Academy’s Pure Love Dark Knight - Chapter 36

Chapter 36 – Sometimes, Running Away in Embarrassment Doesn’t Help – 3

—–CROW—–

Ariel, unlike others, was perceptive and easily noticed the change in the black knight.

‘Helmet guy has been acting strange.’

He kept swinging his sword.  Impatience was evident in his movements as he slashed down every monster in sight.

As if his mind was preoccupied with something else.

“Kainel.”

“Licht. You want me to use Shine Strike over there?”

“Yes. I’ll handle the other side.”

The sudden group project.  Licht had said they would hunt strong monsters, but his behavior was odd.

His strategy of using Void Slash everywhere and sweeping away the surrounding monsters was bold but also recklessly unlike him.

Normally, he would suggest something like, “Let’s use our heads. Let’s hunt easy and strong monsters in groups.”

“…”

Something was off.  A chilling feeling washed over her.

“Watch where you’re going, Licht! You’ll get hurt!”

“Oh, sorry.”

Even now, his hands and feet weren’t coordinated.  He seemed oblivious until Kainel intervened.

“So, how long are you going to keep this up?”

“…Until a strong one appears?”

“I believe you, really.”

She had expected him to tease her and Kainel about their backhug, as usual.

‘He kept sighing while looking at Mardol…’

Now, he seemed like his soul had left his body.  Such a sudden change, as if he had eaten something wrong.

“Hey, Kai.”

“Yeah, Ariel?”

“Did Mardol and Helmet guy… fight?”

The perceptive red-haired mage made a near-accurate deduction, but…

“I don’t think so? Why do you ask?”

“He seems like something’s bothering him.  He sometimes doesn’t even use honorifics now.”

“…Well? Maybe it’s because of what happened a few days ago?”

Her childhood friend, the hero, was always like this. Even though he was chosen by the holy sword, he was incredibly oblivious at times.

“Then something must have happened back then…?”

“It’s probably nothing.  Actually, I don’t know either. He would have told us if he had something on his mind.”

Ariel felt frustrated watching Kainel shrug it off.  Why did she fall for such an indecisive man?

“Ugh… Kai, this is your problem.”

“It’s better not to ask if he doesn’t say anything, Ariel.”

“But why is he suddenly acting like that while looking at Mardol…!”

This was what bothered Ariel. Even though the glass knight was seriously taciturn…

She didn’t seem like a bad person, considering how she cherished her Fox Slime and adored Licht’s spirit.

Her complaints increased.  She liked this side of Kainel, but the current situation seemed serious.

“This isn’t good…”

She muttered to herself and approached Licht.

Helmet guy was the only person who actively helped her progress her relationship with her oblivious childhood friend.

“Hey, Helmet guy.”

“What is it, Ariel?”

She had been overjoyed when he seemed to intentionally create an opportunity for them in the carriage.  Only Kainel was oblivious to that extent.

“You’re not teasing Kai and me today…?”

“I’m feeling a bit down… I’m sorry.”

Her inability to express her feelings properly contributed to this situation.

‘I was happy that Kai and I became close again…’

She fell in love with the hero at first sight, but how could she confess her feelings directly?

Moreover, Ariel was naturally shy.

She had always thought Kainel should be the one to confess.

‘We became distant as we grew older…’

She grew up in the countryside and only had eyes for Kainel, but…

He was the type to get heartbroken over every pretty girl he saw.

‘I’ll never confess, even if I die…’

She still remembered him saying he liked the girl next door when they were young.

“Why, why… are you feeling down?”

The red-haired mage fidgeted and asked the black knight helmet, but…

“…Because it looks like it’s going to rain?”

He said something nonsensical, looking at the clear, cloudless sky.  Licht, seemingly unaware of the strangeness, remained silent.

“The sky is clear…?”

“Indeed.”

The situation was truly dire.  She was so creeped out she got goosebumps.

His brown eyes, visible through the helmet’s visor, were unfocused. What had happened between him and the glass knight?

