Chapter 29
Chapter 29
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 29
Chapter Title: Purple Phoenix and Vampire Saintess
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“Kyahaha... Glory to the Hero Cult...”
Servi touched a wall on the other side. A square brick slid inward with a dull thud.
—Grrrrumble...
The ground suddenly began to shake. There was only one thing that could mean.
A self-destruct gimmick.
This was what happened when a player botched a puzzle and triggered a trap by mistake.
“Are you insane, Servi?”
Was she planning to bury even the apostles alive? In the original game, it would just be game over, but here real people would die.
“Of course! The prophecy can't be allowed to fail...!!”
The pink-haired succubus laughed like a madwoman. The Hero Cult was truly full of lunatics. I placed a hand on the forehead of my helmet.
The ceiling and floor churned violently. The candles in what had looked like a chapel began toppling and going out.
Boom—!
The entrance we'd come through was blocked by falling stalactites and boulders. The cultists panicked, screaming in terror.
“Save us... Please, save us!!”
“I don't want to die!!”
“Apostle, are you abandoning us!!”
The artificial sun nearby hadn't gone out yet. Despite their desperate pleas, Apostle Servi just smirked at Nex and me.
“For the Hero Cult's revival... consider your sacrifice an honor, you trash... Heh heh...”
Blood spewed from her mouth. Even as she died, her fanatic faith was unshakable. I could maybe understand it if it were orthodox heroes like Kainel.
“Ptooey—!”
“Junior, should I handle this?”
As she watched, the Purple Phoenix spread her wings wide, enveloping us. Was she trying to protect Nex and me?
“Stop. Senior. You can't use Phoenix Cradle.”
“...It might work now that it's fully grown.”
A skill that created an absolute invincible barrier around the user. Now that his spirit had reached adulthood, it was possible.
But the matchup was terrible. Once cast, you couldn't escape it.
“We'd be buried alive down here.”
Escaping this place was the top priority, after all.
“Huh...? For real, junior?”
“...The drawback affects the spirit too.”p>
She'd suffocate from lack of oxygen, right? Even if you conjured oxygen with magic, mana had its limits.
Phoenix was great, but not now. I started racking my brain as hard as I could. What options hadn't I tried? An effective way to escape the dungeon without anyone getting hurt...
“Junior's right. House Head might manage, but not me.”
“That's because you're one of the Ten Heroes.”
I gave a curt assessment as I eyed the Purple Bird. No matter what, she couldn't melt the entire cave ceiling and punch through upward.
Not unless it was Asha Aureus, the living sun they called her.
Spirit arts were complex, and even at adulthood, her proficiency was lacking. In the original story, it left him immobilized anyway. I rested my chin on my hand.
“Heh, if the Hero of Wisdom says so, I trust it, junior!”
Nex beamed at me as I pondered. Expecting me to pull another brilliant solution out of thin air. And here this guy was playing an intelligence build himself.
“Junior... you do have a plan, right?”
This was turning into a massive misunderstanding. I didn't have the holy sword that proved hero status or get chosen or anything.
I could see status windows from the [Black Heart] creator, sure. That's why they hadn't pegged me as Hero Cult.
“...”
Even judging by my skills, I couldn't keep up with the demon kings' toes yet. I'd need to learn ultimates at least, or have the weapons I mained in the game.
“Ugh... my head hurts.”
I scanned our surroundings. No time for distractions. Time to reassess the situation.
Can't go back. Can't fly up with Phoenix either... Is there even a way out?
Our retreat was already collapsed and blocked. The one remaining exit had been sealed by that brick Servi touched.
What now.
I had two options left.
“Spirit communion possible, senior?”
“What? Out of nowhere...? Won't you pass out?”
“I don't know my spirit's abilities... but we have to try our best.”
A lump of emotions born from thinking of her. It might help here. My only choices were this or swordsmanship.
Size didn't matter for spirits anyway.
The sharpest recent memory I had was that one. No magic or holy power possible.
“It came to me watching your phoenix, senior.”
One more Void Slash with my current weapon, and it'd shatter on impact. No backup plan after that.
If I was going for it, all at once.
“Got it. I'll trust you, junior!”
Nex nodded and placed her palm on my back again. Circuits tangled, but she'd manage somehow.
It was a custom spell she'd improvised every time the family demanded a spirit.
“Be reborn anew from the flames.”
No sooner had she finished than a black Pomeranian burst from near my heart.
“Woof!”
This guy's name was Kkamang. Felt kinda endearing. Cute one.
“Been a while...”
The fatigue was still hitting hard. I took several deep breaths. Dizzy enough to pull off Void Slash?
“Woof!”
Did I need to acknowledge the emotions here too?
I sank into thought watching the black puppy's eyes sparkle at me.
What hadn't I acknowledged? Something to trigger it...
That's when it happened.
“Grrrrrr...”
My spirit growled fiercely at the apostle Servi.
