In a World of Reversed Chastity, I Strive to Become an Honorable Male Knight, but Lustful Women Keep Targeting My Body - 261

Chapter 261: The Kukkoro Male Knight and the Elf’s Imperial Capital

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“Ho… So this is Runga City, the capital of the New Elfenia Empire…”

Just past noon. We arrived in Runga City right on schedule. The city was located along the Elfen River, and though small in scale, it had a river port. Thanks to that, we were able to dock the Michael Collins directly. As for why an elf city had a river port in the first place, it was apparently for fishing. The Elfen River had almost no large fish. At most, there were a few scrawny little fish no bigger than an adult’s pinky swimming around, but even such small fish were said to be an important food source for the elves.

“I see. That’s skillful camouflage.”

Sonia said this while looking around. Runga City’s port had been constructed within a submerged forest that closely resembled mangroves (though since the Elfen River was freshwater, it wasn’t technically a mangrove forest). Care had been taken so that its location would not be easily revealed, whether viewed from the surroundings or from above. Hiding a ship the size of the Michael Collins was apparently impossible, but a dugout canoe or two could be concealed without issue.

“It’s like a hidden fortress…”

“It’s clearly designed with wartime conditions in mind. Impressive, really. No wonder no one could find an elf settlement no matter how hard they searched.”

While having that exchange with Sonia, we crossed a crude floating bridge and stepped onto solid ground. Bishop Fiorenza, her face deathly pale, muttered in a pitiful voice.

“I feel like the ground is still swaying…”

S-sorry… It’s my fault for asking her to come along that she’s ended up this exhausted…

“W-welcome, everyone.”

Dalaiya came out to greet us. Even after her true status as the “new” empress had been revealed, she was still dressed in her usual plain poncho. Anyone unaware of the circumstances would never guess that she was the head of a nation. …Well, given the elves’ current situation, even the ruler probably didn’t have the luxury to dress herself up.

“I heard you were attacked by ruffians… Are you all right…?”

“We suffered a few injuries, but there’s no problem.”

It seemed she already knew about the attack on us. Cold sweat glistened on Dalaiya’s gentle face. 

This woman really has it rough, too. She’s acting for the sake of the entire elf race, yet the elves themselves refuse to listen to her at all…

“Still, as you can see, we’re rather worn out from an unfamiliar voyage and waterborne combat. I’d appreciate it if you could let us rest…”

“O-of course! I’ve prepared hospitality as well. Please, follow me.”

With that, Dalaiya pointed deeper into the forest. …Even if she called it hospitality, more than half our people were down with seasickness. Even if a feast were laid out, they probably wouldn’t be able to eat it…

Ten minutes later, we were walking through Runga City properly. …Though we called it a city or an urban area, in reality it looked little different from the “Legitimate” hidden villages. Crude pit dwellings were built pressed up against massive trees, and naturally there were no paved roads of any kind. It was an extremely rough, primitive settlement.

That said, I had thought the same thing in the Legitimate settlements, but elf towns everywhere were thoroughly camouflaged. The way buildings were deliberately built right up against giant trees was probably intentional, an effort to avoid aerial reconnaissance. The structures themselves were primitive, yet the design philosophy behind them was strangely modern. A city built with such thorough consideration of anti-air tactics would be hard to find even in the Kingdom of Galea or the Holy Empire.

“So then… Who exactly were the ones who attacked us?”

As I observed the town, I posed the question to Dalaiya, who was leading us. In my line of sight were suspicious figures wearing deep, bell-shaped woven hats—komusō elves. They were the same ones we had seen during the previous attack. For now, they were merely watching us from a distance and showed no sign of attacking… But they were still unsettling.

Well, according to what I’d heard, the komusō style was standard attire for elves below a certain age. Not every komusō elf could be an enemy. …Probably.

“We’re investigating.”

Dalaiya’s reply was curt. She then turned back toward us and bowed her head with an expression full of apology.

“I’m not trying to dodge the question. It’s just that none of them are cooperating with the investigation… There’s only so much that can be done in a short time. I swear I’ll tell you the truth once we uncover it, so please wait a little longer.”

“I see… Understood.”

Given that response, all I could do was nod. Sure, as someone who’d been attacked, I had my own thoughts on the matter…But pressing Dalaiya wouldn’t accomplish anything either.

Dalaiya was currently the most friendly figure toward us within the “New” faction. We couldn’t afford to put too much pressure on her. If she were to be removed from power, there was no guarantee that the next leader of the “New” faction would be moderate. If someone like Vanka—rumored to be the power behind the radicals—were to become the new empress, it would be a nightmare.

“We’re conducting our own investigation as well. But with different nations and different races involved, it doesn’t go very smoothly. I’d appreciate it if you could uncover the truth as soon as possible.”

In truth, we were investigating. We’d interrogated prisoners we captured the other day (though, incidentally, we hadn’t taken any prisoners in this morning’s attack). But to be frank, the interrogations weren’t going well. It wasn’t that the prisoners were particularly tight-lipped. On the contrary, through persuasion tactics involving male prostitutes, they’d become quite talkative. …However, komusō elves were nothing more than expendable pawns. There was no way they’d been given any meaningful information.

“Here’s a basket full of potatoes. Go infiltrate Liseben and shoot arrows without arrowheads at the lord.” Apparently, that was all they’d been told before hiding near Carrera City. Attacking the ruler of another country for a single basket of elf potatoes… Those elves were unbelievable.

Even such slapdash assassins could launch attacks with eerily precise timing thanks to reconnaissance by crows and sparrows. That was the terrifying essence of elven tactics: advanced air–ground coordination.

“Of course.”

Dalaiya nodded repeatedly, but her complexion was nearly as bad as Bishop Fiorenza’s, who still hadn’t recovered from her seasickness. This woman really was pitiable, too. Being the leader of an organization where command and control were this dysfunctional was nothing but a losing draw. Suppressing a sigh, I surveyed our surroundings. A large number of onlookers had gathered around us. Elves, crow birdfolk, sparrow birdfolk, and even the unusual spider insectfolk (Arachne) were present. It was a parade of races rarely seen in the Kingdom of Galea.

What if one of the attackers was mixed in here?

Our surroundings were secured by marines and elf guards, but still… With so many attacks lately, I couldn’t help being on edge.

“That’s a man, ain’t it? A young man.”

“Why’s he wearin’ battle gear? Some kinda cross-dressin’ pervert?”

“What a freak. Disgustin’, that one…”

Contrary to my worries, the crowd was saying whatever they pleased. 

Who are you calling a cross-dressing pervert?! In this world, just wearing armor gets you labeled as cross-dressing, it’s seriously a problem. Margrave Suorahati had said it suited me nicely, you know…

“…There it is. That is the Senate of our New Elfenia Empire.”

While I was muttering complaints to myself, we had unknowingly reached the center of town. Where Dalaiya pointed stood a large pit dwelling. …Yes, just a large pit dwelling. That was the Senate… Well, my own lord’s manor wasn’t exactly much better, but still…

“We’ve prepared a reception as well. It’s a humble place, but I hope you’ll make yourselves comfortable.”

With an awkward smile, Dalaiya said so. She had been in this country long before Old Elfenia collapsed, after all. She was probably ashamed of her nation’s current state. …Ugh, she really was pitiful. I wanted to help her if I could, but… Hmmm…

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