CH.35 10-2. Even Running Away Embarrassed Won’t Help Some Things
The so-called Saintess Route.
It’s a term I popularized in the gaming community.
Honestly, the only accomplishments in my life were eating meals and playing the Knight Heart Trilogy. That’s it.
It was a casual name, one I made up without much thought. If she’d been the main heroine, maybe the developers would’ve given her a more refined title.
But she has no name, our Saintess.
Unlocking her route requires meeting three specific conditions.
Condition One: Don’t break the game’s main pairing.
In Knight Heart, this happens automatically if you play through the game normally.
“Why’d you call me, Licht?”
“Kainel, Ariel. Could you both come over here for a moment?”
“Got it, Helmet Guy!”
In the original game, Dennis was the pivotal figure. In the sequel, it was these two.
I watched the blonde hero and red-haired mage couple, organizing my thoughts. To align the Grand Route with the Saintess Route, preparation was necessary.
Especially now that I had to include the Crown Prince companion route as well.
Condition Two: Avoid the NTR and harem routes.
This condition emerged in Black Heart, the second game.
The developers’ weird tastes really made life harder for the Saintess.
This was why I initially avoided Lupus altogether—to sidestep that condition.
“What are you scheming now, Licht?”
“I just had a good idea, Mardol.”
Condition Three: Never switch healers throughout the game.
This one tripped up nearly everyone attempting the Saintess Route.
At first, her healing prayers worked well enough. But as characters grew strong enough to challenge the Demon Lord, her minor heals couldn’t keep up.
That’s why I trained in secondary skills to make up for the lack of healing. Switching healers even once, however, locked you out of her route.
[“What’s this? Is this a new cutscene?”]
[“Is this a hidden route? I never saw these lines before??”]
[“Does she actually become a heroine? There were so many hints, but still…”]
I’d never faced that problem, so I was surprised when my guideposts flooded with questions. “How did you beat the Demon king with such an underpowered healer?”
The truth? Skill. The less damage you take, the less healing you need.
In the end, Knight Heart was a hardcore game for skilled players. You either relied on mechanics, brute-forced with overpowered stats, or memorized patterns and became the type of lunatic the community knew me as.
[“Pure Love Dark Knight: Before you read the strategy guide, take a moment to appreciate our Platinum Wolf!”]
The first time I posted a guide for Magic Hat’s Phase 1, the backlash was infuriating.
[“Why use a trash-tier build? I’ll do it differently.”]
[“Newbies, don’t fall for this! Run!!!”]
[“Why is this even a guide? He just dodges everything!”]
[“This isn’t a strategy; it’s concubine-tier nonsense.”]
└ [Pure Love Dark Knight: What’s your address?]
└ [“How is she a Saintess if she can’t even heal properly? Even the golden dog outheals her.”]
└ [Pure Love Dark Knight: Drop your location, NOW!!]
Honestly, I just wanted to showcase how cute the Saintess was by including her illustrations in my guides. Was that such a crime?
The two most useful techniques in those Demon Lord fights?
“NPC joint attacks and ultimates. Perhaps we could try a joint technique, you two.”
“Joint technique? You mean me and Kainel?”
“Licht, what exactly are you plotting?”
“I had a flash of inspiration.”
In Kainel and Ariel’s case, triggering their ultimates together created a joint technique.
‘To avoid messing up the Grand Route, I avoided teaching them magic.’
This technique symbolized their bond as a couple, and player interference could mess up their relationship arc. It was a move frequently seen in the game.
Unsheathing my sword, I drew a diagram in the dirt.
Since they wouldn’t be able to master an ultimate attack quickly, I aimed to design a simpler joint technique—something that would boost both their romance flags and synergy.
“…So we just… detonate this?”
“Correct, Mardol. As expected, your perception is sharp.”
“Dimensional magic circle. Application.”
Mardol studied the crude circle I’d drawn with fascination. Was his vision that sharp? He instantly understood the cross-segmented circles I sketched.
“We’ll layer Ariel’s fire magic into the dimensional magic circle multiple times, condensing it. Then Kainel will detonate it with Shine Strike.”
This idea had come to me thanks to something Ariel mentioned in the clubroom. Even against water-aligned monsters, it should land effective hits.
“What’s the advantage here, Licht?”
“The combined light and fire attributes will enhance the attack. The overlapping explosions will also be far more destructive than a regular spell.”
“Hmm… So it’s like a time bomb that Kainel can detonate on demand?”
Ariel pulled her wizard hat down, deep in thought. She was right—dimensional magic circles carried significant risk to the caster.
