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 84 & 85

Chapter 84: Aftermath

Side: Hort Rubel

When I opened my eyes, a familiar ceiling came into view.

The temporary ward we had built in the slums.

I had passed through here countless times during Fifth Unit patrols.

“Where… am I?”

“Big brother Hort!”

“Huh?”

The moment I spoke, an adorable face filled my vision.

“Fururu?”

“Yes!”

“Why are you here?”

“I’m taking care of my big brother!”

“Taking care of me?”

Memories of the final battle across the capital came flooding back.

I had unleashed the Holy Cross against Daitaros.

It hadn’t been enough to finish him.

Then I got punched.

After that—

Nothing.

“Fururu… um, why are you here? And how did I end up here? Do you know?”

“I know! I’ll tell you!”

“Yeah. Please.”

Fururu puffed out her chest proudly. Before she began, she handed me a cup of water.

How long had I been asleep?

As the water soothed my throat, I remembered how dry it had felt during the battle.

Once I settled back, Fururu sat on the edge of the bed, gripping the blanket with her small hands.

“Are you okay now?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. Can you tell me what happened?”

“Yes!”

Glancing around, I realized this was one of the private rooms we reserved for severely injured patients or those with infectious diseases.

…Was I really that badly hurt?

“The large demon, Daitaros, was defeated by Commander Adelheid von Graetz of the Second Knight Order.”

“…Commander Adelheid.”

Before I lost consciousness, I thought I saw her back.

If it was her, then she would have finished it.

Even knowing that, something in my chest felt faintly warm.

“Lady Adelheid was really angry. It was because big brother got punched and fell down.”

“…You saw that? That’s embarrassing.”

“It’s not embarrassing! You looked so cool fighting that scary demon!”

“Haha… thanks.”

Fururu’s eyes were sparkling. She genuinely believed what she was saying.

“When I got there, big brother was shining with light and making the demons suffer!”

“…I couldn’t defeat him. But if I managed to help the Knight Order, that’s enough.”

When I gave a wry smile, she squeezed my hand tightly.

“Big brother is amazing! You saved me!”

“I saved you?”

“Yes!”

Fururu stood up and took off her jacket.

Underneath—

She was wearing the bra I had developed for Commander Adelheid.

“W-Wait! Fururu!”

“I want you to see! It used to hurt. It used to be embarrassing! But the bra you made saved me!”

Fururu, younger than me, already had a well-developed chest. The bra supported her properly, shaping it beautifully.

“It doesn’t hurt when I work anymore! I’m not embarrassed to stand up straight! I’m happy you made this bra! And I’m happy I can see women smiling because of it! I’m proud! That’s why big brother is cool!”

She poured out her feelings in one breath. It was embarrassing—but more than that, I could feel how sincere she was.

“T-Thanks. But girls shouldn’t stand around in their underwear in front of guys! Put your clothes back on, okay?”

“Y-Yes!”

She must have realized her situation, because she suddenly turned bright red and hurried to put her jacket back on.

I never expected her to praise me like that. It made me strangely shy.

“Thank you. I understand how you feel now. I was feeling a little pathetic… but I’m glad what I did could help you, Fururu.”

For a moment, both of us ended up blushing.

“Ah, um! I’ll continue the story!”

“Yeah, please.”

“Bg brother got hurt and lost consciousness. Then Sister Natasha treated you.”

“Natasha…”

The faint warmth that had wrapped around my body slowly returned to my memory.

“And then Adventurer Nagi gave you a high-grade recovery potion!!”

I see… that must be why the pain isn’t so bad.

Healing magic alone can’t fully restore stamina or completely fix severe injuries.

The high-grade potion must have restored my strength.

That was probably why my wounds had healed this well.

Fururu’s voice grew firmer.

“Everyone was helping big brother, so I protected you from the remaining demons!”

“You did?”

When I blinked in surprise, Fururu puffed out her chest proudly and let out a small “hmph!”

“I protected you! Because big brother couldn’t move!”

“…I see. Fururu, thank you.”

“No! Protecting you is my job!”

“Your job?”

We hadn’t had much connection before. Hearing her call it her “job” confused me.

“Big brother… do you not want to have me?”

“Huh?”

“I heard Mom and big brother talking!”

“You mean Captain Brigitte?”

“Yes! Mom said she’d give me to you!”

“That was! Captain Brigitte was joking!”

“It wasn’t a joke!”

“Huh?”

With teary eyes, Fururu stared straight at me.

Then her small body, still standing on the bed, leaned closer.

“I want to become big brother’s bride.”

“Eh?!”

“Is that wrong?”

Her eyes shimmered with moisture.

A younger dwarf girl was asking me to make her my wife.

