#807 The Man at the Edge of the Ring

My name is Orkubo.

An orc who swears allegiance to Lord Saint...the owner of the farm.

Though I’m an orc, I now have a family and a lovely wife, and some time has passed since our wedding.

They say the honeymoon phase is all about cherishing every moment together.

Whenever my wife and I are alone, people around us are super considerate.

Even the other orcs do the many farm tasks in my stead. I was mostly left out during the recent shrine(?) building, with the rest of my team handling it.

...Of course, I wanted to help, too.

I wanted to be part of that shrine building.

For us, farm orcs, construction isn’t just work, it’s a passion.

Building a magnificent structure is like our life’s mission.

I wanted to join in on the shrine project suggested by Our Lord, but the other orcs said...

— “Shouldn’t you be at home, leader?”

— “What are you newlyweds doing?!”

— “This is your happiest time. If we interrupt, your wife will hate us!!!”

— “I don’t want to get kicked by Sleipnir and die!”

And so, they kept me away from the construction site.

...I know they mean well.

They care about me.

Apparently, it’s best to act this way towards newlyweds, mainly based on info from Our Lord...Lord Saint.

But I am still an orc.

I serve the farm, and working is my mission.

I find happiness in doing my job. 

Isn’t taking that away from me actually not in my best interest?

Hm?

Guys?

Though I understand their concern, I can’t rudely decline, so I end up just going with the flow and returning home.

Perhaps I’m an easily swayed orc.

When I get home, I’m greeted by my wife, Madam Zoth Syra, whom I just married.

“Ahh, you’re back, sweetheart! Would you like to have dinner? An experiment? Or... me?”

“Madam Zoth Syra... what’s that outfit you’re donning...?!”

“Hmm? I heard that a newlywed wife is supposed to wear this... They call it a ‘naked apron.’”

Madam Zoth Syra’s aggressive moves are... intense, to say the least.

Even a defenseless charging soldier wouldn’t be this assertive.

Or maybe it’s her zeal as a mermaid?

I thought I knew a thing or two from closely watching the married life of My Lord and his lady.

But being on the receiving end is quite terrifying.

Who knew the once calm and dignified Madam Zoth Syra could become this loving, cuddly embodiment of cuteness...?!

Marriage.

It’s scary.

Living with someone of the opposite gender can really change you.

Lately, I’ve been rushing through farm tasks to quickly return home, all because Madam Zoth Syra is waiting for me.

“Sweetheart? Can you stop doing that?”

“Doing what?”

“Calling me ‘Madam’ and such. Isn’t it a bit formal? I’m your wife now. You can be informal.”

“I can’t be disrespectful...!”

“Just call me...”

“...Zoth... Zoth Syra...?!”

“Yes, yes, yes! That’s me!”

Gah!

She’s adorableeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!

Madam Zoth Syra... or should I say, just Zoth Syra, is incredibly cute!!!

Every day as I hurry home, I can’t help but think...

...Haven’t I changed, too?

I am an orc. Weren’t orcs supposed to work for their masters, defeat enemies, fear no death, and be the most formidable creatures?

But what about now? This mushy, married life?!

Being head over heels for a cute, elegant, seductive, playful, and bewitching wife, is that really orc-like?!

I’ve gone soft!

My recent comfy married life has made me a total softie!!!

It dawned on me.

This is dangerous.

Had I realized any later, I might’ve gone beyond redemption, sinking into depravity.

I’m an orc who serves Lord Saint and his farm!!!

One must never misunderstand that essence!

No matter how life changes, I remain an orc, dedicated to aiding and protecting My Lord.

I mustn’t cross that line!

Yet, every day, Zoth Syra’s charm grows, eroding my sense of self!

This is getting problematic!

I know! What about Gobukichi?!

Gobukichi, the goblin who got married around the same time as me, should be living a happy life!

With this in mind, I sneakily peeped over the fence into the neighboring Gobukichi’s house.

And then...

“Gobukichi, Gobukichi. ♥♥”

“What is it, my honey?”

“You look so dashing today, Gobukichi. ♥♥”

“And you’re incredibly cute, honey.”

There he was, Gobukichi, deeply engrossed in a lovey-dovey moment with his wife, Madam Carp.

“Gobukichi, why are you so gallant and cool? ♥♥♥♥”

“My honey, you’re the most beautiful in the world, like a jewel reflecting the sunset.”

“Ahhhn ♥♥ I adore you, Gobukichiii ♥♥”

“I adore you too, honeyyyyy.”

It’s over for him.

Too late.

The Gobukichi I know is gone from this world. 

Vanished.

And I might be next tomorrow.

If I continue to drown in my current lifestyle, I’ll end up like him. 

I have to stop this!!!

Not just to preserve my identity but to fulfill my duty to protect My Lord. If I don’t, it’s going to be a disaster!!!

I can’t lose! I need that biting feeling back!

That parched, keen sensation from my bachelor days—my warrior’s instinct!!!

If I keep indulging in the comforts of married life, it won’t end well!!!

As I grappled with this urgency, the perfect opportunity came flying in!!!

Orkubo’s Castle is collaborating with the sumo tournament...?

I can’t help but notice how strange it is... This event started with my name on it, and yet I’ve been out of its spotlight lately.

Nevertheless, this is my chance.

I do have a lot of experience and credentials in sumo, especially the kind played on the farm.

Moreover, if it’s a clear-cut competitive battle, this is the perfect chance to rekindle my waning battle instincts!

What’s that, My Lord?

You want me to compete in the sumo tournament as a star attraction?!

I’m all in!

How can I, Orkubo, not be the center of attention at Orkubo’s Castle, an event named after me?!

In addition, it’s also an opportunity to regain my fighting spirit.

Watch me, My Lord!

I’ll make a bloodbath out of the formidable competitors in the ring!

I’ll revel in the splattering blood, becoming a crimson-clad Orkubo, reminding everyone of the terror of a farm orc!!!

I am an orc!

The embodiment of cruelty and ferocity!!!

I’ll reclaim the instincts of the fearsome monster everyone dreads at the sumo tournament!!!

I haven’t mellowed out!

There’s no lukewarm comfort here!

I am Orkubo! An orc who everyone fears to approach!!!