Munchkin Disciple Wants to Stop Being Obsessed Over

“What? Ha, haha! Yes, thank you!”

Did he like my high praise?

Dunkel accepted my compliment with a hearty laugh.

‘What the hell. Why is this bastard pretending to be so magnanimous?’

I thought he would at least curse.

Dunkel’s reaction was quite unexpected, and for me who had tried to land a blow, it was a very disappointing response.

“K-Kamel. What kind of behavior is that? Apologize right now! I’m sorry, Lord Dunkel. As you can see, he’s a child who hasn’t received proper etiquette education…”

Rather, it was Chief Steward Jeti who became anxious and tried to resolve the situation.

“It’s fine. No, this old man is rather pleased. Isn’t it surprising? To find such a child in this era.”

“Haha, this friend is indeed quite bright for his age.”

“I say, little knight. May I ask your name?”

Dunkel asked as he crouched down in front of me.

Those snake-like eyes that began to examine me thoroughly.

My fist reflexively clenched, but I couldn’t swing it.

“I’m Kamel.”

Because I didn’t want to make things more difficult for Jeti, who was trying to defend me, and Rose, who was anxiously tearing up.

“I apologize for my excessive behavior towards your lordship. I was so genuinely impressed that rough words came out without my realizing.”

“I appreciate you saying so.”

“In fact, I was quite troubled about taking the young lady back alone. Thanks to your lordship and the chief steward, my worries have been eased, so I should rather express my gratitude. Thank you, Lord Dunkel.”

Still, not wanting to be looked down upon just because I was a commoner, I showed Dunkel the utmost courtesy.

“Well…”

At that, Dunkel answered with what seemed like a genuinely surprised expression.

“My goodness, I seem to have underestimated you too much.”

“Not at all.”

“By the way, are you perhaps…”

“…?”

“Never mind. It was enjoyable today, little knight. Let’s meet again.”

After examining my body thoroughly with an unsettling gaze for a moment, Dunkel soon stood up and turned around.

“Haah…”

And then came the sound of a sigh.

“Kamel, please restrain your temper. I was on tenterhooks watching you.”

Turning my head, I saw Jeti with a pale complexion.

“Well, it ended safely, so it’s fine. It happened while escorting the young lady home, so I should be the one thanking you.”

Yet, like the adults I admire, he didn’t forget to express gratitude.

In fact, Jeti is a person I’m grateful to, as he has previously helped clean up the mess of accidents I’ve caused.

“Yes. Let’s see each other soon. Young lady, shall we go? The Baron is anxiously looking for you.”

“K-Kamel.”

Just as I was about to turn around, a tear-soaked voice called out.

Rose spoke to me, sobbing.

“I-I’m sorry. Because of me…”

“Lady Rose.”

“Yes…”

“I’m fine. So…”

Feeling sorry for her, I added words that I didn’t necessarily need to say.

“Please don’t cry in front of your knight from now on. I read in a book that they say this. The greatest dishonor for a knight is…”

“The tears shed by the one they serve.”

“So please don’t cry in front of me anymore. Understand?”

I smiled and held out my pinky finger.

“Y-Yes!”

Rose placed her pinky finger on mine and answered.

The Chapter 1 boss of [Harem Academy].

Villainess, Rose Van Darmian.

When the player barely manages to win the fight against her, she throws herself off a cliff.

The protagonist rushes to catch Rose but fails, and Rose says this to the protagonist:

-“You’re different from the men I know.”

-“If I had a knight like you by my side…”

Late at night, on a cliff overlooking the Lake of Mana.

I was swinging my sword while breaking into a cold sweat.

“…”

Today, the sword I’m swinging feels unusually heavy.

Too much force is applied. The sword path slightly twists, and my posture gradually crumbles.

How long did I swing such an unsatisfactory sword?

-Clang!

I threw the sword to the ground and then collapsed onto the floor.

“This is so fucking uncomfortable.”

That’s exactly how it was. This uncomfortable feeling that had started since parting with Rose was sticking to me like a leech and wouldn’t let go.

“Knight…”

The single word that the pure child uttered today,
That the villainess of the game uttered as she met her end.

That word keeps echoing in my mind like an echo.

When playing the game, I never cared about it.

No, rather, I mocked it.

-A baron’s daughter talking about knights?

But today, that villainess held out her tiny finger to me and said:

-“Since Kamel is the same age as me, that means you’ll become my knight!”

-“Then promise me. Here, pinky!”

The Rose in the game regretted. That she didn’t have a knight to protect her.

The implication was simple. The Rose in the game didn’t have anyone to protect her.

And among the lines spoken by the Rose in the game, there was one word that particularly bothered me.

-‘Men.’

Not singular, but plural. The addition of that plural form is particularly disturbing.

I really hope it’s not the case.

But what if, by any chance, it wasn’t just one person who revealed their disgusting desires to the young and innocent Rose?

“Damn it.”

Remembering the face of the girl who was happy with parfait on her lips, my insides burn with rage.

I resolve to prevent it, yet on the other hand, I’m also anxious.

Because I still don’t know anything.

What exactly will happen to Rose, when it will happen, and how I should move to prevent it.

Nothing is clear. To be honest, even as I’m worrying right now, something might be happening to Rose.

Coldly speaking, I’m now just a twelve-year-old commoner child.

What does this mean? It means there are limits to what I can do right now.

