WeTried Translations

Translator: Botanica

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

◈ Academy’s Pure Love Dark Knight

Chapter 29

──────

Episode 29. The Purple Phoenix and the Vampire Saintess.

"Kyahaha... Glory to The Heroic Cult!"

Servi touched a wall on the other side. Thud. A square-shaped brick slid in with a sound.

-Kugugugugu...

The ground suddenly vibrated. This could only mean one thing.

A self-destruct gimmick.

This is what happens when a player accidentally solves the puzzle incorrectly and falls into a trap.

"Are you crazy, Servi?"

Is she burying even her Apostles with her? In the original, it would just be Game Over, but here, real people will die.

"Of course! The prophecy must not be twisteddd...!"

The pink-haired succubus laughed like a madwoman. The Heroic Cult really only has lunatics. I put my hand to the forehead part of my helmet.

The ceiling and the ground beneath my feet trembled. The candles in what looked like a chapel began to fall and extinguish.

Kugugung-!

The entrance was blocked by stalactites and rocks that had fallen from above. The followers, panic-stricken, began to scream,

"Save me... Please save me!!"

"I don't want to die!!"

"Apostle, are you abandoning us?!"

The artificial sun next to us was still not extinguished. Despite the desperate cries of The Heroic Cultists, Apostle Servi maintained a pleased expression, looking at Nex and me.

"Count yourselves lucky to be sacrificing yourselves... for the revival of The Heroic Cult... you trash... Hehe..."

Blood poured from her mouth. To have such fanatical faith even while dying, I couldn't understand it. If it were a belief in a legitimate Hero like Kainel, maybe.

"Piiit-!"

"Junior, should I try to resolve this?"

Seeing that, the purple phoenix spread its wings wide and enveloped the surroundings. Was it trying to protect Char senior and me?

"Stop, Senior. You shouldn't use Phoenix Cradle."

"...It's probably possible now that it's grown into an adult form."

A technique that provides an absolutely invincible shield around the user. Now that his spirit has grown into its adult form, it's possible.

But the compatibility is too poor. Once activated, you can't escape from that spot.

"You'll be buried alive underground."

Ultimately, getting out of here is the top priority.

"Huh...? Junior, is that true?"

"...Even spirits have their drawbacks."

We'd collapse from lack of oxygen, wouldn't we? Even if we created oxygen with magic, there's a limit to mana.

The phoenix is good, but not now. I started racking my brain as much as possible. What methods haven't I used? A way to effectively escape the dungeon without anyone getting hurt...

"Junior is right. It would be impossible for me, unless it was the family head."

"That would be because she's one of the Ten Greats."

I briefly assessed, looking at the purple bird. Even so, it wouldn't be able to melt the entire ceiling of this cave and break through upwards.

Unless it was Asha Aureus, known as the living sun, as Nex said.

Spirit arts are quite complex, and even if a spirit grows to its adult form, proficiency is often lacking. In the original, it was a skill that left him incapacitated. I rested my chin in my hand.

"Right, if it's the Hero of Wisdom's words, I should believe them. Junior!"

Nex smiled brightly, looking at me in thought. He seemed to be expecting another brilliant solution. Even he, an elder, should be quite the intellectual character.

"Junior... you do have a way, right?"

I seem to be seriously misunderstood. I don't have a Holy Sword, a proof of a Hero, nor have I been chosen.

Although I can see the status window sent by the <Black Heart> developer. So that's why they don't suspect me of being from The Heroic Cult.

"..."

Even with my current skill, I can't even touch the Demon Kings' toes. I needed to at least learn an ultimate skill, or if I had the weapon I mainly used in the game, it might be different.

"Ha... My head hurts."

I surveyed my surroundings. I couldn't afford to be lost in thought. I re-evaluated the situation.

'Going back is impossible. Flying upwards with the phoenix won't work either... Is there any way?'

The path we came from was already collapsed and blocked, and the one remaining escape route had completely vanished due to the brick Servi had touched.

What should I do?

Finally, I had two remaining options.

"Spirit Empathy, is it possible, Senior?"

"What? Suddenly...? Wouldn't you be unable to move?"

"I don't know my spirit's abilities, but... I'll have to do my best."

A lump of emotion created while thinking of her. Perhaps it could help here. My only options were this and swordsmanship.

Because size wasn't important for a spirit.

