Translator: “Hakou” Editor: “Weasalopes”
The wasteland to the south of Awoke.
At the top of the huge mortar-shaped hole that opened up there, magic attacks by Knights were still on going.
『As expected of the Grim Reaper, you’re doing well this far. But, what about this?』
The Grim Reaper solely aims for the surface while using the clay golems as a shield.
Classic Knights painted in green and white jumping around by leaping and hovering to control their posture and change locations to get the Grim Reaper in their sights.
『A hit!』
Unable to dodge the blow, it hit the Grim Reaper in the abdomen.
Although it wasn’t enough to destroy it, the damage was apparently severe. He fell to one knee on the spot because of it.
While using the death scythe as a cane with his left hand, he took out a short staff, a wand, from his waist and pointed it toward the green-white knight.
『Haha!』
The green-white knight easily avoided the fire arrow that was released from the wand.
『Are you sure you’re going to be fine shooting magics like that?』
His tone is mixed with mocking laughter.
Seeing the Grim Reaper who had stopped moving, the captain’s Knight, who was further up, spoke up.
『It’s about time we end this. Restrain him and make sure he’s not moving an inch from that spot』
The captain sitting in the cockpit.
Although he looked down on the Knights of the human race, he also frowned at Grim Reaper’s sturdiness.
(As expected of an A-class Knight)
At this rate, it will take too long to defeat him.
He’s worried about his subordinate who is sprawled down below with his face shattered. A number of clay golems are already gathering trying to eat him.
(Let’s do this)
The captain decided to unleash a powerful blow, even if it takes a long time to prepare.
Leaping back to the surface, he got down on one knee and aimed at the Reaper from the edge of the giant hole.
(It’s in the way)
The Knight shook his head as if to pull the bangs from its eyes. This was caused by a habitual movement of the pilot, which it synchronized with.
The air around it began to tremble as a much greater amount of magic power began to fill the air.
(Kuh!)
He grunted as he suppressed the vibrating rifle with his strength. It was hard even for him, the captain, to pour this much magic into it.
(Just a few seconds before activation)
He gritted his teeth as he struggled to keep the Grim Reaper in line with his iron sights.
His armor began to rattle as he tightened his sides.
***
The perspective goes from that place to the top of the rocky mountain behind it.
There, lying on her stomach while holding her rifle, is the figure of the Kingdom merchant guild’s Knight, Old Lady.
(It’s my chance!)
A Knight with a single crystal horn sprouting from his forehead. I shouted in my mind as I put it in line of my iron sights.
I had been aiming at it for a while, but I couldn’t get a clear shot because it was leaping around at high speed.
If I failed to shoot, my position would be revealed and they might launch a counterattack at me. I couldn’t take such a risk.
(Please don’t move now)
There was no telling when it would move again.
With the amount of magic I could shoot immediately, I fired at once.
(Got him!)
After confirming the hit, I quickly lay the rifle on the ground.
Still, my eyes did not wander away from the situation on the giant hole.
The green-white Knight, struck in the chest from behind, fell forward as is into the hole.
『……Captain?』
The captain’s Knight falls down head first.
His subordinates, who were looking at him, couldn’t understand what had happened.
『Another enemy? So there are more than one of them』
One of the Knights rushed back to the surface. He put only his head on the surface to check the situation.
『Wha–!?』
His colleague, who was looking up at him from the lower level, shouted in surprise.
The Knight’s head was blown off and its debris came falling down.
The Knight, who had lost his head, slid down the slope and stopped at the ground one level below. His appearance was that of a puppet with broken strings.
(Long-range magic attack!)
A shiver ran through them.
They knew more than enough about the horror of this technique because it was also their specialty.
(We have to retreat once. But we can’t carelessly go to the surface)
He looked back at his remaining colleagues, trying to coordinate with them.
However, what he saw was the figure of the Grim Reaper approaching at a tremendous speed.
『Uwaaaahhhhhh!』
He let out a scream and jumped up on the spot.
However, it was too late as the side-curving Death Scythe cut his waist in two. The green-white Knight body, split in two, slides down the slope.
