Both Lunamaria and Lilianne, who had battled back and forth and fought a battle that could be called evenly matched, were facing each other, each holding their weapons firmly at the ready with expressions of fatigue on their faces.
　It wouldn't be long before a decision was made. The moment the spectators as well as the party involved, Lilianne, thought that way, Lunamaria smiled softly.

''........Is that enough?''
Excuse me?
It means we've achieved our goal...............................giveaway.
Huh!

　Raising her hand lightly to declare a giveaway, Lunamaria retrieved the weapons lying around the hall and placed them in the magic box.
　Lilianne, who had been watching it dumbfounded, came to herself after a bit and opened her mouth while picking up an axe that had fallen nearby and holding it out to Lunamaria.

''........What are you really, what are you thinking about?''
Oh, thank you I told you. My goal has been accomplished. I'm not going to be able to say that I'm not going to be able to do anything about it, but I have no choice but to go through to the final because I'm in a different block. I don't care about winning in the first place.
"...you're...

　When Lilianne was about to say something to Lunamaria, who told her with a bright smile, Lunamaria interrupted her with a voice.

'Lili, did you have a good time?'
...Yes, I was quite angry at first, but when it's over, I feel...refreshed somehow.
Well that's good to hear it sounds like your shoulders are relaxed.
...What?
It must be a noble thing to do. As a princess, she shoulders the expectations of those around her and behaves in a manner befitting her position. But you know, people aren't designed to live their lives by always pushing themselves too hard. If you are too tense, you will come apart at the seams... I think it's necessary to forget what the people around you think of you and be a fool once in a while.
...Luna.

　Those were the words from her experience. Lunamaria was impatient when she first became an adventurer. She thought she was going to become a full-fledged adventurer as soon as possible and make it easy for her mother... She completed requests at a fairly high pace and was willing to take on difficult requests.
　But impatience narrowed his horizons and he ignored the discomfort he could have noticed if he had asked the veteran... and as a result, he put his mother in danger.

'It's fine. I'm not saying that you shouldn't care about that, but I think it's important to be yourself. Then you'll be able to find someone who wants to follow you, regardless of your position as a princess.
...Yes, what is it?　I'm going to have to....
'Of course it's good. Standing is like an external option. At least to me, Lili, who was smiling innocently while fighting just now, looked more desirable than you did a year ago.

　After announcing this in a gentle voice, Lunamaria finished putting away her weapon and stood up, lightly waving her hand as she turned her back to Lilianne and walked away.

''........Luna!''
What is it?
Thank you. For saving me ... 'Lilianne' who was trapped in a cage called 'Princess'.
I told you, I only helped you on my own because I wanted to.
Can I see you again?
'Well, one of these days ... maybe we can have tea together some time. We're already friends.............................I will firmly push you to relax your shoulders.
...Yes!

　She looked back once at Lilianne, who had a happy expression on her face at the word "friend", and without saying anything else, Lunamaria left.
　Leaving a certain warmth in the heart of a girl named Lilianne....









　And then, as the year dawned and Lilianne started the New Year with a new heart, Lunamaria suddenly appeared in front of her.

''Therefore, I'm Lunamaria, assigned to the 2nd Division of the Kingdom Knights!　I look forward to working with you in the future.
What?　Huh?　Luna, Luna?　What, why are you here ... adventurers?
'I've quit. No~ I can't help but wonder if I'm going to see Lili again, if she's scouted!　It was easy to get a special recommendation if you're the highest-ranking adventurer~
'What?　No, scouting, that thing is just a normal meeting... eh...

　A reunion too soon. Lillianne was simply astonished to see Lunamaria quit her job as an adventurer, which she had continued for many years and even earned two names, and restarted as a knight.
　But even though she was astonished, she couldn't hide the joy on her face....








　When Lunamaria had become a member of the knightly order and was completely familiar with it.......Sieglinde, who was training with her subordinates, felt the presence of something and stopped her hand and moved her gaze.

''Lunaaaaaaaa!
Hiiii, or isn't that mildly mischievous...
"What's the matter with your light mischievousness?　I won't forgive you for calling it a day!

　It was already a familiar sight for the faces of the Second Division. Lillianne chased after Luna Maria, who was playing a prank on Lillianne every time she transitioned to the division, with her sword. It was already a scene that could even be considered a specialty of the 2nd Division.

''........They're doing it again. The divisional commander and Lunamaria-san.
Yeah, it's a really good thing.

　Sieglinde looked kindly at the two of them as they chased each other while ministering to his subordinate's words.
　Lunamaria's presence had a very positive effect on Lilianne. When Lunamaria recognized that 'Lilianne's shoulders are about to be relaxed', she would tease Lilianne in that way and stand around so that her shoulders would be relaxed.
　Because of this, Lilianne no longer seems as stiff as before, and she has become more approachable and popular with her subordinates.
　Lilianne is so popular these days that the word is out that she should be made king or knight leader.

