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 32 & 33

Chapter 32: To the Third Knight Order

After the final day ended, Nagi and I returned to the inn.

The inn where we’d spent time together now felt like a place filled with memories.

“I’m going back to the barracks.”

“Yes.”

Bathed in the light of the setting sun, Nagi’s face looked beautiful to me.

“Can I keep the shirt I borrowed from you?”

“Huh? Yeah, that’s fine.”

“Thank you. Then please take this instead.”

What Nagi handed me was a small cloth pouch with the word amulet written on it.

“What’s this?”

“It’s a charm. In oni tradition, it’s a spell for wishing someone’s safety. It means entrusting a part of yourself to the other person.”

“A part of yourself?”

“I-I put some of Nagi’s hair in it. And also some of Inazuma’s fur.”

“I see. Thank you. So that means I’ll be protected by you and the spirit. That’s reassuring.”

I accepted the charm and said my goodbyes to Nagi.

“Take care, Nagi.”

“Um!”

“Hm?”

“Before you go… could you pat my head one last time?”

“Yeah, of course.”

When I reached out, Nagi leaned her head forward.

She wasn’t the little Nagi from before.

Her hair was smooth and glossy, and I carefully avoided her horns as I gently patted her head.

She smiled, looking truly happy.

“Well then.”

“Yes! Hort, can I come see you again?”

“Yeah, of course. I’m still living in the kingdom. And between missions, I’ll probably work as an adventurer again too.”

“I’ll be waiting! Take care!”

“See ya!”

Nagi saw me off.

We parted with smiles—not with tears.

We both knew this was as far as we could go right now, and understanding that, we turned our backs.

I think Nagi has grown strong.

She has companions now.

She has a spirit by her side.

Even so, the feeling of her fingers grabbing my sleeve didn’t fade for a while.

The image of the younger Nagi made my heart ache with lingering affection.

Part of me still wanted to protect her, while another selfish part pushed me toward my own goal.

I returned to the barracks.

As I put on the clothes of a knight trainee, the air felt colder somehow.

This wasn’t the light gear of an adventurer.

The weight of the armor. The weight of the sword.

And the weight of responsibility.

My break was over.

I set my feelings aside and headed for the knight order.

♢

Separate from the notice about my knight trainee duties, I received a sealed order directly from the Marshal.

The corridor leading to the Marshal’s office felt heavier than last time.

The guards’ eyes were sharp.

It felt like even the shadows in the hallway were being watched.

Last time, I’d been desperate because of Commander Adelheid.

This time, I had no one backing me up.

In front of the door, I took a single deep breath.

I steeled myself.

Four knocks—then I waited for permission.

“Who is it?”

“Knight trainee, Hort Rubel.”

“Enter.”

“Yes, sir! Excuse me.”

The guards opened the door for me.

The pressure in the room was even sharper than before, prickling against my skin.

The smell of documents. The smell of iron. The smell of the battlefield.

The Marshal gave off an aura even more intimidating than Commander Adelheid.

Arms crossed behind the desk, he stared at me with burning red eyes.

The same room as before.

The same gaze.

…And yet, the atmosphere was completely different.

The air was heavy.

His eyes were testing me—asking if I was ready.

I dropped to one knee and offered a proper salute.

“Hort Rubel reporting.”

The Marshal spoke in a low voice.

“Hort Rubel. This time, I will acknowledge your work with the Second Knight Order.”

Warmth stirred faintly in my chest.

But with his next words, that warmth froze solid.

“Adelheid spoke very highly of you. I want you to prove that ability through an internal investigation of the Third Knight Order.”

There it was—the secret mission Commander Adelheid had mentioned.

Normally, the Marshal’s secretary would be present in this room.

But now, there was no one else here.

This was a top-secret mission, known only to a handful of people.

It meant I was being trusted—and tested.

“You’ve already solved issues involving the Second Knight Order. Because of that, the Third Knight Order has likely noticed you. It’s a dangerous place. Even so, will you carry this out?”

