Chapter 58
Chapter 58
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 58
Chapter Title: The Thrill of the Final Exam Comes with Youth
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Kainel left for the training grounds to prepare for the grade exams, mentioning that he was practicing a special sword technique in secret without telling me.
Because of that, I was left alone in the dorm room, organizing the events of the day.
'The possibility that the Demon King's power is involved is the highest right now.'
Asking the Sage didn't yield any info on our Saintess, which hit me hard.
I wasn't sure if I should mention the wolf ears or tail. Pinpointing our Saintess could put her in danger. The fight with Magic Hat proved that.
"..."
The condition of losing a loved one wasn't an empty threat.
If I blabbed carelessly, Magic Hat might target her. He'd shown obsessive fixation on me,
and just thinking about how he killed the Nameless Saintess in [Black Heart] made my hands tremble. If she died in the prequel, she might not appear in the original [Knight Heart] either.
"...Looks like I need to wait a bit longer."
At least neutralizing the Demon King's power completely and gathering info first would be best. With knowledge of past and future, it's almost omniscient on this side too.
Better to play it safe. There might even be Hero Cult members inside the academy now, making it risky.
"If it weren't for that power, I could handle it..."
The Demon King freely crossing barriers was confirmed through these incidents. I let out a deep sigh of frustration.
As I sorted through my worries, translucent text appeared before my eyes.
Oh, they went up.
I thought updates weren't happening that fast anymore.
What a fickle status window. No death penalty on failure, no stat or skill screens, can't even use cheat abilities.
Right then, my stomach growled loudly with hunger.
"...Skipped lunch."
I'd ended up consoling the Crown Prince so much that I couldn't order from the menu.
Completely wrapped in his embrace, I couldn't leave. The Hero couple who arrived late even asked me to explain what happened.
'He was so heartbroken; what could I do?'
I stayed silent. Some things you say, some you don't.
Telling them Magic Hat turned his mom into a card? Kainel and Ariel are too soft-hearted for that truth. Plus, we can't restore her yet.
'But I've never seen him cry like that.'
Honestly, it surprised me. I thought he was emotionally dry. Was it because of Empress Bellin Granasia?
'That explains his obsession with strength in [Black Heart].'
Forgotten Mary Sue traits. The black hair and golden eyes were hidden by that glass armor.
I should've brought him into the party when fighting Magic Hat. No interaction otherwise. Just saw him as a boastful guy chasing the strong.
Looking closer, lots of differences.
"And this."
The chocolate cake on the desk came to mind. I'd gotten one from the imperial confectionery on the way back to the dorm.
I took it out, scooped a big bite with the fork, and chomped down. Sweet chocolate melted on my tongue.
Mmm, deliciously sweet. Seems pricier than what I wanted.
"They said it was from a good place..."
I tried refusing, saying it was fine, but Mardol insisted. Too late to reorder food after chatting.
"...Just did the obvious thing. Kinda embarrassing."
He wanted to repay me, so I took it reluctantly. Refusing would've made me the bad guy.
Unwrapping it revealed such a luxurious chocolate cake, it flustered me. Is this the real Lupus from the sequel?
"...This isn't super expensive, right?"
Rich cream and chocolate, perfectly balanced sweetness. Appearance differed from what I wanted, but...
Showed how grateful he was—triple-wrapped with protection and freeze spells.
"..."
This could pass for a whole different person like Nex. That discrepancy felt off. Didn't match what I knew.
"...Is he really the same guy?"
Savoring the sweet cake, I pondered if he was a body double.
'First, insane strength.'
Probably from Wolf King Locke Granasia's blood. Ten Heroes' descendants often inherit traits.
Like black hair or golden eyes. No white-haired ones like our Saintess.
Nex's purple hair was from his dad—exception, not rule.
Hand on chin habitually, munching cake, recalling Mardol's traits.
'Second, masterpiece-level glass armor.'
In-game, just royal attire screamed "high status."
Similar, but pristine, transparent white armor reflecting faces felt weird.
'Withstood Magic Hat's attacks. Probably is.'
Opposite of my symbolism. Protagonist-player dynamic?
Even the armor as Light Demon King matched decalcomania-like.
Sequel wouldn't skip gear like that.
"...Could he really be someone else?"
Suspicious no matter what. Eats without removing helmet. Hides identity like a ninja in heavy armor.
Hands oddly small; not a design flaw—those bearded pervs wouldn't.
'They scream "Masterpieces aren't like this!!" and succeed at 0.06%.'
