In a World of Reversed Chastity, I Strive to Become an Honorable Male Knight, but Lustful Women Keep Targeting My Body - 249

Chapter 249: The Kukkoro Male Knight and the Saintly Bishop

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Lately, negotiations with the elves had taken on the appearance of a diplomatic war. Well, they were negotiations meant to avoid an actual war, so it was only natural that things would become somewhat rough. Even so, I was, at my core, a soldier. On top of that, I came from a poor knightly family. I had absolutely no know-how when it came to politics or diplomacy.

In situations like this, the best course of action was to call in a specialist to help. With that in mind, I had sounded out my superior, Chancellor Adelaide, about coming to Liseben—but that, unfortunately, had not gone well.

After all, the royal capital had just been rocked by an outrageous incident in which two of the Four Great Noble Houses had risen in rebellion. The political world was in complete turmoil. As the head of the chancellor’s faction, which was rapidly becoming the largest faction in the Kingdom of Galea, she simply could not find the time to visit such a remote region.

“Long time no see, Albert-san. And Sonia-san as well.”

The one who came in her stead was Bishop Fiorenza, a major figure in Galea’s religious world. She was not a member of the chancellor’s faction, but rather a personal acquaintance of mine… Or more accurately, a childhood friend. Even though she herself was extremely busy, she had learned of my current situation and offered her assistance. Honestly, I was incredibly grateful.

Clad in her usual pale blue-and-white bishop’s robes, she wore a friendly smile on her angelic, adorable face as she offered her hand for a handshake. Despite having arrived on a wyvern, her complexion looked completely normal. As a member of the winged race with innate flight capability, she was probably quite accustomed to traveling through the sky.

“Thank you very much for coming despite your busy schedule, Bishop Fiorenza.”

As I returned the handshake, I bowed my head. The words came straight from my heart. After all, a bishop of the Star Guidance Faith was an extraordinarily high-ranking figure. Among secular nobility, the position corresponded to at least a count—and in some cases, even higher. And Bishop Fiorenza, who oversaw the Palea Diocese—in other words, the church of the royal capital—ranked among the upper echelons even within the bishops themselves.

I had no idea how she had managed to attain such an important post despite being three years younger than me, but in any case, having such a powerful figure—one who combined both authority and ability—come all this way to assist with negotiations against the elves made me feel as though an army of tens of thousands had arrived as reinforcements.

“We have prepared a modest reception. Please, this way.”

It was already evening, about the time hunger would start to set in. At my suggestion, Bishop Fiorenza smiled warmly and nodded. Then she glanced briefly toward Sonia. These two had always been like oil and water… Or rather, Sonia seemed to harbor a one-sided hostility toward the bishop. As expected, Sonia was glaring at Bishop Fiorenza with the expression of a hunting dog on the verge of pouncing on its prey.

Well, that was business as usual and nothing worth worrying about. However, the bishop’s reaction was somewhat unexpected. She first looked slightly surprised, then turned her gaze toward Gilberto as well (perhaps because of what had happened earlier, she looked like a leafy vegetable left out under the desert sun). After looking back and forth between the two of them, she made an extremely odd expression for just a moment and pressed a hand to her forehead.

…I had no idea what that was about, but first things first—food. I was completely starving, and I was also carrying around a lingering sense of frustration from Gilberto’s failed confession. In times like these, there was nothing better than numbing the brain with food and alcohol.

“I see. I believe I now understand the situation in broad terms.”

An hour later, in the dining room of the lord’s manor, Bishop Fiorenza said this and nodded as she listened to the explanation of the current circumstances over dinner. Of course, we frequently exchanged information through letters, but speaking face-to-face was far clearer than written words.

“So, Albert-san, you wish to actively pursue reconciliation with the elves, correct?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

I nodded and then moistened my throat with red wine from my glass. Since this was a dinner with an important guest, I had brought out the finest wine I had on hand. Given how frayed my nerves had been because of what happened earlier, I poured the contents of the glass down my throat with the momentum of a bit of stress drinking. The bishop looked momentarily concerned, then quickly repaired her expression into a smile and drank her own wine as well.

“…It has a very fine aroma. As expected, Albert-san, you have excellent taste in alcohol.”

“No, not really. I’m the type of drinker whose tastes aren’t very refined. I’m fine as long as there’s alcohol in it.”

Did I make her worry about me? Feeling a bit apologetic, I smiled, and Sonia, who was sitting beside me, secretly tapped my knee. When I turned my gaze toward her, she wore an expression that clearly said, “Don’t let your guard down.”

Why does Sonia hate Bishop Fiorenza this much? It feels her attitude toward Bishop Fiorenza is harsher than her attitude toward Chancellor Adelaide…

“Ahem… Well then, let us move on to the main topic. The reason I summoned you, Bishop, is simple. I wish to request your assistance with negotiations involving the elves.”

“Yes, I understand. They are quite a formidable opponent, I hear.”

Nodding, Bishop Fiorenza gently swirled her wine glass and inhaled its fragrance.

“…That’s exactly right. The elves certainly possess a temperament that could justify them being labeled barbarians. However, they also possess a nobility akin to pride and the wisdom to independently develop various tools. I am firmly convinced that making them allies, rather than enemies, would bring far greater benefit to Liseben.”

There were no elf representatives present at this dinner. That was why I spoke my honest opinion freely. Bishop Fiorenza nodded thoughtfully and drank her wine with refined grace. Though she looked like nothing more than a cute young girl, Bishop Fiorenza was, in fact, quite a capable drinker.

…As if she had read my thoughts, Bishop Fiorenza smiled happily. As always, her people-watching skills were downright cheat-like. It was practically mind reading at this point…

“Personally, I agree with your policy, Albert-san. Even if they are sworn enemies, one should aim for a future where hands are clasped together… That is the teaching of the Pole Star.”

“Of course, we should still prepare for the worst-case scenario.”

Sonia asserted this with a sullen expression.

“Well, combat is not my area of expertise… So I will leave that aspect to you, Albert-san, and to you as well, Sonia-san. However, when it comes to negotiations, please rely on me. Though my strength is limited, I will devote myself wholeheartedly to being of service to you.”

“Limited strength? Hardly.”

Even as modesty, that was a bit much. When it came to negotiations, she was several times more capable than I was.

“A direct meeting with the leaders of the two major elf factions is scheduled soon. When that time comes, I humbly ask for your support. I’ll be counting on you, Bishop.”

“Yes, leave it to me.”

Bishop Fiorenza smiled brightly and clenched her fist in determination. 

…Wow, she’s ridiculously cute.

“Ufufu, heehee. Albert-san, flattering me this much…. Goodness!”

Whoa, she read my mind again!

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