WeTried Translations

Translator: Botanica

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◈ Academy’s Pure Love Dark Knight

Chapter 68

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Episode 68. The Difference Between a Watchdog and a Wolf.

Grand Hearts Academy annual examination audience stands.

"Oh, our junior is good at magic too."

"Huh..? I thought Helmet guy couldn't use magic..?"

"That's not magic."

Phine's keen eyes were watching Licht's match without missing a single moment. A sword that brought down cobalt-colored rain, unlike Kainel's weapon.

'It doesn't seem like he's using mana.'

Given Professor Dennis's words about his circuits being tangled, and from when I held his hand last time, I could tell. This man was constitutionally unable to use magic.

"..Interesting."

Her wolf ears moved within the glass helmet. An ability she'd never seen before was enough to draw the interest of the curious princess.

The ability to turn into water droplets and move, mingling with the rain.

An ability that can deflect physical attacks, and its seemingly free-form spatial movement has high utility.

"So, junior. Looks like he went missing and came back with that."

"I suppose so. Nex. Maybe it's artifact.. grade?"

"Something's different."

An artifact is something created by a god. But it didn't seem like any of the six gods in this world had made it. Moreover, even Masterpieces made by humans use mana in the same way.

"What does that mean? Mardol?"

At that, the red-haired mage, Ariel, questioned Phine. The elf, who thought it was clearly within the realm of magic, tilted her head.

"There's no mana."

She placed her hand on her chest and spoke. The glass armor can also be put on and taken off by linking with the mana in her heart.

Licht couldn't possibly use that. Where did he go and what did he do while he was missing? Did he get some fortuitous encounter and grow stronger? Come to think of it, when we met again, all the trees were broken.

It was strangely different from before. He knew the weakness of the Drake style, that preparatory motions are needed and switched weapons to counter before any openings appeared.

'If I were to defeat Licht as he is now, what method would I have to use?'

Anyway, she could just win against him and give him the Dragon Heart herself. Since things had come this far, she felt like she wanted to see that man's full power.

Her tail, driven by competitive spirit, stood straight up inside her armor, and her golden eyes gleamed.

***

After the semi-final match ended, I was talking with Kainel at the swordsmanship training ground.

"..So, Licht. What exactly did you learn to be able to even summon a sword?"

"It's similar to mana, but different."

The mana core is the heart, and the lower dantian is below it. Even if I tried to explain this, people here wouldn't have any knowledge of martial arts.

Since Heavenly Demon Baek-Mokryeon, like Dennis, is a character from another world setting.

"Just think of it as dark magic or something.... Achoo."

Why do I feel a chill again? Could the constant threat to my chastity have been because of the princess? I shivered. Come to think of it, I had far too many points of contact with her.

"..Um, Kainel."

"What? Licht?"

"What do you think about Mardol, I mean, Lady Mardol being a woman?"

I asked the protagonist of <Black Heart> for his opinion on her. Hoping that I wasn't the only one who didn't know her gender.

"Doesn't anyone with eyes see she's a girl? Well, given her voice, armor, and height, you might think otherwise.... But I'm not one to hold onto stereotypes."

"..What?"

"I felt it intuitively from the start, and seeing you talk with Ariel, I thought you kind of knew too?"

"..."

I hadn't listened at all. I was trapped in my memories of our Saintess and kept missing important points. To think I'd lose to a Yellow Dog in terms of intuition. I put my hand on the forehead of my helmet.

"Th-then, the reason you sent me and Mardol alone to the training ground last time was..."

"Back then, I just wanted to help you find that 'Nameless Saintess' or whatever."

"..Thank you, Kainel."

"Anyone can see she's a high-ranking person. Mardol."

As he swung the Holy Sword once, this time a Shine Strike left in a restrained posture. If he keeps growing like this, he'll probably actually use Icarus and fly around.

'Content from the setting book.. Kainel has excellent intuition.'

I had forgotten this part. Just as Ariel is a tsundere but quick-witted, as befits a matching couple, they both had contradictory aspects.

"..Do I seem close to Lady Mardol?"

"Well, I don't know. Maybe. You've already held hands and hugged…."

"Stop."

"Hahaha! I finally got my revenge for you teasing me about Ariel. Licht."

Kainel smiled at me with a cat-like grin. It seems the bitterness from the carriage incident still lingers.

"Stop teasing. I already…."

"You have someone you like. Yeah."

The Hero spoke with a serious attitude. I don't know why a guy like this is so bad at his own romance. I guess he's afraid that confessing would make their current relationship awkward.

