Chapter 68
Chapter 68
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 68
Chapter Title: The Difference Between a Hunting Dog and a Wolf
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Grand Hearts Academy's grade exam audience seats.
"Oh, our junior's pretty good with magic too."
"Huh...? I thought Helmet couldn't use magic...?"
"It's not magic."
Pine's sharp eyes followed Licht's match without missing a beat. A cobalt-colored sword that rained down droplets unlike Kainel's weapon.
'Doesn't seem like he's using mana.'
Dennis the professor had mentioned something about his circuits being tangled, and she'd felt it herself when she held his hand last time. This man had a constitution that couldn't handle magic.
"...Intriguing."
Her wolf ears twitched inside the glass helmet. The novel ability was more than enough to pique the curiosity of the princess with a thirst for knowledge.
The power to turn into water droplets and blend into the rain, moving freely.
It could deflect physical blows, and the space-warping mobility seemed incredibly versatile.
"So, junior must've picked that up while he was missing."
"Yeah. Nex. Think it's some kind of artifact...?"
"It's different."
Artifacts were creations of the gods. But it didn't look like the work of any of the six gods in this world. Even human masterpieces used mana in the same way.
"What do you mean? Mardol?"
Then the red-haired mage, Ariel, turned to Pine with a question. The elf, who thought anyone would see it as magic, tilted her head.
"No mana."
She placed a hand over her chest as she spoke. The glass armor linked to the mana in her heart, allowing her to don and doff it at will.
Something Licht wouldn't have. What on earth had he been up to during his disappearance? Had he stumbled upon some fateful encounter and grown stronger? Come to think of it, when they met again, all the trees around were snapped.
He was subtly different from before. He'd anticipated the weakness of Drake-style swordsmanship—the need for preliminary motions—and switched weapons before the opening appeared.
'What would it take to beat the Licht I see now?'
The Dragon Heart was hers for the taking anyway; she could just hand it over to Licht after winning. Now that things had come to this, she wanted to see the full extent of his power.
Her tail stiffened with competitive spirit inside the armor, and her golden eyes gleamed.
The semifinals had ended, and I was chatting with Kainel in the swordsmanship training grounds.
"...So, Licht. What exactly did you learn out there that lets you even summon a sword?"
"It's similar to mana, but different."
The mana core is in the heart, while the dantian is below it. No way to explain that without martial arts knowledge from another world.
Cheonma Baek Mok-ryeon was, like Dennis, a character from another world in the lore.
"Just call it black magic or something... Achoo."
Why the sudden chill? Could the constant threats to my chastity have been from the princess all along? I shuddered. Thinking about it, we'd crossed paths way too often.
"...Um, Kainel."
"Yeah, Licht?"
"What do you think about Mardol... Miss Mardol being a woman?"
I asked the protagonist of [Black Heart] his opinion on her. Surely I wasn't the only one in the dark about her gender.
"Anyone can see she's a girl, right? Well, the voice, armor, and height might mislead some... but I don't hold to stereotypes."
"...Pardon?"
"I've had a gut feeling from the start, and from how she talks with Ariel, you must've picked up on it too."
"..."
I'd been completely oblivious. Lost in reminiscences of our Saintess, I'd missed all the clues. Who knew a mutt like me would need hints? I pressed a hand to the helmet's forehead.
"Th-then, the reason you sent Mardol and me alone to the training grounds last time..."
"That was just to help find the 'Nameless Saintess' or whatever."
"...Thank you, Kainel."
"Anyone can tell she's someone important. Mardol."
He swung his holy sword once, unleashing Shine Strike with controlled form this time. At this rate, he'd be soaring through the skies with Icarus soon enough.
'From the setting book... Kainel has sharp instincts.'
I'd overlooked that. Like Ariel's tsundere quick wits, the paired couple complemented each other's contradictions.
"...Do Mardol and I seem close?"
"Who knows. Probably. They've already held hands and hugged..."
"Stop."
"Hahaha! Finally getting payback for all the Ariel teasing. Licht."
Kainel flashed a cat-like grin. Must've been holding onto that carriage grudge.
