Hey, wait a minute. Where do you think you're going?　Heroic Lord Nacht--

Huh...

"The king has sent me to ascend the throne. Come quietly with us.
　Dozens of knights surrounded Nacht and the others as they went.
　Some of them were dominated by red armor and cloaks embroidered with the kingdom. It was a sign of a strong man.
　Only the king's personal guard, the Kingsguard, are allowed to wear the two.

I'm not going to be able to say that I'm a hero, but my arms and body are too poor to be called a hero. It looks delicious, though, hahahahahahahaha, hahahahahaha!
　Nacht couldn't help but kick the knight who stood in front of him like a wild thief.
　There was the sound of armor shattering and the feeling of a few bones shattering, but of course, as Nacht, he was holding back.

'Tenmei, who do you think we are--'
　The knight's words did not follow as he uttered that.

'Refrain!'
　A sharp voice carried through the air.
　It was quiet, and hence the words of a strong man with heavy pressure.

'My men have excused me. But rest assured. We are the ones who ask for your help. I promise to give you the best possible welcome. I beg you to come with me.
　The Kingsguard Knight, Yuri Reinveld, said that with a polite manner. The blonde-haired two-eyed, slender but well-trained body would catch the eye. There was no wasted fat at all, and his appearance alone was a true representation of his abilities.
　When he stepped forward, the frolicking knight regained control and straightened his posture.
　The gap in ability that separates them becomes an intimidation that subdues the weak.
　The supremacy possessed by the warrior of successive battles made the knight regain his reason. All you have to do is open your mouth, and the surroundings will shut up and silence will return to the place.

'Retreat.

　But that was only the level of a person.
　The intimidation unleashed by Nacht was far beyond the level that a person could endure - it was a wave of absolute strength that was even in comparison, a wave of absolute strength.
　Nacht directed his skill (skill), the dragon's intimidation, at the knight.

　With that alone, the knights in their armor fell to their knees.
　Like a ship wandering in a raging storm, the bodies of the knights swayed in a small way.
　A clatter and a small, noisy metallic sound touched my ears. The bluster from earlier seemed to be a lie.

''Nacht-sama, restrain, restrain--''
　Aisha was also getting used to the stone, and even with the strong knights surrounding her, she still hadn't made the mistake of being the one to care for.
　She gently placed her hand on Nacht and shouted for restraint.

''I don't mean to antagonize you - but this is a royal order. Please, will you please accompany me........
　Yuri was the only one who raised his voice in a polite and humble manner, though he was upset.
　Nacht tells the only knight who did not bend his knees.

'Don't block my path.'

　And--




◇




What, are you guys going out dressed like a bunch of clowns?
　Nacht was checking out the Little Bird Pavilion at dusk when he was approached.
　When Nacht turned around gracefully, her dress dominating, Randolph was rubbing her ample, protruding belly and tipping her post-dinner coffee.
　Aisha was dressed in her usual civilian clothes, as well as her idiosyncratic (unique) equipment and the formal dress of a woman - a maid's outfit that was a mixture of black and white. She also wore a set of other equipment that Nacht had given her. The way she looked, she would look like a nobleman on his way to a ball.

''What, I have a little business to attend to, I'm planning to go away--''

That's a pity. I haven't even tasted your food yet...........
　The expression on his face is one of profound disappointment.

'Well, if you're going somewhere else, can I lend you a carriage?　Would you rather do it?　So I'll have another one of those fruit things--
　Nacht laughs at the man with such a bite.

'Ha, no thanks - I'm good enough on foot. If Aisha gets tired, you won't have the pleasure of carrying her on your shoulders--'

'What!　I won't........shoulder to shoulder.......I'm not going to do that, that's so embarrassing!
　As Nacht's shoulders slumped blatantly at Aisha's terse words, Randolph said a little more seriously.

'But don't you think it's hard to move in a lot of ways now?

'It's none of my business - or not. No, no, no, it's all right - rest assured, I like the city in its own way. I'll come back to it some other time--
　Randolph's mouth rose slightly.
　At the same time, he seemed to let out a breath of relief.

'Well, then let me eat better next time, huh--'

Ha, if you remember.
　About a month after the Demon Dragon Conflict, when I looked at the inn that I had taken care of, the entire staff was bowing in unison.
　Although it was a manualized bow, polite and somewhat regimented in its manner - a definite warmth could be felt.

"I'd like to come back--

Well, I'll see you at some point.

　We left the trading city and walked through the Keparnia grasslands for a while.
　The sun was setting and the light was turning red. A gust of wind blew, shaking the dark green grassland. At the same time, there was a raspy metallic sound that was different from the sound of the wind.
　Nacht, who was in a good mood, dared to ignore it, but it seemed to come out numbly.

'Stop.'
　The way it surrounds Nacht and the others is more like a thief than a knight.
　The way they stare at Nacht with a vulgar gaze and put their hands on their weapons can only be considered a hostile action.
　If the only rational knight wasn't standing in front, Nacht would definitely judge them as enemies.

''Where do you intend to go, Hero Nacht-dono--''

　The tone was not one for those who should be honored before asking whether they should be directed at a hero.
　A curious gaze that didn't even hide his desire.
　Perhaps it was because they had heard that Nacht was an immensely beautiful woman, but the knights turned such a gaze on her.

