Chapter 133
Chapter 133
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 133
Chapter Title: 38-2. Gambler's Fallacy
-----------------------------------------------------------------
In the swordsmanship training grounds of Grand Hearts Academy, only the sound of blades slicing through the air echoed around.
I took a few deep breaths and kept swinging my arm.
I'd cast a spell on the wooden dummy to make it dodge attacks. A thief class's movements were quick and erratic. I had to match that speed as much as possible.
Crack! The wooden bokken clashed against the timber. The dummy, sliced straight down, split cleanly into two pieces.
This wasn't enough. I hadn't been able to react to Blanc at all. Should I speed it up more? As I checked the magic circle engraved on the wooden dummy,
"Licht..."
"What is it, Pine?"
I stopped at the sound of someone calling my name and turned around. Scorch marks scarred the floor.
Behind me lay a pile of shattered wooden dummies.
"Sorry... because of me..."
"Why would it be your fault?"
Pine Granasia sat crouched by the window, her helmet off. Even at this late hour, she was watching my training out of worry.
"Because I go around wearing a Masterpiece..."
"There was no helping it."
Pine fiddled with her Blue Rose ornament. In the grade exam, it must have looked like she'd only won thanks to the Masterpiece's defense.
I could understand the other students' envy or jealousy.
"Blanc's just a bad person."
But Blanc had even brought up her position as teaching assistant to stir them up, which left a bad taste. She's clearly unhinged. Probably scheming to isolate Pine and do something vile.
Resorting to dirty tricks. She might even be a player trying to lower my Love Meter with Pine.
Or someone clinging to the Hero Cult. Only two possibilities.
"I could have them cut down using my authority... Licht..."
Pine spoke in a cold tone. Her expression was so icy, not a drop of blood would spill if stabbed. She really did take after Emperor Locke.
"No need for that."
It would only raise more suspicion. People aren't idiots. If the teaching assistant who badmouthed her vanished overnight? It'd be obvious.
Even without outing her as the princess, word that she's some bigwig's daughter would spread, alienating commoners at the academy or making her a target for nobles.
"We've got a whole week left, right?"
She's the Granasia Empire's one and only princess. Can't you imagine people sucking up with money or lies just to impress her?
Flies drawn not to true friendship or love, but her status. No way academy life with those parasites could be happy.
"We crush them fair and square with pure skill."
"B-but... I hate seeing you get hate..."
I approached Pine, who had her tail straight up in alert.
"L-Licht...?"
Pine bit her tongue, her words slurring. Thud. I opened my palm and placed it atop her snowy white hair.
Her golden eyes looked up at me in shock.
"I've earned a bit of hate. Can't be helped when you're one body with Her Highness after that mixed bath."
I glanced around to confirm we were alone. With her helmet off, it should be fine. The imperial guards were probably watching outside.
"Licht... petting my head... that's cheating..."
As I gently stroked her hair, a soft rose scent wafted up. Unlike her Nameless Saintess days, she had so much now.
Now, Pine doesn't hesitate to use her own power.
She's still alone without anyone to understand her, but as princess, she excels in authority, strength, and wealth.
But I don't need any of that.
I could love her as the Nameless Saintess or as she lives now as princess. It's the inner person that matters, not the shell.
"Don't think bad thoughts, Pine."
"Eek... O-okay..."
I lightly swept up her wolf ears with thumb and forefinger. The squishy feel made me want to tease more. Pine bit her lower lip, her body trembling faintly.
"If the opponent's playing dirty, give it right back."
I stopped, and Pine tilted her head to maximize the petting. Where'd she pick this up? It was just like the dream version.
"Everyone's gonna spar the TA once anyway, right? If I win first, the rest will get it through their bodies naturally."
We had a week.
Drake said real spars start next week. If I got stronger and beat Blanc by then, no issues.
Show my skill, and rumors of me slaying the Demon King would spread. Good or bad, it'd make touching Pine harder.
How long had I been petting her? Touching the princess's body too much might get me arrested. I pulled my hand away, thinking I shouldn't.
"Ah..."
A small sigh escaped Pine's lips. She got it. Her slightly excited expression stirred some guilt.
"...I asked Master Drake. He said she got a recommendation from Margrave Baek."