(It’s no good!)
Seeing this, the rest of the Knights jumped to the surface.
(Hiie!)
Immediately after, a white light came flying at him.
A scream unconsciously escaped from the pilot’s mouth.
He quickly hovered to move in the air, and the magic arrow passed over the position he had just been at.
(It’s an Elf!)
Intuitively, the pilot shouts in his mind.
The top of a nearby rocky mountain, from which a series of magic missiles were being fired.
The only one who could have done this was an elf pilot.
(Damn it!)
He tried to dodge by rolling away.
He barely dodged it. The ground around him, however, was shattered by the consecutive shots, scattering debris all around.
(He’s not an ordinary elf. Is he a high elf?)
He can’t see it clearly, but it’s probably a single Knight that’s shooting at him.
This much power in such rapid succession. It’s impossible for an ordinary elf like them to achieve.
If it was an elf, it was likely to be of the high elf class.
(Why? What a high elf Knight doing here? And why is it aiming at us?)
His mind is riddled with questions. In a panic, the green-white Knight began to hover as fast as he could to the northwest.
Behind him, at the edge of the giant hole.
When he finally reached the surface, the Grim Reaper was stunned by the scene outside.
A green-white Knight fleeing in a meandering motion. White colored magic missiles were attacking them in rapid succession from the top of the rocky mountain.
The Knight’s back continued to dodge them desperately. When the Knight was somewhat far away, the shooting from the rocky mountain stopped.
(It seems I will be the next target, huh?)
With the Death Scythe in both hands, he bends his knees and lowers his back.
There is no way to fight back, but he couldn’t just give up.
(……)
However, the attack never came. On the contrary, there was a sign that it was going down to the north side of the rocky mountain.
(Was it on our side?)
He can’t think of any possibility as to who it was.
(A mercenary?)
The chances of that are close to none, but he still consider it as a possibility.
If it was a Knight who wanted to be in service, or a mercenary Knight who wanted to score points, he would already show himself at this point.
There’s no way they won’t.
(I don’t know who they are, but we’re saved for now)
He felt the presence of Knights behind him and turned around.
The ones who stood there were two frontier Knights. Both of them were damaged quite badly.
『We managed to defeat one of them somehow』
『It was the one without head though』
Apparently, after the battlefield was moved to the surface, they tried to reach the surface on their own.
When he asked them about it, they said that they were advancing while eliminating stone golems when they encountered a green-white Knight.
A magic attack fired at close range grazed them, but the two of them managed to defeat the enemy.
『Lord Grim Reaper, what should we do now?』
Asked for instructions, the Grim Reaper looked into the giant hole.
The four green-white Knights who had fallen to the bottom had already begun to be latched onto and devoured by the golems.
Then he looked at their own situation.
(More than this is impossible, huh?)
Both himself and the frontier Knights are damaged. The amount of magic power remaining was also not enough.
He didn’t have the energy left to go and collect the evidence.
『Let’s head back』
A large number of golems. Classic Knights painted in green and white. And a mysterious Knight who may or may not be an ally.
The group of Knights, with the Grim Reaper in the lead, headed for Landbarn while dragging their feet.
Translator: “Hakou” Editor: “Weasalopes”
Almost at the same time, in the downtown area of Landbarn.
Going into the side street, there is a coffee shop called 『Pile Bunker』.
Inside the store, there are six box seats and a counter. An elderly gentleman stood behind the counter, serving drinks according to orders.
「Master, one coffee please」
A craftsman-looking man walked into the store and took a seat at the counter while placing his order.
While preparing a coffee siphon, the old gentleman with the white small mustache wore a surprised expression on his face.
「It’s rare for you to come here on weekdays. You’re done with your work?」
「Today’s a day off. I managed to make ends meet somehow」
A man in his late twenties, smiling happily. He works as a carpenter, and a regular customer here.
After a quick look around, he replies to the master.
「It’s been a while since I’ve gotten free time on a weekday evening, but there are sure quite a few customers here」
「I guess that means words about this store has spread」
He brought the coffee to the counter while smiling. The young carpenter picked up the cup, his nose tingling with the aroma.
