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~ - 33

Chapter 33: Becoming a Knight?

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Today marked one week since I had become known to the public. I was wearing the formal attire of a knight.

“Ahhh, my son in a knight’s uniform. I always dreamed of seeing my son in his moment of glory, but I never thought it would actually come true…”

Seeing Mother looking at me with eyes glazed in admiration made me feel embarrassed.

“A beautiful male knight… So lewd… I love it…”

“I’d love to fire you, but I get why you’re saying that, Kokoro. I’ll allow it just for today.”

“Uu… He’s too wonderful… I want to completely crush the strong-willed Ray-sama, make him peeep, have his body admit defeat even if his heart doesn’t…”

“I’d love to fire you too, Elsa, but I’ll allow it for today. Ray is just too captivating today.”

It looked like everyone approved of my knight’s outfit. If it didn’t suit me, I couldn’t possibly become the kind of knight I admired, so it was a relief.

“I’m glad it doesn’t look weird. Now I can stand proudly in front of everyone.”

Standing in front of everyone—that was exactly why I was wearing the knight’s uniform today.

“Ugh… Nooo~ I don’t want to expose my son to the lecherous gazes of those beasts!!~”

I soothed Mother as she started throwing a childish tantrum.

“It can’t be helped. This is to ease the discontent of the people in the imperial capital. I was the one who failed to follow your instructions and got found out as a boy. I’m truly sorry for that.”

“Uu, there’s no man who could say something like that! My son is too wonderful! I love you!!”

Mother said that and hugged me tight. The truth was, I really did feel sorry. In the end, the commotion grew so big that the calls for me to appear before everyone as a knight could no longer be suppressed.

That was why today, I was to hold a small ceremony to mark my appointment as a knight.

Originally, when the successor of the Kukkoro family became a knight, there was a ritual where they pledged to keep fighting for the people of the imperial capital. The plan was to carry out that ritual earlier than usual, as a way to appease the people.

“Mother, isn’t it about time?”

“Yes. I’d like to soak up a little more of my son’s essence, but we have to go.”

With a reluctant look, Mother stepped away from me. We then left the mansion and got into the waiting carriage. The coachmen were still Master and Elsa-san.

As the carriage slowly started moving, I asked Mother.

“Today’s knight induction ceremony… It’s just a short speech from the platform in the capital square, right?”

“Yes. That’s all, and it will end quickly, so normally hardly anyone comes for it. At my ceremony, only the people who happened to be in the square stopped to watch.”

“But today, there’ll be a lot of people, right?”

“Most likely. I’ve already mobilized the entire knight corps to keep order in the square, but I’m not sure it will be enough.”

“Are you saying there’ll be so many that it’s actually going to be a problem?”

“It wouldn’t be strange if the entire population of the capital showed up… But we’ve tried to control rumors and manage information ahead of time. Hopefully it’ll be just enough to fit in the square.”

Mother had been constantly busy this past week; she must have worked so hard for my sake.

“Mother, I’m really sorry.”

“Don’t worry about it, Ray. Moving around and gathering information in the past week had made it clear. The people knew you’re training to become a knight. Since you’re going to become the successor of the Kukkoro family anyway, this moment is inevitable. Whether it’s happening now or later doesn’t make too much difference. “

Mother smiled kindly. Feeling truly grateful, I thanked her.

“It’s fine. More importantly, Ray, do you remember your speech?”

“Yes. I practiced it many times. I’ll be okay.”

“Good. I haven’t been able to check the final request part since I’ve been so busy—are you sure about it?”

“I practiced that part especially hard with Elsa-san, so I’m most confident about it.”

“Then I’m relieved.”

We had rehearsed my speech so many times already, and since it was short, there was no way I could mess it up. Besides, I wasn’t the type to freeze in front of people, so I felt confident abou the speech.

“Haa… Riding in a carriage with my son… I wonder if today will be the last time I get to ride a carriage with my son…”

“It won’t be the last time.”

“…Yes, you’re right! Be careful out there!”

Mother’s dazzling smile filled me with warmth, and I felt my eyes start to tear up.

“Madam, Ray-sama, we’ll be arriving shortly.”

Even before Elsa-san’s voice came from the driver’s seat, I could feel that the square was close.

The noise was incredible. Even through the carriage walls, I could sense the intensity of the crowd. There were definitely a lot of people. I thought I wouldn’t get stage fright, but even I might freeze up from nerves judging from the intensity of the noise outside.

The voices grew louder, the air thicker with excitement, and the carriage came to a halt.

“Ray. The carriage has been stopped right in front of the platform, so once you get out, head straight up onto it.”

“Okay.”

“Then, once you finish your pledge, come back smoothly and get back into the carriage.”

“Got it. I’m going now.”

“Yes. Do your best.”