There was no way out.

More than that, this wasn’t just the Marshal’s order.

It was a chance Commander Adelheid had prepared for me.

A chance to be recognized as a knight.

And to marry the most beautiful woman in the kingdom.

If that woman turned out to be a princess, then I’d be stepping closer to the very peak of knighthood I aimed for.

I straightened my back.

“Yes, sir! As a knight, I will carry out my duty to the end.”

The Marshal gave a slight nod.

“Very well.”

Then he smiled—only with his mouth.

“If you complete this mission, I too will acknowledge you.”

After a short pause, he added, “…Adelheid as well.”

The Marshal muttered something too quietly to catch.

Just now—what did he say?

“Pardon? What was that?”

The Marshal waved his hand, clearly annoyed.

“Don’t worry about it. That was my own matter.”

…Of course I was going to worry about it.

The Marshal tapped the papers on his desk with a finger.

“Then I’ll explain your mission. There are three targets.”

He raised three fingers.

“Commander Snake.”

“Vice-Commander Daitaros.”

“Gate Guard Captain Uragar.”

I carved the names into my mind.

“What are these three doing behind the scenes? Contact with slave traders. Ties to the underground guild. The flow of money. Gather proof. But don’t go waving justice around. You’re a trainee. Infiltrate as a trainee.”

“Yes, sir!”

“I’ve arranged someone to assist you. Meet up with them.”

I bowed my head.

“Understood!”

The Marshal warned me in a low voice.

“Don’t forget this. Internal investigations are dirtier than battlefields. You can’t solve everything with a blade. The one whose heart breaks first is the one who loses.”

He tapped the desk twice.

“Go.”

“Yes, sir.”

I stood up and turned on my heel.

The door closed behind me.

The air in the hallway felt just a little lighter.

But inside my chest, it was heavy.

The Third Knight Order.

A place that had already become my enemy.

A nest of people who had attacked me out of resentment.

And now, I had to blend in there—smiling as a trainee.

If I let my guard down, I’d be swallowed whole.

But running away was not an option.

Commander Adelheid’s face came to mind. So did Nagi’s.

I wanted to be someone who wouldn’t shame them.

To the Third Knight Order.

What awaited me there wasn’t monsters.

It was humans—and human malice.

And I would face it wearing the face of a trainee knight.

Chapter 33: Women Who Fell into the Swamp (2)

Side: Nagi

I decided to make the room I had spent with big brother my base.

It was small. Narrow. A creaky inn room with wooden floors.

But I liked it.

Because it was the room where Nagi had slept and lived together with big brother.

The smell of the wind slipping through the gaps in the window, the color of the lamp that swayed at night—I remembered all of it.

The scent left on the cloth at the edge of the bed smelled faintly of sweat and soap, and mixed into it was big brother’s scent.

I leaned my face closer to the bed and breathed it in.

It was bad. I knew it was bad.

But even knowing that, Nagi couldn’t stop.

I couldn’t be held and sleep together anymore.

But big brother had been here.

My chest tightened.

Big brother had gone back to his work as a knight of this country.

So I decided to make this room my own place.

I would sleep here. I would breathe here. I would grow stronger here—and wait for big brother.

On the edge of the desk was big brother’s shirt.

I carefully folded it and hugged it close.

Even though it had been washed, Nagi could still feel him.

That made me happy.

And it hurt.

And it was embarrassing.

Beside me was Inazuma.

A little puppy of violet lightning.

Small. Warm. Crackling softly.

Curled up on Nagi’s chest, Inazuma slept peacefully.

I hugged Inazuma close and made a quiet promise.

Inazuma felt like a child of big brother and Nagi.

There was no blood connection.

But it still felt like we were connected through big brother.

He was the partner big brother had given to Nagi.

I would absolutely protect him.

In big brother’s place, Nagi would protect him.

If I could protect him, I felt like Nagi might become just a little more grown up.

