WeTried Translations

Translator: Botanica

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

◈ Academy’s Pure Love Dark Knight

Chapter 004

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Episode 4. The Yellow Dog Next Door and the Red Cat.

One of the few commonalities between a good game and a bad game is that the inventory is overflowing.

The slots taken up by items are abnormally large.

The original game had diagonals, squares, and even rhombuses. In the sequel, this led to inventory management being a pain.

If you screamed, ‘Expand the inventory, devs, you bastards!’, you’d just get more good items alongside them.

In the end, it was just running in place.

“Looking at this, it reminds me of the old days.”

I neatly stacked the luggage in the carriage. I started building a wall for the back seat.

‘If there are no events, just make them.’

That’s what the person who first pursued the Northern Grand Duchess said. And that’s what I’m doing now.

Like couple seats in a movie theater, a plausible space for just the two of them was completed.

How satisfying.

“Oh? Are you done organizing?”

Pigtails fluttering in the wind. It was Ariel.

When did she get here? She’s quick-witted, unlike the Hero. It seems she’s been watching me do something strange.

At times like these, there was a good method.

‘This is all to connect you and Kainel, so pretend you don’t know.’

I whispered softly to Ariel.

Ariel gasped, covered her mouth, and nodded. Her cheekbones were already reaching for the sky.

Right, give me easy choices like this. To make connecting love lines easier.

“You, what are you doing right now! Get away from her immediately!”

Ah, I was caught. Whispering into her ear was spotted by the Yellow Dog Next Door. He came running, as if lighting a fuse.

I need to improvise my way out of this.

“It’s nothing much. I merely asked Miss Ariel if you two were actually dating.”

“Uh, uh-huh! We didn’t do anything! Really!”

Saying it like that makes it sound like you were caught doing something bad. I’m an innocent, Ariel. A pure spring who’s seen nothing but the Saintess Route.

“Why are you asking that?”

The Hero already had his hand on the Holy Sword of Light. I could hear his teeth grinding.

Yellow Dog, wait.

“Due to the narrowness of the carriage, it seems I’ll have to have Miss Ariel ride next to me. Is that alright with you?”

“Of course not!! Ariel, come here. Let’s ride in the back.”

“Okay! Kai!”

Then, the Hero strongly pulled the Mage’s wrist, and walked right into the trap I had prepared.

Caught.

“Did you say you’d ride with that man back there again?”

“Hehe.. No~! I said I’d sit next to our cool Kai.”

Seeing that, a smile curved on my lips.

He fell for it. The red cat, sitting in the back, grinned sheepishly. I’ll leave the strategy to you from now on. Especially since you even put on makeup today.

Go for it, I’ll even throw in the suspension bridge effect for you.

“Coachman, let’s collaborate on a little plan.”

I gave him a few extra copper coins. The elderly man’s eyes widened as he looked at me.

Why so surprised, you know why.

***

The two childhood friends sat in the back seat.

Because of the wall-like partitions on both sides, their distance was so close they could feel each other’s breath.

With a sigh, the golden-haired Hero opened his mouth.

“Ariel. All men are wolves. So don’t follow just anyone.”

“Okay. But why are you being so nice to me today?”

“Obviously because of that Black Knight. He knows you’re pretty, so… huff.”

Kainel, almost slipping up, held his breath.

“Huh?! What did you say, Kai? I didn’t quite catch that~?”

“..Anyway, that guy with the helmet. I don’t like him. He seems like a wandering knight, but he’s all flash.”

“He doesn’t seem like a bad person, though.”

She smiled faintly, recalling what she heard while organizing the luggage. To connect her and Kainel - this could only benefit her. No matter how shy she was.

This was an opportunity.

“He’s a madman, a madman! Guys who hit on you are all weirdos!”

“Then what about you? Don’t you like me?”

“…”

He couldn’t answer.

Looking at her face, which was making a sly, cat-like smile, the Hero’s face was already flushed with embarrassment.

‘So annoying. Why did he suddenly appear and act like that?’

The Hero had never felt jealousy before, but just seeing that stray bone-like guy next to Ariel made his chest uneasy.

The Holy Sword of Light remained calm. So he wasn’t evil.

That part bothered him even more.

