*
In the corridor of the building where Licht was receiving treatment.
“Is our junior still unable to get up?!”
“…Drake, calm down.”
With striking white aura, the blue-haired Dennis and a yellow-haired man with numerous scars on his face.
“Kids these days just aren’t tough enough! Sigh… tch.”
The Dragon Slayer Drake was sitting with a worried expression, staring at the firmly closed door.
“So, even that so-called Celestial Demon can’t fix him?!”
“…”
“Dennis! Shouldn’t you have done better?! You were the one right next to him…!!”
“…I’m sorry. It’s my responsibility that Licht-kun is in such a critical condition now.”
Drake, who continued to fume with dissatisfaction, finally turned away with a furious expression.
“This darn clinic! I’m going out first!!”
Bang. With a loud noise, a door on the other side opened, but Dennis simply spoke calmly to him.
“Drake, you’re going the wrong way.”
“Uh, hahaha! I made a mistake there, didn’t I!!”
He was heading not for the exit but towards the surgery room where Pina was operating.
“Don’t bother visiting during the surgery; just sit here.”
“…Did I get caught?”
The Grand Sword Master, realizing he had been read, sat back down in the chair with an awkward expression.
“…Drake.”
“What is it, Dennis?”
Suddenly struck by a thought, he opened his mouth toward the examination. An inquiry he had kept since long ago.
“Why did you take Licht-kun as your disciple?”
Isn’t it strange to think about? The Empire’s Sword Master taking someone who’s from the same town and has no mana as a disciple.
“…Because he had the eyes of someone who was about to die!”
“What did you say? Licht-kun?!”
If he was going to accept a disciple so easily, it lacked convincing since he had refused to take Pina Grancia, a princess, as one.
The eyes of someone who was about to die.
That is why Drake said on his first impression of Licht, “What can you do with such dead fish eyes?!!!”
“When I first saw him, he was surrounded by a pack of wolves, nearly dead!”
“If it were Licht-kun, he could easily…”
As Dennis thought of the power the current Black Knight possessed, Drake crossed his arms and shook his head repeatedly.
“No, that’s not the point!”
The Dragon Slayer recalled that night. He had come back to Sprout Village after a long time and heard cries for help.
“First, there were two men who seemed like father and son, slightly injured, looking for someone.”
“Licht-kun must have saved him.”
“Yeah, that darn disciple did save them!”
Hearing the conversation between the father and son, he rushed into the forest and saw Licht surrounded by a pack of pure white wolves.
“At that time, my disciple was weak! He didn’t have the strength he has now! Dennis!!”
In the calm midnight, the moonlight sparkled on the jet-black helmet, while the boy was slumped and leaning against a wooden post.
“A guy with no power… was trying to protect people!”
A cheap iron sword was stuck in one wolf, and in his hand, he held a crude stick, perhaps trying to fight.
“…My disciple Licht doesn’t know the value of his own life.”
His arms were covered in blood, and the boy awaited the approaching death.
He was content having saved the father and son he had just seen, showing no ordinary screams or pleas for mercy.
“It must have been the same this time. What kind of lunatic thinks he can win against the Demon King of All Knowledge!!”
Hearing Licht’s explanation that he hadn’t made a sound for fear that those who fled might return, Drake couldn’t help but feel a sense of despair.
“He thinks he’s Emperor Rock or something. Really.”
“That’s why you accepted him as a disciple. I was wondering why such a stubborn old man would accept a disciple so easily.”
“Yeah, a weakling who doesn’t even run away when he should is just reckless… Wait a minute.”
Dennis, whose expression shed light upon understanding what he just realized.
“I’m not that old yet!!”
Knowing his personality, the Dragon Slayer Drake wouldn’t have simply left such a boy alone. He might have taken him as a disciple to change his way of thinking.
“I really never thought he would master my Void Slash in just five years…”
Hearing that he had put in tremendous effort, Dennis nodded.
“Let’s wait a moment; that ‘daughter’ of his might be doing something.”
“What do you mean? Pina?!”
“Honestly, besides Licht-kun, she’s quite the person too.”
If Emperor Rock is known for his strength, his partner, Queen Bellin Grancia, was an expert in magic.
“Because she’s related to Queen Bellin.”
Though she didn’t take part in the war, much of what she advised the Emperor helped significantly.
“If that’s the case, she’s reliable… Hmmm.”
The reason Pina had such a large innate mana pool was due to her mother’s lineage.
In this world, you could say she was really blessed with her constitution.
Having the Emperor Rock’s tremendous strength and Queen Bellin’s remarkable mana sensitivity, for her to be with Licht now is…
“Dennis, why do I feel a chill down my spine?”
“Suddenly, I feel a cold draft. Why is that?”
The two of the Ten Heroes felt as if the cold blade of an axe touched their nape.
*
When I regained consciousness, I felt a nostalgic sensation in a field.
“…Where is this?”
“Ah, Sir Knight. It’s here! Right here!”
White wolf ears and tail.
In the distance, a blank page-like white figure called to me with a cheerful smile.