「Oh? It seems he’s here」
The door opens with a chime of a bell, and a new customer arrives.
He was wearing a black uniform with a rose shaped pilot’s badge on his chest. The men hanging out in the box seats near the entrance were buzzing at the sight of him.
「…Rose Knight」
「Ohh what a muscular high quality man we got here」
The young man licked his lips and tried to leave from his seat.
「You better stop there」
He bent one eyebrow when the old man across from him stopped him. But the words that followed made him sit up again.
「That guy’s taken」
The Rose Knight, scanned across the store. If you follow his gaze, it stops at a craftsman-looking man sitting at the counter.
The craftsman-looking man raises one hand in the air, as if he knows him.
「Catching a good man like that」
The young man who had almost stood up earlier said enviously, pouting his mouth.
The craftsman-looking man and the rose knight are lovers.
And this store is a place where they can meet without worrying about being in the minority.
The master, the owner of the store, watches them sitting shoulder to shoulder and squints his eyes.
(I didn’t realize it would be so much better now that we’re in the jurisdiction of the Empire)
It all started with the fall of Landbarn and the arrival of the Rose Knights.
The Rose Knights’ pilots didn’t just stay in their quarters and train.
At night, they go out into the streets to eat, drink, and talk to people on the street.
「Why the hell a guy hooked up with another guy?」
The citizens were disgusted. The pilots, however, were not offended.
「Well, don’t say that. Come join me, I’ll buy you a drink.」
They continue to invite them with smiles on their faces without fear.
At first glance, this act seems useless. However, the repeated invitations were beginning to change the minds of some of them.
『A traits I didn’t even know I had』
They were wondering if it was something like that.
A light drink. The drinking party with a lot of people was noisy but cheerful and fun.
「Next time let’s have a meal together, yeah?」
Relationship between men that won’t mentally exhaust you. It was not bad, some of them thought.
After giving each other their contact information, they began to invite each other out to dinner and play together.
And before you know it, you’re sleeping on the same pillow in the morning.
(It was a fortunate thing)
As a minority, the Master felt lonely.
However the number of people who shared the same thoughts as him began to increase. And in order to help them, he sacrificed his retirement funds to open this store.
And now, the business is going well.
『A rose colored wind that blows from the Empire』
It certainly brought a new sense of value to Landbarn.
「Cheers!」
The two of them raise their glasses of water in front of the master. From the box seat behind them, a sharp gaze flies to the back of the young carpenter.
「Damn, I also want a pilot as my lover」
Although the tone of his voice was spiteful, there was a tinge of envy in his words.
「It’s sure nice」
The old man sitting across from me also nodded his head and let out a hot breath.
A pilot with a high salary and a high social status. But that’s not the only reason they’re popular.
They all have a well-trained body and the strength that surpassed life and death on the battlefield. That’s what makes their heart melt sweetly.
(Their gazes hurt)
So thought the young carpenter sitting at the counter.
He felt jealousy stabbing at his back like an arrow because he was dating a rose knight.
(I never thought I’d get to date a pilot. I have to thank the boss for this)
He wanted a lover, so he started going to this store.
『Pile Bunker』 is the only place in Landbarn where flowers and bees meet.
He doesn’t have high hopes like having a pilot as a lover. However, he has a tendency to be reserved when it comes to something other than his work.
He has never been able to escape his solitude.
(It’s lonely…)
On the way home after the store closes, he often sighs to himself.
One day, however, a sudden turning point in his life came to him.
「Won’t you come to the Knights’ quarters starting from this day?」
He had been sent there by his boss.
It wasn’t that the boss knew that he was already swing that way. His master, who’s a normal person, only forced him to go because he didn’t want to.
(Yeah!)
A place where the pilots of his dreams live. He went there with his face shining with the joy of being able to work there.
Until then, there had been no Knights stationed in Landbarn. Now that there have been many pilots that came there, there is a lot of work to be done.
Extensions, renovations, new construction. Requests keep coming in without ceasing.
(I want them to live in a good environment, even if only a little)
With this in mind, he works day in and day out with all his heart, without slacking off.
