I was walking alone in the castle courtyard.
Tension and elation.
Anxiety and excitement.
Negative and positive feelings welled up simultaneously, intertwining complexly in my chest.
I was already getting used to this unique feeling before setting off.
For me, this was the second real battle since fighting a legion of Golems on Aisha’s coast.
A real battle—yes, the Empire’s mages were attacking towards the Royal Capital.
The Kingdom’s army attempted to intercept several times, but their defense line was easily breached.
By the way, I heard the Third Squad also volunteered as part of the vanguard, but the Queen apparently rejected their request.
For Aisha, the Third Squad was positioned as a “trump card” against the Empire.
They said it couldn’t be deployed carelessly.
But with the enemy finally reaching the Royal Capital, it was indeed time for the trump card to be played.
Therefore, various units of the Slayer, starting with the Third Squad, were summoned to the castle to form the final defense line for the Royal Capital.
And just before, I had been listening to the Queen’s address in the courtyard, but after being dismissed, I separated from everyone else and went for a short walk.
To calm my agitated feelings—
After all, the success of magic is greatly influenced by one’s mental state.
I need to keep my mind calm.
…Well, all of this is based on what Ashe taught me.
But I couldn’t stay here forever.
Although there was still time before deployment, it would be better to return early with plenty of time to spare.
“I should probably go see everyone now.”
“Oh, is that the hero?”
As I was about to leave the courtyard, a portly man walked up from ahead.
He approached me, his considerable belly jiggling.
“Are you heading out for battle now?”
A magnificent bald head and a Kaiser mustache.
Dazzling attire.
A middle-aged man dressed impeccably, fitting for a high official.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I am Irvin, the Minister of Internal Affairs of this kingdom.”
Minister Irvin offered a courteous greeting.
I wasn’t quite sure of his position, but by its title, I assumed it was something like a prime minister? Or perhaps a chief cabinet secretary?
Either way, I thought he was quite an important person.
Probably.
“I’m Abel.”
“I’ve heard of your exploits for some time, Your Excellency the Hero. Your unparalleled magical talent, your remarkable battle achievements. I hear you even received a medal from the Queen. You can truly be called a savior of the nation. Indeed, ‘hero’ is a word meant just for you. Yes, truly wonderful.”
He was showering me with praise.
And he kept calling me a hero too much.
“No, not at all… I’m no hero.”
I feigned humility, though slightly embarrassed.
“You shouldn’t be so modest. I’ve also heard that the Queen will be bestowing a second medal upon you soon. To achieve so much at your age. Truly remarkable.”
So Irvin said.
“I hear that Rungaria, under Imperial invasion, is in increasingly dire straits. Several cities have already fallen, and their mage corps were apparently scattered by the Empire’s elite. It’s likely that the Empire is targeting Rungaria because they believe they can conquer it before long, having already engaged their invasion forces and pushed towards adjacent Aisha.”
Irvin explained the war situation with a bitter look.
“However, with you here, Aisha will be safe. The Empire’s forces are nothing to fear. So, I apologize for bothering you so close to deployment… but would you indulge me for a moment? I’ve wanted to speak with you for a long time.”
“Speak…? ”
“Forgive my impertinent question, but you are unmarried, aren’t you?”
As I nodded to Irvin’s question, I was bewildered by the sudden shift in topic.
“Y-yes.”
“My daughter is just about your age. And though I say it as her parent, she is both beautiful and virtuous. If you’d be amenable, I’d like to introduce her to you—”
…Is that what he means?
I looked at the minister again.
Is he asking me to go on a blind date with the daughter of a great noble?
It should be an honor, I suppose, but marriage isn’t really on my mind.
Especially a blind date—
Besides, I’m about to go to war. Is this really the time to be discussing such things?
“You are gaining renown as a hero. But the war will eventually end. After that, won’t you need support within the court? Even a hero is just a person once the war is over.”
Irvin leaned closer.
I wasn’t pleased to have a smelly old man leaning in, unlike if it were a cute girl.
“I can provide that support. A savior of the nation and the Minister of Internal Affairs’ daughter. An impeccable combination, wouldn’t you say? And you can inherit my power base and wield even greater influence at court than before—”
I was already tired of listening.
What was this feeling, this unease?
“Hm? What’s wrong? You’re not interested in advancement?”
“That is—”
“Isn’t that the ambition of a man? You can have money, honor, and wealth. As a man, what else should you strive for if not these?”
Irvin’s words made my heart pound.
When I left my village, I thought, “Since I’ve been reincarnated into another world, I should aim to be a hero or someone chosen,” and so on.
But even after becoming known as a hero, I didn’t feel that much happiness.
Of course, it tickled my ego, and being praised felt good. I could revel in a sense of superiority.
But it seemed that what I truly desired wasn’t that.
Recently, I’d been feeling that more strongly.
The smiles of Claire and the others flashed in my mind.
Warm and gentle times.
And the burning excitement and sensuality when our skin touched.
What I truly wanted—
What I wanted to obtain, in the end, was something more modest.
So—you can have your power struggles, do as you please.
That was my true feeling.
Even so, I wasn’t sure how to convey it to Irvin here…
“While I say I’ll be your backing, you are, after all, a commoner raised in a remote farming village. Even with your war achievements and becoming my son-in-law, there will be those who object when you enter court. Yes, first you must acquire knowledge and etiquette befitting nobility—”
The man was enthusiastically delivering a lengthy speech about the future he envisioned if I married his daughter.
