Chapter 56
Chapter 56
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 56
Chapter Title: EP. 56: 16-2. The Thrill of Finals Comes with Youth
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I headed straight for the library.
The Grand Hearts Academy housed a magnificent repository of knowledge within its walls. Amidst the stacks of books sat a single figure.
"The Nameless Saintess? Hah. Everyone's been asking me about her..."
"Sage, what do you mean...?"
"I can't see her future. So I don't know."
The woman with demonic horns let out a long sigh. The Sage of the Magic Tower. One of the Ten Heroes, gifted with foresight. Even she didn't know about the Saintess?
'...Something's off.'
In the game, she was the character who revealed all the unconfirmed route possibilities.
"...You're that famous Licht, huh?"
"Ah, yes. That's me."
She was a hero more renowned by her title of Sage than her name, Azmodeus.
"...It's that whole 'nameless' thing. The uncertainty is just too massive."
"But even Librarian Laplace said he doesn't know."
The librarian of the Library of Truth, where all past records were kept. I'd already met Principal Laplace, and even he had shaken his head.
'This can't be right. The status window only flagged inconsistencies for [Black Heart]. There were no mentions of the Saintess in [Knight Heart], where she first appears.'
"Then she's someone who never existed before. Maybe someone's lying."
"No way. Absolutely not."
I answered immediately. My helmet clinked as my bewilderment showed in my body. I'd avoided spoiling things, but she could be wrong.
'Maybe the Head's involved, blocking her sight. Or Magic Hat...'
My hands started to tremble. Damn it, my body's acting up again. I bit my tongue at my own fragility. Could the Hero Cult's goal be the Saintess?
'If so, they'd target Sharutineth instead.'
It didn't add up. She probably wasn't a Saintess now anyway. She'd be the Third, not the Second Saintess.
"...Aren't you mistaking something? Like the Head's ignorance or interference?"
"A clueless newbie like you sure talks big about the future."
"You saw my future?"
"Yup. Obviously. But it's annoying, so I won't tell you."
Ugh, this is why I hate her. She dumps unconfirmed info on players the moment they approach. In-game, she was about as accurate as a weather forecast.
She'd repeated the same answers dozens of times already and yawned tiredly. I crossed my arms and started thinking.
'But I did unlock the corruption route.'
Even if she explained the "loss of a loved one" condition, no one would believe her. Only players knew the Demon Kings' backstory.
"..."
Or she might figure out I'm a possessor of this game. Too risky. What solution could I even offer?
Ah, right. That.
"Don't you want to impress Drake?"
"...What? How do you—wait, your name's definitely..."
"Yes, I'm his disciple, Licht."
She had a crush on Drake in her lore. Mentioning her master's name flipped her attitude instantly. Her eyes shook as she fidgeted.
"...If you ever see our Saintess's future, tell me right away. Anyway, I'll be going."
"Hey!! Wait!"
I stopped there and turned to leave the library. I wasn't ready to play matchmaker for my master and the Sage yet.
"I'll look into it, so don't you dare badmouth Drake!!"
Stirring her up and leaving might give her the courage. Besides, I couldn't take more grim talk about the Saintess.
That's when familiar faces passed by. In my haste, I nearly missed them.
"Oh, Licht."
"Helmet guy, coming back from the library?"
I ran into the Hero party heading to lunch. The crown prince was fully part of the group now.
"Licht, we're going to the Granasia Bakery. Wanna come?"
The blond Hero grinned invitingly. Perfect. I needed to boost Kainel and Ariel's Love Meter, so I had to tag along. I finally regained my composure and looked ahead.
"...Sure. Lead the way."
Thank goodness for the helmet hiding my expression.
The aroma of freshly baked bread tickled my nose. So this was the famous bakery from the empire. Lavish decorations and furniture gave it a luxurious vibe.
"Licht. Eat up."
Says the one piling up the most empty plates on the glass knight's table. How does he even fit it all?
"...Got it. Mardol."
He hid his face completely with glass magic while eating. Probably didn't want his crown prince identity exposed.
"And don't get hurt. Licht."
His roundabout concern embarrassed me. Like telling me to eat well and recover. Fair enough—I'd bled out in the corruption route.
But your sentences are getting longer? I nodded slightly and eyed the menu.
Special apple pie, éclair... That one?
A familiar name. Of course—it was a Granasia Empire bakery.
"I'll have the chocolate cake."
The birthday gift from the Nameless Saintess. I'd gotten it as an item but never opened it, too precious. Now I could try the real thing.
That's when I heard munching nearby.
"...I'll have strawberry cake."
Mardol finished his crispy croissant in a flash and chimed in as I ordered. Strawberry cake? More after that?
"...The crab meat sandwich is good. Licht."
"Mardol recommended the bear sandwich too—it's cute! Helmet guy!"