It was frustrating. I wanted to protect Rose all day long, but in many ways, the situation didn’t allow it.

“Your expression doesn’t look good.”

As I was lost in my thoughts, a gentle voice reached me.

“Ah, Master.”

Opening my closed eyes, I found Daphne sitting next to me, though I hadn’t noticed when she arrived.

Seeing my Master, I naturally tried to get up.

“It’s alright, stay lying down.”

Master stopped me with one hand, and instead placed my face on her thigh.
The fragrant scent that suddenly entered my nose, the soft sensation felt at the back of my head.
My body instinctively starts to feel languid.

“What wind has blown today, that you don’t rebuke me for seeing such a sprawled appearance?”

“Isn’t it also a virtue of a master to soothe a troubled heart?”

“Was it that obvious… By the way, how did you know?”

“Normally, a disciple who watches the kitchen with eyes like torches not only doesn’t guard the kitchen but leaves with an angry expression and a sword at his waist—how could this master not know?”

“…Did you enter the kitchen?”

“Ahem, yes. So what is it? The concern that has made our disciple’s eyes well up like a baby deer’s.”

When I asked, Daphne skillfully changed the subject.

Usually, I would have interrogated her thoroughly and then immediately checked the kitchen ingredients, but today was such a frustrating day that I answered her like a lamentation.

“Master, what would you have done in this situation?”

“Tell me in detail.”

“I have a young rabbit that I cherish, but lately I’ve noticed hungry wolves eyeing that rabbit.”

“A rabbit that my disciple cherishes… Is it real? Or a metaphor? I’m very curious, but let’s continue for now.”

“But looking at those wolves, they seem to be in heat. So I’m anxious. It feels like they might do something before devouring the rabbit.”

“Hmm, wolves in heat for a rabbit…”

I don’t know what kind of baseless metaphor this is.

Daphne tilted her head and sincerely listened to my story, and feeling comfortable with this, I continued speaking.

“In truth, according to the natural order, it would be right for me not to interfere. But I don’t want to see that happen.”

“Hmm.”

“So I want to intervene, but the problem is I don’t know when the wolves will pounce on the rabbit. And I’m not in a position to constantly watch over the rabbit.”

“That must be frustrating.”

“Yes, that’s why I’m frustrated. Master, what would you have done?”

When I asked, Daphne chuckled and began to stroke my head.

“…”

It felt peculiar. Despite being such a simple action, I felt my troubled mind calming down.

How long were we like that? Daphne began speaking to me in a gentle voice.

“If it were me, I would have immediately dealt with those wolves as soon as I saw them.”

“But that answer won’t be helpful to you. Right?”

I quietly nodded.

“Then I only have one thing to say to you.”

“…?”

“If you have time to be frustrated, don’t just stand still, start moving.”

“Ah.”

“If the situation doesn’t allow it, create the situation you want. If you don’t know when it will happen, you decide that ‘when’.”

With a slight chuckle, Daphne raised my body, and meeting my gaze, continued speaking.

“Kamel, you have more than enough ability to do so. So don’t regret, and try everything you can. And.”

“If you can’t find the answer, seeking help from this master is also one method.”

Daphne continued, showing me a smile as bright as the full moon.

“Ah, and in the book I’ve been reading lately, it said this.”

What book was she reading lately? I think it was something related to stray dogs.

“For a dog in heat, castration is the only answer.”

“What?”

I feel like I just heard something outrageous.

“I just said it because I heard the word ‘heat’ earlier. Well, in any case, I hope this master’s meddling has been helpful.”

‘Castration…’

It was a random remark, but strangely, it resonated with me, making me nod instinctively.
It was amazing. How could my chest, which had been so constricted, feel so refreshingly clear.

“Seeing your expression return, it seems you’ll handle things well now.”

“Thank you, Master. Thanks to you, my heart is at ease.”

“Good, that’s fine then. However, it’s regrettable that I must temporarily leave without seeing our disciple catching the wolves.”

“Eh? Where are you going?”

“It’s spring, isn’t it?”

Ah, that’s right.

Daphne had said she goes to see old friends every spring.

Last year, she was away for about a week for the same reason, and I remember having quite a comfortable time thanks to that.

“When are you leaving?”

“I plan to depart tomorrow. Even if you feel lonely, stay strong. I’ll be back soon. Ah, that’s why I’ve prepared something.”

Saying that, Daphne took out a small wrapper from her bosom and handed it to me.

I carefully opened the wrapper, and inside were about ten lumps of something that looked like charcoal.

“…What on earth is this?”

“Biscuits. You seemed to dislike sandwiches, so I prepared something different.”

I was blindsided.

Jeti, the chief steward of the Darmian barony.

He looked with puzzlement at the unexpected visitor to his office and asked:

“What business do you have here?”

So I answered.

“I heard you were looking for laborers for Lady Rose’s birthday party, so I came to apply.”

“You? Alright, let’s say that’s the case. But.”

Having heard the answer, Jeti narrowed his eyes as if something displeased him and said:

“Why is someone who sells beverages carrying a sword?”

“I want to be a knight.”

“There was no mention of knights in the notice…”

“I’ll work until the guests who entered the mansion leave, and I’ll only take 2 gold per hour.”

-Thud.

Chief Steward Jeti, seemingly deeply moved by my bold proposal, placed his palm on his forehead and collapsed into his chair.