Chapter 143
Chapter 143
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 143
Chapter Title: 42-1. What Can Break One's Will.
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The Nameless Saintess was unfortunate.
No family or friends, not even any money, so every time she passed a shop, she begged for candy like a little kid.
She loved sweets, and she only looked truly happy when she was eating candy.
A half-baked saintess, clumsy with her holy power. All she really had was her kind heart.
In this day and age, someone that nice would definitely get treated like a total pushover.
But that heart saved me. To the point where I'd gladly risk my life for our Pine.
"Helmet-san, what are you thinking about?"
The academy's after-school path. As usual, I walked side by side with the hero couple toward the classroom. Ariel noticed the change in me and spoke up.
These guys need their Love Meters raised fast too. Is there a good spot for some flirting? Like an amusement park or maybe a play...
Wait, a play. That could work. Couples go on dates to the movies all the time.
Your standard course: coffee, dinner, then a movie.
"Just some random thoughts."
"...Bad thoughts, huh. Licht."
I got checked immediately by Pine. She thumped my chest plate with her fist. She must've noticed my heart rate picking up.
"I think I know what Licht was thinking about?"
The mutt snickering made me uneasy. He knew Pine and the saintess were the same person, so he was probably just teasing.
"Gotta be that woman from his dream yesterday."
"Kai, you think Helmet-san is like you?!"
"Why not? Guys go through it once every month or two... Ow, Ariel! Cut it out!"
It was spot on, actually. I was too embarrassed to look up. Black Pine had clung to me so overwhelmingly.
She'd even blocked my mouth, making it impossible to summon my heart sword. So the weakness was in the incantation, huh.
"Woman in a dream...? Succubus...?"
Unlike Ariel's shriek, Pine was pure.
Yesterday at the library, Pine had borrowed a book with a black rose on it, so maybe that had influenced her.
In the game, items tied to the six gods were often artifacts. Blanc's Dream Knife was originally connected to Pantos too.
'God of Emotions, Pantos. God of Will, Tardun...'
Maybe I could get some help from Drake at the temple tomorrow.
I knew the location, but the strategy was iffy. In my current state, I didn't think I could pull it off.
"Kainel-san, Ariel-san."
I stopped at a fluttering fallen leaf. A poster on the wall caught my eye.
"Care to watch our play?"
First things first, let's raise the hero couple's Love Meters, then figure it out from there.
The ad showed a Black Knight slicing up the Demon King. It was obviously me, no matter who looked.
The theater district was bustling with people when we arrived at night.
"I wanna be the hero too! Gimme it back quick!"
"No way~! You be the Demon King!"
Kids playing with wooden Black Knight masks and elegant young ladies in fancy dresses stood out.
So the rumors had spread across the empire after I took down Head.
Of course, with one of the Hero Cult's four leaders down, they couldn't keep it secret even if they tried.
'Too many witnesses...'
At the end, he'd even tried to raze the entire academy. I'd thought he was mild-mannered, but he was tough as a cockroach.
Unlike the game lore I knew, he turned out to be a passionate guy. That's why I couldn't fully trust any info.
"Licht, you... you're a big deal in the empire now..."
"So many fake Helmet-sans..."
Right in front of the theaters, there was a bizarre sight of vendors hawking black helmets. A dwarf shook his jingling gold pouch, humming through his nose.
The same uncle from the durahan cosplay last time. At this rate, I could watch the play without worrying I was the star of the rumors.
"...In my moment of crisis, a sturdy gentleman in a Black Knight helmet saved me!"
Then, a noble lady with a fan ooh-ed and aah-ed dramatically from afar, drawing extra attention amid the crowd.
"That handsome man said this to me: 'Love at first sight, Lady Grace.'"
"Kyaa!! What do I do!!"
Signature drill hair. One of Leon's harem members.
I'd never saved anyone like that. Someone trying to cash in on the fame, huh.
The one I fell for at first sight was probably Pine. Looking back on how she kept crossing my path, it made sense.
"Licht, don't go."
I started to head over to give her a piece of my mind, but Pine stopped me. Grabbing my arm and shaking her head—it was adorable, like a puppy lapping at water.
"It'll probably be fine. I can handle it."
"Handle it? What do you mean...?"
Her words sent chills down my spine. Had I accidentally triggered the yandere route?
Was that a route-confirmation line? Yandere Pine sounded nice, but in yesterday's dream, no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't beat her.
"Just show them the difference."
Pine placed a hand on her chest, released her Masterpiece, and removed her helmet.
Plop—her beautiful white hair and wolf ears tumbled free, drawing every eye around.
