Ceres' Melancholy

I'm just grateful we were able to reclaim the West.

I never thought I'd live to set foot on this land again. Thank you, Ceres.

It's all thanks to you, Commander. The ones who went before us would've wanted to see this too.

My father longed for his homeland until the day he died.

Oh... We've been going on about such sad things without thinking. Forgive us.

Yes... Ceres, you lost your sister too...

Why don't we drop the subject? This instant, if you'd please.

It's all right, Lydia.

Please don't concern yourselves with me. My sister's death is not something to mourn.

She met an end worthy of the hero I admired all my life.

If anything, I'm proud of her.

Yes. The two of you will live on forever in everyone's hearts.

How could we ever repay what you sisters have done for us...

Then we'll be on our way. Please continue lending your strength to rebuilding the West.

Yes, ma'am!

Of course, dear.

...Commander. Are you sure you're really all right?

I'm fine.

Unlike them, I got the chance to properly say goodbye to the sister I'd thought I'd already lost.

I was very fortunate. I mean it.

...And yet you have nightmares at night.

That's not... No. I guess I've made you worry.

Do I talk in my sleep?

...You call out for your sister.

Don't look at me like that. I wouldn't call them nightmares.

If you're drenched in cold sweat and calling for your sister, it's a nightmare.

Heh. True strength lies in admitting weakness, but it's easier said than done.

I'll speak with Besta too, so I can overcome this as soon as possible.

Commander...

Here. This is the special dessert I've been saving.

You can have it. Be grateful, okay? I'm only giving it up because...

Mmm... No. That's not right.

*Sigh* If the Commander's willing to admit it so readily... I don't even know what to do.

Sure, it's better than her usual "Too soft! Far too soft!" bluster, but...

Hmm... What would that meddlesome Captain do at a time like this?

"Hey, Ceres. I'm worried about you. Eat this."

...No, that's not quite right.

What was the Captain like again?

Deputy Commander. Are you talking to the mint chocolate?

...!

Ahem! There was a reason for that. Anyway, Besta, what's that?

A sacred relic that will heal the Commander's wounded heart.

Countless people joined forces to obtain it for the hero of the West, and even then, we barely succeeded.

?

Has it arrived, Besta?

Yes! It's right here!

Good. I'll go change at once!

...Commander. What is that?

You don't know? It's a maid outfit.

I know it's a maid outfit! What I want to know is why YOU'RE wearing it, Commander!

I've accepted my weakness and have been thinking about how to overcome it.

Then Besta gave me the answer.

I need only become a maid and discover the spirit of service!

...Besta, deceiving your superior officer is a grave offense, you know?

This wasn't my idea! It's written right here!

It came from an ancient manuscript put up for auction at NOA!

Perfect Maid... Cu—Guide?

As you can see, the cover is damaged.

But it contains a detailed account of the value of maids.

We believe it was written by the first maid of Candle Square.

Seriously? What's next, are you going to tell me Voidborns can be maids too? I can't believe the two of you are actually entertaining this nonsense...

Lydia. Look here.

"Guests who seek out maids are people who have suffered sorrow in their lives."

"Maids possess the power to blow away sorrow and pain alike."

"Through this guide, discover the spirit of service and become the perfect maid"...?

In other words, if I discover the spirit of service, I'll be able to overcome the memories of my sister as well.

Was this filth written in a barn? 'Cause it seems like the pages are filled with bullsh—

What are you talking about, Lydia? This book speaks the truth.

Based on what?

Because Besta believes it.

Yes! Anything written in an ancient text is true.

A similar message is also written in In Search of the Bunny Girl.

You mean that thing?

That "thing"?! Do you doubt the earnest counsel of a comrade who has weathered countless hardships with us?!

Commander, you need to doubt things more!

If you start by doubting everything, you'll never begin anything.

But if you try, at least you'll learn whether something's true or not!

I have utmost faith in the text. After all, I personally experienced the miracle of maids at Candle Square.

