Chapter: 611
It had been a while since I visited the Arteia family’s estate, and I froze at the sight of the soldiers guarding the main gate. It was nothing unusual that they were women.
In a fantasy world where powers like magic or divine power exist, the physical differences between men and women could easily be narrowed down.
What made me hesitate was their attire.
‘…Grandpa. That’s…’
[It's just like the armor you used to wear.]
[Looking at it like this, it's truly risqué. How do you even walk around in that?]
The knights wore the same flimsy armor I used to wear with such proud expressions.
Normally, I tried not to think about it when I wore that, but seeing it again made it feel a bit off.
How is that even armor? It looks like they’d bleed out and die if poked anywhere.
Honestly, calling it a unique swimsuit would be more believable.
As I stood there, glaring at the scantily clad female knights, the mansion’s door suddenly swung open, and a woman came rushing out with her hair flying.
“Lady Allen!”
She slid right up to me, immediately kneeled, and grabbed my hand.
“Your performance last time was truly astonishing! The light rising from the heart of the forest was simply breathtaking!”
Sighing at the bizarre sight of Count Arteia, who resembled a sloppy fox but in a different way, I couldn’t help it. One pervert fell, and now there’s a new one.
“I immediately urged the blacksmith to recreate the armor you once wore! It’s nothing compared to your beauty and grace, but I wanted to at least replicate part of it!”
To put it simply, these female knights were victims, forced into this by the nobles’ tyranny. Money, power, and actionable authority—it’s truly terrifying.
[If you'd like, you could do the same thing, right?]
[I did it just now, didn’t I? There were wails among the knights.]
‘That was a just punishment, okay?’
Those who were enjoying themselves while the master was getting uncomfortable deserved some punishment.
If they were the kind of fools who took it as mere training, it had to be even harsher.
“Ah! Lady Allen! Just to make sure there are no misunderstandings, these two are not wearing their armor by my coercion!”
“…What? What kind of nonsense is that? So, you’re saying these aunts willingly stripped down to wear this armor?”
“No! That’s not it! These two are knights inspired by encountering the miracle of the forest!”
At the unexpected remarks, I slowly lifted my head and felt the piercing gazes staring at me.
– Look! Aren’t they super pretty?!
“How can someone so small and cute also be so noble?”
“I’m so proud of myself for collecting the ornaments from the Arts Church.”
– Those were super cool too!
– Who are you guys?
– Why are you here?!
– They followed us!
– They’re fun people!
Watching the fairies chattering among the female knights, I realized that these two genuinely wanted to wear this armor and were even proud of it.
No. Wait. The only reason I’m in this scandalous armor is that it’s special, right?
It doesn’t have any real meaning!
Actually, I’m totally repulsed by it! But if you guys are feeling proud, then I can’t help but feel guilty!
“It’s not just these two. Lady. The light that rose from the forest has inspired many!”
Count Arteia spoke as he naturally led me into the mansion.
I had no intention of dragging this out! As long as I could borrow their ship, that was enough!
I had tried to be a bit petulant, but those innocent gazes from the two knights were holding my feet in place.
I couldn’t care less about perverts like the sloppy fox or Count Arteia!
I could curse freely and not feel an ounce of guilt!
But these innocent people were an exception!
If they are wearing these, these revealing armors because of me, and they’re looking at me with smiles, then I’m doomed!
Welcoming me was a few more female knights in similar armors and even more men.
Ughhh.
“Phew. Even the paintings from the Arts Church can’t compete with the real thing.”
“Did I ever think I was lucky to have devoted myself to the Arteia family as much as today?”
“Hey, gentlemen. Please step back a bit. You’re making them uncomfortable.”
“R-Really?”
The female knights could understand. It’s not something typical human emotions could process, but there might be folks who like this kind of armor.
But the men shouldn’t! Why are you guys acting like that?!
Why are you flaunting your bulky muscles like that!?
I don’t want to see some dude’s belly button!
“Lady Allen. If it’s not too much trouble, may I see the armor hidden beneath your cloak?”
As I heard Count Arteia’s request, I was about to spit out a curse, but the piercing gazes around me made me twitch my lips.
“Ha! Why would I? I have no interest in mingling with these exhibitionist perverts!”
