CH 11

Felix, who was next to me, peered at me worriedly.

I’ve been thinking about this for a while now, but they are indeed the leader and deputy leader of the Blackwing Knights. The bond between them really is strong…… 

“I don’t have any doubts about that. Because Gazelle has never lied to me. Of course, neither has Felix.”

When I said that, Gazelle and Felix looked at me strangely, as if they were pigeons that had been hit by a bean bullet. Then, after a pause, Gazelle reached out his arm and patted me on the head. Felix, who was next to me, pecked a kiss on my cheek with a smooch.

Wha, what on earth?

“Gazelle, Felix. That aside, just to make sure…… err, did the two of you want to do these things with me to the extent you looked for excuses to do it?” 

“…………you, we’re already at this point. Of course we do. Just who wouldn’t want to do it with the person they love?”

“To tell you the truth, I’d like to engage in the act of exchanging feelings with you.”

“……I see.”

I couldn’t say anything to their straightforward answers.

Because, I mean, I still think that both Gazelle and Felix are just concerned about me because of the suspension bridge effect……

To be honest, I’m genuinely happy about how they both feel.

In my former world, I had never confessed my feelings to anyone, nor had anyone confessed theirs to me. I was someone that lived completely out of the loop. I’m rather flattered that the two of them have taken a liking to me.

But we had met on a pirate ship, and after that we were in a series of battles with giant floras and drainflowers. 

I think it’s highly likely that the two of them, with their strong sense of responsibility, may have mistaken the heart palpitations they felt at the sight of me fighting so recklessly and desperately on the battlefield as the feelings of love……

……After that, although it was accidental…… the two of them and I had, err, did things.

I think because of all these things going on at once, the two of them have been deluded into thinking that their feelings for me are love.

I’m sure that in time, these two handsome guys will find someone more suitable and naturally forget about their feelings for me. 

According to the game’s storyline, this is before the start of the main story. The day when the protagonist of “Change the World” is summoned is not far away.

Whether the summoned protagonist will be a man or a woman remains to be seen, but in this world where same-sex romance is publicly accepted, there is a possibility that these two will be attracted to the protagonist, even if he is a man. No, I bet they will immediately become attracted to him, just like in the main story of the game.

As they say, ”Let sleeping dogs lie” or “far from Jupiter, far from his thunder”.

But I don’t want to make things awkward by refusing in a strange and distant way. Therefore, I think I should wait until the two of them have calmed down. 

“……Takumi? Is something wrong? Are you still feeling sick somewhere……?”

“Hey, you alright?”

I noticed that Gazelle and Felix were anxiously looking into my face. I hurriedly replied to them, “I’m fine, I was just a little distracted,” to which they finally looked relieved.

“As expected, Takumi must be tired. It’s a pity, but I think it’s time to call it a night.” 

“Yeah……There were no particular triggering of any magic spells, so I guess it’s been modified to occur only after battle. What poor taste.”

The two of them then took care of me by gently dressing me and wiping me down.

Though the process on the way turned out to be disastrous, I’m glad I was able to let them in on my secret, even if only a little…… How nice would it be if one day I could tell them everything I’ve been hiding from them.

No — in order to be able to welcome such a future, I have to be the one to strive for it. 

◆

The next day, I visited the Commander’s dedicated office, located at the corner of the Blackwing Knights’ barracks.

The floor of the office was covered with a red carpet, and the cupboards, bookcases, and desk were all made of dark brown walnut tree wood. Upon entering the room, Gazelle suggested that I sit on the guest sofa in the center of the room.

“Felix will be a little late. By the way, Takumi, how are you feeling? Have you felt anything strange since then?” 

Gazelle, with a furrowed brow, sent me a concerned look. I smile to reassure him.

“Yeah, I’m fine. Thank you for worrying about me.”

Ah, this sofa is so comfy. Not too soft, not too hard. It would be really comfortable to take a nap here.

The weather today is beautiful and clear, and the light blue sky beyond the window is sparkling clear without a cloud in sight. 

I sat on the sofa, gazing at the scenery outside in a daze, and waited for a few minutes.

“Pardon me, Commander Gazelle. I’m sorry for the delay.”

Felix opened the door to the office and came in. When he saw me sitting on the sofa in the center of the room, he looked slightly surprised. But his expression soon changed to a soft, blooming smile.

