CH 3

It was Gazelle who approached me last night when I had no place to sleep and was ready to camp out in the open.

He said, “Hey, Takumi. I didn’t know you were out here. I’ll let you stay in my room if it’s okay with you, let’s go to sleep for today,” and dragged me to his room. 

Well, I was surprised to see that there was only one bed when I entered the room!

I was thinking that I could sleep on the couch or on the floor, but he said, “Takumi, what are you doing? Come on over here,” and Gazelle forcibly pulled me onto the bed.

I wonder if it’s a good idea to have two grown men in the same bed together……

“Hey, Gazelle.” 

“Hmm? What is it?”

I looked at Gazelle, who had sat up from the bed and was stretching.

Wha, hey, Mr. Gazelle! Isn’t your upper body naked?!

Didn’t you have your clothes on last night when you got into bed with me……? When did you take it off? No wonder it was so warm……

Gazelle’s well-muscled body was covered with scars here and there. Some of them are only faintly visible, while others look like major burns on his sides. These scars did not detract from his attractiveness, but rather enhanced his masculine sex appeal.

…….wait, no.

I had carelessly become entranced by him, but there was something I needed to ask him.

“This is a water clock, right? How does it work?” 

“…………”

“Gazelle?”

Um, didn’t you hear me?

“Ah……oh, my bad. I was just a little dazed. So, about this water clock, right?” 

“Yeah, I was wondering if you could show me how to read the time.”

According to Gazelle, the color of the water inside the glass of the water clock changes depending on the time, according to which you can see the time.

I remember reading about it in the game’s item description, but I don’t know what color indicates what time. I didn’t get that much information in the game.

“……hey, Takumi.” 

“What is it?”

“It’s fine if you don’t want to answer, but……. What kind of life did you lead before you boarded that pirate ship?”

…… Uh, what do you mean by what kind?

I don’t think the lifestyle of a boring guy like me is very exciting. 

Wake up in the morning, go to school during the day, get a part-time job at night, and if you don’t have a part-time job, you stay home and play video games. Isn’t that what everyone does?

“No, sorry. It’s just that this water clock is used not only in this country but also in …… most of this continent, right? So I was just curious, that’s all. My bad.”

Saying that, Gazelle scratched his head and apologized to me.

Ah……I see, so that’s what you mean. Uhh, I’ve done it again…… 

I see, so the water clock is something that is commonplace for any normal person in this world. I didn’t know that, so Gazelle was like, ‘What, this guy doesn’t even know how to read a water clock?　Isn’t that bad?　What kind of uncivilized countryside has he been living in?’ is what Gazelle must have been thinking.

Gazelle stared at me with an uneasy expression.

Mmmm… so I’ve made you feel unnecessary concern……

…… Okay! 

“No, really don’t worry about it. Gazelle’s bafflement is completely understandable.”

I’ve got to do something to clear the mood here!

“The place I used to be……wasn’t really that bad. I think I was blessed.”

Yes, the area where I lived alone wasn’t exactly in the middle of nowhere!　It wasn’t in the city, but the transportation was good and there was a supermarket near the apartment I lived in. Plus, school was only two stations away. 

“I had enough food, clothing, shelter and education. But…… the place was also a bit peculiar, so you might hear some funny things again.”

“Takumi …….”

That was my desperate explanation of, “Don, don’t get me wrong!　I’m not a country bumpkin!”

In my opinion, it was a perfect appeal with a perfect score of one hundred points. …… But for some reason, Gazelle had a pained expression on his face. 

Hu, huh?　Why?

Maybe it was because while he was thinking, “Even though he said that he had been well educated, he still did not know how to read a clock, isn’t he contradicting himself?”, then contorted my words in a weird way and thought that I was just a slacker on studying?

Mmmm. Maybe I ought to explain it more thoroughly?

“Takumi……I got it, that’s enough.” 

Yet while I was thinking, unexpectedly, I was cut off mid-sentence!

By “that’s enough”, do you mean that?　”Not only do I understand now that you’re a country bumpkin, but also that you’ve been skipping your studies, so don’t be so desperate to explain anymore.”

No, no, no!　Please let me explain myself!

