Chapter 54
Chapter 54
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 54
Chapter Title: EP.54 15-2. All Your Worries Becoming a Passing Shower.
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Shwaaaaa─
Rain began to fall. Just like that day.
"..."
I had been searching for a reason until now.
A reason why I could approach her.
It was too heavy a past to simply think lightly, 'If I like her, that's reason enough.'
But if I didn't approach the Nameless Saintess, she would surely become unhappy again.
She was an incredibly kind and warm person. Even without talent, she was a passionate hard worker who gave her all, a compassionate soul who tried to support those around her despite her weakness.
This cold world wouldn't leave her alone. It was a habit I'd picked up, an experience from all my years in this life.
The icy touch of the spring rain reminded me of that fact.
'How foolish have my worries been.'
And from the start, the love she had taught me and made me believe in wasn't this kind of emotion.
Why had I kept running from my feelings, trying to retreat? Why had I turned away and stepped back?
Probably because I feared the wound would reopen.
"...Saintess."
If I was pushing her away out of fear of getting hurt, she had said it was okay to push her away. Even as just a game character, she knew love.
A one-sided passionate love was bound to be a nuisance. That's why I'd acted similarly.
I hadn't asked the Sage or Laplace about her, nor mentioned her wolf ears or tail.
Those were her most defining features, after all. She even had the nickname Platinum Wolf.
Looking back now, I might have been afraid to seek her out precisely because she seemed happy in the academy.
Moreover, for a stranger to suddenly confess they liked her, or that it was unrequited love, or their first love... I felt the Nameless Saintess couldn't possibly understand such an absurd scene.
'If it were an ordinary game, maybe... but this is [Night Heart Trilogy].'
A world with multiple Demon Kings and heroes. The Hero Cult's threat was still real, and the empire, newly formed, was rife with chaos.
That's why I nearly lost her.
In the battle with Magic Hat, no matter how much I exploited glitches, the condition 'loss of a loved one' shouldn't have been met.
There were times when the player didn't fall to Demon King. Just borrowing the holy sword's ownership temporarily. Nothing more, nothing less.
'Magic Hat is connected to the Nameless Saintess.'
In the end, she nearly died because of the Truth Demon King Magic Hat. Or like White Magnolia, something might have gone wrong with her somewhere.
I'd been too greedy, Lee Soo-hyun.
This world was far too harsh for someone as kind and gentle as her. I didn't even have time for such useless worries. I needed to grow stronger, faster.
'No matter how strangely she thinks of me.'
I wanted to stay by her side and protect her. I wanted to free her from the Demon King's clutches and let her live a happy life.
After completing the Grand Route and ending everything, no one would scorn her for being a saintess bad at healing.
Rather than grieving over someone dying in battle, I hoped she'd chat idly about field flowers or nature.
Someday, under the warm, peaceful midday sun, feeling drowsy as she waters blue roses with a soft chuckle.
...That was my small wish.
Because thanks to her, I came to believe in love.
Thud.
Amid the patter of rain, the sound of steel piercing the earth rang out.
"...Did it work?"
I opened my eyes. A blue sword lay at my feet. Similar to cobalt in color, but darker.
"Kuhuhu! So it has, young one!"
"This is my heart sword..."
I stood and picked up the blade. Raindrops drummed on the steel, sending faint vibrations through my hand.
"Does its power summon rain?"
If the Nameless Saintess saw it, she'd probably call it a kind rain spirit giving praise.
"Nay, it's far more useful than that. Young one. Of course, it's been ages since this lady last saw a human who can alter the weather with mere intent!"
Her dragon fangs glinted faintly as she let out her signature 'kuhuhu!' laugh. So the rain had fallen because of my heart. Curious, I examined the sword from every angle.
"Now is the time to name your sword, young one."
"...A name? Why?"
"Do not all people have names with meaning? Should not even a mere weapon have one to match its purpose and direction? Especially a heart sword that seeks 'direction'!"
Name, a name. In a way, it's a sword connecting me and the Saintess. What would be good?
"...How about Holy Sword of Love?"
"That won't do, young one."
"Why not, Heavenly Demon?"
"The God of Emotions would fly into a rage like a boiling kettle. Think of another fine name."
That won't work. It's a heart sword born from believing in and protecting love.
I thought there was no better name. Chin in hand, I pondered candidates.
A moment passed.
"...How about Conviction, Heavenly Demon?"
"Hoh. Why that name?"
At her question, I gazed at the blade being washed by the rain.
"Conviction means believing and protecting. Now I believe in love. And I must protect it too."
Not some solitary belief or profound insight. The Nameless Saintess had said it to me.
[This time, I'll make you believe in love.]
A single line that possessed even me, leading to game possession. It's a truism anyone could accept.
"The precise name: Conviction. Prayer for Rain."
I swung it to test the weight. Similar to my old iron sword, easy to handle. Amazing how it reflected my mindset.
"With this sword, I'll stand in for someone's tears."
"Hoh, read as rain-bringer. It carries the meaning of needless worry too?"
"Yes, Heavenly Demon."
