What the hell is love?

　There are many times in a story where love ultimately solves everything.

　It's the same in the world of this maiden game.

　In the end, the love between the protagonist and the boy to be attacked leads the kingdom of Holfert to victory.

　It's really wonderful.

　Love saves everything.

　Love is the best!

　...Am I twisted to think that love, which is better than any weapon, is a tremendous weapon in its own right?

　Love is what keeps people ... bound.

　It's not just love.

　People are bound by various things that are invisible to the eye.

　It is not enough to be strong enough to shake them off and live.

　The stronger you are, the more strongly you are bound.

　Just like me!

Phew, we've arrived at last. It's been a hell of a ride.

　The one who ruffled her shining blonde hair with her hand is Marie Faux Laffan - a saint who has just been certified as a saint by the temple with great pleasure.

　Next to her is a girl who makes me want to ask why you are here.

''Marie-sama, I'll take your luggage!

Thank you, Kara.

　Carla with Marie's baggage - Carla Fow Wayne, the normal class girl who approached Libya and tricked us.

　She's now a crony of Marie's.

　There were other girls samurai around, and they were making remarks that lifted Marie up.

''Marie-sama, you look great in that outfit too.
I hear you made it especially for him. You're very good, Miss Marie.
Master Marie looks good in anything you wear.

　Looking around, the students of the school who had arrived at the floating island stood tall.

　Among them were the green and red.

　Zilk Fear Marmoria.

　They were Greg Fow Seberg.

''It's been a pleasant boat ride, hasn't it?''

'The lost item airship is awesome, isn't it? I want one too.

　The boys were gathered around the two of them, talking to each other.

''So this is the Island of the Elves?''
It's kind of what I imagined the place would be like.
'Isn't it a lush, dense forest?　Is there really a dungeon here?

　...Well, let's get this situation straight.

　Now we have come to a floating island where the elves live.

　Our means of transportation is my airship, Paltner.

　How did that happen?

　That's what I want to hear.

　I don't understand this situation at all either.

"...why do I have to do this?

　My partner, Luxion, floats by my side as I complain.

　He replies to me while being wary of his surroundings.

''Because that's the job of a master.''

'Why do I have to do my job as a student!　I hate it. I'd rather go home and enjoy my new tea set!

　The tea set I bought to escape reality.

　I, Leon Fow Baldfalt, am a knight - and, in addition, a viscount, despite my status as a student.

　The rank in the court is four ranks below me, a ridiculously high position.

　I can't help but laugh now. But the truth is........I want to cry.

　Aren't you happy with your rise in the ranks?　But the world is not full of ambitious upwardly mobile people.

　In the first place, being in a high position means that you have a lot of responsibility.

　In addition, they are expected to do that much work.

　Responsibility and expectation, it's just too much for me in my current position.

　Greg talks to me like I'm a friend. Am I a good friend to you?

　He's not dressed in his usual uniform, but in light gear for ease of movement.

'What do we do now, Obergruppenführer?　Will you be heading back to Kyle's hometown soon?

　I was giving Greg a very subtle look as he spoke to me with a very nice smile.

'What?'　Do you hate it that much?

　I let out a sigh to Greg, who was looking at me curiously.

''Well for now, Kyle and I will have a representative head to the village. You too, follow me.

Yes, Obergruppenführer. Uh, would you prefer the captain?

　Greg, who seems to be having a lot of fun, takes my orders and walks away from the place.

　Yeah, I'm the Obergruppenführer now.

　Guess who I am, the Obergruppenführer.

　........It's Marie.

　When I turned my gaze to look at her, I saw Marie laughing moodily at the good moods of those around her.

　A sense of smallness blended in with her high smile.

''Ohohoho!　I'll make a lot of money by attacking the dungeons in the elven village!

　I had a blue streak on my forehead, and then Angel arrived.

He's really quite carefree.

　Her eyes were cold to all intents and purposes as she looked at Marie, giving off an air of anger that made her feel as if she was about to pick up a weapon at the drop of a hat.

　The one who was looking at Angier with concern was Livia.