I'd checked if she'd faked her background to sneak in.
"And she's a real alum, too."
Records confirmed her as former student council president. If Magic Hat used powers, it should differ.
"Cutting her out right away might irk Margrave Baek or draw people sniffing after your identity, Pine."
Drake hinted she was always eccentric. Unpredictable even as a student.
"Don't you want to attend the academy normally, like everyone else? Pine?"
"Yeah, at first... I came to get stronger... but now..."
But attacking the princess was shocking. Later, when questioned alone, she claimed she just wanted the glass armor off.
Suspicious, so Master didn't reveal her princess status. Stirring students like that could cause trouble.
"...I want to attend with you, Licht."
Pine said earnestly. Her clasped hands and pure tone carried weight. How could I refuse? I had to protect her.
"As you wish, Your Highness."
"Hehe, what... that's awkward."
I knelt on one knee in knightly oath. Satisfied, her sad look vanished, replaced by a smiling Pine.
Seeing that eased one worry, so I imagined my fight with Blanc.
Drake style's weakness is the prep time needed.
She'd dodge Void Slash or Reverse Scale Thrust for sure. Would Heavenly Demon swordsmanship work? That dagger of hers might complicate it.
Probably Dream Knife.
If it turns struck parts to sand, it fits perfectly.
Setting-wise, a dagger made by a sleep fairy. Like sand in eyes when drowsy.
Endgame thief item in the game.
Puts foes to sleep or turns objects to sand. Even if the look differed slightly from what I knew, it was the only answer.
If my hypothesis held, as an artifact-level weapon, I'd need the fake holy sword.
Could Prayer Rain evade it?
If raindrops hit too, instant sleep on contact. Hard to approach even with Restraint. She'd throw daggers or whirlwind with her twin blades anyway.
I considered smashing terrain for midair footing or obstacles. But I couldn't match her speed.
If not for the dice stat boosts...
Borrowing Kainel's holy sword burdens the body too much. Only option left: draw a new mind sword. I sat on the training ground floor and began meditating.
"Licht... what're you doing...?"
"Need a new sword."
Pine drew near, curious about my closed eyes. What imagery to use? Nothing came to mind.
Northern events? Or my thoughts of running from Pine? The hot spring...
"..."
Cold sweat dripped as delusions swirled minutes away. Personally, I felt I had no strength left to manifest a mind sword.
"Pine. Will you help me?"
"Huh...?"
Her breath tickled right beside me. What were you trying? Her voice shook like a cat caught stealing.
"I lack the imagery for a new mind sword."
"Even that Saintess wasn't enough...?"
"Pine, I want to draw my sword just for you..."
Her insight was sharpest now. Like with the Apostle of Gluttony or Heavenly Demon's tales—she knew how mind swords form.
"...Liar. You're a playboy."
Poke. Like a needle to the heart. Penalty for my piled-up lies. She applied burn salve like venting anger at me.
"Bad doggy. Hmph."
When'd she lower the visor? Cold. Don't attack like this suddenly.
I want to tell the truth, but it'd make me look like I'm mimicking the Saintess.
Was there nothing? An item to confront Nameless Saintess her with current Pine. I desperately needed the Saintess's speech on pure love.
"Licht."
Her whisper tickled my ear.
"...Sorry, Pine."
"Hehe, what if... just what if... I do this... how's that?"
Playful tone, like she'd thought of something good. Trying to help? Her small hand gripped my shoulder.
"Whoa..."
Mwah. Smack. Two warm, soft breaths touched my cheek. A kiss. Sadly, no impure contact.
"P-Pine...? What was that?"
"...The cheek kiss greeting you gave me last time."
Pine Granasia barely spoke, shy. Gathering courage to help me get my mind sword? I fought down rising lips.
"Now... I beat that Nameless Saintess... right...?"
"..."
Silence answered. Yeah, she'd probably taken the lead.
"I win now. Hehe..."
Pine's competitive. The wolf acting solely to surpass the Saintess. Hitting me eyes-closed was unfair.
"I wanna see your face, Pine."
"Nooo... don't open your eyes...!"
As I tried, her hands blocked my view. A shy Pine. Rare sight.
"Come on, the mind sword should be good now. Just once."
"Pervert... perverted doggy... keep eyes shut...!"