-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 5
Chapter Title: The Neighbor's Dunce and the Red Cat
-----------------------------------------------------------------
A bonfire crackled to life, casting its glow between two men standing face-to-face.
"Just so we're clear, I'm not an idiot."
"I believe you."
"...So why the hell are you doing this?"
"What do you mean?"
"With Ariel, that's what."
His expression had never been more serious.
Figures. He's the type who gets scared at the thought of drifting apart from his childhood friend. Can't blame him, though. He's completely oblivious to his own feelings.
This is huge progress.
"Are you talking about that lovely elf girl?"
"Looking at it now, that act this morning was just that—an act, right? Otherwise, it doesn't add up."
"Go on."
"Your speech and behavior keep focusing on me more than Ariel."
Ugh, busted.
"Anyone would see through this. I don't know how you pulled off the carriage thing—that's impressive—but taking expensive candy from you? You thought I wouldn't notice?"
I did think that.
My mistake.
This guy's sharp only when it comes to Ariel. Time to revise my assessment. I sheathed my sword as if I had no idea what he was talking about.
"Anyway, thanks. I'll pay this debt someday."
Did I hear that right? That's the starting line for Kainel's companion route.
The wariness faded from the hero's face.
"I've done nothing worthy of thanks."
"Even a clueless dunce like me could see you were trying to bring me and Ariel together. In the end, she calmed down because of you."
"I'm glad you understand."
"You thought I was hopeless too, huh? That's why you did it?"
"..."
What now? The line came out, but...
With his indecisive personality, the standard approach won't work.
In that case.
"It reminded me of someone I know."
Twist the choice.
You need to care this much if you want a shot at love.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
'What a weird guy.'
That was Kainel's assessment after observing Licht so far.
One moment he'd spout cheesy lines like a total creep, the next he'd team up with the coachman to push him and Ariel together.
He'd even given her candy while helping out. Now he was standing watch so she could sleep?
Except for that first glance, he hadn't spared her childhood friend a single look.
This clearly wasn't him chasing Ariel.
That speech pattern must be his real one. The act had felt awkward, forced.
'Was I wrong?'
He'd kept running from his feelings. He'd convinced himself that this lie growing bigger was the best way, even if it hurt her.
Maybe the Black Knight in front of him was trying to fix that on purpose.
He'd even warned them in the stable not to fight over love.
With some of his doubts eased, the hero listened closely to Licht's words.
"Someone you know? A friend, maybe?"
"Do you think, Kainel, that confessing is something you regret after doing it?"
"Hm... I don't know."
He crossed his legs.
"She said once you're broken up, you can't even stay friends."
"That's usually how it goes. The exceptions are rare."
"How many years have you and Miss Ariel known each other?"
The bonfire flickered in the Black Knight's eyes.
Something about that gaze felt off.
"...About ten years."
Kainel ruffled his hair. He could tell this was about him, phrased so even an oblivious dunce could get it.
He sensed it instinctively.
"One side's worse than oblivious, a terrible friend. The other struggles to express emotions."
"I see."
"She was scared, he said. Afraid confessing would ruin their friendship."
"That's me."
The moment he heard it, the Black Knight shrugged.
"Well, he said people's hearts get confused—is it really friendship or love? They've been friends too long."
"Nah, not for me."
"Why not?"
"..."
The black helm fixed on the hero.
As if waiting for his answer.
"Because I like Ariel too. No room for illusions."
It was blatant leading, but the golden-haired hero spilled his true feelings to Licht. At this point, lying was impossible. He'd dropped his pride.
"Quite honest now. Good."
"If I didn't answer, you'd pull some stunt with Ariel tomorrow. Cut me some slack—my heart's about to explode."
"Busted? What a shame. Hahaha!"
A hearty laugh he'd never heard before.
Is this his real self? Unpredictable, does weird stuff, but deep down, he wanted to hook me up with Ariel.
"You know it's embarrassing getting love advice from a stranger, right?"
"Then should I go after Miss Ariel?"
"No way. Don't even think about it."
"Knew you'd say that."
The face hidden by the helm was surely smirking. The thought made Kainel chuckle too.
"Call you Licht from now on. We're the same age, right?"
"Yes."
"Thought you were some old guy with that formal talk."
"Doesn't this make me less scary?"
"I'm not scared of anything. Here."
Kainel offered his hand. A small chuckle escaped as Licht gripped it firmly.
"Feels good to get that off my chest. Would've been trouble if you were a real rival."
