As time passed, night fell, and I walked down the dimly lit streets chatting with Mardol.
“Is this really going to work?”
“Yeah, thanks.”
In the end, we had to settle for merely mimicking each other’s basic techniques instead of exchanging magic and swordsmanship. Thankfully, it seemed we had avoided the Imperial Guard death flag.
“I’m sorry… Licht.”
“It’s fine. I really wanted to learn the imperial sword styles too.”
Grancia-style swordsmanship has a good synergy with this. It’s no wonder the Azure Knight is obsessed with Drake’s sword technique.
Normally, you would join a swordsmanship club, build rapport with the captain, or have ties to the royal family, you know?
‘With this, I can also cover one of my weaknesses.’
You could say that was a gain. The disadvantage might actually be on Mardol’s side. Shadow Slash is a really tough sword technique to learn on one’s own.
You have to grasp it through sheer physical training without any guidance. It would be hard for anyone but me to get the hang of it.
Perhaps, if I keep using the sword for a few months like today, I would learn it on my own, but it’s a technique with relatively weak power. So, I doubt there would be any issue.
Originally, it was meant to draw the attention of flying dragons or create openings. I don’t think it will cause problems for me.
In contrast, the Wolf Fang has plenty of applications once learned.
“But is it really okay for you to just teach it like that?”
“I need to get stronger.”
My black helm reflected on Mardol’s helmet. His voice grew smaller. A sharp pang of conscience pricked at me.
“What’s the reason for that?”
“Of course.”
A comment I couldn’t grasp last time. His obsession with strength seems rather peculiar.
‘…Or maybe, he could be a doppelgänger.’
But judging by his strength, that was impossible. Even if he could deceive with magic, he would have sensed something was off. He’d notice if swords clashed.
My head felt cluttered. I might get a hint if I see him using his skills, but just a moment ago, we practiced hardly even one technique.
“By the way, I’ve been curious for a while, who couldn’t you protect?”
“…”
“You’re not going to tell me that, huh?”
“Yeah.”
Is the favorability at zero? Thank goodness.
Seeing him fold his arms in dissatisfaction prompted various thoughts. At least he kept his promise from before, and now he wouldn’t be obsessing over my swordsmanship.
‘If it’s left as is, it shouldn’t hinder the Grand Route’s攻略.’
Just as I felt a weight lift from my heart,
“Mardol! Oh, Licht, junior..?”
An unexpected guest appeared from across the street. Why do bad feelings never turn out wrong?
*
At a nearby terrace devoid of any light, we sat and chatted for a while. Since it wasn’t past the dorm closing time, it should be fine.
“So, Mardol. To run into you like this while just out for a walk!”
“I’m happy too.”
His glossy black hair. Eyes tinted with a crimson hue reminiscent of blood. With pointed ears and fangs, she’s definitely a vampire.
‘Are you on good terms with the Crown Prince?’
The rumors I overheard seem to hold some truth. I hadn’t heard of a character like this in the Grancia Empire. I put my hand on my chin. It’s clear to anyone that they are quite close.
“What were you two doing walking together? Mardol?”
“Swordsmanship exchange.”
“Really now? There wasn’t any trouble, was there?”
“Thanks, Licht.”
“Not at all.”
Her black hair fluttered in the wind. She scrutinized me, as if she found something suspicious about me.
I didn’t know anything about the second Saintess. She’s as much a peculiarity as Nex, who has changed character.
“By the way, how was the academy today, Mardol?”
“It was interesting.”
“Really?”
“Thanks to Licht.”
The nun, hearing the Azure Knight’s words, gasped and quickly covered her mouth with her palm.
“It’s just me keeping a promise from before.”
“Yeah, right.”
There was a nod in the sparkling helmet like a jewel. Looking at it, it seems like master-class equipment, but I’ve never seen it before. Is it a new item? What abilities does it have?
“Just like Nex said… you’re really nice, aren’t you?”
“I’m not that great. Schartines.”
“You truly can’t lie. Licht, junior!”
“That’s right. I can’t.”
Finally, a look of surprise adorned her face as she smiled and thanked me. I don’t really think of myself as nice.
What’s with the Crown Prince?
“I’m sorry for what I said before, Mardol…”
“Blackie, you’re nice.”
“I guess that might be true!”
What was I mistaking all by myself? Still, she doesn’t have a bad attitude towards me, so I decided to let it go. Has she seen my spirit? Anyway, I heard Mardol carried it around.
“Thank you for taking care of our Mardol, junior.”
“It’s starting to feel burdensome if you keep saying that.”
“Licht was strong.”
The black nun’s attire kept bothering my eyes. It’s not white, so she’s definitely different from someone I’m looking for.
‘Undisclosed identity, unknown age, no name…. And on top of that, a platinum wolf with no known associates.’
Does the Nameless Saintess really know nothing?