“I understand your situation. If there’s anything you don’t understand in the future, you can always ask me.” 

But before I could say anything, Gazelle narrowed his golden eyes and told me so. His gaze was not contemptuous of my ignorance, but extremely gentle.

After that, he ruffled my head and got off the bed and started to change his clothes.

………… Th, this manly man!

His lines are cool, his movements are cool, everything is so cool, goddammit! 

As expected of the Commander of the Blackwing Knights ……, his overflowing generosity and aura is beyond compare!

To the point that if I were a girl, I would say, “How wonderful, hold me!” and dive straight into his strong flat chest!

Sheesh, I can see why Gazelle is the Commander of the Blackwing Knights. This certainly makes me want to join the order, yes, yes.

Pa’r cba regqglrlcu atja j veii sbecurafg ilxf wf kbeiv ibbx ilxf j mbecags tlmx lc atf fsfr bo remt j rbqtlralmjafv, egyjc wjc. …… 

Zww, ecobgaecjafis, la’r ws eaafg vfofja.

Qfii, la wluta yf yfaafg lo atfs atlcx P’w j tliiyliis, rb atfs mjc ifa wf boo atf tbbx ktfc P wjxf mgjhs rajafwfcar.

Okay! Now that that’s settled, I’d better get myself dressed!

Hmhmm~ I wonder what’s for breakfast today? 

SIDE Gazelle, Commander of the Blackwing Knights

–This man felt as if he didn’t have any presence. 

The moment he shielded me was the moment I realized when he was behind me.

As soon as the young man pushed me back, an iron ball with sharp spikes and needles flew over my head with a tremendous whooshing sound.

After protecting me, he didn’t show any signs of fear or reluctance, and faced the pirate Badrud head on. With a cool, nonchalant expression on his face.

“I see……I understand the situation. Leave the rest to me.” 

“Hey, didn’t you hear that, that’s the Pirate Badrud I don’t know who you are, but don’t do anything reckless……”

–Pirate Badrud.

This is the name of a pirate chieftain who has been ravaging the western waters of the Litzheim Magic Kingdom for several years now.

Badrud’s ability with the morningstar is quite impressive, and a number of merchant ships have fallen prey to it. We were ordered by the kingdom to go to this area of the ocean to take down Badrud.

Yes, the pirate Badrud is an A-ranked criminal with a bounty on his head that no one in this country is unfamiliar with. But before I could stop him, he stood there silently, as if to shield me, and headed towards the morning star-wielding Badrud.

From there, his movements were incredible. The young man bent his body towards the floor and managed to avoid the iron ball on the morningstar. Then, with minimum movement, he sprang up and stepped right into Badrud’s range.

With the hilt of the sword in his hand, he thrust upward at Badrud’s chin. A sharp blow from underneath, knocking him on his head, was more than enough to make even a big man squirm. With that, Badrud fell to his knees in a slump. 

“That was amazing.”

I found myself calling out to him.

The young man slowly turned around, and I gulped at his appearance.

The face that turned to look at me surprisingly looked quite young still. It had an air of honesty about it, with a hint of innocence. I wondered if he was even twenty years old yet. 

But that wasn’t the only reason why I gulped.

His black hair, black eyes, and a peculiar shade of skin reminiscent of ivory.

In this continent, people with dark hair and eyes are rare. His exotic appearance, combined with his unusualness, gave him a mysterious air of sex appeal.

“I’m …… Takumi. You’re the commander of the Blackwing Knights? If so, I’ve done something unnecessary. Sorry about that.” 

When I said my name and position, the young man gently turned away from me as if in shame.

It is true that I was confident that I could win if I continued to fight Badrud. It’s not like I really needed his help……but it was impossible for me to win in such a short time and unscathed without giving thee opponent even a moment to attack.

Yet, this young man didn’t take pride in his abilities, and on the contrary, he seemed to care about my and the Blackwing Knights’ reputation.

He is so humble that it is hard to believe that he is the one who spoke so provocatively to Badrud and went head to head with him. I thought he was a belligerent character, but it seems he is not. 

Maybe he’s the type of person whose personality changes drastically only in battle.