If there was a sharp move that stuck in my mind recently, it was only that. Magic or divine power were impossible,

"It came to mind while looking at Senior's phoenix."

As for swordsmanship, looking at my current weapon, the moment I send out one more Void Slash, it will shatter. After that, if something happens, there will be no way.

If I'm going to aim for it, I have to do it all at once.

"Alright. I'll just trust you, Junior!"

Nex nodded and placed his palm on my back again. The circuit was twisted, but it would somehow come out again.

Because it was a self-made magic that improvised every time the family needed a spirit.

「Be reborn from the flames.」

No sooner had he finished speaking than a black Pomeranian popped out from near my heart.

"Woof!"

Its name is Kkamangi, which is quite endearing. And cute.

"It's been a while..."

As expected, the surging fatigue is still quite strong. I exhaled several times. I'm dizzy, can I really use Void Slash?

"Woof!"

Should I also acknowledge my emotions here?

I fell into thought, looking at the black wolf whose eyes sparkled as it watched me.

What haven't I acknowledged? Something that could be a catalyst...

It was then.

"Grrrrrrrrrr..."

My spirit was fiercely growling at Servi, the Apostle.

"I'm just a little angry."

Was it influenced by my emotions? Considering she even imitated our Saintess, it wasn't strange. But why is it doing this, when it rushed to the Crown Prince?

"Woof! Woof! Grrrr..."

It's an incomprehensible creature. Should I have tried using spirits in the game after all? I only ever saw them through Nex, so I don't know this.

"Junior, seeing your spirit, it's definitely clear you're not from The Heroic Cult. I'm happy."

"If that were the case, he wouldn't have come with us to save our Char, would he?"

Rather than it being my fault, the problem lies with the developers who made it so that spirits don't appear if you take the Saintess route. I heard they appear just fine in other heroines' routes.

"So there was a reason Mardol liked it so much. Seeing it again, it's cute..."

Please, not another Crown Prince route flag here too.

The dungeon is about to collapse. The situation is serious. Dizziness swept over me.

"Stop it, Kkamangi."

"hek."

I called back the spirit that had lowered its body to threaten.

It reacted immediately? So Lupus must be the protagonist after all. I guess I'll have to stick with this name.

"...There's no time. Is there anything you can do?"

"Whine."

Then the dog-like spirit shook its body vigorously. It looked like a puppy after a bath. Uh, could this be...?

"Drill...? Is that what you mean?"

"Woof!"

The Pomeranian responded with a smiling expression, as if agreeing with my words.

If this is it, there's a way. I had to move quickly before the side effects of spirit empathy overwhelmed my entire body.

"Seniors!! I'll fire Void Slash ahead, so get ready to go that way!!"

The ability to dig through ground. A canid animal would naturally have it. Just like a phoenix has the ability to burn things or fly.

I drew my sword from its sheath. The weapon looked precarious, like cracked glass.

There was only one chance.

I reset my stance, and as if this was the last time, I looked at the shimmering silver steel inside the cave.

'You've worked hard until now. Pure Love Injector.'

I looked in the direction of the original exit path in the game. It was narrow compared to the way we came in, so even after doing this, it would be difficult if the spirit didn't clear the path.

"Woof! Woof!"

Kkamangi. I believe you can do it. Because you are my feelings for our Saintess.

-Tugwagagagak!!

Once again, a mass made of wind was shot out, beginning to break through the escape route ahead.

"Junior!!"

"Oh my, Junior...?"

Cold sweat poured from my body. This was the third Void Slash today; there was no way it wouldn't take a toll. On top of that, with spirit empathy, I was afflicted with debuff after debuff.

"Please... I'm counting on you... Kkamangi...!"

With that last cry, my body lost all strength and I collapsed.

***

-Pop.

From the back of the academy's mountain, a somewhat large pile of dirt emerged.

"Woof!"

What emerged from there was a black Pomeranian,

"...We barely made it out alive. The Apostle kept trying to trip us up with talk of sacrifices until the very end."

"Junior... Will he be okay? He seemed to have overexerted himself quite a bit..."

And Licht's party.

"He'll be fine, I'm protecting him with my phoenix. His complexion doesn't look good, but... he's not injured."

"Healing doesn't work... What is this body, exactly...?"

"Could he have been used as an experiment somewhere? By The Heroic Cult, that is..."

