“…Liar.”
I Really Can’t Do Anything Against the Glass Knight
The Glass Knight had already secured his role as the protagonist of *Knight Heart Trilogy*’s third installment. His story flags were firmly planted, and every time I thought about the Saintess, he seemed to send me piercing, calculated looks.
‘Could it be that Lupus and the Saintess are meant to end up together?’
It made sense. If this installment’s main coupling was designed that way, his subtle cues were likely intended to halt my own intentions.
At least, with the Crown Prince in his current state, it might not be so bad. He didn’t display any lecherous tendencies, and he was strong enough to protect her, absurdly wealthy, and…
If memory served, his face was refined and handsome—unlike mine.
A heavy feeling began to settle in my chest. The main theme of the *Knight Heart Trilogy* was love.
They’d probably give me time to sort out my feelings. Romance stories often allowed supporting male characters a scene to mourn their unrequited love.
“I’ve been caught. My apologies.”
“Honest.”
Being of the same wolf-kin race, their potential love line made perfect sense. Some players in real life even chose the Crown Prince route to pair the Imperial Guard wolves with their own characters.
It was the only way to trigger certain events. Of course, after their relationship deepened, they’d have to flee from his watchful gaze in a lovers’ escape.
“…So, Licht, what were you doing?”
“Oh, Kainel. I was teaching Nex senior a bit of spear technique.”
“Spear technique? You can do that too?”
“I had a friend who was somewhat renowned for it.”
“I thought you were just good with swords.”
Kainel gaped at me in disbelief. Maybe it seemed ridiculous to him. Heroes were supposed to grow stronger effortlessly. I was just a Dark Knight, so I had to work for it.
“I only know the basics. It’s all brute force.”
I could understand his reaction. He hadn’t yet faced the Demon Lord, so seeing this level of skill probably seemed overwhelming.
But we’d eventually be up against beings with powers that could *blanket the world*. No amount of preparation would ever feel sufficient.
Even with all the training, there were times—like during the Magic Hat incident—when the Saintess had still died.
‘The Demon Lord of the Heroic Faith Church consists of four entities.’
One had already been killed in Knight Heart’s timeline, another had died in Black Heart. Players couldn’t encounter the remaining two.
‘Aside from Truth and Omniscience, information is severely lacking.’
The guidebooks contained a little, but the abilities deemed overpowered by users weren’t detailed.
There wasn’t much I could do. Dwelling on this was a waste of time. I lowered my hand from where I had been resting my chin and spoke up.
“By the way, Senior Nex, where will your wedding be held?”
Might as well focus on nudging the golden retriever and the red cat closer. A seasoned trainer’s demonstration could help them awaken to their feelings.
In my calculations, Kainel and Ariel’s relationship was the reverse mirror of Nex and Char’s dynamic.
I had to give them enough hints to work things out on their own. Revealing their true feelings outright might trigger unforeseen butterfly effects.
“Me? Probably in Snow Marine. It used to be the Water Nation, and it’s beautiful there.”
“That’s a great choice. I wish you the best.”
I nodded enthusiastically. A wedding in the middle of the deep blue ocean? How romantic. This guy really was a harem-destroying master. A smile crept onto my lips.
“Huh? Nex-bro, are you getting married?”
“Yeah, Kainel. Since we’ve gotten to know each other, should I send you an invitation?”
Nice assist, old man.
Ariel, watching this, blushed slightly as if her imagination had gone wild.
“Of course! It’d be an honor to attend the wedding of a descendant of the Ten Greats, Nex-bro.”
Meanwhile, the golden retriever let out a relieved sigh, finally realizing Nex wasn’t a competitor. His expression visibly brightened, his worries gone.
“Nex-oppa, who’s your partner?”
The red-haired mage, glancing frequently at Kainel, directed her question toward the purple fox. Nex, noticing this, raised an eyebrow with a knowing smile.
This was for the blonde hero to hear, no doubt. Tsunderes weren’t incapable of expressing emotions; they just struggled with it.
“She’s someone famous. Charitines Saintmary.”
“Oh! I’ve seen her before! She came to our village to care for the sick when I was younger!”
So she’d met her in the World Tree Forest. Elves were naturally reclusive, so that must have been memorable for her. Ariel’s ruby-red eyes sparkled with joy.
“Marrying a saintess? That’s amazing!”
“Haha, thanks, Ariel.”
…But why does this feel like a knife twisting in my chest?
It’s been five years. You’d think I’d have grown used to it by now. Lowering my head, I pressed my helmet down further.
“…”
Maybe it’s because, even in dreams, I’d caught a glimpse of the Saintess’s face when I was taken down by Servi. My heart had been wavering ever since.
“Licht.”
“…What is it, Mardol?”
“Are you jealous?”
“Of course. It’s the idea of living out your days with a companion who truly understands you.”
I sighed. Lupus had made his move. His golden eyes, similar to hers, shone brilliantly. But unlike her, his hair was black—a mark of his royal lineage.
The Wolf King, Roque Gransia, and his wife both had black hair.
As for white hair… well, I hadn’t seen anyone like that, even in the game. Too healthy-looking to be albino.
“…I don’t get it.”
The Glass Knight tilted his helmet, his reflection glinting faintly in my helm.
“You’ll understand in time, Mardol.”
If you take the companion route, you’ll probably end up connected to the Nameless Saintess.
I envy you, Lupus Gransia, Crown Prince of the Empire. You’re already set to be the protagonist of the third installment.
Even in this installment, a love line between you and the Saintess as a supporting character seems inevitable.
For some reason, I’m always late to act when it involves her. I’d thought it was obvious, but when it comes to the Saintess, my resolve falters.
“…You’re strange, Licht.”
Mardol looked at me, golden eyes visible through his glass helm.
“I hear that often.”
Listening to him, I couldn’t help but reflect.
Harems dominate male-targeted games these days, so I guess being a hipster makes me odd.
Even in the gaming community, I’d heard similar comments often enough.
[“Guild leader’s favorite is the Nameless Saintess? What’s with this top-tier player crushing on the Saintess?”]
[“Other healers make it so much easier to beat the Demon Lord. You don’t even need to optimize your build.”]
[“Isn’t it just her looks?”]
[“Her stats are so underwhelming. No wonder she’s unpopular.”]
“…”
It’s not just her looks.
As a saintess, she’s pure and kind, trying to appear strong in front of others despite her weaknesses. I admired that.
She often said warm, genuinely caring words.
Other female characters only recited romantic lines or blatantly flirted with the player.
I bit my lower lip lightly. Why don’t we get games like *Knight Heart* anymore, where you could devote yourself entirely to one heroine?
“There’s no romance left. None at all…”
“Romance?”
Mardol tilted his head, clearly baffled by my muttering.