Chapter 17: Each Person’s First Step (*)

At the end of December, after the march training ended, Kaito’s group had returned to the royal capital. The Royal Knight Academy was also on winter break for the year-end and New Year period. Many regular students and Saint Knight Paladin candidates returned to their family homes. But Hero Chevalier candidates never left the dorms. The average lifespan of a Hero Chevalier was ten years after graduation. If they returned home, they might become terrified of that reality and never come back to the academy. All Hero candidates were given a bonus and told to enjoy themselves in the royal capital. In short, it was comfortable house arrest.

“Sure, I’ve got free time… but why am I doing this?”

He was lying naked on the bed in his room. A beautiful girl was on top of him. She was exposing her nearly flat chest and completely hairless lower belly. It was Sasha, the beautiful girl who looked like nothing more than a child and had been in the same party during the march training.

“Since that day, Kaito hasn’t let anyone near you. But you must be feeling horny. So I’ll take care of it.”

“…Is this pity?”

His expression turned serious, eyes narrowing. If that was the case, he intended to throw her out of the room. But the beautiful girl shook her head.

“No. Right now Kaito is an empty property. You’re a Hero Chevalier capable of that level of judgment, yet you have no partner. In that case, I’ll become your partner.”

Kaito gave a bitter smile at Sasha’s words. He had heard the same thing from Elsa too. Though Elsa wasn’t nearly as aggressive as Sasha. She had dragged him behind the school building and inserted his index finger while saying:

‘L-Look, I have plenty of guys chasing after me too! But if you really insist, I’ll become your Saint Knight Paladin!’

Kaito hadn’t answered on the spot, only saying he’d think about it. Elsa had a good face and body, but her personality and head had issues. If only she were a little more honest…

“Muu… You were just thinking about another woman just now. Kaito is rude.”

Sasha tried to insert his already hard cock, but Kaito stopped her.

“Sorry, but I have no intention of fucking you. It’s not that you’re unattractive…”

“…I’ve grown a little too. My breasts have gotten bigger.”

“Yeah. About five millimeters? If you don’t mind, could you do it with your mouth like before? Actually, hold on. Is this okay?”

At Kaito’s instruction, Sasha nodded. She pressed her slit against his cock and began rubbing. It was a thighjob. While letting out soft “Nnn… nnn…” moans, the beautiful girl serviced him desperately. A twisted, immoral lust welled up inside him. He stroked her underdeveloped thighs with both hands. Lewd kuchu kuchu sounds began to echo.

“Kaito… does it feel good?”

“Yeah. Feels great. Sasha, are you okay?”

“Nn, I’m fine… It feels kind of strange. It’s getting hot…”

She let out hot breaths. Rocking her smooth lower body back and forth, she reached her left hand behind to gently massage his balls.

“Haa… haa… It feels good…”

The beautiful girl’s face flushed red as she moved her hips mindlessly. She wrapped the tip with a cotton cloth and stroked it with her fingers on top. A powerful urge to cum surged up.

“Cum a lot… lots and lots…”

His cock twitched and erupted heavily. The cloth gripped in her small hand instantly became soaking wet. It had been a while since he’d cum with anything other than a wet dream. Ever since Roksane’s death, he’d had dreams of holding her many times. Each time he’d have a wet dream and tremble with loneliness and sorrow. Even after losing her, his body still went into heat and released semen. He had felt pathetic about himself more than once or twice because of it.

“I’ll clean it with my mouth. Then you can cum again right after…”

A warm, wet sensation enveloped him. His still-hard cock rejoiced at the new stimulation. Her young-looking face moved up and down. While staring at him, she sucked on the tip, ran her tongue along the ridge, and licked from base to tip. Sasha kept looking at Kaito’s face the entire time. She knew he liked it when she did that. There was no lie in her words that this wasn’t pity. In Sasha’s evaluation, Kaito was already one of the kingdom’s top Hero Chevaliers. Moreover, since he didn’t need aphrodisiacs, he would live long. Becoming this man’s Saint Knight Paladin meant she could stay young for decades. And surely an interesting future awaited. Such calculations were at work.

But beyond that, there were real emotional feelings too. She liked this man’s intelligence, his decisiveness, and his kindness. The friend she had spent time with now occupied a solid place in the man’s heart, in a place she could never reach. The man would never forget her until the day he died. Saint Knight Paladins carried the latent fear of being abandoned by their Hero Chevalier. In reality, many had been. But this man could love a single Saint Knight that deeply. If even a fraction of that love was directed at her, that would be enough.

“Sasha! I’m cumming!”

A slightly bitter taste spread through her mouth. She closed her eyes and swallowed. She caught the overflowing lava with her palm as it spilled from the corners of her lips. When the eruption finally ended, she pulled her mouth off. His cock hadn’t softened at all. But Kaito didn’t ask for more.

