Chapter 4 Part 3

TL: Xean

ED: Shish

I’m going to zip it up.

Okay! It went up smoothly.

I can barely see her b*tt now, and the zipper’s halfway down her back. Now I just need to close it.

“Un, I think it’s okay now. I can stop tightening now.”

Instructor Miya said so and stopped squeezing her a*s. And just then… Crunch.

“Hn……?”

I heard a noise that didn’t sound any good, so I stopped zipping.

The instructor screamed ‘Ah……’ and froze as if something bad happened.

I lowered my gaze and looked at the b*ttocks area where the sound had come from.

“…… This is …….”

A beautiful peach was exposed.

To put it bluntly, the fabric that covers her b*ttocks had been ripped open, exposing the instructor’s a*s.

“…………”

“…………”

The instructor and I went silent for a while.

Eventually, the instructor finally opened her mouth and said.

“For now, …… we need to buy it, right?”

“…… I suppose.”

“I’m afraid of trying another, so I’m going to buy the black one.”

“I think it’s good. It looked good on you, and it’s my favorite too.”

“Then… I’ll go with that.”

So that’s what we decided. After that, it was time for me to choose my formal wear.

The instructor found me a decent tuxedo which I tried on.

“Ara, looking good. As expected, you look good in black, Theo-kun. It’s the same color as mine, so I wonder if it’s a good idea.”

“Matching colors…… it’s a good idea. I’ll take this one then. Wait a minute, I’m going to go pay the bill.”

I changed back into civilian clothes and went to pay the bill.

“No need. We’ve already received payment from Samuel-sama.”

“Eh?”

I turned around and made eye contact with the instructor. She looks at me blankly.

“Theo-kun, what’s wrong?”

“Why…… Why did you pay for this ……? ”

“It was a present.”

“It’s compensation, isn’t it?”

“That’s also one way to put it.”

“Honestly, it’s too much…… I’m not asking for this.”

“But the main reason I wanted to present you with this tuxedo was because it looked so good on you.”

‘So take it’, the instructor said quietly.

That’s not fair.

You don’t want to accept any kindness from me, but you’re the one who pushes gifts on to me like with the sniper rifle.

But I knew she was doing it for me and it made me feel so happy that I couldn’t refuse it.

“Thank you, instructor ……, but I hope this will be the last time.”

“All right. If Theo-kun doesn’t like it, I’ll try not to do it again.”

If I could, I’d ask you to stop rejecting my favors, but I don’t think that’s going to happen anytime soon, so I won’t say anything.

After all, we had successfully bought formal wear.

The sun set, and night fell.

Me and the instructor went to the royal family’s castle.

The venue for the evening party was a large hall inside the castle. Sparkling chandeliers elegantly illuminated the entire hall, and live music was being played by the court musicians, filling the surroundings with warm sounds.

The hall was densely filled with guests from the musketeer’s association and famous aristocrats.

As the time for the party to begin neared, the people began to bow their heads in unison. The Emperor had just arrived from the passage for the royal family.

His Majesty, the 41st Emperor of the Esterd Empire, Erabas Zenosia Shakurata.

Although his dull white hair gave the impression of old age, his body was so sturdy and his posture was good that it was hard to believe he was in his fifties.

His bearded face full of dignity and the grace of a ruler of the greatest nation in the human kingdom.

With his entrance, the instructor and I followed suit and bowed.

After some time, His Majesty sat down on the platform and the evening party finally began.

The performance of the court orchestra ceased, and the ceremony began with the presentation of the awards to the Agaliarept subjugation force.

“Representatives of the special subjugation force of the musketeer’s association. Take the stage.”

“”Ha!””

The assistant of the royal family, who was facilitating the ceremony, urged me and the instructor to reply and take the stage.

It was His Imperial Majesty Emperor Erabas who was presenting the award.

First, the instructor stepped forward and received the Medal of Honor and the certificate as the field commander and representative of the Agariarept subjugation force.

Then next was my turn, and I moved to the front of the Emperor.

“Theo Fordout.”

“Ha!”

“I am pleased to present you this award in the name of my royal family, Shakurata, for your great military prowess in defeating Agaliarept, the 13th General of the Polar Star.”

“It is my great honor.”

“In addition, I would like to express my highest praise for your courage in defending Mya Samuel on the same battlefield, and for your determination to rise again after losing your strength.”

His Majesty said this and placed the Medal of Honor on my chest.

“It saddens me that a man like you ended up like this. I hope and pray that you will come back to us and wield your power once again for the sake of our country, and above all, for the extermination of the tyrants, the demons, and the Great Demon King Lucifer. We wish you good luck.”

“Yes, your Majesty.”

Before I knew it, the room was filled with applause. As the applause filled the air, my instructor and I stepped off the stage.

The awards ceremony was then closed, and after the address by His Majesty the Emperor and the President of the Musketeer’s Association, the formal moment came to an end.

As the court orchestra began to play again, the court servants brought in a myriad of dishes, and it was the standing banquet that started.

“Fuah, I’m glad it’s all over. The instructor, dressed in a black dress, said with a relieved expression.”