"..I know that feeling well. Because that's how I am."

"You mean a feeling where you like someone, but can't get close?"

"Yeah, thanks to you I avoided running away from my feelings, but elves are a long-lived race, and I'm a Hero."

Kainel lowered his head and continued. Gazing at the Holy Sword of Light with sad eyes, he unburdened his worries.

"I'm not sure how long I can stay by Ariel's side. I won't push away these feelings of love anymore, but…."

He and I sighed at the same time. So that's why they weren't dating; they still had their troubles. The time left until <Knight Heart> is 5 years. Maybe they'll start dating then.

'There was also that time in Black Heart when our Saintess glared at me, saying she'd soon miss her chance to marry.'

Come to think of it, wasn't she older than me? She was a character who gave off a very mature vibe.

Her name is unknown, her identity is unknown, her age is unknown. No, to be precise, only her status as a Saintess existed. A loner with no acquaintances, and alone.

Happiness was always a distant word for her,

"Wouldn't it be a problem solved once you defeat the Demon King?"

"What do you mean? Licht?"

I devoted my body and mind for her. Because I knew a happy ending would unfold if all the Demon Kings were defeated, I did my best.

"..If there were no Demon Kings, wouldn't a Hero or a Saintess technically be unnecessary?"

"Like Magic Hat? You're right. Thanks for the support."

He let out an easygoing laugh. It was probably amusing that two mere academy students were having this kind of conversation.

"..Well, you'll understand someday."

"You always talk like you know the future…."

"Kainel?"

It was then. The sound of footsteps echoed in the training ground, and I felt a presence.

"Lady Mardol..?"

"Huh..?"

The heavily armored Glass Knight appeared at the swordsmanship training ground. My body stiffened instantly. How did she know to come here? Don't tell me she's here to stop me from thinking about our Saintess again.

I asked a question to Mardol, who approached me. Perhaps because my address had changed from 'Mr.' to 'Lady,' I remained cautious, not closing the distance any further.

"Lady Mardol. Are you perhaps a woman?"

"..."

Since asking the person themselves is the fastest way, if the princess, the main protagonist of <Grand Hearts Academy>, was showing interest in me, I had to cut it off.

"Please tell me. It's important to me."

"..No. Licht."

The Glass Knight remained silent. Like Lupus, the wolf's golden eyes were visible inside the helmet. Black and white. Two incompatible knights were sizing each other up.

"Stop it, Licht. Mardol must have her reasons too."

"..Still, Kainel."

The blond-haired Hero blocked me. If she really is a woman, I need to keep my distance. Mardol, seemingly shaken by being caught using her younger brother's identity.

"Lying is bad. Lady Mardol…."

"Then what about Licht?"

"Yes?"

She asked me directly. The princess, her golden eyes gleaming as if she sensed something.

"..Licht lies too."

Lowering her head, she spoke carefully. Her dispirited appearance tugged at my heart.

'This person, could she be suspicious that I'm a hero?'

From her perspective, I'm someone who even fell to becoming a Demon King. In fact, if Emperor Rook found out, I'd be executed at the gallows or…

'Would have been dragged off by the Inquisitors….'

I couldn't help but step back at those words. I have lied often, and I also owe her a debt for teaching me swordsmanship.

"There are things you can't say. Licht."

"Yes, I made a mistake. I'm sorry.."

It was fortunate that Mardol was kind; if someone else had seen, I would have been branded as a Demon King right in the heart of the Empire and wanted posters would have been circulating.

'I already told Dennis beforehand.'

After the battle with Magic Hat. I wasn't suspected of being related to The Heroic Cult, nor did I get followed.

That must have all been thanks to this person's consideration. Why was I trying to confirm things so hastily?

"..I'm looking forward to the finals. Licht."

"Understood."

Whether it was because her identity was exposed making her dejected, the Glass Knight spoke briefly, turned her back, and left as if fleeing.

"You were too harsh."

"..."

Kainel scolded me. At this rate, my only option in the finals is to break her glass armor and confirm her gender. I can only claim it was an accident during the battle.

I wasn't sure if a fake Holy Sword could destroy a genuine Masterpiece, but,

"..I'll have to see for myself."

To break the flag with Mardol at this opportunity, this was the right move. Even if it meant repaying kindness with enmity, our Saintess was what mattered to me.

Why does she keep coming to stop me whenever I try to think about her?

Surely she wouldn't try to kill me for breaking a little bit of armor. After all, I'm someone who even walked the fallen route, where I would have died a long time ago if that were the case.

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