Chapter 161
Chapter 161
Licht?" This damned world was endlessly cruel to the innocent girl. Why? The Hero Cult's Demon Kings were all after Pine, and she'd already lost her mother, Empress Bellin. What on earth had Pine Granasia done wrong to deserve this? Becoming the Nameless Saintess would strip Pine of her memories and name. And that was just the start—no friendship with Sophitia, no princess title, no wealth or honor. Even her little brother Lupus wouldn't remember his big sister. Forgotten by the world, rotting away until erased entirely: Pine Granasia. "...
It's nothing." The small heartbeat she'd gifted me brought me back to life. "Are you... hurting because of the elixir..?" It was precious enough to say it saved my dying self. "No. I'm feeling great, actually." Truth be told, my fingertips were trembling. I was terrified I might fail to protect anything like this. Before, I'd push myself to the limit in moments like these. But now I had to protect Pine. Having something to protect makes you endlessly strong... but comparatively weak, too. '...
That's why I was wandering.' I worried I'd become an obstacle to a happy ending, or that after satisfying the Grand Route and returning home, Pine would be left alone. I steadied my ragged breath. Sweat poured down like rain, proof of my efforts. I hadn't noticed in normal times. But the more I swung the sword, the heavier the pressure weighing on me. 'Maybe I can do it here.' The temple's true value might lie in this room itself—a training space that fortified one's will. The environment was so harsh I might not even need the full sixty-six days for Dragon Slayer. I hadn't noticed in downtime, but practicing swordsmanship loaded intense strain on my body. Each god had imbued it with their intent. Fortunately, it suited me well. My blurring vision and intensifying breaths felt like I was atop a mountain peak. And my body? Moving my arms felt like doing it underwater—several times heavier than usual. The 'concept' of slaying the opponent's existence. There'd come a time when I'd have to realize my will, even at the cost of my life. It had almost happened once already. 'Back then, if I hadn't protected Pine...?' The dizzying thoughts chipped away at my resolve. I wanted to hurl the sword aside and rest right now. The fatigue from the recent battle hadn't fully recovered. My muscles screamed. My joints throbbed numbly. Yet I couldn't stop gripping and swinging the sword. I had to give my all, even if I was weak. I twisted my arm, stepped forward, unleashed a slash. Sometimes diagonally, sometimes straight down from above. I pictured that insane magician's face and swung the steel. "Licht, you look exhausted." No helping it, Pine. I had to keep swinging repeatedly, fixated solely on the intent to kill the opponent. Normally, I'd patch up with healing magic or mana circulation. Since I drank the Moon's Elixir, it should have some effect... Huh. My body suddenly felt light. It resembled the sensation after transplanting the Dragon Heart. Thump. Something like a cold flame surged from my heart. An overwhelming vitality I wanted to spew out right away. Shwaaaak—! The air vibrated from a casual swing. The resounding crack, like splitting a log in two, was astonishing. "...
Better now?" Pine's whispering voice drew a soft chuckle from her. I nodded unconsciously.
💕 LOVE METER 💕
Lee Soo-hyun ♡ Pine Granasia 12% ‘NEW!!’ (ASCII art: Two wolves with tails forming a heart—one black, one white. Just like the statue we saw earlier.) Pine must have done something. A wry chuckle escaped me as I stared at the status window floating before my eyes. The status window had sent an ASCII art: two wolves making a heart with their tails. One black wolf, one white—otherwise identical to the statue I'd seen moments ago. Come to think of it, what did those two wolves symbolizing day and night mean? I'd thought they were the elixirs at first. But specifying 'two wolves' nagged at me.
"That's a relief..."
What had she done to make Pine's cheeks flush like that? Her lips glistened faintly.
"Licht, is this the skill that grows wings?"
That's when it caught my eye. Pristine white wings unfurled behind the blond hero.
"...
