Approximately one month passed.
“Now it seems we’re sufficiently prepared, boy.”
“Yes, Celestial Demon.”
I learned the four basic stances of the Lily Sword Technique. I still couldn’t apply it like the Celestial Demon or erase the entire forest, but I was able to use a certain amount of inner power.
“The realm of the Mind Sword. Let’s start right away.”
As the black hanbok fluttered, White Lily approached and spoke to me. Indeed, it had been a long time since I had gone missing. If I delayed any longer, the others would start worrying.
“Boy, do you know about magnetite?”
“..You mean a magnet?”
I sat against a wooden column, listening to the Celestial Demon’s story. The Celestial Demon mentioned that it was good to receive the energy of wood for meditation.
“Yes, it’s a marvelous ore that attracts iron. This idea came from there.”
I was unclear about the realm of the Mind Sword. Suddenly, magnetite? I tilted my head in confusion.
“Just like how hearts can attract one another.”
“..I don’t quite understand.”
“The Head said that to escape this forest, you need to know the direction. That means you can use the people outside.”
Like a compass, perhaps.
If that’s possible, it would be difficult to distinguish back and forth, and I could neutralize the Demon King’s overwhelming powers. I nodded.
“Originally, the Mind Sword is the realm where heart and sword become one. Boy.”
Saying this, White Lily drew a sword from her waist. It was an ordinary black sword.
“You slice the world with your own heart. But….”
Apart from being black, there didn’t seem to be any irregularities. Was she trying to show me something? I thought lightly.
“..What remains for me is time. Isn’t that too simple?”
White Lily softly closed her eyes, speaking in a sad expression. It had been a long time since she was trapped here due to the Head’s ignorance.
“Even if the lily flowers wilt, I shall never forget you.”
As White Lily recited those words, something suspicious happened.
Thud.
A sound echoed as a sword fell from the sky. It landed precisely at White Lily’s feet—a white sword, completely opposite to the black one just shown.
“Where did this sword come from all of a sudden…?”
“It’s simple. You forge a sword from within a person’s heart and bring it forth. It’s a sword that can oppose the Demon King. Isn’t it something you’ve seen before?”
“Does that mean… you emphasized the importance of will for this reason?”
As I stared at White Lily with a dumbfounded expression, the Celestial Demon noticed my shocked expression and grinned.
“Kuhuh! Yes, it’s the ‘Fake Holy Sword,’ boy!”
“..How is this possible?”
“To think only a sword crafted by gods could defeat the Demon King—it’s truly absurd!”
White Lily burst into laughter. This weapon could definitely be called a divine artifact—the lily pattern was engraved on it.
“So this can deal damage to the Demon King?”
“That’s right. A person’s heart is the most important and strongest. What do authors who dismiss human creations know about masterpieces?”
On the blade, a faint blue wave appeared. Was this the Mind Sword created while thinking of Dennis? Now, it was clear.
“Imagine the one sword in your heart and use it to weave through the powers. Boy.”
“Does that mean I should think of another person while doing it….?”
“That’s how you’ll bring forth your single blade that won’t be broken or crushed by the Demon King. Your weapon to slice through the corrupted world.”
It was certain that among the Ten Heroes, I ranked second. This level of talent is what it means to be a Celestial Demon. I felt a sense of awe. Some risked their lives without a Holy Sword, yet here I was with a counterfeit.
“Impressive. I never thought of this….”
“You’re still wielding an iron sword. Or like when you first met me, are you using someone else’s Holy Sword? Such foolishness.”
“…”
“The Mind Sword will guide you and help you slice the Demon King’s powers.”
The brown-haired dragon let out a deep sigh directed at me.
“The Heart Demon in your heart has retreated, so now forge your own Mind Sword.”
The Celestial Demon signaled me to close my eyes and meditate. This was a blade that connected hearts, but what was left for me?
Ah, there was the Nameless Saintess.
I recalled memories from long ago.
*
[Northern Duchess’s Husband: Hey, Saintess fetish.]
[Pure Love Black Knight: Why the pillar husband?]
[Northern Duchess’s Husband: Are you going to take the Saintess Route in this sequel as well?]
[Northern Duchess’s Husband: It’s not my place to say, but try a different route too.]
[Northern Duchess’s Husband: Exclude the Northern Duchess Route.]
On the day I was possessed by the game, this conversation came through the guild messages.
“The Northern Duchess isn’t even in my heart.”
I paused, halting my energy drink. My friend knew I had been a loyal player sticking only to the Saintess Route since the original. He definitely had the right to say that.
“..I’ll handle it, man.”
As I typed that response, I saw a horrid combination of words.
[NTR Gold Knight: Acknowledge it. Harem Route and NTR Route were added, so go for that.]
Damn it. Who invited such a jerk to the guild? My grip tightened, crushing the can.
[Pure Love Black Knight: Yeah~ This time I’ll easily defeat the Demon King and live happily with the Saintess~]
I tried to quell the boiling anger inside. No matter what, I’d hold back this time. Since such a route had been added in [Black Heart].
“Ugh, this feels awful.”
There were plenty of players who enjoyed the game in that way. If anything, calling me strange for sticking with the Saintess Route would be odd. After all, it was primarily a male-oriented game.
[NTR Gold Knight: It’s a character that’s going to die anyway, so NTR it….]
[Northern Duchess’s Husband: …That’s crossing the line.]