I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to calm down," she said, "Ange, let's calm down. Here, let's take a deep breath. Deep breaths!　The air is good.

　It is true that nature is abundant and the air is delicious.

　Even though it was winter, it was warm as if it were spring, and the trees had blue leaves on them.

　Turning his gaze back to Libya, Angel was grateful for the warmth of the island.

'Yes, it is. It's nice not to be cold, by the way. My father and brother both said that adventuring in the wintertime is hard, so it helps for me too.'

　...yeah. We're on this island, we're on an adventure.

　In the midst of the group, only one woman with a different mood approaches us.

　Her name is Hertrude Serra van Oost.

　She's the princess of the Duchy of FanAust.

　She's a princess of the duke's family, so she's a princess. When asked if she's not a princess, I can only say it's because that's the kind of world we live in.

　She was a beautiful woman with beautiful long black hair, but her breasts were very disappointing.

　Seeing her after seeing Angier and Livia made my heart ache with a tightening of my chest.

　I felt sadness at the plain with no mountains or valleys stretching across my chest.

'The knights of the kingdom have no class, do they? Where on earth do they look?　I can't believe you're giving me a lustful look--what the hell? Why are you shaking your head so sadly!

　I wish I could have lusted after him, but I shook my head in too much sadness.

'I'm sorry. I'm sorry. So, what can I do for you?

　Princess Hertrude's Highness--well, she was in a very delicate position when she came to the school as an international student for various reasons.

　The dukedom's declaration of war that happened a few months ago was because I messed up, and she was accepted as a foreign student in the kingdom.

　It would be humiliating even for her, but I can't help but be dismayed at the optimism of the kingdom.

　You'd think they'd have a greater sense of urgency.......

　The reason for the lack of a sense of urgency is that the duchy's army was almost wiped out as soon as they declared war.

　They were defeated by the students, and even the Black Knight, who was said to be the strongest in the Principality, was defeated.

　........I did all of this.

　Because I did it, the kingdom also licked the dukedom.

　It's not a good situation to be in.

I was brought here uninformed, and I don't mind if someone explains to me what's going on?　What on earth is on this island?

You're the one who came with me.

　When he heard that we were leaving, he came forward and said he wanted to join us. The royal palace and the academy approved it. The treatment is loose, or maybe it's just that I feel like I'm already a princess and the kingdom doesn't even take advantage of me.

　Now, about this island........

　It's a beautiful young elf named Kyle, who is Marie's personal servant.

　We've come to Kyle's hometown.

　It's all because of--Marie's debt.

　Even if I recall, the events of that day are infuriating.

　I wipe my eyes.

'Why are you crying?!'

　Mr. Hertrude is angry, but Angel and Livia comfort me.

'Don't blame them too much. Leon doesn't lead the SS for the love of it either.

Leon-san, please don't cry. It's okay. It's going to be okay.

　I nodded, letting out a sob.

''Yeah. I don't want to do my best, but I'll do my best.

　Mr. Hertrude looks at us with a subtle expression.

　Yes, it was all because of that day.

◇

　It was a while after the third semester had started.

　People had gathered in front of a notice board in the school.

　I was walking down the corridor with Livia when I peeked through the gap in the crowd.

Is the school now accepting applications to study abroad?　Oh, you are recruiting foreign students? I didn't know we have something like this at our school.

Where will you be studying?

Uh, the Arzer Republic?　It sounds like there's a lot more to it than that.

　As I was admiring the fact that he was studying abroad, a friend came out of the crowd.

　He was Raymond, an intellectual-looking guy with glasses.

　Apparently, he had heard us talking.

'The reason we're all here isn't to talk about studying abroad,'

　Livia nods her head.

'No?'

I'm interested in that one too, but everyone else is concerned about that one.

　Several people left the front of the board and saw the papers that had been posted up.

　Livia read it out loud.

'Temple Knights Wanted?　Let's see, I'm looking for a knight to be a shield to protect Saint Marie-sama. Can any student from the academy apply?

　I scowled and decided to leave.

'I'm not interested. Who's going to protect a guy like that?

　Raymond was dumbfounded.