–Interesting. This guy should definitely join our group.

Without realizing it, the corners of my mouth lifted. I who made up my mind, immediately invited the young man to join.

“From the looks of it, you seem to be in trouble too, right?” I said to him. I was expecting to see him get a little upset, but he didn’t even show any signs of it. He just nodded nonchalantly. 

Oh no. To be honest, I wasn’t expecting any great gains in battle against Badrud. But maybe I’ve found an unexpected gem.

But my euphoria was cut short by the words of the dark-haired, dark-eyed young man named Takumi.

–Slave.

From Takumi’s words, I felt I understood the reason for his disproportionality; despite having a strong mind, he seemed somewhat unstable. 

On the day I met Takumi, the Blackwing Knights rented out the tavern of an inn in the port city where we were stationed, and held a feast to celebrate our victory. Of course, Takumi was invited to the party. After the feast was over, I forcibly dragged him to my room.

No, I know it may sound like I’m doing something wrong when I say it this way, but I swear I never laid a hand on Takumi. I just slept in the same bed with Takumi, and I mean that in the truest sense of the word.

This is very unusual for me. Members who know my usual behavior would be surprised if they knew.

…… No. If I were asked whether I have any ulterior motives, I would have to say that I did. 

Last night. Takumi fell asleep surprisingly easily. The sharp and tense look on his face when he was awake was gone, leaving him looking only innocent. Yet, the way his black bangs draped over his face, combined with the odd hue of his skin, created an air of sexiness that was tantalizing.

While admiring Takumi’s sleeping face, I too fell asleep and welcomed the morning.

It seems that I had unconsciously hugged Takumi during the night. …… I mean, just this much should be okay. It’s rare for me to be able to keep my hands to myself, so just this much of an incentive should be acceptable.

I welcomed the morning and woke up feeling much better than I ever have before. Unfortunately, that feeling was completely extinguished by Takumi’s words. 

“Is this a water clock?　How do I check it?”

“…………”

“Gazelle?”

Takumi looked at me in wonder. 

No, because you …… can’t possibly ask that question.

This water clock is used not only in the Litzheim Magic Kingdom, but also throughout this continent and around the world. Looking at Takumi’s age, there is no way he could not know how to use it.

“…… Hey, Takumi. If you don’t want to answer, that’s fine. …… But what was your life like before you boarded that pirate ship?” 

When I asked him that, he turned his head down in silence.

In that silence, I realized my mistake.

“No, I’m sorry. It’s just that this water clock is used not only in this country, but also in …… most of this continent, right?　That’s why I was just curious. My bad.”

“No, really don’t worry about it. Gazelle’s bafflement is completely understandable.” 

I said this in a panic, but surprisingly, Takumi replied with a calm expression. But I knew immediately that he was trying to mend the situation out of concern for me.

“The place I used to be……wasn’t really a terrible place. I think I was blessed.”

–ah, I see.

Just what kind of question have I asked? 

“I was given enough food, clothing, shelter and education. But……that place was still a little unique, so I might be asking some crazy questions again.”

“Takumi …….”

Takumi’s demeanor is that of a sophisticated person. You can easily tell from the cleanliness of his appearance that there was someone who had educated him.

However, it seems that the education that this “someone” gave to Takumi was skewed. 

Now that I think about it, even at the feast yesterday, Takumi often looked at the tavern, the group members, and the food that was being served as if it were a novelty.

It’s too strange for a mere peasant to be kidnapped for the sake of slavery. What this means is that Takumi himself was originally raised to be a “commodity”.

In fact, I had been thinking about this possibility since last night. But now I was convinced.

The “someone” never taught Takumi any common sense connected to the outside world, but only education and manners. I’m sure it’s a slave-trader. 

Although slavery has long been illegal in the Litzheim Magic Kingdom, the buying and selling of slaves is still rampant in the underworld and dark guilds.

Takumi has black hair and eyes, which is rare in this continent. It is said that the hero who defeated the demon king three hundred years ago had that kind of appearance, but since then there has been no talk of anyone with that color being born on this continent. If a person looks like a character from a fairy tale, he or she could be sold at a high price.