♢

From the next day on, work as an adventurer began.

I stood at the front.

I drew my blade, steadied my breathing, and stopped the enemy.

The deep breathing big brother had taught me had become Nagi’s routine.

Uru acted as guard for the group.

With her big sword, she struck down anything that came too close and protected everyone.

Ramune used magic.

She stopped feet with water, disrupted vision with mist, and froze enemies in place.

Zina handled scouting.

She quietly watched ahead, sensed presences, and warned us of danger.

Everyone had a role.

Having roles made me feel at ease.

When Nagi traveled alone before, I had to do every role by myself.

Now, it was different.

My companions were at my back.

That was why I could stand at the front.

But still…

I couldn’t help myself.

After a fight, Nagi would glance to the side without thinking.

When I heard someone laugh, I would turn around.

When I heard footsteps, my chest would jump.

I thought big brother might be there.

Even though I knew he wouldn’t be, Nagi still thought it.

Uru laughed.

“Looking for him again, horned kid? Hort, I mean.”

“I’m not looking!”

I answered immediately.

It was a lie. Nagi was looking.

Ramune crept closer with a grin.

“Let’s talk about love! Nagi, what do you like about Mr. Hort?”

“Ramune is still a child. I won’t tell you.”

“Muu—! We’re the same age!”

Ramune was my friend.

But Nagi lied again.

Zina watched me with a quiet smile.

“You don’t have to hide it. Liking someone isn’t something to be ashamed of. I think he’s even more wonderful than you imagine.”

Those gentle words made my throat tighten.

My companions were something big brother had prepared for me too.

From the moment he spoke to Uru, he must have been thinking about making sure Nagi wouldn’t be alone.

That was why big brother was everywhere.

When I laughed. When I held my sword. When I steadied my breathing.

Big brother’s voice echoed inside my chest.

“Nagi, you’re doing great.” “Nagi, take a deep breath.” “Nagi, don’t push yourself.”

So that when big brother came back, I wouldn’t be embarrassed.

I had decided that.

And yet, my heart still grew lonely on its own.

♢

After finishing work, I was on my way back to my room from the guild notice board.

At the corner of the hallway, Nagi caught a scent I didn’t recognize.

A sweet smell. A floral smell. Elegant—yet cold.

I stopped.

Standing there was a woman.

Golden hair, like threads of light, wrapped in a high-class mage’s robe.

The embroidery was beautiful, and the fabric looked heavy.

Her eyes were blue—so cold they felt devoid of warmth.

I understood immediately.

This woman was strong.

And yet, from the very moment we met, Nagi felt I could never like her.

The woman looked at me and spoke.

“So you’re the oni-folk woman who was with Hort?”

Hort.

A woman calling big brother by his name.

That way of saying it stabbed straight into my chest.

I hugged Inazuma closer and, just as big brother had taught me, slowly breathed out before taking a deep breath.

Inazuma gave a small growl.

Crackle—sparks scattered lightly.

The woman noticed, and her expression shifted.

“Hm? So that’s a spirit. What is this—looks weak. Are you really bragging around with something like that?”

My heart went cold.

This woman… had mocked Inazuma—the one big brother had given me.

I rested my hand on my sword, reaching a quiet certainty.

This woman was surely the one big brother had loved.

The person who took advantage of his kindness and hurt him.

Nagi couldn’t understand why big brother had ever liked someone like this.

I didn’t know the details.

But I understood one thing clearly.

This woman herself was the wound buried deep in big brother’s heart.

I breathed.

I didn’t rush.

I didn’t run away.

Nagi stepped forward just one step and answered in a low voice.

“…I am Nagi of the Sumeragi oni clan. I shared food and lodging with Sir Hort.”

That wasn’t a lie.

The blonde woman twitched slightly, and the air seemed to grow colder.

In that instant, I knew for sure.

This woman would become Nagi’s enemy.

“I am Court Mage Rina Carhoi. Hort Rubel’s childhood friend—and the woman who knows everything about him.”

