Chapter 32
Chapter 32
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 32
Chapter Title: Crown Prince Route, Right?
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"The Demon God War... If I had to pick out the standout traits of the Ten Heroes who shone there..."
The short-haired nun beamed brightly from the podium, addressing the students.
"As of now, about seven of them are still with us, and also..."
Her smile was chilling, eyes cold and unamused, but after a few weeks of classes, the lecture hall stayed quiet and composed.
"...The First Saintess's hair would turn silver-white when she unleashed her holy power!"
Beatrice the Archbishop's lecture on holy power studies.
"So boring... Kai..."
"Yeah, Ariel."
Drowsiness hitting after lunch had the childhood friends nodding off.
"Oh, right. Kai... Is Helmet okay? Haven't seen Mardol today either."
"Probably? He's been crashed out in the dorm since yesterday."
"Really? That's a relief..."
When he'd snuck back in—who knows when—night noises woke me, and there was a purple feather on the floor. Licht, helmeted Black Knight, snoring away on the bed.
Something must've gone down... But no rumors, so Licht handled it.
The blond hero furrowed his brow, deep in thought. Even asking the magic club advisor, Professor Dennis just brushed it off as nothing.
"Something happened with the academy barrier—they're checking everywhere... I'm worried, Kai."
"...It'll be fine, Ariel."
He spoke reassuringly to the red-haired elf. Truth was, with his holy sword, he held his own against any classmate, no sweat.
And above all, Licht's the guy who clashes with holy swords using just an iron blade.
No way could he picture the Black Knight suffering humiliation or defeat. Aura-less wind pressure sword beams? Anyone would call it insane.
He'd thought only Dragon Slayer Drake could pull that off.
Can't handle mana, so pegged as sword user tier—can't even coat his blade, teeth all chipped.
Yet his skill's near sword master level. A total fraud.
As they left the lecture hall, he pondered. Was he getting too complacent?
Saving the world felt too light a mission.
To protect Ariel—that mindset could make him as strong as Licht.
The Black Knight was plenty strong without a holy sword.
Now he got why his old friend had advised, "Give it your all."
"...Maybe I should grind sword practice hard."
"Huh? Kai? Hitting the training grounds again today?"
"Yeah, Ariel."
Kainel sighed deeply. Even heroes couldn't slack off, it seemed. Some Ten Heroes were heroes, sure, but the strongest, Emperor His Majesty, was a plain old commoner.
Your run-of-the-mill woodcutter.
"I gotta get stronger too, Ariel. Can't let Licht and Mardol sweep all the grades."
"...Yeah?"
Not a lie. It was for his red-haired elf mage childhood friend, but at this rate, he'd stay third-rate forever.
"Then I'll come too! Kai!"
"...What? Sword training?"
"It's fine!"
Spotting his thoughts, her twintailed red locks flew as Ariel flashed a catlike, seductive smile.
And so, five gathered at Grand Hearts Academy's sword training grounds.
"Hey! Helmet! You okay?"
"Miss Ariel. Long time no see."
"Yeah! Oh...? Mardol's here too? I was worried!"
"Hello."
Our usual me-and-hero couple route, plus the glass knight.
"Yo! Underclassmen. We're acquainted, right?"
"Ah, from that spirit magic lecture...! Nice to see you, senior!"
Purple-haired Nex Aureus joined, making it a full gathering.
"And that underclassman... Hero, was it?"
"Kainel here, senior...? Right?"
"Yup, the Light Hero I've heard about."
"...Ah."
Testing me again. Typical distrustful Purple Fox. Canon had him polar opposite the mutt—bad blood between fox and dog.
"Senior, our mutt—er, Kainel's scared. Ease up on the probing."
Time to mediate before a fight.
"Haha, sorry... Don't freak out, Kainel junior. I used to dislike heroes 'cause Ten Heroes bloodline or whatever. But now? Fine by me. Call me bro."
"That okay then? Nex bro...?"
"Yeah, thanks to my Licht junior here~ Changed my mind a bit."
Yet another shoulder-slung arm from the upperclassman. First time on colleague route—super awkward. My saintess-only rule stands.
"Heavy. Remove it."
"Way to hurt feelings, junior..."
Saved that shoulder buddy count for later use.
"Then can I call you oppa too? Always wanted a Ten Heroes connection!"
Mardol was already Lupus Granasia, Wolf King's only son.
"Sure, no issue. Ariel junior!"
"Yay! Nex oppa! Thanks!"
Red cat's affinity maxed, as expected. No wonder she eased gameplay as a companion.
Ariel beaming, red hair flying, mage hat stealing the show.
Kainel watched, arms crossed, jealous. Nice. Sparks flying from his eyes.
Hand off the hilt, though.
Still, a count's son.
"..."
The blond hero looked uneasy. But was Ariel that stunning? Doubts swirled in my head.
Gaming forums called her pretty, but my tastes locked onto one saintess.
At least Nex isn't the wandering-eye type... Haremsmasher elder.
Elves? Meh. Carriage ride, I backed Kainel admitting feelings, but...
