight' contract.

　I'm a 'Moon Goddess Priestess' who is descended from the demon race and hated by the human race.
　I'm the reincarnation of the villain of the Savior Abel's story, 'The Wicked Witch'.
　She will be kicked out of the party sooner or later.
　That's what I thought.

　However, Takatsuki Makoto was the 'Messenger of the Evil One'.
A wizard who is 'half demon'.
　A warrior from the Lamia tribe who is a demon.
　They all had their own peculiarities.

　But they were all good people.
　None of them had ever neglected me.
　I missed the right time to leave the party and found myself staying.

(I could stay here for a while...)

　I thought so.
　It was peaceful.　
　Every once in a while, though, Takatsuki Makoto would get stuck in a crowd of demons or get petrified.
　I had grown up in the dimly lit underground of the Land of the Moon since I was born, and it was fun for me to travel to the Land of Water, Wood and Fire.

　I used 'fate magic' and 'curse magic', which I didn't like very much, to run to the water city of McAllen when I saw that a wizard was in trouble, and to help the petrified elves in the wood country.
　It was hard work.
　But it was fulfilling.
　I spent time with them, knowing that I had to return to the land of the moon one day.


　But--


　Lately, I've been getting frustrated a lot.

　The cause is probably ... my knight - Takatsuki Makoto.

　Takatsuki Makoto is not 'mesmerized'.
　Not only that, he can't 'see the future' either.
　I don't know what she's thinking about.
　She is the 'guardian knight' of the Goddess of the Moon's priestess, but she is not at my side.
　He's always in training or meeting with a woman.

　It doesn't matter.
　My relationship with Takatsuki Makoto is a guardian knight's contractual relationship.
　We're working together.
　There's no need to worry about it.
　I don't have to worry about it, but watching Takatsuki Makoto lately has been irritating.

　He's going to meet Esther, the priestess of the Goddess of Destiny, who was so hostile in the Land of the Sun, all by herself.
　His plan for this war was to avoid unnecessary battles, but he fights on his own.
　They don't even listen to me at all!
　And the next thing you know, you're making out with a woman!
　I don't care about the last one.
　It's none of my business.

　No ... or maybe I like Takatsuki Makoto?
　But this is totally different from how I feel about Ryousuke.
　It's just annoying.
　It's the wizard (Lucy) and the warrior (Aya) who like Takatsuki Makoto.


　So I decided to ask them.


The wizard and the warrior. How did you guys fall in love with that guy?
All of a sudden, Huri.
What's going on?　Fu-chan?
　The two of them turn around with a look of puzzlement on their faces.

　Takatsuki Makoto is absent because he is attending a military meeting.
　This is the perfect opportunity to find out what they're talking about.

Well, if you want to know, I'll tell you!　I think it was when I was attacked by a big ogre and he saved me. And then there was the time I was attacked by a gryphon, and he saved me from a demon that wanted to kill me, even though he was dying for me!　I had decided then that I would be willing to be held by Mako!
Yeah, well what about you, Warrior?
　The wizard's tension went through the roof.
　It's always like this when it comes to Takatsuki Makoto.

I've been playing in the room with Takatsuki-kun since..." "Oh, it's the story of the previous world. Oh, it's a story from the previous world. Ever since junior high school, I've been hanging out in Takatsuki's room after school, and I feel more comfortable when I'm with him. But lately, I don't have much time to spend alone with him. Ah, the other day I had a bad day. It was so close.
'We're screwed. Aya.
　At the warrior's words, the wizard glared at him.

'Yes, I'm sorry.'
You never did.
　The wizard is pulling on the warrior's cheek.
　The warrior is doing it back.
　They're good friends.

　Hmmm, I thought to myself.
　The wizard (Lucy) who saved me from a crisis (pinch).
　The warrior (Aya) who has spent time with me in the past.　
　Neither one of them is what I have.
　It doesn't seem to be a good reference.

Well, I'm more dramatic than Aya.
　'Hmph,' said the wizard, puffing out his chest.

'You don't understand, Ru-chan. It's good to fall in love with this kind of everyday life. And I'm the longest person you've ever known.
　Good grief, warrior-san shakes her head.

'If you say that, I'm the best person you've known since you came to the other world. It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for. It's called the "heroic desire".
'Huh, Roo-chan. It's called choloine to fall in love with that. Unfortunately, that's what you are, Roo-chan.
What?　Makoto and Fujiyan told me a long time ago that if you say so, then your childhood friend is a heroine who loses.
"Those nerds......... I'm sorry.......the heroine of my childhood friends is from elementary school.... The friends from junior high school aren't childhood friend heroines.
''Ugugu the rules of the other world are a pain in the ass. Then Aya is a mob heroine.
What?　I'm trying to pick a fight, Lu-chan.
Aya sold me the money first!

　The wizard (Lucy) and the warrior (Aya) are staring at each other, nose to nose.
　Ahhh, it's going to be a fight!　I might have been worried about it when I met him.
　But these two are just playing around.

　Anyway, I wonder what 'choloine' or 'heroine' is.
　I'm not sure about the otherworldly terms.