And there was a man who watched him with admiration.
「Thank you for your hard work every day. Would you like to have dinner with me sometime?」
A man before his thirties, his body like a rugby player, wrapped in Rose Knight’s uniform.
A young carpenter who was surprised by the unexpected invitation froze up.
(Quick, I have answer him quickly)
But the more he rushed, the harder for words to come out of his mouth. What he ended up doing was unconsciously glare at him while opening and closing his mouth.
This was one of the reasons he couldn’t have a boyfriend.
「Y-Yes, I-I’d be happy to」
He finally squeezed out what’s on his mind.
The pilot waited patiently with a calm expression on his face, unlike the previous people who called out to him.
They must have been made for each other. Their relationship developed rapidly.
A week later, he gave his first time to the Rose Knight.
(It was wonderful)
The gentle smile on the pilot’s face when he found out that his partner had no experience. And the gentle way he treated him afterwards.
Even remembering it now, he feels sharp in the front and hot in the back.
(Is it really okay for me to be this happy?)
A sense of happiness that made him feel guilty.
Ever since, the two of them arranged their schedules and met up at the store for a series of dates.
(Hm?)
However, there was something different about the pilot today.
(It’s strange)
When he talks to him, he doesn’t reply very well.
Sometimes, his mind seems to be somewhere else.
(Don’t tell me… he wants to break up?)
A cold sword of ice stabs into his chest.
But he, who knew that he’s not by all means the most popular person in the world, was prepared for it.
He knows the best that he’s not incompatible with him, like what he hears from people around them from time to time.
(I see, I’ve been too happy lately)
The warm and joyful days since they had met flashed before him like a running horse.
He looked at the pilot, who seemed to be having something hard to tell, and closed his eyes tightly.
「Would you receive this?」
The young carpenter hesitantly opened his eyes after hearing the unexpected words.
There was a small box held out to him by the palm of a burly hand.
「….Eh?」
While still feeling puzzled, he picked it up and opened it.
Inside, he found a silver necklace.
「!?」
He unconsciously held his breath.
At the end of a thin silver chain was a ring made of the same silver. It had the mark of the world tree’s leaf carved into it.
(An Elf brand!)
One of these would be equivalent to half a year’s income for him.
When I turned to the pilot with surprise, he was rubbing the bridge of his nose with his finger in embarrassment.
Then he spoke in a whisper.
「How’d you like the idea of us renting a house and living together?」
A de facto marriage proposal.
The words “Grows a pair of wings in your heart and fly away*”. The young carpenter realized that this was not just a metaphor.
He really felt like he was floating in the air.
「*TL Note: “心に羽が生えて飛ぶ” I looked it up but can’t find what it really means.」
(This way, we can always be together)
He’s more than happy about that.
The young carpenter clung to the thick breastplate of the Rose Knight and nodded repeatedly, tears spilling down his face.
His lover’s hand gently brushed the back of his short cropped head.
「Tch」
He can hear a light click of the tongue from behind.
Immediately after that, words were thrown at him.
「Can’t be helped, I give you guys my blessing」
The box seats near the entrance. It is called the hunter’s seat, and is mainly occupied by those who are looking for a lover.
One of them said something as if they had enough.
「Yeah yeah, congratz」
Then he clapped with a displeased expression on his face.
The other guests began to clap as well, throwing words of congratulations.
「I wish you guys happiness」
「Congratulations」
The two were surprised at the sudden turn of events, but laughed happily while scratching their heads.
(…….?)
However, he begins to feel something was off on the applause that continues forever.
Then the master whispered from his back.
「Everyone is waiting, you know?」
An old gentleman who was the owner of the store.
The two understood the meaning of his words after a beat. They looked at each other and nodded their heads together.
(As I thought, this is embarrassing)
The words were faintly heard amidst the urgent applause. Was it the pilot’s or the young carpenter’s words.
Having made up their minds, they looked at each other and kissed each other in front of everyone.
「Ohh how passionate!」
Amidst the wild cries of the crowd, they continued to kiss for a long time, breathing in and out.
The applause and cheers grew even stronger.