He hated that Licht was flirting with Ariel out of pure good intentions. The environment of growing up in the countryside with no competitors was proving to be his weakness.

“But, Kai.”

“Huh? Huh! What is it, Ariel?”

He was instantly drawn to her, his reason wavering. His first thought was that it was very dangerous. This was the first time Kainel had been this close since he was eight years old.

“It’s just, it feels like it’s been a while since we were this close.”

“Is, is that so? I don’t really know, when did we ever grow distant?”

“When you saved me from being bullied as a child, you were like a true Hero.”

She was gazing at him intently. A sparkle was visible beneath her softened eyes. She even put on makeup there.

“You’re still a Hero now.”

“..Lately, I sometimes feel a little sad, Kai.”

She puffed out her cheeks slightly.

His mind was already filled with Ariel. Childhood memories and her current grown-up appearance intertwined. He couldn’t endure this, which was why he had maintained a certain distance for several years.

The stimulation was too strong.

‘Just hold out until the Academy.. Kainel..’

He was trying to compose himself, taking a breath.

He had to keep his distance.

“Hyak.”

That thought was fleeting, as the carriage suddenly jolted violently.

Their shoulders brushed, and her scent touched Kainel’s body.

Lavender scent.

Her red hair fell onto his shoulder.

“Are you alright? The road seems a bit rough. Perhaps you should come to the front seat.”

Then the man named Licht spoke from the front. His slightly visible brown eyes were on him. Words that seemed like a provocation.

Honestly, he felt a little indignant.

“..Ariel. Hold tight.”

He grabbed her hand. The warmth transferring to him made his palms start to sweat.

“Hyak!”

The red-haired girl shrieked an odd cry again.

He even intertwined their fingers.

Now, let come what may.

***

‘It’s going well.’

I checked the situation in the back seat. The road to the Academy was rough anyway. The village where Kainel and I were was, in game terms, a haven for beginners.

There was no way roads like that would be maintained.

“The two in the back seat are quite passionate.”

“I concur.”

What I asked the coachman for was to act as a distraction.

“No, we’re not!”

“We’re not!”

See how strong their reaction is with just this? Honey could practically drip from their eyes.

Indeed, it was said that elves love only one person forever.

Kainel, with his head bowed, looking only down, and Ariel, gazing directly at such a Hero.

This. This is why I love <Knight Heart>. The soft, tender emotions.

Their faces, already red up to their necks, looked just like two perfectly ripe persimmons placed side by side.

“..Ariel. Be careful not to fall forward.”

“Mhm. Of course. I’ll trust only you, Kai.”

He changed his posture. He’s completely marking her now. Now they were even holding hands.

You really are the Hero of Light I know.

Just like that, Kainel shows his gentlemanly side with just a little push from the side.

‘Ariel fell for him precisely because of this side of him in the first place.’

A boy like a Hero who saved her from being bullied as a child?

And he didn’t see her as an elf, but simply as a girl. I would’ve liked him too.

“Hmm, I have a question.”

“Why do you ask?”

“At this point, shouldn’t they just be dating?”

“The parties involved say otherwise.”

Coachman, excellent. I’ll call you Teacher from now on!

“We’re just friends.”

“…”

He seemed to be deep in thought. Let’s push a little further.

At least it’ll be better than the ‘Corruption Route.’

‘If you made your childhood friend fall in love, take responsibility.’

I decided to play a little prank.

“It seems dusk will soon fall.”

“It has gotten quite dark indeed. Guests, we shall camp nearby tonight…”

It’s here.

“D-Dusk!?”

“Ariel! Don’t freak out! Ughhh!”

I poked at Ariel’s weakness: her dislike of bugs. A loud noise erupted from the back seat.

You two will just have to sleep in the same tent now. Hold each other’s hands tightly while you sleep. You’ve always done that since you were kids.

Turning my head with that thought, the situation seemed more serious than I expected.

“Calm down. Calm down. There are no spiders here.”

“Kainel…”

Ariel, whose face had turned pale, wasn’t even using the nickname she had consistently used until now, and Kainel was looking at her with a serious expression.

‘Did I prank her too hard?’

I didn’t expect her to react with such a fit, just like in the game, from a mere pun. This was my first time seeing how she actually reacted when startled.

