WeTried Translations

Translator: Botanica

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

◈ Academy’s Pure Love Dark Knight

Chapter 40

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Episode 40. Always you, just one step behind.

The habits of a Giant Hornet.

One of them is that when one bee is caught, it sprays pheromones, causing other bees to rush to its rescue.

In the real world, there was a trap that exploited this,

"Good. Bait secured."

I will use that method starting now.

I captured one subordinate Armored Bee and confined it in an iron cage-like form using Mardol's glass magic.

Now, other worker bees will come to help this one.

-Buzzzzz.

Fortunately, the Armored Queen Bee didn't seem to notice us. Carrying the sugar flowers brought by the bees in the hive on her back, she simply floated her gigantic body in the air.

"Now's the time. Kainel, Ariel."

I signaled the hero couple directly opposite with a hand gesture.

This was because some of the bees had flown up to find their captured comrade. We couldn't miss the timing.

"Got it! Helmet Guy!"

"Let's go, Ariel!"

「Shine Fireworks!」

A joint skill launched precisely towards the swarm of worker bees flying towards us.

Like fireworks used in a display, the moment of explosion is determined by the sword energy Kainel unleashes.

'This is why Ariel's nickname isn't "Crimson Flame" or "Red".'

The Mage of Flames.

An ability befitting the Hero of Light.

It's a fitting title for her, who specializes in magic that embodies fireworks. At this rate, it seems they'll even use ultimate skills together.

-Boom boom boom!!

Explosions bursting with various colors.

This too is a combination of gold, blue, and red. A blend of the hero couple's hair and eye colors.

Multicolored flames swirled, engulfing the Armored Bees.

"Buzzzzzzz-!!"

A seemingly confused swarm. Black, mist-like bees scattered and returned repeatedly. A gap appeared in the forces protecting the Queen.

"Mardol. You know what's next, right?"

"Yes, Licht."

「Howling Wind.」

Awooooooo-!!

As the heavily armored Glass Knight swung his sword forward, a wolf's howl erupted like a sonic wave.

In the game, it was a cheat skill used by Emperor Rook, with the effect of applying a stun debuff to the opponent.

..Since it uses mana, I can't learn it now.

'A sword style the original Licht would have learned.'

It's a relief that at least the first form, Wolf Fang, only uses the body. Mardol and I burst out of the bushes, using Wolf Fang, and aimed for the beehive the Queen was carrying.

"Be careful. Licht."

"Huh? It's completely full of openings...."

As if sensing something, Mardol warned me to be careful.

Why? There's ample time to unleash Void Slash. I paused after adopting Drake's stance.

'Something's missing. Think.'

It was then. Even though many of the Queen's guards had been stunned and fallen to the ground, I felt an eerie sensation. Their numbers seemed far too low.

With a "no way" feeling, I looked behind me.

"Buzzzzzzzzz!!"

The sound of bee wings hitting my ears like an explosion. This meant only one thing.

'Did the Queen split her forces into two from the start? She knew we were coming.'

Things had gone seriously wrong. Another swarm of Armored Bees returned to protect the Queen, leaving the Glass Knight and me defenseless.

「Void Slash.」

I was caught between a rock and a hard place: Armored Bees in front, the Queen behind. I had to target the Queen first, as she lacked physical resistance. The armored bees were difficult for me to deal with.

-Clang clang clang!!

But the Queen's black eyes sneered, deflecting my wind pressure as soon as her remaining forces recovered. Then, the reserve forces from behind rushed in.

I can't dodge this. I'm...

「Mirror Shield.」

Ah, I wasn't alone just now. Mardol erected glass walls around me, blocking the bees' approach. Seeing this, glass magic is truly overpowered.

"Thank you, Mardol."

"It was urgent. Licht."

"..You're right."

With just one wall separating us from the chaotic battle, I finally caught my breath. Perhaps I shouldn't have underestimated a 6-star monster after all.

I fell into thought, looking at the surrounding forces.

'This feels tougher than the game...'

The Queen's intelligence is too high. As we set up this shield, she was already preparing to charge. Her house-sized body began to twitch.

"Mardol. Can you withstand this?"

"..Probably. Stronger than that thing."

I asked the Glass Knight, a chill running down my spine at the sight, but he nodded as if telling me not to worry.

-Crash!!

The Queen attempted to ram the transparent crystal wall. She couldn't penetrate Mardol's glass magic. Yet, the boss monster continued to ram her body into it repeatedly without rest.

"Are you really sure you can hold it?!"

"..I don't know."

Crash, crash sounds echoed multiple times, and the glass began to crack. It seemed that grass and earth attributes didn't have good compatibility. I racked my brain, thinking of a solution.

"Helmet Guy!"

"Licht, Mardol! Are you alright?!"

The other two party members also burst out of the bushes, turning the situation into a chaotic battle. This shouldn't be happening. We wouldn't know who the Queen would target.

"Kainel, unleash Shine Strike! Target the Queen Bee's wings!"

"Ariel, you target the Iron Hive! Burn it all down!"

