A Story of a Male Knight (Not a Female Knight) in a Chastity-Reversed World ~The Girls Are So Afraid of Being Disliked That a “Kukkoro” Scene Never Happens~ - 32

Chapter 32: What Happened After They Found Out I’m a Boy

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「Extra Edition!!!! A Genius Beautiful Boy Appears in the Imperial Capital!!!! Who Is the Beautiful Boy Who Instantly Defeated the Villains Threatening the Capital!?」

I read the article with a title like that while sipping tea after finishing breakfast. The events from the day before yesterday were written about in detail. It even included every single word I had said, described with intense fervor, making it incredibly embarrassing.

“What is this!?”

Elsa-san, who read the same article, looked outraged.

“This doesn’t convey Ray-sama’s charm at all! They could have at least described your appearance more eloquently! They should have expressed it with greater precision and passion—that you are the pinnacle of beauty in this world! And your achievements are downplayed here; this is a historic event, they should’ve—”

As Elsa-san started ranting about the article, I was deeply relieved that she had chosen a profession other than journalism.

“That’s not the point, Elsa-san.”

“Huh!? R-right. The people of the capital know about you now.”

“Yeah. What Mother was talking about is starting to become real.”

“Yes. Right now, the town girls can’t stop talking about Ray-sama. It seems a fan club has already been formed.”

“Uh…”

I didn’t really understand these things, so it was unsettling. Oh, but knights getting cheered on by ladies was a classic trope. If I thought of it as being on the right track to becoming a male knight, maybe it wasn’t so bad.

“Honestly, those vile people didn’t even consider the trouble they’d cause Ray-sama. Anyway, I’ve joined the club myself, so I’ll keep an eye on it.”

So you joined, huh. She sure made it sound like this was someone else’s problem entirely. She didn’t have any empathy for me at all.

“By the way, I’m currently ranked 3rd. Kokoro is in 4th place, but I plan to steal 1st and 2nd soon.”

She wasn’t just a member—she was practically at the center of it all. And yet she really made it sound like she didn’t’ have any strong connection to the so-called ‘fan club.’ Well, the fan club didn’t matter, so I set that aside.

“So, I’ve become famous.”

“Yes. Madam did her best to keep the commotion contained, but it seems the people’s desire to catch a glimpse of a beautiful boy was too strong.”

“I see. I’ll probably be asked to appear publicly, won’t I?”

“Yes. The Kukkoro family has already received inquiries about when Ray-sama will debut as a knight, and why they’re not bolstering their forces despite worsening security in the capital. People likely do want the capital protected, but mostly it’s women using that as an excuse to see you. Even if the article detailed your achievements, no one would seriously expect a boy to protect them.”

“But we can’t ignore them, can we?”

“The Kukkoro family has received taxes from the people to protect the capital. If we selfishly ignore their calls for protection, our authority will collapse.”

“That wouldn’t be good. I really shouldn’t have let my identity get exposed.”

“If the people only knew of you as a weak boy, then you could’ve stayed hidden in the mansion. People wouldn’t bat an eyelash if we were to tell people you were just a frail boy, but now that the people have come to know your true strength, ignoring it isn’t an option.”

Being wanted as a knight was something that made me happy. But with my current ability—just barely having learned magic—I wouldn’t be able to perform adequately. What I admired wasn’t a decorative knight but a female knight with real skill. That was why becoming a knight right now wasn’t what I truly wanted.

So, it looked like what Mother had warned me about might actually happen.

“Well, either way, I have to keep training.”

“Yes. I think focusing on what’s right in front of you is best right now.”

“Yeah. I’ve had a good rest, so I’ll get back to morning training.”

“Yes. I’ll go tell Kokoro to get things ready.”

After finishing my tea, I headed for training.

＊＊＊

“Thank you for today.”

“Yeah, good work.”

As usual, we finished training by nightfall. We had magic training today, so I was exhausted. Using magic drained me mentally to an extreme degree. Even though I’d only used it twenty times, I felt so lethargic I could barely walk. If I tried to use more, I probably would’ve lost consciousness.

“Ray, is your energy holding up?”

“Barely.”

“I see. If you’re that exhausted from twenty uses of beginner magic, then men really are much more delicate than women.”

“But magic power can grow over time, right?”

“Yes. Little by little, it will increase with continued use. If you keep training daily, you’ll eventually be able to cast beginner magic effortlessly.”

“But it won’t improve instantly, will it?”

“Of course not. It takes time.”

Then it was clear: it would be impossible to become an active knight right away.

“Ray-sama, good work. Here’s the side dish—no, I mean your towel.”

Elsa-san almost made an outrageous mistake as she handed me a towel. I then used it to wipe my sweat. 

“Thank you, as always.”

“No, not at all. Oh, Kokoro, here.”

She tossed the towel lightly to Master. Day by day, she was treating Kokoro-san more casually, though by her hometown’s standards, this was apparently still considered polite.

Hometown, huh.

“By the way, what kind of place is your hometown?”

“The Nagasu Territory? It’s in the countryside, but it’s a nice place.”

“Yes. It’s full of mountains and sea, but I like it.”

Huh. I didn’t know anything beyond the capital—and even that, not much—but if they said it was a good place, I was sure it was.

“The lord is kind and doesn’t rule harshly.”

“Yes. She’s passionate about educating children and listens to her retainers. Though some might see her as lacking a firm will, it’s only because she trusts her people.”

I sat down on the lawn in the garden, letting the night breeze cool me as I recovered my energy and strength.

“Ray, are you here?”

As we chatted, Mother came back home. She seemed to be in a hurry. Had something happened?

“What’s wrong? Why are you so flustered?”

I stood up and asked Mother.

“Ray. Do you remember what I told you before?”

“About taking measures in advance?”

“Yes. It pains me—truly pains me—but even though I hate it, hate it, hate it, hate it so, so, so much, we’re going to have to do it.”

“Madam, so it has come to that?”

Elsa-san spoke in a sorrowful voice. But I didn’t miss that she was quietly pumping her fist in a small, triumphant gesture.

“That’s right. The calls for Ray have been much louder than we expected. Today alone, we received fifty requests. And considering it’ll only increase from here, we can’t ignore it anymore.”

“Then Ray will have to…”

Master Kokoro looked down with a sad face. But from my shorter height, I could see the faint smile playing on her lips.

“Yes. You’ll have to leave the house. I’m counting on you both.”

This time, both of them looked delighted, beating their chests with bright, carefree smiles.

““Leave it to us!!””

“Ugh, it’s so annoying! But there’s no other choice. I’ll start making the arrangements, so Ray, Kokoro, Elsa—get ready.”

I nodded along with the two of them. It looked like I really would have to leave home.

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