"Quit teasing. I've already..."
"Got someone you like. Yeah."
The hero spoke earnestly. No idea why a guy like this fumbled his own romance. Probably scared a confession would ruin their current dynamic.
"...I get it. All too well."
"You like her, but can't approach?"
"Yeah. Thanks to you, I stopped running from my feelings. But elves are long-lived, and I'm a hero."
Kainel bowed his head and continued. He gazed sadly at the Light Holy Sword, unburdening his worries.
"Not sure how long I can stay by Ariel's side. I won't push my feelings away anymore, though..."
We both sighed in unison. So that's why they hadn't gotten together yet—lingering issues. Five years left until [Night Heart]. Maybe they'd start dating then.
'Our Saintess once glared at me in Black Heart, worried she'd miss her marriage window.'
Come to think of it, she might've seen me as younger. She had this mature aura.
Unknown name, unknown identity, unknown age. Or rather, only her Saintess title existed. A loner known to no one, all alone.
Happiness had always been a distant word for her.
"Once you defeat the Demon King, it'll probably sort itself out."
"What do you mean, Licht?"
I'd given my all, body and soul, for her sake. Catch all the Demon Kings, unlock the happy ending—that was the plan.
"...Without Demon Kings, heroes and Saintesses might not even be needed, right?"
"Like Magic Hat? Fair point. Thanks for the encouragement."
He let out a hearty laugh. Two mere academy students sharing like this must've struck him as funny.
"...You'll figure it out someday."
"You always talk like you know the future..."
"Kainel?"
That's when footsteps echoed in the training grounds, followed by a presence.
"Miss... Mardol?"
"Huh...?"
The glass knight in heavy armor appeared in the swordsmanship training grounds. My body froze. How did she know? Surely not here to stop me thinking about our Saintess again.
I questioned Mardol as she approached. My address had shifted from "sir" to "miss," so I kept my distance, wary.
"Miss Mardol. Are you a woman by any chance?"
"..."
Best to ask directly. If the main heroine of [Grand Hearts Academy] was showing interest, I had to shut it down.
"Please tell me. It's important to me."
"...No. Licht."
The glass knight fell silent. Golden wolf eyes like Lupus's gleamed from within the helmet. Black and white—two incompatible knights sizing each other up.
"Enough, Licht. Mardol must have her reasons."
"...Still, Kainel."
The blond hero stepped in. If she really was a girl, I needed distance. Mardol seemed shaken, like her borrowed little-brother identity was exposed.
"Lies are bad, Miss Mardol..."
"And you, Licht?"
"Pardon?"
She asked me point-blank. Her golden eyes shone knowingly, like the princess she was.
"...You lie too, Licht."
She spoke carefully, head bowed, looking dejected. My heart softened at the sight.
'Does she suspect I'm the hero?'
From her perspective, I'd fallen as far as Demon King territory. If Emperor Locke found out, I'd be dew on the execution ground.
'Or dragged off by the heresy inquisitors...'
I had to step back. I did lie often, and I owed her for the sword lessons besides.
"Some things can't be said, Licht."
"Yes, my mistake. Sorry..."
Good thing Mardol was kind; anyone else would've branded me Demon King in the heart of the empire, with wanted posters everywhere.
'I tipped off Dennis beforehand too.'
After the Magic Hat fight. No suspicions of Hero Cult ties or pursuits followed.
All thanks to her consideration. Why had I been so hasty?
"...Looking forward to the finals, Licht."
"Got it."
Did exposing her identity leave her down? She spoke curtly, turned, and hurried away like fleeing.
"You were too harsh."
"..."
Kainel scolded me with a look. Guess I'd have to smash the glass armor in the finals to confirm her gender. Claim it was a battle mishap.
Not sure if a fake holy sword could shatter a true masterpiece, but
"...I'll have to check myself."
This was the way to sever the Mardol flag. Even if it meant repaying kindness with enmity—our Saintess came first.
Why did she always show up when I tried to think of her?
She wouldn't kill me over a bit of armor damage. I'd walked the fallen route where that happened already, and survived.