WeTried Translations
Translator: Botanica
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
◈ Academy’s Pure Love Dark Knight
Chapter 22
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Episode 22. Misunderstanding and understanding differ by one letter.
Time passed, and night fell. We walked the dim streets, Mardol and I, chatting.
“Is this really all there is to it?”
“Yeah, thanks.”
In the end, we had to be satisfied with simply trying out each other’s basic techniques, rather than a full magic and swordsmanship exchange. Fortunately, I seemed to have avoided the Imperial Guard death flag.
“Sorry... Licht.”
“It’s alright. I, too, wanted to learn the Empire’s sword forms.”
The Gransia style is quite compatible with my own. It’s not for nothing that the Glass Knight is so fixated on Drake’s swordsmanship.
Normally, one would need to join a sword club, gain favor with the Knight Commander, or have connections to the Imperial family to learn it.
‘This way, I can also compensate for one of my weaknesses.’
It’s fair to say this is a gain for me. Perhaps Mardol is the one who took a loss. Dragon Shadow Slash is a really difficult swordsmanship to learn through self-study.
Especially since it has to be mastered physically, without mana manipulation. It would be hard to grasp the feel of it if you weren’t like me.
He'll probably learn it on his own if he uses a sword for a few months like today, but since it's a technique with relatively weak power, there shouldn't be any issues.
Originally, it's meant to attract the attention of flying dragons or create openings. This won't trip me up.
Compared to that, Wolf Fang has many applications if you just learn it.
“But is it really okay to pass it on so freely?”
“I need to get stronger.”
My black helmet reflected in Mardol’s visor. His voice softened. A corner of my conscience was painfully pricked.
“Is that the reason again?”
“It is.”
The incomprehensible words I heard last time. The reason for his obsession with strength is too peculiar.
‘...Or, he could be a stand-in.’
But that was impossible given his physical strength. Even if he could deceive with magic, I would have felt something strange. I’d notice if we crossed swords.
My head became complicated. If I saw him use skills, I might know, but just now, we only practiced the first form.
“But I’ve been curious for a while, who couldn’t you protect?”
“...”
“You won’t tell me this.”
“No.”
Affection points are zero. That’s a relief.
Looking at him with his arms crossed, seemingly discontent, various thoughts ran through my mind. At least he kept his previous promise, and now he wouldn't be fixated on my swordsmanship.
‘If I leave things as they are, it shouldn’t interfere with the Grand Route.’
The moment one concern was resolved and my heart felt lighter,
“Mardol! Oh my, Licht junior...?”
As we were walking, an uninvited guest appeared from the opposite direction. Why are bad premonitions always right?
***
We sat and talked for a while on a nearby terrace where all the lights were off.
It's still before dormitory curfew, so it should be fine.
“So, Mardol. I just came out for a walk, and to meet you like this!”
“I’m happy too.”
Glossy black hair. Red eyes, like the color of blood. With her pointed ears and fangs, she’s definitely a vampire.
‘Is she close with the Crown Prince?’
It seems what I overheard was true. I hadn't heard of such a character in the Gransia Empire. I rested my chin on my hand. Anyone could see they were close.
“What were you two doing walking around? Mardol?”
“Swordsmanship exchange.”
“Really? Nothing bad happened?”
“Licht, thank you.”
“You’re most welcome.”
Her black hair fluttered. She looked me up and down, as if suspicious.
There’s no information on this person, the 2nd generation Saintess. She’s an anomaly, like the changed Nex.
“How was the Academy today, Mardol?”
“It was interesting.”
“...Really?”
“Thanks to Licht.”
The nun, hearing the Glass Knight’s words, opened her mouth wide and lightly covered it with her palm.
“I merely kept a promise I made before.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
His crystal-like, sparkling helmet nodded. It looks like a masterpiece-grade piece of equipment, but I’ve never seen it before. Is it a new item? What are its abilities?
“Like Nex said... you’re really... kind...?”
“I wouldn’t say that, Chartiness senior.”
“You’re really bad at lying, Licht junior!”
“Right. I’m not.”
Only then, seemingly surprised, did she thank me with a smiling face. I don’t particularly think I’m kind.
And you, Crown Prince, what’s your deal now?
“Mardol, I’m sorry for what I said before...”
“Kkamangi, good.”
“Perhaps that’s true!”
What did she misunderstand on her own? Still, her attitude towards me isn’t bad, so I decided to let it pass. Did she see my spirit too? Well, I heard Mardol was carrying it.
“Thank you for looking after our Mardol, junior.”
“If you keep saying that, it makes me feel burdened.”
“Licht, strong.”
The black nun’s habit kept catching my eye. Since she wasn’t wearing white, she was definitely not the person I was looking for.
‘Unknown identity, unknown age, unknown name... Plus, the Platinum Wolf, a character I didn't know.’
Does she really not know the Nameless Saintess?
