Chapter 27
Chapter 27
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 27
Chapter Title: EP.27 8-3. Purple Phoenix and Vampire Saintess.
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To explain why I knew the Nameless Saintess so well...
I have to go back to when I first encountered Knight Heart.
It was during those sweltering summer school days when the cicadas were chirping nonstop.
There was this promo where you'd get a chance at character merch through a lottery on soda cans.
"Soda again today, Soo-hyun?"
"Yeah, that one please."
I'd watch the ad and always grab the soda with the eight stars on it from the vending machine. I wasn't big on bitter drinks anyway.
"Why not try something else for once?"
"This one's got the event going. Here's your change."
The shopkeeper gave me an earful once or twice. Didn't faze me. Honestly, soda's delicious—crisp and refreshing.
"...This isn't it."
Everyone else was gunning for Ariel or the polymorphed dragon, but not me.
"Still, I got it in the end."
The cool metallic feel in my palm.
A girl with smiling wolf ears. Lucky it wasn't her usual stoic expression.
That was the end of it: one SD keychain of the white-haired Saintess. Ten years later, in the real world, it's still one of the items I own.
Back then, I hit the financial limits of what a middle schooler could manage.
"A 1:1 scale life-size figure of our Saintess as non-sale promo? You've gotta be kidding."
By the time Black Heart rolled around and I nearly missed out on the prize, adult-me went all-in and emptied my bank account.
Something about gifting it to the highest bidder. Infamous sequel event—I hate even thinking about it now.
How was I supposed to help it if I fell for someone with that figure?
"..."
Truth be told, she wasn't popular, so competition was low. The game forums called me crazy, but I didn't care.
"Hahaha... Guess it's instant noodles for months now."
The massive package nearly stumped me on the apartment stairs, but I hauled it inside and finally beheld the real thing.
"If she were real, it'd feel just like this."
Staring at the waist-length platinum hair gave me this wondrous sensation. Women's hair could grow this long? Her golden wolf eyes looked even prettier in real life than in-game.
"...She's shorter than me. Is that why she said that in the height-measuring event?"
[You're quite tall...? Knight... Ungh...!]
There was this solo event for her where you'd measure heights with the player and fantasize about a kiss. Nothing forgettable about her tiptoeing innocently in that fresh delusion.
[There, all done. Knight, the helmet made you seem taller!]
But why no kiss event for her solo?
Through the Knight Heart Trilogy, my room filled to the brim with white merch until a life-sized Saintess claimed one corner.
Her from head to toe, like blank staff paper, pure white.
"Well, I guess I did fall for her face..."
This smiling expression was unusual too, and it hooked me. She had a beautiful smile. It recharged me on tough, exhausting workdays.
"This time in the sequel, we'll definitely get that happy ending, Saintess."
That's what I vowed to her the day before getting the mail. Felt oddly like a groom seeing her off...
...Did that get me possessed?
Anyway, that's how sincere I am. No way I'd miss recognizing my Saintess here.
"Ugh, my tongue's still tingling. Guess even my first kiss can't go to just anyone."
My vision cleared like fog lifting, and there I was back in the chapel-like space, sword in hand.
Dreams are dreams, reality is reality. Even if I'd twisted between them, no actual tongue-slicing disaster for me.
"To think... a heretic... like you...!!"
"Shouldn't have impersonated our Saintess from the start."
I snapped at Serbi, who clutched half her face while healing.
"You... You dare ruin the all-seeing Hero's prophecy...!!"
"I can write third-rate novels too, y'know."
The Demon King peeked at lifespans via the Book of Life and Death to scheme, so sure, some predictions hit. But that level of wild guesswork? I could do it too.
I believe not in fated doom, but in the fate to overcome it.
"...Where'd you hide Senior Sharutineth?"
"Think I'll tell you? Kyahaha...!"
Honestly, emotions got the better of me. Should've pried more on her whereabouts or Hero Cult intel.
All I knew was stuff like the All-Seeing or Truth Demon King.
Then Nex's voice came from beside me.
"Huh...? Junior? That you?"
"Senior Nex. You're late to the party."
"Haha... Sorry. Must've overslept..."
The purple-haired guy seemed back to his senses. Good. Meant fewer solo burdens now. I grabbed his sitting hand and pulled him up.
"No worries now. I watched the situation—you were pissed."
"That obvious?"
"Yeah, your hand's still shaking, junior."
Nailed it. Hadn't noticed. So that's why he worried about me at our first meeting. Felt exposed and embarrassed.
"Tweet...!"
The phoenix's focus returned, the revived spirit flapping fiercely.
"Tweet! Chirp!"