This would force the Queen to choose. Since she was a massive, sluggish monster, we had to deal with her quickly while she was tied up trying to break the glass wall.

"Got it! Helmet Guy!"

"Understood. Licht!"

They used their magic and holy sword immediately after I spoke. At times like this, they truly seem like a match made in heaven. I smiled faintly inside my helmet.

-KABOOOM!!

A massive cluster of fireworks and condensed sword energy of light flew, targeting the Queen. Perhaps flustered by this, the Armored Queen Bee deployed her forces towards the beehive.

A gap appeared.

"Mardol, now give me that!"

"..Yes, I understand."

The skill the Glass Knight showed this morning. A unique magic that creates crystal-clear clones. Was it called Mirror Mirage?

'If I use magic and sword strikes like this, it should work to some extent.'

Now that the Queen was unable to assess the situation, this was our chance. I prepared to combine Void Slash and Reverse Scale Pierce. The moment the opponent's weakness was clearly visible.

The forces on the right were empty. A losing move created by setting up a barrier too hastily. I didn't miss it and plunged in.

-Clang clang clang clang!!

Heavy wind pressure concentrated in my right hand. Ignoring it, I unleashed a torrent, combining the second and fourth forms. Thanks to Mardol's magic, the power of the consecutive attacks was amplified.

Pshushuk. The Queen buzzed and shot her stinger, but Reverse Scale Pierce is a technique that continuously strikes the opponent's weakness. Such a thing couldn't possibly work.

"Mardol. Be careful."

"..Uh, yeah. Thanks."

I even cut down attacks flying towards the Glass Knight and unleashed consecutive sword strikes towards the beehive on her back.

The Armored Bee's shield gradually dwindled, as if peeling fruit.

'Now's the time. The shadow is clearly visible.'

The situation I was aiming for began to materialize. Although Void Slash found it tough to break through physical resistance, with a Magic Swordsman's skill, there was a possibility.

Only then did the distinct contrast of light and shadow become clearly visible.

-Slash.

I slashed the Queen's complete shadow etched on the ground. Ending with the first form, Shadow Slash, and Void Slash, I cleanly bisected the beehive and the Queen's body.

"..We succeeded."

Watching the Armored Bees flee in unison after the Queen Bee died, I collapsed onto the ground.

"..Are you okay? Licht."

Perhaps worried about me, Mardol spoke towards me, who was sitting on the ground, drained of strength.

"..Yes, I'm fine."

"As expected, strong."

It was amazing to directly confirm the Glass Knight's strong combat power.

If I had brought him when fighting Magic Hat in <Black Heart>, could I have saved our Saintess?

"It would have been difficult without you, Mardol. Thank you."

The Crown Prince gazed intently at me. I smiled faintly inside my black helmet, proud that I had accomplished it.

***

Around the time Licht's party finished their Armored Queen Bee strategy.

"Just answer the question."

"I don't know! Hero, the dungeon underneath here, it's all new to me...."

A white-haired woman wearing a magician's hat was threatening a female student at Grand Hearts Academy.

"Isn't your head working? Someone who isn't a hero couldn't possibly unravel the Demon King's authority."

"So I really don't know... Hngh..."

The orange-haired female student sobbed, tears streaming down her face.

She looked like an oni with horns on her forehead, but even at her whimpering, the surrounding students didn't even glance her way.

"Ha. You're really no fun."

As if they hadn't existed from the beginning. As if the desperate student's cries couldn't be heard.

"Please... please just spare my life. And my friends too...."

"I won't kill you. My darling doesn't like it."

Other academy students walked past the two. If there were two invisible people, this is exactly what it would look like.

"Really, haven't you seen anyone unusual? Like someone with a holy sword?"

"..Ah, I think I saw him among the new students!"

Tilting her magician's hat, Magic Hat continued to question the female student.

Terrified of her, the orange-haired oni racked her brain.

"..What did you say?"

"Kainel. His name was Kainel. He had blond hair and a unique sword!"

"Aha, so that's how it was?"

As if an interesting answer had been heard, her golden eyes widened slightly and a subtle arc formed at her lips.

"..Where is that hero now? Now this is getting a bit interesting."

"I heard he went to do a group assignment. So it's done now, right...? Please, my friends back to normal...."

"Alright. I'll do as I promised."

As soon as she heard that answer, her white hair fluttered as if in good spirits. The orange-haired female student, finding hope, stopped crying, but.

"But I'll have to do something about you. Just in case you might have a face that catches my darling's eye."

"..Huh? But, but... you clearly said you'd spare me if I answered...."

"Yes! Of course I'll spare you?"

Leaving the bewildered female student behind, the Demon King of Truth shuffled a deck of cards, preparing something.

"What would be good...? Killing is a no-go... Ah! How about erasing her face?"

As if a good idea had struck her, Magic Hat smiled enchantingly. As if asserting that what she was doing was perfectly normal.

"Aaaargh!! Someone help me! Save me!!"

At that chilling smile, the female student ran screaming, but the other students around them didn't even glance their way.

"..No matter what, no one will come to help you, fool."

As if no one had been in that place from the very beginning.

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