Inside my helmet, I gave a bitter smile. Kainel must have had his fair share of troubles dealing with the Demon Kings, too. Was it really okay to talk about this so openly?
“With your skills, you should be able to protect that white-haired Saintess, shouldn’t you?” Kainel asked.
“It’s not enough. Not even close.”
He spoke as someone who had never faced a Demon King. Their power to blanket the world with their very concept—it was something far removed from simple magic or swordsmanship.
‘At least I thought I’d learn Dragon Slayer before meeting those bastards.’
If I could master a skill of that level, I might stand a chance. But as things stood, I was still lacking. The bitterness of my weakness rose in my throat like bile.
“You’re basically at the level of a Swordmaster, Licht,” Kainel pointed out.
“…Who said I’m a Swordmaster? That’s ridiculous,” I snapped.
I frowned at his sudden declaration. Although my helmet hid my expression, my voice clearly conveyed my irritation.
“What kind of ‘master’ can’t even protect the person they want to protect? That’s a joke, Kainel. Even a dog passing by would laugh.”
“Haha, was that meant for me to hear?”
My frustration leaked out in my words. Thinking about it, my journey to this level had all been for the Saintess. Yet I hadn’t even caught a glimpse of her.
“Well, maybe I do feel a bit resentful,” I admitted.
“Still, with how hard you’ve worked, you could at least try asking her to share a meal or something.”
“Is this revenge for earlier? Are you giving me romantic coaching now?”
Even if I said this to the blonde Hero, it wouldn’t disrupt the main route. I had already tried breaking the Crown Prince flag, but it was futile.
“I’m just saying. Once you graduate, everyone will fight over you.”
“That’s true for you, too, isn’t it? With your skill in swordsmanship.”
“I’ve got Ariel,” Kainel said with a casual laugh.
Though he was often clueless, he was refreshingly straightforward in moments like this.
“That’s great,” I replied, genuinely smiling for the first time in what felt like days. When was the last time I smiled like this? But… why hadn’t he confessed to her yet? Why weren’t they dating already?
“But you, Licht—you seem more like someone she saved rather than a romantic interest. You should try to make some sort of connection with her soon.”
“…Me?”
“Yeah. Even if she doesn’t know you, wouldn’t she at least remember saving someone during a prayer or something?”
“…That’s not far off.”
Kainel’s words struck a nerve. This was why I disliked Lupus’s negative portrayal in the story. Protagonists were supposed to be like this—sharp and perceptive, hitting you right where it hurts.
“My face isn’t exactly appealing, so I doubt I’d be all that popular,” I muttered.
“…What’s wrong with your face?”
“I have severe burn scars. They’ve been there for a long time.”
Hearing this, Kainel sighed softly and patted my shoulder encouragingly.
“Don’t worry about that. What does it even matter?”
“Would you like to see?”
“Yeah, I’m curious. I’ve got to see what’s so terrifying that you’re always so formal with everyone.”
Even this shoulder pat felt like it should belong to the Saintess. Why was I always tangled up with men instead?
With a soft click, I unlatched my helmet.
“This is why I always eat with my face hidden.”
“…”
I revealed my face to Kainel.
Other than the Saintess in the game, Kainel was probably the first person to see it. The feeling was strange. He was fundamentally a good person, so it should be fine… right?
Still, my palms grew sweaty at the thought he might dislike me.
“Licht, I hate to say this, but…”
Kainel studied my face closely, then spoke in a tone of genuine surprise.
“…You’re too handsome for your own good, aren’t you?”
I froze.
This was the first time I’d heard anything like that. It couldn’t be true. He was just trying to boost my confidence. The excessive compliment left me feeling embarrassed.
“Don’t joke. I’ve had people insulted just because of me…”
“Unbelievable. How do you even live with that injustice?”
Even as I tried to explain, Kainel sighed dramatically, staring at the night sky. I closed my helmet again, hiding my face.
“Honestly, I don’t see any problem with your appearance. If anyone looks at you strangely, they’re the ones in the wrong.”
“…It’s not that simple, Kainel. People’s hearts don’t work like that.”
