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 26 & 27

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Chapter 26: A Secret Order

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By the time we left the wetland, the sun had already begun to sink toward the horizon.

Behind Nagi walked Inazuma.
The puppy of violet lightning followed closely at her heels.

Fee swam circles around Ramune, occasionally dropping a single water droplet—only to be quietly scolded with a whispered,

 

“Hey, cut it out!”

 

…The way both girls moved together with their spirits felt calm and natural.
They had formed exactly the kind of partnership you wanted to see.

As we walked, I spoke up.

 

“You both did great.”

“…Yes.”

“We did it!”

 

Nagi looked embarrassed, while Ramune puffed out her chest and nodded proudly.

Uru snorted.

 

“Nice! Seeing that makes me happy too. This calls for a celebration. Hort, sorry for doubting you earlier. Tonight’s on me—let me treat everyone.”

“If you understand now, that’s enough for me.”

 

At first, Uru had looked suspicious, clearly doubting me.
But now she wore a friendly smile, laughing cheerfully as we walked back.

It seemed she was genuinely happy that Ramune’s worries about magic had finally been cleared up.

 

“Tonight, we drink!”

“Uru is always drinking!”

“Hah! When you grow up, you start to understand how good alcohol tastes. Right, Zina?”

“That’s true.”

 

With the job finished, Uru and Zina relaxed completely, smiles naturally spreading across their faces as the pleasant after-work mood settled in.

 

“Big brother.”

“Hm?”

“Thank you. Truly.”

“I only taught you what I already knew.”

“That’s not it.”

“Not it?”

 

The three walking ahead quietly watched as Nagi spoke to me.

 

“Nagi traveled through many places. Along the way, I saw scary things, unpleasant things… things about people I never wanted to know.”

 

Nagi grabbed my sleeve tightly.

 

“But big brother risked his life to save Nagi, even though you didn’t know me. You helped me with what I was struggling with. What should Nagi give back? How should I repay this kindness…?”

 

Happiness, anxiety, and gratitude.
All of those feelings must have been swirling inside her.

 

“There’s no need to rush. When you’ve grown into a proper adult—if I’m ever in trouble, help me then.”

“If big brother is in trouble?”

“Yeah. And even if that never happens, and you never get the chance to repay me, that’s fine too. One day, when you want to help someone else, help them. Think of that as repaying me. If what I did leads to someone else being saved, that’s enough for me.”

 

I knew I was sounding a bit cool saying all that.
But there really wasn’t much I could do for Nagi.

So during this short break I had, I wanted to pass on everything I could—while I still had the chance.

 

“When we get back to the royal capital, let’s eat something warm.”

“Yes!”

 

That weak, anxious look she had until yesterday was gone.
No—she still had worries. But now, her eyes held a clear sense of will.

 

“But—”

 

Nagi started to speak, then stopped.

My sister’s lesson came back to me.
—Don’t give too much.

But today was different.
Today was a day of results.
The day she was chosen by a spirit.

I wanted to celebrate that properly.

 

“Hey, let’s get going already.”

“Sounds good. Celebrations matter.”

“Yeah! I’m starving!”

 

Uru, Zina, and Ramune spoke up as if they hadn’t heard Nagi at all.

They were good people.

The mood grew lighter.
And I realized—I liked that lightness.

 

♢

 

We reached the main road leading back to the royal capital.
The gate was visible ahead.

Foot traffic increased, and the voices of merchants drifted over from a distance.

…But unlike yesterday, the air felt wrong.

Just before the gate, to the side of the road, armored figures stood clustered together.

A neat formation. Matching cloaks.

The Third Knight Order.

There were six of them.

They were clearly standing there to block the road.

Uru clicked her tongue.

 

“…Why are knights here?”

 

Zina narrowed her eyes.

 

“This feels suspicious.”

 

Nagi’s fingers trembled as she clutched my sleeve.

Inazuma let out a low growl.
Sparks snapped in the air.