“Just a little mad, huh.”
Influenced by my emotions? Not weird considering it mimicked our saintess. But it lunged at the crown prince, why hold back here?
“Woof! Woof! Grrr...”
Unpredictable pup. Should've used spirits more in the game. Only saw them through Nex, so this was new.
“Junior, seeing your spirit confirms you're no Hero Cult. Glad.”
“If I were, we wouldn't be here rescuing Shar, right?”
Less my fault, more the devs who blocked spirits on Saintess route. Worked fine on other heroines.
“No wonder Mardol liked it so much. Adorable on second look...”
Please don't set up crown prince flags here too.
The dungeon's about to collapse. Situation's dire. Dizziness swelled.
“Enough, Kkamang.”
“Hic.”
I called back the spirit threatening even as I crouched low.
Responded right away? Lupus really is the protagonist. Guess the name sticks.
“...No time. Can you do anything?”
“Whine.”
The puppy-like spirit shook vigorously. Looked freshly bathed. Wait, no way?
“Dig...? That it?”
“Woof!”
The Pomeranian barked happily, agreeing with a big grin.
If so, we had a way. Had to move before spirit communion's backlash hit full force.
“Seniors!! I'm firing a Void Slash ahead—prepare to head that way!!”
Digging ability. Dogs have it naturally. Phoenix could burn or fly too.
I drew my sword from its sheath. The weapon looked precarious, cracked like fragile glass.
One shot only.
I reset my stance and gazed at the glinting silver steel in the cave, as if bidding it farewell.
Good work so far. Pure Love Injector.
I eyed the direction of the original game's exit path. Narrower than our entrance—might not work without the spirit clearing ahead.
“Woof! Woof!”
Hang in there, Kkamang. I believe in you. You're my feelings for the saintess, after all.
—Shwoooom!!
A mass of wind shot out once more, boring into the escape route ahead.
“Junior!!”
“Oh, junior...?”
Cold sweat poured from my body. Third Void Slash today—impossible not to feel the strain. Plus spirit communion debuffs stacking up.
“Please... Kkamang...!”
With those dying words, my strength gave out, and I collapsed.
—Poof.
A somewhat large dirt mound erupted from the academy's rear mountain side.
“Wang!”
Out came a black Pomeranian,
“...We barely made it out alone. The apostle kept grabbing at our ankles with that sacrifice nonsense till the end.”
“Junior... you think he'll be okay? Looked like he pushed way too hard...”
And Licht's group.
“My phoenix is guarding him, so he'll be fine. Face looks rough... but no injuries.”
“Healing won't go through... What even is this body...?”
“Maybe used as an experiment by the Hero Cult or something...”
The two watched worriedly over the fainted knight-helmeted junior. Part of them wondered where this sudden hero popped from.
He knew the dungeon's layout and structure perfectly, even saw through the succubus's dream magic. No holy sword visible, but high chance.
Heard some country boy Kainel got chosen as Light Hero...
Nex recalled info he'd learned before. But Licht was different. No family records even after digging.
Only one reason a powerhouse like this stayed unknown as a hero.
“...Poor guy. Her Highness too, Licht too—all screwed over by Hero Cult bastards.”
High odds he'd suffered something from them somewhere. He'd mentioned a rough life before. It might fuel more suspicion, but bad form against his lifesaver.
“Heh, new student vibes kicking in at a time like this.”
“Snoring through his helmet too...”
Nex felt grateful watching Licht sleep deeply atop his phoenix. Without this junior, not just him—Shar's life would've been at risk too.
“Thanks, Licht.”
“...Didn't realize how much he went through.”
He closed his eyes briefly, murmuring. Imagining that future was nightmare fuel. Sharutineth dying while blaming herself in his dreams still haunted.
The three academy students were covered head to toe in dirt. Night had already fallen.
Then, a figure reflecting moonlight appeared.
“...Found you.”
“Her Highness?”
A knight in gleaming glass armor rushed in.
“Pine! How'd you find this place?!”
“Shar sis...? Gasp.”
It was Pine Granasia, using the alias Mardol. Spotting someone besides Nex and Sharutineth, she tried to flee—only for the vampire nun to tackle-hug her.
“Missed you! Pine!”
“Name... no.”
As she nestled into Shar's arms, she pointed frantically at sleeping Licht nearby, shaking her head vigorously in unease.
“It's fine. Licht junior's asleep.”
“He won't wake for half a day at least. Pushed his body too far.”
“Ah, good... No, he's fine. Licht?”
The phoenix-vampire couple's eyes widened at her uncharacteristically wordy response. Rare emotional shift for her.
“He'll be okay. Aside from passing out after saving us?”
“Eh...? For real? Shar sis...?”
“Yeah! Pine...! Licht junior was seriously strong! Sword aura and everything!”
“Yeah. Strong.”
A calm nod. Affirmation.
“Shar was caught by the apostle, and junior found her.”
