“Kyaahhh… Glory to the Hero Church…”
Servi touched a wall on the other side. Crack. A square-shaped brick slid in with a sound.
─Kugugugugu…
The ground suddenly trembled. This meant only one thing.
Self-destruct mechanism.
This happens when a player accidentally mismatches a puzzle and gets caught in a trap.
“Are you crazy, Servi?”
Is she going to bury even the Apostles? In the original work, this would mean game over, but here, real people are going to die.
“Of course! The prophecy must not go wrong, aaah…!!”
A pink-haired succubus laughs maniacally. The Hero Church is filled with insane people. I placed my hand on the forehead of my helmet.
The shaking ceiling and ground. The candles in what looked like a sanctuary began to tip over and extinguish.
Kaboom—!
The door we came in collapsed under falling stalactites and rocks. The devotees started screaming in panic,
“Save me… please save me!!”
“I don’t want to die!!”
“Apostle, are you abandoning us!!”
The artificial sun beside us was still shining. Despite the desperate cries of the Hero Church members, Apostle Servi maintained a look of satisfaction while looking at Nex and me.
“For the resurrection of the Hero Church… consider it fortunate to sacrifice yourselves… you garbage… Hehe…”
Blood spewed from her mouth. Even while dying, her fanaticism was baffling. It’s not like I could understand her, believing in a true hero like Kainel.
“Peeet!”
“Junior, should I try to resolve this?”
As I watched, the purple phoenix spread its wings widely and surrounded us. Is it trying to protect me and Senior Shar?
“Stop it. Senior. You can’t use the Phoenix’s cradle.”
“…I think it might be possible since it has grown into a holy relic.”
A technique that provides an invincible shield around the user. Now that its spirit has grown into a holy relic, it might be possible.
But the alignment is awful. Once cast, you can’t escape from that spot.
“You’ll be buried alive underground.”
Ultimately, getting out of here is the top priority.
“Wha…? Junior, is that true?”
“There are drawbacks for the spirits too.”
You’ll collapse from oxygen deprivation, right? Even if I made oxygen with magic, there’s a limit to mana.
The phoenix is good but not right now. I began to brainstorm as much as possible. What methods haven’t I used? A way to exit the dungeon without anyone getting hurt…
“You’re right, Junior. I might be unable to do this, but if it were the Head of the Family…”
“That’s because it’s the Ten Heroes.”
I briefly evaluated the purple bird while looking at it. No matter what, I can’t just melt the entire ceiling of this cave.
Unless it’s Asha Aureus, called the living sun.
Spirit magic is quite complicated, and even though it became a holy relic, the proficiency is still lacking. In the original, this was a skill that rendered him incapacitated. I rested my chin on my hand.
“Right, if it’s the wisdom’s hero, I should believe it. Junior!”
Nex smiled brightly at me, who was deep in thought. He seemed to expect to see another spark of inspiration. You would think a senior would have some intelligence too.
“Junior… you have a plan, right?”
I feel like I’m seriously misunderstood. I don’t have the holy sword, a proof of a hero, and I haven’t been chosen either.
I can see the status window sent by the creator of Black Heart, but this explains why I’m not suspected by the Hero Church.
“…”
Even judging my own abilities, I can’t even catch up to the Demon Kings’ toes. At minimum, I should learn an ultimate move, and if I had the weapon I mainly used in the game, it might help.
“Ugh… my head hurts.”
I glanced around. I shouldn’t fall into distractions. I reorganized the situation in my mind.
‘Returning is impossible. Flying upwards with the phoenix is also out of the question… is there a method?’
The path we came from is already collapsed and blocked, and the remaining escape route is completely gone because of the brick Servi touched.
What should I do?
The last two methods I have left.
“Can you sense spirits? Senior.”
“What? All of a sudden…? Won’t you be unable to move?”
“I don’t know the abilities of my spirit… but I have to try my best.”
A bundle of emotions created while thinking of her. It might help here. My options are either this or swordsmanship.
Size isn’t important for spirits anyway.
The only sharp memory I can recall recently is that one. Magic or divine power are impossible, and,
“I was reminded while watching your phoenix.”