But still, I’ve been dragged here, and I don’t want to mingle with these pervs at all.
The area around me was already overloaded with perverts! If you want to add more, bring down the existing ones first!
“No! Lady! We didn’t wear this armor out of personal desires!”
“That’s right! We wore it because we admire you!”
Admire? Me? Why? I couldn’t process it, so I frowned, and from beside them, one by one, fairies revealed themselves.
Oh. So, everyone here has been chosen by fairies?
“Bugs. Your wings seem to be as light as your mouths?”
– But Lucy was super cool back then!
– Right! What if we don’t mention that!
– My mouth is itching!
– Don’t worry! I only told the good people!
– That’s right! That’s what the Queen said!
The fact that more people know about what I did in the forest is annoying, but if they’re people who gained the fairies’ acknowledgment, that’s at least better.
After all, the conditions to win the fairies’ favor are pretty tricky.
Besides, if the dark-hearted fairy queen said it was okay, then surely she had some thoughts on it.
…Right?
“Lady Allen.”
Following Count Arteia’s voice calling me again, I turned my head.
“Everyone here has gathered because they saw the purity of your divinity. Truly. They are gathered because they were inspired by the divine crystal you shared.”
Looking into their starry eyes filled with admiration, I was at a loss for words. I wiped my face and shrugged off my cloak. As I did, cheers erupted through the mansion.
[You’ve got a softer side than I thought. It’s hard to believe that you’re the one who usually crushes others while laughing.]
[So still, a good kid after all.]
Excuse me! Older folks! Stop having your heartwarming conversations inside and tell me how to persuade these people!?
I think it’s great that they admire me, but not my armor!
[If they like it, what can we do? Just let it be.]
[It doesn’t look good, but it’s not a big problem practically. Armor is just for intimidation beyond a certain level.]
[Right. Back in our time, some guy just donned on his underwear and rushed in, right?]
[That guy could be said to have created the concept of knighthood. Yeah.]
Seriously, is this really okay!? Can these so-called heroes just leave it like this and do nothing?!
I can’t strongly oppose since I actually like them!
Ah! Whatever! Let them do what they want! It’s their loss, not mine!
*
After witnessing the horrific scene at the Arteia estate, I prayed for the knights as I dropped Count Arteia to arrive on the island aboard the ship the family prepared.
The sight of them waving their hands from the ship to guard the mansion was honestly a bit ridiculous, but watching such foolishness made me chuckle.
Hmm. I was feeling uneasy ever since I got out of the fairy forest, but today feels refreshing.
Those fools might not have intended it, but oh well; it helped. Should I play with them one more time on the way back?
“It’s late. Employer.”
“Welcome! Young Lady! We’ve been preparing!”
At the dock, Karl and Karia were waiting.
“Those exhibitionist patients over there are clinging to me. Being too cute is also tiring work. Ugh. Aunty might not understand what that means, right?”
“I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that. Anyway, I checked all the places you mentioned. They were all inaccessible. Probably wouldn’t have thought to set foot there if it weren’t for you.”
Phew. That’s a relief. I was worried that maybe the Pope or another irregular got there first or something.
[Isn’t that unnecessary worry? Who else but you could strategize that dungeon?][Dungeon? What does that mean?]
[You’ll see. You’ll only be left amazed.]
[You’re getting soft over someone you care about. How many dungeons have we conquered that anything could still amaze you? ]
[So, I said you’ll see. If you don’t see it, there’s no way you could believe it. I can say for certain that you’ll surely think about how Lucy would have been if she were our leader.]
[Ha! Is that so? Fine. Then how about a bet on that?]
Ignoring the chattering grandpas going on inside me, I gestured to Karia to hear about the other request.
“Sorry, I’m still gathering intel on the hero. For now, let’s start with this knight and check the dungeon. I’ve given all the details already!”
“Yes, Young Lady! This is Karl! I memorized every area just for you!”
His pumped-up enthusiasm felt less reassuring as it reminded me of when Rene and the sloppy fox were cheering, but.
Today I feel nice, so I can overlook minor mistakes.
“Then hurry up and lead the way, sloppy dog. If you just wag your tail, you’ll get kicked out?”
“Yes, ma’am!”
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