Chapter 114
Chapter 114
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 114
Chapter Title: 32-4. The Unmelting Heart of the North.
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Sitting across from Asha, we began chatting lightly over tea and pastries.
"Nice to meet you, Licht."
It seemed she'd been staying in the North for so long that she'd lost contact with the other Ten Heroes.
"So you took down the Head using the same ability as Akasha."
"...Something like that."
The reason I'd lied about being the Hero of Wisdom was obvious.
From Asha Aureus's perspective, I was just a third party.
It was better this way if I wanted to discuss the secret between Nex and Asha.
"I never thought Drake would take on a disciple. Have you been in the North too long?"
I knew the backstory thanks to my knowledge from the real world, and this felt right over emotions or logic.
"My ability lets me find or hide information. Whether omniscience or ignorance, I could handle it."
"I'm a bit envious. It would have been great to have someone like you during the war."
In fact, Nex and Dennis had called me the Hero of Wisdom, and I'd heard that the gods didn't choose just one hero in the lore.
"Could I see your holy sword, Licht?"
"Ah, here it is."
I'd already pulled out Kiawoo and made it look like a holy sword. Holy swords varied wildly in power anyway, so using this one wouldn't expose my lie.
"It's not a fake."
"Of course it's genuine."
Asha Aureus sent a small flame feather fluttering toward it to test if it would melt, but my artificial holy sword showed no reaction.
"Hmm, it would be nice if there was a hero blessed by Pantos who could wield spirits..."
That was my exact feeling toward Pine Granasia.
Even if her future as a saintess was gone and she might not like me anymore, something like this wouldn't erase my feelings.
'She's been glaring at me since earlier. Something feels off.'
It was a white-haired woman standing against the far wall, arms crossed, looking displeased as if she knew I was lying.
But Pine, unlike at the academy, there's a status difference here.
She's my superior, and an elder at that.
Most players called Asha beautiful, but I couldn't see it.
"...Which apostle is sending monsters to the North, Duke Aureus?"
Ignoring Pine's sharp gaze, I asked what I was curious about.
"Shouldn't the Hero of Wisdom know that much?"
Her tone turned icy in an instant.
Yeah, this was her usual style. She couldn't be overbearing with the imperial princess and northern archduchess present.
She still hadn't shaken off her suspicions. Time to lay the groundwork for my lie to stick. The North's terrain was mostly mountains.
There was only one apostle who could bring monsters down from such rugged, high peaks to Caprostia.
"I already know about the Apostle of Wrath, but it feels like there's more."
The Apostle of Wrath who drove crowds into a frenzy. Only one choice.
"You're right. Sorry for testing you. I'm just thorough by nature."
"Who am I to disagree, O Living Sun."
We were sizing each other up.
Asha's thoroughness mirrored her son Nex. Skilled at deception and insight. Yet she hadn't told him the truth despite their similarities.
"The Demon King of Might must be up to something."
That was when a new term slipped from the duke's lips—one I'd never heard before.
'Demon King of Might...? Was that Phain or Black Cloud?'
I'd only glanced at the name in the setting docs. Must be powers related to force.
The Hero Cult's demon kings numbered four originally.
One of them was the Demon King of Might—probably wielding martial force or stripping away strength.
'That explains Pine's lost physical power.'
The puzzle pieces were falling into place. The remaining question was why a saintess with immature divine power.
But why turn Granasia Empire's princess into a nameless saintess?
If it was to check Emperor Locke, it made even less sense. Even when I was challenging [Black Heart], Bellin Granasia had been held hostage.
He was the type to burn the empire to ash to root out the Hero Cult, risks be damned.
'I'm missing something. Think. Thinking is my strength.'
I habitually rested my chin on my hand and pondered deeply.
The nameless saintess was originally so weak she could barely join demon king raids.
'...Is Pine a threat to the demon kings?'
That seemed most likely.
A magic swordsman with glass cannon magic, she'd even held her own against Magic Hat.
Without Pine, Kainel and Ariel would have retreated with massive trauma—or worse, been dragged to the demon king castle for horrors.
The Hero Cult were all lunatics.
They'd fake revive the dead or shatter all hope by revealing grim futures.
'But then why strip her strength...? Ah, Locke would kill them.'
Making a nation's princess vanish would cause ripples.
