WeTried Translations

Translator: Botanica

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

◈ Academy’s Pure Love Dark Knight

Chapter 54

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Episode 54. All Your Worries, Turning into a Shower.

Shwaaaaaaa-

The rain began to fall. Just like that day.

"..."

Until now, I had been searching for a reason.

A reason why I could approach her.

The past was too heavy to simply think, 'Isn't it okay to just like her?'

But if I didn't approach the Nameless Saintess, she would surely become unhappy again.

She is a very kind and warm person. Though lacking in skill, she was an enthusiastic hard worker who always did her best, and a benevolent person who, even when weak, tried to be a source of strength by one's side.

This cold world would surely not leave her alone. It was a habit and an experience I had gained throughout my life.

The icy touch of the spring rain reminded me of that fact.

'What a foolish worry I had.'

And the love she had taught me and made me believe in was not this kind of emotion from the start.

Why did I keep running away and retreating from my feelings? Why did I turn my steps and back away?

Perhaps it was out of fear that the wound would reopen.

"..Saintess."

If I was pushing her away because I was afraid of getting hurt, she had said it was okay to push her away. Though a mere game character, she taught me love.

A passionate love held alone often becomes a nuisance. Because of this, I acted similarly.

I didn't ask the Sage or Laplace for information about her, nor did I talk about her wolf ears or tail.

Even though that was her most prominent feature. She even had the nickname 'Platinum Wolf'.

Looking back now, I might have been afraid to visit her, thinking she was living happily at the Academy.

Furthermore, I felt that the Nameless Saintess wouldn't understand the absurd sight of a stranger suddenly saying they liked her, or that it was unrequited love, or first love...

'If it were an ordinary game, that might be the case... but this is the <Knight Heart Trilogy>.'

A world with many Demon Kings and Heroes. The threat of The Heroic Cult still exists, and the Empire, not old, is a chaotic place.

Because of that, I almost lost her.

No matter how many glitches I used in the battle with Magic Hat, the condition of 'loss of a loved one' should not have been met.

There were times when the player didn't fall to the Demon King. It was merely borrowing the Holy Sword's ownership for a moment. Nothing more, nothing less.

'Magic Hat and the Nameless Saintess are connected.'

In the end, she almost died because of the Demon King of Truth. Or something abnormal could have happened to her, like Baek-Mokryeon.

I was too greedy, Lee Suhyun.

This world is too harsh for someone as kind and gentle as her. There isn't even enough time for such useless worries. I need to become stronger than I am now.

'No matter how strange she might find me.'

I want to protect her by her side. I wanted to make her enjoy a happy life, free from the clutches of the Demon King.

So that when the Grand Route is completed and everything is over, she won't be scorned by anyone as a Saintess who can't heal well.

Instead of grieving over someone who died in battle, I hope she tells trivial stories about flowers blooming in the field or nature.

Someday, I want to feel drowsy in the warm and peaceful midday sun, and hear her little "hoho" laughter as she waters the Blue Rose.

...That is my small wish.

Because thanks to her, I came to believe in love.

***

Thud.

Along with the sound of rain, there was the sound of iron embedding into the ground.

"..Did I succeed?"

I opened my eyes. A blue sword lay at my feet. Its color was similar to cobalt, but felt a bit darker.

"Kuhahaha! Indeed, young man!"

"This is my Heart Sword..."

I got up and picked up the sword. Raindrops beat against the blade, and a small vibration ran through my hand.

"Is its ability to make it rain?"

If the Nameless Saintess saw it, she would even say that the kind Rain Lord was praising it.

"No, it's more useful than that, young man. Of course, it's been quite a while since I've seen a human who can change the weather just with their inner image!"

Her dragon teeth glinted faintly, and she let out a "Kuhahaha!" laugh. So the rain came because of my heart. With a curious mind, I looked at the sword from all angles.

"Now it's time to name the sword, young man."

"..A name? Why?"

"Don't humans have names, and meaning within them? Even a mere weapon should have a name to match its purpose and direction, especially a Heart Sword that seeks 'direction'!"

A name, a name. If you think about it, it's a sword that connects me and the Saintess. What name would be good?

"..Can't it be the Holy Sword of Love?"

"That won't do, young man."

"Why, Heavenly Demon?"

"That fellow, the God of Emotions, would get furiously angry. Think of another good name."

That's not allowed. It's a Heart Sword that came about because I believe in and protect love.

I thought there was no better name than this. I rested my hand on my chin and pondered several candidates.

A little time passed.

"..How about 'Conviction (信念)'? Heavenly Demon."

"Hoho. Why did you name it so?"

At the Heavenly Demon's words, I looked at the sword blade being washed by the rainwater.

"Conviction means both 'to believe' and 'to protect'. I now believe in love. And I must protect love."

It wasn't just my own belief or a special introspection. The Nameless Saintess had told me.

[This time, I will make you believe in love.]

I was someone who was transmigrated into the game just by reading that one sentence. This much is a widely accepted truth.

"The exact name is, Conviction. Giyu (冀雨)."

(TL Note: Giyu (冀雨) means “praying for rain,” symbolizing hope and heartfelt longing; it also reflects the idea of needless worry.)

I swung the sword, checking its weight. It was similar to the iron sword I originally used, making it comfortable to wield. It felt strange, as if this was my resolve.

"With this sword, I will take the place of someone else's tears."

"Hoho, you read 'U' as rain (雨). Does it also carry the meaning of 'needless worry (杞憂)'?"

"Yes, Heavenly Demon."