Translator: “Hakou” Editor: “Weasalopes”
The wasteland to the south of Awoke.
At the top of the huge mortar-shaped hole that opened up there, magic attacks by Knights were still on going.
『As expected of the Grim Reaper, you’re doing well this far. But, what about this?』
The Grim Reaper solely aims for the surface while using the clay golems as a shield.
Classic Knights painted in green and white jumping around by leaping and hovering to control their posture and change locations to get the Grim Reaper in their sights.
『A hit!』
Unable to dodge the blow, it hit the Grim Reaper in the abdomen.
Although it wasn’t enough to destroy it, the damage was apparently severe. He fell to one knee on the spot because of it.
While using the death scythe as a cane with his left hand, he took out a short staff, a wand, from his waist and pointed it toward the green-white knight.
『Haha!』
The green-white knight easily avoided the fire arrow that was released from the wand.
『Are you sure you’re going to be fine shooting magics like that?』
His tone is mixed with mocking laughter.
Seeing the Grim Reaper who had stopped moving, the captain’s Knight, who was further up, spoke up.
『It’s about time we end this. Restrain him and make sure he’s not moving an inch from that spot』
The captain sitting in the cockpit.
Although he looked down on the Knights of the human race, he also frowned at Grim Reaper’s sturdiness.
(As expected of an A-class Knight)
At this rate, it will take too long to defeat him.
He’s worried about his subordinate who is sprawled down below with his face shattered. A number of clay golems are already gathering trying to eat him.
(Let’s do this)
The captain decided to unleash a powerful blow, even if it takes a long time to prepare.
Leaping back to the surface, he got down on one knee and aimed at the Reaper from the edge of the giant hole.
(It’s in the way)
The Knight shook his head as if to pull the bangs from its eyes. This was caused by a habitual movement of the pilot, which it synchronized with.
The air around it began to tremble as a much greater amount of magic power began to fill the air.
(Kuh!)
He grunted as he suppressed the vibrating rifle with his strength. It was hard even for him, the captain, to pour this much magic into it.
(Just a few seconds before activation)
He gritted his teeth as he struggled to keep the Grim Reaper in line with his iron sights.
His armor began to rattle as he tightened his sides.
***
The perspective goes from that place to the top of the rocky mountain behind it.
There, lying on her stomach while holding her rifle, is the figure of the Kingdom merchant guild’s Knight, Old Lady.
(It’s my chance!)
A Knight with a single crystal horn sprouting from his forehead. I shouted in my mind as I put it in line of my iron sights.
I had been aiming at it for a while, but I couldn’t get a clear shot because it was leaping around at high speed.
If I failed to shoot, my position would be revealed and they might launch a counterattack at me. I couldn’t take such a risk.
(Please don’t move now)
There was no telling when it would move again.
With the amount of magic I could shoot immediately, I fired at once.
(Got him!)
After confirming the hit, I quickly lay the rifle on the ground.
Still, my eyes did not wander away from the situation on the giant hole.
The green-white Knight, struck in the chest from behind, fell forward as is into the hole.
『……Captain?』
The captain’s Knight falls down head first.
His subordinates, who were looking at him, couldn’t understand what had happened.
『Another enemy? So there are more than one of them』
One of the Knights rushed back to the surface. He put only his head on the surface to check the situation.
『Wha–!?』
His colleague, who was looking up at him from the lower level, shouted in surprise.
The Knight’s head was blown off and its debris came falling down.
The Knight, who had lost his head, slid down the slope and stopped at the ground one level below. His appearance was that of a puppet with broken strings.
(Long-range magic attack!)
A shiver ran through them.
They knew more than enough about the horror of this technique because it was also their specialty.
(We have to retreat once. But we can’t carelessly go to the surface)
He looked back at his remaining colleagues, trying to coordinate with them.
However, what he saw was the figure of the Grim Reaper approaching at a tremendous speed.
『Uwaaaahhhhhh!』
He let out a scream and jumped up on the spot.
However, it was too late as the side-curving Death Scythe cut his waist in two. The green-white Knight body, split in two, slides down the slope.
