Chapter 36
Chapter 36
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 36
Chapter Title: 10-3. There Are Things That Don't Help Even If You Run Away Embarrassed.
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Ariel was quick on the uptake, unlike most people, so she easily noticed the Black Knight's odd behavior.
'Helmet Guy's been acting strange for a while now.'
He kept swinging his sword nonstop. There was a hint of impatience in the way he sliced through every monster that came into view.
It was like all his focus was on something else entirely.
"Kainel."
"Licht. You want me to try Shine Strike? Over there?"
"Yeah. I'll handle the other side."
Sudden group assignment. He'd said it was to take down a strong monster, but his actions felt off.
Using Void Slash here and there, sweeping up all the nearby monsters—it was bold, but recklessly so in a way that wasn't like him.
Normally, he'd say something like, 'Let's use our heads. Round up the easy, strong ones and hunt them together.'
"..."
Something was broken. A chill kept creeping over her.
"Watch where you're going! Licht! You'll get hurt!"
"Oh, sorry."
Even now, his hands and feet weren't coordinating. He hadn't even noticed until the golden-haired hero stopped him.
"So, how long are you gonna keep this up?"
"...Until a strong one shows up?"
"I trust you since it's you. For real."
She'd expected him to tease her and Kainel about their back hugs like usual, throwing it in like a punchline.
'He was watching Mardol and sighing deeply...'
Now he looked like his soul had flown out. To change so suddenly, without eating anything weird.
"Hey, Kai."
"Yeah? Ariel."
"Did Mardol and Helmet Guy... fight?"
The sharp-eyed red-haired mage drew a near-correct inference,
"Doubt it. Why suddenly?"
"He seems like something happened. Look, he skips honorifics sometimes now."
"...Dunno? Maybe from a few days ago?"
Her childhood friend hero was always like this. Even as the one chosen by the holy sword, he was hopeless with social cues.
"Guess something happened then...?"
"Probably nothing big. I don't know much either. He'd vent to us if it was bothering him."
Seeing Kainel shrug it off as no big deal frustrated her. How had she fallen for such an indecisive guy?
"Ugh... Kai, that's your problem."
"Still, you don't pry if they don't bring it up. Right, Ariel?"
"But why's he acting weirder than Mardol...!"
What bugged Ariel was this: the glass knight was seriously quiet, sure.
But wrapping up Fox Slimes or doting on Licht's spirit showed he wasn't a bad guy.
Her grumbling grew. She liked even this side of Kainel, but the situation looked serious now.
"This won't do..."
Muttering to herself, she approached Licht.
The only person who'd ever helped her progress with her clueless childhood friend was Helmet Guy.
"Um, Helmet Guy."
"What is it, Miss Ariel?"
She'd been thrilled when he'd made space for her in the carriage on purpose. Only Kainel wouldn't notice that.
"You're not teasing me and Kai today...?"
"I'm not feeling up to it... Sorry."
Her awkward emotional expression played a part in this mess.
'Things were getting closer with Kai lately...'
Falling for the hero at first sight—how could she confess outright?
Besides, Ariel was shy by nature.
She'd always thought Kainel should confess first.
'We grew apart as we got older...'
She'd grown up in the countryside, thinking only of him as her man.
But he was the type to pine over every pretty girl next door.
'I'd die before confessing...'
She still held onto what he'd said as a kid about liking the neighbor sis.
"W-Why... no energy?"
The red-haired mage huddled shyly as she asked the Black Knight helmet for a reason, but
"...Looks like rain?"
He spouted nonsense at the clear blue sky. Licht just stared, not sensing the weirdness.
"Sky's clear right now...?"
"It is."
The situation was dire. Goosebumps prickled her skin.
The brown eyes visible through the helmet were glazed. What on earth happened with the glass knight?
"Mardol... what happened?"
"...No idea."
She tried talking to the shiny armored knight, but no use.
The change happened right after she'd spoken with Mardol and learned the combo move.
'We just talked about going back to [Granasia Confectionery] later...'
When the helmeted man sank into memory, the missed conversation was nothing major.
"...Mardol, you didn't fight Helmet Guy, right?"
"Why would I...?"
The glass helmet shook side to side in denial.
It was just Mardol tipping him off about limited-edition cute parfaits and sharing dessert tastes.
'No... this can't happen...'
She stomped her feet.
Her romance project with her beloved golden-haired hero.
Licht had helped actively. She still remembered how he'd stepped aside upon arriving in the empire, letting her walk date-like with Kainel.
"Miss Ariel, take a break."
"Wrong honorific. Helmet Guy..."
The sweet street food from then still lingered on her tongue.
'Noooo!! Why are you like this suddenly!! Come back!!!'
She screamed inwardly as he rambled soullessly at her.
This was her chance to win Kainel's heart at the academy. Graduate, marry him, live happily in her hometown—
The plan was progressing perfectly until it crumbled overnight.
'If Helmet Guy's like this, my future's ruined!'
Last time with magic, she'd recalled a romance novel she loved where accessories matched eye and hair colors, turning the fireworks gold and blue—
'What's the problem!!'
Seeing him notice even that and report to Kainel made her think he was one of a kind.
