WeTried Translations
Translator: Botanica
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
◈ Academy’s Pure Love Dark Knight
Chapter 61
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Episode 61. Rivals are Rivals because they resemble each other.
The day after Mardol's Year Exam ended.
In a secluded alley of Grand Hearts Academy, the voices of two people could be heard.
“So, my apprentice! Why is the Glass Knight learning Shadow Slash!”
“Ha, haha.. Well, I wonder? Perhaps he taught himself?”
“Oh dear, you rascal! It's always obvious when you lie!”
I had been caught by Master Drake. The yellow-haired man with many scars on his face scolded me. He had summoned me after seeing Shadow Slash the day before.
“Originally, it's a skill that can only be performed if one is filled with the will to 'slash a shadow.' That's why one starts by slashing coins! There's no way he learned it alone!”
“..I had my reasons. Master.”
I judged that it would be insufficient without magic to protect our Saintess, and,
“I wanted to learn magic. I didn't pass on anything else.”
I thought the protagonist would be able to sufficiently resolve my physical constitution, you see. I started making excuses, bowing my head low.
“So that's why you joined Dennis's club! Uhahahahaha!!”
“I'm sorry.”
He, who was listening to my story, burst into loud laughter. Will he drag me to the mountains like this and only make me train in swordsmanship?
“That's not the problem, my apprentice! If my brother finds out, he might get angry!”
Then, he furrowed his brow, showing an attitude as if something was bothering him. He continued speaking with his arms crossed.
“Originally, that person had too much magical power, so magic suited him better than swordsmanship.... I don't know what got into him that makes him so obsessed with the sword!”
“Mardol? Perhaps an obsession with strength... No, perhaps it's because his passion is high?”
That's why he even wears Masterpiece-grade armor.
If it's equipment with performance similar to a Holy Sword, it's enough to contend with the Demon King, which is why I even tried to give up on our Saintess before.
‘Obsessed with strength, and doesn't take off the glass armor.’
It was the same in yesterday's match. If she had exploited the gaps in the armor or cast magic inside to turn it against her, the Wind Mage would have had an advantage.
Everything has a weakness, and nothing is perfect. Due to the difference in combat experience, it seems the opponent didn't know that.
“No! My apprentice! If even a scratch appears on that delicate and noble person! My brother can surely catch me even if I run away! That's why I told you to avoid getting involved with him as much as possible!”
“..So that was the reason you wrote me a letter.”
“Right! If my brother sees you and the Glass Knight together, he'll come looking with an axe!”
A delicate and noble person? He is indeed a noble person. Perhaps he's saying 'delicate' because of trauma related to his mother? I felt a sense of incongruity at the strange words.
‘Indeed, the person acted emotionally. As if someone else.’
I crossed my arms and pondered, just like Drake, but seeing that, my master just shook his head. Still, I even helped him recover Empress Bellin Gransia. He probably wouldn't try to kill me.
“Professor Dennis said something, but he said it probably wouldn't be that extreme.”
“That guy is still young! Just wait until you're my age! Everyone else is a wolf....”
At that moment, Drake, the Dragon Slayer, stopped speaking, having seen something.
“What happened? Why are you suddenly like this, Master?”
He gestured with his head, looking behind me. What on earth could it be?
“Ah, Licht. Hello.”
Speak of the devil. Mardol was approaching, waving his hand. Seeing that, Drake offered a greeting.
“Nice to meet you! Student Mardol!”
He let out hearty laughter and tried his best to put on a bright expression, but it was already obvious he was acting, and his eye corners were twitching strangely.
They've known each other from the start, so pretending not to know each other must be awkward.
“What brings you here, Mardol?”
I asked the Glass Knight, seeing him like that. There's no way he'd purposely come all the way to this secluded spot. No, how did he even find me in the first place?
Looking at the golden wolf eyes inside the helmet, a strange suspicion arose whether he remembered my scent and followed it.
‘Nah, no way. Could that really be?’
I immediately erased it from my mind. It must be my imagination. He's not our Saintess, and I don't want to be remembered like that by another man.
“Licht.”
It was then. His glass helmet made a rattling sound as he opened his mouth.
“Let's eat lunch, together.”
“..Huh? Uh...?”
Mardol grabbed my hand and pulled me with a jolt. His physical strength was too great, and my body was pulled along. Our fingers were interlocked again, so I couldn't escape.