“...I see.”
Only then did Glass Knight exhale in relief upon hearing Licht snoring away.
Huh. If he saved me and Shar today like this, maybe junior can fix Her Highness's stuff too?
Nex fell into one assumption. Bone-deep demon king knowledge, strongest student here besides Pine.
“You really...”
Glass Knight stared hard at the black-helmeted junior. Nex realized he'd missed something. How was a national princess here?
“Your Highness... how'd you get here?”
“Searched.”
“Junior and I vanished less than hours ago...?”
“Imperial Guard. Called them.”
As she finished, colorful figures burst from behind. Speed like they'd been there all along.
All sported wolf ears and tails,
“Iron Wolf greets the noble one!”
“Copper Wolf serves the Empire's pillar.”
“Silver Wolf, glory to the Ten Heroes.”
“By your command, Golden Wolf escorts Lady Granasia.”
Four swordsmen color-coded like imperial currency. First time Nex saw them in the flesh.
“You actually called them. Makes sense... no one at the cathedral either.”
“Bit overkill...”
Then, one guardsman gave a suspicious glare.
Silver flash drawn from his waist.
—Clack.
The iron-colored one aimed his sword at Licht.
Deeming the black knight an outsider no matter what, prepping before trouble brewed.
“...Iron?”
“Yes...? Your Highness?”
Sudden icy tone from the princess. Chills ran down spines. Guard's duty was protecting their charge.
“No order given.”
His hand began trembling.
“Not Ten Heroes or imperial, suspicious guy seeing Your Highness... per regs...”
Scraping excuses from his brain for a reply.
“Sheathe it.”
“...”
curt command returned. Golden eyes narrowed in the glass helm.
“Sorry!! Your Highness!! He's still a rookie!”
“I apologize on his behalf, pillar of the Empire.”
“Mercy, please.”
Knowing the mess, the others pressed Iron Wolf's head down, bowing repeatedly.
“...My words not clear?”
Any onlooker saw disaster. The gold-armored leader sighed deeply.
“Lady Pine Granasia. My deepest apologies. All responsibility mine.”
“...I'll punish him. Gold.”
Pine grumbled lowly, irritated, after making him sheathe. Clearly Licht saved Nex and Shar—his body soaked in sweat.
Piercing golden gaze.
Her eyes sharper than most, she clocked it instantly.
Strong one.
Pine thought, eyeing the muscles faintly visible through clothes. How many swordsmen reached this without mana or magic?
How much stronger can he get here, Licht?
Probably none besides this guy. Wolf ears twitched in rivalry under her helm.
Mastered imperial Wolf Fang style instantly. Unlike others.
Then, a black furball lunged at her.
“Wang!!”
“Kkamang...?”
Licht's spirit circled Pine excitedly, showing affection.
Black-socked paws and signature grin dirt-covered, but cute to her regardless.
“...Enough licking.”
“Hic, hic.”
The black Pomeranian panted, tongue out, greeting nonstop. Now routine, Pine squatted, gently stroking its head.
“Licht junior's spirit really likes Pine. Guess 'not friends' was a lie...”
“I said so. Shar.”
At her touch, the spirit rolled over, belly up. Total trust.
“Good boy.”
“Woof!”
The guards were speechless; the Nex couple nodded satisfied.
Later, as Pine stopped belly rubs and rose,
“Whiiiine...”
The Pomeranian stood at her feet, scraping her leg greaves coquettishly. Too big armor in the way.
“...Ah, this works.”
Seeing it, she spoke in a voice suggesting a good idea—wanting more time with Licht's spirit.
Clink, clink.
Metal links unclasped.
“Eh...? Pine...?”
“Wait, Your Highness?!”
Pine removed her helm, setting it aside. Hand to chest—crystal armor parted, revealing a white-haired girl head to toe.
Grand Hearts Academy uniform, wolf-eared white-haired woman.
“Even so, removing a masterpiece...!”
“Quiet.”
Guards yelped in shock, but she ignored. Chose this to avoid scaring Kkamang like before.
Already drew on Licht once—no second mistakes.
“Dwarves are real pervs. Realizing again they scaled up proportions with height and size.”
“Yeah...”
Pine disarmed, shrinking as she stepped to ground. Grass tickled her bare feet.
“Woof!”
“Hee hee... Cute.”
The white-haired wolf-eared girl scooped up Licht's spirit; her icy face softened slightly for once.
Guards gawked. That frosty princess, reacting like this? Bizarre.
“H-huh? Captain. She always like that?”
“No... What's their deal, that guy...”
“If His Majesty knew.”
“Keep today's quiet...”
The four murmured too low to hear.
“Ah, already sent telepath to Dijur about drawing sword...”
Scheming to dodge the blunder failed miserably. Their superior knew of the offense.
“...First call in years, thought it was dire!!!”
With the gold-armored one's silent scream,
Thus ended the Hero Cult's first threat to the academy.