Ramune whispered softly.

 

“…I’ve got a bad feeling…”

 

I took one breath and stepped forward.

In front of Nagi. In front of Uru and Zina.

Positioning myself as a wall.

One of the Third Order knights stepped out, looking us over with a smug grin.

 

“Halt. We’re conducting an inspection.”

 

Inspection. That single word told me enough.
Harassment dressed up as official procedure.

 

“May I ask what this is about? We’re adventurers.”

“You’re traveling with a demi-human girl.”

 

His gaze dropped to Nagi’s horns.

 

“Oni-folk. Travel clothes. That’s her, right? She’s suspected of being a runaway slave.”

 

The moment he said it outright, Uru’s fur bristled.

 

“A slave? Suspected? And that’s enough to surround us?”

“Silence. You adventurer trash.”

 

The man flicked a glance at Uru, then let his eyes crawl over Zina.

Elves were beautiful by nature—and men like him clearly found that appealing.

 

“You’re all guilty too. Hiding a runaway slave is a serious crime.”

 

Zina’s eyes turned cold.

 

“Where’s your proof?”

“We’re about to confirm it. If she’s a slave, there should be a slave mark carved into her back. Hey—strip the girl.”

 

The man reached out toward Nagi.

Nagi gasped.

Inazuma crackled, sparks snapping through the air.

I stopped the man’s hand with nothing but my gaze.

 

“She doesn’t have a slave mark.”

“…Huh?”

 

The air around the Third Knight Order sharpened.

The man’s grin vanished.

 

“What’s that? You already stripped the brat naked? You’re sick.”

 

The knight laughed, clearly mocking me.

 

“…”

“Even if you saw it, I haven’t. No way I’m trusting that. And why are you protecting a demi-human anyway?”

“Because she’s our companion.”

“Companion? Don’t make me laugh. You dare defy a royal knight’s order?”

“This isn’t an order. It’s harassment, right? Surrounding us on suspicion alone and trying to take her by force—that’s not security. That’s kidnapping.”

 

The knights around him reached for their swords.

Uru stepped forward.

 

“Stop right there. If you’re drawing blades, so am I.”

 

Zina’s fingers settled on her bowstring.

 

“This is a public road. There are plenty of witnesses.”

 

Ramune trembled, but she tightened her grip on her staff.

 

“Nagi is… Nagi is our friend…!”

 

The Third Order knight spat on the ground.

 

“No more talk. Hand her over. Or else—”

 

Steel slid free from its sheath.

The air felt like it was about to tear.
The smell of blood crept closer.

I made my decision.

 

“You’re not backing down?”

 

The man had just started to speak—

Heavy footsteps struck the stone road.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

Steady. Unshaken. Perfectly measured.

A cloak I had grown used to seeing until just recently.

The air around the Third Knight Order froze in an instant.

Someone straightened their back.
Someone else swallowed hard.

The owner of those footsteps appeared from the direction of the gate.

Pale silver armor. Crimson hair. Red eyes.

That overwhelming pressure—I’d felt it before.

Commander of the Second Knight Order: Adelheid von Graetz.

Just her walking toward us was enough to change the atmosphere.

The Third Order knight hurriedly snapped to attention.

 

“S-Second Knight Commander…!”

 

Adelheid didn’t return the salute.

She only looked at him with those red eyes.

That alone made his throat bob.

 

“Why is the Third Knight Order gathered in front of the gate?”

 

A low voice. Sharp, like a blade.

The man rushed to explain.

 

“We are investigating someone suspected of being a runaway slave!”

“Suspected?”

 

Adelheid stepped closer.

The man took half a step back.

 

“Where is your evidence?”

“We were about to confirm—”

“You surrounded them before confirming?”

 

Her voice grew even colder.

I knew it well.
That sword-like beauty.
And the strength behind it.

The Third Order knight bit his lip.

 

“…It’s for the safety of the royal capital!”

