Chapter 3: A Man Composed of Misunderstandings and Sexual Desire

"Nice to meet you, Saint-sama. My name is Ars, and starting today, I shall serve as your guardian knight."

"Is that so?"

"I look forward to working with you."

"…………"

——And we return to the beginning.

I'm using polite language because Reese told me she'd castrate me if I didn't... stop threatening castration for every little thing, that technique is super effective, you know.

Th-This woman... she won't look at me at all!!

She's been staring out the window the whole time.

Rude for a first meeting, oi, is what I think, but naturally, there's no way I can say that.

Even if the rank of the Classes is equal, in terms of external importance, the Saint is on a different level.

I convinced myself back then too, but a Saint who always exists versus a Holy Knight who hasn't appeared in 200 years.

The Saint has always saved people, while the Holy Knight was just in the Hero's party.

Of course, the Holy Knight who was a companion of the Hero who defeated the Demon Lord is respected.

However, if asked which one to respect? Considering past achievements, naturally, it's the Saint.

So I don't particularly harbor dissatisfaction with this treatment.

——Fuu, a faint sigh.

Looking at Saint-sama's back... gazing at her long, smooth silver hair, I waited nearby.

Guard = Literal guard.

Just protect her nearby, I was told.

One day off a week. On that day, Reese will handle guard duty. Apparently, it's a holiday for me to raise my level.

What is a holiday, I wonder...

Also, she said once I get used to it, she'll eliminate the holidays. Is she a demon???

My life plan is already going wildly off the rails...

"Where is... Reese?"

Suddenly, a voice like ringing bells sounded.

That frail, quiet voice undeniably belonged to Saint-sama.

She, she spoke...!!

"She will be in charge of your guard duty once a week."

"I see..."

...Hmm? Did her voice pitch up?

Is she... happy? No no no, I heard she never laughs and shows absolutely no emotion.

...Maybe the theory that I just have excellent observation skills is true.

Since long ago, I've been able to read emotions from subtle changes in expression and tone of voice. Saint-sama's emotions are exceptionally hard to grasp, but there was definitely an expression of emotion just now.

"Are you lonely without Reese?"

"...Not really."

...Oi oi oi oi, what the hell, she's normally cute isn't she! Where's the iron mask?! Where's the emotionlessness?!

She's just an ordinary girl! Idiot!

What is everyone doing, seriously.

I broke into a smile and decided to change my perception of Saint-sama. As I thought, even if she's praised as a Saint or whatever, she's still just an ordinary human.

Class or no Class, you can't change the core of a person.

"Heeh, so you are lonely."

"...!"

When I said that while grinning, Saint-sama turned around and looked at me.

——In that instant, I felt the illusion that time in the world had stopped.

Beautiful. Simply beautiful.

Her features somewhat resemble Mei's. However, Saint-sama's parts were all perfect like a work of art; everything was arranged to a terrifying degree of perfection.

Long silver hair, and eyes with a cross-shaped light pattern that didn't seem human.

The white dress with blue accents that accentuated it made her look like a goddess from mythology.

——No wonder they worship her.

It was as if she was born to be a Saint. An appearance that anyone would recognize as special.

"So what——"

I won't treat you as special.

I refuse to be just one of the masses.

——Because that flustered expression she had when she turned around was just a normal girl, not a Saint.

"Reese is important to you, isn't she?"

"…………"

"Oh my, have I been disliked?"

She abruptly averted her face.

I want to stop using polite language, already. Using polite language reminds me of when my body gets hijacked.

"Saint-sama. ...Polite language is tiring, can I stop?"

Saint-sama whipped around again as if surprised——then averted her face again,

"...Do, as you like."

She muttered quietly.

Alright, now I can talk normally.

Still, she's annoyingly cute.

If I look at her with weird eyes, Reese will threaten me again, so I'll endure it though...

◇◆◇

The day after finishing my first guard duty.

Today is a holiday. A holiday named "Training Day".