“Precisely, Ariel. It’ll also be effective against multiple targets.”
“But it’s too risky, Helmet Guy. Unless it’s someone with a water affinity like Professor Dennis…”
“You two said you needed to take down strong monsters and many monsters, right?”
“Well, yeah, but still…”
Adding fire to the mix made the technique unstable. I needed a workaround.
“Kainel, cast your spell while maintaining physical contact with Ariel. That should stabilize the magic.”
“…What? Licht, what are you talking about?”
“Wha—! Licht, that’s—that’s crazy!”
This was a trick I’d learned from the Glass Knight. Borrowing another’s magic circuits coated the fire attribute with light, reducing its instability.
“Would you like a demonstration? Mardol, shall we?”
Ariel was so flustered she didn’t even use my nickname. I gestured at Mardol. To dispel doubt, a hands-on demonstration was necessary.
“Alright, Licht.”
The Glass Knight nodded, grabbing my hand with his usual vice-like grip. He sure loved holding hands.
“With this method, even I can cast magic.”
His grip was crushing. Ease up, Crown Prince.
“…What? You can cast magic, Licht?”
“Well, that’s good, but—no, what does this have to do with anything, Licht?!”
Kainel gave me a puzzled look, while Ariel’s face flushed red as she practically shouted her embarrassment.
「Merak.」
The incantation finished, and a sphere of light, resembling a translucent soap bubble, floated gently into the air. They’d understand now.
“Huh…? This looks different from the usual Merak, Licht.”
“…Oh, I’ve read about this. But I heard it’s rarely used.”
Normally, Merak is a simple skill that conjures a floating orb of light. But its current bubble-like form was probably influenced by Mardol. After all, his ability to manipulate steel as if it were glass was remarkable.
“Individual attributes are unique and difficult to alter. That’s why layering is necessary,” I explained.
The protagonist advantage was undeniable. Dennis could twist water into alcohol, and he pulled it off effortlessly.
Would it be this easy to track down someone with the light attribute in the future to identify our Saintess? The thought struck me suddenly, and I furrowed my brow in concentration.
“Why don’t you give it a try? In a backhug position.”
Unlike with Mardol, I added a bit of complexity to boost the childhood friends’ romance gauge. Sometimes, awkward or embarrassing situations work wonders for relationships.
“…What? Seriously?”
“Licht, do we have to?! Why would I need to backhug Kainel?!”
Ariel turned beet red, glancing sideways at Kainel as she yelled. At moments like this, her tsundere nature was all too apparent.
“I absolutely refuse! No way—NOOO!!”
“…Isn’t there another way?”
Our clueless golden retriever looked ready to back out. I needed to apply more pressure. Hoping for Mardol’s support, I turned to him.
“Mardol, wouldn’t you agree that a backhug would work best?”
“…Yes. That’s right.”
As expected of this iteration of Lupus—always so rational. The faint laughter I stifled inside my helmet nearly escaped.
“Once the dimensional magic circle is complete, you can separate. But until then, staying as close as possible will stabilize it.”
This was factual. Mana originates from the heart, after all. That’s why the game titles were Knight Heart and Black Heart.
“…Ugh, Helmet Guy, you make a good point, but still…”
“Ariel, just this once. Let’s give it a try.”
The closer they were, the safer it would be. I had to admit, the setup was rather romantic. In the game, there were players who drew their swords straight from their character’s heart.
“…If you insist that much, Kainel… I guess I can’t say no.”
“…”
She screamed at me but meekly agreed when Kainel asked. Great. Success.
My lips curled into a grin, though thankfully, my helmet hid it. They’d manage fine without my meddling if they could already navigate this much romantic tension.
“Ariel, you’re not uncomfortable, right?”
Kainel gently wrapped his arms around Ariel from behind.
True to his shining hero image, he avoided any inappropriate contact, maintaining a respectful distance while still fulfilling the backhug requirement.
“No, Kainel… it’s fine…”
Ariel’s face turned so red it nearly matched her hair, making it difficult to tell where one ended and the other began.
“Alright, now begin casting the layered dimensional magic circles. Use only weak spells to minimize the risk of an explosion.”
I extended my hand, signaling them to proceed. Mardol stood beside me, arms crossed, silently observing.
“…Licht, why?”
His golden eyes gleamed through the visor of his glass-like armor, watching me like I was some kind of test subject.
Surely he wasn’t planning to backhug me to test magic theory, right?