(It’s no good!)
Seeing this, the rest of the Knights jumped to the surface.
(Hiie!)
Immediately after, a white light came flying at him.
A scream unconsciously escaped from the pilot’s mouth.
He quickly hovered to move in the air, and the magic arrow passed over the position he had just been at.
(It’s an Elf!)
Intuitively, the pilot shouts in his mind.
The top of a nearby rocky mountain, from which a series of magic missiles were being fired.
The only one who could have done this was an elf pilot.
(Damn it!)
He tried to dodge by rolling away.
He barely dodged it. The ground around him, however, was shattered by the consecutive shots, scattering debris all around.
(He’s not an ordinary elf. Is he a high elf?)
He can’t see it clearly, but it’s probably a single Knight that’s shooting at him.
This much power in such rapid succession. It’s impossible for an ordinary elf like them to achieve.
If it was an elf, it was likely to be of the high elf class.
(Why? What a high elf Knight doing here? And why is it aiming at us?)
His mind is riddled with questions. In a panic, the green-white Knight began to hover as fast as he could to the northwest.
Behind him, at the edge of the giant hole.
When he finally reached the surface, the Grim Reaper was stunned by the scene outside.
A green-white Knight fleeing in a meandering motion. White colored magic missiles were attacking them in rapid succession from the top of the rocky mountain.
The Knight’s back continued to dodge them desperately. When the Knight was somewhat far away, the shooting from the rocky mountain stopped.
(It seems I will be the next target, huh?)
With the Death Scythe in both hands, he bends his knees and lowers his back.
There is no way to fight back, but he couldn’t just give up.
(……)
However, the attack never came. On the contrary, there was a sign that it was going down to the north side of the rocky mountain.
(Was it on our side?)
He can’t think of any possibility as to who it was.
(A mercenary?)
The chances of that are close to none, but he still consider it as a possibility.
If it was a Knight who wanted to be in service, or a mercenary Knight who wanted to score points, he would already show himself at this point.
There’s no way they won’t.
(I don’t know who they are, but we’re saved for now)
He felt the presence of Knights behind him and turned around.
The ones who stood there were two frontier Knights. Both of them were damaged quite badly.
『We managed to defeat one of them somehow』
『It was the one without head though』
Apparently, after the battlefield was moved to the surface, they tried to reach the surface on their own.
When he asked them about it, they said that they were advancing while eliminating stone golems when they encountered a green-white Knight.
A magic attack fired at close range grazed them, but the two of them managed to defeat the enemy.
『Lord Grim Reaper, what should we do now?』
Asked for instructions, the Grim Reaper looked into the giant hole.
The four green-white Knights who had fallen to the bottom had already begun to be latched onto and devoured by the golems.
Then he looked at their own situation.
(More than this is impossible, huh?)
Both himself and the frontier Knights are damaged. The amount of magic power remaining was also not enough.
He didn’t have the energy left to go and collect the evidence.
『Let’s head back』
A large number of golems. Classic Knights painted in green and white. And a mysterious Knight who may or may not be an ally.
The group of Knights, with the Grim Reaper in the lead, headed for Landbarn while dragging their feet.
Translator: “Hakou” Editor: “Weasalopes”
Almost at the same time, in the downtown area of Landbarn.
Going into the side street, there is a coffee shop called 『Pile Bunker』.
Inside the store, there are six box seats and a counter. An elderly gentleman stood behind the counter, serving drinks according to orders.
「Master, one coffee please」
A craftsman-looking man walked into the store and took a seat at the counter while placing his order.
While preparing a coffee siphon, the old gentleman with the white small mustache wore a surprised expression on his face.
「It’s rare for you to come here on weekdays. You’re done with your work?」
「Today’s a day off. I managed to make ends meet somehow」
A man in his late twenties, smiling happily. He works as a carpenter, and a regular customer here.
After a quick look around, he replies to the master.
「It’s been a while since I’ve gotten free time on a weekday evening, but there are sure quite a few customers here」
「I guess that means words about this store has spread」
He brought the coffee to the counter while smiling. The young carpenter picked up the cup, his nose tingling with the aroma.