“Safety?”

 

Adelheid glanced at me—just for a moment.

Our eyes met.

My chest made a strange sound.

Then her gaze returned to him.

 

“That demi-human girl is already registered with the Adventurers’ Guild. I’ve received the report.”

 

The Third Knight Order man froze.

A report? From who?

I glanced at Vice-Commander Bind.

The bald, towering vice-commander stood there, his mere presence pressing down on the Third Knight Order.

The shield of the Second Knight Order had already moved.

 

“Declaring an oni-folk girl who is properly registered as an adventurer to be a slave and trying to take her by force. Since when did the Third Knight Order become helpers to slave traders?”

 

The man’s face drained of color.

 

“T-That’s not true! This is—”

“Excuses are unnecessary.”

 

Adelheid rested her hand on her sword.

She didn’t draw it.
She didn’t need to.

 

“Disperse. If you don’t, I will cut you down under my authority as commander—for disgrace unbecoming of knights. Consider this your warning. The same applies if you ever approach her again.”

“…!”

“Now.”

 

The Third Knight Order knights awkwardly stepped back.

The man clenched his teeth and shot me one last glare.

But under Adelheid’s gaze, he said nothing and retreated.

The air returned to the road.

Cheers rose from merchants and adventurers who had been waiting to enter the city.

 

“…That was close.”

 

At Uru’s words, Zina smiled faintly.

 

“Yes. What a wonderful commander.”

 

Nagi clung to my sleeve, her voice trembling.

 

“…Big brother…”

“It’s okay.”

 

I answered simply.

Then I turned to face Commander Adelheid.

There was only one thing I needed to say.

 

“…Commander Adelheid, thank you.”

“Hort.”

 

She called my name.

Commander Adelheid looked at me with her red eyes and spoke.

 

“What is that girl to you?”

“…Huh?”

“I asked what she is to you.”

 

She crossed her arms, lifting her generous chest slightly, and questioned me in a commanding tone.

 

“…Um, she’s my fellow adventurer. I helped her when she was in trouble.”

“You really never change… sigh. If you want to get stronger, you should just come to the Second Knight Order’s training grounds. I’ll train you myself.”

“I can’t do that. Until I’ve gone through all the knight orders, I can’t rely on just one.”

“Tch! That’s exactly the problem with you.”

 

Commander Adelheid looked annoyed—but also a little exasperated.

It had only been a short time, but the fact that we could trade words like this made me oddly happy.

It meant we’d grown close enough.

 

“But why are you here?”

 

At my question, Commander Adelheid puffed out her cheeks, then let out a breath.

 

“Come with me. I’ll explain.”

 

As I turned to follow her, someone tugged on my sleeve.

 

“Big brother.”

“Nagi, wait here for a moment.”

“But—!”

“It’s okay. She’s a kind person.”

 

I gently released Nagi’s hand and followed after the commander.

 

“W-What?! W-Who are you calling kind?!”

“You are, Commander. Obviously.”

“W-What—! That’s enough out of you. Anyway—listen. The Third Knight Order is currently under internal investigation. The Marshal has approved it.”

“The Marshal?”

“Yes. A report came in that the Third Knight Order had gathered in front of the gate.”

 

So things like this had already started moving inside the military, without me even knowing.

 

“And because of that, you’ve been given a secret order as well.”

“Eh? A secret order?”

“Yes. There’s a possibility the Third Knight Order is targeting you.”

“I’m being targeted?”

“You have some idea why, don’t you?”

 

The image of the Third Order knight who attacked me flashed through my mind.

 

“Yes. I do.”

“Good. Then by order of the Marshal, you are to take advantage of that. You’ll infiltrate the Third Knight Order as a trainee and assist with the internal investigation. This is a top-secret mission—known only to part of the Second Knight Order and the Marshal himself.”

 

I swallowed hard at Commander Adelheid’s words.

