#1297 Junior’s Adventure – The Strongest Armor 

“Times like this are when you should rely on your father, Junior!” 

Suddenly, someone cuts into the transmission... Dad?! 
Does he actually have some kind of secret plan? 

“Junior’s father…? You mean Lord Saint, King of the Farm Kingdom?” 
“Exactly. You can tell just from his voice that he’s as lively as ever.” 

Sarimel and the Guildmaster, listening in nearby, both react in their own ways. 

But still, Dad, now of all times? 
He’s the last person I’d associate with anything remotely social. 

I mean, whenever there’s an official event, he always finds some excuse not to show up. 
“It’s a hassle,” or “I hate formalities,” he says. 
And on the rare occasions he does go, he kicks and screams every step of the way before finally agreeing after long negotiations with Mom and his aides. 

So as someone who’s grown up watching the rebellious back of that very man, I find it hard to believe he’s suddenly a social butterfly. 

“Guh! To think my own son sees me that way…! Why?!” 
“That’s the result of your own behavior,” Mom cuts in mercilessly. 

“But listen! Even your father once spent years turning the gears of society! It’s thanks to that humble past that I am who I am today!” 

Really? 
That must’ve been before I was born, but I can’t say I find it convincing. 
I’d bet my entire life experience on it. 

“You didn’t have to deny it that hard...” 

Oh no, I’ve crushed his spirit. 

“Anyway! As a man with legitimate work experience, you can leave this to your father! Junior, tell me, what’s the one item that will always get you through any formal event, no matter the situation?” 

A universal item? 
Something like a philosopher’s stone of etiquette? 
If I had that, I’d instantly be the star of any party, right? 

“Listen carefully! People judge others by appearance first. What you wear, how you present yourself—that’s how they size you up. Which means the single most important thing in public is… clothing!” 

Clothing?! 

Now that he mentions it, the Demon King and Uncle Arowana always come by the farm saying things like, “I’ve got another ceremony coming up!” and order extravagant outfits. 
They even say that the farm’s work is the most reliable or something along those lines. 

So Dad’s right; what you wear really is key when appearing in public! 

That was close! 
I almost went in my everyday clothes! 

“As long as your outfit is impeccable, people will overlook small breaches of etiquette! And in my homeland, there exists an outfit that’s considered formal in any setting. That outfit is…!” 

A suit! 
Dad declares. 

A suit…? 
Like… a mobile one? 

“It was once called a business suit! When a man puts it on, he looks like he’s working even if he’s doing nothing! Because of its strong impression and versatility, it’s also known as the armor of men. As long as you wear a suit, you’ll look formal anywhere! Just beware, if a hermit like you suddenly puts one on and goes out, you’ll look suspicious and might get questioned by the guards!!!” 

I have no idea what he’s talking about. 
But okay, I get the gist. A suit is basically an ultimate outfit that works anywhere. 

So... suit equals hero’s armor. Got it. 

“I could never explain my mental image of a suit properly to Batemy, which made it impossible to create, but after years of meetings, we finally did it! The suit is complete!” 

Whoa! 
Batemy must’ve gone through hell for that one! 

Batemy, by the way, is the demon seamstress who handles all the farm’s clothing production. 
She’s married now, with several kids, and commutes from her home in the Demon Capital every day. 

“I’m sending the first completed suit straight to you, Junior! Wear it and handle Ritheseus’ party like a pro!” 

Got it, Dad! 
Even at a time like this, he’s still looking out for me! I guess Dad really is dependable! 

Once I put on the suit he sent me, it’ll be like wearing the strongest armor there is. 
With my defense maxed out, I can face anything head-on! 

“Good, Junior. But if push comes to shove, remember, total annihilation is the mermaid way.” 
“Stop that! Don’t teach him dangerous ideas.” 

It looks like Mom hasn’t quite given up on her own philosophy. 

Before long, the package from Dad arrives. 
That was fast. 

“Hiyaaa! Delivery for Junior!” 

And of course, it’s Veil delivering it. 

Stamp here...thunk! 
The outfit inside comes in several pieces, and I can’t make sense of it. 

There’s nothing harder to imagine than clothes you’ve never worn before. 
Okay, this one’s definitely the jacket... And that’s the pants, but… wait, why are there two jackets?! 
Which goes on first?! 

“Calm down, Junior! Just follow the manual included with it!” 

Apparently, the call with Dad is still connected. 
And he even included a manual? That’s some next-level parenting. 

“Hmhmhm, once suits become popular in this world, every gentleman will wear them at formal events. Then, I can finally get through social functions in peace.” 
“So your hatred for socializing was about… clothes?” 
“Of course! Try wearing a fifty-kilogram ceremonial outfit every time! It’s torture!” 

Dad and Mom start bickering on the other end. 

Meanwhile, I’m struggling with the suit itself. 
The shirt and jacket are fine, but… what’s with this thing called a necktie?! 

A string? 
Just a fancy piece of string?! 

It’s pretty wide for what it is, but too short to be called an obi… 
I figured you were supposed to wrap it around your waist after putting on the jacket, but I guess not? 

 
Huh? This goes around the neck? 
Why?! 

I see no reason anyone would tie a ribbon around their throat. Is it… fashion? 

Well, if fashion demands it, who am I to argue? 
Rationality has no place in style. 

But seriously, how are you supposed to tie this thing? 
Thread it through here, then loop around… 

...It became a tight knot! 
Uh-oh, it won’t come undone! 

After roughly two hours of battle with the necktie... 
I finally get it to look decent. 

I almost suffocated twice in the process, but I made it. 

“My, my, Junior, you look so handsome in a suit.” 
“Buying my son his first suit… this must be what being a father’s all about!” 

Mom and Dad are both getting emotional over the image of me dressed up. 

“When did they even add video to these transmissions...?!” 
“Just accept it. There’s not much the farm can’t do.” 

Sarimel and the Guildmaster are visibly shaken beside me. 

“Now that you’ve mastered the suit, Junior, you’re unstoppable! Go to that party with your head held high! Nothing can stand in your way!” 
“That’s right! …But watch out for those women who throw themselves at you, they’re probably after your status!” 

After a few more words of parental wisdom, I finally set off for the welcome party at the royal castle. 

All that struggling with the necktie turned out to be perfect timing. 

“Good luck, Junior! Um, are you sure I can’t come with you?” 
“There! That’s exactly the kind of parasitic girl I was warning you about! Veil, burn her!” 

Apparently, the transmission with Mom is still open. 
And Sarimel still hasn’t given up on tagging along. 

“Well then, Junior, I’ll see you at the venue. I’ve been invited as the Guildmaster, after all.” 
“What?! That’s unfair, sir! Let me come, too!” 
“You don’t have a reason to attend. Give it up already.” 

All right. Time to head out early and make sure I’m not late. 

“Hey, hey, I’ll come with you, too!” 

Veil? 
You’re coming to the party? 

“Of course! I can’t just deliver the clothes and leave! I’ve gotta witness Junior’s big debut myself!!!” 

Well… after coming all this way, telling her to just go home would be cruel. 
Who knows what chaos her presence might cause, but it’s not like I mind the company. Besides, having someone with me is kind of reassuring. 

And so, with the ultimate armor, Dad’s legendary suit, I am ready. 
Bring it on, Welcome Party. 

No matter what happens, I’ll make it through!!!