To Me, Who Was Single-Handedly Holding The Front Line, You Call Me A "Useless Piece of Trash"? Fine. I'll Live as I Please And Set Out On A Journey To Find A Cute Wife. - This time, I'll Become A Hero In The Enemy Country And Bare My Fangs At My Homeland - Episode 20

Upon arriving at the knight order headquarters, we were guided by the bespectacled guy with neatly arranged black hair.

The body is quite slender. Instead of silver armor, they are wearing a white shirt and black pants, giving off a receptionist vibe.

The age seems young. I was told the name but forgot it.

For now, I’ll call him Megane-kun.

“At Verdi, we have our own unique three-tiered knight system! Initially, you start as a junior candidate, and those who pass the exam can advance to the intermediate level! Finally, when you reach the senior level, there is a graduation exam! Only those who pass can receive the official knight’s oath from the king!”

Megane-kun is a fast talker, but he’s a polite person.

By the way, Elina disappeared after arriving, saying she needed to submit some documents and asking me to wait a bit.

In the meantime, they even went out of their way to call and have me guide them.

Could this person also be a knight? No, surely not.

When I look around, there are many buildings.

Hee-hoo-mee-yo, and it’s four stories tall. I was just told that the knight candidates stay here.

It seems like Fern is surprised too.

“It’s really incredibly spacious, isn’t it?”

“Hi! The Verdian Knight’s Headquarters boasts an unparalleled area in the world! Moreover, it has also achieved numerous accomplishments! Please come this way!”

“Yes! I’m going!”

“Why is Yamagishi-san’s voice also so loud?”

Don’t worry, Fern’s calm retorts are everywhere.

The place they guided me to is the entrance of the government office building.

Various trophies are displayed.

Like swordsmanship tournaments in countries I don’t know about, or ones that seem to have been held domestically.

It’s shining in gold and looks cool. I want to try it too.

I want to be cheered with “Ya, Ma, Gi, See!” when I win.

“Is magic allowed in this tournament?”

“Yes! Of course, weapons are included, and abilities are gifted too!”

Fern keeps asking questions. She said she was wandering through the forest, so it must be interesting to see the country itself.

Hmm, when you look closely, this is…

“All of them say ‘Champion Elina Pros,’ but could it be Elina?”

Then Fern pulled my arm hard and gestured for me to listen.

Since there is a height difference, I bend down.

“Here, let’s go with Elena, shall we? She’s the vice-captain, you know.”

“Ah, y-yeah…”

“Don’t worry! I’ve already heard from Vice Captain Elena about the honorifics!”

Oh, you heard that just now? Your hearing is really good.

But, it was good. Thank you, Megane-kun.

“And now, I will answer! Elina Pros is, of course, our beloved Vice-Captain of Verdi! She won the Verdi Swordsmanship Tournament at the age of ten, graduated early from the Noble Academy at thirteen, and the following year, she passed a special exam recommended by the Commander of the Knights. Within a few years, she rose to the position of Vice-Captain, a genius and beautiful girl!”

“Wow, amazing, clap clap clap clap”

When I clapped too, Megane-kun looked happy. He must really admire Elina.

By the way, Fern was clapping a bit shyly.

So that means they’re pretty strong after all.

Yesterday’s movements were incredibly fast, and I’m looking forward to fighting.

Oh, by the way.

“How strong is the captain of the knights? The fact that he recommended Elena means he’s pretty strong, right?”

Then Megane-kun started to get scared. Is something wrong?

“— The commander of the knights is a very strict person, so even just talking about him can get you in trouble. So, keep your voice down.”

“Got it, understood.”

“Yamagishi-san, stop joking around.”

Yes

Elena said the same thing, so they must be really scary.

It’s been fifty years devoted to the sword, right? At this point, it wouldn’t be surprising if your arms and legs turned into swords.

“The commander of the knights is indeed a very strong person. As far as I know, there is no one who can match him with a sword. Even Lady Elina has not been able to land a decisive blow on him yet.”

Wow, that’s amazing. I want to meet you! I really want to meet you!

But if you’re here, I won’t be able to spar with Elena.

“What kind of sword techniques do you use?”

“We have independently developed every conceivable style, so if I were to compare it to something, it would be the Verdi style.”

“Oh, cool!”

Am I going to become Yamagishi-ryu? Should I start introducing myself as such from now on?

“I still love fighting on the front lines, but since I’m an indispensable presence for Verdi, I rarely make public appearances. When I heard rumors about the frenzied berserker, I tried to go alone, but the entire knight order stopped me… it was quite a big deal…”

The rumored battle between the frenzied berserker and the strongest knight commander, huh?

I want to see it so badly…

“But I understand how you feel.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“The commander of the knights is too strong. He is practically a god. It’s well-known that the last time someone laughed was ‘that time’—”

At that moment, people who seemed to be knight candidates passed behind Megane-kun.

They found us and are talking about something.

“Those two saved the Deputy Commander’s life?”

“……Is it really true? Did Lady Elena save her life, or is it a mistake?”

“Vice-Captain Elena is so modest.”

I don’t think they saved my life, but they are probably wary of strangers.

Well, I get how you feel. I felt a bit uneasy too when about ten Murder Spider Death Creatures came into my bed.

“Make the correction.”

Then, a dignified and strong voice was heard.

Standing before the candidates was Elina, with her lustrous pink hair.

“They are my lifesavers. Or do you think I made a false report?”

“Wh-what do you mean!?”

“Ex-excuse me!?”

“If you’re going to apologize, do it to both of them.”

The candidates hurriedly came to me and Fern, bowing their heads.

I don’t care at all, you know.

“Honestly, you should be the one paying attention.”