Then,
“Abel, you’re still here?”
Claire ran up to me.
“Everyone is waiting.”
“Sorry, sorry, I was just about to head over.”
Her red hair tied up in a ponytail contrasted strikingly with her silver knight armor, making her appear both dignified and beautiful.
I was captivated.
“Who is this girl?”
Irvin frowned obviously.
“…Don’t tell me she’s the one you have affections for.”
“My… my affections!?”
Abel and Claire cried out in unison.
“To settle for a mere female knight is a great waste. You can win the affection of a woman of much higher standing. Well, if she’s just a temporary plaything, I have nothing to say.”
…To think he could say such rude things one after another.
In a way, I was impressed.
Perhaps that shameless audacity was the very quality needed for courtly power struggles.
Besides, Claire’s going to get angry, isn’t she?
No, I’m pretty mad too.
“…My… affections.”
However, Claire herself was grinning broadly.
“As I suspected.”
Irvin glared at me.
“Rather than affections… well, she’s a colleague, and a childhood friend.”
“…Hmm. Well, as long as she’s not an obstacle to marriage, it doesn’t matter. They say heroes enjoy the company of women, and strong vitality is a good thing. In my youth, I had my share of women, dozens of them… gufu fu.”
“… Honestly, you can’t make up your mind.”
Claire pouted in dissatisfaction.
“…If only you’d just say she’s someone you have affections for.”
“Hm? Did you say something?”
“Nothing!”
I asked her what she said in a low voice, and she scolded me.
“Anyway, let’s go quickly.”
Claire let out a shaky breath and said.
“Do you have the battle situation in mind? Abel and I will be acting separately… let’s both do our best.”
“Yeah, you take care too, Claire.”
The enemy mage corps were approaching from the north and east of the Royal Capital, respectively.
The Royal Capital was surrounded by sturdy walls treated with magic, which served as our defense line.
If they breach these walls, we’ll allow the enemy mages to infiltrate the Royal Capital.
We absolutely must stop them.
The plan was for me and another squad to engage the enemy coming from the north, and the rest of the Third Squad along with the Fourth and Fifth Squads to engage the enemy from the east.
The reason I was fighting separately from the Third Squad was based on the overall strategic balance of forces.
Well, that’s for the strategists to figure out, and I’ll just follow their orders.
“Come on, go with me.”
Claire pulled my hand.
The Third Squad was to gather briefly, finish their detailed briefing, and then proceed to their respective posts.
“Hmm. It seems I cannot keep you any longer. Please consider what I said earlier, Abel.”
Irvin said as he wiggled his corpulent body and departed.
“May your endeavors be fortunate, Your Excellency the Hero.”
As he bid farewell, his sharp gaze fell upon me again, appraising me.
Even at a time like this, when the fate of the kingdom hung in the balance, all he cared about was political maneuvering—a man consumed by ambition.
—Honestly, I didn’t particularly like him.
The Royal Capital was encircled by walls about ten meters high.
There were large gates to the north, east, south, and west, and I was heading towards the northern gate.
“Hehe, a joint mission again, Abel.”
As I reached the gate, a beautiful woman with sharp features and short black hair called out to me.
Beatrice, the Captain of the Seventh Squad—a unit composed entirely of female magic swordsmen.
She looked ageless and stunning, as always.
Her knight’s uniform was dynamically revealing at the chest, with her ample bosom still as prominent as ever.
As she walked towards me, her two mounds swayed with impressive momentum.
Ugh, I couldn’t help but stare…!
Then,
“Nice to meet you, Abel.”
“Let’s do our best together.”
Seven female knights, ranging in age from their teens to their forties, smiled at me.
Only I and the members of the Seventh Squad were present here.
“…Hoo, you’ve grown even stronger. You’re getting closer to the kind of man I like.”
Beatrice narrowed her eyes and gazed at me.
“You seem to have gotten more robust too… hehe, the exhilarating youth, the potent male pheromones… ah.”
…Hey, where are you touching me!?
Her slender fingers slid down my chest plate, past my solar plexus, and reached near my groin.
But without touching the crucial area, she playfully tickled around it.
“Ngh… ugh.”
“No need to be nervous? When the battle is over, won’t you have fun with me?”
Beatrice whispered a sweet invitation, audible only to me.
“Ha-have fun…?”
My voice cracked involuntarily.
Meanwhile, her breath, thick and clinging, blew against my cheeks and neck.
Whoa, my lower abdomen was tingling.
I wasn’t being directly fondled.
It was more like a vigorous touch, but the feminine allure radiating from Beatrice intensely stirred my desires.
“After a battle, one needs to blow off steam, right? I’d be willing to help you blow off… anything. Hehe.”
J-just what is “anything” she’ll help me blow off!?
Lecherous thoughts raced through my mind, completely dispelling the pre-battle tension.
“Oh, what are you imagining…?”
With a whispered voice, a soft sound, and Beatrice’s lips lightly brushed against my earlobe.
“…Ugh… Ah.”
It felt more like her lips caressing than a kiss.
That subtle touch sent another shiver down my spine.
Damn it, even at a time like this, I feel like I’m going to have a full erection.
…No, I already have one.
“If you’re in the mood, I’d love to enjoy ourselves elsewhere.”
Beatrice let out a languid sigh and suddenly pulled away from me.
She said with a serious expression.
“Unfortunately, that will have to be for another time—They’re coming.”
Following her gaze, I saw seven shadows in the air.
Enemies.