"Yeah, chirpy. She tried aping Shar and doing something nasty, huh? Same here."
"You got hit too, senior?"
"Little later and I would've. Thanks to you, junior."
Nex's foxy smile held real relief, while the purple flames shook off moisture like a wet dog, hissing at the succubus before us.
"...This... can't... The Hero's latest prophecy clearly had Nex Aureus...!"
"Not the Hero—the Demon King."
"Right, Licht junior."
The Apostle of Lust's face twisted in dismay at Nex awakening.
Plus, my sword beam had wounded her.
"Wh-what? Why's there blood on my clothes?"
"...Succubus? Not the Hero?"
"Wasn't it supposed to save people...? Why am I here...? Then it was all a dream..."
Even the apparent Hero Cult believers showed confusion.
Guess they didn't start with diehards. Unlike the Demon King, an Apostle lacking divine displays could only muster this much fanaticism.
"Everyone, calm down...! It's a trick! The heretic's right there!"
Serbi's pink eyes glowed again, commanding her followers.
Healed by holy power, but the physical damage broke her charm. Still, white-robed folks eyed me and Nex.
"Grab those two now! No—kill the Black Knight helmet guy! Kill him!"
The succubus pointed at me outright. Too blatant. Thinking my life's done? She grinned ear-to-ear.
"Got it!!"
"Iron fist to the false hero!"
"Target's the Black Knight! Slay the heretic!!"
"Hero Cult forever! Foreveryy!"
White-clad men charged us with grating yells, wielding assorted weapons.
"...Junior, I'll handle here."
"Understood. Purple Phoenix."
Nex stepped forward, blocking my path. Overlapped with his Knight Heart image.
This felt like companion route dialogue. Rivals no more?
"Hahat... Defying a Ten Heroes descendant? Not even funny anymore."
"Chirp."
Unlike usual, his face was set. Serious eyes summoning the spirit—purple irises ignited.
Helios Midnight.
From his chest, the phoenix ballooned into a massive fireball. Solar heat swirled.
"Step up if you wanna burn, Hero Cultists."
He advanced on the crowd, violet flames parting a path to the succubus.
"Ugh... Too hot..."
"My weapon... it's melting...?"
"Magic circle won't form!!"
Cultist maces drooped molten, spells smoked away.
Spirits really were cheats.
Strong regardless of size. Seeing this sparrow-like form unleash such power firsthand was eye-opening.
"What're you doing?! Ice magic or whatever—do something!!"
Serbi wailed at her fleeing flock. Too bad, won't work.
"Useless, Apostle of Lust."
"What...?"
"Phoenix flames burn anything. Magic, swordsmanship, holy power—you name it."
"Yeah, our junior's spot on."
Her healing wounds reopened.
"Keh, kehack... This can't... happen..."
"Our Licht junior's got fire in him!"
"Does he now."
Arm-in-arm again. We were at the succubus's nose now. I pressed my sword to her throat.
"...Where's Saintess Sharutineth? Answer properly this time, succubus."
"Kyahahaha... No way in hell...!"
Head drooping, she cackled madly. Fine, won't talk? I headed for the podium.
"...Huh, junior?"
Nex sensed the oddity. Time was tight, though. Was gonna ask Serbi if the gimmick changed.
"Don't toy with lives."
Just do it. Rewarded good loot in original, so memorized. Turned back, muttering to recall.
"Two bricks missing at the edge here. Unnaturally so."
Palmed the wall. Felt a sunken square. Good thing it's dark—would've missed without Nex.
"Wh-what? Heretic, what're you...?"
"So... like a slide puzzle."
It lit up bright at my touch.
A massive odd rune etched on the podium wall. Suspicious magic formula anyone'd spot. Serbi'd normally sabotage.
Rumble.
Charm broken, Apostle blocked by spirit arts. Game was just enter and solve.
Hand shook sliding each piece. This right?
Click, clack.
Clear chime confirmed my guess.
"Figures, a dungeon by the All-Seeing Demon King."
"N-no way. That wall has divine pow—"
Seeing its name here.
Original had no such thing post-puzzle. Past era always trips me up. Frowned.
Puzzle complete, massive magic pattern formed. Great disc spun, wall receding like a vault. Intricate lock—gears whirred.
—Kugrrrumble!
"Head Ache."
Ugh, naming sense sucks.
Letters glowed, revealing the hidden inner room.
"Shar!!"
"Nex... Is that you?"
There: rope-bound vampire Saintess. No rough treatment—she was hostage; damage from start kills negotiations.
...If Nex came alone, different story.
He ignored my puzzle, bolting inside the moment it opened.