Nagi had confessed to me before too—but Fururu looked younger, the kind that made you want to protect her.

That was exactly why I needed to answer properly.

“I’m sorry. I’m still halfway down my path.”

“Halfway?”

“Yeah. I have a goal. As a knight, I want to earn a rank I can truly be proud of. And once I’ve built real confidence, I want to choose the most beautiful woman in the kingdom with my own eyes.”

“The most beautiful in the kingdom?”

Even if I explained it, she probably wouldn’t fully understand.

I had told Nagi something similar. It was selfish—I knew that.

“I-I’ll work hard!”

“Huh?”

“I’ll become a woman big brother will fall in love with! I’m still growing! So by the time you’re satisfied, I’ll become a beauty you can recognize! We’ll work hard together!”

“Ah… I see.”

Fururu was more straightforward—and more amusing—than I expected. 

The awkwardness from earlier faded, and I almost laughed.

“Fururu… let’s talk about this again another time.”

“Yes!”

Yeah.

She was a good girl.

Cute face. Warm heart.

Just being around her made me feel lighter.

“Then will you tell me the rest?”

“After the big demon was defeated, the entire Third Knight Order carried out a sweep of the remaining demons! There were a lot, but we defeated them all!”

“I see… so the capital has been cleared.”

“It has!”

Fururu nodded firmly, then spread her hands wide at the end.

“The incident is over. But there were many injured people. That’s why big brother was brought here, so Sister Natasha could properly treat you.”

“…I understand. So that’s why I was moved to the temporary ward. Honestly, I feel more at ease here.”

Now everything finally made sense.

“Big brother, are you really okay now?”

“…I want to say I am, but…”

Every part of my body still ached.

The healing magic and high-grade potion had saved my life, but it would take a little longer before I fully recovered.

“I might… need a bit more time.”

“Then I’ll stay by your side!”

“By my side?”

Fururu smiled, looking relieved.

Seeing that smile made something warm spread in my heart.

“I’m big brother’s personal blacksmith! I help make bras, so we’re basically one body!”

“Haha, my bra assistant, huh?”

My tension finally melted away, and I let myself sink back onto the bed.

With this, my assignment with the Third Knight Order was over.

And I had completed the secret mission as well.

Chapter 85: Rewards

After discussing it with Natasha, we estimated that my injuries would take about a month to fully heal.

Captain Oren came to visit me, and when I told her that—

“Take it easy. Your trainee assignment with the Third Knight Order is already finished. You did well in the Fifth Unit.”

“Thank you.”

“Hort… if you’re willing, the Third Knight Order would accept you as a full knight.”

An unofficial offer from a Knight Order—that was one of the main goals of being a trainee.

In that sense, I had succeeded.

“Thank you very much. I’m honored. But I’d like to complete all of my training rotations before making a final decision.”

“Hmph. Knowing you, you’ve probably already received an offer from the Second Knight Order too, haven’t you?”

“…Something like that.”

“You really aren’t very cute. Still… that’s exactly like you.”

A lot had happened between Captain Oren and me.

Even the time she suddenly punched me felt nostalgic now.

“…I owe you an apology… I suspected you of being a messenger of the demons. I treated you like an enemy.”

“You had your reasons.”

“Even so. You cleared away my doubts. And I believe your actions were what led us to victory over the demons. You’ll be informed about your reward soon.”

“A reward?”

“In the end, you were one of the contributors to Daitaros’s defeat.”

“I’m grateful for all your guidance.”

“Hmph. Don’t get sentimental. I’ll put you through hell again anytime.”

After leaving those words behind, Captain Oren quietly stepped out of the room.

♢

The battle against the demon cult had spread across the entire capital, leaving many injured.

It was decided that those who distinguished themselves would receive rewards from the King. Each Knight Order reportedly informed their outstanding members of their honors.

I couldn’t move, so I was absent from the award ceremony.

“Hort Rubel. I’m coming in.”

Someone had come to see me.

A voice I knew well—clear and dignified.

I instinctively tried to sit up, and a sharp pain stabbed deep into my ribs.

“—Commander Adelheid…?”

“It’s fine. I’ve heard about your injuries. Stay in bed.”

The door opened, and Commander Adelheid von Graetz stepped inside.

No one stood behind her.

No guards. No aides. No attendants.

Just the two of us.

If she came like this, there had to be a reason.

Commander Adelheid walked up to my bedside.

“I will give you the conclusion first. By royal decree, I have brought your reward.”

“…Reward?”

“Yes. On this occasion, Hort Rubel, having received a secret mission from the Marshal, infiltrated the Third Knight Order, investigated those plotting rebellion within it, and contributed to the defeat of the demon believed to be their leader. The Marshal has recognized your achievements and presented them to His Majesty, who has granted this reward.”

