Academy’s Pure Love Dark Knight - Chapter 26

WeTried Translations

Translator: Botanica

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

◈ Academy’s Pure Love Dark Knight

Chapter 26

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Episode 26. The Purple Phoenix and the Vampire Saintess.

I tried to open the iron door, stained red.

"Why won't this thing open...?"

"It's a bit heavy."

The door, slowly opening with a scraping sound on the stone floor. Nex and I pushed with all our might, barely managing to open it.

Grrrrrk. A chilling sound echoed.

Was it used as an arena, so they blocked escape routes? As we entered, a wider space was revealed. As far as I knew, we still had a bit further to go from here.

As we moved forward, people's voices began to be heard.

"Downfall to the false heroes!!"

"Teach the ignorant Ten Greats a lesson!"

It was like a church chapel. In a dark place where not a single ray of sunlight entered, several followers were praying inside, illuminating the surroundings only with candlelight.

"Followers of The Heroic Cult, do you believe in our Heroes!"

"We believe!"

A crowd in identical attire was densely gathered in one place, like watching a swarm of termites. Some seemed to be speaking almost in tears,

"Of course we believe!!"

"The true Heroes who defeated the Demon Gods!!"

Voices filled with euphoria. Boiling fervor. The atmosphere had completely reversed from earlier, as if it were a festival, and it seemed no one noticed we had blended in.

"...Today, finally, someone who will become the cornerstone of the prophecy arrives. That is Mr. Nex Aureus, descendant of the Ten Greats."

A woman with devil wings stood before the platform.

"The Hero of Omniscience will lead us down a noble path, a path where everyone can be happy. Just as he always has!"

She was a pink-haired woman who clearly looked like a succubus. She wore the white attire of The Heroic Cult, but there was no sacred feeling whatsoever.

'Among the Apostles, of all things... Lust.'

The worst compatibility for a male protagonist.

A dream demon described as having ram horns and a heart-shaped tail that looked erotic.

She certainly took on an alluring form that could momentarily distract, but that must be a characteristic of the succubus race. I shook my head hard to keep my wits about me.

No matter how I looked at it, she was inferior to our Saintess. What good is a pretty face? A kind heart is what matters. No matter how revealing her attire, she was just disgusting to me.

"Keep your wits about you, senior."

"..."

I contorted my face inside my helmet, revealing hostility. Because this was where I first experienced a game over in the sequel.

Perhaps Chartiness senior is also trapped like this. She must be stuck in a dream, unable to wake up.

"...Ah. Char?"

"Senior?"

Nex's eyes were unfocused, unlike mine. It seems he can't fully draw out the phoenix's power yet. If this were <Knight Heart>, he wouldn't have fallen for this.

"Nex?"

"..."

No reply came.

"Snap out of it, Nex. It's all a dream!"

I quickly shook his shoulder, trying to bring him back to normal.

"Chirp...?"

He was drooling with his mouth open. This is more serious than I thought. Even the spirit was enchanted by the succubus and tottered.

"...Nex, Nex! Wake up! What you're seeing now is...."

An attack an adult wouldn't have fallen for. Should I have aimed for a more careful surprise attack? I restlessly called him several times. In the game, this would have woken him up. Why?

"Fufufu... Men really are all the same. To think even a descendant of the Ten Greats would be so foolish."

At that, my eyes met with the succubus who had been speaking from furthest away. She lightly flapped her wings. An ominous wind stirred.

"The Purple Phoenix. Nex Aureus, who will become a traitor, welcome."

The woman slowly approached us. The scent emanating from her grew stronger, clouding my mind. No. This is a flag. It's dangerous if she gets any closer.

Watching her footsteps, as if she were majestically treading a red carpet, the surrounding followers merely swallowed their saliva, rendered speechless.

A question popped into my head: why weren't they rushing or attacking us? I observed the situation. Like Nex, I saw unfocused pupils and drool coming from their mouths.

These are all male followers.

She's controlling them with enchantment. That's why they're just standing there, watching. They're waiting for orders from the succubus Apostle. The Heroic Cult sometimes maintains its faith this way.