I suppose it makes sense, as it’s a position designated by the gods, and others wouldn’t know. I was foolish for hastily asking due to my impatience.
“…It’s rare for someone to approach like this, Licht junior!”
With her lips curled up, Schartines continued happily. All the while hugging the Azure Knight.
“I was honestly worried about whether I could adapt to the academy well. Ugh.”
“…It’s hot.”
Of course, this character feels like a harem route easy mode. I shouldn’t keep the wolf-eared Saintess close.
“I thought our Mardol would have to spend time without friends… I’m sorry for being doubtful.”
“…Hold on. We’re not friends.”
“Friends?”
“Come on, swordsmanship exchange only happens when you acknowledge each other.”
“I didn’t know that.”
So that was it? I still haven’t breached the flag.
I felt like I had been scammed on a second-hand goods selling site. It felt like I had bought something at a low price only to find out it was half that cost elsewhere.
I’m shocked to realize I’d been missing information in the game.
‘Originally, this was the first time I’ve attempted an exchange.’
Having only received techniques unilaterally, I had no idea there was such a backstory behind it.
“Our wolf is adapting so well, I, Schartines, couldn’t wish for anything more!”
“Stop with the jokes.”
“Who says you should wear such scary armor to school?”
“Enough, don’t.”
“Our Mardol is so cute, it’s a crime to keep it all to myself!”
A vampire’s hand slipped into the seams of the helm and armor. And the Crown Prince tried to stop her. Since she mentioned a wolf, Lupus must be the one.
If someone saw, they’d think it was just two same-gender friends joking around and touching each other. But the other is an obsessive guy. Be careful.
The Azure Knight and the vampire Saintess. These two characters are completely unfamiliar to me. Suddenly feeling an uneasiness, I propped one leg onto my knee.
‘It feels like something is missing.’
To organize my thoughts, I paused for a moment. I focused on arranging the information in my mind. No matter how I considered it, there seems to be something I’m overlooking.
I didn’t even know about the swordsmanship exchange.
‘The second Saintess I didn’t know of, and Nex before he became a total mess.’
The gap between these two.
There was no harem at this time, and judging from the stories of the purple-haired character, it seems the spirit had only recently awakened.
‘Originally, I was the kind of person who would wield a spear using a phoenix.’
I don’t even see the weapons I used frequently in the game. What’s the issue? My mind was getting heated.
“Schart, do you really like my spirit that much?”
At that moment, a memory from the past flashed. A phrase popped up as if I had just struck my knee with realization.
‘Spirits manifest from emotions.’
The persistent detail that had bothered me came to mind. The Nex Aureus I knew didn’t have any affection for his spirit. He used it purely as a weapon for self-preservation or attacks.
It was not a being to rub against someone’s hand or posture on my finger to salute.
I had forgotten because it wasn’t a holy relic. Originally, it would have been a grand phoenix filled with antiquity.
‘Hmph, one must be strong even without spirits to be a noble.’
In fact, in [Night Heart], he didn’t seem fond of his phoenix either.
When he won his first duel against a rival, he didn’t even call out his spirit.
“Stop it.”
“Ugh… it really is the dwarves’ technical prowess, huh?”
“Even with strength, it won’t come off.”
I observed Schartines intently as she tried her hardest to remove Mardol’s helm.
Her hair, dark as the night sky. I thought it resembled the orca beastwoman who used to be a concubine.
‘That man didn’t look at me like that from the start.’
I recalled lines from [Black Heart], where a Duchess spat venom at her husband while sitting in front of a campfire.
‘After being rejected several proposals, I suddenly received an acceptance. That damn playboy.’
‘The head of the family said it was because her hair color was similar. That was the only reason!’
‘He never touched me, not even once. There wasn’t any love in our years of marriage…’
It was recited by a woman with the fins of a whale, looking unpleasant at just the thought of it. I had rushed past parts of her story while focusing only on my Saintess route, but
It all seems to have twisted from here.
‘There really must have been a love line with Nex.’
My thoughts cleared up. The ending notes also sounded similar. It seemed the head of the family had been involved.
But physically, she must have felt discomfort with that.
…In the end, she longs for someone else.
“I’m the second Saintess! Mardol, remove your helm right now!”
“I don’t want to.”
“Divine Power punch! Divine Power grab!”
“Not working.”
Even while I was thinking of all possible outcomes, the two looked to be genuinely enjoying themselves. It seemed they weren’t doing anything too over the line, just matching each other’s vibes.
‘He wasn’t such an emotional person to begin with. Indeed, there’s only one answer.’
As the chain of calculations settled, the idea of a coupling became firm. There could definitely still be information I wasn’t aware of.
I raised my head. It was time to confirm.
“Schartines senior.”
“Uh? Licht junior, what’s up?”
“What is your relationship with Nex Aureus senpai?”
I had to give my best effort right now. To avoid regretting later on.
“With me… Nex?”
Her red eyes reflected the image of my Black Knight helm.