My throat went dry.

I had just drunk water, yet this dryness felt entirely different.

The secret mission had been acknowledged.

And because I hadn’t attended the ceremony, Commander Adelheid—who knew of the mission—had come personally to inform me.

“First. You were severely wounded. It is an honorable injury. You are hereby granted one month of leave until you return to duty. Take your time and recover.”

“…Thank you.”

One month—exactly matching the estimated recovery period. So everything had been properly reported.

“Prioritize your treatment. As you are now, even standing and walking could reopen your wounds.”

“…Yes ma’am.”

She was worried about me.

My ribs, my shoulder, my back—every breath still hurt. My body was a wreck.

As if anticipating that, the Commander continued calmly.

“Second. Regarding the secret mission and the defeat of Daitaros, identified as the demon leader, you have been recognized as one of the key contributors.”

“…Me? A key contributor?”

I hadn’t delivered the final blow. I collapsed, and she struck him down afterward.

“The captains of the Third Knight Order reported that their attacks could not reach him until the light you released weakened him. They were able to press in because your magic worked. The field reports are consistent.”

…When she put it that way, I couldn’t deny it.

I hadn’t defeated him.

But what I did wasn’t meaningless.

It wasn’t a mistake.

“Therefore, you are being promoted from Knight to High Knight. It is exceptional, but you will be granted the title of senior knight.”

“W-What?”

That was equivalent to a five-rank promotion.

Did something like that even happen?

“This is an official royal commendation.”

“High Knight…”

“In fact, your creation of the brassiere has also been included in your commendation.”

“…Huh?”

“It seems the royal family and several high-ranking nobles have also requested that you be rewarded.”

Can something like that really happen?

My emotions became strangely complicated.

For just a moment, the Commander narrowed her eyes.

“You accomplished the secret mission. You contributed to the defeat of a demon. And with additional recognition from high-ranking nobles for the bra you developed, it resulted in a five-rank promotion.”

“This honor is more than I deserve… thank you.”

My voice trembled slightly.

“And lastly. As a High Knight, you have earned the qualification to undergo training with the Royal Guard. This was the Marshal’s decision.”

“R-Royal Guard…?”

My voice nearly cracked.

The Royal Guard was a special order—reserved for high-ranking nobles or elite knights.

They protect the King.

They protect the royal family.

They protect the ducal houses of royal blood.

And I—

Would I go there?

“Once your month of recovery ends, you will not train with the First Knight Order. You will report to the Royal Guard instead. That will be your final training assignment.”

“…My final training.”

That meant my path would rise another step.

The road toward the Crown Knights was beginning to take shape.

But at the same time, my stomach felt heavy.

The Royal Guard wasn’t a gentle place.

It wasn’t somewhere a baron’s son like me could swagger in and stand tall without proving himself.

“…Can I really do it?”

The doubt slipped out.

Pathetic.

If I wanted to become the kind of man who could choose the most beautiful woman in the kingdom without hesitation, I couldn’t afford to shrink back.

“It is not a question of whether you can. I see no issue at all.”

“…What?”

The voice that reached me now wasn’t the firm tone of a Knight Order Commander.

It was Lady Adelheid—speaking gently.

“You are talented. You endured my training. You jumped into the Third Knight Order while they were hostile toward you, earned their recognition, and saw the demon hunt through to the end. Have confidence!”

Hearing her praise me so openly made me unexpectedly happy.

“…Thank you. I’ll do my best.”

“Good. …But there is something I want to ask you.”

“Yes?”

Up until now, it had all been about rewards and the Royal Guard. Was there really something else?

“What was that?”

“What was what?”

“You! After you collapsed, four women gathered around you!”

“Um… sorry, but I was unconscious. I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Ghk—!”

For some reason, Commander Adelheid looked irritated.

But I genuinely had no clue what she meant.

Four women? Who?

From Fururu, I heard that Natasha treated me with healing magic.

Nagi gave me a high-grade recovery potion.

Fururu protected me from the remaining demons.

That made three, right?

“Hort!”

“Yeah!?”

“You once said I was cute!”

“…Yes, I did.”

“Hmph. Do you still think so?”

I hadn’t expected that question.

Still, I nodded.

“I do. Commander Adelheid is charming as a woman—and very cute.”

I had told her once before.

I said it again.

Right in front of me, her face turned red instantly.

“Y-You’ll remain hospitalized during your leave for recovery, correct? …May I come visit again?”

“Of course. I’d be happy if you did.”

When I answered honestly, she smiled.

“…I see. Then I will come again. That is all for today!”

“Yes, ma’am!”

And as she left the room—

It almost looked like she was skipping.