"..Turning the coming rain into needless worries. It's hopeful. Cold, yet a kinder sword than any other."

Reading the Hanja engraved on the blade, the Heavenly Demon made a brief comment. When did that appear? Perhaps it was because my feelings for the Saintess were so immense.

"Because the rain must stop someday."

As I gripped the sword and took a stance to slash downwards, the shower stopped as if by a lie. Indeed, it was true that this sword caused the rain.

At first, I thought it was just a coincidence.

"..I hope that person finds happiness."

"Kuhahaha! To this extent, I truly want to see her face, young man!"

"Me too, Heavenly Demon."

Baek-Mokryeon wasn't wet from the rain. Perhaps she had blocked it with Qi. She laughed, her fluffy brown hair fluttering. As expected, the Heavenly Demon is formidable.

"..I'm much indebted to you for everything."

"Yes, young man, you have also worked hard."

Now that I had obtained my Heart Sword, it was truly time to leave. Leaving behind a mix of relief and regret, I had to move forward.

"If you defeat Head Ache, you will be freed from this forest, Heavenly Demon."

"Dennis has already told me that. Rather than that, let us end this enjoyable encounter with other words."

"..I also think magnolia flowers are not shabby. By nature, flowers are beautiful because they fall."

"Kuhahaha! What is this, are you making fun of me now that you are the Heavenly Demon's disciple?"

Upon hearing that, Baek-Mokryeon covered her mouth with her hand and laughed. Her reaction showed that she was amused by my imitation of her speech.

"Yes. Young man, cherish and protect that Conviction (信念) well. I will cheer you on."

"I'm much indebted to you for everything, Heavenly Demon."

I held the sword high to the sky and took a stance from the Magnolia Sword Art. As I finished preparations to leave the heart of the Endless Forest of Monsters,

"..Actually, you can call me master, young man."

Baek-Mokryeon told me she acknowledged me. I remembered her as someone with quite high pride, so perhaps she was feeling sad about being left alone again once I left.

"Yes, Master. This unworthy disciple Licht. I shall now descend the mountain!"

"..Kuhahaha! A disciple with swordsmen of both East and West as masters. It was a pleasure!"

She bid farewell in a hearty tone. I swung the sword. Though the movement was soft, like fluttering flower petals falling,

Snap. Boom!

Its power was enough to cut down every visible tree. I held the sword tightly and began to walk forward.

***

Meanwhile, in the Endless Forest of Monsters, a group of people stood on the slightly damp ground where the rain had fallen and then stopped.

"Will we find him today, Gold?"

"..You shouldn't come looking every day, Lord Gransia."

“But… I have to do my best.”

A man from the Imperial Guard, wearing golden armor, put a hand to his forehead as he watched the heavy-armored Glass Knight use expensive teleportation crystals every day to search for the Black Knight.

"No matter how worried you are about that man. Please leave it to us."

"Shut up, Gold."

Even for the Princess she served, such an intense reaction was unexpected. She must have been a very close friend.

Just as Gold was organizing his thoughts.

"..Licht. A smell?"

From inside her glass helmet, Phine noticed something strange. Someone's sweat scent brushed her nose.

"Wait, Princess Phine Gransia! Where are you going! That path is rough and..."

The Glass Knight ran in the direction of the smell. The man in golden armor tried to stop her as she sprinted with all her might, channeling mana through her body, but.

'Licht, are you alive? Really...?'

It was already too late. The white-haired wolf twitched her ears, searching for the Black Knight's trace.

How long did she run?

She found a strange area where trees were toppled. Clearly, signs of having been cut down by a sword. That meant there was a high probability the man was here.

'The scent is getting stronger.'

She had moved so frantically that her feet tripped over bushes and tree roots dozens of times. Her keen eyes could perceive it, but.

'I don't want to lose anyone else because of Magic Hat... Licht...'

Phine's eyes were already blinded. Her heart overtook her senses. Her chest, bursting with gasps, continued to pound.

And then,

"Oh... Mardol?"

"..Licht."

She found the man in the Black Knight's helmet, as always, standing idly with a blue sword in his hand.

"Licht!"

"Mardo..."

Thud. A noisy commotion erupted as she rushed forward.

She hugged Licht and fell. The Glass Knight, atop the man in the Black Knight's helmet, was piled on him. Phine felt the touch of the man, who alone wore no armor.

"Mardol...! Get off me! You're heavy... Oh, you're not heavy? Is it because it's a masterpiece?"

This Black Knight was always consistent. He didn't seem to know how much she had worried. Even in such a dramatic situation, he was making silly jokes.

"..Haha. How rude, Licht."

A laugh escaped her. It felt like she hadn't laughed in ten years. This man was someone who would joke like this even knowing she was a member of the imperial family.

"..I'm sorry for making you worry."

The man pinned beneath her sighed deeply and apologized. It seemed he was somewhat aware of the reason for her intense reaction.

"It's fine as long as you know, Licht."

He had spoken as if going to his death and reappeared almost a month later, but it didn't matter to her. As long as no one was hurt because of Magic Hat, that was enough.

"..Could you please get off me now? I said I was wrong, didn't I? With this strength, I can't..."

His heartbeat was audible. The pulse in his chest was palpable. He was alive. Phine, who had been anxiously fearing a repeat of the grim past, wanted to indulge a little longer.

"No."

"Alright. Do as you please..."

He declared surrender and released the strength he had held in his body.

'...Good liar.'

Licht had placed the blue sword he was holding far away so she wouldn't get hurt, and Phine's keen eyes didn't miss that detail.

And so, the rain stopped, and the two knights met again.

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