Well, it’s a position decided by God, so it’s not like others would know. I was foolish to ask so impulsively because I was in a hurry.
“...It’s rare for someone to approach him like this, Licht junior.”
Chartiness, with her lips curled up, continued happily. While embracing the Glass Knight with both arms.
“Honestly, I was very worried if our Mardol would adapt well to the Academy. Hmph.”
“...Hot.”
As expected, a Harem Route Easy Mode character. I shouldn't let her near the wolf-eared Saintess.
“I thought our Mardol would be without any friends... I’m sorry for doubting you.”
“...Just a moment. We’re not friends.”
“Friends...?”
“Come on, you know swordsmanship exchange is only done when you acknowledge each other.”
“I didn’t know.”
Was that it? I still haven’t broken the flag.
It felt like being scammed on a used goods website. Like feeling that the item I bought at the lowest price is half price elsewhere.
It's a bit of a shock that there was information in the game I didn't know.
‘From the start, mutual exchange like this is a first.’
I, who had only ever received unilateral transmission, had no idea about such background settings.
“To think our wolf adapts so well, I, Chartiness, have no more regrets!”
“Too much, teasing.”
“Then who told you to wear such scary armor to school?”
“Stop, don’t.”
“Our Mardol is so cute, it’s a crime for only me to know!”
The vampire put her hand into the connecting part of his helmet and armor. And the Crown Prince tried to stop her. Since she called him a wolf, he must be Lupus.
Anyone would think they were same-sex friends playing around and touching each other. But her opponent is an obsessive man. Be careful.
The Glass Knight and the Vampire Saintess. These two were people I didn't know at all. A sudden sense of incongruity made me cross one leg over my knee.
‘Something feels missing.’
I paused speaking to collect my thoughts. I meticulously organized the information in my head. No matter how I thought about it, there was a part I was missing.
Since I didn’t even know about the swordsmanship exchange information.
‘The 2nd generation Saintess, whose fate was unknown, and Nex, before he became a complete scoundrel.’
The gap between these two.
The harem didn't exist at this time either, and judging by what the purple-haired man said, the spirit seems to have awakened recently.
‘He was originally someone who used a spear with a phoenix.’
The weapon he used so well in the game isn’t even visible. What’s the problem? Blood rushed to my head.
“Char, do you like my spirit that much?”
Then, a past memory flashed. A thought struck me like a revelation.
‘Spirits are conceived from emotions.’
Something that had kept bothering me came to mind. The Nex Aureus I knew had no affection for his spirit. He used it strictly as a weapon to protect himself or attack.
It wasn't a creature that would rub its cheek on someone's hand or salute perched on my finger.
I had forgotten because it wasn't an adult. Originally, it was a grand phoenix overflowing with ancient elegance.
‘Hmph, even without a spirit, a noble must be strong.’
Even in <Knight Heart>, he showed disdain for his own phoenix.
A line that was uttered when he won his first duel against a rival. Even then, he didn’t summon his spirit.
“Stop it.”
“Ugh... As expected, it’s the dwarves’ technology.”
“It won’t work even if you use force.”
I watched Chartiness intently as she struggled to pull off Mardol’s helmet.
Her hair was a deep black, like the night sky. I thought she resembled the orca beastkin who was the legal wife.
‘That man. From the beginning, his gaze wasn't directed at me.’
I recalled the dialogue from <Black Heart>. The duchess, sitting in a chair in front of a campfire, spouting venomous words at her husband.
‘The marriage proposal was rejected multiple times, then suddenly permission was granted. That rotten philanderer.’
‘My family head said his hair color was the same as someone else’s. That was the only reason!’
‘He didn’t lay a single finger on me. There was no love during years of marriage...’
The content recited by the woman with orca fins, as if the thought itself was unpleasant. This was a part I had quickly skipped, only thinking of our Saintess’s route,
This is where it all got twisted.
‘It seems Nex really did have a love line.’
My thoughts became clear. Her way of speaking, ending in 'yo,' was also similar. The family head must have pulled some strings.
But biologically, there must have been resistance.
...Ultimately, she yearns for someone else.
“I am the 2nd generation Saintess! Mardol, just take off your helmet!”
“No...”
“Divine Power Punch! Divine Power Grab!”
“It won’t work.”
Even while I was pondering all these possibilities, the two seemed to be enjoying themselves. They genuinely seemed to be accommodating each other without doing anything truly harsh.
‘He wasn’t originally such an emotional person. As expected, there’s only one answer.’
A series of calculations confirmed my thought of a coupling. There could be enough unknown information now.
I raised my head. It was time to confirm.
“Chartiness senior.”
“Huh? Licht junior, why?”
“Elder... no, Senior Nex Aureus, what exactly is your relationship with him?”
I had to do my absolute best right now. So I wouldn't regret it later.
“Me... and Nex?”
My Black Knight helmet reflected in her red eyes.
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