“Saintess..?”
I clearly fought against the Demon King of All Knowledge and was shot before collapsing. Why am I here?
“Wait a minute, speaking of which, the helmet…”
As the sensation of wind brushed my face, I ran my hand across it and felt its bumpy texture. The Ideology Helmet had come off.
Startled, I checked my body. Below my neck was the black armor I wore during the game.
I tried bending my fingers, and it worked.
‘This is a dream.’
One thing became clear. The place I’m in is my dream. It’s a mix of memories from when I was playing the game.
“Sir Knight, you said you’d learn a spell with me this time!”
A daydream with the Nameless Saintess. No, where’s our Pina? This isn’t some grim reaper’s land, is it?
“Ah, I’m sorry.”
“Hehe, it’s okay. Hurry over!”
I decided to go along with the Saintess’s suggestion. How long has it been since I last saw her? If counting from the game, it’s been five years, and this is the first time I’m seeing her like this.
“…Sir Knight? You seem a bit different today.”
“It’s just my imagination.”
As I approached, her cute wolf ears flapped back as if greeting their owner.
“Did you get a bit better looking…?”
“I’m not wearing that helmet right now, Saintess.”
Damn, her tail’s wagging side to side vigorously. This doesn’t seem like an attack from the Apostle of Gluttony or Lust.
“That’s what I’m saying, Sir Knight.”
“Isn’t the burn scar kind of gross?”
In reality, I’ve dreamt about her often, so it didn’t feel awkward.
Sometimes when you sleep after gaming late, it happens.
“Yeah, it’s fine! Silly puppy.”
Seeing her smile at my burn-covered face made my heart skip a bit.
“Alright! Quickly extend your hand!”
“Saint, Saintess?!”
As I extended my hand without much suspicion, her soft, slender palm lightly rested on mine, showing off the size difference.
“Hehe, operation success…!”
She initiated a hand-clasping similar to what lovers would do. After all, Pina did that too at the Swordsmanship Training Hall; was this similar?
“You clueless knight… This is to enhance my magic circuit so I can cast spells too!”
Ah, this time it’s the opposite. I swallowed nervously. Blood rushed to my face from the tension.
“Seven wills, voice for the stars.”
Regardless of my nerves, the Nameless Saintess’s beautiful golden eyes locked onto mine with unwavering focus.
“Magic isn’t just about incantations, Sir Knight.”
I know that already. After all, I learned that at Grand Hertz Academy. It’s one of the three elements of magic that can be omitted.
“It’s slowly facing your own intellect.”
That was the incantation. Hearing it from the Saintess was fascinating.
“Hold water in the palm of your hand, without spilling it…”
I watched as she closed her eyes and concentrated. Her long eyelashes were prominent and mesmerizing. Women’s eyelashes are beautiful.
“There shall be light. ‘Arcturus.’”
A glowing sphere appeared, casting a weak bright light around, similar to the illumination magic Meraq.
The gentle light gradually dispersed into motes, circling around me like fireflies before melting away into nothingness.
‘Is this a fatigue-relieving spell?’
I felt lighter, and my fatigue eased. After all, I had just battled the Head. Even this small moment of rest felt nice.
“Wow! I did it! Sir Knight!”
Even if it’s a dream, I’m with the Nameless Saintess. She wouldn’t know the hardships I went through at the Academy.
She jumped up and down in delight, the pure white Inrang tribe woman celebrating her success.
“…Sir Knight?”
I wish Pina could see such an elated reaction. As the thought flashed, I felt a sense of discomfort.
“Saintess, I shouldn’t be here.”
Immediately releasing her hand, I spoke my main point. Maybe it was because I was weak after what the Demon King did, I had no strength to overpower her.
“I have something to do outside.”
“Is it more important than me…?”
“Yes, someone precious to me is waiting.”
When my attitude suddenly shifted, her ears and tail drooped as if she was sad. Human hearts are weak, aren’t they? Stop that.
“Don’t tell me you have another woman…?!”
“…Ugh.”
She’s really sharp. No, to be precise, it’s not about anyone else. The way she’s now trying to cling to me while on the verge of tears signals that.
“Seeing you unable to answer… makes you a player…”
“It’s not like that. It’s just that you are precious to me…”
I attempted to salvage my words desperately. Eventually, if I woke from this dream, I would have to give up on Pina Grancia.
“If I’m precious to you, doesn’t that mean you can forgo the person outside?”
“That’s not true love, Saintess.”
“…Huh?”
Can’t be helped. I decided to comfort the sulking Saintess with a hug. Her petite body fit snugly into my arms.
“Ugh, I think I’ll forgive you now…?! Please don’t touch my ears…”
“Calm down.”
I stroked her head. Her soft hair felt lovely, and the subtle rose scent tickled my nose.
“Hehe… Wait, this isn’t how it should be…”
Looking at her melting smile in my embrace, I spoke calmly.
I needed her to understand. Even in a dream, I didn’t want to make our Saintess feel upset.
“Just because you don’t want to be with the person you love doesn’t mean you can’t love them.”