She'd attacked me over a misunderstanding, but Dennis resisted ignorance to some degree.
It made sense as minimizing variables. Impossible without other demon kings' help.
"No need to worry anymore."
"Hm. That helmet's unique. An artifact, perhaps?"
Did she think I'd just watch the woman I love suffer?
'Penalties mean nothing now.'
Head said the future couldn't change, but as the Black Knight, I denied that outright.
"Yes, Duke Asha Aureus."
"I trust you. Start handling monsters with Drake from tomorrow, Hero."
I knelt to show respect to Duke Aureus, and she told me we'd block the aerial assaults starting tomorrow.
"Tomorrow? Shouldn't we exterminate the monsters right now?"
"I'm the head of House Aureus, and I've activated the Phoenix Cradle."
Asha sipped her tea again, smiling confidently as she explained.
Golden phoenix wings enveloping the entire northern territory.
Her son Nex could cover just one academy building. The Ten Heroes were on another level.
"You really take after Senior Nex."
"...You know Nex, Hero?"
I probed lightly. Time to gauge if she knew about Nex and Sharutineth.
"Yes, I'm Count Nex's junior."
"...An academy student."
Asha's expression hardened instantly. Shocked by unexpected news of her son. Agitation was exploitable.
"During the recent Head attack, he used his cradle too."
"..."
Her lips tugged sideways. She clearly hadn't heard from Nex.
"The second-years owe their safety to him."
Clink. She set down her teacup, stood, and headed to the prepared room. She needed time to reflect too.
I pulled bedding from the wardrobe, unpacked my belongings.
Besides basic clothes, I hadn't brought much since I used Dimensional Sword. Being alone again reminded me of my real-world room.
Full of white merch, it brought peace. Lacking our Platinum Wolf vibes here.
'They don't sell that stuff in this world.'
Then the doorknob turned, and someone entered cautiously.
"...Licht. Why did you lie?"
I nearly jumped. Pine had followed me with a slight delay, wolf ears perked curiously.
"Liars have it easy."
"Licht, it was super obvious... right?"
"I know."
Pine sighed softly at me. No big deal if caught. The hero title follows actions.
"Licht."
"What is it, Pine?"
She approached, her tail wrapping my leg again like a beastkin claim. Soft, but my rationality was fraying.
"Why do you always... go out of your way to suffer?"
"It's my duty."
To make you happy, Pine. Even if everything slips away, protecting you is enough.
The truth nearly burst out, but I held it.
She's not a saintess now—she's Granasia Empire's princess.
Her 2% love meter could plummet like with Sharutineth's kidnapping.
She might meet someone better. Catching Head doesn't make me the Hero of Conviction or a white knight.
'I'm just a pure love Black Knight.'
Like the silent knight bearing infamy for his beloved, I'd support her romance from the shadows.
I didn't fully trust the status window, but it dragged me here on a beta invite.
I'd met one condition and unlocked the magnolia tree CG.
If Grand Route was a lie, the game broke—but the warnings so far said otherwise.
Safer not to possess me. They knew I only grinded saintess route.
"I'm worried about you, Licht."
Lost in thought, Pine looked sad. Tail and ears drooped.
"I don't want you getting hurt anymore."
Her breath neared, tormenting me.
Pine always shook me like this. In reality, bad burns kept me from fitting in.
After Dad died, she was my only anchor.
"If you're trying to hook up Nex oppa and Sharutineth unnie, don't."
"..."
"What even is love? Why's a engagement so important?"
Unlike her saintess days, her mother Bellin Granasia's kidnapping made her extreme.
"Doing that doesn't guarantee happiness, Licht..."
This worry felt off. Why was Pine treating me so special?
Actually, I'd felt it before. Last time, she tried kissing me based on book knowledge.
"Princess Pine Granasia."
Even now, her tail stayed wrapped possessively. More obsession than love.
"What, Licht?"
Like a kept man saying it, people aren't just black or white. To some, she looked love-struck.
"What do you think of me?"
But it could be obsession. I swallowed bitter saliva and asked.
"...Honestly, I don't know."
Pine bowed her head, avoiding my eyes.
"But one thing's certain."
She looked up, golden eyes gleaming like a wolf's at night.
"Licht... you're precious to me. I hate the idea of losing you to someone else."
Those predator eyes spoke the truth.