My Childhood Friend Told Me to Go Marry the Most Beautiful Woman in the Kingdom, So I Seriously Started Improving Myself—and Somehow Ended Up Making Women Fall Hard - Chapter 22 & 23

Chapter 22: Remembering My Sister’s Lesson

After Nagi fell asleep, some time passed……

I checked the girl’s breathing once more and quietly stared at her innocent sleeping face.

She had horns, yet her cheeks were still round, and her eyelashes were long.

While she slept, the presence of lightning was faint.

As I absentmindedly looked at the moon beyond the window, my sister’s words came back to me.

♢

The scent of black tea. Baked sweets.

A calm living room filled with gentle sunlight.

My sister set her cup down and put on her usual “lecture” expression.

“Hey, Hort.”

“…Yes, Sis.”

“You keep saying ‘the most beautiful woman in the kingdom,’ but do you even understand the basic premise?”

She raised her index finger.

“The basic premise?”

“Yes. This kingdom accepts many races.”

I blinked.

“…There are other races living here, yeah.”

“Exactly! Elves, dwarves, beastfolk, dragonkin, the smallfolk—and many more races live in this kingdom. And all of them have different religions and cultures.”

She took a sip of her tea and spoke as if it were obvious.

“Why are you suddenly talking about races, Sis?”

“Because it means this—the most beautiful woman in the kingdom doesn’t have to be human.”

“Oh! That’s what you mean!”

It only hit me after she said it.

She was right. I’d seen beastfolk and elves plenty of times in the city.

There were even non-humans living in the Rubel baron household.

“But then… is that really the most beautiful woman in the kingdom?”

“I don’t know.”

“You don’t know? But what if the most beautiful woman in the kingdom looked like an elf—someone with breathtaking beauty? If you want to become a man loved by a woman like that, then before looks or titles, there’s something you need to do first.”

“Something I need to do?”

My sister folded three fingers.

“Learn that race’s customs. Understand the other person. And don’t get the distance wrong—know how close you’re allowed to step in.”

Customs. Understanding. Sense of distance.

…This was getting complicated again.

“A man who can’t respect another person’s world will be hated by any race. Especially by races with strong pride.”

After meeting Nagi of the oni-folk, I’d heard the word customs.

It was a word that hadn’t really existed in my life.

No—there were laws and unspoken rules in the kingdom, sure. But we weren’t bound by ancient traditions.

Being handed only a sword and travel money and sent on a journey before adulthood.

Being required to bring back results from that journey.

A world I didn’t know.

If I treated it lightly, I’d probably be disliked instantly.

And more than that—my sister’s lesson wasn’t over yet.

“Second—be careful when dealing with younger women.”

“…Be careful with younger ones?”

“Yes. Just because she’s younger doesn’t mean you get to treat her like a child. And you should never look down on her just because she doesn’t know something. No matter the age, a woman is still a woman.”

Don’t treat them like kids. Don’t mock what they don’t know.

Her face wasn’t the usual gentle one.

For some reason, my sister looked unusually serious.

“No matter the age, never look down on women. If anything, their mental age is often higher than men’s. Treat them with the same respect you’d give someone older—that’s just right. But no matter how old they are, women still fall in love.”

“They fall in love at any age?”

“That’s right. So don’t always show them a soft, easygoing face.”

“Got it.”

The way I’d been gentle with Nagi…

If my sister saw that, she’d probably scold me.

Younger. A child. Doesn’t know things.

Protecting someone because they’re young and looking down on them because they’re young are only a step apart.

Even if a woman is young, her feelings tend to mature faster than a man’s.

That was what my sister firmly drilled into me.

“Third—and this is the one people misunderstand the most.”

My sister’s gaze locked straight onto my eyes.

“Women don’t like being touched by someone they dislike. They won’t reply properly, and their attitude turns cold.”

“Well, isn’t that the same for men?”

“No. Some women will still try to go along with things even if they dislike the person. But inside, they’re always looking for someone they can feel safe with. And especially—when it comes to someone they like, or someone they’re interested in, they won’t approach first. They wait to be approached.”

“Huh?”