“Good morning, Commander Gazelle. And Takumi. I see that you are also here today. How are you feeling?” 

“Yeah, I’m fine.”

Felix asked me the exact same thing as Gazelle. This made me smile a little, as it somewhat reflected the strength of the bond between the two of them.

While I was relaxing, Felix sat down next to me in an elegant manner. Gazelle also sat down on the sofa in front of me.

“Commander Gazelle. What did you want to discuss? Does Takumi’s presence here mean that it involves him?” 

“Rather than that it involves him, I would say that Takumi was the one that suggested it…… Takumi, is it okay if I explain to Felix first what happened yesterday?

Apparently, the whole point of having Felix and I here today was to talk about the potion creation.

In order to avoid the destruction of the Blackwing Knights, I wanted to first mass produce potions so that the Blackwing Knights would have a constant supply of them. For that, the three of us needed to come to an agreement first.

“Yea, by all means, please do so.” 

Of course, I immediately nodded.

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Gazelle looks at Felix with an unusually stern expression. 

“Yesterday, Takumi and I went to the city hall to register him as a resident and to complete the formal procedures for joining the Blackwing Knights. There were no problems with that, and it went without a hitch…… Just, after that, we went to a perfume shop in town. That store run by an alchemist from the castle town.”

“Perfume shop, sir?”

Felix tilts his head slightly, looking somewhat puzzled by Gazelle’s words. He probably still doesn’t know what the main issue is.

First, take a look at this. Yesterday, Takumi instructed the alchemist girl to make this prototype. 

Saying this, Gazelle placed an emerald green liquid in a vial about the size of an index finger on the table. Then, he took out a silver paper knife — and suddenly thrust it into the middle of his index finger.

Ouch, ouch, ouch!

In spite of my panic, Gazelle put the paper knife on the table with a nonchalant expression on his face, picked up the vial, and poured the emerald green liquid on his fingertips.

Then the wound on his index finger, after emitting a faint glow, vanished without a trace. 

“Wha-……!? Commander Gazelle, just what in the world is this?”

As expected, even Felix could not hide his agitation at what had happened before his eyes.

This liquid is called a potion, according to Takumi. The degree of effectiveness of this liquid has not yet been verified, but it can be made by combining several ingredients and activating the alchemist’s “refinement” skill.

“A potion, is it……I have never heard of such a thing.” 

Felix glances sideways at me. I did my best to feign an air of innocence.

“The great thing about this potion is that it can heal anyone’s wounds. Until now, only a healer could heal injuries, but with this elixir on hand, anyone who is injured can recover themselves without depending on a healer.”

“Wha……I don’t believe it, there really can be such a thing?”

“What’s even more impressive is that the ingredients are not that expensive. The only slight difficulty is in obtaining the nectar from drainflowers, but the rest are D-grade materials. If the government takes the lead in developing this as a state-owned business, mass production should not be so difficult. 

Felix gulped at Gazelle’s explanation.

“It truly is…… a groundbreaking invention. If this potion could be produced in large quantities, it would not only strengthen the Knights, but would also greatly help the wounded and sick in the countryside……!”

Gradually, Felix’s cheeks become flushed like roses, and his amethyst-like eyes sparkle with anticipation. Gazelle nodded to Felix.

“So. You and I are supposed to have jointly developed this potion, so starting today, we need to coordinate our stories.” 

“…………I’m sorry, but right now, what did you say?”

I wonder where the sparkle that had been there a moment ago was. Gazelle continued to explain further to Felix, who froze.

That is, what Gazelle and I talked about yesterday – that I don’t want to reveal that I am the creator of the potion because of my position, so I want Gazelle and Felix to take on that responsibility.

When Felix finished listening to me, he looked at me with an astonished expression on his face. 

“Takumi …… I never imagined that you would invent something as groundbreaking as this……!”

“It’s not really my invention. I was merely taught how to make it, and not the person who invented it.”

“Still…… No, but.”

Felix shook his head, wondering how to respond to my words. He seemed puzzled by the topic that had suddenly come up. 

“But, Takumi, are you sure about this? I believe that the invention of this elixir called “potion” will be a great achievement that will be passed down to future generations. If the mass production of this potion takes off, it will greatly help not only us Knights, but also the struggling and impoverished people in the countryside. Are you sure you are willing to hand over the credit and honor to someone else……?”

