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 22

“How is it? Lady Fern, is it too tight for you?”

“Y-yes! I’m fine.”

After finishing our greetings with the Lord of the Land’s Knights, Yamagishi-san and I were each taken to separate rooms.

He said it would be better to change into formal attire before the meal, as it would make me feel better.

As soon as I entered, a lot of women surrounded me and let me choose clothes.

A silk dress more beautiful than anything I’ve ever seen. White, black, transparent lace, it enhances femininity.

Before I knew it, my heart leaped, and a smile naturally spread across my face.

I never would have dreamed that a half-elf like me would be in such a beautiful place, just a little while ago.

This is all thanks to Mr. Yamagishi.

Even so, it was amazing.

The commander of the Land Knights was an interesting person.

I might be seeing Mr. Yamagishi looking confused for the first time.

Hehehe, being strong and able to make jokes too, as expected of someone in a leadership position.

You said you wouldn’t smile, but you looked really happy.

I wonder if Elena-san and Dualos-san were teasing us too.

Then I wrapped myself in a pure white, transparent dress.

So beautiful that I can’t believe the person in the mirror is me, and I can’t help but smile.

“You look very good. May I put your hair up?”

Though my heart wavered slightly at those words, I nodded.

One ear is human, one ear is elf.

The only one who praised me without worrying about such things was Mr. Yamagishi.

Hehehe, I can’t wait to show it to you.

After finishing my preparations, I step outside. At that moment, I run into Yamagishi-san in the hallway.

He had also changed into black clothes.

His hair is slicked back differently than usual, and he looks like a completely different person.

So cool.

“Hey Fern, I’m looking forward to the food!”

“Eh? Yes, I’m looking forward to it.”

Mr. Yamagishi greeted me as usual, without any change in his demeanor.

My mind feels at ease. I am guided and walk down the hallway together.

“The black clothes and hairstyle really suit you. At first, I didn’t recognize you.”

“Really? My head’s a bit itchy, though.”

“It’s cool.”

“Hmm, did you say something?”

“N-Nothing at all!”

“This way, please,” I was shown to the door.

I don’t mean to say anything bad, but I wonder if they haven’t noticed my clothes.

But, there’s no way Yamagishi-san would be interested in clothes.

Moreover, about me――.

“Fern, that outfit is cute. Plus, your ears are more visible like that, so it’s better.”

“Hehe, thank you very much.”

When I went inside, there were drinks and bread on the long table.

They said they will bring various things from now on.

What surprised me was that everyone was already waiting.

The man with graying hair who looks strict at the very back is the commander of the Land Knights.

Elena with pink hair, Dualos with glasses.

And the lustrous black hair—huh, Mr. Bory?

Oh, by the way, you’re a knight, aren’t you?

“Looks great on you, doesn’t it? Do you like it?”

“Yes! But it looks a bit too stiff and hard to eat…”

“Y-Ya-Magishi-san”

“It’s perfect. This is exactly the appropriate attire for before a meal.”

When you poke their back, their words change.

Yamagishi-san, who is always carefree and never intimidated.

That’s the good part, but sometimes it can be a bit nerve-wracking.

“The new outfits of my favorite couples are so precious…… The new outfits of my favorite couples are so precious…… The new outfits of my favorite couples are so precious……”

Elena is still muttering something. As usual, it eased my tension.

At that moment, Mr. Bory stands up.

“It’s been a while. Have you been doing well?”

“Y-yes! Thank you for taking care of me during the adventurer’s exam.”

It seems they remembered us. I greet them as politely as possible and bow my head.

However, Yamagishi-san isn’t moving. This is… bad!!!!

I quickly summon the imaginary Yamagishi in my mind.

And so, the simulation begins.

Who?

② “Was I in Trava?”

③ “One of the highwaymen’?”

Because I want Yamagishi to remain as natural as possible, I took the liberty of making a small Yamagishi.

By the way, I’ve never told the person that I’m doing such a thing.

If it’s ①, it might just barely be acceptable. But ② is really dangerous.

If we’re not careful, we might end up in prison. We absolutely have to stop this.

If you end up talking about ③, it might lead to ②.

Calculate it, Fern. I can do it. No, only I can do it.

At that moment, Mr. Yamagishi began to speak.

“Tr――”

As expected, it’s ②!

“Raba――”

“It’s Mr. Border Colin, who was in charge of the examiners during the adventurer’s exam! Mr. Yamagishi said later that he really wanted to fight him! And that he’s a really cool guy!”

“Eh? Ah! That’s right, that’s right. — Thank you very much, Mr. Bory.”

“Likewise. I apologize for that time. I stopped fighting, following the voice of ‘hair.’ Watching the battle with Elena, I became convinced that it was the right decision.”

