CH 31

“What. So, it’s you, Takumi. What are you doing at the door?”

It was Ortolan Maccione, the commander of the Ritzheim Magic Kingdom’s Yellow-winged Knights. He was a muscular bird-like beastman who stood over two meters tall. His strong arms were covered in feathers, indicating he was a beastman. His raptor-like eyes were sharply slit, and his chiseled face was so fearless and majestic that it was difficult not to admire. Commander Ortolan puzzledly looked at me and the glasses-wearing clerk. I explained that I had just finished doing some business at this store and was about to leave. 

“Oh, I see. Then wait until I finish my business.”

“What?”

“I’ll walk you back to the barracks.  Even in the castle town, it’s not a good idea to be walking around alone with your appearance. Are Alpharetta and Listini around today?”

“Today, it was only me who had business at this store, so…” 

For the time being, Felix would be commuting to the order from his parent’s house instead of the barracks. Gazelle and Iris were not on their day off today, so I came to this store alone. Besides, I’d been to this perfume shop numerous times before. Commander Ortolan, on the other hand, simply frowned at my response.

“You have absolutely no sense of danger. Well, whatever. I’ll take care of my own affairs soon, so sit back and wait.”

Commander Ortolan quickly walked to the back of the store without waiting for my response. The glasses-wearing clerk rushed after him. Without regard for the clerk or me standing in the store in blank amazement, Commander Ortolan began to select items from the store’s shelves with a self-satisfied look.

Eh.. Erm? Is Commander Ortolan giving me a ride all the way back? All they to the barracks?

“Commander Ortolan, I appreciate your concern, but… I don’t need you to go out of your way for me, Commander of the Yellow-winged Knights. I can get home on my own.”

“It’s also on my way home, so it’s not a big deal. Just be quiet and wait.”

When he told me this, I was hesitant to dismiss Commander Ortolan’s generosity. Commander Ortolan then finished his business at the perfume shop, said to me, “Let’s go,” and exited the store with the same dashing gait he had entered with. When I dashed after him, Commander Ortolan was waiting for me quietly at the store’s entrance. He motioned for me to join him in line, and we both began walking down the road to the knight’s barracks.

I-I can’t carry on a conversation! 

As awkwardness overtook me, I cast a sidelong glance up at Commander Ortolan.

But he’s really tall…

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If I wore the same outfit, I’d look like a wandering vagabond, but Commander Ortolan, with his sturdy physique, looks great in it. 

I really envy him.

“What? Is there something on my face?”

Commander Ortolan looked down at me after noticing my gaze.

“I was wondering if all the beastmen were as large as Commander Ortolan…. I apologize if I offended you.” 

“Oh, is that what this is about?” When I asked him a question, he shrugged in indifference. “Compared to the human race, most of the beastmen are much bigger. But size does not always translate directly into strength on the battlefield,” he continued.

“I see.”

C-Cool… As expected of the leader of the Yellow Winged Knights, his words are very meaningful. I hope I can say such a manly line someday! I’ll never have the chance to say it, though, since I’m just a beanpole!

“As for myself, Takumi’s ‘black’ appearance is more unusual. It would be difficult to go anywhere but castle town with that appearance.” 

“I have never been there. I’d like to go, but…”

“Well, that Alpharetta guy isn’t going to let you go alone. He seems unusually obsessed with you.”

“Unusual? Felix?”

“Yes, he is. The Alpharetta I knew was… a calm and collected man who rarely showed his emotions.” 

“I think… calm and collected is right, but I don’t think the second half of the sentence connects with Felix’s current state.”

In the back of my mind, I kept seeing Felix’s flushed cheeks and dejected expression one after the other. If anything, I had the impression that he was an expressive individual who expressed a wide range of emotions.

“That was Alpharetta before he met you. When he joined the Black-Winged Knights, he caused quite a stir. He most likely acted as if he was trying to suppress his own personal desires as a result of his guilt.”

“Guilt, huh? I believe I understand.” 

When he said that, I immediately thought of Felix. Felix was a serious individual with a strong sense of responsibility. Very much so.

“Speaking of which, what was your business in that store? Has there been any more progress on the potion?”

“No, it’s just my personal business.”

“Hmm?” 

My heart was racing as I responded to Commander Ortolan’s question. After answering, I realized.

… Wouldn’t it be bad if Commander Ortolan found out I go to the perfume store today? I mean, I was going to make the elixir in secret and give it to Count Alpharetta without the Black-Winged Knights noticing!

I thought I could explain to him that the glasses-wearing clerk told me after having the elixir made, something along the line, “I tried using it, but the effect was not so good, so I’ll consider a little more about its practical use” or “The material is too expensive and not cost-effective, so I’ll put off its practical use for a while”.

Although it’s true that the cost performance is not so good. After all, the cost of the materials that I gave to the clerk wiped out all of my savings in this world… Ugh, my wallet is so light! But what should I do? 

I had explained to her that it was my personal request, so she was unlikely to tell anyone about the contents of the potion she was concocting.

So, the problem is me. I don’t mean to boast, but if I am pushed too hard, I might just blurt it out, for real!

“Hmmm… Personal business.”

“Yes.” 

Finally, at the end of the road, the Black Wing Knights’ barracks appeared. If it hadn’t been for this situation, I would have been sad to say goodbye to Commander Ortolan, but under the current circumstances, I was relieved.

“Well… You seem a little lost right now.”

“Eh?”

Commander Ortolan abruptly addressed me. I should have just kept walking, but I stopped and looked up at Commander Ortolan intently, as if my body was paralyzed. It was as if I was admitting that Commander Ortolan’s words had hit the nail on the head. Commander Ortolan narrowed his eyes at me and shrugged. 

“When I first met you in that store, you seemed too sweet of a man to be a knight. But you had a strong resolve that more than compensated for your weakness and naiveté.”

“I—”

“At least, that’s how it seemed to me. Back then, you had unwavering eyes. But now you’re completely different.”

Commander Ortolan said in a hushed voice. His voice did not sound particularly reproachful. He simply pointed out the facts in a straightforward manner. That’s why it pierced my heart even more deeply. 

“… I’m…”

I needed to say something, but nothing came out of my mouth. Seeing me unable to say anything else, Commander Ortolan shrugged his shoulders. Then he said again in a quiet voice, “Takumi, you will die if you continue as you are.”

“Ah!”

“You are simply too kind You are not fit to be a knight at all. On top of that, if you have any doubts in your mind, it will be the death of you one day. Keep this in your heart….” With that, Commander Ortolan turned away and left. 

Translator’s Notes

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