That's why I'm currently in a forest slightly away from the Capital.

I want someone to formally look up the word "holiday" and announce it while shouting loudly in front of me once.

But——!!

Just for today, I will forgive everything.

Because——

"I look forward to working with you."

"I didn't think Mei would come along."

"Considering Ars-sama's ability, you probably do not need a guard, but just in case."

"I'm being way too overestimated..."

——Because Mei is here.

Even if the priority is lower than the Saint, the Holy Knight is an important Class.

Since there's a possibility of unforeseen situations at Lv. 1, the Black Knight Mei was dispatched as a guard.

She seems to be overestimating me as usual... but no matter how I think about it, that was the event when my body was hijacked...!

Since it was me but not me, a little guilt——like hell there is. I'll use what I can use.

Even if the consciousness was different, the body that defeated Mei was mine!

"Today, I would like to have you hunt the Evil Horn, a monster optimal for leveling up."

"Evil Horn? Wasn't that a relatively strong monster?"

"Yes. Even I cannot avoid injury if I take a charge from the front. But if it is Ars-sama, it should be easy. Besides, if it gets dangerous, I will assist. Of course, I doubt that will be necessary."

"You're really hyping me up..."

"...?"

She's unaware? Scary.

Today, Mei isn't wearing her helmet, and her overall outfit is different.

Her upper body is clad in black light armor with gold decorations, and her black cloak with red lining gives off an overall elegant yet practical vibe.

The sleeves flare out around the elbows, revealing the crimson lining. Furthermore, a belt with gold decorations is wrapped around her waist, and below that, Mei's very beautiful legs are wrapped in black stockings.

While it is a feast for the eyes, I feel pressured by her pure eyes that trust me implicitly.

Well, it doesn't feel bad to be expected of by a beauty.

Monster hunting alone with Mei.

It would be a lie to say I'm not expecting some erotic development, but judging by this atmosphere, I feel like it's impossible...

"Can't be helped. Gotta do it seriously."

This leveling up is actually exactly what I wished for.

——What is a Level.

It is something that rises by killing living things or performing actions befitting one's Class, granting benefits such as increased physical ability, mana, and so on.

For example, there is the Farmer Class.

In this Class, levels rise by hunting monsters, but experience points can also be gained when growing and harvesting crops.

Therefore, while the method of raising levels varies widely by Class, for combat Classes, defeating monsters is faster.

By the way, this mechanism only manifests after a Class is granted.

Naturally, I have experience hunting monsters when I was in the village. As part of training, or repelling monsters attacking the village.

But in reality, I'm Level 1.

That said, it's not like you can't get strong without raising your level; you can learn skills before being granted a Class, and use your inherent mana to enhance physical abilities.

That is the reason I could fight Mei while being Level 1.

Levels aren't everything——but there's no loss in raising them. If I'm going to be a guard, it's better to be strong.

While having my gaze stolen by Mei walking teku teku next to me, I made a resolve with a serious face I rarely make.

"By the way, what kind of monster was the Evil Horn again? I remember seeing it in a monster encyclopedia a long time ago, but I don't know the details. Information is essential if we're fighting."

Challenging it without prior knowledge is a bit tough, so when I asked Mei, she looked at me with a slightly impressed expression.

Eh, did you think I was that stupid? Me?

"The Evil Horn is a cow-type monster with a single horn and ominous patterns floating on its body. Its characteristic is a charge released using explosive mana emitted from its legs; it is said to pierce anything if it hits. However, since it can only move in straight lines, evasion is possible if you predict its movement."

I see.

Power is dangerous, but only linear movement.

...However, the fact that Mei says it's dangerous if she gets hit implies the propulsion force is significant.

Meaning, even with linear movement, there's a possibility it's too fast to dodge.

Especially since these are the words of Mei, who overestimates me.

If I don't brace myself, I'll die easily.

"...I never even thought about prior information. I always thought I should just cut everything down..."

"...!?"