She grabbed Licht's shoulder and shook to snap him out of it.
"Dizzy. Stop..."
It was embarrassing, sure, but it'd kept other girls from her childhood friend.
"Helmet Guy, you sick?"
"No? I'm fine..."
And during the fisherman's mishap, his thumbs-up— even clueless, that screamed support for her and Kainel.
"...Liar."
The glass knight muttered shortly at Licht. Mardol fully agreed.
Helmet Guy wasn't fine now. He was broken.
She hadn't even gotten a proper confession from Kainel yet.
"Kai, fix Helmet Guy somehow..."
"Even I don't know."
Seeing Licht drink water while helmeted made her want to cry.
The vise around my heart wouldn't loosen.
'Her happy face, the Fox Slimes she loved, candies of sugar and honey. That 'hehe' laugh...'
Thinking she shared them with someone else made me dizzy.
"Next, Kainel. 11 o'clock."
"Huh? Yeah."
Idiot. She doesn't know me from the start. I swung harder. Not childhood friends like Kainel and Ariel, nor comrades like with Dennis.
I lack the qualifications.
No game-like encounter points anyway. The beta tester mail only said 'You can save the Saintess.' Not that I'd be the wedding dress illustration protagonist.
'Tricked again. Damn.'
My body felt like stone. Tension built with power. Now the Saintess dates, marries Lupus?
Stop it. I reset my stance, held my breath.
"Licht, one's coming from the front!"
I have to stop.
"Licht, you put too much force just now... Hey! Use swordsmanship carefully!"
I need to stop.
"...I shouldn't talk. Licht."
Just BSS. Too pathetic, groveling. I'd failed power control multiple times; the area was a mess.
"..."
Snapped trees and dirt piles mirrored my heart.
No, it's unfair. I'd crawl on all fours like a dog to befriend our Saintess.
Confessions are for regretting after.
Pride? What pride? When loving her this much, you can't hold back—I'd felt it plenty in reality through her.
Such pure, intense feelings can't be hidden.
"...Licht, you okay?"
"Probably."
Mardol asked, concerned. Truth is, no. I flailed my arms wildly in denial; glass armor clinked noisily.
'The place she can be happiest isn't by me.'
I've lived dodging stares due to my face. Imagining her pointed at because of me, like my pre-possession life...
"..."
Horrifying just to think. Lucky I'm in the Black Knight helmet now. I touched the visor.
Thanks, perk. Customizing it too well was a flaw. Grateful again for the unremovable item.
Being by current Lupus is right a hundred times. Wealth, ability, quiet personality—no rough edges.
...Plus top-tier looks. Plausible. Nameless Saintess would like handsome guys too. Who likes ugly?
'This is right. Lee Soo-hyun.'
I closed my eyes long, then opened. Thought of what I could do for the Saintess.
"Mr. Mardol! Come here a sec!"
"Huh, why...?"
Worried my Void Slash might hit, I called one from the distant party. The hulking figure approached.
"Got a question. Know the 'Nameless Saintess'?"
"...Who's that?"
Unexpected answer. You don't know either. Even as protagonist, no contact yet? It'll happen soon. Slight relief.
'At least not 'Oh, Nameless Saintess? We're already dating?' plot.'
Petty me. Unlucky through two games, yet trash thoughts. Pitiful, I scraped the ground with my foot.
Yeah, time to resolve.
To make up, I swallowed, steeled myself.
"If it's not rude, could I ask one favor?"
"...Suddenly?"
"I'll grant any request later. Except what I can't."
Sheathed my sword. Emperor's only son. This'll work. Imperial family can fend off demon kings with artifacts and masterworks.
"...Find the 'Nameless Saintess' and look after her?"
"You know her...? Licht?"
Helmet tilted curiously. First time mentioning her directly to them. Name's a name, though.
"Precious to me. She doesn't know me, but..."
"Second Saintess. No."
For our Blue Rose's safety, Hero Cult first. Sharpest move now.
"Probably the next Saintess. Super cute and kind."
Demon kings all male. Four of them. Thought they wouldn't target our white wolf first.
No Saintess at Grand Hearts Academy with me. Too complacent.
'...Something's up. Not just restoring authority.'
Days ago, Second Saintess Sharutineth kidnapped— she wasn't safe either.
Hated my helplessness.
If a hero, I'd rampage with holy sword. Big sigh; glass helmet suddenly neared my face.
Whoa. Heart skipped.
"Really, anything?"
"Probably. Worst case, teach Drake-style swordsmanship. Assuming you protect our Saintess."
"...Got it. Licht."
He seemed hugely interested. Success?
"Thanks, Mr. Mardol. I'll keep the promise."
This is right. Royals counter demon kings somewhat.
"Wow."
"That exciting?"
"Yeah. Licht."
Seeing the crown prince cheer with arms up unlike usual built my confidence.
"...Strong. Techniques."
"I'm not that strong."
"Liar. Licht. Bad."
Like Nex, different here. Kinda cute despite the bulk.
"Haha, no lie. I'm weak."
One worry gone, mind eased; a smile slipped.
"...Deceiver."
Wished time stopped like this.
Still, seeing Saintess with Lupus, I couldn't endure.