Mana visibly swelled around her.

“I see. And what business does such a woman have with Nagi?”

“…Where is Hort? I know you’re with him!”

“Fufu.”

Ah, I see.

This woman didn’t truly know big brother at all.

That realization brought relief.

She might be Nagi’s enemy—but she wasn’t someone fit to stand beside big brother.

“What’s so funny?”

“No, it has nothing to do with you. And there’s nothing I need to tell you.”

“Hah?! Don’t get full of yourself! Hort would do anything for me!! Someone like you—!”

So this was the person who hurt big brother.

Rina Carhoi’s voice was sharp—but it trembled somewhere underneath.

She was angry, yet she lacked composure.

She had strong mana, but her heart wasn’t steady.

Just like Nagi back when I lost control.

She called herself a court mage, yet she wasn’t even accompanied by a spirit.

Nagi stepped forward—just one step.

I didn’t draw my sword.

I didn’t let Inazuma growl.

I simply stood straight.

“…You talk about Sir Hort like he belongs to you.”

“Of course I do! We’re childhood friends! He’s always moved for my sake!”

The moment she said that, something settled neatly inside me.

Ah. This woman still didn’t understand anything.

I tilted my head slightly.

“That’s… only because Sir Hort is kind.”

“…Hah?”

“It wasn’t for you. He just couldn’t ignore someone who was in trouble.”

Rina’s face twisted.

“What are you saying—”

“Sir Hort reaches out to everyone the same way. To the weak. To those who are crying. Did you really think that made you special?”

My words were blades.

Because of a woman like this, big brother had been hurt.

Nagi couldn’t forgive that.

“That’s wrong… I was guiding him! In research, in magic!”

“I see. Then why is there no spirit by your side? Nagi had Sir Hort summon one for her.”

“…!!”

Rina’s face twisted—ugly, as if her earlier composure had been a lie.

The air trembled.

“Shut up! It’s because he was with me—!”

“With you… doing what?”

I looked straight at her.

“Could it be that you did spirit summoning research with Sir Hort—and still failed?”

“…That’s not true!”

I knew instantly.

It hit the mark.

Nagi continued, gently—yet cruelly.

“Spirits hate lies. They also hate being controlled.”

“…S-Shut up!”

“Sir Hort never thought of spirits as tools. He taught Nagi they are beings you live together with.”

Inazuma snapped, scattering a tiny spark.

It wasn’t bragging.

It was simply the truth.

“You’re someone who can’t face spirits properly.”

“…Shut up…”

Rina’s voice trembled—anger, loss of confidence, everything crumbling.

“That’s why… you weren’t chosen.”

“I… wasn’t chosen…?”

I nodded clearly.

“Yes. But that doesn’t mean Nagi stole him.”

“…!”

“You let him go yourself.”

Silence fell.

Rina bit her lip and looked down.

Her mana was no longer swelling.

“…Hort is—”

“Sir Hort looks happy now. Please don’t meet him again.”

With just those final words, I turned and walked away.

Nagi would absolutely make big brother happy.

That was the promise I made to myself.

――――――――――――――――――

[Afterword]

Hello, this is the author, Iko.

With this, Act 02: The Nagi Arc is complete.

We also managed to reach the 100,000-word mark required for the Kakuyomu contest!!!

This was all thanks to everyone’s support—thank you so much!

The heroines who’ve fallen deep into the swamp will continue to appear going forward.

I hope you have a favorite heroine to cheer for.

So what kind of story awaits in Act 03?

What kind of heroine will appear next?

And what will happen to Hort in the Third Knight Order?!

Please look forward to it!

Thank you as always for reading!!!

I hope you’ll continue to support the story.

Follows, ★ reviews, and ♡ likes are always welcome!

Reviews and comments seriously boost the author’s motivation, so please don’t hold back!

If you notice any typos or awkward wording, please let me know gently (´༎ຶོρ༎ຶོ`)