Chapter 128

“Previously, during the knights’ triumphal parade following the monster subjugation in each city, I had been in Ritzheim City on business… At first, I was merely watching the knights’ parade absentmindedly, but…”

A knights’ triumphal parade after monster subjugation?

Ah, right. There was something like that!

The Black-winged Knights, White-winged Knights, and Yellow-winged Knights had joined forces to deal with the hordes of monsters attacking Menuenu City and emerged victorious.

And when they returned to Ritzheim City from Menuenu City, a knights’ triumphal parade was held on the main street leading from the main gate to the castle.

At that time, I had also participated as a member of the Black-winged Knights. Well, participating merely meant walking together with everyone as part of the infantry.

“At that moment, my eyes were captivated by a certain young man. Since he was clad in a black knight’s uniform, he must have been a member of the Black-winged Knights.”

As I was reminiscing about the memories of the triumphal parade, the lord began to speak in a dreamy tone, an enchanted expression on his face.

“Glossy, ebony hair and eyes that seemed to draw you into the depths of the night sky… And a dignified countenance that allowed nothing to approach… I fell in love at first sight with that pure profile.”

L-love!?

Well, people are free to love whomever they want, and I have no right to interfere… but why did this person suddenly start talking about that?

What’s the connection between his love story and me being drugged?

But… if the person the lord has feelings for is a member of the Black-winged Knights, it must be someone I know, right?

…Hmm, who could it be?

When he mentioned hair like glossy ebony… could it be Iris!?

Iris’s dark purple, lustrous hair is absolutely beautiful, and above all, the expressions “a dignified countenance that allowed nothing to approach” and “pure profile” seem to fit him perfectly.

Yeah, Iris is indeed a beautiful and kind person who always smiles and treats me well, even giving me sweets. I can understand why this person would fall in love at first sight.

Speaking of the triumphal parade, it brings back memories.

At that time, I remember walking while thinking, “I’m hungry. I’m looking forward to dinner tonight since the kitchen staff said we’re having fried chicken.”

…Hm? But wait a second.

If I recall correctly, according to the innkeeper where I’m staying, the lord wasn’t such a bad person before, but he changed after returning from his trip to Ritzheim City…

So, in other words… could the lord falling in love with Iris at first sight be the cause of his personality change!?

“The impact of seeing him for the first time was such that I felt there could be nothing greater in my life… But at the same time, I wondered. Why would such a young, charming, and beautiful young man be associated with the Black-winged Knights, a group of barbarians…”

“Barbarians?”

I couldn’t help but utter those words in a grim voice upon hearing what the lord had said.

However, the lord merely shrugged his shoulders with a pitying expression, unfazed by the glare I shot at him while writhing in pain on the floor.

“Indeed. The Black-winged Knights, unlike the prestigious White-winged Knights, which consists solely of noble scions, is a motley crew of beastmen and commoners. And I’ve heard that in times of war, they are the first to rush into battle… I simply couldn’t believe that such a beautiful and ephemeral person would live and eat alongside such barbaric fellows, in a place where death is a constant companion…”

Th-this person, just shut up and listen!

Saying whatever he pleases about our Black-winged Knights…!

The Black-winged Knights are not barbarians! They are all very kind and wonderful people!

That’s why I’ve been able to make it this far in this other world without feeling the loneliness of being alone!

…Well, I guess he’s somewhat right about it being a dangerous workplace where death is always nearby…

Indeed, the people in the Black-winged Knights are all good folks, but they don’t fear battling monsters at all and are quite hotheaded…

No, no, that’s not the point!

This is no time to be lost in thought. I need to focus on what the lord is saying!

“What does any of that have to do with making the people of Belkarna suffer or drugging me?”

“I am aiming for a promotion in rank.”

“Promo…?”

Promo? What’s that?

He suddenly threw out a difficult word.