"Miss Ariel is quite beautiful."
"Honestly, even I was stunned today. What if guys at the academy swarm her?"
"Just stay by her side, Kainel."
"Yeah, I will from now on."
Stretching by the fire, the two continued chatting.
He believed Licht's words—that he'd seen their obvious feelings on the way to the academy.
Everyone around them asked why they weren't dating, and their parents knew each other too.
Then, a question flashed through the hero's mind.
"Oh, hey... Licht, you got someone you like?"
The words slipped out suddenly.
The knight froze awkwardly, like a puppet with cut strings.
He's got a clumsy side too. Score. Kainel grinned inwardly.
"It's unrequited... but... yeah..."
"Ooh, who? Not Ariel, right?"
"Of course not. A woman with beautiful white hair."
That cleared up any lingering suspicion. Ariel had red hair.
The jealousy gripping his heart melted away like snow.
"Good luck, then. Don't end up suffering like me."
"So it was your story after all."
"Think what you want."
"You really can't lie... Huh?"
The holy sword at his waist began to tremble.
The bushes rustled. A massive shape charged from the distance.
The sound of wind slicing.
"Grrrrrr..."
A beast's furious growl. So that's why Licht took the watch.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Where did it all go wrong?
'This isn't supposed to spawn here...'
A 5-star monster. The Shadow Wolf was targeting us both.
The others slept in tents behind us. Its habit of diving into shadows meant waking them would just get them killed.
"The carriage is gone! How are we supposed to get to the academy now?!"
Ariel's words from the stable echoed. No carriage, no departure.
If I hadn't been here...
'Game over. This is my fault.'
A chill ran through me.
We were supposed to warp straight to the academy originally.
I sighed, my deduction confirmed. No uninvited guests that way.
Facing the massive black wolf—easily 5 meters long—I drew my sword from its sheath. Now it was the blade guarding a pair of childhood sweethearts.
Steel I'd named Pure Love Injector (Physical) gleamed before my eyes.
The beast drew a deep breath.
"Cover your ears!"
"Huh? Got it!"
Awoooooooooo──!!!
Roar pattern. Interrupt it first for the damage window.
"Use the holy sword, Kainel!"
"How do you know about that...!"
"If you're protecting her, do it right!"
If Ariel dies here, you're on the dark route. Love line? Not there. End this fast.
If the fire goes out, we're done.
「Let there be light.」
Light gathered on the holy sword's blade, illuminating the night. In the slightly brighter view, the wolf sensed the change and hesitated.
"Aim for the eyes. That's the weak point."
"You sure?"
His face set in grim resolve.
Suddenly, the wolf charged—straight for the bonfire.
"Not on my watch."
Moonlight glinted off my blade as I slashed ahead of the Shadow Wolf's path. Dirt flew up.
"Grrrrr..."
A sword mark scarred the ground. Black blood splattered my helm. The wounded wolf lunged to bite—but a blind spot I couldn't block.
However—
"Not too late?"
"Nope."
Kainel dashed in, targeting the left eye precisely. In a flash like lightning, blood erupted from the wolf's socket like a fountain.
An opening.
"Kyaaak! Kyaang!"
We pressed the advantage, Kainel and I diving in. Two swordsmen striking both flanks perfectly. The wolf hurled itself into the shadows.
As it vanished like smoke, Kainel scanned around.
"It'll come from behind! Get ready!"
"Behind?!"
Wolves move against the wind by instinct, hiding their scent to avoid detection.
Thanks to my call, his tension eased.
Grrrrraaaawr──!!!
Like a dolphin leaping, a wolf burst from our shadows. It soared into the air, jaws wide to devour the ground—and us—in a grotesque maw.
"Eyes!"
"I know!"
Kainel and I synced up. Simultaneously slashing at the beast's eyes.
Our blades mirrored perfectly.
The wolf's left and right eyes split in half at once.
The Shadow Wolf was just shadows and blood without its eyes.
Destroy the eyes, and all that's left is an empty hide.
Thud. A massive black pelt hit the ground. This'll fetch a good price.
"Licht... what the hell are you?! How are you on my level?!"
Shock painted the hero's face. Chosen by the holy sword, he'd never seen a peer. He paled, glancing between me and the wolf.
Hmm, what'll spread the rumor best?
"The Pure Love Black Knight."
"The man who'll become the Academy's Pure Love Black Knight."
That fit perfectly right now.
It was my in-game nickname too.
For the Nameless Saintess's happiness, I had to protect this love.