“I, I have to watch Kainel's and Ariel's matches! They're about to start!”
“..They're strong anyway. Don't worry. There's no time.”
Surprised by my lost balance, I shouted. Why is he suddenly like this? Am I really going to be imprisoned in the imperial dungeons? Cold sweat broke out from fear.
“They'll make it to the semi-finals without a problem, so don't worry and follow me. Is that what you're saying?”
“Yeah, we can fight later.”
I was helplessly getting farther away from my master. It's nice that I don't have to go to the mountains for sword training because of what I did wrong, but is this really okay? My feet dragged on the ground, leaving marks.
“Master Drake!!”
I asked for help from the Grand Sword Master, but perhaps because of the flag that had already been set, he shook his head as before, sending me a cold gaze.
‘Did I get too close at the bakery back then?’
I grit my teeth and struggled, but I was already moving as fast as he was. Was he using Wolf Fang? It was incredibly fast; if I didn't match his pace, my body felt like it would be flung away.
“Someone save me!!”
That scream merely echoed as a single cry, and seeing me disappear from the spot with Mardol,
“..If you care that much, you have to take responsibility. My apprentice.”
With an expression that said, "I clearly warned him," Drake was waving his hand grandly, and his low voice didn't reach me.
The place I ended up, after escaping from Drake, was,
“Welcome!! Customers!!”
“Where.. is this?”
“A famous restaurant where you need a reservation.”
It was a restaurant filled with the rich aroma of delicious meat. A red dwarf with an impressive braided beard came out and guided Mardol.
“..Still, I wanted to watch their matches.”
“Stronger people than the four of us. There are none.”
“That is true, but.”
Among the freshmen, that is true. Sitting at a table and chairs made of finely carved wood, I talked with him.
“See you later. In the match, directly.”
“So, why did you come here?”
“..I wanted to treat you.”
Mardol tapped the table with his gauntlet, making a light sound. Glass gauntlets, not bare hands. Wouldn't it be uncomfortable walking around hiding his identity like that? It's probably because of trauma.
“You don't have to do things like this. If it's because of your mother....”
“No. You tried to die.”
“...”
How did he know I made such a resolution during the fallen route? His golden eyes sparkled, giving a sad impression. Is it because he's the protagonist, after all?
“If you eat something delicious, you'll be fine, Licht.”
There were many similar events in <Knight Heart>. So there must be such an event in this work too. His attitude, speaking as if he knew people's feelings.
“..Understood.”
Someone I missed overlapped in my vision, so I had no choice but to agree. So that's why he asked yesterday if I liked meat.
“Minotaur Tomahawk Steak, 3 servings.”
“What grade would you like!”
“..Masterpiece.”
“Yes!! Minotaur Tomahawk! Masterpiece grade, 3 servings ordered!”
He was skillfully placing the order towards the dwarf who had reappeared. A tomahawk made from a Minotaur, of all things.
More importantly, Masterpiece? Not medium or rare? Is it following the item grades from the game?
“It will be delicious. Definitely.”
Mardol nodded slightly, expressing that it was worth anticipating. Then, a commotion arose from the large kitchen in the center.
The clean kitchen, open to customers, was showcasing its thorough hygiene.
“Everyone!! Prepare!! It's Masterpiece grade!”
“Understood! Chef!”
With that sound, rainbow-colored dwarves, red, orange, and yellow, immediately popped out and prepared the dish.
“The pride of the dwarves! A Masterpiece is our very soul!”
Sizzle-. With a sizzling sound, oil was poured onto the hot plate, and immediately, a large piece of meat with a bone went on it. On the side, vegetables that appeared to be garnishes were being chopped.
“Striking iron and handling fire isn't just for anvils and hammers!”
A deep smile spread across the bearded dwarves' faces, and their eyes sparkled with spirited flames. The movements of several people, in perfect unison, flowed harmoniously.
“Remembering our eternal mountain in the land of fire!”
They must be talking about one of the Ten Greats. As he was a leader-like figure among the dwarves. Also, being a red dwarf like them, I felt a sense of deja vu.
“..Is it fascinating?”
“Ah, yes. This is my first time in a dwarf restaurant.”
Because I'm on the Saintess route, my reputation was low, so I didn't know. I thought they were just perverts who only made or repaired weapons.
To think they even cooked. At a sight I hadn't even seen in the game, I couldn't take my eyes off it.
