Academy’s Pure Love Dark Knight - Chapter 28

WeTried Translations

Translator: Botanica

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

◈ Academy’s Pure Love Dark Knight

Chapter 28

──────

Episode 28. The Purple Phoenix and the Vampire Saintess.

“..Is your spirit still not manifesting?”

“Yes.. Mother..”

Nex Aureus.

His childhood was unfortunate.

From a young age, he was thought to have a bright future as the eldest son of the Ten Greats, but as he grew older, the spirit still hadn't manifested, leading to constant whispers behind his back.

‘Could the young master really be a child picked up from somewhere?’

‘Shh, quiet. Someone will hear!’

‘It doesn't matter anyway. A spirit user without a spirit is useless. He has no talent in swordsmanship, nor abundant mana like a mage.’

‘His hair color is different from the family head, too.’

Aside from being known as the descendant of a prestigious family famous for spirits, he was just one of many ordinary individuals with no talent whatsoever.

“Young master, we are supporting you.”

The words of the maid who had been slandering him moments ago. Nex grew up watching such things, and he came to despise people's lies.

“Even so, I will not punish the maid, Nex.”

“Mother, she called me a bastard! This is an insult to the family….”

A maid who insulted the duke's descendant. Normally, this would be a grave matter, severe enough to warrant death.

“..What does that matter?”

Asha Aureus, instead, merely spoke to Nex with a cold gaze, her tone calm. For some reason, she seemed excessively composed.

“Yes..? But Mother..”

“If you are truly a descendant of the Aureus family, you should be able to prove your own worth.”

“...”

“Why, are you perhaps afraid you might really be a bastard?”

“I am not.”

A mother with golden hair, and himself with purple hair. It was certainly enough to feel that something was amiss.

“..From now on, do I just need to prove my abilities?”

“Indeed. At least as the eldest son, you should possess that much skill.”

“Understood.. Mother..”

That day, Nex learned how to read people's expressions. He surmised that it was surely deceit, that they were hiding something from him and treating their son poorly.

“What are you talking about, family head?”

“Literally. Spirits are beings born from emotions.”

Though he tried hard to grow strong, their cold attitude remained unchanged even after several years.

“If you're really at a loss, I'll even find you a bride. Then perhaps your spirit will awaken.”

“Absolutely not. Do you think I'm you?”

“Anger is a good emotion. Then I shall take that as acceptance, Nex.”

On the contrary, from the day he underwent his coming-of-age ceremony, marriage proposals began pouring in haphazardly. Was it perhaps because he had expressed anger to Asha for the first time?

“I came by the family head's introduction.”

“Send them back.”

“..By the request of Miss Asha, the living sun among the Ten Greats, I came to see Mr. Nex….”

“I said I don't need it!”

He hated harems. He was scared and afraid that even if he married, they would secretly badmouth him like the maids of his childhood.

‘What on earth should I do? It's not like I can defy the family head.’

He needed something that would make women not approach him. Thus, he adopted the mask of feigned wickedness. Deliberately speaking harshly and distorting his expression became a hardened habit.

“Hah, woman. They say that no matter how hard an orca tries, it's still beneath a phoenix, so shouldn't you be marrying a spirit instead of me? Truly a lowly family.”

“..This trash who can't even use a spirit dares to insult our family..!!”

‘As expected, reading this person's expression revealed she was after the family's assets.’

Living like that, Nex came to believe that this world was full of people who either deceived or were deceived. Even the nobles who treated him well were full of individuals who slandered him behind his back.

Then, while he was mastering spirit communion and deliberately living like a scoundrel…

“Aargh! Mr. Meow!! Stop right there!!”

‘I'm seeing all sorts of strange people. A vampire… for such a human to be the 2nd Saintess, is the world ending?’

At the social gathering he was forced to attend, he met the one and only Saintess who could understand him.

A woman who would look only at the youth named Nex Aureus, not his spirit.

***

Nex immediately began checking on Chartiness's well-being. I, by happenstance, became invisible.

I thought he would accuse me of being a Heroic Cultist or being in cahoots with the Demon Kings for this. Yet, he didn't harbor a shred of doubt about me solving the puzzle.

As far as I know, he's not such an emotional person.

“Are you okay? Char..?”

“Ah, Nex. I'm okay. I just fell asleep for a moment.. Where is this….”

Nex's eyes continued to waver, and his seemingly anxious hands were trembling. A moment passed.

Clasp.

Confirming she wasn't hurt, he embraced her in a reunion hug with both arms. His eyes were moist, as if he had even wept. To think such a cold rival character could transform like this.