“Mardol… what happened?”

“…I don’t know.”

She tried talking to the knight in shining armor, but it was no use.

The change occurred after she talked to Mardol and after they learned the combination skill.

‘We only talked about going to <Grancia Bakery> again later…’

There was nothing unusual in the conversation she had missed while the man in the black knight helmet was lost in thought.  The content of their conversation was nothing special.  They simply discussed their dessert preferences after Mardol told her about a limited-edition cute parfait.

“…Mardol, you didn’t fight with Helmet guy, did you?”

“Why would I…?”

The glass helmet shook from side to side, denying it.

‘No… This can’t be happening…’

She stomped her feet.

Her love project with her beloved blond hero.

Licht had actively helped her.  She still remembered their date-like walk when they first arrived at the Empire, thanks to him subtly creating an opportunity for them.

“Ariel, please rest for a moment.”

“Wrong honorific, Helmet guy…”

The sweet street food they had eaten that day still lingered in her mouth.

‘No! Why are you suddenly like this?! Come back!’

She screamed internally, watching him speak to her absentmindedly.

She had planned to capture Kainel’s heart at the academy, graduate, marry him, and live happily ever after in her hometown.

Her carefully laid plans crumbled overnight.

‘If Helmet guy is like this, my future is ruined!’

Even during their magic practice, she had chosen gold and blue for the fireworks, inspired by a romance novel where accessories matched the characters’ eye and hair colors.

‘What’s the problem?!’

She found him peculiar for noticing even that detail and telling Kainel about it.

She shook Licht’s shoulders, trying to snap him out of it.

“I’m dizzy. Please stop…”

Although it was embarrassing, it had prevented other girls from approaching her childhood friend.

“Helmet guy, are you sick?”

“No? I’m perfectly fine…”

Moreover, his thumbs-up during the piggyback ride was a clear sign of his support for her and Kainel, even if he was oblivious.

“…Liar.”

The glass knight looked at Licht and muttered briefly.  Mardol agreed wholeheartedly.

Helmet guy wasn’t fine.  He was broken.

She hadn’t even properly confessed to Kainel yet.

“Kai, do something about Helmet guy…”

“I’m not sure about this either.”

She wanted to cry, watching Licht drink water while wearing his black helmet.

—–CROW—–

The suffocating feeling in his chest wouldn’t subside.

‘Her happy face, her beloved Fox Slime, the candy made of sugar and honey, her soft laughter…’

The thought of her sharing those with someone else made him dizzy.

“Next, Kainel. 11 o’clock direction.”

“Huh? Oh, okay.”

He was being foolish.  She didn’t even know him. He swung his sword harder. He wasn’t her childhood friend like Kainel and Ariel, nor was he a comrade like Dennis.

He wasn’t worthy.

There was no point of contact like in the game.  The beta tester email only mentioned that he could ‘save’ the Saintess.  It didn’t guarantee he would be the one in the wedding dress illustration.

‘I was fooled again. Damn it.’

His body felt like stone. Tension filled him.  Now, the Saintess would date and marry Lupus, right?

He had to stop. He regained his stance and held his breath.

“Licht, there’s one in front of you!”

He had to stop.

“Licht, you put too much force into that just now… Hey! Be careful with your swordsmanship!”

He had to stop, but…

“…I give up, Licht.”

He was just a pathetic, clingy loser.  He had already lost control of his strength several times, turning the surroundings into a disaster zone.

“…”

The broken trees and piles of dirt seemed to reflect his state of mind.

No, he was the one who was wronged. He would crawl on all fours like a dog to get close to the Saintess if he could see her.

Confessions were meant to be regretted after they were made.

Did he care about pride?  He had experienced firsthand how overwhelming love could be, thanks to the Saintess in real life.

Such pure and intense feelings couldn’t be hidden, no matter how hard he tried.

“…Licht, are you okay?”

“Probably.”

