One day later, Gibor’s adventurer recruitment notice gathered every idle adventurer in town. Counting five per team, there were six full squads. Since the lord’s daughter personally commissioned the guards, everyone except patrol duty showed up—about thirty men. This massive force assembled at the town gate.

Aerin stared at the crowd in surprise. “I didn’t expect so many people.”

“Since we confirmed they might be soldiers, we must stay alert,” I told her.

“Hey, you’d better forget last night,” Aerin whispered, turning to gently kick my ankle.

“Last night?” Tia suddenly appeared behind me.

“Holy crap! Don’t make it sound like that! I did nothing last night!” I spun to explain frantically.

“Husband, don’t worry. Even if you marry other women, I won’t mind—as long as I’m the first wife,” Tia blurted out, face flushed.

“What a thoughtful wife! No!! Nothing happened with Aerin, and I’m not your husband!” This was clearly a trap.

“Husband, really… I carry your token of affection every day.” Tia pulled out the staff I’d given her, blushing deeper.

“That’s just because you need it for magic!!”

“Stop flirting in front of me!! And I’d never marry this pervert!” Aerin shouted.

“Exactly!! Last night, he just cried himself to sleep in my arms—nothing else (*&W&Q(H—” A sharp blow to my head cut me off. I face-planted on the ground.

“I told you to forget! Why’d you spill it?!”

“S-sorry… could you lift your foot off my butt first?”

“Alright! Everyone’s here!” Gibor’s voice boomed. He stood at the front. “As you know, the bandits in the forest are vicious. Reports say they’re deserters from the front lines—trained soldiers. Give your all for Landton City’s safety!”

“Yeah!!!” The crowd roared.

“As Gibor said, we must eliminate these bandits now. We, Landton City’s guards, will do our part!” A bald man beside Gibor shouted.

“Who’s that guy?” I whispered to Tia.

“The guard captain.”

“Figures. Leadership written all over that beer belly.” I eyed his round stomach.

“Brave warriors! Let’s move out!” The captain’s shout sent everyone marching orderly through the gate. Gibor and the pot-bellied captain waved from the rear.

“Why aren’t you coming?!” I shook my fist at Gibor.

“Joke’s on you—I’ve got no combat skills. If you fail, I’ll fetch reinforcements.”

“Exactly. If you fall, we’ll call the army,” the captain added, patting his belly.

“Tch.” I turned away without another word.

---

Hours of marching passed. By afternoon, we neared the bandit hideout, discussing tactics.

“The plan’s simple: charge their fort, take out the leader. With our numbers, it’s easy,” the captain declared.

“That’s not a plan—it’s obvious,” I grumbled.

“Who are you, kid?” He glared.

“Apologies. This is my fiancé. He’s only Bronze-ranked but incredibly capable,” Tia interjected.

“Oh~~ Right~~ You’re that cross-dressing pervert who went streaking.” He smirked wickedly.

“What?! I’m no streaking pervert! And why that creepy look?” A chill ran down my spine.

A guard lieutenant stepped in. “Direct assault is unwise. Scouts report the bandits fortified the old ogre stronghold. Forcing entry would cost us dearly.”

“Hmm… true,” the captain muttered, thoughtful.

“What if someone pretends to negotiate? Trick them into opening the gates,” Tia suggested.

“They’d shoot you full of arrows before you reached the door,” the lieutenant countered.

“How about a honey trap?” I joked offhand.

“YES!!” Everyone chorused.

“They’ve been holed up in the woods—they’ll crave women. When they open the gate to grab her, we storm in!” The captain’s eyes lit up.

“But who takes such a risky job?” the lieutenant asked.

“I’ll go. I’m the only Gold-ranked woman here. I can handle emergencies,” Tia volunteered.

“Absolutely not!” I shouted. No way would I risk Tia.

“You proposed this! Why object now?” The captain scowled.

“Oh~~ Worried for your wife? Understandable,” the lieutenant teased.

“Husband, you care? That warms my heart. But I’ll take the mission,” Tia smiled softly.

“You said they might shoot her on sight! What if they’ve gone so feral they hate women? Tia’d be in danger!”

“Then you go!” The lieutenant grinned slyly.

“Yeah! If you’re so protective, you do it,” the captain agreed.

“Seriously? It’s a *beauty* trap! I’m a grown man!”

“You’ve got cross-dressing experience, right? Aerin~ Take your pervert to change!” The captain yelled.

“Wait! Can’t we discuss this?!” Panic clawed at me.

“If not you, then Tia goes.” The captain’s smirk widened.

“It’s fine, husband. Let me do it,” Tia said earnestly.

“Fine! I’ll go!!” Seeing her resolve, I surrendered.