Chapter 189
Chapter 189
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 189
Chapter Title: EP.189 55-1. Powerlessness Breeds Strength
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Getting off the train, we arrived at a serene and spacious valley.
The clear, transparent stream, shimmering faintly with emerald hues, was so pristine that you could see right to the bottom.
Small trees and rocks clustered thickly, making it look like a hidden gem nestled in the embrace of the forest.
Shaaaah—.
In the valley where every step kicked up white foam that chilled the insteps to the bone.
"Welcome to Kallision Valley, everyone."
Led by Dennis, the academy's faculty gathered to guide the students.
"You can play in the stream over there, but it might be dangerous, so don't wander off too far."
With no more demon king threats, it was fine to step away from the academy for a bit.
"Hahaha! Take a tent each, everyone!! We're staying overnight, so watch out for bugs!!"
Drake handed out tents to the others, looking thrilled.
I figured he'd subtly suggest it was a great spot for training and invite me along.
"Get your cooking gear from me. Everyone...!"
Professor Maria appeared with wooden ladles and iron pots from who-knows-where.
Probably gathered from nature, given her dryad heritage.
"We'll have a campfire tonight, so don't turn in too early, little lambs."
Beatrice smiled, but her eyes didn't crinkle. That signature smile was still intimidating, even knowing her better.
People can't be judged by appearances alone. She'd prioritized evacuating students during the Hero Cult raid.
Huh, come to think of it, Blanc's not here.
Where'd she go? Well, after pointing a sword at the Granasia Empire's princess...
No way she'd join a valley trip sent directly by the emperor. If Locke found out, he'd have her head for sure.
It was plenty understandable why she'd suddenly vanished.
Especially since I personally despised her.
"Hehe, Kai! Catch!"
Soon, the students split into groups to play.
Academy students scattered along the long valley, splashing around.
"Whoa, Ariel! It's cold, quit it!"
Even in early autumn, the hero couple was in swimsuit-like light clothes, frolicking.
"You guys come in too! Helmet guy! Mardol!"
Dwarf homeland, once located in the land of fire—maybe that's why this part of the stream steamed with heat.
"Mardol, you sure you don't wanna join?"
I called out to the glass knight sitting on the gravel, barely dipping her feet in the stream.
"...Yeah, I'm fine."
Pine hung her head, looking glum. From afar, she gazed sadly at Kainel and Ariel.
I stayed by her side, guarding her. Partly because we needed to prep dinner early.
'...Some things never change, huh.'
It was the same in the game ten years ago. Even in the original [Knight Heart], Pine couldn't join the fun.
She couldn't swim, that was the setting. I remembered how all the other NPCs played while she sat alone.
What kind of curse was that? A saintess who couldn't cook or use holy power properly.
These days, characters like that would get flamed online.
"Guess I'll have to carry you, then."
Maybe one thing could change.
I shrugged off the stuffy academy coat and rolled up my pant legs.
"L-Licht?!"
It wasn't deep enough to worry about people drifting away. And this wasn't the original story anymore. No lifeguards needed.
A world ten years before [Knight Heart], before Pine became the Nameless Saintess.
"You're so light."
I scooped her up princess-style. To strangers, it might look like two grown men acting cringey.
"I'm not heavy. How many times do I have to—"
Other people's stares didn't matter anymore.
Splash. I carried Pine into the stream and dropped her in. A huge spray erupted, ripples spreading out.
"Mardol. Feels nice and cool, right?"
I grinned at the glass knight dripping from head to toe.
"You... seriously..."
Splash. Pine flung water at me, full of emotion. Her strong arms whipped up blade-like sprays.
"Mardol, stop! My bad, okay?"
"Hehe, finally admitting it?"
It stung a little on the face. Like father, like daughter.
Reminded me of settling scores with that scary lumberjack at the sports festival. Could she go easy?
Cold droplets flew. Laughter mixed in as we splashed each other playfully.
"Hey! Mardol, why haven't you come in yet~!"
Before I knew it, the mage sidled up, and the blond hero was splashing big.
"Hey, let's gang up on Licht!"
Kainel and Ariel joined us, playing together.
"Why just me...! Haha! Mardol, take off the armor!"
"No way, you perv doggy..."
Now Pine was holding back her strength, mingling with everyone.
Yeah, this is how it should be.
[Huh...? Why not play in the water when we're at the valley?]
[Well, I can't swim well...]
Her wet dress shirt clung tight, the fabric growing heavier.
[As long as my knight and party enjoy themselves in my stead, that's enough.]
Ridiculous. If you're at a valley, you play.
[Just dipping my feet in the stream lets me have fun.]
The Nameless Saintess wasn't happy. Even if no one gets all good things.
"It's cold, whoa..."
The future can change. Seeing Pine play like this now felt profound.
She could've ditched the armor too. But she still clung to her masterpiece inside the academy.
"...Mardol? What's wrong all of a sudden?"
She froze mid-splash, awkwardly covering her face.
"L-Licht... your clothes..."
What's with my clothes? Nothing torn, right?
Golden eyes peeked through her fingers. Her visor hid the front, but she saw something off.
Then, murmurs rose around us.
"Hey, hey... look over there...!"
A group pointed at me, hands over mouths.
What? What the hell?
As damp as the water's edge were the gazes fixed on him. Around Licht now clustered a mix of admiration and lust from a group of girls.
Since he'd started showing his face around the academy.
It was the kind of fantasy only girls could have.
"Hey, hey... over there...!"
From afar, one girl elbowed her friend's side like a woodpecker.
"Ow, what! That hurts...!"
The cry was brief. The girl in the elegant dress stared at the young man, forgetting the pain.
Gulp. Every time Licht swung his arm, girls' eyes followed, throats bobbing.
"Licht, right... I think?"
"Oh my, yeah..."
The crowd skewed female as more gathered. His efforts drew eyes inevitably,
but Pine hated the sticky stares from the girls most of all.
She felt embarrassed now. Back at the northern hot springs, she'd seen him naked.
'...She didn't react then. It was fine.'
The sight before her was enough to flush Pine's face.
Why this now? Burning cheeks, widening eyes—it was pitiful.
She'd seen far more extreme before.
The sheer white shirt turned sheer, soaked and clinging tight.
Toned arms honed from swinging a sword for years.
"Mardol, something wrong?"
Chiseled abs like chocolate, broad shoulders contrasting his innocent face—it pissed her off.
Wish he'd shut up.
Too stimulating. Pine tried focusing on his face, but her eyes kept drifting down.
"Yeah, Helmet guy's acting weird!"
The red-haired mage gawked blankly at Pine.
Ariel showed no reaction. Unshaken by that body?
Let this go on, and Grand Hearts Academy's morals would crumble.
"Licht, what'd you do?"
"Huh...?"
Pine's wolf ears twitched toward the black knight in his helmet.
The high-pitched whispers grated especially.
His rep had shifted after slaying the Omniknowing Demon King. Thanks to revealing his face at the sports festival,
his story spread uncontrollably through the academy.
I noticed him first.
Proud his efforts were recognized, yet a stuffy ache in her chest... something unpleasant.
"Mardol...? Why the magic circle all of a sudden...?"
Pine cast magic straight at Licht. A shimmering glass array from her open palm.
Sploosh—.
A massive spray engulfed him, vanishing him instantly.
Quicksand. An earth spell trapping foes in an antlion pit—direct hit.
Blorp. Bubbles rose as he ended up head-stuck in the stream bed.
"S-Sorry...!"
Pine snapped back, yelping in shock.
An impulsive mistake. A desire never to show him to others.
And the catastrophe born from Pine's distress.