Wolf ears and tail cheat codes compared to pointy ones.
Mood shifts show instantly. In-game, candy handover: poker face, but ears flop back, tail wags.
Pet head? Instant flop and melt. Cute.
Listing my Nameless Saintess charms? Endless. Brain spun sweet-treat fast.
Plus, her skill pouch outshines elf pockets...
"...What're you doing, Licht?"
Snapped from bad-thought spiral by Mardol beside me.
"Ah, just spacing out."
Habitual zoning's the issue. Sorry, Saintess. Catch Magic Hat, bite tongue, done.
"...Liar."
True glass knight—can't fool him. Sequel protag, flags solid. Pierces my saintess thoughts with glares.
Wonder if he and our Saintess link up.
Makes sense. Main coupling this arc? He'd sense my intent, halt it.
Current Crown Prince? Decent match. No lech vibes, strong enough protector, wealth absurd...
Memory says handsome, refined—not my rugged mug.
Heart twinged bittersweet. [Knight Heart] trilogy's theme: love.
They'd give side-character guy time to sort feelings. Romance allows a weepy montage.
"Busted. Sorry."
"Be honest."
Wolf kin, so love line tracks. Empire Guard all wolfkin—players took prince route for events. Only trigger. Post-pairing? Elude his eyes, lovers' flight.
"...So, Licht. What were you up to?"
"Ah, Kainel. Teaching Nex senior some spearwork."
"Spearwork? You do that too?"
"Friend of mine's got a rep for it."
"Thought you were sword-only."
Kainel gawked. Surprised? Heroes power-level naturally. I'm Black Knight—grind mode.
"Just basics. Muscle through it."
I got his shock. No demon king exposure yet—my skill's eye-popping.
But world-engulfing powers. Prep forever insufficient.
Train all you want—Magic Hat still killed Saintess.
Hero Cult's demon kings: four originally.
One dead pre-[Knight Heart], another in [Black Heart]. Players know two max.
Truth, Omniscience aside—info scarce.
Setting docs hint... But scam powers undescribed.
No helping it. Brooding wastes time. Dropped chin-rest hand, spoke.
"Ah, Nex senior. Wedding where, then?"
Time to boost mutt-cat love meter. Demo via expert TA sparks realization.
My math: Flip Kainel-Ariel, get Nex-Shar dynamic.
Let 'em sense it themselves. Spill guts? Butterfly chaos.
"Me? Snow Marine, probably. Old Water Kingdom—gorgeous."
"Solid pick. Rooting for you."
Nodded vigorously. Ocean-deep wedding? Romantic. True haremsmasher. Smile tugged lips.
"Eh...? Nex bro, getting married?"
"Yup, Kainel junior. Fate brought us—want an invite later?"
Nice assist, elder.
Ariel flushed, lost in wedding dreams,
"Appreciate it! Ten Heroes heir wedding! Nex bro."
Mutt sighed relief. Sensed no rival—tension gone.
"Nex oppa, who's the lucky one...?"
Red mage side-eyeing Kainel, probing Purple Fox. Nex clocked it, smirking meaningfully.
Surely for blond hero ears. Tsundere's clumsy, not silent.
"Famous lady. Sharutineth Saintmarriage."
"Ah, her...! Saw her from afar volunteering in my village once!"
World Tree forest sighting? Elves insular. Ruby eyes sparkled joy.
"Marrying a saintess—jealous!"
"Haha, thanks, Ariel junior!"
...Why this heart-stab pain?
Five years in—should be numb. Helmet dipped low.
"..."
Servia fight dream-sight of Saintess face? Heart shaky lately.
"Licht."
"...What, Mardol?"
"Jealous of that?"
"Yeah. Living out days with a true understanding partner."
Sighed. Lupus strikes sudden. Her-like golden eyes, delicate features. Royal black hair.
Wolf King Locke and wife both dark-haired.
Silver? No game match. Not albino—no frailty.
"...Dunno."
Glass knight tilted helmet, puzzled. White armor reflected my helm.
"You'll get it in time, Mardol."
Colleague route hits Nameless Saintess link, for sure.
Envy you, Crown Prince Lupus Granasia. Sequel protag locked.
Side saintess love line confirmed this arc.
Uncharacteristic delay deciding. Obvious, yet sloppy on her.
"...You're odd, Licht."
Mardol eyed me. Glass visor flashed gold. Classic wolfkin trait.
"Hear that often."
His words sparked vague thoughts.
Harems rule male games now. Hipster me's the oddity.
Gaming forums echoed it.
[Guild lead's waifu Nameless Saintess? How's a top ranker simping her?]
[Other healers clear demon king easy, no build sweat...]
[One-trick looks?]
[Flaw's performance. No wonder unpopular.]
"..."
Not one-trick.
Pure, kind saintess. Weak but tries strong in crowds—lovely.
Genuine warm worries.
Others? Love lines or targeted flirts only.
Bit lower lip. No teeth-grit one-girl games like [Knight Heart] anymore?
"No romance. No romance..."
"Romance?"
Mardol caught my mutter, cocking head clueless.