Dude was about to melt with his armor because of the "warmth of their friendship".
I really wanted them to win at least this once.
Also, Leon thinks Maria wouldn't try getting the saintess items as nobody is that stupi, but he is underestimating Maria's stupidity.
It's really about her stupidity to that, although yes, she is stupid.
It's because she only ever got to the mid-game of the Otome in their past life, she never got to finish it cause it was too hard for her.
That's why she asked her brother to do it, the whole plot with how the Kingdom's future is at the fate of Olivia as a saint is at the end game.
She never got there, and she most likely didn't check the game when her brother finished cause she was undergoing punishment from her family after they found out he died.
I'm sure she's stupid, but if she had knowledge of the whole game and not just until the mid-game I think she would have avoided taking the saint title.
Considering from what we have seen, she doesn't really like taking big risk, like gambling, I'm sure she also wouldn't take a huge risk as putting the kingdom at stake if she just knew about the consequences.
After all, all she likely knows is that the 3 items can give someone the title of Saint, and that it would increase or reputation and wealth in the kingdom, but not the actual importance of it or what could happen if the title and items go to the wrong person.