"The Black Knight and I share a forbidden love...! Hold on, where are you looking?!"
She stole the spotlight from the drill-hair lady and her crowd in one go. I tuned in to the murmurs.
"Mardol, lots of people watching—is this okay?"
Pine's figure was stunningly curvaceous. Like during the exam, I shrugged off my overcoat and draped it over her.
"...Thanks. Licht."
She sniffed my coat's scent and let out a relieved little chuckle.
Anyone trying to sneak a peek? Good thing Ariel was covering Kainel's eyes.
The clueless blond hero grinned like an idiot, thrilled that his crush's hand had brushed his.
"But, you know."
Pine leaned in close to whisper at my helmet. Her lips nearly touched it, heating my face.
"Just for tonight... call me Pine."
It was such an obvious play. Wolf possessiveness. A moment that drove home how jealous inran tribe women could be.
"Ladies and gentlemen! Tonight's show is [Tales of the Black Knight]!"
After the commotion died down, we headed into the theater.
It wasn't something worth all this hero worship—felt like someone was hyping it up on purpose.
Who could've done it? Not the emperor; didn't add up. Maybe one of the other Ten Heroes.
"...The actor's ugly. Someone else would've been better."
"You think so too? Same here!"
In our seats, Kainel and Pine whispered across one gap. Seat order I'd arranged ahead when grabbing drinks: Kainel and Ariel, then Pine and me.
"The real Licht is even uglier, though..."
"Yeah, God really does feel unfair... What? Ugly? No way that's true?"
Pine was diverting attention from my face. It stung my heart like a needle prick.
Get it together. Gotta raise the Love Meters first. Already advised them to hold hands at a time like this.
I'd tipped off Kainel ahead of time. He'd even said he was rooting for me and Pine, which felt good.
"Ah, your hand's cold. Must be from the drinks Licht got..."
Squeeze—Kainel grabbed Ariel's hand all flirty-like.
"Hya! Kai... are you nuts?!"
Sorry, Blazing Flame Mage. To save our Pine, I need your help. If the Grand Route goes off the rails, I really don't know what might happen.
"Quiet, Ariel. The show's starting."
"You... just you wait till it's over..."
Ariel kneaded Kainel's hand like it was some fascinating toy, clearly enjoying it. Her words and actions didn't match.
Lame excuse, but she wasn't letting go. Skinship she could escape anytime.
Classic tsundere. Seemed aggressive without crossing the line.
"Licht, hand."
"..."
Not like I was in any position to advise. Watching the hero couple hold hands during the show, Pine whispered to me.
"Eek... so cold..."
She held out her pale white hand like I was training her. When I clasped it, hers flapped like a fish.
She was startled herself—why'd she ask, then? The current Pine was way more skittish about stuff like this than her future self. Her defense was glass-cannon levels of fragile.
"The academy has already fallen. Give up."
Actors took the stage soon after, and the play began.
"...Demon King!! For the justice of this world, I will cut you down!"
"Then take all the world's knowledge—join me, hero."
Third-rate cliché lines. Justice in this game world had gone down the drain long ago.
Pine had nearly seen the empress murdered by Magic Hat, and the Demon King had tortured the hero and mage. Same for Dennis and Drake.
I already had most of the knowledge in my head. Anything I forgot, I could check my notes for.
Even a pretty demon queen popping up to say "Marry me, hero!" might sell better.
"Interesting."
Pine laced her fingers with mine even through the cringey dialogue, kicking her feet in excitement.
Her shaking wolf tail and ears broadcast her mood loud and clear. Puppy-like and cute.
"Now... is it over...?"
Thud—the actor playing me collapsed from his seat, spilling "blood." Probably tomato juice rigged in his clothes.
"Licht, never do that again."
"Got it, Pine."
Maybe reminded of when I'd taken on Head—she warned me from the side.
Twice I'd nearly died fighting the Demon King right in front of her. Fair point.
"The holy sword is lending me its power...!"
"What? You mean... you're the chosen hero...?!"
At that moment, the stage's magic circle activated, and the actor's sword lit up.
That was mixed in with the Magic Hat fight scene.
"N-No... this can't be... My omniscience... was wrong...?"
Head suffering even in death. Probably worse than hell.
Slashed by the glowing holy sword, he fell. Curtain call dropped, and the show ended.
"...Was good. Next performance, they should put up an even uglier male actor."
As everyone rose to leave, Pine murmured softly—just loud enough for me, pressed close beside her, to hear.
Did Pine really sponsor this from behind the scenes?