　It's not that Nacht doesn't like to be looked at.
　It's not that he doesn't dislike being gazed at with lustful eyes.

　But he doesn't like the gaze of the lowlifes.
　There is a clear difference between the two.
　They are mistaken. They torture the weak without questioning their own superiority, and there is a nauseating sense of harm in it.
　There is no way to like the gaze of a human being who looks big behind such nonsense as power, numbers, or violence.
　Nacht loves to be fawned upon, but hates to be looked down upon.

'Nacht-sama, restrain, restrain--'
　Aisha says so, but Nacht's mood is soured by the interruption of her new journey.

You won't be able to see the castle from here...
　For a moment, Nacht was about to jump up into the sky, but then stopped moving, thinking calmly.
　Aisha was the only one who understood the exact meaning of Nacht's boisterous words. Aisha knew that all the people she saw in her eyes would be the targets of Nacht's attacks.

'Da, no, Nacht-sama!
　Aisha stopped her in a hurry.

'But Aisha - I'm in a sour mood right now - so if that's the case, don't you think it's only right to reward the one who issued that royal order or something like that that that was the source of the problem?'
　At Nacht's words, Yuri, who had been calm, drew his sword.

'Do you intend to disobey the king?
　A quiet voice.
　Only Duran and this Yuri are the only ones who could move so far under Nacht's intimidation.
　Their strong mental strength is worthy of praise in itself, as their minds can sometimes leap over even skills (skills).
　Nacht was a little impressed and had time to regain his thoughts.

'You, what is your name?'

"Lieutenant Yuri Reinveldt, 7th Kingsguard.
　Nacht was smiling happily now, a change from earlier.

'Hm, then, Yuri. You don't seem to understand the reasoning, so let me explain it to you. It is a good idea to treat people with courtesy. If you, or rather the king, wants to ask for my help, it is only fair that I bow to the spot myself, rather than turn to you.
　Nacht said as a matter of course.

''H--!　What have you done to the king?　We are the rulers...
　Nacht interrupts Yuri, who is furious.

It's a good thing that we don't include Aisha and I in that group. The status, position and other things created by people are terribly vague and fragile, knight Yuri. At the slightest hint, they collapse and disappear. So it's not hard to understand why you guys are trying to maintain that balance. But...
　Nacht's dragon eyes glowed suspiciously.
　More dazzling than the sunlight that was shining in - no, those beautiful eyes were too sharp and narrowed for words.

''Don't make the mistake of using the wrong person?　This is your first and last warning. Well, tell the king, you know - if you have a favor to ask, you can come bow to me in person.
　Nacht takes Aisha with him and walks right past the knight.
　There was no one to stop Nacht, who was just walking, Nacht thought - but

Wait, I can't let you get away with this.

Didn't I warn you?
　Nacht turned and looked at Yuri.
　To restrain Nacht would be a folly to lay down one's life, it must be said. But even so, Yuri was desperately trying to squeeze out his voice.

It's not just a matter of time before you'll be able to get your hands on it. If only you, a man of valor, could help me, the number of people who shed blood would be greatly reduced. --This is an ordained order of the king, Lord Nacht, and cannot be withdrawn. Even if it means losing this life!

　Nacht thinks about it for a moment.
　To tell the truth, Yuri is an unimportant opponent for Nacht.
　He's certainly not weak, but he's not a biting opponent either. His mental strength is worthy of recognition, but other than that, he's only at a top-notch level.

　However, Yuri was serious.
　He had said that he would throw his life away for the Lord. There, you can feel the unwavering will of someone who is serious about standing on the battlefield.
　If that was the case, then it would not be acceptable for Nacht to deal with him half-heartedly, no matter how much difference in strength there was between them. That would be putting his own words of courtesy at odds with his own words of courtesy.
　As he was wondering what to do, a good idea suddenly came to him.
　Nacht clapped his hands with a pop and opened his mouth.

'All right, then, Yuri, I will spare you your courage and give you a chance. If you can win a mock battle with my followers, I will go to the castle.
　Aisha's shoulders shook with a jolt.
　The girl's expression was terribly unnerving as she looked up at Nacht, and her eyes spoke to me, "You're lying.

'Are you sure you don't want to fight?'

"I have no taste for bullying the weak, unlike some knight in shining armor--

What's the...?
　Aisha, who was suddenly appointed, could not hide her confusion.
　The way she was oddballed was moderately adorable.

''It's a painful word to hear--I'll give them strict instructions after they return.

Oh, um!　Why me, Master Nacht!　It's impossible to have a mock battle with a knight of the Kingsguard!
　Nacht smiles at Aisha, who has taken on her usual panicked tone.

''It will be a good real-world experience of fighting against people. What, Aisha will be fine. I'm sure you can win--
　Nacht tells Aisha with immense trust.

'I have no choice but to turn my blade on a woman, though I am unwilling to do so. Rest assured, I won't hurt you.
　Yuri re-directed the sword he had been pointing at Nacht to Aisha.
　He swallowed his frustration with Yuri for not casually treating Nacht as a woman, because this was the time to do so.
　After a beat or so of silence--

'Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

　-- Aisha's exclamations echoed to the farthest reaches of the vast grasslands.