EP.5 1-3. The Neighbor’s Yellow Dog and the Red Cat
The campfire flickered, and two men stood facing each other.
“I’m just saying, I’m not an idiot.”
“I’ll take your word for it.”
“…Why did you do it?”
“What are you talking about?”
“I mean, what you did to Ariel.”
His expression turned more serious than ever.
Of course, it was understandable for someone who was afraid of drifting away from his childhood friend. Though he was utterly oblivious to his own feelings.
This was quite a significant development.
“You mean that lovely elf girl.”
“Looking back now, that was an act this morning, wasn’t it? Otherwise, it doesn’t make sense.”
“Please, continue.”
“Your tone and actions were more focused on me than on Ariel.”
Ugh, I’ve been caught.
“No one would do something like that if they were really after her. And the way you handled the carriage was impressive… You even took expensive candy from me. Did you think I wouldn’t notice?”
I didn’t think you’d find out.
That was my mistake.
Is this guy becoming more perceptive when it comes to Ariel? I need to revise my assessment. Acting as if I knew nothing, I sheathed my sword.
“Anyway, thanks. I’ll definitely repay this debt.”
Did I hear that right? That’s the typical line when starting the Kainel companion route.
The warrior’s face softened as his wariness faded.
“I haven’t done anything worthy of your thanks.”
“Even someone as clueless as me could see you were trying to get me and Ariel together. Thanks to you, she calmed down.”
“I’m glad you noticed.”
“Was it that frustrating to watch? Is that why you did it?”
“…”
What should I do now? I had my line, but…
Judging by his indecisive nature, a straightforward approach would be difficult.
In that case.
“It reminded me of someone I know.”
I’ll go for a twist.
You need to care this much if you want to have a better chance at love.
***
‘He’s a strange man.’
That was Kainel’s impression after observing Licht so far.
At times, he said flirtatious things like a pervert, and he even conspired with the coachman to meddle in my relationship with Ariel.
He also handed out candy and helped me. Now he’s even offering to take the night watch so I can sleep with her?
Except for the beginning, he hadn’t glanced at his childhood friend even once.
This wasn’t about targeting Ariel.
His tone and behavior felt like his true self. The way he acted earlier seemed awkward, as if he was putting on an act.
‘Was I wrong?’
He had been running away from his own feelings all this time. He had always thought that telling more lies was the best way, even if it ended up hurting her.
Perhaps the Dark knight in front of him had done all this deliberately to correct him.
After all, he had even told them not to have a lovers’ quarrel in the stable.
With some of his doubts resolved, the warrior began to listen attentively to Licht’s story.
“You said someone you know? Are you talking about a friend?”
“Do you think it’s better to confess and regret it later, Mr. Kainel?”
“Well… I’m not sure.”
He crossed his legs.
“They say that once you break up, you can’t even stay friends.”
“That’s true in most cases. Not being like that is more unusual.”
“How long have you and Miss Ariel known each other?”
The campfire’s light reflected in the dark knight’s eyes.
There was something strange about that look.
“…About ten years.”
Kainel ruffled his hair. He felt like Licht was indirectly talking about his own situation, explaining it in a way even a clueless guy like him could understand.
He had a hunch.
“One side is worse than clueless, and the other is bad at expressing their feelings.”
“I see.”
“He said he’s afraid. That their friendship might drift apart. That’s why he won’t confess.”
“That’s my story.”
As soon as he heard that, the dark knight shrugged.
“Well, people say it’s hard to tell whether it’s friendship or love when you’ve been friends for too long.”
“No, I don’t think I’m confused.”
“Why not?”
“…”
The black helmet stared at the warrior.
It was as if he were waiting for an answer.
“Because I like Ariel. There’s no way I’m mistaken.”
A clear leading question.
The blonde warrior confessed his true feelings to Licht. He couldn’t lie anymore, not after coming this far. He set his pride aside.
“You’ve become quite honest. That’s good.”
“If I don’t answer like this, you’ll probably do something else with Ariel tomorrow. Give me a break. I’m going to have a heart attack.”
“You caught me? That’s unfortunate. Hahaha!”
A loud, hearty laugh he had never heard before.
Is this what he’s really like? He often did unpredictable things, and I couldn’t grasp his intentions, but he truly wanted to help me and Ariel get together.
“You know, it’s embarrassing to get dating advice from a stranger.”
“Then, can I approach Miss Ariel?”
“I won’t allow it. Don’t even think about it.”
“Even though you say that.”
His face, hidden under the helmet, was surely wearing a mischievous smile. Thinking about it made me laugh for some reason.
“I’ll call you Licht. We’re the same age, right?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“You kept using formal language, so I thought you were some old geezer with a dark soul.”
“Doesn’t this make me seem less intimidating?”
“I’m not afraid. Here.”
When Kainel offered his hand for a handshake, a faint laugh could be heard as Licht took it.
“Now I feel relieved. If you were a real rival, I’d be in big trouble.”
“Miss Ariel is very beautiful.”
“Honestly, I was surprised today too. What would she do if men start flocking to her at the academy?”
“You can stay by her side, Mr. Kainel.”
