Pawahara Seijo no Osananajimi to Zetsuen Shitara, Nanimokamo ga Umaku Iku Yō ni Natte Saikyō no Bōken-sha ni Natta ~ Tsuideni Yasashikute Kawaii Yome mo Takusan Dekita ~ (WN) - Chapter 119

[The ‘Shield’ Saint]

“…I see. So you are Exa-sama. I apologize for my rudeness. I thought you were some scoundrel aiming for my chastity…” Porco-san said, bowing his head.

It was good and all that the misunderstanding was resolved, but still, what on earth was this person worried about…

I mean, I don’t swing that way.

“No, please don’t worry about it. More importantly, there’s something I’d like to ask you…”

“Oh, really? What a coincidence. Actually, there’s something very important I just had to talk about with you as well, Exa-sama.”

““““““““!””””””””

Hearing Porco’s words, everyone in the room opened their eyes wide, including myself.

Something very important he had to talk about, and at this timing.

It must be about the ‘Shield’ Saint, no doubt.

As we were holding our breaths, Porco-san corrected his sitting posture, before shouting with a very serious expression on his face, “Exa-sama! I beg of you, please give Magmell-san to this humble Porc—”

“Ah, no way.”

As Porco-san made a look of utter despair, I sighed and decided to get into the main subject, “Anyway, are you the ‘Shield’ Saint?”

“……Huh?”

Porco-san went wide-eyed in shock for a few moments, but eventually, seemingly having understood the meaning of my question, he broke out in a cold sweat, averted his eyes, and said, “I-I’m not…?”

““““““““……””””””””

Yep, he was definitely the ‘Shield’ Saint.

“Ha-haha, what a hot day, isn’t it!”

Stare~, as we all staring at him with half-closed eyes, Porco-san wiped his sweat with a hand towel.

But eventually, as if he’d given up, he dejectedly slumped his shoulders and said, “…It seems that you have realized it.”

“Then are you really?”

“Yes, that’s right. My real name is Pang. I’m a dwarf and, as you say, the ‘Shield’ Saint.”

◇ ◇

Pang, a dwarf and the ‘Shield’ Saint.

That was Porco-san’s true identity, verified by the person himself.

However, one question still remained.

“B-but, aren’t you human!?”

Yes, Porco totally looked human.

“Even if you are a demi-human, you can’t be anything but an orc, can you!?”

You there, stop it.

Everyone has that thought in their minds, but no one is inconsiderate enough to say it out loud.

I gave an exasperated look at the distraught Elma.

Anyway, what was the deal with his appearance, then?

As we were making confused looks, Porco-san nodded and said, “Yes, I’m going to explain about that as we… wait, huh? Saintess-sama, something about you seems to be different from usual…”

“Geh!?”

He hadn’t realized it yet, huh…

Well, it looked like the cat was going to be out of the bag now…

“O-ohoho, I’m sure it’s just your imagination. Look, I’m the usual pretty and cute Saintess, you know?”

Hey, calm down a bit. Your act’s level dropped, you know.

I gave another exasperated look at Elma who was making a forced laugh, but it looked like Porco-san fell for her act.

“?”

He just looked at the awkward Elma with a somewhat doubtful look.

Yeah, I was sure it was only a matter of time before he’d realize it.

At that time.

“Correct me if I’m wrong, but could it be that the Shield-only ability of yours has the power to make something invisible?” asked Shiva-san.

Porco-san nodded, “Yes, that’s right,” and continued, “but I’ve been using it to protect the Saintess. I use another means to hide my true appearance, and that is this ‘amulet’ which has been passed down among the dwarves.”

Saying that, Porco-san showed us the blue pendant hanging around his neck. “This was made by my ancestor who was also involved in the making of Holy Armaments. It possesses the ability to deceive the eyes of the gods, even. It’s said that it used to be worn by the ‘Sword’ Saint during the ancient war.”

“In other words, if you, Porco-san… I mean Pang-san, take it off, you will return to your original appearance?” Magmell asked.

“That’s right, my goddess! And you can just keep calling me Porco! I figure that would be easier for you! All right, this humble Porco will now return to my original transcendentally handsome look, so please have a good look at it, my goddess!”

“Eh, umm…”

Porco-san declared while tightly clenching his fists, causing Magmell to be confused, now knowing how to respond.

You can do anything you want, but don’t try to steal a man’s wife right in front of him, okay?

As I gave him an exasperated look, Porco-san took off his pendant while shouting, “Haa!”

After which, his body was shrouded in a dazzling light.

Then.

――Ta-da.

What appeared before us was the seemingly unchanging rotund figure of Porco-san.

““““““““……””””””””

No, whatever happens to the transcendentally handsome look you promised!?

Of course, I loudly retorted in my mind.