I nodded and stepped down from the carriage. In that instant, a tremendous cheer erupted. I climbed onto the platform and looked over the square.

It was incredible. Absolutely overwhelming.

The square was packed with people, the heat of their excitement almost forming clouds above them. It felt like a rock festival, but since there were only women, it was probably closer to a male idol concert.

Listening carefully, I heard things like, “He’s too beautiful!?” “No way,  so the rumor was true…” “So cute~!” and “So cool~!”

There were two main reactions. Either people had their hands over their mouths with wide eyes, or they were screaming shrilly. Mother had told me before that the people’s desire for Ray couldn’t be ignored, but I’d struggled to believe it. Feeling this fervor firsthand, I finally understood what she meant.

I was happy they were so eager for me. But it was disappointing that what they sought seemed to be only my appearance or the fact I was a boy.  A female knight’s appearance was an important part of her identity, so it wasn’t that I disliked being admired for my looks—but I had no intention of becoming a knight admired only for appearance.

So everyone, I’m sorry. Please wait until I become strong.

While I apologized inwardly, I opened my mouth.

“Everyone, thank you so much for gathering here today.”

I raised my voice so it could reach as many people as possible.

“Kukkoro-sama!? Even his voice is beautiful!?” 

“A boy raising his voice!?” 

“How polite can he be!?” 

“So the rumors about his good personality were true!?” 

“My ears can’t take it~!”

The first words caused various reactions, but everyone fell silent, eager not to miss what I would say next.

“I am Ray, son of Karina Kukkoro of the Kukkoro family, the Sword of the Imperial Capital. Though still young, I am deeply honored to have become a member of the knights who protect you all.”

A few people fainted with a fluttering sound. Mother hadn’t lied about mobilizing the entire knight corps—knights dressed like me were rushing to help the fallen. Watching that, I continued my brief speech and finished with the pledge.

“As those of the Kukkoro family have done through the generations, I hereby pledge to stand as a shield against any who threaten the people of the imperial capital, and to wield my sword to destroy evil.”

With that, the ceremony part ended. But from here came the main point.

“However, I am still very young and far from fully trained. So I have a request for you all.”

I tried to look as earnest as possible.

“I will be going on a journey to study. I will go beyond the imperial capital, broaden my knowledge of the world, learn more of society, and seek teachings from the strong. I promise I will return with the strength to protect you.”

Then, following Elsa-san’s training, I made an adorably cute gesture.

“So… Onee-chan, please. Will you wait for me to come back?”

As I said that, there was a collective ‘dun!’ noise, like something from a certain pirate manga.

“I’m relieved to know you’ll wait. That concludes my words today. Thank you all so much for coming.”

I wrapped up, stepped down from the platform smoothly, and climbed back into the carriage. As the carriage began to move, I spoke with Mother inside.

“How was it?”

When I asked, Mother looked at me with a serious expression on her face before slowly opening her mouth.

“That request at the end—?”

“Elsa-san came up with that.”

“…Not bad. I’ll give her a raise.”

It seemed that part had been one of Mother’s weak points.

“No, seriously, you did great, Ray.”

“I see. So it looks like everything will work out just fine?”

“Yes. Now we just need things to calm down, and once the excitement fades, you can return to your normal life.”

That was the plan to settle everything peacefully. In the current state, with everyone’s attention on me, I would show myself sincerely, then leave the imperial capital until the fervor cooled. Once the excitement faded, people’s interest would wane, making it easier for me to return.

This way, I could also take time to become strong enough to truly serve as a knight—and going out into the world would make me stronger than just training in the mansion’s yard.

Mother looked relieved, and I felt assured that it would go well. But…

“Mother, when should I leave for my studies?”

“Are you not ready yet?”

“No, you told me to prepare, so I’m already set… But won’t you be lonely?”

“I will be lonely. But Ray…”

Mother smiled gently.

“I want you to know the wide world. Right now, you don’t know much about society, do you?”

“No. Honestly, I know so little it’s embarrassing.”

“Right? That’s why you must learn. As the heir of the Kukkoro family, I can’t neglect your education.”

Mother was clearly enduring her protective instincts as a parent to fulfill her duty as head of the family. Realizing that, I felt an even stronger desire not to part from her. The more I thought about it, the more my childlike longing for my parents grew.

“Maybe… This incident was actually a good opportunity. If I truly care about you, it’s better to let you go into the world than to keep you by my side forever. If I only worry about you facing danger, I’ll just end up stifling you within this small confinement.”

Even as the head of the family, Mother’s face was that of a loving parent, and my heart was full of emotions.

“Thank you, Mother.”

“Fufu. It’s nothing. But Ray… May you allow me to say ‘welcome home’ to you when you return?”

To Mother’s words, I nodded firmly with all of my might.

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