An event where I struggled to break free in <Black Heart>.

"...Hm? Two people...? And why aren't you affected by my enchantment?"

Her expression stiffened as she looked at me. It seems I'm the first man she can't control. This is an opportunity.

"I already have someone in my heart, Apostle of Lust. Servi."

I stopped the succubus who was trying to approach and touch Nex. Soon after, as if her name being revealed was interesting, she wore a seductive smile.

"Oh my, you...? How do you know my name...?"

"Well, why don't you ask your illustrious Head."

"Are you perhaps a new Hero chosen by Akasa? That would make sense..."

I tapped the temple of my helmet with my index finger.

"...Is that all your brain can come up with?"

I let out a twisted laugh, bluffing. At my sudden provocation, the succubus paused, seemingly lost in thought. Was it a success?

"Hmm... Even so, this makes no sense..."

This is my chance.

'Please wake up quickly. If it's the you I know, this level of enchantment...'

I had to buy time. After all, the opponents were numerous. Without Nex Aureus, even if I drew my sword, it would be difficult to handle this situation.

If I were to use Chartiness as a shield, I wouldn't be able to use my strength either. Just as Nex's pupils were about to regain focus.

"Kyahahat..! My mind has changed. If I make this one mine... the Hero of Omniscience would truly be pleased, wouldn't he?"

The succubus now let out a snicker, making a small laughing sound.

"I don't know how you know my name... Khuhuhuhut... but I suppose I can find out slowly from now on, can't I?"

Her demonic eyes' irises glowed pink and narrowed. A nightmare. No matter what happened, I had to react immediately. I placed my hand on my sword hilt.

"It'll be a man worth conquering after a long time."

"Get out of...."

The moment I drew my sword to unleash Void Slash,

"...Have sweet dreams, you two."

I collapsed onto the cold floor.

***

"It's strange."

"Why...? Mardol?"

Her movements suddenly froze.

Phine stopped walking with Kainel and the others after Drake's lecture. It was unnatural, as if someone had pulled her back.

"...I don't know."

"Is it because Licht is absent today? When we asked Mr. Drake, he said he'd be fine. Don't worry, Mardol."

"Right. Helmet guy would do well wherever he is!"

Ariel said brightly to the Glass Knight, recalling previous memories. He seemed to be the strongest among the first-year freshmen, and he was a pure individual who had helped with her romantic endeavors.

"That's not it."

But an uneasy feeling, something suffocating, already had her hand on the chest of her armor. Her golden eyes were furrowed.

"I, just a moment."

The Glass Knight began to vigorously push off the ground and run towards the cathedral.

"Huh, huh? Mardol? Kai... shouldn't we stop her?"

"Leave her, Ariel. She probably has a hunch. She'll call us if she needs us."

Kainel and Ariel could only watch Phine, who was already sprinting. Even so, this was the Academy. A place where a Hero wielding a holy sword and the Ten Greats resided.

"And... she ran off like that last week too."

"That's true... after finishing her hike."

Unless a Demon King directly intervened, it would be truly rare for a student to be in danger.

The Hero couple felt uneasy due to past memories, but,

"...It wouldn't be that."

"Surely not a Demon King? Kai..."

Rather, because of that, they couldn't move as readily as Phine.

***

"...Where am I?"

A pure white space, devoid of anything.

I was falling within it. I touched my face. I felt the sensation of smooth skin. No matter how much I thought about it, it was an alien feeling.

Something is wrong. Think. What was there just a moment ago? What was I doing before I got here...?

Then, a very high-pitched voice echoed.

"...Hello, Knight."

She was like a blank musical staff, devoid of anything.

"Has it been about five years since we last met?"

A wolf-eared Saintess, clad in a white nun's habit, stood far away.

"To meet you like this. This must be destiny too."

"...Haa."

The white-haired woman approached one step at a time. The scent emanating from her was a nostalgic rose fragrance.

"...How on earth did you get here, Knight?"

"To make someone unhappy, happy."

"Oh my, is that perhaps me? How touching."

"..."