'Rion's dislike of the saintly lady is hardcore, too. But she's pretty popular.

　When I was told to look in front of the bulletin board, the boys were looking at me seriously.

　I was curious as to why the boys of the school who were busy with their marriage activities wanted to become temple knights, so I turned my gaze to Raymond.

　Raymond, who found that he was asked to explain, did his part.

''Both the advanced and normal classes will be interested in this story. Temple knights are basically educated people. In other words, most of them come from noble families like us.''

　Livia looked convinced.

'I've heard that many of the people associated with the Temple are from the nobility.

'So school boys who can fight in their own right while getting an education are candidates? So?　You weren't exactly popular before.

　Raymond had a wry smile on his face.

　He knew that he could become a Temple Knight, but he didn't know that it was so popular. In the first place, temple knights should not have been popular.

　The reason was to become a private soldier in the temple instead of becoming a knight of the kingdom.

　To put it bluntly, you can't be a knight of the Horphath Kingdom. To elaborate further, I'm not an official knight.

　Becoming a temple knight means giving up the status of a nobleman.

　It's not well thought of in the aristocratic society.

　Still, there are students who become temple knights every year for reasons that can't be discussed without tears, because they're tired of being married.

　And the rest is usually out of faith?

　And yet I didn't expect it to be so popular.

'Don't you see?　She's a saint.

"...What?　Why does this have anything to do with Marie?　It's the third semester, so a lot of boys just gave up on marriage already.

If everyone could just give up easily, it wouldn't be so hard. I'd like to become a temple knight if I were allowed to. Well, it's impossible for me to do so because I'm the heir apparent. But I digress. Actually, that's what this SS is all about. It involves the royal palace.

　The crowd became even smaller, and Libya approached and read carefully.

'I see it says that SS knights are to be granted Kingdom knighthood.

Lie!

　I read the document carefully, surprised, but it really says something like that.

　Raymond has a winning look on his face.

'Do you understand, Leon?　In other words, you can be a temple knight and still be a knight of the kingdom. He's a fine knight with a pension from the kingdom.

　The kingdom pays the Temple's private army?

　I was amazed that such a thing was possible, but Livia didn't quite understand the look on her face.

'Is that great?'

　Raymond shakes his head violently.

'Awesome. It's so awesome I'm surprised. I mean it!　The SS Temple Knight can be a knight recognized by the Kingdom. Further!　--and you can get away with it from your marriage.

　A temple knight is not exactly a knight.

　Therefore, their marriage partner does not have to be a noblewoman.

　But an SS knight is also a knight of the kingdom.

''Can you get away with being married?　What's going on here, Raymond!

'I'm not a knight for life, I'm guaranteeing the status of a knight who can be hereditary below the seventh rank. And by the way, not all students are knights of the SS. That's why, for that reason, they can pass the position on to their children even if they don't marry a noblewoman.

　We will also recruit SS members from the Temple Knights.

　Then there are temple knights who are already married.

　It's impossible to ask them to marry a noblewoman now.....

　Then, only this time, the royal palace has approved it as an exception.

　I hugged my head and bent down on my knees.

''If I become Marie's SS, I can escape from marital life. But I don't want to be that guy's SS, ever.

　As I was wondering what I should do, Livia tried to talk me out of it.

'Leon-san, aren't you popular with the girls now?'

　Since my promotion, I've been getting letters from girls telling me that I can go to a tea party.

　It's called hand-wringing.

　And yet, the fact that they were looking down on me was a testament to this awful world of damsel-in-distressing.

'You can't trust a girl who's just slipped up on you now!　I'm definitely not going to do that. The only people I invite to my tea parties are Libby and Angier!

　Livia looks a little happy, but she immediately remembers and narrows her eyes to question me.

'But last time you invited senior Clarice, right?

　I gently avert my gaze.

　Raymond shrugged his shoulders in dismay when I showed him my silence.

''Rion can't do it. Because he's a viscount and a fourth-ranked knight. Even the royal court would never allow it.''

　I stand up.

'So that's it, too. Huh, let's hope for next year to get married.

　The girls who grated on him because of his promotion seemed sickening.