Looking at my weapon now, if I use Void Slash just one more time now, it’ll shatter to pieces. If anything happens after that, I’m really out of options.
If I’m going to do it, I have to do it all at once.
“Got it. I’ll trust you, Junior!”
Nex nodded and placed his palm on my back again. The circuits are tangled, but somehow, I’ll get out again.
It’s a self-made magic created precisely for the moment when the family needs a spirit.
“Be born anew from the flames.”
No sooner had those words finished than a black Pomeranian burst forth from around my heart.
“Woof!”
This guy’s name is Kkamang, and it’s quite endearing. So cute.
“It’s been a while…”
As expected, I’m still feeling quite exhausted. I sighed multiple times. Will I be able to use Void Slash in this dizzy state?
“Woof!”
Should I acknowledge my feelings now?
I pondered as I looked at the black wolf, whose eyes sparkled when he saw me.
What haven’t I acknowledged? What could be an opportunity…
Then it happened.
“Grrr…”
My spirit growled fiercely at Servi the Apostle.
“Just a little angry, is all.”
Did it get affected by my emotions? Considering it even mimicked our saintess, that wasn’t so strange. But even so, why did it run at the Crown Prince?
“Woof! Woof! Grrrr…”
It’s a mystery, this guy. I really should’ve used spirit magic in the game. I only saw it through Nex, so I don’t know this.
“Junior, seeing your spirit really confirms that you’re not part of the Hero Church. I’m happy.”
“If that were the case, I wouldn’t have come here to save our Shar.”
It’s not really my fault; it’s the creator who made it so that no spirits appear on the saintess routes. Apparently, the other heroine routes have them.
“Mardol really had his reasons for being fond of it. It’s cute to see again…”
I hope they don’t set the Crown Prince route flag here either.
We’re on the brink of a dungeon collapse. The situation is serious. Dizziness overwhelmed me.
“Stop it, Kkamang.”
“Huff.”
I summoned the spirit that was threatening once again, lowering my body.
Responding instantly? I guess Lupus really is the main character. I can’t help but keep the name this way.
“…There’s no time. Is there anything you can do?”
“Kyaaa!”
Then the puppy-like spirit shook its body vigorously. It looked like it had just finished a bath. Wait, could it be?
“Drill…? Is that what you mean?”
“Woof!”
The Pomeranian replied with a smile as if agreeing with my words.
If that’s the case, then there’s a way. I need to move quickly before the side effects of spirit sensing hit me all over.
“Senior!! I’ll unleash Void Slash forward, so get ready to move that way!!”
A power that can dig through the ground. Naturally, it exists in the realm of animals. The phoenix can burn something or has flying capabilities too.
I drew my sword from its sheath. The weapon looked like it was precariously close to shattering, like cracked glass.
There’s only one chance.
I reset my posture and gazed at the gleaming silver steel inside the cave, as if this was my last shot.
“Thank you for your hard work until now, pure love injector.”
I looked towards where the original game’s exit would be. It was narrower than the path I came through, and even if I did this, if the spirit didn’t clear the path ahead, it would be tough.
“Woof! Woof!”
Come on, Kkamang. I believe in you. After all, you’re the embodiment of my feelings for the saintess.
─Crackle crackle!
Once again, a mass of wind shot out, beginning to pierce through the escape route in front of me.
“Junior!!”
“Oh my, Junior…?”
Cold sweat poured down my body. This was the third time using Void Slash today; it wouldn’t come without strain. Plus, receiving spirit sensing, I was piled with debuffs one after another.
“Please…! Kkamang…!”
As I uttered my dying words, my body weakened, and I collapsed.
*
─Boom!
From the back mountain of the academy, a slightly larger pile of dirt rose.
“King!”
What emerged from there was a black Pomeranian.
“…We barely survived. The Apostle kept holding us back with those offerings.”
“Junior… are you okay? That looked so strenuous…”
And there were Licht and his crew.
“I’m fine, as I’m guarding with my phoenix. You look pale, though… but you’re not hurt.”
“Healing isn’t working… what’s wrong with my body…?”
“Maybe you were used as a test subject somewhere. By the Hero Church, perhaps…”
The two men and women worriedly looked at their classmate, who lay unconscious in a knight’s helmet. Just where did this unexpected hero pop up from? They were puzzled.