“So, you’re saying you want to meet the younger me…?”
“Oh, did you know?”
As she buried her face into my chest, the Nameless Saintess pouted her cheeks in a huff.
“Of course. How could our knight, who only knows me, suddenly say another woman is more precious…?”
It must be hard with the armor being stiff. She looked up at me, eyes wide open, like a cat looking at its owner.
“…Who wouldn’t notice?”
“I’m sorry, Saintess.”
“Ugh… I hate you, Sir Knight… I hate you, Lee Soo-hyun…”
Her eyes turned reddish, and bejeweled tears began to fall. This isn’t good.
“Please don’t cry, Saintess. I beg you… I can’t go like this…”
“…Humph, you won’t leave until you pet my head 300 times.”
How possessive can she be? But seeing her talk to me like this, even indirectly in a dream, confirmed that Pina Grancia and the Nameless Saintess were indeed the same person.
‘Even my spirit lunged at her the moment it saw her.’
Gently stroking her head, I thought. No matter how I look at it, the similarities were too abundant. In the end, the one the Head was aiming for was Pina.
‘If I had taken a bullet of ignorance…’
Just imagining it was horrifying. Losing all memories or being forgotten among people, becoming a brainless individual like the pure white woman in my arms.
I squeezed my eyes shut. At that moment, I felt something soft pressing against me, making me flinch. Something squishy and overwhelmingly heavy. Please don’t…
“Saintess…? The, is your chest pressed against me?”
“I’m intentionally making it touch. So you can’t run away.”
“…”
“…Please bite your tongue and die. Perverted Wolf.”
Only about 100 more to go. I wondered if my sanity could hold out. As I mentally repeated the national anthem, I kept petting the Saintess’s head.
“Sir Knight. No, Lee Soo-hyun.”
That’s when she caressed my cheek and called my name.
“What is it? I need to pet a few more times…”
“Hehe, I know just how much you love me.”
Even with tears, her flushed face smiled. I couldn’t tell whether she was crying or smiling; her expression was bittersweet.
“Actually, I have no memories of before becoming a Saintess.”
“…Saintess.”
“The reason I could find happiness, even amidst this life, is all thanks to you, our Soo-hyun.”
She began to divulge each truth. Even if it’s a dream, I’m still in the world of [Grand Hertz Academy].
“I wished for someone to always be by my side… since I had no friends or family… praying to the God of Light…”
“It’s alright now. Pina.”
What she is now saying must be the truth. If I hadn’t been around, she would have been kidnapped by the Head and become a Saintess as per the general lore.
The Demon King spoke of her as if he knew her from some tavern. Pina was indeed a significant figure in that ‘prophecy.’
For her to end up becoming the Nameless Saintess did not contradict the story, nor does it raise inconsistencies in the sequel.
“At that moment, you appeared before me. Even now, though Dennis, Celestial Demon, Kainel, and Ariel are around…”
“…”
“…At first, I had only you. Lee Soo-hyun.”
Since I was the only one who took the Saintess route and broke the Magic Hat, she would see me as her savior.
“But Saintess, that’s the same for you out there.”
“Why…? That person is a princess, and they have parents. They aren’t lacking in ability like me…!”
That’s probably why she’s feeling greedy. Naturally, a human would feel a bigger void than what has already existed. It could be for fear of feeling that emptiness again.
“You’re the same as you are now. Pina Grancia.”
“…Huh? You’re saying I’m the same? Just looks-wise. We’re different people…”
But I was resolved to accept her pout. In the end, if I die like this, she would walk the same path.
The Demon King would kill someone precious to her again, and she would live like a dead person, unable to wash away her guilt. I knew this feeling too well.
“No, no matter what anyone says, Pina is Pina.”
“Liar!”
“My heart proves that. Saintess.”
Both are merely wounded wolves. Two pure white women too far from finding happiness. I removed my armor and placed her hand on my heart.
Thud. Thud.
My heartbeat grew louder.
“Did you see? It’s my unwavering heart.”
“…True, how intriguing.”
My heart had never stirred for anyone but Pina, and I didn’t feel anything for any other woman.
“I need to be there for you.”
“If you say that much…”
She pulled away from my embrace, wiping her tears with both hands before opening her mouth.
“I have no choice but to tell you the truth that we’re the same person…”
Whether she was upset for losing to her past self or for some other reason, she spoke in a slightly hurt tone.
“But I love you more than the me from ten years ago!! This won’t change!!”
She puffed out her chest as though to boast, blocking the view of the glass knight, Pina.
Seeing that makes it clear there’s undoubtedly a difference… I had to put those impious thoughts aside. When I dropped my head low,
“Then, Soo-hyun. Please promise me one thing when you wake up.”
“As many as you want, Pina.”
She leaned close, whispering sweetly in my ear.
“Promise me you won’t cheat. And… please take care of me in the future.”
Even in a dream, that irresistible wolf’s voice.
The voice of the person I love.
“…Understood.”
As soon as I heard that, I felt my heartbeat grow fierce, and my whole body felt as if it was floating.
*