“Yeah, I’ll have to.”
Stretching, they continued their conversation in front of the campfire.
He believed Licht’s words that he had done this because it was obvious they liked each other and were heading to the academy.
To be honest, people around him had often asked why they weren’t dating, and even their parents knew each other well.
At that moment, a question flashed through the warrior’s mind.
“Oh, by the way… Licht, do you have someone you like?”
A sentence that came to him out of the blue.
The knight’s movements came to an awkward halt. He looked like a puppet with its strings cut.
He’s surprisingly clumsy. Kainel felt as if he’d caught a good opportunity.
“It’s unrequited love… but yes, I do.”
“Oh… who is it? It’s not Ariel, is it?”
“Of course not. It’s a beautiful woman with silver hair.”
Hearing this, the warrior’s doubts were completely dispelled. Ariel had red hair, after all.
The jealousy that had been strangling his heart melted away like snow.
“So, hang in there. If you don’t want to suffer like I did.”
“It really was your story, huh, Licht.”
“Think whatever you want.”
“You’re really bad at ly—what?”
The holy sword at his waist began to tremble.
The bushes shook. A large figure started charging from a distance.
The sound of wind being sliced through.
“Grrrr…”
The menacing growl of a furious beast. So, that’s why Licht had volunteered for the night watch.
***
Where did this go wrong?
‘This shouldn’t be here…’
A five-star monster. A Shadow Wolf was targeting the two of us.
Behind us were the tents where the others were sleeping. If I went to wake them up, they’d be attacked because of its habit of hiding in the shadows.
“I can’t believe there are no more carriages! How are we supposed to get to the academy now?!”
I recalled what Ariel had said in the stables, about not being able to leave because the carriages were gone.
If I hadn’t been here…
‘Damn it. This is because of me, isn’t it?’
A chill ran through me.
Originally, we were supposed to arrive at the academy through a warp.
I sighed, realizing that my deduction was correct. If that had happened, we wouldn’t have encountered such an uninvited guest.
Facing the enormous black wolf, which looked about 5 meters long,
I drew my sword from its sheath. Now, it was a sword that protected the love of two childhood friends.
The steel I had named ‘Pure Love Infuser (Physical)’ glinted in the firelight.
The beast took a deep breath.
“Cover your ears!”
“Huh? Alright!”
Aooooooo──!!!
The howl pattern. If I counter it at the beginning, there’ll be a damage window.
“Use the holy sword, Kainel!”
“How do you know about that..!”
“If you’re going to protect, do it right!”
If Ariel dies here, it’s your fall route. Love line? There’s none of that, at least not there. We have to finish this as quickly as possible.
If the campfire goes out, who knows what’ll happen.
“Let there be light.”
A halo of light gathered on the blade of the holy sword, beginning to illuminate the night. As the view became slightly clearer, the wolf, sensing something was wrong, hesitated.
“Aim for the eyes. That’s its weak spot.”
“Are you sure?”
His expression turned grim.
In an instant, the wolf charged. Its target was the campfire.
“Not so fast.”
The moonlight reflected off the sword, slicing the Shadow Wolf’s path ahead. Dust flew up.
“Grrr…”
A gash appeared on the ground. Black blood splattered onto my helmet. The wounded wolf immediately tried to bite back. A blind spot that I couldn’t cover—however—
“Aren’t you late?”
“Yes.”
Kainel charged forward, aiming directly for its left eye. With a flash of light, blood spurted from the wolf’s eye like a fountain.
There was an opening.
“Yelp! Yipe!”
We didn’t let it slip away, Kainel and I both lunged forward. Two swords piercing from opposite sides. Seeing this, the wolf threw itself into the shadows.
Its form vanished like smoke, and Kainel began to glance around frantically.
“It’ll come from behind! Get ready!”
“Behind?!”
The wolf would instinctively move against the direction of the wind. To conceal its scent, to avoid being detected by its prey.
Thanks to my guidance, his anxiety subsided.
Grrraaaaak──!!!
Like a dolphin leaping, a wolf emerged from behind our shadows. It soared into the air, opening its massive maw as if to devour the entire ground beneath it.
“Aim for the eyes!”
“I know!”
Kainel and I moved in unison. We both slashed toward its eyes, precisely cutting through the beast’s pupils.
Two perfectly mirrored sword strokes.
The left eye and the right eye of the wolf were both split in half at the same time.
The [Shadow Wolf] was structured to be all shadow and blood except for its eyes.
So, if we just destroy the eyes, all that’s left is the hide.
With a thud, a huge black fur dropped to the ground. That hide should fetch a decent price.
“Licht… What the hell are you?! How are you on par with me?!”
The warrior’s face was filled with astonishment. He’d never seen someone chosen by a holy sword and capable of achieving the same level of feats as himself. He turned pale, looking back and forth between me and the Shadow Wolf.
Hmm, what would be the best way to spread a good rumor?
“A Pure Love Dark Knight.”
“I’m the man who’ll become the Pure Love Dark Knight of the academy.”
That was the most accurate statement for now.
After all, that was my nickname in the game.
Because I had to protect love for the happiness of the nameless saintess.