The Sorcerer Kingdom.
Inside a building located in the city center.
A charming girl known as "Golden Princess" sat by the window.
Her flowing golden hair shimmered under the sunlight, perfectly matching the title that described her.
Across from her, seated on the sofa, was a petite girl.
They shared the same hair color, yet the presence they gave off was completely different.
"Who would have thought we'd meet again like this."
Sapphire-like eyes looked at the familiar face in front of her.
Renner spoke with a gentle smile.
The seed she had planted had already begun to sprout.
What was once nothing more than a casual move had unexpectedly borne fruit.
Fate truly had a strange sense of humor~
Even she couldn't help but sigh at the thought.
"…Long time no see."
Compared to Renner, Keno looked somewhat uncomfortable.
Her brows were slightly furrowed, as if something was troubling her.
Aside from the members of Blue Roses, Renner was one of the very few friends she had.
When she first heard that the Empire had invaded the Kingdom, she had worried about Renner for quite some time.
Given her personality, seeing Renner safe and sound should have made her happy.
But right now, the only thing Keno felt was awkwardness.
Renner was now the Prime Minister of the Sorcerer Kingdom.
Meanwhile, she herself was that guy Naohara's girlfriend.
And Naohara was one of the Three Kings of the Sorcerer Kingdom.
Which meant she was the future… Queen of the Sorcerer Kingdom?
Wouldn't that make her rank even higher than Renner?
A friend suddenly becoming a subordinate.
Especially since she had once confidently complained about Naohara in front of Renner, only to become his girlfriend soon after.
Awkward. Far too awkward.
Keno would rather go fight Demon Gods than face a situation like this.
"I really miss those old afternoon tea gatherings."
"Come to think of it, it's been a long time since we've heard any news about Lakyus and the others. Sigh… I wonder how they're doing now."
Renner sighed, her voice filled with worry.
On the surface, she seemed concerned about Lakyus's safety.
But in reality, she was guiding Keno toward reminiscing about the past, calming her emotions while subtly changing the topic.
Like an actress, she adjusted the image she presented depending on the person she was dealing with.
Back when she was still in the Kingdom, the reason she maintained the innocent princess persona was simply because it benefited her the most.
Her friendship with Lakyus was the same.
After all, having the friendship of an Adamantite adventurer team was extremely useful and saved her from a great deal of trouble.
Of course, Renner wasn't completely indifferent to Lakyus either.
She wasn't some cold-blooded devil, after all~
Even a dog raised for many years would develop some attachment, let alone a person.
Although when she secretly helped Blue Roses and the others escape from the Kingdom, she did have other considerations in mind.
But as the saying goes, judge actions, not intentions.
After being close friends for so many years, she didn't mind offering a bit of help when necessary.
After all, in the eyes of outsiders, Princess Renner was supposed to be a kind and gentle person.
"Yeah, those days were really fun."
Just as Renner expected, Keno's attention was quickly diverted.
As she recalled her days as an adventurer, the chaotic thoughts in her mind gradually began to settle down.
"As for Lakyus and the others…"
"They're in the Dragon Kingdom now, so there's no need to worry."
When mentioning Lakyus and her group, Keno hesitated slightly. However, remembering Naohara's earlier assurance, she quickly regained her composure.
At the same time, a thought surfaced in her mind.
Princess Renner really was as kind as ever. Even at a time like this, she was still concerned about Lakyus's safety.
"The Dragon Kingdom?"
Renner paused slightly when she heard that.
Why would they end up there?
And that hesitation just now… did something happen?
I should send the Dragon Princess a Message later and ask about it.
If those people caused trouble, there was a chance she might get dragged into it as well.
Renner thought quietly to herself.
On the surface, however, she continued chatting with Keno as if nothing had happened.
Time passed gradually as their conversation continued. Most of the time, Renner spoke while Keno listened.
Perhaps it was because they were both princesses who had lost their kingdoms, or perhaps it was Renner's careful guidance. Either way, the distance between them slowly grew smaller.
Their relationship was becoming increasingly close, faintly showing signs of developing into a true friendship.
At the same time, Renner also gained a new understanding of Keno.
...
"What a wonderful day."
At the doorway, Renner was seeing Keno off.
When dealing with people, it was important to understand moderation. One had to know when to stop.
Whether speaking, acting, or interacting with others, maintaining proper boundaries was essential.
Managing a friendship was like protecting a piece of glass. It required careful handling and a certain level of skill.
Only by maintaining the right amount of space and distance could a relationship develop in a healthy way.
Renner understood this very well.
Because of that, she never acted too deliberately. Instead, she allowed things to progress slowly and naturally.
She watched as Keno, guided by Climb, gradually disappeared at the end of the corridor.
Only after Keno's figure vanished from sight did Renner slowly withdraw the smile from her face.
She closed the door, then spoke respectfully.
"Naohara-sama."
"What a splendid performance."
Naohara's figure emerged from the windowsill. A faint smile rested on his face as he spoke softly.