I heard a muttering voice next to me and was startled.

So that impressed look meant that!

Only a handful of strong people can do that.

...Is she surprisingly a muscle-brain?

"W-Well then, we will be entering the Evil Horn's territory soon."

Mei dyed her pure white cheeks faintly red and urged me forward to cover it up. It seems she noticed my startled gaze.

——Dammit, I said that's unfair!!

Don't show such cute gestures. I'll fall for you.

It was the moment Blonde Beauty's Blushing Face was shuta added to my fetish folder.

No. 249... Internal numbering complete.

"...Hmm? Is that it?"

Walking a little further, there was a black cow with ominous purple geometric patterns in the depths of the thicket.

Its body length is about three humans. Just a big cow with weird patterns, really.

However, the mana and aura it wears are considerable.

Mei saying this is "easy" really needs to get her head checked.

...Well, it's not like I can't beat it.

"Alright, let's do this."

...Fortunately, it doesn't seem to have noticed us.

Some monsters use mana detection, but in the Evil Horn's case, because the mana it wears is so dense, detecting other mana is probably difficult.

Surprise attack is fair game.

Those who can win use any means necessary. That is my creed. Dying because you stuck to some clumsy code is the lamest thing ever.

"Do you need assistance?"

"——No, I can win alone against this much."

"As expected of Ars-sama."

I'm already overestimated, so why do I act like that to hype it up, me.

...Because I don't want to look uncool!!

Men, you know. Always live on bravado and vanity.

Thanks to exposing my shameful side relatively often, I don't have useless pride, but I have an abundant desire (sex) to look good in front of a beauty.

...Judging by its characteristics and amount of mana, the Evil Horn is pretty strong. Whether I can win fighting head-on depends on my ability.

But... if I don't do it here, I'm not a man.

If I show a shameful sight, my d*ck won't stand either. Or rather, it will be cut off. By Reese.

I steeled myself and revealed myself from the thicket.

The Evil Horn is facing away, but if I get any closer, it'll notice my presence.

That's why——Attack...!!

"...Bumo!?"

"Die, oraaaaa!!"

I fully opened my body enhancement with mana, channeling a lot into my legs. ...Ironically, what is needed is a god-speed strike like the Evil Horn's attack method.

Given its attack method, there must be a "charge up" to build speed.

——Even if it notices after the sword is closing in... Too slow!!

Technique and mana.

Using everything I can use, I slashed the Evil Horn's torso wide open.

——Fresh blood dances.

But...

"Shallow! Dammit!"

"Bumooooooo!!!!!"

"Ah, yes! Of course you'd be mad!! I'm mad too! At my own patheticness!! Die!!"

The roaring Evil Horn immediately shifted to an attack stance.

Scratching the ground with its hooves, enormous mana rapidly wrapped around its feet.

——No good!!

Its attack will reach me before I can launch another attack!!

I have a defense method... but if possible, I don't want to use that. I can't be proud unless I win with my own power!!

——The Evil Horn's attack is a straight line.

If I jump sideways now, it'll correct its trajectory before the attack and go chudoon and it's The End.

"Roar, reflexes...!"

Dodge the moment it jumps out.

There is a little distance. I should be able to dodge just barely.

"Bumooooooo!!!!"

"Tch, watch out!"

"Right hereeeee!!"

I heard Mei's worried voice——thanks to that, I grasped the timing of the attack.

The Evil Horn vanished from before my eyes——but I had already succeeded in jumping sideways to escape.

"Tch, Haa!! I did it, dammit!!"

——Dogooooon!!!

Trees were mowed down and a roar echoed. If I took that, I'd just plain die, idiot!!

"Not yet."

It's good that I dodged, but I haven't defeated it.

However, with that much destructive power. It can't attack rapidly.

Then now is the time to attack!!

I immediately started running toward the Evil Horn's direction of travel.

"Bumo...!?"

The Evil Horn had lost sight of me slightly due to the momentum of the charge. I feel like I understand why it can only attack in one direction.