“Bringing you here was a good idea.”
Seeing that, the Glass Knight let out a small laugh.
“It's finished! Customers!”
It was then. A red dwarf carrying meat larger than his own height. It was astounding how quickly he had finished cooking. Perhaps he used magic with it?
“Please eat it before it gets cold!”
Minotaur Tomahawk Steak, he said. The large bone and fleshy parts definitely gave off a 'game-like dish' vibe. At its glistening appearance, I gulped.
“..What are you doing, Licht?”
“Isn't this expensive...?”
A dish that anyone could tell was expensive. Its name alone was Masterpiece.
“I'll, buy it for you.”
I was afraid of the price and wasn't eating, but to think it's the Crown Prince buying me a meal, recalling that he also had abundant financial power during <Black Heart>, I brightened up.
“I'll eat it gratefully, Mardol.”
I immediately grabbed a large tomahawk and was about to bite into it directly, but,
“Ah, you two are wearing helmets! I'll cut it for you!”
“Ah, thank you.”
My faceplate blocked me, so I couldn't eat. I grew to hate the Black Knight helmet that I couldn't freely remove by my own will.
Mardol's helmet, which had a similar design, can he not take it off either?
Around the time that question arose, the red-bearded dwarf separated the meat into eatable pieces for us.
“..Now I'll really eat.”
“Eat a lot.”
I slightly lifted my faceplate. I picked up a piece of cut steak with my fork and ate it. Originally, things like this taste best when eaten by hand.
“..Oh, this.”
Juices flowed out with every bite. The deep flavor and aroma of beef filled my mouth. Spices and butter were appropriately added, so there was no unpleasant aftertaste.
‘Truly the taste of high-class steak.... No, it's even better than that?’
The perfectly cooked meat. A masterpiece with no burnt parts whatsoever. Masterpiece. Was a special sauce drizzled on it? It wasn't greasy and went down smoothly.
“Is it delicious?”
“It is.”
I was worried because it was Minotaur meat, but when I ate the part attached to the bone, it was so delicious that I immediately thought I had lived my life in vain until now.
“This will be an excellent lunch. Thank you.”
“You really do like meat.”
I momentarily forgot to talk about the taste and focused on eating. How long had I only been eating?
Looking at the mountain of meat in front of my eyes, I tilted my head.
“..So, can you eat all of that, Mardol?”
“Yes, Licht.”
The meat ordered was a total of 3 servings, but the quantity was enormous, and 2 servings had gone to the Glass Knight.
“You're a big eater.”
“..Excuse me, Licht.”
The fact that he covered his face with glass magic while eating was similar to me, but he was also eating the meat deliciously. One plate was already empty.
“I'll just eat up to here.”
I had eaten all the meat attached to the bone, and now only the lean meat remained. I had eaten over half, but my stomach was too full. I wiped my mouth and smiled happily.
“Licht. Aren't you eating that?”
It was then. He pointed at my plate with his finger. Perhaps he meant the lean meat.
“I'm too full. I'm sorry.”
“It's the most delicious part.... What a waste.”
“Do you want to eat it? I haven't even touched this plate at all.”
Since I can't eat it, wouldn't it be okay? Anyway, since the quantity was large and I was eating it divided into several plates, I readily agreed.
“..Really?”
“Yes, it's fine.”
Mardol was quickly emptying even another plate. He really eats well. Since he's paying for it himself, he could eat more....
“Thank you, Licht.”
He picked up the bones I had left over. The plate that was exactly behind what I had just said.
“Wait a minute, Mardol?!”
He took something other than the lean meat part. I hadn't expected this.
“..Why, Licht?”
Crunch. Crunch. The sounds echoed through the table. So unlike me, it was just an empty plate for him. I felt a sense of fear looking at him, chewing on bones like candy.
‘Now that I think about it, he's a wolf beastman.’
Is this a racial difference? If I say something wrong here, the Imperial Guard might say, 'Are you reprimanding His Royal Highness?' and a sword could be held to my throat.
Moreover, his bite strength, easily chewing even bones.
“It's nothing.. Please eat to your heart's content..”
“Yes. Thanks.”
If I said it was strange, I might get bitten, so I remained silent. It's just a racial difference, after all.
It's absolutely not an indirect kiss or anything.
Absolutely not. If our Saintess finds out, she'll say I'm cheating.
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