“I’m happy that both you and Elsa are worried about me. But I’m fine. So you don’t have to do this anymore. If I want you as my Saint Knight, I’ll be the one to propose it.”

“…I won’t forget about Roksane either. I know she’s still inside Kaito. But you have to keep moving forward. If you stay like this, you’ll only look at the past.”

“I will move forward. I have to. I swore I would become a Hero Chevalier.”

At his still-dark expression, Sasha had no more words to say.

Marquis William Rogueia was a noble respected for his sincerity and gentle nature. He had reasonable influence in high society but stayed completely out of the kingdom’s power struggles. As the king’s subject, he faithfully fulfilled his duty to protect his territory and its people. On this day as well, after patrolling his lands, he was enjoying a long-awaited conversation with his beloved daughter who had returned home.

“So, how is life at the academy?”

Elfina Rogueia, the eldest daughter of the Rogueia Marquis family, took a sip of her fragrant black tea and smiled.

“Actually, after the recent march training, I was asked out. It was from Carlos Rodriguez, the heir of the Rodriguez Baron family. But I turned him down.”

“Hoh, the Rodriguez Baron family. They’re whispered about as a house of traitors, but I’ve met the current head, Lord Johan. He was a man of solid principles and character. If it’s his son, I doubt he’s a bad man?”

The daughter nodded at her father’s words.

“He certainly has charm as a man. However, as a Hero Chevalier, he feels somewhat lacking. He has a straightforward personality, but he’s too impulsive.”

“The fact that you, the eldest daughter of the Rogueia family, want to become a Saint Knight Paladin is abnormal in itself. You could marry into another house and live happily without having to get calluses on your hands or break a sweat…”

Elfina shook her head at her father’s words.

“I hate high society. After entering the academy, that feeling only grew stronger. The young men of my generation I met in high society were all weak and lacked ambition. They may be able to maintain their houses, but that level doesn’t satisfy me. I want a man with the strength to carve open the next era.”

Her father gave a bitter smile. This beloved daughter had held a certain admiration for Hero Chevaliers since she was young. When her talent as a Saint Knight Paladin was recognized, she unhesitatingly gave up her right to inherit the title. From her father’s perspective, his beautiful daughter naturally received many marriage proposals. But after she relinquished her inheritance rights, those offers had stopped.

“So, was there any Hero candidate who met your standards?”

He asked half-jokingly. But Elfina remained silent. With that, William understood. His daughter seemed to have someone she was interested in.

“…Actually, there is one person who caught my eye. He has various flaws too. To be honest, I can’t necessarily call him a person of good character.”

“Hey now, Elfina. Can a man like that make you happy?”

Ignoring her father’s concern, Elfina continued speaking as if organizing her own thoughts.

“He already had a Saint Knight Paladin. No… to be precise, he had one. That Saint Knight died protecting him during the recent march training. She smiled in his arms until the very end, looking truly happy.”

“Ah, I’ve heard that story. A tragic accident. But after losing a woman he loved that deeply, is he really okay? Even if he recovers, he probably won’t forget her.”

“As a man, she occupies a firm place in his heart. However, he is a Hero Chevalier. His power already rivals the legendary Hero Walter Wackenheim. From the perspective of a single Saint Knight Paladin, his power cannot be overlooked.”

Her father let out a deep sigh. His beloved daughter was evaluating the man not as a woman in love, but as a Saint Knight. He wished she would feel love for a man as a woman.

“Good grief. I wish you would feel with your heart instead of thinking with your head.”

His daughter understood what her father was trying to say. But Elfina only gave a lonely smile.

“That… might be difficult. Even if it’s me… whether I can move his heart or not…”

The Volfort family was an honorary noble house without territory, but a well-known prestigious family within the kingdom. They had inherited the sword style established by the first generation, the Sword Saint “Dominic Volfort,” and the current head served as the sword instructor for the kingdom’s knight order. At the same time, many of the women born into the family became powerful Saint Knight Paladins. If a boy was born between a Volfort Saint Knight Paladin and a Hero Chevalier, it was customary for the main family to adopt him. It was decided that the one with the strongest power would inherit the headship.

“Father, Brother, it has been a while.”

Sofia straightened her posture and greeted her father and older brother. Sofia Volfort’s personality had been shaped by her strict father and her brother, who was called the second coming of the Sword Saint. Sofia immediately began reporting on the recent march training. Her father listened silently with his eyes closed, while her brother nodded with “hmm, hmm.” When she finished, her father opened his eyes wide.

“Make that student named Kaito yours. You will become that man’s Saint Knight Paladin.”

“Wha— F-Father, what are you saying!? Kaito lost his beloved partner and is sunk in grief. Are you telling me to take advantage of that!?”

“Fool. From what I’ve heard, that man is not so soft. He has probably already recovered and is moving to obtain a new Saint Knight.”