“Samuel-kun.”

Then it happened. I heard a voice beside me calling for the instructor, and it was His Majesty Erabas.

Unlike his behavior on the stage, he was somewhat calmer and friendlier.

“Once again, thank you for attending, Fordout-kun.”

“No, it’s my pleasure, sir.”

His Majesty Erabas was accompanied by several high-ranking officials. One of them, a bespectacled man, was glaring at me.

I wonder why.

It’s a strange feeling.

“And how about my offer, Samuel-kun, will you accept it?”

His Majesty Erabus asked the instructor. I wonder what he’s talking about.

“I don’t think there’s anything wrong with you joining the 《Rounds》.

……Joining the 《Rounds》?

“As you know, Samuel-kun, 《Rounds》 is a special unit consisting of a dozen or so musketeers who hold the highest rank among the 《Seventh Wings》. Each and every one of them is very powerful, and the battlefield where they are deployed will surely be led to victory. They are the pinnacle of musketeers in both name and actual combat.

“Yes, of course I know. Theo-kun used to be one of them.”

“Fordout-kun was the youngest person ever to reach the highest ranks,《Knights of First》. If it hadn’t been for that incident, he would still be at that rank today.

……Recalling this made me remember bitter memories. It was not a memory I wanted to actively recall.

“Anyway…… we’d like to invite you to join the 《Rounds》, Samuel-kun, once again. We’re in need of your leadership. The 《Rounds》 is the most powerful and elite unit in the world, but because of that, many of its members are unique and difficult to control. In this respect, you are trusted by many people and have a lot of experiences taking command. You have experience as an instructor and have led a class. You may be a 《Sixth Wing》, but you have an outstanding talent for leading others. That’s what the current 《Rounds》 lacks. That’s why I want you here.”

I see. …… So, the instructor is being asked to skip a grade because of her abilities as a commander.

I knew that her abilities would shine sooner or later, so I was happy to hear this.

However, while I was thinking about it.

The instructor, who had been pondering for a long time, finally answered, “Your Majesty, I don’t mean to be presumptuous, but I still can’t accept the offer. ”

I was surprised. She turned down an invitation to join the 《Rounds》, the highest honor and rank for a musketeer…….

“Well, that’s too bad…… may I ask why you came to that conclusion? ”

“I don’t want to be tied down. Joining the《Rounds》 is a very attractive offer, but if I join it, I will lose some of the freedom I have now. I’m best suited to be free. Besides……”

The instructor said, looked at me.

“I’d like to take care of him, Theo-kun, up close and personal. Because of what happened, I can’t take my eyes off him too much right now. That’s why I don’t want to be tied down by joining the 《Rounds》.”

If she joins the 《Rounds》 and is bound to it, she won’t even be able to keep an eye on me.

“Is that the reason for your decision? ”

“Yes. …… I hope you’ll forgive me for what I said can only be taken as an insult.”

“No, I don’t mind.”

His Majesty gave her a forgiving look.

“I understand your position, Samuel-kun. Some may think it absurd to reject the offer for such a reason, but I don’t think so. I think that your heart’s decision to decline the offer out of concern for Fordout-kun is what makes you a woman of virtue. I, who asked for it, cannot deny your determination.”

“Thank you for your kind words, Your Majesty.”

The instructor bowed reverently, and then made a reluctant proposal.

“If you don’t mind me saying this…… would you be willing to let Theo-kun rejoin the 《Rounds》 when he is fully recovered, rather than me? ”

Instructor…….

“Hmm, Fordout-kun’s reinstating……what happened was really an unfortunate accident. I don’t think there’ll be any resistances against bringing him back. Hmm, I understand. I’ll consider Fordout-kun rejoining the 《Rounds》 when he’s fully recovered.

“Thank you very much, Your Majesty.”

Instructor Miya respectfully bowed again. …… How deeply does she care for me? I’m truly overwhelmed. She really thinks too highly of me, doesn’t she?

“Please wait, Your Majesty!”

Just then, a voice ranged out. It was one of Erabas’ top officials, the bespectacled man who’d been glaring at me.

“Why! Why does Your Majesty give preferential treatment to Fordout!”

“Fordout-kun is the best musketeer in recent years. He obviously deserves to be treated well.”

“But this man is an abomination! He was born of a mother caught in the clutches of some demon.”

“Regardless if you have demon blood, if you live as a human being, you are a human being.”

“However …….”

He then turned to his instructor and said.

“Samuel-san, you too! You’re crazy enough to reject the 《Rounds》 for that red eye! Don’t get disillusioned… You should’ve been a great lady, but your preferential treatment for Fordout is what makes you truly disappointed!”

And just when the officials were about to continue his bantering…….

“What are you saying? Do you realize how rude you sound right now?”

The instructor suddenly interjects her words, making the official even angrier.

“Shut up! You and His Majesty are both blind! Your Majesty and you are both blind! What human rights does an abomination child have?”

He then held out his arms as if to indicate the entire audience.

“Look! You are the only abomination in the audience, Fordout. Your abominable red eyes and stepping into this noble space is a crime truly unforgivable! Shame on you!”