As I shot the glass knight a weird look, the Hero couple joined in. I wished they'd flirt already.
"How about the chocolate crepe? Kainel. You like that, right?"
"Huh? Helmet guy? For real? No way..."
"Ariel..! No! You know I hate sweets!"
Kainel shook his head furiously in denial. Ariel smirked meaningfully. Sharp as ever, that red cat.
"...Hehe, so my Kai's still a picky kid, huh?"
"What? Ariel? What're you..."
"Nah, could be~. I've known you forever!"
"..."
She had that tsundere intuition. Scary. The elf mage was circling around his honest feelings.
'Tsunderes don't always yell or hit.'
I nodded faintly as a good sign. Probably from nearly losing Kainel—her approach had gotten smoother.
"I can... eat some sweets... Ariel."
His voice trailed off meekly, and her lips curved up. Adorable reaction.
"Then Kai, wanna... share that? N-not that I wanna eat with you or anything!"
I spotted the small "Couple Set" engraving next to the chocolate crepe. Kainel stared down at the table, head bowed.
'Classic couple set.'
I'd baited it from the start, but they were so fresh. A smile crept under my helmet. Can't laugh. Hold it.
"Crab sandwich good too? Kai?"
"Yeah.. Want a bite...? Ariel?"
"Wh-what..! Y-yeah, sure..."
Fear of sweets had killed his awareness. He offered Ariel his half-eaten sandwich,
"...This is good too. Kai..!"
and she nibbled it like a squirrel, chewing happily.
The redhead mage's cheeks flushed pink as she beamed. Kainel watched, relieved it suited her taste.
'Time to give them space.'
Kainel scowled through his crepe, but Ariel deserved him exclusively. Overcoming dislikes is love, right?
No room for me anyway.
"Mardol. Mind coming with me a sec?"
While clearing out, I'd take the crown prince too. Something to hand over.
"Licht, why?"
"...Got something to handle."
It'd been over a month, and with everything chaotic, I'd forgotten. The glass knight followed me out of the bakery.
A quiet alley not far from the Hero couple's spot.
"Here. Queen of Hearts."
"...Huh?"
I checked for onlookers, then handed Mardol the card. A striking queen of hearts playing card.
The hostage from the Truth Demon King Magic Hat belonged back with family.
"...No way?"
"Yeah, I got it back from Magic Hat. Empress Bellin Granasia is inside, right?"
"..."
His hands shook as he carefully took the card, staring at it motionless for ages.
"Forgot I had it for over a month."
No chance to give it sooner. Right after escaping the prince's hug, I'd been spun like rotisserie chicken by Kainel.
"...Sorry. Way too late."
But better than excuses. I'd planned to wait till Magic Hat's power resolved, but carrying it felt off.
"...Mardol?"
Finally confessing, but no reaction from the glass knight. He just froze, clutching the card dearly. Worried, I approached.
Then a tiny voice came.
"Th-thanks... Licht... Really... I'm... so weak..."
His fingertips trembled; golden eyes in the helmet lost focus. He was crying. Sobs leaked grief.
"...It's okay, Mardol. Not your fault."
"I... couldn't save her... but you did, Licht..."
I patted his back, offering comfort. I hadn't expected this much.
'Missing my parents today, huh.'
Mardol slumped to the ground, pouring out sorrow. I sat beside him on the bare dirt. No chair, but whatever.
"Don't say you couldn't save her. Without you buying time, I couldn't have either."
"...Not a lie, huh."
True story. His standoff with Magic Hat created the opening for my Void Slash from afar.
"You know I show when I lie."
Saving Kainel and Ariel let me trigger Demon King form too. Alone, they'd have died early to Magic Hat.
'He fought at the end too. Could've run, but didn't.'
Even with masterpiece gear, facing a Demon King takes guts.
If the crown prince hadn't resisted at life-risk, I couldn't have reclaimed Empress Bellin Granasia. I'd tracked it via his glass shard.
"...Thanks for fighting to the end."
"Even weak, I protected her."
"Yes. Exactly. So be more confident... Mardol?!"
Sudden shadow engulfed me.
"...Sorry. For leaving you to fight alone."
Whoosh. Mardol lunged, collapsing into me.
"I was scared... of losing someone again... Licht..."
His glass armor weighed heavy—or so I thought. Unlike last hug, he just clung sobbing.
"It's fine now."
I kept rubbing Mardol's back. Two guys like this might gross some out, but the situation was serious.
'...He's been through hell.'
I sighed inwardly. Not dominating with strength, but leaning in weakness—cut him slack.
"Everyone gets scared, Mardol."
I'd fled from Saintess fears too. We were alike. Knowing the feeling,
"Everything's okay. You got your mom back."
"...Thanks, Licht."
I comforted the glass knight till the Hero couple finished eating. Flag or no, ditching him felt too cruel.