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Azur Lane: Episode of Belfast Volume 4 Epilogue Part 2

Hearing that Boo-san made it back safely into the main Royal Navy islands, everyone present let out a deep sigh of relief.

「I was very surprised when I heard that even though a whole lot of years had passed since then, and that a stage play based on my picture book was being performed in the same Home Port that I knew and loved so much.」

Belfast then continued to read the rest of the letter.

「On that day, I completely abandoned the completion of the picture book and left the Home Port for good. I made up my mind to leave as much as possible out of things that were not necessary for the mission, and I have no regrets about doing so. I did not even imagine that it would be passed down in this way to the new generations of shipgirls. I wish I could have seen the ending of that unfinished picture book that you performed on top of the stage with my own eyes…… It was something that made me want to draw a happy ending for my own story as well. As a maid, and as a shipgirl first and foremost, it would serve as a way for me to draw a line between those parts of myself, the one who spent that happy and precious time in the Home Port and my current self ——」

That was the reason for her writing and sending the letter in the first place, and she was apparently asking if they could send her the picture book back to the main Royal Navy islands.

「There are still some paragraphs left before the end of the letter ends.」

Saying that, Belfast moved her attention to the next piece of writing paper that was in the envelope.

「—— But, I digress.

I have heard from a trusty source that the person responsible for the script was Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth herself, and that the actors were all excellent and gallant maids. I have even heard that the current Royal Navy faction has a large part of its structure that is called the Royal Maids Corps.

Even now, with the stories that include your own events and your own experiences, it can be seen that now and back then there is a strong bond between the maids and those who they wish to serve. And that this bond is not going weaker with new generations, but even stronger than before.

That kitchen is a place that is filled with lots of precious memories, and I hope that it will continue to be a place that fills the stomachs of everyone in the Royal Navy to the brim as it brings them a whole lot of happiness. Well then ——」

After reading all the way to the end, Elizabeth finally managed to catch her breath and got closer to Belfast.

「It would seem that we need to send the picture book back, Your Majesty.」

「Yeah, it would indeed seem so.」

A smile naturally spilled out onto Elizabeth’s lips..

Seeing that the two of them were still on good terms with one another was something that couldn’t possibly make anyone in here happier.

「Well then, let’s go to the library right away and collect that picture book. Come to think of it, the place where Erebus lives also has a diary, a pendant, and a white prim, in it, right? Anyways, we will have to send those together with the picture book as well.」

When Elizabeth lowered her fist, Bel-chan muttered with melancholy in her voice.

「I want to read it one last time before we send it back……」

「Well, after listening to what everyone just said, I’d like to read it one last time as well, you know?」

Edinburgh nodded her head as she lifted her glasses and wiped the corners of her eyes from tears that accumulated there.

「Somehow, I don’t know why, but…… *Sniff*…… but I know that those two are going to continue to be happy from now on…… I’m so relieved……」

「I-I get you…… I totally get you……~~…… Uuuhhh……~~!!」

「What!? Look what is happening right now! Even Suffolk is crying her eyes out!」

Curacoa and Newcastle chuckled at Kent, who seemed to be horrified at the sight of Edinburgh and Suffolk crying their eyes out upon hearing a happy ending like that.

As if to blow away that strange atmosphere in the room, Elizabeth once again raised her voice cheerfully.

「Okay, everyone, follow me! Today right after dinner, we are going to have a reading session, where, the Queen, I am going to personally read the picture book to you all! Now then, I am sure that there are other shipgirls who would also love to hear that story, so make sure to gather them all up in once place, so that we can get it done in one fell swoop!」

It was then that Warspite also whispered right into Elizabeth’s ear.

「Your Majesty, in that case, you might want to also include the contents of this letter into the reading session. Otherwise this is going to look like a bad ending of the worst possible kind……」

「I know! I know that! So, everyone! Let’s go!」

Then everyone left the kitchen all at once.

「…… Belfast. are you not going?」

Sheffield, who seemed annoyed and tried to leave on her own, called out to Belfast, who was still in the kitchen.

「Ah, no, it’s just that…… I will just lock the Still Room and the kitchen before heading out. That’s all.」

「…… If you say so.」

Without saying anything more than that, Sheffield abruptly left the kitchen as if she heard everything she wanted to hear.

Belfast, who was left alone in the kitchen, smoothly traced the cooking table with her index finger.

Then, she touched the open window and look around the cupboard, sink, and stove all in turn. And then she came to a small stop while on her way out of the kitchen.

「…Now that I think about it, this kitchen has been very clean ever since the first day I arrived at the Home Port.」

She said so with a quiet, almost inaudible voice.

「Now that I have read your letter, I can finally understand…… That stove, that window, that table, and that shelf all have been taken care of by you for so long.」

Slowly pinching the hem of her skirt, Belfast lowered her head.

「Thank you very much for your service, Ghost Maid-sama ——」

Just as she was politely curtseying, a gentle breeze gently blew in from the opened window.

As if stroking Belfast’s head and cheek, Belfast then gently combed her bangs.

With the swaying wind, she involuntarily smiled and raised her head.

After closing the window and quietly closing the kitchen door, Belfast rushed towards the library where everyone was supposed to be.

It was an afternoon when the signs of autumn were just around the corner.