He knew the location and layout of the dungeon, and even unveiled the succubus’s dream magic. The holy sword was out of sight, but the potential was there.
“I heard there was a rural boy named Kainel chosen as the hero of light….”
Nex recalled the information he learned earlier. But Licht in front of him was different. He couldn’t even find a proper family relationship when looking into him.
There could only be one reason why such a strong individual wasn’t known to be a hero.
“..How pitiful. The Princess and Licht are both unfortunate to be with the Hero Church.”
There was a high probability that something had happened to them by the Hero Church. They had said they lived a rough life, and even though he was considering digging deeper into his suspicions, it would be rude to do so to the person who saved them.
“Well, if you look at it this way, he really is a new student.”
“He’s already snoring away…”
Watching Licht sleep soundly on his own phoenix, Nex felt gratitude. If this junior hadn’t been there, both he and Shar’s lives would likely have been at risk.
“Thanks, Licht.”
“..I didn’t know Junior had suffered this much.”
He murmured to himself with his eyes closed. Imagining such a future was horrifying. He still vividly remembered Shar, who kept blaming herself and dying in his dreams.
Covered in dirt, the three academy students realized that it was getting dark outside.
Just then, someone reflecting the moonlight appeared.
“…I found you.”
“Princess!?”
A knight in shining glass armor dashed toward them.
“Pina! How did you find your way here?!”
“Shar sis..? Huh…”
It was Pina Grancia, using the alias Mardol. As she saw that there was one more person besides Nex and Schartines, she was about to run away when the vampire nun jumped in and hugged her.
“I’ve missed you! Pina!”
“Don’t say my name!”
As she embraced Shar, she pointed nervously at Licht, who was sleeping beside her. She shook her head vigorously, expressing her anxiety.
“It’s okay. Licht is just sleeping.”
“He probably won’t wake up for half a day. He’s exhausted.”
“Oh, thank goodness… No, it’s fine. Licht?”
It was unusual for her to speak at such length, and the couple of the phoenix and vampire were left wide-eyed. This was a rare display of emotional shifts from her.
“It’ll be fine. Except for the fact that he fell asleep while rescuing us?”
“…Really? Shar sis..?”
“That’s right! Pina..! Licht is really strong! He even uses sword energy!”
“Yeah, strong.”
A nod of calm affirmation. It meant a positive.
“Junior found me when I was captured by the Apostle.”
“…I see.”
Only then did Licht seem to hear the snoring, releasing a sigh of relief as the glass knight.
‘Oh, it seems like today, as with Shar and me being saved, Junior will resolve Princess’ matters too, right?’
Nex fell into a certain assumption. He knew everything about the Demon King inside out, and among the students at this academy, no one was stronger than Pina.
“Looks like you really…”
The glass knight stared intently at the junior in the black knight helmet. It dawned on him that he had overlooked something. How could a princess be here, and how did she get here?
“Princess… but how did you make it all the way here?”
“I looked for you.”
“Junior and I disappeared just a few hours ago…?”
“I called the Imperial Guards.”
The moment she finished saying that, colorful beings sprang up from behind. They seemed to be there from the start, moving with amazing speed.
Each had wolf ears and tails, similar to one another.
“Steel Wolf. We have the honor to meet you!”
“Copper Wolf serves the Imperial one.”
“Silver Wolf, glory to the Ten Heroes.”
“By your command, golden wolf shall escort Lady Grancia.”
The four warriors, with varying colors like the empire’s currency. It was the first time even Nex saw them in real life.
“So you really called them. I guess… no one would be at the cathedral.”
“It’s a bit excessive, though…”
At that moment, one of the guards wore a strange look.
He drew a shining silver blade from his waist.
─Clank.
The one with the steel-colored body aimed his sword at Licht.
Despite looking at the black knight, he thought he was an outsider and prepared for something to happen before it did.
“…Iron?”
“Y-Yes? Princess?”
The princess delivered a chilling tone. Goosebumps crawled over him. As a guard, it was a principle to protect the one they serve.
“You didn’t get my order, did you.”
His hand started trembling.