Perhaps she went through something difficult in Servi's nightmare. Dreams can, after all, be made into nightmares.

“Thank goodness. Truly. Thank goodness….”

“I can't breathe.. Nexx…”

“..Just stay like this a little longer.”

The vampire nun struggled, expressing her discomfort, but that's beside the point.

What matters is that she's alive. If Nex hadn't been on the non-traitor route, she might have died. That was the original storyline, after all.

“..It's a huge relief that you weren't hurt.”

I let out a sigh of relief. I had been afraid that my game knowledge wouldn't work. Sweat ran down my face even as I solved the puzzle. I sank down onto the spot.

“Oh my, Licht junior?!”

“Junior helped us get all the way here. I barely did anything. Hahat..”

“Then that succubus also, junior…!”

“That's right, Char.”

The 2nd Saintess, perhaps embarrassed by embracing Nex, shouted loudly at me, but I didn't mind.

On the contrary, a happy ending like this is most welcome. Only now did a smile finally form on my lips.

“Chirp..!”

Soon after, Nex's sparrow flew from behind me. Huh? Helios Midnight is still active? The sun hadn't disappeared from behind him yet. That's not something a juvenile form can do….

Ah. So that's how it was.

“Chirpy..?”

“I'm sorry, Char.”

As the spirit burned the ropes, allowing her to move her body,

“Why..? Nex.”

“It's just… it's really fortunate that you're alive..”

“When was I ever dead? I may look like this, but I'm the 2nd Saintess!”

“Demon Kings are those kinds of guys, Char..”

Nex loosened his grip and the embrace. The two lovers looked into each other's eyes. The phoenix circled around them.

“Isn't it enough that you found me..?”

“..It's just that I hate myself for not being able to do anything.”

“Hmm, don't blame yourself, Nex..”

“Char, you should have seen what junior did.”

Chartiness's face turned red. But Nex didn't stop speaking. He must have had a difficult time coming all the way here, too.

“I guess I haven't been honest with my feelings until now.”

“Nex, I'm perfectly fine..! I almost fell for the dream demon, but I'm okay!”

He must have worried a lot that some misfortune might befall his lover. Seeing him check for injuries as soon as he saw her.

“It won't serve as an excuse, but I've worn a mask since I was little because I hated people's lies.”

“..I know that, too.”

Contrary to his personality, his face was already covered in tears. It must be a true companion route. I've never seen him like this before.

“Even while dating, honestly.. I was scared.”

“Nex, junior is behind you! It's embarrassing, so later….”

“..I don't care about that. Let him hear it all. Junior. Is that okay?”

If he's said this much, it's already spilled milk. It seems like a flag-confirming line has come out. I nodded vigorously. There was also the Grand Route achievement, but.

“Of course. Say everything you want to, senior.”

If, in the original work, the catalyst for the spirit to grow into its adult form was the death of a lover, shouldn't I make it different here?

I transmigrated here for the happy ending of our Nameless Saintess.

“..Thank you, Licht junior.”

She would agree that this was right. Though I was wearing a helmet, I pulled the corners of my mouth horizontally to keep from smiling. No matter how happy I was, laughing out loud would break the mood.

“Because of what happened today, I feel like I've realized a lot.”

“Really? I, well.. I just woke up from sleeping, so..”

“Hah.. seriously. Seeing things like this, it really feels like I have to protect you, doesn't it?”

“..What? Nex. If you say something cheesy again, I'll use Divine Power to… Mph.”

He looked at Char, letting out a hollow laugh mixed with relief and worry, then covered her mouth with his finger.

“Will you make a marriage vow with me? Saintess Chartiness.”

A clean declaration of love.

“..What?! Suddenly..?”

A sweet sensation bloomed in my mouth just from hearing it. To make an engagement declaration here, just like with Kainel, it really seems to be a romance academy genre, after all.

“I mean to go to the family head and formally ask for permission. Whether I get slapped or drenched in water, I want to be proud.”

“Didn't you hate your mother? Why on earth…?”

Nex then smiled awkwardly and touched her black hair. Black strands twisting in the man's hand.

“It's because I hate seeing the person I love being ignored by others, Char.”

“..R-really, is the reason because of me? Not because of you?”

Hearing those words, the vampire saintess's eyes widened in surprise.

“Yeah. Think about it, if you're the legitimate wife of the Aureus family…. Who would dare bother you like today?”