Now I’m really the only bad guy here.

Kainel didn’t seem to care about my gaze, only checking her complexion. His serious demeanor made me feel a sudden pang of apology and guilt.

‘There is one way, though.’

I decided to use a buff item to correct my mistake.

-Take this.

I pulled out a candy from my pocket and handed it to him at an angle where Ariel wouldn’t see it.

It was a gift containing my personal apology.

I subtly gave him a thumbs-up as a sign to do well. Since I conveyed the meaning only through gestures, she probably wouldn’t know.

“Ariel. Try this.”

“Candy..? Where did you get it? Kai..?”

The Hero, having received the candy from me, offered it to the red-haired Mage.

“Well…”

Seeing the clueless Kainel, I made a shushing gesture with my index finger.

No way, this is all because you did well. From now on, deviating from the route will be difficult.

“I bought it for you, Ariel. You like sweets, don’t you?

I was originally going to give it to you when we entered the Academy, but since things are like this, try it now.”

“Hehe.. So sweet. Thank you, Kai.”

Between Kainel’s rough palm and Ariel’s fair, slender fingers, a love made of sugar was passed.

Putting the candy in her mouth, she rolled it around inside her cheek, making a squirrel-like shape, and showed him a happy smile at the sweet sensation on her tongue.

‘Oh, he’s got game? I didn’t expect that, Kainel. So you can step up when it matters, huh?’

Kainel’s lips unconsciously curved into a relieved expression at her restored composure.

I thought he’d look flustered, but this was unexpected.

Then Kainel subtly nodded at me as if to express gratitude.

A feeling of being acknowledged swelled within me.

Right, I’m not your enemy. Rather, I’m an ally.

My bond with Kainel increased. This is truly the childhood friend pure love route.

Ariel, having eaten the candy, looked at him with an even brighter, more cheerful expression than before.

I cheered internally.

“This should be a good spot.”

The happy moment was short-lived, as the carriage stopped. Eerie caws of "Kaaak, kaaak" could also be heard.

The cold night air of the forest.

“It’s a bit chilly.”

“Indeed…”

Kainel and Ariel had somehow ended up clinging to each other.

She had wrapped her arm around his and wouldn’t let go. They weren’t even shy with each other anymore.

“There are only three tents in total. Since it’s come to this, I’ll take the first watch, so Teacher, please use my bedding, and the remaining two of you can sleep as you’ve brought your own.”

I muttered lowly as if I had no choice, taking the bedding out of the carriage.

Honestly, sleeping with couples wasn’t ideal, and since practicing swordsmanship all night had become a habit, I could easily endure it for a day.

And I truly felt bad about what I’d done, to make them actually sleep together.

“We’ll use one.”

Then, a surprising sound came from Ariel’s mouth, one that even I was startled to hear.

She wrapped her arm around Kainel’s with a seductive expression, tightening her grip. The saying that a quiet cat is the first to climb onto the stove didn’t come from nowhere, I thought.

“What, Ariel?”

At the unexpected shocking remark, Kainel’s expression also began to freeze in shock.

“Are you sure about that?”

I asked again for confirmation. Though I had fanned the flames a bit, I felt a sense of apology towards the two of them.

“Yup.”

“Are you really okay with this?”

Kids these days progress fast, huh. Or am I just too old? My life experience of never having been in a relationship made me feel sad.

“Actually, I’m a bit scared of bugs… if Kai just stays by my side like he did just now, I think I’ll be fine. Right, Kai? We’ll sleep together like old times, won’t we?”

“Uh.. uh-huh? Right. Yes, let’s sleep together. We’re childhood friends, aren’t we?”

“…”

I sent a sympathetic glance to Kainel, who had just pressed the direct-to-marriage button. Indeed, their affection level was already MAX, but their reactions were always like that.

How did they hide their romantic feelings? A mutual tsundere route? That couldn’t be it.

“Then let’s do that. Would you please start a fire?”

With the crackling sound of burning wood, flickering flames rose.

The fresh youth of the two young people was about to ignite like a tinderbox, starting a bonfire.

Some time passed.

While I was on watch, practicing swordsmanship alone,

“Licht, was it? Let’s talk.”

The Yellow Dog Next Door spoke to me.

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