Chapter 186
Chapter 186
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 186
Chapter Title: EP.186 54-2. Force and Force.
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***
One thing I'd realized while clashing with Locke Granasia.
I was still pathetically weak compared to him.
Until now, I'd been lost in arrogance.
'In the end, if I can't protect Pine, none of it matters.'
As that worry spread like embers catching fire,
I was swinging my sword in the training hall today, as always.
Better than tossing and turning all night because sleep wouldn't come.
In combat, the split second is what counts.
The handle, now discolored from use. My grip tightened even more.
If I relied only on skills, my body would freeze in a crisis.
I'd grown overconfident in my Foresight ability and let my guard down, assuming I could dodge.
A true swordsman has to know how to bare their fangs even in unexpected situations.
'...Did Emperor Locke swing his axe like that?'
Closing my eyes, I recalled his form from the sports festival.
He'd been like a raging wolf, yet his strikes had no wasted motion.
Movements as sharp and cold as the edge of a blade.
I relaxed my entire body, shedding unnecessary tension. Like ripples forming on still water, I focused everything into my sword hand.
Until now, I'd leaned too much on skills. What had made me strong so far wasn't that mishmash of tricks.
I'd been impatient. In my rush to grow stronger even a moment sooner, I'd overlooked the essentials.
Like a priest offering prayer, I slowly raised my sword toward the sky. Gathering power throughout my body, preparing to unleash it.
...Now.
Like releasing a taut bowstring, I whipped my arm forward with all my strength.
A sharp whoosh slicing through the air, followed by the sensation of splintering wood on the floor.
"...Ah, it's broken."
At that moment, a voice from the side made me open my eyes.
"Pine...?"
There stood the wolfkin girl, her pure white ears perked up, tail swishing gently as she watched me.
Pine Granasia.
How did she even know to come here? More importantly, was it okay not to hide my identity?
"No, Mardol... Where's your Masterpiece...?"
"You don't need the alias here. It's just your scent."
That was even scarier. The entrance to the training hall was already sealed by an opaque glass barrier.
"Licht, you're always so diligent."
Pine brushed her hair back with her hand and showed me her wrist.
"It's just habit for me to practice swordsmanship like this before bed... Ah."
She pressed a slightly damp, cool towel to my neck.
"Cool...?"
Cool didn't cover it—it was cold. She'd just soaked it in water, judging by the dampness, and now she was wiping away my sweat.
"Thank you..."
Pine let out a soft fu fu chuckle, smiling gently.
Had she been watching my practice from earlier?
The sports festival was over, and we'd returned to our daily routine.
One thing that had changed, though.
"Pine, what are you doing up instead of sleeping?"
She'd moved into the academy's girls' dorm, so she was sticking close to me like this.
And it was dawn right now.
"I can sleep... during morning lectures."
Pine yawned sleepily as she answered.
Her small mouth opening wide like a lounging hamster—it was adorable.
This frowning face felt refreshingly new.
"You should sleep early too, Licht."
She was getting comfortable around me. Lately, she'd been showing expressions just for me.
A subtle smile, or the way her eyes softened when she teased.
Why was this happening?
Was it because the Love Meter had suddenly spiked?
I hadn't gotten full permission from Locke, either.
Defeating all the Demon Kings of the Hero Cult.
It aligned with the goal of preventing Pine Granasia from becoming the Nameless Saintess.
'And this is only 35 percent...?'
No matter how I looked at it, something was off. I'd expected her to brand me a pervert and keep her distance.
Even after I nibbled her ear with my lips, she hadn't pulled away.
"..."
Gulp.
As I cooled off and wiped my body with the towel, Pine's throat bobbed slightly.
"That's lewd..."
Her ears twitched, cheeks flushing red. I could guess what she was imagining.
"So... why'd you come here, Pine?"
Probably some weird idea from a book again.
I asked the girl who'd clearly followed me.
"Lately, I can't sleep..."
Looking closely, there were faint shadows under her eyes. Pine lowered her head with a sigh.
"...Why?"
Insomnia? That could be trouble. What items were good for sleep?
As I racked my brain for options,
"...I don't know."
Pine stared intently at my face, then mimicked me—propping her chin on her hand, lost in thought.
