The Nameless Saintess was unhappy.
She had no family or friends, and was so broke that begging for candy while passing by shops felt childlike.
She loved sweets, and whenever she had candy, she seemed happy.
A half-baked saintess who was clumsy with her Divine Power. The only thing she had was her gentle heart.
In today’s world, a person as kind as her would definitely be treated like a fool.
But I found salvation in that heart. I would risk my life for our Pina.
“Hey Helmet, what are you thinking about?”
On the way back from the Academy. Moving alongside the hero couple as usual, we headed to the classroom. Ariel noticed my change and started talking.
I really need to boost their Affection Level soon. Is there a good place for some lovey-dovey time? Like going to an amusement park, or watching a play…
Wait, a play sounds alright. It’s not uncommon for couples to go on dates watching movies.
A simple itinerary of coffee, a meal, and then a movie.
“I was just daydreaming.”
“…You were thinking bad thoughts, weren’t you? Licht.”
Immediately, I was put on the spot by Pina. She punched her chest plate. I realized my heart rate was rising because of her.
“I have a feeling I know what you were thinking, Licht.”
The doggie was acting a bit unsettled. This rascal knew Pina and the saintess were the same person, so she must be teasing me.
“It’s probably because of the woman who appeared in my dream yesterday.”
“Kai, do you really think Helmet is like you?!”
“Why not? Don’t guys get a little touchy-feely every now and then… Ugh, Ariel! Stop it!”
Actually, she was right. I couldn’t lift my head in embarrassment since Pina, in black, had completely overwhelmed me.
I couldn’t even summon the Mind Sword; my mouth was sealed shut. My weakness was clearly in my chants.
“A woman in a dream…? Succubus…?”
Unlike Ariel, who was screaming, Pina seemed innocent.
She had borrowed a book with a dark rose from the library yesterday, so maybe that had influenced her.
Items related to the six gods in the game were often artifacts. The Dream Knife used by Blanc is originally associated with Pantoze.
‘Goddess of Emotion Pantoze, God of Will Tardun…’
I might get some help by asking Drake about the shrine tomorrow.
I knew the location, but the strategy was vague. In my current state, I didn’t think I could do it.
“Kainel, Ariel.”
I stopped in my tracks at the fluttering leaf. One poster hanging on the wall caught my eye.
“Would you like to see a play?”
First, let’s boost the hero couple’s Love Level.
An ad depicting a black knight slaying the Demon King was remarkably striking. This was obviously me.
*
The theater district was bustling with people at midnight.
“I want to be a hero too! Give it back quickly!”
“No way! You go be the Demon King!”
I saw children playing with wooden black knight masks and noble ladies in fancy dresses.
I guess news of me catching the Head’s attention had spread throughout the Empire.
After all, one of the four at the Hero Church had collapsed, so it couldn’t be kept a secret.
‘Too many witnesses…’
In the end, the Head almost took down the entire Academy. I thought he was mild-mannered, but he turned out to be tougher than a cockroach.
Contrary to what I knew from the game, he had become extremely passionate. That’s why I can’t fully trust the information I have.
“You’ve really become a celebrity in the Empire, Licht…”
“There are tons of fake Helmets…”
In front of the theater, a bizarre scene unfolded where black helmets were sold. Dwarves shaking jingling gold coin pouches hummed happy tunes.
That was the same guy from when I dressed as a Dullahan last time. This way, I wouldn’t have to worry about being the center of rumors while watching the play.
“…when I was in danger, a brave man with a black knight helmet saved me!”
At that moment, a noble lady with a fan made a distinct “Oh ho ho” sound as she made a scene amidst the crowd.
“That wonderful man said to me, ‘I fell in love at first sight. Lady Grace.’”
“Ahh!! What to do!!”
The distinct drill hairstyle. That was one of Leon’s harem members.
I had never saved someone like that. Is she trying to leverage my fame?
The person I fell for at first sight was probably Pina. Thinking back, she had always been on my mind.
“Licht, don’t go.”
I was going to go say something, but Pina stopped me. The way she shook her head while holding my arm was so cute, it felt like a puppy shaking off water.
“I think it’ll be fine. I can take care of it.”
“Take care of it? What do you mean…?”
The thought of her taking care of it sent chills down my spine. Had I stepped into a yandere route?
Was that a confirmed line? I wouldn’t mind a yandere-like Pina, but in my dream yesterday, I couldn’t beat her no matter what I tried.
“Just show the difference.”
Then Pina placed her hand on her chest and released her Masterpiece, taking off her helmet.
With a “thud,” her beautiful white hair and wolf ears drew everyone’s attention around us.
“We share a forbidden love!! Wait, where are you looking?!”
She completely stole the spotlight from the noble lady with a drill hairstyle. I listened closely to the murmurs of the crowd.
