Vol 1 Chapter 3 – The Knights of the Kingdom of Vilemse【Vol 1 – Spoiled Princess Arc】

“Hey! Move aside!”

“Whoa!?”

“Kyaa!?”

The group that barreled through the circle of bystanders was clad head-to-toe in iron armor.

They shoved people aside, even knocking some over, as they advanced.

“You—how dare you act so rough…!”

“Who do you think we are!? We are the knights serving the great King Rei!”

With their chests puffed out, they turned on the heckler and made their grand announcement.

Yes, they were the knightly order of the Kingdom of Vilemse.

But the citizens’ eyes were anything but grateful.

Miriam’s eyes held the same cold disdain.

And here’s why…

“One who speaks such disrespect and blocks our path――――――”

One knight stepped forward.

…This is exactly why nobody likes you lot.

“――――――shall be sentenced to death.”

“Huh…?”

The knight actually drew his sword.

And in his sights stood that little angel who had just proposed to me.

No—this child hasn’t done anything to block your way.

I wanted to object, but before I could open my mouth, he swung at the girl.

I can’t let this happen! I can’t unleash my pleasure on such an innocent girl…!

“Kyaaaaaa!!”

Predictably, the surrounding women screamed at the unfolding horror.

Heh—leave it to me!

I scooped the girl into my arms and turned my back to the knight.

Naturally, his sword sliced deep across my back.

“Guhah!!”

“Erik…!”

Miriam called my name in alarm.

Don’t worry—it’s a reward.

“H-Hero-sama…?”

“Heh, heh heh, it’s fine. Now, run back to your mother.”

“But….”

I smiled gently at the tear-streaked girl in my arms.

Thank you. Because of you, I’ve tasted yet another exquisite pleasure.

Gently I set her down, then faced the knight again.

That was a fine slash—feel free to punish me further.

“…What are you playing at, Hero-sama?”

“I can’t stand to watch you murder a child. Ugh…”

I shot back while the knight glared daggers at me.

And there’s no way I’d pass up a reward like this.

If you’re going to kill a girl, cut me instead and give me bliss!

“…Hmph, fool. If the king didn’t favor you, I’d kill you here and now. Fetch a cleric to treat him.”

“No need. I have Miriam.”

Miriam’s healing magic not only knits my wounds but amplifies the pain.

I won’t let just anyone heal me.

“…Very well. I’ll overlook that insolent stare—for your sake. Once you’re patched up, report to us. We’ll escort you to the castle.”

Is it really “escort” if you slash the guest first?

Still, I’m delighted, so I won’t complain.

“Sorry, Miriam. Another healing spell, please.”

“I keep telling you—stop pulling these stunts…!”

Grumbling, Miriam cast her spell anyway.

Needless to say, I writhed inwardly at the fresh surge of pleasure.

◆

After Erik and Miriam were led off toward the Royal Castle, most of the crowd that had gathered to see the Hero dispersed.

A few, however, remained to curse the knights.

“They’re always so arrogant…!!”

“Think they’re so great ’cause they’re royalty. We pay their salaries with our taxes!”

Their hatred for the royals and knights ran deep.

As before, many knights strutted about and routinely abused commoners.

Sure, there had to be a few noble knights, but they were clearly scarce.

“Still, Hero-sama sure is kind, huh, huh.”

Talking about knights soured the mood, so one man shifted the topic to the Hero.

At once, the scowls melted into smiles.

“Yeah. Who else would shield a stranger’s kid with his own body?”

“Our Altruistic Charity Hero saved us—that’s why we’re still here.”

“Right on!!”

Unaware of Erik’s true nature—or rather, his fetish—the townsfolk chattered merrily.

Then someone approached.

“Excuse me, may I ask something?”

“Sure… Gah! A knight—”

A clear female voice addressed them. They turned, hearts aflutter, only to see a woman in iron armor—one of the very knights they’d just maligned.

Their faces went pale at the thought of punishment.

“…Hey. We weren’t doing anything wrong, Knight-sama.”

“No, I know. I’m simply curious about this Altruistic Charity Hero…”

So she wasn’t here to scold them.

Relieved yet puzzled that a knight in the capital didn’t know the Hero, they listened.

“Oh? You’re a knight and you don’t know Hero-sama?”

“I’m ashamed to admit it. I’m usually out hunting criminals and seldom at the castle…”

Her emphasis on “criminals” had an odd edge, but the idea of a knight roaming the realm impressed the anti-knight crowd.

It explained why she hadn’t heard of the Hero outside the capital.

“Wow, a proper knight. Anyway, Hero-sama? He shielded a child from some arrogant knight’s attack—he’s truly kind.”

“The Altruistic Charity Hero…”

One man nearly insulted the knights again—an offense punishable by death here.

The others blanched, expecting blades at any moment.

“…I see there really are foolish knights. I shall judge evil personally. Thank you for the information.”

The female knight bowed and strode off.

“…What was that about?”

“Beats me. Let’s go before more knights show up.”

“Yeah, let’s roll.”

After watching her armored back for a moment, they wisely dispersed before more trouble found them.