No, like I said, it’s not really my accomplishment or anything, Mr. Felix.

I was just testing my knowledge of the game, and the alchemist with glasses did the fine-tuning, and the Blackwing Knights procured the materials.

“It doesn’t matter. Besides, if it boosts the reputation of Gazelle and Felix, then that would make me happier.” 

“……Takumi really isn’t ambitious, is he?”

Felix had a subtle look of dismay and admiration on his face. In response to Felix, Gazelle, who was sitting across from him, said, “As I said, Takumi doesn’t have any ambition for possessions or fame. On the other hand, if Takumi’s name becomes known, that would be problematic, wouldn’t it?”

Huh, what’s wrong with my name being known?

I was registered properly, and my guarantor is Gazelle, the Commander of the Blackwing Knights, no? 

Putting aside the past, I don’t think I’m that shady anymore…… Is it bad if I get noticed by the tax inspector or something?

Oversized question marks were flying around in my head, but Felix looked aghast at Gazelle’s words and then nodded mysteriously, “That’s true, indeed, if Takumi’s presence becomes known……”

As usual, Gazelle and Felix are completely in sync!

I, the person in question, am completely left out though! 

“……I understand. If that’s the case, I’ll accept your proposal.”

“You’re a big help. Thank you, Felix.”

“……I’m the one who should be thanking you, Takumi.”

“Right, Takumi. Let me thank you too.” 

Good, good. Now I guess I can figure out how to spread the potion!

After that, Gazelle, Felix, and I left the Commander’s office, met up with the other members of the group, and headed back to the perfume shop in the castle town.

The two members who were accompanying us were both healers who belonged to the Blackwing Knights’ Healing Team. They were called in as experts in the healing arts to verify the potion’s effectiveness.

Gazelle had already explained to them about the potion, but from the looks on their faces, they seemed half-excited and half-doubtful. 

I mean, it was reasonable. In this world, the existence of potions itself has been forgotten, and it is common knowledge that “human injuries and illnesses can only be cured by healing arts. You would have to actually see it to believe that there is anything to change that.

Of course, these two people have been told that it was Gazelle and Felix who invented the method of making potions. Therefore, my position is that I am just a helper who happened to be at the place where the potion was invented, and I am accompanying them this time in order to follow up on the potion making process.

I have to be careful not to forget that position! I’m scared that I’m going to accidentally slip up!

“Takumi, I’ve called one more person to come to the perfume shop to help you with this matter.” 

The five of us were walking on foot through the castle district when Gazelle informed me in a whisper so that only I could hear.

I glanced at the members of the group walking in front of me and Gazelle. They seem to be having a lively conversation with Felix and don’t seem to be paying attention to me and Gazelle. Perhaps Felix is being tactful and drawing the group members’ attention.

“You mean someone other than from the Blackwing Knights?”

“Yeah. But they are not a complete outsider. Like us, he is the Commander of a Royal Knight Order–a knight named Ortolan McCione of the Yellow Wing Knights. 

The leader of the Yellow Wing Knights

Dang, I want to meet him so badly! I don’t remember ever seeing him in the game, so yeah, I’m really looking forward to it!

“When you say the Yellow Wing Knights……The Knight Order comprised primarily of members of the beastman clan?”

“You’re well informed. That’s right, Ortolan is a bird-type beastman.” 

There are a total of eight Knight Orders in the Magic Kingdom of Litzheim. They are the Gold Wing Knights, Silver Wing Knights, Black Wing Knights, White Wing Knights, Red Wing Knights, Blue Wing Knights, Green Wing Knights, and Yellow Wing Knights.

The Gold Wing Knights are the Royal Guards, and the Silver Wing Knights are the order responsible for the protection of the royal city. The other knights are mainly responsible for national defense, defeating monsters, and guarding borders.

Anybody can join any of the knight orders as long as their backgrounds are verified. From commoners to nobles, and from humans to dwarves and beastmen, all statuses, races, and genders are welcome to join. However, although it is possible to become a knight, when it comes to placement, the story is different.

Despite the fact that there is no slavery in the Magic Kingdom of Litzheim, there are still people who have prejudices against non-human races, especially the beastmen. In order to prevent unnecessary disputes among members, each knighthood has its own unspoken rules. 

