In a World of Reversed Chastity, I Strive to Become an Honorable Male Knight, but Lustful Women Keep Targeting My Body - 336

Chapter 336: The Kukkoro Male Knight and the Convincing

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We did not have the luxury of wasting time on pointless misunderstandings. I hurriedly explained to Gilberto and the others exactly what had happened to me. Both Gilberto and Dalaiya remained skeptical of my explanation that “Nael is a rational person and someone well worth negotiating with,” but I suppose that couldn’t be helped. Drenched from head to toe in blood spray as she was, she looked every bit the part of a lethally dangerous monster.

Nael, for her part, kept tossing out violent “mantis jokes” at every opportunity, which only made the explanation more complicated. (Do you even understand the situation?!) I wanted to ask her, but she was likely doing it on purpose. This woman seemed to genuinely enjoy terrifying people.

“So, that is why I have formed a pact with Nael to have her cooperate with us on several matters.”

Beads of cold sweat formed on my forehead as I spoke passionately to the members of the Liseben army. I was desperate. I couldn’t stand any more trouble arising. I just wanted to get back to the main camp and end this crappy war right now.

“But… but is it really alright? To be honest, um… for me, it’s a bit… how should I put it…”

Gilberto protested in a terribly vague tone. Well, I understood what she wanted to say. Nael was, in fact, terrifyingly scary. The Bishop was still clinging to my waist, trembling like a leaf. I sighed as I gently patted her head.

“Mantis insectfolk are the natural enemy of every human species inhabiting this peninsula. Even for me, I find it hard to agree to join hands with this one… If we welcome such a sort into our camp, the soldiers might be eaten one by one as the nights go by.”

“That is a groundless fear, you know? Nael is a civilized human, so I do not eat humans when other food is available. There are too many small bones, making them difficult to eat. …It is a mantis joke, tee-hee.”

Seeing the blood drain from the faces of Gilberto and the others, Nael flashed a broad grin. She looked as though she were having a wonderful time.

“Also, you Elves do not need to worry particularly. Nael finds Elves physiologically revolting. I will not eat them unless there is absolutely no other choice. Elves are as repulsive to me as cockroaches. Like, totally gross?”

“Huh? If I get hungry enough, I can eat cockroaches just fine though…”

Dalaiya said with a deadpan look. Gilberto, who was sitting next to her, kicked her chair back as she stood up and distanced herself from the little hag. “Y-you eat… cockroaches!?” she stammered in utter disgust.

“See? Nael does not want to go out of her way to eat a creature that eats actual cockroaches.”

“I-it was a joke! An Elven joke! Elves do not eat cockroaches!”

I couldn’t help but let out a wry smile as Dalaiya shook her head violently from side to side. 

An Elven joke, huh? In terms of unreliability, that might even surpass a mantis joke.

“The topic of food culture is sensitive in many ways, so let’s let it slide for now. We don’t have time for such talk anyway…”

Well, speaking of eating bizarre things, I was in no position to laugh at an Elf myself. I decided to refrain from pressing the issue. If it got out that I ate weird things, Gilberto might never let me kiss her again. Just imagining a total rejection of a kiss was enough to cause significant mental damage. I found myself finally understanding a bit of how A-chan felt when she was so shocked in a similar situation. I might have done something terrible to her.

“Regardless, the top priority now is to force an end to the fighting. I heard that things are getting quite difficult out on the battlefield… right?”

“Y-yes, that’s right.”

Gilberto nodded as she tentatively returned to her seat. I had received a brief briefing from her earlier regarding the current state of the main camp.

“Sonia-sama is currently in command, but… It is such a chaotic melee. It seems the lines are so blurred between friend and foe that even delivering orders is a struggle.”

“We should have the advantage in numbers, but I guess it won’t be that simple.”

The coordination between the Elven and Ant-man soldiers was an extreme threat. They had the potential to overturn even a slight numerical advantage. …Actually, it was our fault for being composed almost entirely of Elven soldiers.

By combining various branches of the military, one covers the weaknesses of the other while enhancing their strengths. That was the basic principle of modern tactics. It was only natural that we, who were failing at this, would be at a tactical disadvantage.

“Yes. For the time being, the reinforcements I brought have joined the battle line, but the situation is so confused that they don’t seem to be achieving much of an effect.”

“A typical uphill battle… Well, it was to be expected.”

“If their morale were low, we might have a chance, but… Those enemy Elves haven’t lost their will to fight despite the situation. They are truly difficult opponents…”

“It is the nature of Elves to burn brighter the more we are cornered. We are stronger in a losing battle than a winning one…That is who we are.”

What a troublesome race. I let out a deep sigh. No wonder we couldn’t win easily…

“Actually, a birdman messenger brought word earlier that a portion of the Ant-men had defected to our side. However, since it’s from the front lines, the accuracy is low. Even if it were true, I wonder how much we can trust them.”

“A defection of the ants? I wonder if the mastermind is that young leader…”

“Probably. …Honestly, those ants. They just love stirring up trouble.”

Dalaiya glared at the sky with a resentful look. 

I think you’re just as bad, honestly.

“Hmm… Moving on, the threat level of a Mantis insectfolk is recognized by the Elves and the Ant-men alike, right?”

I asked while glancing toward Nael.

“Yes. Well, since the population of Mantis insectfolk plummeted following the eruption of Mt. Rana, the current generation of ants has likely never dealt with them directly… However, their terror should have been passed down through oral tradition.”

“I see.”

In that case… Obtaining Nael’s cooperation might be an unexpected windfall. If handled correctly, she should become a vital piece for the success of my plan.

“Nael, I need your strength to end this battle. I will provide food as promised, so I want you to help me.”

“My lord!”

Gilberto’s eyebrows shot up, but I silenced her with a hand. Even as we spoke, soldiers on both sides were dying. We didn’t have the luxury of a leisurely debate.

“Very well. As long as you continue to let me eat my fill. A give-and-take sort of thing? …Ah, of course, I will not ask for a sacrifice. Livestock meat is fine for my meals. I do not like potatoes either, but I will endure and eat them.”

Nael nodded with a smirk. Since her physique was incredibly massive, her food expenses would likely be extraordinary. Thinking about the cost of employing her made me want to clutch my head, but it couldn’t be helped. It was many times better than having her as an enemy. The question was how far she could be trusted… but despite her many violent remarks, considering what had happened since we met, Nael seemed to be a fairly rational person, just as she claimed. I could probably trust her well enough as a business partner.

“Thanks! Then, here is your first job. Can you take me back to the main camp?”

“Certainly. Now that my stomach is full, I am full of energy. A simple task like that is no problem at all.”

Nael nodded. Seeing this, Dalaiya’s eyebrows shot up.

“Do you intend to add that mantis to the battle line? The mantises are certainly strong, but I am quite worried about whether she can distinguish friend from foe…”

“How rude. I can do at least that much. I simply have to exterminate every Elf that catches my eye, right?”

“You can’t do it at all! You can’t distinguish friend from foe!”

“It was a joke. A mantis joke.”

Seeing Dalaiya’s indignation, Nael chuckled. she seemed to be in very high spirits. Since she had apparently been imprisoned for many years, was she starved for conversation with people?

“Don’t worry, I don’t plan on having Nael fight. …It’s no fun to keep increasing the number of dead pointlessly.”

I said that and then plastered a confident smile on my face. Inwardly, I did feel a bit of anxiety about my plan. However, to cleanly end this stupidly meaningless war, this was the only operation. I suppose I should do my best.

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