　They hadn't looked at me before, but when they got promoted and became a viscount, their eyes would change color.

　I'm not happy at all.

　In fact, I'm afraid I'm going to distrust them.

　Livia looked at me with a complicated face.

''Next year means you won't be marrying a current student?

Impossible. Huh, it's a shame I would have been happy to join in if I wasn't Marie's SS.

　It's impossible for me emotionally.

　The girl who was looking down on us yesterday is suddenly smiling at me... because I don't find her attractive at all, and I'm rather afraid of her.

　Before I can even think about getting back at her for all the things I've done, I'm already done-drawn.

　I don't want to get involved.

　Anyway, what is the reason why the royal palace puts so much effort into the SS?　That bothered me, but I left it alone because I had nothing to do with it anyway.

　I left it alone.........

◇

　It was a hectic day at the royal palace in the wake of the birth of a saint.

　The meeting of the ministerial class was attended by the head of the duke's family, Vince--Angier's father.

''The fishy monks of the temple are on a roll.
I suppose the idea is to expand your power with His Highness Julius in charge.
'The saint is surrounded by former heirs of powerful nobles. This is a tricky one.

　The temple was working to use a saint named Marie to improve her position in the kingdom.

　They were trying to use this as an opportunity to seize power.

　The head of the Atlee family. Clarice's father, 【Bernard Fear Atlee】, proposed to the surroundings.

''........We need to send a trustworthy knight.

　The reason why the Royal Palace prepared a budget for the SS was to interfere with the personnel authority.

　It was because of the sense of urgency that they couldn't leave the troublesome saint called Marie.

　More than the Principality, the Kingdom was more concerned about Marier.

''It's only natural to put a bell on the saint's collar that rings a lot.
But she's a saint. I don't want to be bullied by a lesser knight.
She's a woman who cajoled His Highness and the heirs of a famous family into a few months - she's a real pain in the ass.

　The people who want to send spies to pass on information to the royal palace.

　Bernard only turned his gaze to Vince, who was listening silently from earlier.

'I have an idea for one of them. He's a student like the saint, and he's a good student. A knight who has no fear of being bullied.

　People around him also look at Vince.

'....an upstart, but I'm sure he would.
Was it the duke's new guard dog?
But it hurts when he turns. He's a threat to the Lost Item.

　At the conference, "Why don't you take away the lost items? He digresses: "It would be against national policy to do so," and "Even if it's a lost item, taking it away would draw opposition to the royal court.

　Bernard clears his throat and asks Vince again.

''........Could I borrow Viscount Leon Fow Baldfalt, Duke?''

　Vince gave a small smile.

'He's not a contributor to the duke's family, though. You can do what you like.

　Bernard summarizes the conversation.

'Then, for the captain of the Saint's Guard, the Royal Court would like to recommend Viscount Lyon Faux-Baltfalt as the captain of the Saint's Guard. He can be trusted with the job.

　Vince crossed his arms.

'Well, what's going on--'

◇

　Marie couldn't stop laughing.

(Already great!)　(I can't believe how wonderful it is to have a day where I don't have to worry about the cost of living - wonderful!

　The reason why she no longer has to worry about the life of five boys is because of the budget provided by the royal palace and temple for Marier, who became a saint.

　After graduation, education awaited her to become a saint, but right now Marier was happier in the days when she didn't have to worry about the cost of living.

(She could even buy and eat!)　I don't have to cut back on my food budget and buy clothes. (Happy to be able to buy what I want!)

　As an added bonus, they are the girls around me.

'Marie-sama, you look beautiful today.
After all, Her Ladyship has a different vibe.
Marie, I've found a very nice place. Would you like to join us sometime?

　The girls who had been looking down on themselves until now are now turning their palms up and trying to curry favor with Marie.

　The reason is simple.

　It was because Julius's reputation had been lifted after Marie had become a saint.

　Julius had broken off the engagement of the duchess, but the man he fell in love with was a saint that even the temple approved of.

　There was no one behind Julius, but here the temple was trying to carry him.

　In other words, Marie was becoming a winner.