That's true. If they directly touched the bloodline of the Ten Greats, it would cause a big problem, so it must have been a scheme to win Nex over like this and use him as a pawn.

“Ah, uh.. that.. Nex..”

Ultimately, this kidnapping incident was likely a problem because Chartiness's standing was too low compared to the 1st Saintess.

It was the same for our Nameless Saintess in the game, so even if it's a noble position determined by the God of Light.

As a demi-human, not a human like the first Saintess, she would have been discriminated against.

“A Saintess.. can get married, though…?”

At the unexpectedly shocking remark, Senior Chartiness's voice trailed off, and she began to shrink.

“I'm not lying at all right now, Char. I'm serious.”

Nex mentioned the legitimate wife, and he wasn't wearing his usual fox-like smile. It was an expression of unwavering resolve that anyone could see.

It was then.

“Chirp.”

His sparrow fiercely scattered its purple feathers, and its body began to swell.

Like a snake shedding its skin, it was transforming into the majestic phoenix form I knew.

The catalyst for a spirit to grow from its juvenile to adult form is the acknowledgment of one's own emotions. It seems he truly was serious.

“It's true, Nex. Congratulations on your spirit's growth.”

“So, your answer, Char?”

“Well…”

The mature phoenix embraced its master and Chartiness with its wings. Purple, petal-like feathers fluttered from the sky, as if it were a scene from a celebration.

“..At the very least, I can't let you go to your mother alone.”

“Uh, uh?! Does that mean….”

Nex's eyes widened, and he showed a tear-streaked smile. Seeing him cry and laugh, Chartiness also smiled, seemingly dumbfounded.

“..I don't know. You silly fox.”

Both their faces and necks turned red.

“How can you propose in this situation!!”

“Hahat, sorry. Seeing that you were okay, I guess I got too hasty.”

“There won't be a second time. Got it?”

“..Understood, Char!”

They laughed and smiled with the same expressions, gazing warmly at each other. At this moment, they looked happier than anyone.

Immediately after, a pink status window appeared before my eyes.

[Chartiness ♡ Nex 62% “NEW!!”]

Even paper confetti fluttered, matching the surrounding environment.

Indeed, an event CG should be like this.

The engagement ceremony of the two, as if blessed by the phoenix.

The spirit had also grown into its adult form, and their mutual affection had once again solidified.

"Well done, well done." Is that what I should say here?

“Congratulations.”

I secretly gave them a subtle thumbs-up. It was my own way of expressing emotion.

Fortunately, the decreased love affinity wasn't just restored, but now exceeded half. I nodded with satisfaction.

“..Thank you so much for today, junior.”

“It wasn't something I did to receive thanks.”

“Hahat, that's exactly what I like about you, Licht.”

He even dropped the 'junior' honorific for a moment just now.

Nex, expressing his heartfelt gratitude without formalities. He looked joyful, smiling with red-rimmed eyes.

Did I become a guarantor for their engagement? Then there won't be any rivalry or anything now. So the speculative posts about a companion route actually existing were true.

“If it weren't for junior, something really bad would have happened, Char.”

“Really..? I just woke up and found myself here, so..”

“Two days have passed, you sleepyhead.”

“What? You're lying…?!”

She, having heard the shocking news, alternately looked at me and Nex, checking if we were lying. But with something akin to an engagement already having taken place, that couldn't be.

“It's true. You must have been asleep for two days because of the Apostle.”

“That can't beee…”

I conveyed the truth to the confused-looking senior. Is she worried about her academy grades? Still, if she knew what we went through to get here, she wouldn't even be able to speak.

“Char, Licht is really strong, our princes-… no, the Crown Prince has a reason for keeping an eye on him.”

“Really? They seem to be friends already.”

“..Seniors? Mardol and I are not friends!”

Even at this point, why is a Crown Prince flag being raised? It was a huge relief that Lupus's name hadn't appeared in the status window yet. And even the Elder shouldn't abandon me.

“Junior would like it too, wouldn't he? Forming ties with the imperial family isn't a common thing.”

“I don't need it.”

I only want our Saintess's route.

Seeing me shake my head vigorously in denial,

“..Junior really is good-hearted, though. To the point of being naive.”

“You just found that out, Nex? I've known it for ages!”

“Char, lying is bad. You doubted junior at first, remember?”

“Uh, hmm.. This time I was caught in reverse.”

The two engaged lovers were smiling brightly.

The dungeon, which had no sunlight at all, now appeared bright as day with the artificial light created by the spirit,

and in that light, the two men and women stood up.

“Why are you trying to link Mardol and me..?”