For example, the Yellow Wing Knights are mainly composed of beastmen, the Green Wing Knights are mainly composed of those from commoner backgrounds, and so on. The Black Wing Knights are a mixed group of knights regardless of status, race, or gender.

I checked with Gazelle to make sure my knowledge was correct, and he confirmed that it was. I was relieved that there seemed to be no discrepancy between the game and reality.

“Why is this said Commander Ortolan coming to check on the potions?”

“Among the Knight Orders, the Yellow Wing and Green Wing Knights are the ones that are on good terms with the Black Wing Knights. So, I thought I would first ask the Yellow Wing Knights for help. We’ll need nectar from drainflowers for the potion, right? You can buy them at merchant guilds or adventurers’ guilds, but if you are too conspicuous, you may attract attention. Once we have proven that it works, we can report it to the king, but until then, we want to move quietly.” 

Gazelle shrugs, saying that if this invention becomes public knowledge, the city will be in an uproar and neither I nor Felix will be left alone for a while.

Err, somehow, I’m sorry for pushing the hassle onto you……

“Of all the knight orders that store materials obtained from defeating monsters, the Yellow Wing Knights have the most materials for drainflowers stored than any other. Also, by listening to people from organizations other than your own, you can find all sorts of issues and areas for improvement.”

“Hmm……I see. If Gazelle is okay with it, then I’m fine with it.” 

“Ortolan is a tight-lipped guy. He’ll keep quiet about the potion until we officially report it to the higher-ups. You can rest assured of that.”

“I understand. By the way, what do you mean by storing materials obtained from defeating monsters? Don’t you hand them over to the state or guilds?”

To my question, Gazelle answered with a small smile.

“Ah, you mean that. The materials that each knight order has collected are mainly handed over to the government. After that, they go to research institutions and public facilities. However, if there is a high demand for a particular material within that order, they’re allowed to keep it for their own use as long as they submit a specified amount to the government. However, it is prohibited to sell them to outside parties.” 

“I see…… So you’re saying that there is a demand for drainflower materials within the Yellow Wing Knights? What do they use it for?”

“–.”

Then, for some reason, Gazelle froze.

What? What’s wrong? 

I tilted my head and waited for Gazelle’s response for a while. After a few seconds of silence, Gazelle scratched his head and awkwardly opened his mouth.

“…… It’s a tonic.”

“What-” 

“Drainflower nectar is a tonic. Didn’t you know that?”

“……I didn’t know that.”

If I knew, I wouldn’t be asking such awkward questions, Mr. Gazelle!

“I see…… I knew your knowledge was skewed. Or should I say, forcefully skewed…….” 

Next to me, Gazelle was muttering something. I wonder what?

Rather, wait a minute. What do you mean that the Yellow Wing Knights use tonics more frequently?

“Uh, Gazelle…… I’m sorry if this is just common knowledge as well. But why do people in the Yellow Wing Knights use so much tonic? Does it have something to do with the fact that they’re beastmen?”

“You don’t know that either?” 

Gazelle looked at me with his golden eyes opened wide.

Uh, well, I’m sorry. I’m sorry for making my boss, the Commander, explain such things to me……

“……sorry for asking something weird.”

“Ah, no, no, that’s not it. I’m not reluctant to explain or anything. It’s just that Takumi’s knowledge is…… so skewed to the point that I was startled.” 

I guess he’s right. I remember the background knowledge of “Change the World,” including the characteristics of each of the knight orders. But of course, I don’t know the terminology and details that weren’t mentioned in the game, so there are holes in my knowledge on some areas……

“……I probably will continue to ask questions about things that everyone would know and take for granted……… When that happens, just let me know and I’ll try to look it up myself later, if you don’t mind.”

Feeling somewhat pathetic, I look away from Gazelle.

“Hey, I told you. I don’t mind explaining it to you. I’m just a little surprised. I’m sorry if I hurt your feelings…….” 

Gazelle whispered to me and puts his arm around my shoulder.

My body was tightly pressed against his.

“I, I’m not hurt. I mean, if Gazelle doesn’t find it bothersome, then that’s fine.”

“I see, well I’m glad to hear that.” 

I pulled myself away from Gazelle in a hurry.

It’s not that I hated it, but it was bad for my heart……!

Darn handsome men! They’re all so suave in what they do!