“So-so-so-sorry!?”

Megane-kun is being scolded. Sorry about that!

“Fel-chan, Yamagishi-san, I am truly sorry. I apologize for my own shortcomings, but I have many blindly loyal subordinates, and it seems there are many who are quite mistaken. Even though there are so many people in the world who are stronger than me.”

“I’m not worried about it. More importantly, I want to hear the rest of that story from earlier. What was it that made the captain of the knights laugh in the end?”

Elena was asking Megane-kun if he had talked to her. He seemed a bit awkward.

“Sorry. If it’s hard to say, you don’t have to answer.”

“No, it’s fine. The commander of the knights is famous for never showing any expression, but there is one time when he does smile. That is when he sees someone stronger than himself. Unfortunately, I have never seen it.”

“It is said that the last time he smiled was thirty years ago, when he faced the black-winged dragon that brought down seven nations! It has become a legendary tale of the commander-in-chief’s bravery! While everyone else was in despair, the commander-in-chief alone was smiling――”

Megane-kun seems happy whether he’s talking about Elena or the knight commander.

You must really look up to them.

Nice. I feel like I could do well with Verdie too.

If Elena hasn’t seen it either, does that mean the commander doesn’t think it’s strong?

“Is the commander of the knights here today?”

Ah, Imaginary Fern’s language! he shouted.

“By the way, is the commander of the Verdi Knights here today?”

I messed up. Honorifics are difficult.

But the imaginary friend said they would just barely forgive me. So, kind.

“It seems that you are not at the castle. I was thinking of having a meal first, but perhaps…”

“Oh, seeing so many championship trophies make my body tingle.”

“Hehe, I’ve been holding back since yesterday. — The knight training facility is just over there. It won’t take long.”

“Hey! Oh, but before that…”

I turned my gaze to Fern next to me.

Not imaginary. The real Fern.

“Fern, I want to spar with Elina for a bit. Of course, it’s not because I want to hurt her. I’m just excited about it. Is that okay?”

She had a bewildered look in her eyes.

After that, they will come to ask.

“Why are you asking me? I told you beforehand that it was fine…”

“Fern won’t do anything bad. I’ve decided that. That’s why I wanted to hear your final judgment.”

Fern smiled at my words.

Of course, imaginary ones too.

If I say this now, I might get scolded.

“That’s fine. Uh, Elina-san, I’m sorry. I’m going to say something a bit rude now…”

“Hehe, I don’t mind.”

Then Fern looked at me again.

“Please win.”

Immediately after, I started hearing Elena say, “My favorite couple is so precious… my favorite couple is so precious… my favorite couple is so precious…”

You’re improving your physical abilities, huh? Seems like you’re serious.

“—Oh! Alright, it’s time to face off against Elena! Let’s do this!”

“— Well then, let’s move quietly. If we get noticed by the others, it will be a problem.”

At that moment, Elina’s voice and mine overlapped.

Even I, who am clearly not great, can immediately tell that I said something obviously bad.

As the surroundings began to stir, by the time we arrived at the training center, there were many people there.

“……Elena, I’m sorry.”

“That’s fine. Most of the knight candidates are out today, so there aren’t many left. Besides, whether I win or lose, it will be a good experience for them.”

For someone like that, they sure are smiling confidently.

The ground is dirt. It feels like a small arena.

When the wooden sword was handed over, I felt a sense of discomfort with a tangible weapon for the first time in a while.

The cool ice sword really feels right to me.

That said, Giant Sword, I’ll come to pick you up properly, so please don’t get mad.

“That person saved Lady Elina’s life? I don’t see it that way.”

“People can’t be judged by appearances. Just like Lady Elina.”

“I wonder what kind of moves she’ll make. As expected, Lady Elena will probably win.”

Fern is watching over from behind.

I have fought only for myself until now.

But somehow, today, I feel like I want to win just a little bit for Fern.

“Originally, there are no stop hits in the Verdian Knights’ mock battles. However, if you determine that a fatal blow is about to be dealt today, could you please stop?”

“Okay! Oh, by the way, it’s fine if magic or gifted abilities are included!”

In response, Elena smiles. Her expression looks happier than ever.

Oh, I found a snaggletooth.

“Of course, that’s my intention. — By the way, I also like ‘clouding up’ things. By defeating you here, I’ll be able to further explore the route where Fer-chan gets sick, which is my favorite pairing.”

A new word has come up. Does it become “cloudy” when I lose?

What could this mean? I don’t really understand, but let’s not let our guard down.

“Well then, Dualos. Please start the count.”

“Understood! Then, I’ll start the count!”

Oh, Megane-kun, your name is Dualos.

Cool name.

Verdi Knight Order Headquarters.

Standing at the entrance was a long-haired figure with glossy, woman-like “hair.”

A diagonal scar from the eye to the mouth. Dressed in loose traditional Japanese clothing.

Bory Colleen.

“…What? It’s noisy.”

I can hear the cheers of the knight candidates.

At the same time, a voice came from my head.

Okay, don’t be surprised. Never be surprised.

Taking a deep breath to calm himself, Bory made his way to the knight training facility.

Is someone having a mock battle with someone else? Just when I thought to watch it, I found an unexpected person.

A rugged and stern man with graying hair, he is the commander of the Verdi Knights.

The gaze is directed towards the arena.

“Captain of the Knights――”

When I try to speak, my voice gets choked up immediately.

Despite the announcement made through the revelation from the hair, an unbelievable thing was happening.

A scene I’ve never seen before is unfolding right in front of me.

“……Of course, this is shocking.”

Bory murmurs, his voice trembling.

You can tell even from the side profile.

The knight commander was smiling.