Chapter 21: 6-3. Misunderstandings and Understandings Are a Letter Apart
As time passed, night fell, and Mardol and I walked down the darkened streets, engaged in conversation.
“Are you sure this is enough?” I asked, still not convinced.
“Yes, thank you.”
In the end, we didn’t fully exchange swordsmanship and magic as originally intended. Instead, we settled on practicing each other’s basic techniques. Thankfully, I managed to avoid triggering any death flags involving the Imperial Guard.
“I’m sorry, Licht.”
“It’s fine. I’ve always wanted to learn the Empire’s sword style anyway.”
The Gransia style was well-suited to mine, after all. No wonder the Glass Knight was so fixated on Drake’s swordsmanship.
Normally, I would’ve had to join the swordsmanship club, build a rapport with the knight commander, or have connections within the royal family to even learn it.
‘Now I’ve covered a weakness.’
If anything, I’d say I gained more from this exchange. Mardol probably came out on the losing end. Learning the Shadow Slash without proper guidance is incredibly difficult.
Especially since it requires mastering the technique through pure physical skill rather than mana manipulation. For anyone but me, grasping it would take quite some time.
If Mardol continues to practice like today for the next few months, he’ll eventually get the hang of it, though the technique’s power is relatively weak. It shouldn’t cause any major issues.
On the other hand, the Wolf Fang technique has plenty of potential for applications.
“But is it really okay for you to teach me something so valuable?” I asked, feeling slightly guilty.
“I need to become stronger,” Mardol replied.
In his helmet, I saw the reflection of my own black helm. His voice was quieter now, and I felt a pang of guilt.
“Is that the only reason?”
“Yes.”
It was the same cryptic answer as before. His obsession with strength was peculiar.
‘…Or maybe he’s a decoy.’
But that seemed unlikely, given his raw physical power. Even if magic could disguise someone, I would’ve noticed something odd while sparring. When swords clash, you can sense these things.
My thoughts became muddled. Observing his technique could provide some insight, but we had only practiced the first form.
“By the way, I’ve been curious… who is it that you couldn’t protect?” I asked, deciding to be direct.
“…”
“You’re not going to answer that, are you?”
“Correct.”
At least I knew his favorability towards me was still at zero. What a relief.
Watching him cross his arms in what seemed like irritation, I had a lot of thoughts. At least I’d fulfilled my promise to him, and now that he had learned my swordsmanship, he wouldn’t be obsessing over it anymore.
‘As long as things stay like this, it shouldn’t interfere with my Grand Route strategy.’
With one less worry weighing on my mind, I felt a sense of relief.
But just then…
“Mardol! Oh my, Licht junior…?”
A voice came from ahead. Of course, bad premonitions are never wrong.
***
We sat on a terrace nearby where all the lights had gone out, chatting for a bit.
There was still some time before the dorms closed, so we were fine.
“So, Mardol. I was just out for a walk, and we bump into each other like this!” the woman said cheerfully.
“I’m glad too,” Mardol replied.
Her hair was a glossy black, and her eyes had a reddish tint, like blood. With her sharp ears and fangs, she was undoubtedly a vampire.
‘Is she close to the crown prince?’
It seemed the rumors I overheard were true. I’d never heard of a character like her in the Gransia Empire. I rested my chin in my hand. Their closeness was obvious to anyone.
“What were you two doing, walking together? Mardol?” she asked with a playful tone.
“We were exchanging sword techniques.”
“Really? He didn’t cause any trouble, did he?”
“Licht, thank you.”
“You’re very welcome,” I replied, bowing slightly.
Her black hair swayed as she scrutinized me with suspicion, eyeing me from head to toe.
There was no information about this second-generation Saintess. Like Nex, her personality seemed to be an anomaly.
“How was the academy today, Mardol?” she asked, sounding curious.
“It was interesting.”
“…Really?”
“Thanks to Licht.”
Hearing Mardol’s words, the nun opened her mouth wide, covering it with her hand as if in surprise.
“I was just keeping a promise I made earlier.”
“Yes, that’s true.”
His crystal-clear helmet bobbed in acknowledgment. The equipment looked like a masterwork, but I had never seen it before. Was it a new item? What kind of abilities did it have?
“Nex was right… you’re really a kind person, aren’t you?” she remarked.
“I’m not sure about that, Sister Chartines.”
“You’re terrible at lying, Licht junior!”
“He really can’t lie,” Mardol added.
For the first time, she smiled warmly at me, as if she was truly thankful. I didn’t consider myself particularly kind, though.
And what’s with you, Mardol?
“Mardol, I’m sorry for what I said earlier…”
“Kkamang is kind.”
“That must be true!” she said, seemingly misunderstanding something.
Whatever it was, I decided to let it slide since she wasn’t being rude to me. Maybe she had seen my spirit as well. Given that Mardol had carried it around, she probably had.
“Thank you for taking care of Mardol, junior.”
“I appreciate the thought, but it’s a bit overwhelming.”
“Licht is strong.”
Her black nun’s robe kept catching my eye. Since it wasn’t white, she wasn’t the person I was looking for.
‘No identity, no age, no name… and no known individuals tied to the Platinum Wolf.’
Was the Nameless Saintess really someone I didn’t know?
Considering the position was chosen by the gods, it was unlikely anyone else would know. I felt like an idiot for asking without thinking.
“Not many people would approach us like this, Licht junior,” Chartines said with a smile as she wrapped her arms around Mardol.
“To be honest, I was really worried about whether Mardol would adjust well to the academy.”
“…It’s hot,” Mardol muttered, clearly uncomfortable.
This character was definitely an easy-mode harem route. I couldn’t let him get too close to the wolf-eared Saintess.
“I was afraid Mardol would be stuck without any friends… I’m sorry for doubting you.”
“…Hold on. We’re not friends.”
“Friends…?”