Two of them, a man and a woman showed a worried attitude towards the junior wearing the knight's helmet, who had lost consciousness and collapsed. There was also a thought of, 'Just where did this Hero suddenly pop out from?'

He knew all about the dungeon's location and structure, and even saw through the succubus's nightmare. Although no Holy Sword was visible, the possibility was high.

'I heard that a country boy named Kainel was chosen as The Hero of Light...'

Nex recalled information he had learned in the past. But Licht, before his eyes, was different. Even searching for him, his family relations didn't properly appear.

There was only one reason why such a strong individual, if he were a Hero, wouldn't be known.

"...How pitiful. Both the Princess and Licht, these guys from The Heroic Cult."

It was highly probable that he had suffered something from The Heroic Cult somewhere. He had also mentioned living a rough life. Nex considered pursuing further suspicions, but it would be rude to do so to someone who saved their lives.

"Well, still, at times like this, he really does seem like a freshman."

"He's even snoring..."

Looking at Licht, who was deeply asleep on his phoenix, Nex felt grateful. He thought that if it weren't for this junior, not only his own life but also Char's would have been in danger.

"Thank you, Licht."

"...I didn't know junior had suffered so much."

He closed his eyes for a moment and murmured. Such a future was horrible just to imagine. Chartiness, who kept blaming herself and dying in his dreams, still lingered in his mind.

The three academy students, covered in dirt from head to toe, found the day had already grown dark.

Just then, a figure reflecting the moonlight appeared.

"...Found him."

"Princess?"

A knight clad in shimmering glass armor rushed over.

"Phine! How did you find this place?!"

"Sis Char...? Gasp."

It was Phine Gransia, using the alias Mardol. When she saw there was one more person besides Nex and Chartiness, and tried to flee, the vampire nun rushed forward and hugged her.

"I missed you, Phine!"

"Name, no."

As she was embraced by Char, she anxiously pointed a finger at Licht, who was sleeping nearby. She shook her head vigorously, expressing her unease.

"It's okay. Licht junior is sleeping."

"He probably won't wake up for half a day. He overdid it too much."

"Ah, good... No, is he okay, Licht?"

Seeing her speak at unusual length, the phoenix and vampire couple's eyes widened. She was a person rarely showing such emotional changes.

"He'll be fine. Aside from falling asleep while saving us?"

"Uh... really? Sis Char...?"

"That's right! Phine...! Licht junior was really strong! He even used sword energy!"

"Yeah, he's strong."

A calm nod. It was an affirmative.

"Junior found Char when she was captured by the Apostle."

"...I see."

Only then, perhaps hearing Licht snoring, did the Glass Knight let out a sigh of relief.

'Huh, if he saved me and Char today, perhaps junior could also solve the Princess's problem?'

Nex fell into a hypothesis. He knew the Demon King to his bones, and among the students in this academy right now, he was as strong as Phine.

"He really is..."

The Glass Knight stared intently at the junior wearing the Black Knight's helmet. Watching her, he realized there was something he had missed. The question of how the Princess of a nation could be here right now.

"Princess... but how did you get all the way here?"

"I searched."

"Junior and I haven't been gone for more than a few hours, have we...?"

"Imperial Guard. I called them."

As she finished speaking, figures of various colors sprang out from behind her. They moved with such speed, as if they had been there from the start.

All of them had similar wolf ears and tails, and

"Steel Wolf. I greet the honored one!"

"Copper Wolf serves one of the Empire."

"Silver Wolf, glory to the Ten Greats."

"As you command, Gold Wolf will escort Gransia-nim."

Four swordsmen, color-coded like the Empire's currency. Even for Nex, it was his first time seeing them in person.

"She really called them. Well... There wouldn't have been anyone at the cathedral anyway."

"It's a bit much, though..."

Just then, one of the Imperial Guards gave a strange look.

A flash of silver light drawn from his waist.

-Clang.

A figure in steel-colored armor pointed his sword towards Licht.

He looked at the Black Knight and, thinking he was an outsider no matter how he considered it, tried to prepare before anything happened, but

"...Iron?"

"Yes...? Princess?"

The Princess suddenly spoke in a cold tone. Goosebumps rose. As an Imperial Guard, it was his principle to protect the one he served.

"I didn't give an order."

His hand began to tremble.

"A suspicious individual who is neither one of the Ten Greats nor a member of the Empire meeting the Princess... is against regulations..."