How'd you do that?" The prototype of Decision of Icarus. When I used it, I'd fallen to Demon King and sprouted demon wings. But Kainel's were clearly angelic. "Eh, just drank the Sun's Elixir like someone said?" As a hero, his abilities had stepped up. The radiance from his holy sword was clearer now, tinged with an otherworldly hue. "See? Shine Strike's changed too." Whoosh. The Light Hero swung his holy sword, and the sword ki split into multiple beams like refracted light. Not bad. A bit more effort, and he'd match the Kainel I knew. "I'm still stronger, though! Kai!" Ariel unleashed dragon-headed fireballs. Upon hitting the wall, they split like Hydra heads, crushing everything in a terrifying blaze. They must've shared them. The Light Hero and Blazing Flame Mage from the sequel [Black Heart]. Feeding them the Sun's Elixir was spot on. Their ultimates involved their names and the sun, after all. "Hehe, who can stop a genius mage's path?!" "What're you saying? I'm way stronger. I'm the hero." Kainel teased Ariel again as he watched her. "Sometimes you gotta let your cute girlfriend win once in a while, Kai~!" Ariel puffed her cheeks and hugged him in response. Their bond had grown impossibly close. My side ached. I envied how they could be so open and honest. "Licht. Is that what girlfriend means..?" "Probably..?" "...
I see. I didn't know." Pine perked up her wolf ears as she looked at me. So white and soft-looking. Seeing her clutching the empty elixir vial in both hands, one guess clicked. '...
Did Pine drink it too?' The condition was to pair up and drink. From the hero couple's talk, it seemed two people had to share one elixir.
"I-I... didn't do anything weird. Why..?"
I hadn't even pressed her, but hearing that made me more conscious of it. Pine. Right. Kainel or Ariel wouldn't have drunk the one Pine kept holding for me. 'An indirect kiss from her.' Neither of us could look at each other's faces. Me staring at the floor, Pine turning away. Her face reddening like a bomb about to burst—I pulled down my visor to hide it. Time to master Demon King Slayer. Can't misinterpret her good intentions.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Pine Granasia watched Licht intently. Her naturally exceptional eyesight let her take in the Black Knight's form in slow motion. First form: Wing Shedding. A counter that turned the opponent's force against them.
"Licht. I won't lose this time!"
The technique she'd thought defensive reflected the blond hero's moves entirely.
"Shall we try? Kainel."
Kainel was testing his new skill against Licht's sword. But why was Licht sparring? Pine Granasia's keen eyes caught it. His gaze wasn't on the hero ahead. Angry, yet noble—like scolding his own frailty. Brown irises burning with torch-like resolve. Poke. It felt like a fork's tines pricking her heart. '...
Why am I like this?' At first, she'd only thought of getting stronger. Blaming it all on herself. So she'd decided to grow strong by Licht's side. But what was this sensation now? A strange wish that those eyes would look only at her. 'It's... Licht's fault.' All his fault, that man. If he'd approached craving a princess's power, or just fawned over her looks, it'd be simple. She could've kept him leashed like a dog. "Hey, for Reverse Scale Thrust, just dodge in the air..!" Licht unleashed the second form: Reverse Scale Thrust. As if to show off, Kainel leaped airborne, evading the pursuit. The blade whistled through empty air without grazing him. "Can you dodge this too?" Void Slash followed immediately. Like her father Locke swinging his axe: thuduk-gagak!! Blades of wind tore forth. Licht targeted the base of Kainel's wings precisely. Attacking the joint was more effective than the wings themselves. "I think I can... Huh?" Suddenly, Kainel's body wobbled. He lurched as if struck. "You can't dodge it." Licht had executed Shadow Slash on the shadow below. He'd controlled the power so Kainel wouldn't get hurt. The Void Slash vanished before him. "...
Licht. That last technique has too many restrictions? Starting with a counter, and all." The fight ended, and the blond hero landed. "If I went all out, I'd have to risk my life." Licht sighed after briefly showing Demon King Slayer's steps. He looked unsatisfied. "Licht. That earlier one. Mix it with... Magnolia Swordsmanship...?" That's when Pine spotted the flaw in the incomplete form.