And if you want to get an even higher price, you’d better make sure that the slaves have at least some education and manners.

Among the royalty and nobility who buy slaves, there are many who demand good manners from the sex slaves they keep. During the day, they have them imitate a civil servant then at night, they enjoy getting wild with them in bed. 

…… I feel like throwing up. I think I should keep this to myself for now.

Especially since Felix and Iris were very fond of Takumi. …… If I tell them about this, they might go berserk and start hunting down the slave traders.

I mean, I agree with the idea, but unfortunately the timing is too early.

If we were to do this, we would want to annihilate them thoroughly, so that no trace of them remains. 

“I understand your situation. If there’s anything you don’t understand in the future, just ask me.”

I interrupted Takumi mid-sentence, patted his head, and got off the bed.

His hair is soft and smooth, making me feel like I was stroking a cat.

……still, that Takumi guy. 

He didn’t show any signs of reluctance when I touched him like this, he seemed to be quite defenseless……

Looking at the way he just accepts whatever was done to him, I felt a desire to protect him, yet at the same time, a desire to …… see his face panting with pleasure.

This is something that not only me, but almost any man would feel. I don’t know if it’s because of his unusual appearance or if it’s because of what he says and does.

……Before anything goes wrong, maybe I should warn Takumi. 

I’m sure the members of my group are fine, but there might be people in the city who mistakenly thinks Takumi has a thing for them.

If he’s like that only around me, I’m all for it, but if he’s also like that in front of others, I’d feel troubled.

As I changed my clothes, I contemplated these thoughts about what comes hereafter.

◇ 

Alright, it’s another beautiful day!

I left the port city with the Blackwing Knights and headed for the Litzheim Magical Kingdom’s royal capital, Litzheim City. The weather was nice and sunny. The sun’s rays were warm.

The journey from the port city to the royal capital takes about a week to ten days by horse. Well, I guess it might take more time since we’ll  have to defeat monsters in the process.

By the way, there are roughly twenty members in the Blackwing Knights present. If you go back to the capital, you will find resident members of the order, so including them, apparently there are about 40 members. 

And so, here we are, on our way to the royal capital on horseback, but……

Of course, there’s no way I can ride a horse.

Therefore, I’m riding with someone on his horse. 

“–Takumi, are you okay? Are you in any pain?”

“I’m fine. Um……Sorry for the trouble, Felix.”

“No worries. It’s not really that much of a hassle. However, is Takumi really okay with sitting behind me?　I was thinking it would be better for you to sit in front of me, so you can see the scenery better and not get worn out.”

“No, I can’t let you give me that much consideration.” 

“I see……Well, that’s too bad.”

Felix looks back slightly and flashes a refreshing smile to me who was riding behind him.

His pale blond hair shines through in the sunlight like a glistening star.

–Yes. I am now riding behind the back of the prince-like, handsome vice commander. 

Uwaaah, I’m really sorry about this.

I mean, aren’t the people of the Blackwing Knights all too nice?

Not only did they take pity on a suspicious person like me and take me to the royal capital with them, but the vice commander said, “My horse is suitable for two people,” and let me ride with him.

Th, they’re way too kind…… I don’t know if it’s just me, but I think the level of hospitality is even higher than in the game. Though In the game, I think the protagonist had a more pushy attitude. 

Gazelle and Iris also said respectively, “Felix, that guy played his cards right. I wanted to take Takumi for a ride too,” and “Commander has to lead the group!　I wanted to share a ride with Takumi too! But my little pup doesn’t want to share a ride with me……”

Hmmm. Even if it was inevitable, why would they be so kind to an illegal immigrant like me ……?

Is everything okay?　Isn’t everyone a little too friendly?

“If we keep going like this, we’ll reach the next village by nightfall. It looks like we won’t have to camp out tonight.” 

The group of Blackwing Knights is traveling at a steady pace along the road leading to the royal capital. The Blackwing Knights are currently heading towards a farming village called Tomi Village. The goal is to reach this village by nightfall.

“We, the Blackwing Knights, starting from the top, consist of the Commander, Vice-Commander, Strategist and Advisor.  The rest of the knights are divided into attendants, raiding teams, and reconnaissance teams.”