“I agree with Father. A woman can only receive the Goddess’s protection by offering her virginity to a man. But it’s different for men. They can receive the protection no matter who they embrace. Do you know why? It’s because men are constantly seeking more women on an instinctual level. In reality, many nobles embrace a different woman every time they go into heat. They try to mate with as many females as possible and leave behind many children. It’s like a male instinct.”

“E-Even you, Brother… Both of you, I will choose my partner with my own will!”

Ignoring Sofia’s protest, her brother continued his analysis.

“That Kaito sounds like an interesting man. From what I’ve heard, he’s quite sharp. He seems to have personality issues, but even those appear to be settling down. Above all, Sofia… you’re in love with him, aren’t you?”

“W-Wha… What are you…”

As Sofia turned bright red, her father turned a stern gaze on her.

“Have you forgotten what you yourself said? Most of your story was about this person named Kaito. Weren’t you in Carlos Rodriguez’s party? Yet you barely mentioned Carlos and talked almost entirely about Kaito.”

“N-No, that’s… Well, it was just so shocking…”

“I see. So he’s made that deep an impression on your heart? Father, perhaps a rare swordsman will be born into our Volfort family.”

“Indeed. After you, Sofia’s child will likely inherit. The next generation and the one after are secured. The Volfort family is safe.”

Sofia’s words were completely ignored as her father and brother nodded happily. Sofia’s face turned red as she couldn’t help but shout.

“L-Listen to meee!”

Rare laughter for the strict Volfort family rang out in the living room.

Meanwhile, in the Tolmakia Empire, Crown Prince Austro was inspecting a certain location. Even in the empire, this place in the northern frontier became deeply covered in snow during this season.

“Your Highness Austro, I am overwhelmed with gratitude that you would travel all the way to this snowy rural area. Today will surely be remembered for a long time in our institute.”

“You are Sir Lizalith Prada, correct? I am Austro Tolmakia. Thank you for making time for me despite my sudden visit in the middle of your busy schedule.”

The woman in a lab coat with light green hair shook her head. Although it was called an institute, Lizalith was the only one there. The building was somewhat large, but various machines and what looked like chemicals were scattered around. Lizalith herself smelled slightly sour, as if she hadn’t bathed in days.

“So, what brings you here? My research here is basically just a personal hobby. I devote everything except eating and sleeping to research, so I can’t even offer you tea.”

Austro turned a serious face toward Lizalith, who laughed self-deprecatingly.

“I want to see this ‘cannon’ you invented. If it’s usable, I will support your research.”

Lizalith narrowed her eyes and smiled. She guided Austro to the edge of the building. Something covered with a dirty cloth was there. When Lizalith removed the cloth, a tube-like iron object mounted on a stand appeared. Lizalith began her explanation.

“Human history is a repetition of war. Since the primitive age long ago, before we even knew of Goddess Velos’s protection, our ancestors have continued to fight. At first it was simple brawling. But one revolution occurred. They began using tools. At first it was just stones lying around. Eventually they started using tree branches and animal bones. The birth of weapons. From there you can imagine the rest. People appeared who imitated the first innovators, improving weapons to be more practical and more powerful. Clubs were born, then spears, then swords. And then a new invention that changed war appeared.”

“Bow and arrow, right?”

“Correct. Combat with swords and spears was individual close-quarters fighting. But with the appearance of the bow and arrow, the nature of war completely changed. It shifted from point warfare to area warfare. Arrows shot from a distance increase in effectiveness as their numbers grow. The age where a single hero could display his power ended, and the era of quantity began. It changed from individual versus individual to group versus group.”

“But there exists an existence that goes against that flow. That is the Saint Knight Paladin. A single Saint Knight possesses the power to slaughter an entire army. Therefore, to stop a Saint Knight, you must use another Saint Knight. Group versus group and individual versus individual… that is the current situation.”

Lizalith became delighted as Austro showed understanding. There had been no one who would listen to her talk like this. She became excited.

“Exactly. However, Saint Knight Paladins are still human, nothing more than individuals. If we further strengthen the power of the group and the power of quantity, eventually even Saint Knights will kneel before the collective. For that, we need to further develop the long-range attack method known as the bow and arrow and create a new revolution. And that is this.”

Austro stroked the steel “cannon.”

“Explain the principle to me.”

“By mixing sulfur that can be collected from the hot spring regions in the empire’s northern territories with saltpeter extracted from the earthen walls of livestock sheds where feces and urine accumulate, we can create an ignition powder. When lit, it makes a loud bang. We use this ignition powder. We increase the amount of powder to raise its power, then use it to shoot iron balls. Depending on the amount of powder, it should reach much farther than arrows.”

“‘Should’… meaning it’s not complete yet?”

Lizalith scratched her head.