'Oh, come on, guys, stop dressing up. We're not friends.

　When I say that, the people around me act even more impressed.

'As expected of a saintly woman. How sweet.''
I'm so glad you're my friend.
Lady Marie, I'll follow you for the rest of my life.

　Marie, happy even though she knew it was flattering, laughed out loud inwardly.

(Great!)　I know what those guys with their cronies are going through. This is going to be addictive!　--Hello?

　Then Marie finds one of the girls.

　It's Kara, sitting on a bench, depressed.

　Her cronies say to Marie, "Let's go, Miss Marie.

'Lady Marie, let's go. That girl is no good.

Do you know?

He's a former contributor to the demolished Countess. An embarrassment to his friends in the air.

Wow.

　The air pirates who attacked Lyon and the others.

　The Earl's family, which had something to do with the bandits, has been demolished.

　Originally, Kara would have been expelled from the school, but her parents' house itself was overlooked because they were not considered to be involved with the air pirates.

　It's also a sort of show-off.

　The people around him despise him as an aristocrat and he's scorned as an unbelievable aristocrat, and he's kept at a distance from the former parsonage of the demolished Count family - mainly the students.

　It's as if he's showing them what happens if they betray him.

　But--.

(The woman who cheated on those people--that mobster must be very pissed off.)

　--Marie approached Kara to get back at Leon.

(I won't forgive you for tricking Greg and Brad, though. I'll rub it in for you as best I can.)

　Marie ignored the opposing voices around her and approached Kara.

'You, why are you alone?'

　Kara looked up and saw a severely frightened look on her face.

　Her uniform was covered in dirt and her hands were bruised.

　It was immediately apparent that she was being severely bullied.

''Eh, ah--''

　Marie squeezes Kara's hand as she tries to escape.

'Let's be friends,'

But I don't--

It's all right. I know all about it. But I still want to be your friend. No?

　Marie thought as she looked at Kara, who shook her head and began to cry.

(Get a handful!)　Work hard for me. (I'll explain to Greg and Brad later, but I think I'll go show Kara off in front of those guys as soon as possible.

　Marie was thinking about many things when Chris came to her.

　The girls around her looked at Chris and their cheeks were stained.

　Marier felt a sense of superiority in their appearance as well.

'Marie, I have a letter for you.

Thanks, Chris.

No, no problem. More importantly, it's my parents' house. What's going on?

　Marie was a little uneasy when she heard it was her parents' house.

''I think it's fine, but--''

　Marie started to read the letter on the spot and started to clatter and shake. As it was, she collapsed off her knees and was held up by Chris.

'Marie!　Soooo, I'll get you to the hospital in a minute!

　As the noise around her grew, Marie was crying.

''I don't want to do this anymore. I can't believe it.''

◇

　I was clattering and shaking at the resignation from the royal palace.

　Angel also gave me a letter from Angel Papa - Vince-san.

　In my dormitory room, I look at Angier's face, trembling.

''Give it up. The palace entrusted Leon with the captain of the SS. Father agrees with the proposal. It's just as good for your status.

　What does it mean to be just right in terms of status?

I don't know what that means, sir.

Well, they're barons with all the titles, but we've decided that Rion, who is in a superior position, is the right person to lead those guys.

　If we're going to have an army of Marier's SS, then surely those guys will join us.

''And His Highness Julius?''

　Angier's expression clouded slightly.

''Do you think His Highness will ever be able to join the SS?　Well, I heard that he wanted to participate and was annoying Lady Milene by saying he wanted to join in.

　His Highness Julius is the worst.

　I collapse to my knees on the spot.

　Luxion floats at my side.

''I didn't expect that, as expected. I didn't expect the Master to be the captain of the SS that protects Marie.

　I can't believe it either.

　Why in the world would I let this happen to me?

　How cold is this world to me?

　I couldn't stop crying.

''I don't want to ...

　Ange pats me on the back.

'I know how you feel, but give it up. You're a student, even if you're the captain of the SS. You don't get to work very often.

''More importantly, if I become a temple knight, will I be able to escape from my marriage?

　Luxion shook his eyes.

