Agnes' face, red as a ripe tomato from the kiss, was quite a sight to behold.
I snickered at her, who didn't know what to do.
"Why are you so embarrassed? When did you cling to me and call me 'Master'?"
Since the three of us spent the night together, Alicia and Agnes stopped clinging to me excessively or making me feel unnecessarily jealous and embarrassing me.
Thanks to that, I no longer had to use the 'pushing' or 'pulling' techniques to walk the tightrope.
In a way, it's a bit ironic that I can finally enjoy a normal relationship after spending the hottest night ever.
"Oh, you're being mean! That was when we were alone, and even though we've already left work, we're still in the unit. The one who said to separate work and private life is the captain..."
Agnes looked around, as if she was afraid that other subordinates might see her, and scolded me with a stern expression.
There was almost no one in the unit who didn't know that we were dating. But it was still a bit embarrassing to show affection so openly.
I stiffened my face and responded in an exaggerated tone.
"Yes. That was really rude of you, Deputy Captain Agnes. I'll be extra careful with my actions from now on."
"Whew... Seriously, you've become a lot more playful lately."
At that, Agnes stuck out her lips and hit my forearm with her head.
I hugged her slender shoulders and let out a light laugh. The small knight's body leaning against me as if it were familiar, and the sweet smell of her hair soap.
"Ahaha! I see. Now that I hear it, it really does seem that way. So, do you hate it?" "Don't you? That's ridiculous. It's just that you seem to have changed a lot since the first time I saw you… Well, in a good way, of course."
"That's true for you too. Since your fatigue has completely disappeared, you've become much prettier than before."
"Haaah! Really… Why are you so embarrassing…!"
The subordinates who stay late to do personal training or go home together are watching us from afar, showing various reactions.
Some smile as if they're happy, some look as if they're dying of envy, and some even look down.
The atmosphere is such that friendly jeers and screams might fly in at any moment, but the Knights are a strictly vertical hierarchy.
'If you're going to tease me, you too can become a Knight Commander.'
Since the people who were playing the annoying game of dating were the first and second highest ranking members of the unit, no one had the courage to say anything to us.
Dating isn't exactly against the rules. As long as you don't blatantly commit a depraved act within the unit, no one can stop us.
Dating a subordinate doesn't mean you're neglecting the management of the unit, so there's nothing to feel guilty about if you have this much leeway.
On the contrary, thanks to the large-scale unit combat power enhancement plan that recently began in earnest, positive public opinion and loyalty toward me were at their highest ever.
"Captain. What's that in your hand?" "Oh, it's a gift from the Celestial Church. I think I can use it to strengthen my weapons."
In public, I carry out my assigned duties appropriately, and in private, I spend peaceful and happy days with good people.
These days, I feel like I've come one step closer to the ideal life I've dreamed of since before the war.
Every moment feels truly precious.
I hope this peace that I've created with my own hands lasts as long as possible.
'Of course, I shouldn't become too immersed in peace and rust.'
I thought to myself as I glanced at the wooden box containing the devil's horns in my hand.
"Then, I'll take you home, Lady."
"Hehe. Yes, sir."
And then I exchanged light jokes with Agnes and headed home. It wouldn't be too late to visit the blacksmith shop after I took her home.
"Yes. Where can I get Madame Noir's book? I'd like to read it too. If it's such a groundbreaking work, it must have caused quite a stir in the nightlife of the Empire."
On the other hand, today's topic of conversation was quite sensitive, unlike usual, so I had to sneakily try to find out the answer I wanted from Agnes.
The person who made that night particularly hot was, without a doubt, the faceless writer named 'Madame Noir'. I've also recently become interested in her work.
"Well, that's... just a light, popular novel that women pass around among themselves. You're not a man among men, are you? It's definitely not to your taste, so you'll feel very uncomfortable."
Agnes's expression was troubled, and she avoided answering.
She said at length that she was embarrassed because it was a dirty book.
Sure, even if you're in a relationship, sharing embarrassing hobbies is a bit awkward. But you can't help but be curious.
"Hmm, do you have that kind of prejudice too? I like books more than you think. I don't really care about genres. My favorite hobby is walking, and then reading."