“Not a Ten Hero, and since you’re not even part of the empire, a suspicious person seeing the Princess… that’s against regulations…”
He was trying to scrape together excuses in his mind to answer.
“Put down the sword.”
“…”
But what returned was a curt order. The golden eyes inside the glass helmet narrowed.
“I’m sorry!! Princess!! This guy is still a junior!”
“I apologize in his stead. To the Imperial one.”
“Please forgive us.”
Knowing the situation was very wrong, the other guards pressed down on the Steel Wolf’s head, constantly apologizing.
“…Do my words not reach you?”
It was an undeniably compromised situation. The one who appeared to be the captain, wearing golden armor, sighed deeply.
“Lady Pina Grancia. My sincere apologies. I will take full responsibility.”
“…I will reprimand you. Gold.”
With the sword lowered, Pina muttered irritably. No matter how one looked at it, Licht was the one who rescued Nex and Shar. His body was drenched in sweat.
Piercing golden gaze.
She had a keen eye and could quickly tell such facts from others.
A strong person.
Marvelling at the visible muscles slightly peeking beneath his clothing, Pina thought about how many people could exist with this level of strength without mana or magic.
‘How much stronger can he become from here? Licht.’
He was probably the only one who could manage that. Her competitive spirit sparked, and the wolf ears inside the helmet moved.
The Imperial’s martial art, Wolf Fang, was something even she mastered in an instant. He was different from the rest.
Just then, a black ball of fluff charged toward her.
“King!!”
“Kkamang…?”
The black spirit circled around Pina, expressing its friendliness.
With paws muddy like black socks and its unique smiling face, it didn’t matter to her; it was adorable.
“…Stop licking me.”
“Huff, huff.”
The black Pomeranian welcomed her with its tongue sticking out. Now seemingly used to it, Pina crouched down and gently stroked its head.
“Junior’s spirit really likes Pina. That makes it sound like we’re not just friends here…”
“I said so. Shar.”
The moment Pina touched it, the spirit laid on its back, exposing its belly. A complete show of trust.
“Good, good.”
“Woof!”
The guards were left speechless by the scene, while Nex and his couple nodded in satisfaction.
As time passed, when Pina stopped scratching its belly and tried to leave her spot,
“Kyaaa…”
The large armor blocked Kkamang from raising its body right around Pina’s feet. It was scratching its legs, asking for attention.
“…Ah, I think this would be nice.”
Seeing that, did she want to stay longer with Licht’s spirit? She spoke with a voice that hinted at a good idea.
Click, clack.
The sound of metal links loosening echoed.
“…Huh? Pina…?”
“Wait, Princess?!”
Pina took off her helmet and placed it beside her. Then she laid a hand on her chest. As she did so, her crystal armor partially opened, revealing the white figure of a girl from head to toe.
A white-haired girl with wolf ears donned in the Grand Hertz Academy uniform.
“No way are you taking off a masterpiece like that…!”
“Shut it.”
The guards exclaimed in shock but she paid no mind. She made this choice, fearing Kkamang would scare her, just like before.
Given that she had already aimed her sword at Licht, there would be no second mistakes.
“Dwarves are genuinely perverted. I’m really realizing now that they made the armor not fit properly, adjusting the height and size.”
“Right…”
After Pina took off her heavy armor and landed on the ground, her appearance shrank down, feeling the grass against her toes.
“Woof!”
“Hehe… Cute.”
The white-haired girl with wolf ears embraced Licht’s spirit, and for the first time in a while, her ice-cold expression melted slightly.
The guards stood in a daze, unable to comprehend. The princess, who had always seemed glassy cold, was reacting that way? This was absolutely odd.
“…Huh? Captain. Was the princess always like this?”
“No… just what kind of relationship do they have? That guy…”
“What if His Majesty finds out.”
“Let’s keep today a secret…”
The four guards murmured in voices barely audible.
“Ah, now that they’ve pointed a sword at him, I’ll have to inform Dijur…”
They were making elaborate plans to escape the situation, but their effort inevitably failed. They already knew their superior was deeply offended over the matter.
“…I thought it was dangerous since it’s been years since we were called!!!”
With that silent scream of the golden-armored figure, the first threat the Hero Church posed to the academy had come to an end.