The pure white figure approached me with soft footsteps. Two golden eyes gazed at me.

"...Knight, surely you weren't chosen as a Hero, were you?"

"No, I'm just a Black Knight. Didn't you say that before? Nun."

Her wolf ears moved slightly above her nun's habit. I'd seen it in the game, but this is how it really looks. This is quite fascinating.

"Fufufu, I did, didn't I? You truly have many memories of me... You cherished me so much that there wasn't a single day you didn't think of me."

"How do you know that?"

"I am the Nameless Saintess, after all."

Her tail wagged. Anyone could see it was glossy and fluffy.

"...Your precious person."

I gazed at her, who was smiling gently, resting my chin in my hand. Now, the distance was less than a handspan.

"Now, let's talk about the love story we couldn't finish, Knight."

I just watched the white-haired woman, who brought her face so close I could feel her breath, without resistance. There was a subtle sense of incongruity in her expression.

"A kiss...? Will you give me one?"

I'd noticed it from the start, but this crossed the line.

I had been still to make her show a weakness, but I couldn't endure it any longer.

"Fuck off, bitch."

The fake Saintess tried to caress my cheek. I twisted her wrist strongly and grabbed it.

"Huh, huh? Knight?! It hurts! Why on earth...?"

"...You shouldn't know me. 'Self-proclaimed' Nameless Saintess."

This is a fact one would notice with just a little thought. I know her from playing the game, but,

"You're begging for a kiss from someone you've never seen before in your life? At least our Saintess wouldn't do that, would she?"

This is the past. The Nameless Saintess wouldn't know me.

'That's why I kept agonizing, and in the end, I decided to connect her with the person she loves.'

My heart began to feel complicated. Ultimately, the Saintess's happiness is my happiness. I shouldn't be petty.

I glared at the fake, who was struggling to break free from me.

"No. You love me, don't you? And immensely... because I'm your savior..."

"Don't spout such bullshit with that person's face."

"Yes...?"

What a succubus can find out is mainly fragmented information. With that, she makes me confess the rest.

Annoyance surged in my heart. A bitter taste emerged from my parched mouth.

"Fall in love because someone saved your life? That's absurd... Who does that nowadays?"

"Then why...?"

"A kind heart is what matters. Something you don't have."

If I had transmigrated as Licht, who cleared <Knight Heart> or <Black Heart>, it might be a question of whether she would love me, but,

But even so, isn't she just a fake who took over a good relationship, nothing more, nothing less?

That's not love. It's disgusting hypocrisy.

"What's the reason? She's just saying she loves you, isn't she? The Knight would like that too!"

"Your height is different. By about 5cm?"

"Are you... insane? She could have grown a bit, couldn't she?"

Perhaps if that were the case, I would have found a way to return the body to its original owner. For me, transmigrating into the past was much more fortunate. At least I wouldn't be stealing anyone's love line.

"Impossible."

I burst out in anger, as if venting my stifled feelings. This isn't the future, it's the past; how could her height change?

"Want me to tell you more? Your laugh is awkward, and your voice is a bit higher too."

"Hahaha..."

When I finished speaking, she bowed her head deeply, as if giving up on rebuttal, then,

"Kyahahahahahahat!!!"

Soon, her hair color returned from white to pink, taking on the form of a succubus.

"Kyahat... You found me out? But what to do about it? You won't be able to escape unless you become my captive, will you?"

"...If you're going to imitate, do it properly."

"It was an act that even deceived Saintess Chartiness. What a shame."

I was dumbfounded. The first NTR event I saw in <Black Heart> was because of Servi, the Apostle of Lust, so there's no way I'd be fooled this easily.

"I thought all men were beasts whose eyes would spin for a woman they liked. You're a bit peculiar, aren't you?"

"My eyes are already quite spun."

Chewing on it again, I got angry. At least there was nothing like that in the original work, but an interview about implementing diverse forms of love to match the times came to mind.

"Nex Aureus, and these invaders... one is a vampire Saintess, the other a wolf-eared Saintess..."

"Honestly, they're prettier than a succubus."

"...How amusing. Truly."