A sudden shiver ran down my spine at the possibility. The mere thought sent chills through me. I just wanted to see the Saintess’s happy ending, not this kind of drift into chaos.
「Fireworks.」
「Bright Flare.」
「Sparkler.」
Ariel began chanting, weaving three weak spells together. Thankfully, the lower-tier magic wouldn’t pose much danger even if it exploded.
“Compress them to about the size of a marble. Kainel, stay closer.”
I checked the slowly spinning dimensional magic circle and gave Ariel a gentle reminder.
“Ariel, be careful.”
“…Thanks for worrying, Kainel.”
She lowered her head and entrusted herself to his arms. Soon, the swirling orbs of fiery energy condensed into a single glowing point, the sound of magic concentrating into a faint crackle.
“Good. When I give the signal, throw it forward.”
“And I’ll slice it with Shine Strike, right?”
“Correct, Kainel.”
At least he picked things up quickly. Heroes of light were like that. Worst-case scenario, I could clean up any mess with Vacuum Slash. I raised three fingers.
“Throw it on three. One.”
Kainel loosened his embrace and moved to stand beside Ariel, nodding encouragingly at her. His focus was on the small flame resting in her palm.
“Two.”
“You can do it, Ariel. Don’t worry.”
“…Really? Kainel, what if I mess up like last time and hurt you again?”
I chose this method because I knew about their past—how she had once burned his hair during a magic mishap when they were younger.
“It’s fine. This hairstyle looks cooler anyway. It’s actually better now.”
“…Thank you, Kainel.”
It was in the lore, after all. I was glad I had written down all the setting details as soon as I got isekai’d. No one could remember all this off the top of their head.
Fear of her own firepower would only hinder her growth. In the timeline of Knight Heart, this issue gets resolved, but not yet.
“Three! Throw it now!!”
I shouted, warning them not to hold the magic together for too long—it could explode prematurely.
「Shine Strike.」
Kainel struck quickly, his blade cutting through the compressed magic at the perfect moment.
─Boom! Boom! BOOM!
The overlapping magic circles exploded in a chain reaction as the energy was released. A shockwave rippled through the area, setting trees ablaze.
I’d have to extinguish the fires with Vacuum Slash. It wasn’t a big deal, but still…
“Eek!”
The unexpected force caught Ariel off guard, causing her to stumble as the ground beneath her trembled. She lost her balance and fell.
“Ariel, are you okay?!”
“Ugh… Y-yeah… Kainel, I’m fine…”
Kainel had fallen with her, bracing himself on one arm while shielding her with the other. They ended up in a classic “wall slam” position, with the mage beneath the hero.
Their faces were so close their noses almost touched.
I could practically hear their hearts pounding from where I stood.
“…Kainel…”
“Ariel? Are you hurt? Nothing broken, right?!”
Ah, romance. This was peak fantasy-academy love story material. Hopefully, their relationship meter would skyrocket from this.
Though, as expected, the oblivious hero just babbled nervously despite Ariel’s flushed face.
They weren’t dating yet, huh? Was this supposed to bump their romance gauge past 50%?
“Could you… maybe get off me so I can stand?”
“Oh. S-sorry.”
His concern was genuine, but it stung a little. I’d monitored everything so carefully to ensure no one got hurt.
“Surprisingly… that was really strong.”
Ariel dusted herself off, brushing dirt and ash from her hair.
“At least you’re not hurt… That’s a relief.”
Kainel finally seemed to notice how close they’d been, his face turning red. Both kept their distance now, awkwardly clearing their throats.
Meanwhile, several monsters—Horned Bears and Armored Bees—lay defeated in front of them. But neither seemed to notice, too wrapped up in their bashful exchange.
Seriously? I sighed and rubbed the forehead of my helmet. A familiar status screen popped up.
[Kainel♡Ariel: 29% — ‘NEW!’]
It was rising, albeit slowly. Nex’s route started at a base of 50%, though. How many more of these scenes would I need to orchestrate?
‘Not that I mind.’
Love that develops naturally is better than something forced or contrived. Feeling oddly satisfied, I smiled faintly.
“…Strange.”
Mardol, standing nearby, nodded slightly, watching me curiously.
Feeling his gaze, I turned toward him, catching my reflection in his polished armor.
‘Ah, wait.’
A sudden, sharp pang hit my chest.
Realizing this was how I’d need to protect the Saintess’s romantic route too…
It wasn’t enough to simply push them together.
I needed to ensure her happy ending was truly earned.
“…”
The thought left me shaken, my heart thudding heavily in my chest.