Dwarves have artisan spirit. The Immovable Mountain blacksmith among Ten Heroes too.
"Maybe the Crown Prince I knew was the fake."
Combining clues, small hands hide info for seamless swap.
Sweetness sharpened my mind. Sorted overlooked worries.
"...Worst case, dress someone else up and mimic."
That rumbling voice sounded mystical. Helmet structure—anyone could wear, unrecognizable.
Hard to say [Black Heart] is real with Mardol's emotional Queen of Hearts grab.
"Trauma from Magic Hat... Wouldn't be weird if he thought she died."
Truth Demon King Magic Hat, infamous mad magician. Story showed horrific acts.
Calling a stranger "darling" creepily here at Grand Hearts Academy too.
First time trying to steal cards in-game—no such function.
This Mardol's probably real Lupus. Sequel's fake for player shock.
Fantasia Games loves Easter eggs. Sequel drift didn't change that.
"...Digging deeper, he's a real scumbag."
If no double, defeat shattered him post-loss.
Gathered max-level chars, no holds barred against Truth Demon King. Prequel explains?
"...Is this right?"
If I'd done Crown Prince route, less guesswork.
Stopped there. More would be deduction, not speculation.
"Last... Surprisingly big eater."
Emptied plates fast at confectionery, devoured my stew.
Listing traits convinced me: Known one fake, this real Lupus.
Personality, actions, speech, vibe—all different.
Too much info caused confirmation bias. Hardened from Drake's letter.
Glass Knight protected Kainel and Ariel in my absence. No harm to others.
Bit quirky, but not bad.
"Grand Route exists. Love lines..."
A fact flashed mid-thought.
"...No way I'm giving up the Saintess now."
Eventually, rival fighting over Nameless Saintess. Beta invite art showed it.
Final exams: Aim for Manarose. Grab Saintess-pleasing items first.
He's strength-obsessed—wants magic-boosting Dragon Heart.
Crown Prince class: Magic Swordsman. Combat magic pro.
"Saintess has no use for a dragon heart."
Unlike him, she can't fight—grotesque to eat, useless for weapons.
Learned from Heavenly Demon training; block her approach, plant my flag.
"...A little concession okay?"
Cake too good—time for fitting thanks.
Meanwhile, in the Demon King's castle somewhere, a man and woman conversed.
"...Magic Hat. Where'd you get those injuries?"
"Not telling. Head. It's mine to hoard!"
"Ridiculous. You even overlaid lies to dodge my omniscience."
A monocled gentleman eyed the wounded white-haired magician with a groan. He hated solo acts.
"Hehe... Busted!"
"Doesn't twist foresight. Magic Hat... Even if I warned kidnapping the princess was likely, no more solo moves."
"Princess? Don't remember one... Only met princes?"
"Yes, no matter how Locke hides, I know."
Head warned, but the hatted woman just grinned at the mirror. Madness flushing cheeks at wounds.
"Don't care. Proving my love matters more!"
"Rest as you like. Foresight's imminent anyway."
Seeing this routine, Head sighed lightly and turned.
"Oh, Head. Take this! Might get you too!"
The twisted girl handed a black mask.
"Hide identity? Why?"
"Hehe, reasons!"
"..."
Demon King took it, uneasy, and stepped out.
—Clack.
Outside, he pulled a book from his pocket, examining it.
"...Something's off. My calculations wrong?"
Sat at table, scribbling notes with pen.
"Magic Hat came back injured... If omniscience missed..."
No variables in his mind.
Confirmed Nex Aureus got Phoenix Cradle earlier; should've realized now.
"Lost Lust Apostle, 6 subordinates left... Goal feasible?"
Tapped pen irritably. Recruited traitor to minimize losses.
Equivalent exchange—save max lives. Another failure bred disgust.
"...Must visit academy myself."
Fondled red revolver on desk, muttering.
Knew Magic Hat headed to academy—intrigued by Sharutineth failure.
"Two possibilities."
Academy Demon King wounded: Ten Heroes or third party.
Ten Heroes couldn't breach powers.
Locked White Magnolia in ignorance to stop Dennis solo. Leave academy—done.
He designed checking 2nd and 3rd. Not them.
Truth Demon King faking injuries odd—could erase. What happened?
"Something's there."
Unknown info was danger—eliminate safely.
"...Recalculate."
Chalk on wide blackboard, listing possibilities. Omniscient Demon King sought power-nullifier.