If I had succumbed to the enchantment here, I probably would have become a member of The Heroic Cult with Nex and fought against Kainel.

I remembered Nex's traitor route. So this was where his weakness was exploited.

"I thought you'd be dazed, mixed with enchantment, but this is a shame. Still, I know what kind of person you are!"

"...Do you really think you know?"

My words grew faster. I no longer wanted to converse.

"Yes! Your weakness is the Nameless Saintess, or whatever she's called, isn't it?"

"Shut up."

It's annoying. That's not a word to be uttered so carelessly.

The succubus multiplied into several, surrounding me. Now she's trying to attack.

"If I tell the Hero of Omniscience this, he'll surely be delighted!"

"You're going to mess with the Book of Life and Death? Are you kidding? It can't be manipulated because she's nameless..."

I couldn't hide my anxiety as the Saintess's safety was threatened. This is a bad habit. I shouldn't give her an opening.

Then, identically-looking pink-haired demons began to speak one after another.

"We can find that out with 'Omniscience.' How about it, now you should join our side, shouldn't you? With the life of your precious person held hostage...."

"Ha... Damn it."

I had tried to hold out a bit longer until Nex woke up, but I couldn't tolerate being threatened with our Platinum Wolf. I let out a long sigh.

Several shadows appeared at my feet. This will do.

Crunch.

I bit down hard on my tongue with my teeth. Drip, blood emerged in my mouth. A momentary return to the sensation of reality.

Servi showed surprise, seeing the crimson fall to the floor.

"...Surely you're not trying to wake from the dream? You can't without my permission, can you?"

I know.

The sensation of a hot liquid, a sharp, flesh-piercing pain. Even if it was a dream, it hurt like reality.

The metallic taste of blood filled my entire mouth.

It could surely be used as a countermeasure. Focusing on the strong lingering pain in my mind, I drew the sword from my waist.

'In the end, I just need to believe this is reality, not a dream.'

It truly felt as if my tongue was severed. I surrendered myself entirely to this sensation. A conviction began to grow that the enemies before my eyes were not illusions, but real.

"What are you doing with that sword now? This is a space where magic doesn't work."

I took the stance of Drake Style Swordsmanship.

I vigorously pushed off the ground. I concentrated my senses on my right hand. I had to combine two techniques. Swordsmanship would be possible if I only had the will to cut.

Be it dream, or reality.

Strengthen your will.

For a happy ending, I'll do my absolute best.

My hand holding the hilt tensed. A strong, swirling wind pressure. The sword began to tremble from it.

First Form and Fourth Form.

A technique that strikes connected entities, and a technique focused on cutting power. I simultaneously cast Void Slash and Shadow Slash.

-Thwackakakak!!!

A massive sword-energy-like wind flew out. It swept through the succubus multitude. One of them must be connected to the main body.

"Kyahahat... Even with this, what can't be done, can't be done, you know? It was funny when you imitated the Cardinal, but this is even more so."

The storm collided forward. Several doppelgangers were torn apart by the wind. Thud-thud. Blood continued to flow from my mouth.

"It's no use. This isn't reality, it's a dream."

The succubi mocked me even as they disappeared. Their expressions were calm, as if it was nothing.

The number of figures gradually decreased. Had she still not noticed? My helmet was off for the first time in a while, revealing my bare face; if I smirked, I'd be found out.

Then.

-*Swish.*

"Huh, huh? Kyaaaaaaaaaak!!!"

As the furthest succubus was cut, Servi began to scream. Was it a buffering effect from having to deal with so many? I couldn't finish it in one go.

"...Hnnk... Huk. Kehek..."

She seemed to have barely clung to life through divine power. The pink-haired woman, staunching her blood, looked at me as if I were a monster.

She, continually gasping for breath, kept pouring divine power into her body.

A demon can do that too. Divine power really must be the manifestation of desires achieved through reason.

"How on earth... howwww..."

I'm quite the pure-hearted man, you see.

I sneered at Servi and raised my middle finger. It was a miscalculation to think she could beat me, even while imitating our Saintess.

The reason was simple.