"Really? I didn't know that…"
This was true.
When I have time after finishing all the work I have to do. I usually go for a walk or read a book.
If you just swing your sword like a knight, your head will likely turn into muscle, so it's essential to have some level of culture.
"How could you not have at least one book?"
"Ugh… No matter what, I can't recommend a place to buy it. A more refined book would suit you, Captain."
However, seeing Agnes so stubbornly refusing made me even more curious.
People tend to want to do something more when they're told not to. How embarrassing must the content be for her to act like that?
"Well, if you say that..."
"If you happen to come across that book, you must never read it! Do you understand? Never!"
Honestly, I didn't think much of it, but Agnes's reaction made me even more curious.
I can't stand this. I have to find out.
If it's 'Madame Noir', it's likely that she's a female writer, but this alone isn't enough of a clue.
"Okay. Then go in carefully."
"In return, I'll give you as many hugs and kisses as you want. Of course, if you want, you can always go beyond that..."
—Slap!
"Haaah... So, even if you do feel the urge, you shouldn't think about solving it with a book. Oh, do you understand?"
Agnes, who tried to divert my attention to the end, was somehow pitiful and cute.
"Okay, okay."
I had no intention of giving up like this.
I should ask Alicia later.
That's right, after dropping Agnes off at home, I headed to Eitri's blacksmith shop.
......
The central commercial district in the evening was still bustling with people, still full of energy.
I knocked on the blacksmith shop door, careful not to bump into people with the large sword wrapped in cloth on my back.
[Working! No visitors!]
—Bang bang!
"Are you there, sir? I'm here! I'm going in!"
"Where did you come in without permission? Can't you see the words 'No visitors?'?"
Still, perhaps because there had been a fairly large deal recently? The response was definitely more lenient than last time.
As always, I greeted visitors with a wink and passed the craftsmen who were busy with their work as I went inside.
"A big, distracting guy, and not just walking around with his eyes hanging out. Hey…"
"Haha. Nice to meet you too."
Still brimming with energy, his voice was as loud as ever, despite his small stature.
—Shoot!
The bald dwarf old man jumped down from the workbench in front of the huge central furnace and approached me, wiping his hands on his trouser legs.
"Damn, little monster. What on earth are you doing to harass this old man this time… Huh?! What's that ridiculous lump of metal on your back?"
"I knew you'd be interested, old man."
—Kuung!
I put the large sword behind my back down in front of Eitri, who was showing great interest, and proudly untied the cloth.
The ground was shaking slightly due to the enormous weight, but Eitri, who possessed brute strength that did not match his small stature, easily picked up the sword and began to examine it.
"Wow… Who on earth made this? Judging from the marks of the work, it doesn't seem like it was made by my comrades. But still, this level of perfection. It's definitely a skill worthy of being called a craftsman."
"I didn't expect the elder to praise it so highly. It was worth choosing this from the relic storage."
"What is it? Did you grab it from that crazy treasure trove? Oh, somehow…"
"I had a feeling as soon as I saw it. It's a good item."
This is the first time I've seen the picky Eitri praising someone's craftsmanship.
As expected, this guy is an extraordinary sword. I looked at him with pleased eyes and carefully swept the blade once.
"But, this doesn't seem like it needs any special attention. Should I make a scabbard for you? Even if you're in a bad situation, you didn't come to me to ask me to sharpen the blade, did you?"
"Of course, a scabbard is necessary, but in fact, there's another topic. Please take a look at this."
I took out the devil's horn and showed it to Eitri, who was looking at me with a suspicious look.
Then his eyes changed in an instant.
"You, this... You brought quite a valuable item. Then I know the purpose. Now that I have a good idea, take it and come upstairs for a moment."
"Huh? Just like you did, sir?"
"Stop whining and come with me! Hurry up before my thoughts fly away!"
But, was this combination of horn and greatsword something that was unique to craftsmen?
That stubborn Eitri-inspired man would invite me to his workbench, which was like his own sanctuary as a blacksmith.
With great interest, I climbed up onto the workbench of the man in front of the burning furnace.
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