　And Luna Maria's presence has also changed the way Sieglinde is. Sieglinde had always tried to be Lilianne's friend, to respect and enhance each other. Sieglinde had always tried to be more of an adversary than a friend.
　But Lillianne didn't need an adversary; she needed someone she could laugh with. Thanks to Lunamaria, after realizing this, Sieglinde also called Lillianne 'Lili', and they exchanged more chit-chat than they talked about work.

Oh, Zeke!　Help me in just the right place!
"...Thank you, Luna. You have changed me in so many ways, and I'm so grateful to you. I'm really grateful for that.
What is this all of a sudden?
No, I just thought it would be a good idea for me to have some fun now and then.

　It's a good thing that you're able to get away from Lillianne, because she's behind her back... now that she's a close friend of yours, Sieglinde said softly, and then quickly walked behind her to make sure that she didn't have to worry about the consequences. He strangled Lunamaria in the wings.

'Come on, Lili!　I've got him, now!
Nice one, Zeke!
'What?　It's a horrible betrayal, this is a terrible betrayal, you know, coming on to me as a tease... can't we just call this bullying now?
Are you ready to put your crap aside, Luna?
"...forgive--Geeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee?

　
　She was always trying to be an equal friend, and she was dazzling to both of them.......very warm.








　In a room in the royal castle, where Lunamaria was bowing to Illness, the maid who was rumored to be the most skilled in the castle.

''.........Instruction, that's fine, but will you be a maid?''
"Yes, I intend to, sir, since I've been 'disbarred from knighthood'...
It is said that you have taken the blame for not having your license revoked, My Lady, and Sieglinde.
'Huh?　What are you talking about?　I just objectively put together the information and gave the most obvious report that I was the biggest factor in not being aware of that incident.
It's a waste of time. It's got a lot of character.
There is no need to ask them for extra burdens of responsibility, because they are too busy right now. It's not that I wanted to be a knight in the first place, nor do I have any pride in being a knight.

　What the two of them were talking about was a case that had occurred just the other day where the Second Division had set up a camp at the point of a mass outbreak of monsters.
　That incident, in which the deputy division commander Sieglinde had been seriously injured, could be understood by those with some knowledge as a set-up.
　However, that being the case, it was necessary to formally place the blame for the incident that could have destroyed a single division with one misstep.
　
　Of course, that was kept from Lilianne and Sieglinde, and Lise encouraged Lilianne to quit the Order and become a duke, rather than to be a means of protecting Lilianne, which was ostensibly a punishment in one case.
　Nevertheless, since the actual responsibility was taken by Lunamaria, Lilianne was given various assistance from the state in setting up the dukes.
Perhaps Lilianne could have realized that Lunamaria had taken the blame because of the lightness of the punishment. But she doesn't have the time to think about it now.

So, you're a maid?　I suppose there's also the possibility of being the mansion's guardian, isn't there?
"...Lili is very unstable right now. Zeke seems to feel responsible for many things, but more than that, she blames herself. That's why she needs someone to be there for her to support her.
Why would you go to such lengths?
Because I want to.
Okay..... If it's okay with me, I'll teach you what I can teach you.
Thank you!

　After getting her to agree to be taught the art of being a maid, Lunamaria bowed deeply to Illness. Then she headed to Lilianne's room, with the details to be discussed at a later date.
　Inside the luxurious room that was typical of a princess, Lilianne was lying on her back while packing up.

''........Lili, what are you doing?　Your hand is stopped.
''Luna, what should I ... do?　My, my fault ... if only I had been more of a stickler, Zeke ...

　Hearing Lilianne's words as she spoke while looking down, Lunamaria smiled lightly and then.......slapped her cheek with all her might.

''Ouch!　Wait, why is my hand hurting more after hitting you with it while it's not strengthened by magic.......
...Luna?
This.........how long do you think you're going to spend worrying about what's gone by, stupid Lili!
Huh?
Listen to me. Zeke is not dead, he's alive!　Then don't think forever about what's done, think about 'how to heal Zeke's wounds'!　You can pretend to be a tragic heroine all you want, but that won't change anything!

　

'Surely there is a way.
You'll follow me?　Luna is still in the Order.......and she said it was about her mother....
'I've resigned from the Order, I'm not a stickler by nature, and as for my mother, well... well... salary, I'm counting on it, lady?'
....

　Looking at Lunamaria, who said matter-of-factly and smiled wryly, Lilianne.......relaxed her shoulders and smiled.


'Oops, you say that, don't you? Well, brace yourself, and one of these days I'll make you say, 'I'm no good without Luna.'
Haha I'm counting on you, Luna.
Yeah well, I suggest you pack your bags. We don't have much time to spare.

　

''........Really, I'm glad that Luna was there. How late it is now. I've already...without you being there.
"...Yeah?　Did you say something?
No, nothing...
'Oh, look at you, Lili, that's an old toy!　I had this one too, let's have a little fun with it...
I thought you didn't have much time left.
Oops, I forgot all about it. Oh no! It's a mistake. Oh, my goodness!

　Looking at Lunamaria, who stopped to find something interesting while cleaning up and talking to her, Lilianne smiled with a smile that looked like she was truly enjoying herself.

''........You always pretend to be stupid like that.......you're a troubled best friend....