「Oh? It seems he’s here」
The door opens with a chime of a bell, and a new customer arrives.
He was wearing a black uniform with a rose shaped pilot’s badge on his chest. The men hanging out in the box seats near the entrance were buzzing at the sight of him.
「…Rose Knight」
「Ohh what a muscular high quality man we got here」
The young man licked his lips and tried to leave from his seat.
「You better stop there」
He bent one eyebrow when the old man across from him stopped him. But the words that followed made him sit up again.
「That guy’s taken」
The Rose Knight, scanned across the store. If you follow his gaze, it stops at a craftsman-looking man sitting at the counter.
The craftsman-looking man raises one hand in the air, as if he knows him.
「Catching a good man like that」
The young man who had almost stood up earlier said enviously, pouting his mouth.
The craftsman-looking man and the rose knight are lovers.
And this store is a place where they can meet without worrying about being in the minority.
The master, the owner of the store, watches them sitting shoulder to shoulder and squints his eyes.
(I didn’t realize it would be so much better now that we’re in the jurisdiction of the Empire)
It all started with the fall of Landbarn and the arrival of the Rose Knights.
The Rose Knights’ pilots didn’t just stay in their quarters and train.
At night, they go out into the streets to eat, drink, and talk to people on the street.
「Why the hell a guy hooked up with another guy?」
The citizens were disgusted. The pilots, however, were not offended.
「Well, don’t say that. Come join me, I’ll buy you a drink.」
They continue to invite them with smiles on their faces without fear.
At first glance, this act seems useless. However, the repeated invitations were beginning to change the minds of some of them.
『A traits I didn’t even know I had』
They were wondering if it was something like that.
A light drink. The drinking party with a lot of people was noisy but cheerful and fun.
「Next time let’s have a meal together, yeah?」
Relationship between men that won’t mentally exhaust you. It was not bad, some of them thought.
After giving each other their contact information, they began to invite each other out to dinner and play together.
And before you know it, you’re sleeping on the same pillow in the morning.
(It was a fortunate thing)
As a minority, the Master felt lonely.
However the number of people who shared the same thoughts as him began to increase. And in order to help them, he sacrificed his retirement funds to open this store.
And now, the business is going well.
『A rose colored wind that blows from the Empire』
It certainly brought a new sense of value to Landbarn.
「Cheers!」
The two of them raise their glasses of water in front of the master. From the box seat behind them, a sharp gaze flies to the back of the young carpenter.
「Damn, I also want a pilot as my lover」
Although the tone of his voice was spiteful, there was a tinge of envy in his words.
「It’s sure nice」
The old man sitting across from me also nodded his head and let out a hot breath.
A pilot with a high salary and a high social status. But that’s not the only reason they’re popular.
They all have a well-trained body and the strength that surpassed life and death on the battlefield. That’s what makes their heart melt sweetly.
(Their gazes hurt)
So thought the young carpenter sitting at the counter.
He felt jealousy stabbing at his back like an arrow because he was dating a rose knight.
(I never thought I’d get to date a pilot. I have to thank the boss for this)
He wanted a lover, so he started going to this store.
『Pile Bunker』 is the only place in Landbarn where flowers and bees meet.
He doesn’t have high hopes like having a pilot as a lover. However, he has a tendency to be reserved when it comes to something other than his work.
He has never been able to escape his solitude.
(It’s lonely…)
On the way home after the store closes, he often sighs to himself.
One day, however, a sudden turning point in his life came to him.
「Won’t you come to the Knights’ quarters starting from this day?」
He had been sent there by his boss.
It wasn’t that the boss knew that he was already swing that way. His master, who’s a normal person, only forced him to go because he didn’t want to.
(Yeah!)
A place where the pilots of his dreams live. He went there with his face shining with the joy of being able to work there.
Until then, there had been no Knights stationed in Landbarn. Now that there have been many pilots that came there, there is a lot of work to be done.
Extensions, renovations, new construction. Requests keep coming in without ceasing.
(I want them to live in a good environment, even if only a little)
With this in mind, he works day in and day out with all his heart, without slacking off.