'Well, I'm going to sneak into Makoto's bed tonight and settle this, Aya!
'As you wish, Luu. Pick out some pretty underwear for me.
You're going to take it off anyway?
If you're going to have Takatsuki-kun take it off, you'll want to wear cute underwear, right?
　I found myself digressing from the conversation in a big way.
　I mean, what a story!

Hey!　You know I'm in the same tent as you!
No! - Yeah!
　Unable to overlook the content of the conversation, I patted the wizard and warrior on the head.
　If left unchecked, they are two people who will run amok to no end.
　And it's not a joke, it's troubling because they are serious about executing it.

''........''
　The wizard and the warrior stared at us.

''Lately, Furi has been getting serious about Mako.
Hey, you're easy to piss off.
What?　No, it's not!
　I huffed and looked away.
　The wizard and the warrior looked at each other.

'What do you think, Aya?'
Well, if Fu-chan says so, then so be it.　In the pooch.
　Oh, come on, you don't sound like you believe in this conversation at all!

Yeah. On a different note, Ruchan. The lady knight of the Order of the Sun said she wanted to talk to Takatsuki-kun.
"What?　What?
I just heard that they're trying to get to Takatsuki.
We're still at war, and I don't think we're in enough danger!
Right!
　Pumph, you're both acting like you're mad at each other, but you're both colorblind too.
　And now you're both complaining about some guy you like.
　You're complaining about how insensitive you are, how you're quick to flag.
　They're complaining and they both seem to be having fun.

(...though...)

　I look at the two of them and think.
　I'm still different from these two.
　It's not that I like Takatsuki Makoto.......it should be.
　Because it just irritates me.


　Then, a short while later, my knight came back.
　We shared the content of the meeting and went back to training early.
　The wizard and the warrior chatted, and then the warrior got tired of talking and went to sleep.

　I - I couldn't sleep.

　I wonder if that man is still training?

　Maybe you're not being courted by some woman again?

　You're my guardian knight, so stay by my side.　

　........It's frustrating.

　I found myself walking towards the fountain where Takatsuki Makoto was training.




　◇Takatsuki Makoto's point of view ◇.


"Hey, my knight.
　In the light of the moon, Friae walked around me with her hands clasped behind her back.
　When I turned toward her, she turned her eyes away.

　Her face is beautiful as usual, but her mouth is hollow and her eyes are bad.
　He seems to be in a bad mood.
　This is that.
　As a guardian knight, I have to be in a good mood.

"How are you doing?　Princess. You don't seem to be in a good mood.
Don't talk like that, it's weird.
Terrible.
　For some reason, he cursed me.

''...........''
.........?
　Mr. Furiae doesn't speak.
　I had no choice but to continue my training.
　I talked to the spirits and used water magic to create many butterflies and make them dance.

　All the while, Furiae-san is still staring at me.
　........restless.
　I continued my training while being watched for a while.

''Hey, my knight. Can't water magic make anything but butterflies?
I can make it. What shall we make?
　Friae spoke to me.

'I want to see the big creatures.'
Okey-dokey.
　I could use my water magic to make a whale and make it fly.

How's that?
So-so. So now.....
　Today Friae-san has a lot of orders.
　However, as I was showing her the magic, her mood was getting better and her voice became brighter.
　What the hell, I kept creating various creatures with water magic all the time.



(.....Quite exhausting.)
　Friae had a lot to order today.

'Should we go home now?　The "Princess
Yeah, right!　It's getting late and I'm going home, my knight.
　Me and Friae walked together on the road to the tent.

　The time is past midnight.
　Friae was walking next to me, humming a tune.
　He seemed to be in a good mood.　

'Didn't you have something to talk about?
　I asked Friae, "What's going on?" "Nothing," he replied.

　I went back to the front of the tent.
　Lucy and Sa-san are probably asleep, so I have to go in so as not to wake them up.

(.........covert skills.)

Stop it.
　Mr. Furiae tapped me on the head.

'What?'
　I glared accusingly at him.
'It smells like a crime to use your covert skills to walk into a tent where a girl is sleeping.
...for sure.
　Let's just go in like normal.
　When I reach for the tent entrance.

Wait!
　Friae tugged on my arm.
'Whoa,'
　When I was pulled by the power of a miko, there was no way I could resist with my poor status.
　For a moment, I was pulled into the air with such force that I was lifted into the air.

''Hey, princess. What are you doing all of a sudden........


　Don!!!!



　At that moment, a huge shadow fell.
　At the same time, the ground shook greatly.
　It was several meters long, a huge body that couldn't be human.　

''How dare you dodge it!　The brave men of the Water Kingdom (Roses)!
　What appeared in front of me and Friae's eyes was a huge talking demon.
　No, it's a demon race.
　The miasma and magic power that covered its body reminded me of Shuri and Setekar, the subordinates of Demon King Bifrons, whom I once met in the Land of Trees.

''I am Demon King Zagan-sama's entourage, Ten Tsume is the one and only Hayate of Shippu!　I'm here to assassinate the brave men of the Water Kingdom (Roses).　Let's take that life!
　What a headache-inducing name that sounds like.
　Also, if you're going to assassinate me, you need to be more patient!

　The demon tribe attacked us before we had a chance to make a tweak.