I nearly ascended from the experience.

There's just no getting through to you. Honestly.

(Fine. I'll call the Captain here and show him this mess for himself.)

(Once she realizes how embarrassing this is, she'll stop this nonsense, right?)

Well? What do you think? I tried it on.

Never in my life have I been happier to be a Western Liberator than I am today.

Wipe your nosebleed, Besta.

Mm. I'll wipe it for you, Besta. That's a maid's duty, isn't it?

C-Commander, aren't you embarrassed?

Just as soldiers wear uniforms, it is only natural for maids to wear maid outfits.

(Captain was supposed to come today, wasn't he?)

Hmm. Is that so? I wonder if you can maintain your composure in front of the Captain.

Why should I be embarrassed?

...?

O-outfits this frilly are for girls!

Well, I'm a woman too.

D-doesn't it feel embarrassing? Or awkward?

Why would a maid feel awkward wearing a maid outfit?

Doesn't it feel kind of... drafty down there?

I do find it easy to move in.

This is no fun. Tch.

So, Commander, how does it feel to be a maid?

I'm not sure yet.

But now that I am one, there's something I've been meaning to do.

Something you've been meaning to do?

Do you remember the people of the West we saw grieving during our patrols?

Reclaiming the West doesn't mean everything is over.

What was lost will not return.

I've been thinking we should do something to comfort their wounds.

But you're the one who...

Hmm?

(But you're the one who lost the most precious thing of all...)

No. It's nothing.

Many of our comrades gave their lives for our noble cause.

And just as memories of my sister cause me pain...

There must be people who suffer at the sight of a Western Liberator uniform.

Wouldn't it be better if I served them like this, dressed as a maid?

...*Sigh* I guess there's no helping it.

I'll join you, Commander.

Hmm? Really?

I wouldn't feel right letting you do this alone.

Good. I'd feel at ease with you watching my back, Lydia.

Just as you have on every battlefield we've fought on.

...You really do say the most embarrassing things. Besta, you have one more maid outfit, right?

Of course. *Huff* *Huff*

Besta?

As it happens, the only maid outfit left is this Sassy Puppy Edition!

!!!

Now, Besta. We've agreed to call this underwear, haven't we?

Watch my mouth carefully and repeat after me. Under. Wear. Got it?

Now wipe your nosebleed and hand me a proper maid outfit.

According to the Perfect Maid Guide, this IS a maid outfit!

Only in your fantasies! Commander, say something!

Lydia. That is an excellent maid outfit.

?!

It's written in the guide supposedly authored by the first Candle Square maid.

The Sassy Puppy Edition is the definitive design for the master's visual satisfaction that represents...

The maid's spirit of obedience.

Ah. I know what the problem is now.

Besta. Mind handing me that depraved book?

It must be cursed to corrupt anyone who reads it into a degenerate like you.

We should feed a grimoire like that to Kuku immediately, don't you think?

No! This book contains everyone's dreams!

More like everyone's delusions! I'd rather die than wear something that indecent!

Are you embarrassed?

Of course I am?!

If you hate it that much, I won't force you. You've already done more than enough for me.

Still, our joint activities have mainly been training or fighting together.

So I thought trying something different would be especially meaningful if I could do it with you. It's a shame, but...

Ugh!

(I can't stand seeing the Commander look so dejected...)

Fine. I'll wear it...

Ughhh... What has my life come to...

Heh. I, Besta, have finally discovered why I was born into this world.

See, Lydia? Besta's already bursting with energy!

When has she ever lacked energy?

Excuse me, Commander. The Captain from NOA has arrived.

Hmm?

(Oh, right! The Captain was coming today!)

This is your chance, Commander! Show the Captain at once!

You can finally try the maid's greeting from Chapter 1 in person!

I see! The heartfelt greeting with which a maid welcomes her master!

To think the Captain will be the first person I greet... My heart is pounding! Come, Lydia!

W-w-wait a second!

I'll never be able to get married after this!!