“You really seem to care about that Saintess. Just look at how flustered you were earlier.”
“Is it that obvious?”
The blonde Hero nodded repeatedly with a knowing smile. If even Nex could notice it, I must have been wearing my feelings on my sleeve.
“You should at least try. Fight the Hero Cult or whatever. Just beat them all if you have to,” Kainel said optimistically, stretching as if to shrug off the fatigue from our long conversation.
“To be honest, I think she’d be better off being happy without me,” I confessed.
Even in Knight Heart and Black Heart, the Nameless Saintess had been plagued by misfortune. If she could find happiness without me, that would be ideal.
‘But this world isn’t so kind. Knowing her fate, she’s bound for another series of terrible events.’
“What’s more important, Licht—her happiness or you?” Kainel asked.
“…Isn’t it obvious?”
Whether he understood my darkening mood or not, Kainel continued speaking.
“The Saintess, of course,” I replied without hesitation.
“You’re such a romantic. Training to Swordmaster level just to protect someone you love…”
“This world isn’t kind to good, honest people,” I said.
It was because the sequel was so broken.
At least by the events of Knight Heart, Kainel would have grown into a proper Hero. His ignorance of his future filled me with a strange sense of envy.
“Are you really going to do nothing? Why not ask Mardol to help find her? He’s someone important, after all.”
“I’ve already made arrangements. I asked him to look after her while I’m away.”
The flags were firmly tied to the Crown Prince’s route. There was no room for me to step in.
“Are you sure that’s enough?”
“I believe that true love means being able to give up even your feelings for the sake of the one you love, Kainel.”
At that moment, the sound of footsteps rustling the grass interrupted us.
“Mardol?”
“What are you two doing, Licht?”
The Glass Knight, clad in glittering heavy armor, approached Kainel and me. Had he come here to interrupt us deliberately?
“Just two guys talking about life… and other things,” I said.
“Yeah, that’s it,” Kainel added.
“…I see.”
Mardol nodded in understanding. Hopefully, he hadn’t overheard too much of our conversation.
“Mardol, did you hear anything I said?”
“A little.”
It was already too late. I asked out of concern he might tease me about this in front of the Saintess later.
***
Phine set out to find the two men who had suddenly disappeared. Her heart, for reasons she couldn’t quite explain, felt as if it were being guided by fate.
“…Mardol, where did Mister Helmet and Kai go?” she asked.
“I don’t know, Ariel,” Mardol replied.
The red-haired magician next to her had also expressed concern, which spurred Phine to take action.
Eventually, she reached the tree stump.
“…You’re such a romantic. Training to Swordmaster level just to protect someone you love,” the blonde-haired Hero said.
It was at this point that Phine began to eavesdrop.
And so, she listened to everything until the present moment.
“…Licht, you’re strong,” she said, summarizing her judgment after hearing their conversation.
Even his unusual remarks about protecting someone despite being weak made sense now.
“Not this again…” Licht muttered.
“No, your heart is strong,” Phine insisted.
Now, she understood the reason behind his seemingly clumsy demeanor despite his incredible strength.
“…Me? Surely not,” Licht replied, clearly skeptical.
“You’re a strong person.”
Phine had noticed it: Licht had taken up the sword to protect someone he loved.
‘He’s different from me,’ she thought quietly to herself, her wolf ears twitching under her helmet.
“…The Saintess—she’s strong?”
Someone who had reached such heights must certainly be among the ranks of the strong. Licht, after all, had ranked first in the practical exams with swordsmanship alone, without the aid of mana.
“Yes, she’s someone I could never surpass,” Licht admitted with a small sigh.
“I see.”
Who could this person be? Was it an old mentor he admired? Phine couldn’t tell if he was being truthful or evasive. His increasing nervousness was hard to ignore.
“…I want to spar with you, Licht,” she said suddenly.
“Absolutely not. No way,” Licht replied firmly, letting out a deep sigh.
Watching the man clad in the Black Knight’s helmet, she found herself growing curious about this mysterious figure known as the Nameless Saintess.