 

“You have three days of leave left. After that, you will report to the Third Knight Order as a trainee.”

 

Should I take this as the Graetz family placing their expectations on me?

 

“Understood. Knight trainee Hort Rubel acknowledges and accepts the secret order.”

“Good. I don’t know why the Marshal favors you so much, but I was told to pass on that he has high expectations.”

“Thank you.”

 

As I finished giving my thanks, Commander Adelheid turned to leave—then paused and looked back.

 

“Hort, I’m expecting a lot from you too. And make sure you come back safely—and join the Second Knight Order.”

“…Thank you. But I can’t promise that.”

“Hmph. You’re a sly one. Just make sure you stay alive. And keep yourself from chatting up women.”

“Eh?”

“Hmph. That’s all.”

 

With that, Commander Adelheid turned on her heel and walked away.

 

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Chapter 27: Even If She’s Younger, She’s Still a Woman

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Thanks to Commander Adelheid, the Third Knight Order dispersed, and we were finally able to enter the city.

At the tavern next to the Adventurers’ Guild, Uru pulled out a chair and raised her voice cheerfully.

 

“Alright, tonight we drink. That mess earlier really got on my nerves, and I’m starving too. Order whatever you like.”

 

Dishes were soon set out on the wooden table. Plates piled high with vegetables, grilled meat, black bread, and soup.

It was the same kind of dinner we always had—but today, everything looked just a little warmer, a little more lavish.

Nagi had Inazuma sitting on her lap, glancing around restlessly.
The lightning puppy seemed completely attached to her now, wagging its tail protectively as it enjoyed being petted by its owner.

 

“Nagi, make sure you eat properly. You used a lot of mana today—you must be tired.”

“…Yes.”

 

Nagi answered obediently, but her expression still looked a little troubled.

Beside her, Ramune chatted with Fee while happily sipping her soup.

 

“Eating together with a spirit is fun!”

 

Zina smiled quietly at the scene and took a sip of her wine.

The meal passed peacefully.
No one brought up the incident with the knight order again.

It was an unspoken courtesy.

After we finished eating, Uru stretched widely.

 

“I’m calling it a night. I’m beat.”

“Yeah, let’s call it a day.”

“Hey, Hort.”

 

Just as we stepped out of the Adventurers’ Guild, Uru called out to me.

 

“What’s up?”

“If you’re free, want to go adventuring together again tomorrow?”

“You’re still suspicious of me?”

“No! That’s not it. Well… I am a bit worried about Nagi, sure. But honestly, I’ve taken a liking to you. I already got the okay from Ramune and Zina. So what do you say—five of us?”

 

It was a welcome offer.

I already felt that they were people I could trust, in my own way.
Spending the remaining three days of my leave with them didn’t sound bad at all.

 

“Nagi, are you okay with that?”

“I’ll leave it to big brother.”

“I see. Then, Uru—please take care of us.”

“Yeah! Leave it to me!”

 

Uru reached out for a handshake, looking a little embarrassed, so I took her hand.

 

“Uru, I trust you all.”

“W-What?! What’s with that all of a sudden? Don’t look me straight in the eyes when you say stuff like that—it’s embarrassing!”

 

As Uru flushed and looked away awkwardly, I smiled and said my goodbyes.

 

♢

 

We returned to the same room as yesterday—me and Nagi sharing it.

A single, simple bed.

After wiping ourselves down and cleaning up, I put out the light.
Moonlight streamed in through the window.

 

“Let’s sleep soon.”

“…Yes.”

 

Nagi slipped under the blanket, but she didn’t close her eyes. She stared up at the ceiling, and silence lingered for a while.

Inazuma, sleeping on the floor, let out a small snort.

 

“…Big brother.”

“Hm?”

 

Nagi clenched her fingers as if hesitating, then quietly asked,

 

“Big brother… do you like women like that?”

“…Huh?”

 

For a moment, I didn’t understand who she meant.