Besides, I just made a blunder yesterday. Being in close proximity to him reminded me of this and that from yesterday, which was embarrassing. Both Gazelle and Felix are trying not to mention what happened yesterday, so I can still pretend to be unaffected by it. 

I glance sideways at Gazelle. Our gazes met exactly.

Gazelle’s face broke into an amused smile as he stared at me. The smirk on his face and the arc around his mouth suggested that he was fully at ease, unlike me, who was completely overwhelmed.

“So, what were you asking about again…… Ah, right. The reason why the beastmen from the Yellow Wing Knights use tonics, right?”

“Right.” 

“Unlike us humans, the beastmen have a ‘mating season’. Outside of their mating season, they have almost no sexual desire, but there is a discrepancy between races in their mating seasons. Therefore, they use tonics to become sexually aroused in order to reconcile these discrepancies and do it with humans.”

“I see……”

To think it was for that kind of reason. I’m surprised.

Maybe the reason why these kinds of information didn’t appear in “Change the World” is because the game was rated for all ages? 

At any rate, now we know why the Yellow Wing Knights use tonics so frequently.

“Thank you, Gazelle. I’m glad I was able to ask you before we went to the perfume shop.”

When I thanked him, Gazelle responded reassuringly, “Don’t mention it. Feel free to ask anytime.”

Thank you, Gazelle! I’m probably going to ask a lot of crazy questions in the future, so don’t abandon me……! I, I’ll try to find out as much as I can on my own! 

……But it’s a bit strange.

We’re about to meet the head of the Yellow Wing Knights. He is said to be a knight who is an avian type beastman, but how come I have never heard of him?

He was not mentioned in the story of “Change the World,” and moreover, there was no information about such a character on the Internet or in any strategy books. So I don’t know him.

But if he’s a character who is the leader of the Yellow Wing Knights and from the beastmen clan, he’d be a pretty important character…… 

I wondered as I walked toward the perfume shop.

◆

When we arrived at the perfume shop, we were greeted once again by yesterday’s bespectacled clerk.

Today, not only her, but also her grandmother was there. The store was originally owned by her grandmother, and the girl with glasses was an apprentice and employee at the store. 

Today was our first time meeting the owner, so we greeted her.

She smiled gently and said, “I would be honored if I could be of service to my country. Although my granddaughter might be of minimal assistance, likewise, please do extend your kind regards to her, who is still quite inexperienced, if you could.”

Shortly afterwards, the clerk with glasses secretly whispered to my ear, “My grandma is acting extremely polite today, but the truth is that she is usually very scary……!” Yet she had a bodhisattva-like smile that didn’t seem to suggest otherwise.

After chatting for a while in the store, the entrance bell rang with a light clang. 

As soon as the door opened, a calm, deep voice echoed through the store.

“–Sorry I’m late. Seems like I’m the last one.”

I knew at a glance that the man who entered the store was the leader of the Yellow Wing Knights.

It was because he was wearing the same type of uniform that we all wore in the Black Wing Knights, a khaki-colored knight uniform embroidered with black silk thread. 

Hash: Sorry for the missed chapter last week, I’ll make it up another week. For now, here is this week’s.

I translated 非リア充 “non-normie” as “someone that lived out of the loop”. Hopefully the meaning comes across and doesn’t deviate that much.

Was tempted to translate “things” as ‘mingle and jingle’ lmao. “……After that, although it was accidental…… the two of them and I had, err, mingled and jingled.” 

触らぬ神に祟りなし “you won’t get cursed by a god or spirit you don’t touch” meaning to not provoke danger in the first place -> Let sleeping dogs lie

君子危うきに近寄らず “a gentleman won’t go near risks” meaning to avoid danger -> far from Jupiter, far from his thunder

For “paper knife”, Gazelle used a sharp knife used for cutting paper, not a paper origami knife like what would come into mind nowadays. Apparently it was the predecessor to letter openers (which were more dull and blunt) and only an antique nowadays.

これだからイケメンは！”Ugh, this is why handsome men [are…]!” -> Darn handsome men! 

猫を被る “wear a cat”, meaning fake, wolf in sheep’s clothing, feign friendliness, put up a front. In this variation, it said 何匹もネコを被って “wear several cats” aka “various degrees of fake” (lmao) so I put “extremely” to reflect that. -> acting extremely polite