He barely managed to formulate an excuse in his mind to reply.

"Put your sword away."

"..."

But what came back was a short, sharp command. Golden eyes narrowed inside the glass helmet.

"We apologize!! Princess!! This one is still new!"

"We will apologize on his behalf. O, One of the Empire."

"Please, forgive us."

Knowing the situation was very wrong, the other guards pressed down on the head of the man known as Steel Wolf, making him repeatedly apologize.

"...It seems he doesn't hear me very well, does he?"

It was clearly a ruined situation. The person in gold armor, who seemed to be the captain, let out a long sigh.

"Miss Phine Gransia. I apologize. I will take all responsibility."

"...I'm going to scold you. Gold."

Phine, who made him put away his sword, muttered lowly with an annoyed tone. It was clear that Licht had saved Nex and Char. His body was drenched in sweat.

A piercing golden gaze.

She had better eyesight than others, so she could easily discern that fact.

A strong person.

Phine thought, looking at the muscles subtly visible through his clothes. How many swordsmen could reach this level of martial prowess without mana or magic?

'How much stronger can he get from here? Licht.'

Perhaps no one else besides this man. Her wolf ears twitched inside his helmet with competitive spirit.

A person who had mastered Wolf Fang, the Empire's swordsmanship, in an instant. He was different from others.

Just then, a black furball rushed towards her.

"Woof!!"

"Kkamangi...?"

Licht's spirit circled around Phine, showing off its friendliness.

Its black sock-like paws and characteristic smiling face were covered in dirt, but it didn't matter to her because it was cute.

"...Stop licking."

"Pant, pant."

The black Pomeranian, tongue out, constantly greeted her. Phine, now seemingly accustomed to it, crouched down and gently stroked its head.

"Licht junior's spirit really likes Phine. So saying they aren't friends seems like a lie..."

"That's what I'm saying, Char."

As soon as Phine's hand touched it, the spirit lay down, its belly facing the sky. A posture of complete trust.

"Yes, good boy."

"Woof!"

Witnessing the sight, the Imperial Guards were speechless, and the Nex couple nodded with satisfaction.

After some time passed, as Phine stopped scratching its belly and tried to leave,

"Whine..."

The Pomeranian, standing up at Phine's feet due to her large armor, scratched at her leg, acting cute.

"...Ah, this would be good."

Seeing that, she spoke in a voice that suggested a good idea, as if she wanted to stay with Licht's spirit longer.

Thunk, Thump.

The sound of metal fasteners coming undone was heard.

"Uh...? Phine...?"

"Wait, Princess?!"

Phine took off her helmet and set it down beside her. Then she placed her hand on her chest. The crystal armor then partially opened, revealing the figure of a white-haired girl from head to toe.

A white-haired woman with wolf ears, dressed in the uniform of Grand Hearts Academy.

"Even so, taking off a masterpiece...!"

"Quiet."

The Imperial Guards shouted in surprise, but she paid them no mind. She made this choice fearing she might scare Kkamangi like before.

Having already pointed a sword at Licht, there would be no second mistake.

"Dwarves really are perverts. It really hits home again that they increased my height and bulk because the armor ratio didn't fit."

"Indeed..."

Phine, having taken off her heavy armor, became smaller as her large form diminished upon stepping onto the ground. The sensation of the grass blades wrapped around her fingertips.

"Woof!"

"Huhu... Cute."

The white-haired girl with wolf ears hugged Licht's spirit, and her ice-like expression, which hadn't changed in a long time, softened slightly.

Seeing that, the Imperial Guards were dumbfounded. That glass-cold Princess, reacting like that? No matter how they looked at it, it was strange.

"Uh...? Captain. Was the Princess always like that?"

"No... What exactly is her relationship with that man...?"

"If His Majesty finds out."

"For now, let's keep today's events a secret..."

The four Imperial Guards muttered in voices too low to be heard.

"Ah, an arcane message has already been sent to Mr. Dizur about scolding me for drawing my sword..."

They were desperately trying to find a way out of the mistaken situation, but it failed miserably. Their superior already knew they had displeased her.

"...I thought it was dangerous because it was the first call in yearsss!!!"

With the silent scream of the person in golden armor,

The Heroic Cult's first threat to the academy thus came to an end.

Join our discord at https://dsc.gg/wetried