“Whew…… today was tiring in many ways……”
I sighed as I unfastened buttons.
Without question, not physical fatigue — mental.
To think I’d make such a misunderstanding……
I-I’d thought he was requesting night-service……!
Got carried away alone and embarrassed myself.
When he hugged me, my heart pounded as if to burst out.
Probably never been this tense even in life-and-death fights.
“Life’s failure……!”
In embarrassment I almost tossed the maid uniform aside, then stopped.
This is the custom-made serving outfit Lord Ouga gave me. I can’t treat it roughly.
I folded it neatly to avoid creases and laid it on the sofa.
…… Past-me would have thrown it on the floor and slept.
”…… I’ve changed quite a bit.”
The surroundings. My position.
From Captain of the Holy Knight Order, to a swordswoman of a backstreet arena, to a maid serving one of the four ducal houses — House Veret. Even my name discarded, following a young master.
”…… If she saw me now, she’d surely be surprised.”
She’d laugh hard, pointing at me.
…… I dug up my Holy Knight memories.
Just talking about my past doesn’t bother me.
But today, her shadow kept flickering in my mind.
Because she’s a person to whom I’d directed the same admiration I feel for Lord Ouga?
Because I’d been asked about my sword?
I didn’t elaborate to Lord Ouga.
I avoided it because I knew.
That my lidded feelings would overflow.
”…… Captain Lily.”
I muttered the name of the past commander who’d passed this sword to me.
…… Likely she’ll appear in my dreams tonight.
With that near-certain premonition, I fell asleep.
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇
“Welcome, Officer Chris Lagnica. I’m Lilyshane Spride. Captain of the Holy Knight Order. Pleased to have you.”
“Chris Lagnica! Pleased to meet you, Captain Spride!”
“Ahaha, so stiff. Just Lily is fine. My officers all call me that.”
That was my first exchange with her — the [Holy War Maiden] whose name resounded throughout the world and who drew people’s admiration.
Lilyshane Spride is such a famous person that anyone living in Rondism Kingdom has heard her name at least once.
Noble-born, she joined the Holy Knight Order under the conviction “I want to make everyone in the world smile,” and rose to Captain through inborn talent — a heroine.
She was blessed in appearance too, as the title [Holy War Maiden] suggests.
Silver hair that fluttered like wings on the battlefield.
Pristine, pure-white skin.
Crimson eyes that drew people’s attention.
I especially loved Captain Lily’s eyes.
Sometimes sharp, sometimes soft. Eyes possessing firm will.
Heaven doesn’t grant two gifts, they say — but she must be the divine-loved exception.
In recent years, many new recruits joined the Order out of admiration for her.
I, too, was among those.
If the captain I admired trained earlier than anyone, the still-immature me had to do the same.
And at that hour, I could share private training time with her.
Carrying much sense of duty and a little selfish desire, I often did early-morning practice with the Captain.
Sun beating down or snow piling — no matter.
Today, the bitter wind stung the skin too, but we faced each other and crossed swords. ……Today again, I was swept off my feet and looking up at the sky.
“Ah, Chris has good aptitude. You absorb what’s taught quickly — you’ll surpass me soon.”
“N-no way! Me surpass you, Captain!”
“Ahaha. Always so stiff. But I never flatter. Hmm…… let me say this.”
She crouched and held out her sword.
“If you ever beat me, Chris, this sword is yours.”
“R-really!?”
“Goals help motivation. And I’m happier when my cute subordinates grow. Keep training.”
“Y-yes! With all my effort!”
Lying spread-eagle, I responded loudly to her boisterous encouragement.
Naturally, I was the loser, she the winner.
Imagining myself surpassing the Captain — impossible.
Even today, I’d landed only a single hit.
Next time, two hits……!
“Chris, congrats on the promotion~!”
“Th-thank you……”
“What? Embarrassed? So cute~”
“C-Captain! It’ll spill! If you suddenly hug me, the drink will——!”
The day my efforts and results were recognized with promotion to squad leader.
Captain Lily called it a celebration and took me to a high-end shop.
A favorite of nobles, the kind of place a commoner like me could never enter alone.
The dishes on the table — all things I’d never seen…… I didn’t know where to start.
“Don’t worry about manners. Tonight is informal — eat whatever you want first. I ordered lots, more is coming.”
“U-understood!”
I cleared the plate in front of me.
Nervous at first, doubting I could eat it all — but one bite erased that. One plate, another plate, the stack grew.
“Fufu…… delicious?”
“Eh? Ah…… yes…… delicious……”
When I noticed Captain Lily’s smiling gaze, embarrassment heated my face.
To act this way before my admired one……!
“Good. I’d been wondering. Chris seems to train morning, noon, and night — like you wouldn’t rest yourself.”
“That…… well, I figured I couldn’t catch up to you otherwise……”
“I told you, didn’t I? Chris will surpass me. You’re getting stronger steadily. ……But training alone isn’t enough. Sometimes turn your eyes elsewhere.”
”…… Is that so?”
“Yes. From my experience, no doubt. Those who focus on one thing and narrow their view stumble easily. ……So, Chris, take care.”
“Y-yes! I’ll try!”
“Good answer. You’ll have subordinates now. With only training, you’ll suffocate and no one will follow.”
“Uk…… I’ll be careful.”
A precise hit, and I shrank.
My schedule had been almost entirely training.
As if to comfort me, the Captain patted my head.
“If anything comes up, consult me. Don’t hold back. You’re a precious subordinate.”
…… Why does Captain Lily’s words, smile, warm my heart so much.
At enrollment, just admiration; I thought she was someone I could never reach.
But the more I knew, the more I loved.
The wish to be like her grew.
…… I can’t imagine surpassing her.
I want to stay under you, swinging my sword as your subordinate.
The reflection of me in my beloved Captain’s eyes carried both strength and gentleness today as well.
Day after day, repeating failures. Occasionally achieving goals and updating them…… in this routine, three years passed.
Then — the greatest tragedy in Holy Knight Order history occurred.