This guy is an idiot. Just like me.

"This time for sure, die oraaaaaa!!!"

Probably not a line a Holy Knight should say publicly, but in a fight, screw that.

Inspiring myself with a scream, I thrust my sword into the Evil Horn's flank.

"Bumoaaaaaooooo!!!"

"See ya, shitty cow!"

Giving a death cry, the Evil Horn fell completely silent this time.

...My win!!

The moment I realized my victory, power suddenly overflowed in my body.

I probably leveled up.

"This is amazing."

Both physical ability and mana went up considerably.

...Hmm, but as I thought, mana has better enhancement efficiency than physical ability raised by leveling up.

Since it's a combined value, there's no harm in leveling up though.

"Congratulations, Ars-sama. It was a splendid fight."

"Well, it was easy."

It was totally dangerous though. If I messed up, I would have lightly died. But!! I must put on airs. Heh.

Toward Mei who congratulated me with a faint smile, I was stretching my philtrum to the max in my heart. If it actually stretched, it would be over, but it's probably fine. Probably.

She seemed worried about me during the fight too, and I'm happy that her favorability seems to have gone up since that incident.

...Well, there's probably not a speck of romantic feeling, though. That gaze is respect or something in that direction.

Even by mistake, it's not the sweet-and-sour kind.

...It's disappointing, but that's how it is.

As I was feeling that disappointment, I felt a sudden surge of mana from behind Mei.

Something is coming at high speed——!!

An attack from afar that I only know because I trained mana detection to death.

This mana is——Evil Horn...!!!

Did it sense its companion's death and attack?! A species-specific skill, huh...!

Bad... Mei hasn't noticed.

By the time she notices, the attack will have already reached. If she noticed, she would have mountains of countermeasures, but for Mei, who probably doesn't have decent defensive skills, taking that blow unawares is bad.

On top of that, Mei isn't fully armored today.

——An illusion as if time had stopped.

Inside my heart wavering on action,

『Do it.』

At the same time I heard that voice——I hugged Mei and pushed her down to the ground, but because the position was bad, there was a fear of major injury from the shockwave of the charge.

"A-Ars-sama...!?"

Without time to worry about the identity of the punyun soft sensation transmitted to my palm, I released a technique toward the Evil Horn's attack range.

"Holy Shield (Sexual Shield)!!!!"

"What——Don't tell me!"

"Make it in tiiiiime!!!!!"

——Donnnnn!!!

A dull sound echoed.

When I opened my eyes with a prayer——there was the figure of the Evil Horn, dead from the impact of colliding with the Holy Shield I created.

And——there was the figure of Mei, pushed down beneath me, her cheeks red.

"U-Umm... your hand..."

Mei's eyes staring at me were wavering somewhere.

An attack that came suddenly from outside vision. She must have had a terrifying experience——.

I smiled softly to reassure her,

"I'm glad, you're safe."

And said it like a whisper.

"Why did you protect me so desperately..."

What is she saying.

"Something like that——isn't it decided? Because I want to protect you."

"————!"

Protecting people is natural.

For the world to be beautiful, human activity is indispensable. Protect people, cherish people, love people.

Just with that, the world suddenly colors beautifully.

Protecting Mei... protecting people is natural.

What is she so surprised about?

"——It's the first time, I've been protected by someone..."

A question mark floated over the dazed Mei——Hah!!

"Nwah!? What was I saying!? Or rather——Eh."

My memory is fuzzy!!!!

Is it that!! Does the amount of sexual desire consumed determine the presence or absence of consciousness at that time?! I don't know!!

As I thought that instantly and calmed down——I suddenly realized my hand was firmly groping Mei's breast.

And I'm pushing her down with all my might.

Eh, soft... what is this, soft...

"U-Umm, Ars-sama... your hand..."

"Eh, ah... yes."

I was completely confused by the soft sensation transmitted from my hand and the figure of Mei blushing and acting shy.