And there was a man who watched him with admiration.
「Thank you for your hard work every day. Would you like to have dinner with me sometime?」
A man before his thirties, his body like a rugby player, wrapped in Rose Knight’s uniform.
A young carpenter who was surprised by the unexpected invitation froze up.
(Quick, I have answer him quickly)
But the more he rushed, the harder for words to come out of his mouth. What he ended up doing was unconsciously glare at him while opening and closing his mouth.
This was one of the reasons he couldn’t have a boyfriend.
「Y-Yes, I-I’d be happy to」
He finally squeezed out what’s on his mind.
The pilot waited patiently with a calm expression on his face, unlike the previous people who called out to him.
They must have been made for each other. Their relationship developed rapidly.
A week later, he gave his first time to the Rose Knight.
(It was wonderful)
The gentle smile on the pilot’s face when he found out that his partner had no experience. And the gentle way he treated him afterwards.
Even remembering it now, he feels sharp in the front and hot in the back.
(Is it really okay for me to be this happy?)
A sense of happiness that made him feel guilty.
Ever since, the two of them arranged their schedules and met up at the store for a series of dates.
(Hm?)
However, there was something different about the pilot today.
(It’s strange)
When he talks to him, he doesn’t reply very well.
Sometimes, his mind seems to be somewhere else.
(Don’t tell me… he wants to break up?)
A cold sword of ice stabs into his chest.
But he, who knew that he’s not by all means the most popular person in the world, was prepared for it.
He knows the best that he’s not incompatible with him, like what he hears from people around them from time to time.
(I see, I’ve been too happy lately)
The warm and joyful days since they had met flashed before him like a running horse.
He looked at the pilot, who seemed to be having something hard to tell, and closed his eyes tightly.
「Would you receive this?」
The young carpenter hesitantly opened his eyes after hearing the unexpected words.
There was a small box held out to him by the palm of a burly hand.
「….Eh?」
While still feeling puzzled, he picked it up and opened it.
Inside, he found a silver necklace.
「!?」
He unconsciously held his breath.
At the end of a thin silver chain was a ring made of the same silver. It had the mark of the world tree’s leaf carved into it.
(An Elf brand!)
One of these would be equivalent to half a year’s income for him.
When I turned to the pilot with surprise, he was rubbing the bridge of his nose with his finger in embarrassment.
Then he spoke in a whisper.
「How’d you like the idea of us renting a house and living together?」
A de facto marriage proposal.
The words “Grows a pair of wings in your heart and fly away*”. The young carpenter realized that this was not just a metaphor.
He really felt like he was floating in the air.
「*TL Note: “心に羽が生えて飛ぶ” I looked it up but can’t find what it really means.」
(This way, we can always be together)
He’s more than happy about that.
The young carpenter clung to the thick breastplate of the Rose Knight and nodded repeatedly, tears spilling down his face.
His lover’s hand gently brushed the back of his short cropped head.
「Tch」
He can hear a light click of the tongue from behind.
Immediately after that, words were thrown at him.
「Can’t be helped, I give you guys my blessing」
The box seats near the entrance. It is called the hunter’s seat, and is mainly occupied by those who are looking for a lover.
One of them said something as if they had enough.
「Yeah yeah, congratz」
Then he clapped with a displeased expression on his face.
The other guests began to clap as well, throwing words of congratulations.
「I wish you guys happiness」
「Congratulations」
The two were surprised at the sudden turn of events, but laughed happily while scratching their heads.
(…….?)
However, he begins to feel something was off on the applause that continues forever.
Then the master whispered from his back.
「Everyone is waiting, you know?」
An old gentleman who was the owner of the store.
The two understood the meaning of his words after a beat. They looked at each other and nodded their heads together.
(As I thought, this is embarrassing)
The words were faintly heard amidst the urgent applause. Was it the pilot’s or the young carpenter’s words.
Having made up their minds, they looked at each other and kissed each other in front of everyone.
「Ohh how passionate!」
Amidst the wild cries of the crowd, they continued to kiss for a long time, breathing in and out.
The applause and cheers grew even stronger.
