The red-haired mage sat on the bench with a sad expression.
“Huff… I wanted to meet Kai in the finals too…”
“Sorry, Ariel.”
Mardol patted her back to comfort her, while Kainel and I were nearby.
“Still, the World Tree’s leaves are a third-place prize, so it should be okay.”
“Yeah, who cries just because they lost?”
I saw Kainel trying to put his hand on Ariel’s shoulder but stopping, knowing he didn’t want to reveal his true feelings and deliberately speaking harshly.
Hey, even if that’s true, there’s a time to say things and a time to hold back. Do you know how much I regretted scolding Miss Harem?
You really have to be careful with your words. I mean, it’s not like I can say anything with our Saintess not being here. Who knows, someday the flag might reach her.
“…I hate Kainel! You idiot! Sea cucumber! Anemone!”
“I don’t think you’re a sea cucumber, Ariel.”
The elven mage was angry at Kainel. Oh, I forgot to mention the title again. What should I do? I sighed and hung my head.
Ah, there’s a way.
“If I beat Kainel and go to the final match…”
“…Licht, you’re clueless.”
I thought it was a good idea. But apparently not. The glass knight made a clattering sound, stopping me. If you think about it, it’s your fault.
‘Should I just give up and lose to Kainel?’
It’d be better to raise the affection level quickly. Anyway, the four of us advanced to the semifinals, so even if I lost, I could still get Mana Rose.
If I beg and cry, they might pity me and give it to me.
Maybe on purpose, I could act relaxed and show a cool side. I could help deepen the love. Emotions can’t be forced, so it wouldn’t be too much,
“..I’m a bit tired, so I’ll head in first. Kainel, please take care of Ariel.”
“Uh…? Yeah, be careful. See you in the dorm!”
“Licht…”
Let’s keep it natural. The proper hero Kainel would surely help a friend’s request, and my absence would make it easier for the two to raise their affection level.
I moved my steps. I could pretend to be hurt in the dorm. Saying something like ‘I lost because my condition was bad against Kainel!’ should do it.
With his clueless personality, he wouldn’t know I let him win. As I walked slowly, I noticed Mardol watching me leave with a puzzled expression.
‘But is the glass knight a woman… could that be possible?’
I organized my thoughts that had popped into my mind. This is a romance fantasy game, and it could be a case where the potion or magic affected appearances. It’s a common story in fairy tales.
There are always queens waking up from a kiss or princes turning from frogs.
‘But… the armor is way too masculine for that.’
It looked like it was carved from a massive crystal, almost like a moving white jewel.
It was hard to mistake her gender since the voice was low and thick. The multiple swirling voices from inside the glass helmet made it tough to identify.
‘To completely hide one’s identity, he could use skills or abilities, but why is he wearing such heavy armor?’
The ability seems to nullify magic. That’s probably why he lasted much longer than Kainel in the battle against the Magic Hat.
Is it for safety? Well, it makes sense; after all, it’s a secret topic among faculty.
‘So, if they’ve made a masterpiece-level item for safety, it adds up.’
Even so, her helmet felt eerily similar to mine.
The Magic Hat freaked out just by seeing my helmet. Maybe the creator put extra care into it since it achieved a global first kill.
It’s common to express some part of exceptional achievements of players in the game. This could refer to displaying statues of rankers or showcasing items.
Thinking about it, I knew I had to discern certain information clearly. Seeing as she wore a masterpiece-level item as a crown prince hinted that the royal family commonly had such items.
But I learned it was accurate after seeing her fight the demon king not too long ago.
With my chin resting on my hand, I filtered out what I knew. As for her being a woman, I’d put that aside for now. No way, that just can’t happen. What a breeze!
‘A harem could form. The Saintess might never talk to me again. The ‘Saintess Route’ itself could end up twisted.’
No matter how much I make excuses, the path to getting closer to her could be blocked. I saw such players in [Black Heart].
We’ve already shared indirect kisses. It was my mistake to say I hadn’t touched that plate. The dwarf stripping meat from the bones made him misunderstand.
“…”
What did she look like again? I had to recall since I hadn’t seen her face in a while.
‘Black hair with golden eyes. The Inrang Tribe.’
That’s a characteristic of Rufus I know. Hair and eye color are hereditary.
If I were to think of Kainel and Ariel’s child, it could be a little red-headed elf with blue eyes.
But that’s too unique. It could resemble one side like Nex.
‘But Rock and Bellin both have black hair and golden wolf eyes.’
There shouldn’t be other variables. White hair like the Saintess doesn’t commonly appear. Even searching the Academy top to bottom wouldn’t yield such a person.
The Magic Hat had that, but it was more of a silvery-white, so I realized immediately it was a no-go. Silver isn’t white.
“..This should still be normal.”
As I walked, I unintentionally muttered to myself and reflected. I memorized everything because I liked her. Her height, voice, hair color, and even her primary attribute.
Our Saintess, aside from being Inrang and having golden eyes, has no overlaps with Mardol. Her atmosphere and personality are completely the opposite, being warm and lovely.