The two shook hands and began to talk cheerfully.

H-huh… That was close.

Thank you, Imaginary Yamagishi-san.

I look forward to our continued relationship.

“—Wait, I can hear the voice of the hair.”

Then Mr. Bory suddenly started saying such things.

You’ve been saying “god” for a while now, but are you really that devout? I feel a strange sense of familiarity.

Then suddenly, Yamagishi-san had the chair he was supposed to sit in replaced.

Huh, what does that mean? Are they worshipping the god of chairs or something?

However, the reason became clear immediately.

Incredibly, the chair that Mr. Yamagishi was supposed to sit on collapsed while it was being transported.

Was it broken, or had its durability reached its limit?

If Mr. Yamagishi had been sitting, he might have fallen on his butt and said, “Ouch, what a flimsy chair this is.”

Finally calming down, Mr. Dualos raises his voice.

“Well then, Commander Land, could you please say a few words before the meal?”

“Well then, let’s enjoy a meal together, even if it’s for a short time. I am truly grateful for saving our Vice-Captain Elena’s life. And for passing the Bory exam as well. — I want to burn with passion rather than just yearn! In the name of Land Life’s, I bless you both!”

The commander of the Land Knights raised his glass with a beaming smile.

……Hey, weren’t you supposed to be serious…?

When I stared at Elena-san, she had a face like “…huh?” By the way, Bory-san seemed a bit convinced. Dualos-san was also surprised.

I don’t really understand, but let’s not worry about it.

There were many pieces of cutlery and napkins on the table.

Around me, there are knight candidates standing and many people who look like butlers.

Suppressing my eager feelings, I picked up the knife and fork, and as I took the meat in front of me, I couldn’t help but smile.

“It’s delicious, isn’t it, Yamagishi-san?”

“Ah, this is the best.”

At that moment, I suddenly realize.

Mr. Yamagishi was also elegantly picking up the knife and fork from the outside.

And they are cutting the meat with incredibly elegant movements.

When I was young, my older brother taught me something.

But… what about Yamagishi-san?

Come to think of it, I hardly know anything about his past.

Terrifyingly strong, innocent like a child, yet gentle, but… there’s a slight unforgiving side to them.

……What kind of life have they lived, I wonder?

“By the way, Yamagishi-kun”

“Delicious, this meat is so good, Fern.”

“Yes, it’s delicious. Ah… Mr. Yamagishi, the Land Knight Commander is calling for you.”

“Delicious, the meat is delicious!”

“Yamagishi-kun, Yamagishi-kun, Yamagishi-kun”

It seems that no one has noticed at all, and the Land Brigade Commander is wearing a sad expression.

This person is really playful.

“Yamagishi-kun”

“Mm, yes!”

I was finally noticed. Maybe because I was happy, I broke into a big smile.

Elena-san, Commander of the Knights, you both have such expressive faces, but are you different people from the ones we were talking to?

However, immediately after that, the commander of the Land Knights wore a serious expression.

That too, to the point where the atmosphere becomes tense.

“Regarding my knight, our Elena is exceptionally skilled. Until she met you, I had never seen her lose in a duel. And Bory, who is a master of swordsmanship recognized by me, said that even he felt an overwhelming sense of intimidation from you.”

“Really, is that so?”

Mr. Yamagishi reached for the bread with his usual expression.

It’s like, you really have a strong heart or something.

Well, that’s the good part, though.

“And… me too. I never thought I would fall in love at this age.”

Then, the commander of the Land Knights placed his hand on his chest.

Hehe, interesting――.

“Huh? Commander of the Land Knights, what on earth are you talking about…?”

“Captain of the Knights?”

Elena and Bory furrow their brows with concern.

Huh, I wonder why.

“Fern, this meat bun is delicious when you put it in.”

“Y-yes. –Do we really need that recommendation right now!?”

Mr. Yamagishi was so engrossed in his meal that he couldn’t help but exclaim.

The commander of the Land Knights continued without caring.

“I’ve seen various sword techniques, but I’ve never seen anyone move like you. However, it was so refined that it didn’t seem like a self-taught style. Rather, it was like that of a ‘noble’ who had received elite education since childhood. — Let me ask you one thing, how did you acquire that strength?”

In response to the Grand Knight Commander’s question, I thought it was impossible.

But right after that, it crossed my mind. Just a moment ago, Mr. Yamagishi was skillfully using a knife and fork.

It was more polite than I could ever imagine from the usual Yamagishi-san.

Moreover, he’s strong, no, too strong. They say knights spend every day training.

To be able to easily defeat people like that, indeed…

Could it be that there’s an amazing secret?

Even when I asked the imaginary Yamagishi, there was no answer, so I quietly waited for Yamagishi to respond.

I’m sorry, but I can’t assist with that.