Eh, are they this soft? Boobs. Amazing... Also... the sight of a usually cool beauty acting shy is just... dangerous dangerous bad bad... I feel the sexual desire I should have consumed with Holy Shield accumulating rapidly.

Moreover——my hand! It won't let go!!

The first enchanting sensation...! I know I have to let go, but my heart! It refuses to let go! I know I have to let go at least...! No, actually I don't want to let go!

"Kuh...!"

"Ars-sama... are you hurt perhaps...?"

Pa, painful...!

I couldn't hear what Mei said, but since she has a grim expression, the countdown to being abused as a "You damn pervert!" is surely starting.

"Ah..."

I inadvertently put strength in and kneaded.

The moment a somewhat glossy voice echoed——I mustered all my strength and mental power and separated from Mei's side as if collapsing.

"I am sooooooooarry."

"No, it is the result of you protecting me. More importantly, Ars-sama, is your injury okay...?"

"Injury...? I'm fine, but..."

How kind she is, this blonde ponytail goddess.

What greeted me, who apologized with the momentum of a dogeza, was a gentle smile as if enveloping everything.

At that point, I was tirelessly recharging sexual desire, but on top of that, she even worried if I was hurt.

I was moved by her attitude of not caring that I groped her boobs.

"Alright, then we defeated two, so let's head back——"

——No, maybe she's just pretending not to care, but actually hated it incredibly...!?

Externally, I am a Holy Knight. Mei has shown an attitude of respecting that, so maybe she just can't go against me because I'm a Holy Knight...?

Meaning, is there a chance I was disliked because of this event...?

The moment I arrived at that thought, I staggered from shock, my legs becoming unsteady, and collapsed face down on the forest floor. ...I want to become nutrients for the forest like this... It's over...

"Ars-sama...!? As I thought, an injury...!"

"I'm fine, I'm fiiiiine."

"To think... you protected me by squeezing out strength until you collapsed..."

Ah... Shit, being unable to put strength in due to shock really happens, huh. My sexual desire should be recharged, but my heart is calm like Sage Time.

However, if we don't move quickly, there's a fear I'll be disliked even more, so I stood up unsteadily.

——Then, a nice scent drifted softly.

Looking to the side, there was Mei wrapping my right arm around her own neck.

My right hand wrapped around Mei's shoulder naturally hits her ample chest.

"...!?"

"I will lend you a shoulder."

To me who didn't understand what was what, Mei answered smiling softly again. Apparently, she's lending a shoulder to me because I'm unsteady.

...Could it be, I'm not... disliked?

"Ah~... Mei, about earlier..."

I wanted to confirm it no matter what, so when I casually brought it up, Mei looked down and muttered.

"I-It was a little embarrassing, but... if it's Ars-sama... I'm fine with it."

"I-Is that so."

Eh, isn't this because she doesn't see me as a man? ...Was I saved? I feel like I took damage in reverse somehow.

"Because... you protected me."

Nugugu... As I agonized, I feel like Mei said something, but surely my lingering regret made me hear an auditory hallucination.

...For now, let's just enjoy this happy sensation until the forest exit.

"...It helps that you're lending me a shoulder, but isn't it dangerous if a monster appears in this situation?"

"I have my mana detection fully open so I don't let my guard down this time. Besides——not to the extent of a Holy Knight, but I am still a high-level Black Knight. No need to worry."

...Since one hand is occupied, I still think it's dangerous... as I thought that, my mana detection felt a monster's mana ahead.

Straining my eyes, I can see a bipedal pig monster... an Orc ahead. ...Not that strong of a monster, but attack power is high. Fighting it with one hand occupied is dangerous——just as I tried to separate from Mei——she held her greatsword with her free right arm,

"A monster. Excuse me a moment. Chaos Blade."

——Black mana was released from the greatsword swung down with one hand, blowing the Orc away in the blink of an eye.

...Ah, yes, no problem there...