Surely not. I took a step closer, and she immediately backpedaled.
Seeing that, I had a pretty good idea what the reason was.
It was all my fault.
"This should help you sleep a bit easier."
"...Eek!"
I used both hands to gently stroke her head and chin as she tried to slip away.
"L-Licht... The chin... it tickles..."
Didn't dogs like having their chins scratched?
I'd heard they disliked head pats.
They saw it as an attack, so you had to approach from below slowly.
"Not good...? Or like last time...?"
"N-No... This is...! This is fine...!"
She jumped at the mention of the past incident.
Her fluffy wolf ears, which had been relaxed, shot straight up like coiled springs.
I wasn't going to do anything weird to her ears.
"Licht... Have you done this to other girls...?"
"Probably not."
Even with the Nameless Saintess from my dream, I'd only stroked her hair.
"Really...?"
I was careful not to mess up her hairstyle.
I'd heard women were sensitive about their hair getting ruined.
Come to think of it, did Pine use a comb?
I checked her snowy locks cascading to her waist. So soft and glossy—how did she maintain it?
"That's enough now... Licht..."
"Ah, yes. Got it."
Lost in it, I'd stroked too long. She bit her lower lip and shot me a glare.
Had I overdone it and made her mad? She even snatched the towel from around my neck.
"See you tomorrow, Licht."
Her footsteps quickened.
Tap, tap. Watching her hurry away, I could only reach out futilely.
I'd messed up.
The next day, heading to the academy, I was greeted by a bizarre sight.
A crowd milling about, buzzing with excitement.
"...What's going on? Did something happen?"
"No idea."
The path from the dorms was blocked by throngs of people.
Even during the sports festival, it hadn't been this crowded.
Had some incident broken out at the academy?
As I pondered whether to send Pine a telepathic message,
[I watched the sports festival a few days ago quite well, students of Grand Hearts Academy.]
A transparent magic circle appeared in the air, displaying a familiar face.
A long scar over his left eye, short black hair, golden irises.
"...What? It's His Majesty the Emperor?!"
If you aged the crown prince Lupus from the sequel into a rugged handsome man, he'd look like that.
[The autumn weather felt like midsummer with all that heat. Impressive.]
The Wolf King's voice echoed from afar.
The path from our dorms led straight to the platform where the emperor spoke.
[Wolves hunt in packs. They never hunt alone.]
Why had he suddenly shown up?
If the emperor appeared at the academy often, it might pinpoint Pine.
[The competitions where you all helped each other. It was a deeply meaningful event for me as well.]
Seeing Locke grit his teeth as he said "meaningful," a heavy pressure settled over me.
Ugh, had I pushed too hard with Pine?
He might've seen me show affection toward her in that escape room game.
[Thus, I deem it fitting to bestow rewards.]
Rewards?
[Everyone, head to Kallision Valley to cool off. Even wolves need rest to race across the plains for long.]
He raised one finger, flashing a confident grin.
"...Kallision Valley."
A place I'd heard of before, straight from the mouth of the emperor.
From the original game [Knight Heart].
"What's wrong? You know it, Licht?"
"...It's Querr habitat."
The monster Pine had disguised as during the summer festival. Where the massive oak tree beast first appears.
A mid-boss level monster—tough for regular students to handle?
[I've set the deadline for a 1-night, 2-day trip. The professors will accompany you for this brief respite, as expected.]
Locke might be hoping for my growth.
No need to waste time on meaningless rest.
This was five years before [Knight Heart]. Items undiscoverable back then might be available now.
[I won't be joining. Young folks shouldn't have an old man tagging along.]
Or maybe he really just wanted to let Pine have fun.
Whether from her speech or because I'd earned his trust, someone reliable had appeared.
A faint smile of relief crossed his face as he said it.
Like he'd gained one more person to protect his daughter.
[Then, students of the academy. Go find what is precious, what must be protected, what must be done.]
Locke Granasia's speech ended by rekindling the academy's founding purpose.
[...Licht. You're going, right?]
Soon, a bright voice laced with a fu fu chuckle echoed in my mind.
[Of course, Pine.]
I replied to the one girl happier than anyone about the valley trip.