I frowned.

“They wait? But if they like someone, shouldn’t they just go for it?”

“They won’t.”

My sister answered instantly.

“They can’t say it. Because if they approach first, it gives them away—it makes it obvious that they like you. And once that happens, they’re scared they’ll be treated carelessly.”

She tapped the table lightly with her fingertip.

“That’s why women try to make the man they like come talk to them instead. Because they want to be cherished. They don’t say ‘please take me.’ They say ‘please notice me.’”

Something pricked at my chest.

Was Rina like that too?

I’d paid close attention to her, tried hard to notice things, and done what she seemed to want before she even asked.

But looking back… maybe she’d taken all of it as natural.

My sister spoke gently at the end.

“So, Hort. Starting the conversation—that’s the man’s role. Touching—only within a distance the other person doesn’t dislike. If they dislike it, stop. If they’re waiting, then go to them properly. And after that, you share the burden together, becoming a relationship where you support each other and share warmth.”

She smiled and circled back to the lessons she’d taught me at the start.

“You can do it. You’re kind, after all. …Just don’t sell that kindness cheap. But a man who isn’t kind is no good either—a weak man who gives up just because women don’t come to him first. If she lets you get close, if she listens to you, then you need to notice that properly. Understand the other person, don’t be selfish, and become a man who has both strength and kindness.”

Understand the other person.
Don’t look down on someone just because they’re younger.
A woman is a woman, no matter her age.

If she has feelings for you, she’ll reply and allow closeness.

But don’t misunderstand.

Even toward someone she dislikes, she may still go along with the conversation.

Women wait for someone to notice them—because they want to be loved.

Just being kind isn’t enough.

Become a man with both strength and consideration.

…Thinking about it, it all felt extremely difficult. Almost unfairly hard.

♢

I looked at Nagi sleeping while clinging to me.

She was sleeping peacefully.

Her fingers gripping my sleeve were warm.

-Don’t treat her like a child just because she’s younger.

-Don’t take the oni-folk customs lightly.

-The fact that she’s touching me means she’s showing goodwill.

-But don’t misunderstand it.

-Stay close only within a range she doesn’t dislike.

Carefully, I tried stroking Nagi’s head.

Nagi rubbed her cheek against my hand, smiling happily in her sleep.

Taking action, starting the conversation—that’s on me.

That, too, was respect.

I quietly let out a breath.

“…Nagi.”

I called her name softly so I wouldn’t wake her.

There was no reply.

But beyond that sleeping face, I felt like I could see the exhaustion and pain from her journey.

I wanted to make a place where this girl could breathe in peace while she was in the kingdom.

♢

Morning came with the sound of birds.

Footsteps echoed through the inn’s hallway. The smell of hot water lingered in the air.

Nagi’s complexion looked a little better than yesterday.

I woke up first and did some quick preparations.

The clothes I’d taken off were still half-dry, so I used the Heat spell to dry them.

After washing my face and going to get breakfast, I came back to find Nagi already awake.

“G-Good morning, big brother.”

Her hair was sticking up from bedhead, and she greeted me shyly.

“Morning. Did you sleep well?”

“Yes!”

She smiled brightly—full of energy and really cute.

“Let’s eat breakfast. Today, we’re going to the guild. We’ll register you as an adventurer.”

“…Adventurer registration?”

“Yeah. So you can make a living as an adventurer.”

Nagi’s eyes wavered.

“Can Nagi do that too?”

“You can. This kingdom accepts all kinds of people. I’ll make sure you can.”

I said it without hesitation.

Nagi took a happy deep breath, and the tips of her horns gave off a faint glow.

After finishing our preparations, we left the inn and headed for the Adventurers’ Guild.

♢

The guild was noisy from early morning.

Voices picking out requests. Laughter. The scrape of metal. Adventurers stood in front of the request board. The smell of alcohol. The smell of sweat.

Nagi took one step and hid behind me.

I could feel the stares.

Oni horns. Dark skin.

She was rare.

That was why people looked.

I headed to the counter and asked for the paperwork.

“Yes. Registration complete.”

“Here—this is Nagi’s ID.”