‘The Imperial Guard is all from the Inrang Tribe, and Gold has golden eyes.’
That’s why I can’t go against the Crown Prince. Always keep in mind that I could be trapped underground in the royal palace, or a mistake could mean having a knife at my throat.
“..Only if I had power.”
I got angry at the thought of them approaching me while hiding their gender. A direct priority in my heart has been there for a whopping fifteen years.
Finishing that thought, a contradiction arose. Since the creator hasn’t said anything, it likely isn’t the case. What do I do to turn back again like in [Black Heart]….
That’s when I saw a familiar face greeting me, blowing in,
“Long time no see, Licht.”
“..Master?”
I couldn’t help but stop on my way to the dorm and have a conversation.
*
On the terrace of Grand Hertz Academy, two men were sitting.
Seeing the neat butler outfit on the old man savoring tea made me question. The last time I saw him, he looked ragged.
“I’m glad to see you’ve been doing well, Licht.”
“So, what exactly happened, sir…?”
I thought it would have been great since we share interests in pure love, but it seems he sold the Shadow Wolf leather and earned some cash.
“You sold the leather and got a job, huh?”
“Haha. No way.”
Then he burst out laughing, and the cup filled with tea wobbled slightly.
“Ah, I’m guessing you didn’t know, Licht. My original job is a butler. My name is Dijur.”
“..Huh? Not as a master? But I clearly remember that…”
“Back then, it was an act. Licht.”
Dijur, with a soft smile on his lips, didn’t make sense to me. If it was an act, was he like an interviewer testing the students coming to the academy?
‘If the Shadow Wolf attacked and I weren’t there, this person might have saved them.’
Even if the player messed up, it’s still a ‘romance fantasy academy’ story. So there could have been that level of safety net. I crossed my arms and continued thinking.
“During the Shadow Wolf incident, it turns out I wasn’t wrong after all.”
“…”
But saying that felt odd, as I’d never seen his face in the academy before. Just like with Mardol, something seemed contradictory.
For him to introduce himself as a butler in this position seemed too strange.
“As one who serves the Empire, I commend your achievements.”
“Rufus?”
“Close. Guess you noticed, Licht.”
He’s the Crown Prince’s butler, huh? Damn it, Rufus must be the main character of this work.
“And thank you for being close with our lady.”
Hearing the term ‘our lady’ made me seriously suspect she really turned into a woman. I took a deep breath. Just recalling all my past incidents with her gave me dizziness.
*
That’s when I bowed my head, and suddenly, an odd sound came from beside me.
“Dijur!”
A voice that could be described as handsome.
“I was surprised when you suddenly disappeared!”
“..You, who are you?”
“Huh? A black knight helmet! Then you’re Licht, huh? Nice to meet you!”
A boy with wolf ears, striking black hair, and golden eyes greeted me, wagging his tail.
‘What on earth is going on?’
I wondered if I was seeing things as I fiddled with my helmet’s visor. There was no mistaking it; this was the childhood figure of Rufus Grancia.
“Oh, Your Highness! This is Licht!”
“Dijur-sensei, could that possibly be…?”
Plus, not just a prince, but a young prince? Externally, he’s known as the Crown Prince. He was famous in the empire, so I knew that much.
“Yes, this is Prince Rufus Grancia. Show your respect.”
“No way! Licht! You saved my mom, so it doesn’t matter!”
The boy ran toward me, showing a bright smile. He knows about reclaiming Queen Bellin. If not, he wouldn’t say something like that.
‘Wait a minute, does that mean…?’
The card I only shared with Mardol. Knowing this meant just one thing, and the advice I saw on the status window after joining the club flashed in my mind.
[Then as a reward, let me tell you a good piece of information.]
This isn’t about Schartines, but,
[An unlisted character from Night Heart might be here! Isn’t that interesting? How about that? Did that help? ☆ｰ(๑•᎑<๑]
Are you saying that refers to Mardol?
“Uh…? Licht! What’s wrong…?”
“I just felt a bit dizzy. How do you do, Prince Rufus Grancia?”
I was overwhelmed with all the facts flooding my mind, causing me to speak quickly. My balance faltered slightly.
If that’s true, then who is Mardol?
“…Prince?”
“Yeah, what’s wrong, Licht?”
To confirm the last remaining possibility, I asked the well-dressed boy in front of me.
“Do you have any siblings?”
Young Rufus. He looks too young to even be a new student at the academy. If that’s the case, who’s the person in the glass armor…?
“Mar…doll has a sis… Ah, sister told me not to tell anyone!”
“…”
“Well, that’s fine! She always talks about you, Licht!”
The boy tried to cover his mistake with his charming smile, but hearing that answer made my heart stop. Suddenly, breath escaped me.
‘..Could it have been from the beginning.’
That means she was a completely different person from what I expected.
“Uh…? Licht?!”
“Licht! What’s wrong?!”
A harem could form, and I might never step on the Saintess Route. If that happens, there’s no way I could get closer to her.
I lost consciousness and collapsed.
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