Silver armor. Sharp eyes. The woman who had taken control of the scene at the gate.

 

“…Commander Adelheid?”

“…Yes. She looked very strong, very strict… and her chest was very big.”

 

Nagi hugged her small body, clearly comparing herself to the commander.

Her body was slender—far from what anyone would call well-endowed.

 

“She’s strong, beautiful, important… and she helped Nagi.”

“…Yeah.”

 

While searching for an answer, I looked up at the ceiling.

Commander Adelheid’s image surfaced in my mind.
The pressure she carried as a knight commander. Her decisive judgment. Her reliability.

Just her presence sharpened the air around her.

If she hadn’t shown up… I wasn’t sure I could’ve protected Nagi.

 

“She’s someone I respect.”

“…Respect?”

 

Nagi, who had been staring at the ceiling, turned to look at me.

 

“Yeah. Because people like her exist, the city stays protected.”

“…So it’s not the same as liking her?”

“Liking?”

 

It was a straight, honest question.

Just like my sister had said—even if she looked young, Nagi was a woman.
And she was curious about love.

 

“That’s a bit hard to answer.”

“Hard…?”

“Yeah.”

 

Somewhere along the way, the feeling called liking had become delicate and complicated for me.

Rina’s face came to mind.

I had devoted my entire life to her. It was a feeling too deep to be explained with just the word like.

I believed I had loved her.

But Rina didn’t choose me. And I had learned what she truly felt toward me.

That was why I wanted to choose, with my own will, the person I could call the most beautiful woman in the kingdom.

 

“The kind of person I like is… let me think.”

 

I paused, choosing my words carefully.

 

“Someone who has her own will—and who can support each other, side by side.”

“…Supporting each other…”

 

Nagi’s voice trembled just a little.

 

“Ramune, Uru, Zina too. And today’s Nagi as well—you were all moving forward. That looked dazzling. Truly wonderful.”

“…”

“That’s the kind of person I like.”

 

It wasn’t a confession of love. But it wasn’t a lie either.

Nagi gripped her blanket and stayed quiet for a while.

Then, softly, she let out a small breath.

 

“…I’m glad.”

“Hm?”

“Nagi will support big brother! Nagi will get strong too—and become bon-kyu-bon!”

“Bon-kyu-bon… where did you even learn that?”

“Ms. Uru said it while drinking. She said big brother and that lady knight might be lovers. That you’d been taken down by her bon-kyu-bon.”

 

Uru… stop teaching her weird things. Give back the trust I placed in you.

Inazuma crackled softly, a tiny spark popping.

 

“Uh… forget words like that.”

“I won’t forget! I don’t want big brother to go anywhere!”

“I can’t spoil you forever.”

“You don’t have to spoil me. Just stay by my side.”

 

The time I could stay close to her worries was short.

Thinking that, I turned the light off completely.

 

“Good night, Nagi.”

“…Good night.”

 

Under the moonlight, Nagi’s breathing slowly grew steady.

There isn’t only one form of strength.

And Nagi—who fell asleep clinging to me—must have felt safe, because she soon began breathing softly and peacefully.

 

♢

 

When I woke up, an unfamiliar woman was clinging to me.

 

“Huh?”

“Mmm… what’s wrong, big brother?”

 

Long black hair. A slender, beautiful figure.

Her chest rose clearly as she breathed.

The woman rubbed her eyes—and called me big brother.

 

“W-Wait… Nagi?”

“What are you saying?”

“No—look at yourself for a second!”

 

Nagi looked down at her own body.

 

“My chest is big!”

“That’s what you’re focusing on?!”

 

I scooped up a water bucket and used its surface like a mirror, showing her reflection.

 

“…Mom?”

“Huh?”

“She looks just like my mom.”

“Uh… this is definitely you, Nagi, right?”

“Yes. But… what happened to me?”

 

I had no idea what was going on.

All I knew was that, somehow, an unbelievably beautiful woman was standing right in front of me.