"...Turning coming rain into needless worry. Hopeful. A cold yet kinder-than-any sword."
Reading the characters engraved on the blade, the Heavenly Demon gave her brief verdict. When did that appear? Probably because my feelings for the Saintess were so strong.
"Rain must stop eventually."
As I gripped the sword overhead in a downward slash stance, the shower ceased as if by magic. So it really was this sword causing the rain.
I'd thought it mere coincidence at first.
"...I hope that person finds happiness."
"Kuhuhu! At this point, I truly want to see their face, young one!"
"Me too, Heavenly Demon."
White Magnolia wasn't wet from the rain. She'd blocked it with her inner energy. Her fluffy brown hair fluttered as she smiled. The Heavenly Demon was indeed cheat-level.
"...I've been in your debt greatly."
"Aye, you've worked hard too, young one."
Now with my heart sword, it was truly time to leave. Pushing aside the bittersweet feelings, I had to move forward.
"Catch the Head Ake, and you'll be free from this forest, Heavenly Demon."
"Dennis already told me that. Instead, let us end this delightful encounter with other words."
"...I think magnolia blossoms aren't shabby either. Flowers are beautiful precisely because they fall."
"Kuhuhu! What, now jesting as the Heavenly Demon's disciple?"
At my words, White Magnolia covered her mouth laughing. She found my mimicry of her speech endearing.
"Indeed, young one. Cherish and protect that Conviction well. I shall cheer you on."
"I've been deeply indebted to you, Heavenly Demon."
I raised the sword high to the sky, assuming a stance from the Magnolia Swordsmanship. With preparations complete to exit the heart of the endless monster forest,
"...You may call me master, if you wish, young one."
White Magnolia acknowledged me as her disciple. I remembered her as quite prideful, but she must feel lonely knowing I'd leave her alone again.
"Yes, Master! This unworthy disciple Licht will now take my leave!"
"...Kuhuhu! Disciple with swordsmen of East and West as masters. It was a pleasure!"
She bid farewell in her hearty tone. I swung the sword. Petals drifting softly downward like falling flower petals.
Crunch. Boom.
Yet its power was enough to fell every visible tree. Clutching the precious sword tight, I stepped forward.
Around that time, in the endless monster forest, a group of people stood on the slightly damp ground after the rain had passed. Knights stepping on the wet earth.
"Will we find him today, Gold?"
"...You can't keep coming here every day like this, Granasia."
"But... we have to do our best."
The man from the imperial guard sighed, watching the heavily armored glass knight use expensive teleport crystals daily to search for the Black Knight.
"No matter how worried you are about that man, leave it to us."
"Quiet, Gold."
Even as the princess he served, such intense reaction was unexpected. They must have been close friends.
As Gold gathered his thoughts,
"...Licht. A scent?"
Pine sensed something odd inside her glass helmet. A whiff of someone's sweat tickled her nose.
"Wait, Princess Pine Granasia! Where are you going? That path is treacherous..."
The glass knight dashed toward the scent. Mana coursing through her body for full sprint, the golden-armored man tried to stop her, but
'Licht, you're alive? Really...?'
It was too late. The white-haired wolf's ears perked as she sought the Black Knight's trail.
How long did she run?
She found a clearing with felled trees. Clearly sliced by a sword. High chance that man was here.
'The scent's getting stronger.'
She'd stumbled dozens of times over grass and roots in her haste. Her keen eyes caught it all, but.
'I don't want to lose anyone else to Magic Hat... Licht...'
Pine's eyes were already distant. Her heart overrode her senses. Her pounding heart felt ready to burst, breath ragged in her throat.
And then,
"Uh... Mardol?"
"...Licht."
She spotted the man in his usual Black Knight helmet, standing blankly with a blue sword in hand.
"Licht!"
"Mar..."
Crash. The momentum caused a noisy tumble.
She hugged Licht and fell. The glass knight pinned the helmeted Black Knight beneath her. The unarmored man's warmth pressed against Pine.
"Mardol...! Get off! You're heavy... Ah, not heavy? Masterpiece quality, huh?"
This Black Knight was always the same. Oblivious to how much she'd worried. Even in this dramatic reunion, spouting nonsense.
"...Haha. Sorry, Licht."
A laugh escaped her. Like she hadn't in ten years. He knew she was imperial royalty yet cracked such jokes.
"...Sorry for worrying you."
The man beneath her sighed deeply in apology. He seemed to sense the reason for her intense reaction.
"Good, as long as you know, Licht."
He'd vanished for nearly a month like he'd gone to die, but it didn't matter to her. As long as no one got hurt because of Magic Hat.
"...Will you get off me now? I said I'm sorry? With your strength, you can't crush me..."
She heard his heartbeat. Felt the pulse in his chest. He's alive. Pine, who'd fretted over a repeat of dark history, wanted to indulge a bit more.
"No."
"Understood. Do as you like..."
He surrendered, relaxing his tensed body.
'...Sweet liar.'
Licht had tossed the blue sword far away to avoid hurting her, and Pine's sharp eyes hadn't missed it.
Thus, after the rain stopped, the two knights reunited.