Mardol looked at him with concern and asked after him. Actually, he wasn’t.  He flailed his arms and waved his hands frantically, her glass armor rattling.

‘My side isn’t where she’ll be happiest.’

He had already lived a difficult life because of the scar on his face.  If she were to be ridiculed because of him, like in his life before possession…

“…”

The thought was horrifying. He was glad he was wearing the black knight helmet. He touched the visor.

Thank you, special item.  Perhaps making the customization too similar to his real appearance was a problem. He was grateful again for the unremovable item.

Being by Lupus’s side was much better for her.  Wealth, ability, and even a quiet, flawless personality.

…And she was considered beautiful.  There was enough justification. The Saintess would like someone handsome, right? Who would like someone ugly?

‘This is the right way, Lee Soohyun.’

He closed his eyes for a long moment and then opened them. He thought about what he could do for the Saintess.

“Mardol! Could you come over here for a second!”

“Huh, why…?”

He called out to one of his party members who was standing far away, worried she might get hurt by his Void Slash.  The large figure moved, and the knight in heavy armor approached him.

“I have a question.  Do you know someone called the ‘nameless Saintess’?”

“…Who’s that?”

An unexpected answer.  Even she didn’t know her? Did the protagonist not have any connection with her yet? They would meet soon. He felt slightly relieved.

‘At least it’s not a scenario like, “Oh, the nameless Saintess? We’re already dating.”’

He was truly petty. He had been unhappy for two games, and yet he had such trashy thoughts.  He scraped the ground with his foot, disgusted with himself.

He had to make up his mind.

He swallowed and steeled his resolve to make up for his mistake.

“If you don’t mind, could I ask you a favor?”

“…Suddenly?”

“I’ll do anything for you in return, as long as it’s within my power.”

He sheathed his sword. This was the Emperor’s only daughter.  This method was sure to work.  At least the Imperial family would be able to deter the Demon Lords.

“…Could you find the ‘nameless Saintess’ and… look after her?”

“Someone you know…? Licht?”

The glass helmet tilted, expressing curiosity.  This was probably the first time he had directly asked her for something like this.  Although the name itself was unusual.

“She’s precious to me.  Even though she doesn’t know me…”

“The Second Saintess.  No, that’s not it.”

Dealing with the Hero Church was the priority for the Blue Rose’s safety.  He had to use his sharpest wit.

“She will likely become the next Saintess. She’s very cute and kind.”

The Demon Lords were all male.  And there were four of them. He initially thought they wouldn’t target the White Wolf…

Because the Saintess wasn’t at Grand Hearts Academia where he was.  He had been too naive and careless.

‘…There’s something more.  Their goal doesn’t seem to be restoring their authority.’

Considering the kidnapping of the Second Saintess, Chartinese, a few days ago, she wasn’t safe either.

He lamented his own helplessness.

If he were a hero, he would have caused havoc with a holy sword. He sighed deeply, and the glass helmet suddenly came close to his face.

He was startled.  His heart almost leaped out of his chest.

“Really, anything?”

“Probably.  If you really want, I can teach you all the Drake-style swordsmanship techniques. But only if you protect our Saintess.”

“…Alright, Licht.”

She seemed incredibly interested.  Had he succeeded?

“Thank you, Mardol. I’ll keep my promise.”

This was the right approach.  The Imperial family possessed Artifacts and Masterpieces of equal caliber, so they could handle the Demon Lords to some extent.

“Wow.”

“Are you that happy?”

“Yes, Licht.”

Seeing the Crown Princess raise both arms in celebration, unlike her usual self, he felt more certain.

“…Strong person. Technique.”

“I’m not that strong.”

“Liar. Licht. Bad.”

She was different here, similar to Nex.  She seemed unexpectedly cute for her size.

“Haha, I’m not lying. I’m weak.”

With one less worry, he felt at ease and chuckled.

“…Deceiver.”

He wished time would stop.

He still couldn’t bear seeing the Saintess with Lupus.

—–CROW—–