'Master, do you really dislike marriage so much?　'You used to say you wanted a businesslike wife.

　Angier was puzzled by the sudden change in conversation and the word "businesslike".

''Bijine even go?''

'No, if you were in a position to choose, you would choose. I mean, I don't know what it's like for a girl to still make the terms of marriage. They usually tell me to allow up to three mistresses or something like that.

　Some girls still confidently told me that I was modest, but when I politely told them no, they said, "I can't believe it! I can't believe it.

　I'm the one who can't believe it!

　Angier looks at me and looks a little sad.

''Well in Rion's case, he's close to standing on the royal court side. You can't run away from your marriage.''

There's nothing like it!

　You can't get away with being a temple knight, or you can't get away with being married, or all that loss!

　I can't do this anymore.

　Why do I have to protect Marie?

　Suddenly there was a knock at the door and it was Livia who came to visit.

　........Is it okay for girls to come in and out of my room so often?　This is a boys' dormitory.

Oh, Leon, we're in trouble!

What?　Did Marie hyperventilate from laughing too hard?　I wish I could have seen it.

　I was hoping they would just take him to the hospital or something.

'No, sir!　Marie said she was going to gather the SS and go on an adventure during the upcoming holidays. Then he told me to get Paltner out.

　...I hear it's time for you to get to work early, can I refuse?

◇

　...a lot of things have happened.

　On the floating island where the elves live, I was pensive.

　While Mr. Hertrude is puzzled, Marie comes up to me.

You are the captain of my SS. You're my SS captain, so get to work.

　I give Marie a cold look as she commands me from above.

''Oh?''

　Marie was a bit impatient as Angier also gave her a sharp look.

''Well since you're the SS chief, that's why I want you to work diligently...''

　I let out a sigh as I looked at Marie, whose gaze wandered and her attitude weakened at once.

'Why should I have to work for you?　In the first place, dungeon-clearing isn't the job of the SS.

　There were no cronies around Marie.

　Now it was just Marie alone.

'Shh, it can't be helped!　Even I - I didn't expect this to happen to me either!　It's all my parents' fault!

　Mr. Hertrude nodded his head.

'What do you mean by that?'

　Livia, who is sympathetic to Marie, replies.

''It seems that Marier-san's family, well they have a huge debt. And, since Marier-san became a saint, she got even stronger and went around borrowing money.

　The Viscount Raffan family, Marie's family, did it.

　They have a normal debt, but they started to dignify it because their daughter became a saint.

　On top of that, they increased their debts and spent a lot of money...and now Marie is paying the price for it.

　The budget prepared by the palace and the temple was wiped out by the debt.

　On the contrary, it was not enough.

　It was the Viscount's debt, right?　I thought so, but Marie's parents were rubbish parents, to say the least. Even I have a level of sympathy for them.

　They were Viscount Raffan, but they were in debt in Marie's name.

　As an added bonus, they are paying off their own debts with borrowed money.

　For the sake of her family's home, Marie was in the form of a huge debt.

　Mr. Hertrude didn't think that he would have taken the airship out for such a reason to have an adventure, either.

''Eh, what?　Could it be that you don't have any money and you're saying you're going to have an adventure?　Are you guys serious?　Are you stupid?

　I think it's stupid too.

　In fact, His Highness Julius, Brad and Chris, who were furious at the Viscount's response, are running around protesting and cleaning up after themselves.

　Zilk is here because he was put on the side to protect Marie because of his experience in His Highness Julius's SS.

　Greg was here simply because he was valued for his combat prowess, or rather, because unlike the other three, he was not suited for post-processing.

　Marie was on the verge of tears.

'I wouldn't want to rely on this guy either!　But, but ... but ... it's hard not to have money!

　Ms. Hertrude gave such a cold look to Marie.

''It's the end of the world that this is a saint.

　I totally agree with you.

　But it was so pathetic that I got Paltner out and went with Marie.

　It's pitiful to watch........

　I mean, if I acted poorly with these guys alone and died, I wouldn't be able to look at them.

　I have a question I want to ask this guy.

　Huh........how did this happen?