“I see. I see. What division do the remaining members currently in the capital belong to?”

“They are the attendants. They handle the miscellaneous tasks and the accounting for the Blackwing Knights.” 

Felix explains the structure of the Blackwing Knights to me, summarizing the main points in an easy-to-understand manner while maneuvering his horse.

“The Blackwing Knight’s commander is Gazelle, the vice commander is me, the strategist is Iris, and the advisor is Russell.”

“Is that so? –?”

In the midst of a harmonious conversation, Felix suddenly tensed his body and asked a question in a curious tone of voice. 

“…… Takumi?　What’s wrong?”

“–Felix, hush.”

I stopped Felix from looking back at me.

Felix didn’t seem to notice, but a small bee was attached to the back of his head.

The bee’s small size and yellow and black stripes make it appear similar to a honey bee……but Felix wouldn’t want to get stung either. There’s also the risk of anaphylactic shock.

I told Felix to be quiet, and reached into my pants pocket. I think I had a handkerchief in here. I’ll use the handkerchief to gently get it away from Felix and try not to provoke the bee.

But the moment I put my hand into my pants pocket… 

“–GAAAAGUUUUUUUUU!!””

An unpleasant roar, similar to the sound of metal scraping against metal, came from the forest beside the road.

Then, a green rope-like creature approached the horse that Felix and I were riding.

“Guh” 

Felix’s beautiful face twisted, and he quickly pulled on the reins and skillfully maneuvered his horse to dodge the rope.

However, I couldn’t keep up with his quick movements and I lost my balance.

In an attempt to hold on, I reached out and grabbed the hilt of my sword that was strapped to the horse. The sword slipped completely out of its sheath, and I fell off from the horse.

–Oh, crap!　I have to fall safely somehow! 

Just when I was trying to shield my head from the impact of crashing into the ground…

The sword in my hand was caught by something. As it was, I was left hanging in the air.

Ooh!　I don’t know what it was, but it saved me!

……but what got caught? 

“GAGUGUGUA!”

“–!”

Heck, it’s the monster! 

In front of me was a monster with a large flower on its head and many wriggling tentacles made of ivy vines. The ivy vines were thick, some of them as big as my thighs.

The green rope-like things that had attacked me and Felix earlier were probably the tentacles of this thing.

“Giant Flora”

“What the hell is a B-grade monster doing here!?” 

“–Calm down!　All attendants and reconnaissance teams, get back!　Everyone else, get ready!”

Behind me, I could hear the members of the Blackwing Knights shouting.

But the unrest was short-lived. At the call of Commander Gazelle, they quickly regained their composure. I couldn’t see them because I had my back turned to them, but I could tell by their presence that the members of the group were suddenly filled with a powerful and deadly spirit.

Ooh, how reliable……! 

And I’m in the way from this position, I’m sorry!　I have to clear away quickly so I don’t get in everyone’s way!

In my haste, I tried to pull my sword out of the tentacles by forcibly dragging it with my hand.

–But. Somehow, full of momentum, I managed to cut off the giant flora’s tentacles with a clean cut.

“–GAGUAGUA” 

The giant flora, whose tentacles had been cut off, screamed out in pain. I was freed from my dangling position and succeeded in landing on the ground, but the angry giant flora lunged at me with tremendous force.

Hash:

やっぱり、途中で「教育は充分に受けてたって言ってんのに、時計の見方が分からないとか、矛盾してね？　それ、ただおれがサボってただけって思われるんじゃ……」と考え直し、変に言葉を修正したのが悪かった？ 

I feel like the author might’ve gotten a little mixed up here? The raws are from the web version, likely the ebook has better proofreading.

Maybe while he was in the middle of thinking, “Despite saying that he had been well educated, he still did not know how to read a clock, isn’t he contradicting himself? Is he thinking, isn’t that just me slacking off……” was what he then thought. Was it because I worded it in a weird way?

–was my initial translation, but I revised it to:

Maybe it was because while he was thinking, “Even though he said that he had been well educated, he still did not know how to read a clock, isn’t he contradicting himself?”, then contorted my words in a weird way and thought that I was just a slacker on studying?