“I believe the principle is correct, but unfortunately it costs too much money. I only made this one prototype and I’ve already run out of funds. Ideally I’d like to test-fire it several times and make improvements, but…”

“Hmm…”

Austro thought while looking at the cannon. The logic made sense. He also understood it held the potential to completely change the nature of battlefields. But he couldn’t judge without seeing it in action.

“I’ll provide one hundred imperial gold coins as immediate funding. Use it to make another prototype and show me. The deadline is two months.”

“T-Two months? Snow is about to get much deeper, and even going to the blacksmith will be difficult…”

“Do it in the imperial capital. I’ll give you a room in my residence. I want to confirm it with my own eyes. If it meets my expectations, this will end the war.”

Austro smiled and stroked the barrel.

“Even though it gets hard, I have no desire to fuck… This is troubling.”

Nadine, the proprietress of the high-class brothel “Gloria” in the royal capital, crossed her seductive legs and sighed. Kaito had been away from the capital for about three weeks during the march training. Nadine had accepted that as unavoidable. But the Kaito who returned seemed like a different person. The “hunger” had disappeared from the man who had once sought females like a male dog craving “delicious meat.”

“I understand that you fell for that girl. When bodies and hearts connect, both men and women gain deep satisfaction. Even I had such a man once upon a time.”

The eyes with which Nadine looked at the student sitting before her were not those of a brothel owner, but closer to a mother’s. Kaito had earned her quite a bit of money these past few months. If he said he wanted to quit, she had no intention of stopping him. But Nadine thought it would be a shame. The “hunger” this man possessed was something other men didn’t have. If her subordinate was lost and couldn’t see which way to go, guiding him was the job of a superior.

“Kaito… When you first came to this establishment, I asked why you wanted to become a male prostitute. You said you wanted to devour lots of delicious female meat… Is that over now? Are you no longer hungry?”

“My stomach still gets hungry. But I don’t feel like fucking anyone. Yeah… it’s like I have no appetite…”

“So it’s a mental issue. Kaito, you’re misunderstanding something. In sexual intercourse between men and women, love is not a necessary condition. Especially not for Hero Chevaliers and Saint Knight Paladins. They have sex for the purpose of receiving the Goddess’s protection. Or to relieve heat. In this world, there aren’t that many cases of sex based purely on love. Besides, what’s the difference between love and lust? Did you embrace that girl out of love? Or out of lust?”

“I loved her. I still do. But I didn’t realize it until I lost her. That’s why it hurts.”

Kaito spoke as if groaning. Nadine, without changing her expression, countered his answer.

“Kaito, what exactly is love? ‘I like you. I love you…’ It’s easy to say with your mouth. But that’s nothing more than comfort, nothing more than self-satisfaction. Love is a verb. It’s the act of self-sacrifice — being willing to throw away everything for the other person. That act is what we call ‘loving.’ There is no such thing as love as a noun in this world. Your Saint Knight Paladin loved you. How will you love her, and the Saint Knight Paladins who will appear in the future? If you want to seek love in sex, you need that answer.”

Kaito raised his lowered face. He had never thought about that. Had he sought Roksane out of love? No — wasn’t it to release the lust welling up inside him? And as they mated, feelings grew, and before he knew it she had become irreplaceable. What kind of self-sacrifice had he made for her?

“Kaito, you might get angry, but let me say this. Do you really think that girl was embracing you out of pure love alone? Saint Knight Paladin candidates compete to catch one of the few Hero Chevaliers. When she was desired by you, one of the top students in the year, what do you think she felt? ‘I won the competition. I can become a Saint Knight. From now on I can stay young forever thanks to the Goddess’s protection…’ Can you really say there was absolutely no calculation like that?”

“Hey, don’t fuck with me. Roksane wasn’t like—”

Kaito’s face twisted in anger. He thought she was insulting Roksane. But Nadine raised her right hand to stop him.

“There’s no doubt she loved you. But that’s not all. Men easily hold fantasies about women. Kindness, purity, and so on. But women are far more realistic and cunning creatures than men think. In fact, the ladies who buy you in this establishment go back to their mansions and act as chaste noble wives obeying their husbands. Because their husbands want that, they meet those expectations. In a way, that too is an expression of love. Women are neither simple nor soft. It’s useless for a man like you to think about it. What I’m trying to say is this…”

With that, Nadine stood up and walked over to Kaito. She held his face with both hands and pressed her lips against his.

“Stop moping around and look forward! If you want to fuck, then fuck. If you want to devour, then devour. That is neither betrayal nor something to be ashamed of. Stand up and start walking! Become the greatest Hero Chevalier of all! That is your love for her.”

Something snapped inside Kaito. Then, hunger rapidly began to well up. Right in front of him was delicious-looking meat. He decided to devour it right away. He reached out toward the bountiful fruits before his eyes.