“…I made big brother spend money again.”

“Don’t worry about it. Just work and pay it back.”

“Yes!”

Once you’re registered as an adventurer, you get an ID—and access to jobs.

“…Hey.”

A low voice jabbed in from the side.

I turned to see a beastwoman standing there with her arms crossed.

A sturdy build.
Her ears twitched. Sharp eyes.

She smelled like a fighter.

She was the woman who’d been talking to a kid near the request board earlier.

There were two people behind her.

A small girl in a robe, hugging a staff.

And beside her, an elf woman with long ears, wearing a gentle smile.

The beastwoman looked at Nagi—then glared at me.

“Hey. What are you planning to do with that kid?”

“What am I planning to do?”

The noise in the guild seemed to quiet just a little.

Nagi grabbed my sleeve.

I let out one breath and answered straight.

“She’s my party member.”

The words came out without hesitation—more than I expected.

The beastwoman’s eyebrows rose.

“Heh. Party members, huh? Is that really true? Lately, demi-human children have been getting kidnapped around here.”

A suspicious look.

The word kidnapped felt strange in my ears.

The streets of the kingdom were supposed to be guarded by the Third Knight Order.

“You’re free to doubt me. But I’m not doing anything shady. …I’m just registering Nagi as an adventurer and teaching her.”

“Registering and teaching?”

“Yeah. I plan to help her make a living as an adventurer. If you’re still unsure, you can take a request with us and keep an eye on me.”

At my offer, the beastwoman frowned slightly.

But the robed girl behind her suddenly looked up, and the elf woman spoke in a calm voice.

“Your words don’t sound like a lie. But… what about the child’s own will?”

At the elf woman’s question, I hesitated for just a moment—and looked at Nagi.

Nagi was trembling slightly behind me.

But her eyes weren’t looking away.

She looked at me, then stepped forward, puffing out her small chest.

“…Nagi will become an adventurer. Please don’t bully big brother!”

Her voice was still small.

But she said it clearly.

The beastwoman smiled just a little at the corner of her mouth.

“Alright. But first, show us some proof we can trust. How about we take a request together?”

“Sure. I don’t mind.”

Her tone wasn’t suspicious anymore.

It had changed into one that was testing me.

The women in front of me had probably spoken up because they were worried about Nagi.

“Alright.”

Beside me, Nagi tightened her grip on my sleeve just a little.

“Big brother…”

“It’s okay.”

Things had taken an unexpected turn, but somehow, I felt like I could understand how these women adventurers felt.

Chapter 23: Women Who Fell into the Swamp (1)

Since Hort was transferred… the Second Knight Order commander’s office had remained perfectly clean.

The desk was in order. The floor was spotless. The documents were neatly stored on the shelves.

…And yet.

Every morning, the moment I opened the door, I found myself holding my breath for just a split second.

The usual hell was gone.

But so was the person who had always been there—so naturally, so normally.

I took my seat. Straightened my back. Gripped my pen.

Even today, the stack of paperwork assigned to me alone would be finished by noon.

At this point, even I could understand it.

This was the system he had put together.

And it was still running.

The knights of the Second Order were helping, yes.

But at the center of it all—there had definitely been Hort.

Without me saying a word, Hort would sort the documents by priority, mark them in red, and make only the parts that needed approval stand out.

Then, with a completely casual face, he would brew tea and quietly place it at the edge of my desk.

That steam. That scent. That thoughtfulness.

…It was gone.

I reached for the tea tin myself—and stopped halfway.

It would turn bitter.

I knew it.

I was bad at making tea.

I knew that—and yet, I still wanted to touch it.

That realization frustrated me more than anything.

♢

Noon.

The knights’ dining hall was lively.

The atmosphere in the Second Knight Order was far better than before.

There were voices. There was laughter.

A sense of unity—of being the kingdom’s shield—had begun to grow.

…And yet, the seat next to mine was empty.

If Hort were here, he would sit down quietly, carry the plates, say nothing unnecessary, and neatly cut the meat I couldn’t bite through.

And even at my stupid little remarks, he would react properly—smiling along.