[Pure Love Black Knight: A damn it.]
I immediately hovered my mouse cursor over the screen. If I let this slide, I’d really be asking for trouble. I might tolerate them insulting me, but I wouldn’t tolerate them touching our Saintess.
[SYSTEM: NTR Gold Knight has been expelled from the guild.]
[Northern Duchess’s Husband: You crazy bastard! Is expelling him really necessary?!]
The problem was that such a person was in my guild. You pillar-husband!
[Pure Love Black Knight: Give up. I can overlook other things, but that’s a no-go.]
If someone dared to say something like that to the Duchess, they would’ve been met with a one-on-one duel every time.
“Thank goodness I’m the guild leader. It’s right to cut off those guys immediately.”
Finally, I felt relieved. Given how famous I was in the community, I didn’t expect someone with a completely contrary concept to show up.
[Northern Duchess’s Husband: I shouldn’t have said anything… But this Demon King is incredibly tough to deal with.]
With a somewhat lightened heart, I looked back at the chat box.
[Pure Love Black Knight: It took me a while to clear phase one too. How are you doing?]
Certainly, the Magic Hat was much harder than other Demon Kings. You had to bring the right elements, and there were four phases to deal with.
[Northern Duchess’s Husband: I’m trying to have our Duchess in the north, you know?]
[Pure Love Black Knight: Can that be done?]
[Northern Duchess’s Husband: It can be done! But since the Nameless Saintess is a supporting character, you can’t use such tricks. No need to stress yourself over it.]
“…”
In [Night Heart], the Head allowed non-combat roles to leave during battles, but in this work, she had to participate in a fight.
“..So I’m trying to keep her as safe as possible. Our Saintess.”
Even with top-tier items I secured for her, I felt sad seeing the Saintess helplessly fall victim to the Demon King’s minions, so I practiced my control even more.
[Pure Love Black Knight: I do it because I like her. You were going all over the place looking for Easter eggs too, weren’t you?]
In the end, they were all the same bunch. One had a legitimate route while the other was a user-created side route.
[Northern Duchess’s Husband: I only did that because data mining and strategy videos came out. And you know that your wife doesn’t even have that.]
They were players who cherished game characters more than anyone else.
[Pure Love Black Knight: I bought an unlisted life-size figure of the Saintess at a cash price, you know? This is pure love. Take notes.]
[Northern Duchess’s Husband: Are you serious… I shouldn’t even care about that, but take a break from the game too.]
[Northern Duchess’s Husband: You’ve been logged in for over 12 hours now.]
[Pure Love Black Knight: Actually, I just came back from the ER.]
I had already been given IV infusion. There were words to rest and recover, but for me, the game was both stability and rest.
[Northern Duchess’s Husband: ?! Do you want to see our guild get disbanded? You crazy bastard. If you die in-game, I won’t even go to your funeral.]
[Pure Love Black Knight: Got it. I won’t die at all. Would I ever make the Saintess cry tears of blood? I think I’ll wake up soon, so I’ll play a bit more before sleeping.]
[Northern Duchess’s Husband: In that case, I’m relieved… Good luck, Pure Love Black Knight.]
[Pure Love Black Knight: Thanks for the support, Northern Duchess’s Husband.]
Saying this, I was possessed four hours later. If I’d gone to bed then, I might have missed the beta tester email.
Honestly, there wasn’t much of a reason for me to work hard. I just didn’t want to see that person crying.
It was a common motive.
[“I prefer rain over snow. Knight.”]
Once, the Nameless Saintess had told this story in [Night Heart].
Before that, I had hated rain. Why would I like rain that couldn’t even put out a flame?
[“More than anything, I love the sound of rain pattering. It makes a person more emotional.”]
She smiled. It was a stark contrast to the cold impression she had first given me, triggering my trauma.
[“It taps on the window, quenches the thirsty earth, equal for all that gives life.”]
Outside, the downpour was pouring down. The game incorporated all four seasons, and it rained each spring.
[“Some can escape the rain, but no one can stop it from falling.”]
I likely began to like the rain from that moment on.
[“And it lets you cry without anyone noticing.”]
[“The rain is kind in many ways.”]
[“Hehe, I hope you also get to realize this charm, Knight!”]
With her wolf ears and tail moving slightly, the Nameless Saintess spoke with more hope than anyone.
But when I fought against the Demon King of All Knowledge, her tears intertwined with the rain.
[“Please.. Please.. No.. Pure Love Knight..”]
My first attempt had failed.
From that moment onwards, sharpening my skills had been heavily influenced by this. A gameplay style reduced to relying on control and equipment.
[“Why.. Am I not strong enough to heal you?!”]
After dying to the Demon King for the first time, she had held my hand tightly, praying for healing.
[“Not yet.. I can still save you..”]
My character had become so cold that it could barely move, while the desperate Saintess continued to pray as if filled with hope.
The downpour masked her tears, but.
[“Knight..”]
Her face was already crying. It was a visage that looked undeniably sad. Even divine powers couldn’t break through the bleak reality.
That was why I wanted to learn healing prayers and hated to see her cry.
The image of the Saintess weeping on the game over screen lingered.
‘She should be the happiest person of all. Our Saintess..’
This was how the original made the players feel emotions.
And then it happened.
Tap, tap. A cold sensation brushed against my shoulder.
It started to rain.
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