“Mardol, is it alright in this crowded place?”
Pina had quite the revealing figure. I immediately took off my coat and draped it over her like during the exam.
“..Thanks, Licht.”
As she breathed in my scent, she let out a relieved laugh.
Where is she trying to sneak peeks? Fortunately, Kainel was blocking view from Ariel.
The clueless blonde hero seemed delighted just from the touch of the one she liked, grinning like a fool.
“But, you know.”
Pina whispered softly against my helmet. Her lips were close enough to touch, sending heat through my face.
“Just for tonight… call me Pina.”
It was a line that clearly seemed calculated. Was it the wolf’s possessiveness? In that moment, I keenly sensed that Inrang women are fiercely jealous.
“Ladies and gentlemen! The performance you’ll be watching today is [Tales of the Black Knight]!”
After a commotion, we entered into the theater where the play would begin.
It really wasn’t something to be celebrated, yet it felt inflated as if someone had a hand in it.
Who could be behind this? It didn’t add up that it would be the Emperor. Did someone among the Ten Heroes do it?
“…The actor isn’t good-looking. There are others who would be better.”
“Did you think so too? It’s me!”
In the audience, Kainel and Pina whispered back and forth a seat apart. They were sharing whispers.
When I went to fetch drinks, I had already set things up, making it so that Kainel and Ariel sat together while Pina and I were next.
“Seriously, Licht is even worse-looking…”
“Yeah, it really feels unfair the way god made us… What? Ugly? No way!”
Pina was talking so that others wouldn’t pay attention to my face. A part of my heart felt like it was pierced with a needle.
‘Get a grip. I need to boost the Affection Level in advance. I’ve also given the advice to hold hands during moments like this.’
I had given Kainel a heads-up in advance. I liked that he was cheering for me and Pina.
“Oh, my hands are a bit cold. Is it because of the drink you brought, Licht…?”
Kainel smiled cheerfully as he took Ariel’s hand.
“Yikes, Kai… Are you insane?!”
Sorry, Flame Mage. You need to help save our Pina. I really don’t know what will happen if the Grand Route goes awry.
“Quiet down, Ariel. The show’s about to begin.”
“You… will pay for this afterward…”
Ariel fiddled with Kainel’s hand in a doodling manner, enjoying herself. Words and actions didn’t match.
It was a lame excuse, yet her hand wouldn’t let go. It was a closeness that could easily be shaken off if she wanted to.
Is this the essence of tsundere? She seemed to act recklessly yet knew where the line was.
“Licht, hand.”
“….”
Now was not the time to give advice. Seeing the hero couple holding hands as they watched the stage, Pina whispered to me.
“Ugh… it’s so cold…”
As I held her hand like a training exercise, Pina’s hand flailed like a fish out of water.
She was probably surprised herself. Right now, Pina was more timid about such things than in the future. Her defensive stats were as weak as a glass cannon.
“The Academy has already fallen. Give up.”
Soon after, the actors came on stage and the play began.
“..Demon King!! For the justice of this world, I will slay you!”
“If that’s the case, I will give you all the knowledge of the world, so come with me, hero.”
Such a cliché line from a third-rate. In this game world, the idea of justice has long expired.
Pina might have been attacked by a succubus, and both the hero and mage suffered because of the Demon King. Dennis and Drake were no different.
I already possessed most of the knowledge in my mind. What I couldn’t recall, I could check from my notes.
Even if a pretty lady Demon King came out and said, “Marry me, hero!” it’d probably be more effective.
“How interesting.”
Pina seemed to like even such cheesy lines, clinging to my hand while bouncing on her feet.
The wagging wolf tail and ears expressed her mood perfectly. She was cute like a puppy.
“Is this… the end?”
Thud, the actor playing me collapsed on the floor, bleeding out. It looked like he had popped something like tomato juice inside his clothes.
“Licht, don’t ever do that again.”
“Understood, Pina.”
Pina warned me from the side, probably recalling when I was attacked by the Head.
I had nearly died in front of her twice while fighting the Demon King, so it was a valid warning.
“The Holy Sword is giving me strength…!”
“What? You mean to say you were the chosen hero?!”
At that moment, the magic circle set on stage activated, and the sword held by the actor shone.
Wasn’t that moment fused with the one where I fought the Magic Hat?
“T-This can’t be… my energy…. It’s wrong…?”
The Head, even in death, was suffering. This place might be worse than hell.
Those cut down by the shining Holy Sword fell, and as the curtain call came down, the performance ended.
“…That was alright. From the next performance, I should request an even uglier male actor.”
Pina whispered shortly as everyone stood up to leave. Just loud enough for me to hear, her voice was small.
No way, Pina couldn’t have been the one backing this behind the scenes, right?