If I tried to give him my vegetables, he’d say, “No thanks! Commander, honestly!” and toss back some light joke.

He would laugh everything off—and end it there.

He never closed the distance too much. 

Never spoiled me. Never pushed his kindness onto me.

And yet, it was warm.

He did something that delicate so naturally.

Training was the same.

Hort would cling on with a near-death look, get knocked to the ground, and still stand back up.

Eyes that never gave up. Eyes that never ran away.

Every time I saw those eyes, I found myself happily raising my sword.

…Had I become weaker?

♢

When I returned from the commanders’ meeting… apparently, Hort had stopped by the Second Knight Order.

Apparently. That word alone irritated me.

Why didn’t he come see me?

Inside the royal castle, nobles twisted words, dodged responsibility, and smiled while throwing mud at each other.

I sat there as a commander and endured it all in silence.

At the very least, he could’ve said “good work.”

By the time I returned to headquarters, Hort was already gone.

I was told by Bind that Hort had come by and reported being attacked by a knight from the Third Order.

He was currently working as an adventurer, sharpening his own skills.

If that was the case, he could’ve come see me—and trained here too…

After he finished his business and left, what remained were the strangely bright faces of the knights, and an atmosphere that felt like lingering warmth.

He wasn’t just valued by me.

Hort was acknowledged by the Second Knight Order as a whole.

Vice-Commander Bind brought me a report.

“Commander. Hort stopped by.”

“…I see.”

My voice dropped lower.

I was aware of it.

Jealousy. I hadn’t seen him—yet Bind had.

“What did you talk about?”

“It seems the Third Knight Order is in some disorder. And we talked a bit about his adventurer work.”

“…Adventurer.”

Something creaked deep in my chest.

A Hort I didn’t know.

A Hort who fought, got hurt, smiled, and came back—somewhere I wasn’t.

…It irritated me.

Why wasn’t he by my side?

“…You’re lucky, Vice-Commander.”

“Huh?”

Bind’s eyes went wide.

Seeing that big man make that face, I immediately realized my mistake.

My mouth had slipped.

Not something a commander should say.

But it was too late.

Bind cleared his throat and deliberately looked away.

“…Commander, he’s still a trainee. Of course he comes and goes.”

“I know.”

I knew that—and yet, it still annoyed me.

Why? Why was I thinking about Hort this much?

I looked at documents—and remembered him.
I saw tea—and remembered him.
I looked at the dining hall—and remembered him.

Even while swinging my sword at the training grounds, I remembered him.

Sometimes, behind someone calling out “Commander,” I felt like I could hear his reply mixed in.

It was just my imagination. I knew that.

I shook my head, trying to shake it off.

I am a commander.

Don’t be swayed by emotions. Don’t expect anything.

That’s what I’d always told myself.

And yet—I kept expecting.

When would I see him again?

And when I did… what would I say?

“Good work”? “Come back”?

…No. The truth was far more childish.

Don’t go. Don’t leave me behind.
Stay by my side—

…How stupid.

There was no way I could ever say something like that.

Bind opened his mouth again, his expression a little more serious this time.

“Commander. I have a report.”

“Speak.”

I switched my voice.

The commander’s voice.

“The Third Knight Order’s movements are… strange.”

Something inside my chest turned cold.

They weren’t the kind of people who could simply swallow the humiliation they’d suffered at the training grounds.

“Be specific.”

“There are rumors they’ve been in contact with the underground guild and slave traders. We don’t have solid proof yet, but there’s a chance dirty money is moving behind the scenes.”

Dirty money. Slave traders. Underground guild.

A string of unpleasant words.

Hort’s face floated up in my mind.

He’d said he was working as an adventurer.
He’d said he was fighting monsters outside the capital.

A bad feeling crawled up my back.

“…Bind.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Gather information. Get proof.”

“Understood.”

I stood up and put on my armor.

Its weight was meant to protect.

And yet—it was also the weight of having been protected.

I clenched my fist.

Hort.

Are you carrying something again, somewhere I don’t know about?

…I won’t allow that.

I am the commander of the knight order.

And I will never lose you.