“I sent a letter to that person in Ritzheim City. I don’t know what reasons he has for being in such a dangerous place as the Black-winged Knights, but if he comes to me, I will ensure he never wants for anything. I can provide him with much better clothes than those knight’s uniforms stained with blood and sweat, and I’ll obtain anything else he desires… However, I never received a reply from him.”

“…”

Well, anyone would normally refuse or ignore such a suspicious letter, right?

In my original world, there were similar dubious direct mails.

They had extremely shady contents like, “A special gift just for you! Click this link to receive one million yen. Access now!”

…Ah, come to think of it, I’ve received a few similar letters since coming to this world too.

I thought this world also had these kinds of suspicious solicitation mails, so I discarded most of them without even reading the contents.

“I presented him with every possible condition I could offer. I even enclosed a contract transferring a portion of my assets and a promise to bequeath half of my territory. Yet, to this day, I have never received a response from him.”

Seeing the lord’s shoulders slump in disappointment, I almost feel a bit sorry for him… but those contents only make it more suspicious!

To begin with, why would meeting someone you fell in love with at first sight involve handing over a portion of your assets and half of your territory?

Be more normal about it, seriously!

“…So, why the promotion in rank?”

I sighed and looked up at the lord.

It seemed the side effects of the magic dispelling potion had worn off while listening to his story, and I could finally speak properly again. I might be able to stand up soon, but… huh?

For some reason, my clothes feel awfully tight…?

“In my letters, I presented him with conditions regarding my assets and territory, but I didn’t even receive a reply. However, when I had someone investigate, it appears that although he is a commoner, he is quite close with several nobles, including the son of a count residing in the capital. Perhaps he doesn’t even consider me due to my low rank. If I raise my rank, he will surely take notice of me.”

“…”

“That’s why I pushed forward with the development of Belkarna to raise funds for my promotion. I’m almost at the necessary amount. I can’t let a petition get in the way of my goal.”

Having finished listening to the lord’s story, I slowly got to my feet. Then, suppressing the anger welling up inside me, I muttered.

“No matter how much you raise your rank, that person won’t turn to you.”

“What?”

The lord furrowed his brows, but I continued speaking without paying him any mind.

Seriously… This person has been completely off the mark since earlier!

“It may have looked shabby to you… But a uniform stained with sweat and blood is far more valuable than clothes bought with money earned by whipping the people! Every single member of the Black-winged Knights would answer the same.”

I glared at the lord, my eyes filled with anger. He stared at me with a perplexed expression.

“Who in the world are you…? And that appearance…!”

For some reason, he seemed utterly bewildered, as if he had seen something completely unexpected.

I couldn’t miss this opportunity.

I reached into the pocket of my skirt and pulled out a round pill the size of a pebble. Then, I threw it towards the lord. The moment it hit his body, it released a cloud of smoke.

“Ugh!?”

The yellowish smokescreen not only obscured vision but also temporarily paralyzed the body of anyone who inhaled it.

I had received it from Commander Hartus of the Blue-winged Knights before coming here, carrying it in my pocket for emergencies.

Alright, it worked!

Now, while the lord’s body is paralyzed and he can’t move, I’ll leave this room with a straight face and casually exit the lord’s mansion as if nothing happened…!

“Wh-whoa!?”

However, as I hastily stood up, my foot got caught in the skirt, and I tumbled onto the carpet with a thud.

“Ow, ow, ow…”

Geez, I’m so clumsy!

But it feels oddly difficult to move.

Come to think of it, my clothes started feeling tight while I was talking to the lord… Now, even the sleeves are stretched taut.

That’s strange. It should have been quite loose when I put it on…

I stood up and looked at the wall. There should have been a large mirror along with several portraits.

“…Huh?”

I stared at myself in the mirror, dumbfounded.

There, I saw my usual, familiar appearance.

That’s right. Not the shrunken form caused by the youth potion—but my ordinary, utterly average-looking self with black hair and black eyes.

“Wh-why?”

Thinking I was seeing things, I pinched my cheek. However, my reflection in the mirror made the same motion, and the pinched cheek hurt.

H-how did I return to my original form!?