CH.54 15-2. May All Your Worries Turn into a Downpour
Swishhh—
The rain began to fall, just like that day.
“…”
I’d been searching for a reason.
A reason to approach her.
It seemed so simple—“If you like her, just act on it.” But my past weighed too heavily on me to take it lightly.
If I didn’t approach the Nameless Saintess, she would undoubtedly face misfortune again.
She was such a kind and warm person. Lacking skill yet earnest and passionate, weak but always striving to support those around her.
This cold, cruel world would not leave someone like her alone. That was the truth my life experiences had ingrained in me.
The icy sensation of the spring rain drove that fact home.
‘How foolish have my worries been?’
The love she had shown and made me believe in wasn’t some fragile, fleeting emotion.
Why had I been running from my feelings? Why had I turned away and retreated?
Perhaps it was fear—the fear that old wounds might reopen.
“…Saintess.”
If pushing her away was my way of shielding myself from hurt, she had told me it was okay to do so. Even as just a game character, she had made me understand love.
Unrequited love, when left unchecked, can become burdensome to the other person. I acted cautiously for that very reason.
I hadn’t asked either the Sage or Laplace for information about her, nor had I brought up anything about her wolf ears or tail.
Those were her most distinct features, after all. Even her nickname was the Platinum Wolf.
Looking back, I might have been afraid of disrupting the happiness she had found within the Academy.
Besides, I doubted she would understand if a stranger suddenly declared their affection, claimed they had a crush, or called her their first love.
‘Maybe that’s true for a normal game. But this is Knight Heart Trilogy.’
A world where there were multiple heroes and Demon Lords. The Heroic Church’s threats still loomed, and the Empire, newly founded, was fraught with chaos.
That’s why I had almost lost her.
Even when exploiting glitches in the battle with Magic Hat, the condition of “losing someone you love” should not have been met.
There were times when the player couldn’t turn into a Demon Lord, only borrowing the ownership of the holy sword temporarily and nothing more.
‘Magic Hat and the Nameless Saintess are connected.’
In the end, she had almost perished because of the Demon Lord of Truth. Alternatively, she might have ended up like White Magnolia, altered in some inexplicable way.
I had been too greedy. Lee Soo-hyun.
This world is far too cruel for someone as kind and gentle as her. I couldn’t afford to waste time on pointless doubts. I needed to grow stronger.
‘Even if she thinks I’m strange.’
I wanted to protect her. I wanted to ensure she could live a life free from the Demon Lord’s grasp, a life filled with happiness.
When the Grand Route was finally complete, I wanted her to be free from scorn for being a Saintess who couldn’t heal well.
Instead of mourning deaths in battle, I hoped she could talk about the flowers blooming in the fields or share trivial musings about nature.
One day, I wanted her to feel the warmth of the midday sun, smile softly as she watered a blue rose, and let out a small, happy chuckle.
…That’s my simple wish.
She taught me to believe in love.
***
Thud.
Amidst the sound of rain, I heard the distinct clang of metal striking the ground.
“…Did I succeed?”
I opened my eyes. Before me lay a blue sword, darker in hue than cobalt, with an almost stormy appearance.
“Kuhuhu! Indeed, boy!”
“This is… my Heart Sword…”
I stood, picking up the blade. Raindrops tapped against the blade’s surface, sending a faint vibration into my hand.
“Does it have the power to summon rain?”
If the Nameless Saintess were here, she might say the kind rain was giving its blessing.
“No, it is something far more useful, boy. Though I must admit, it has been quite some time since I’ve seen someone capable of altering the weather with their spirit alone!”
The Heavenly Demon’s dragon-like fangs gleamed faintly as she let out her signature chuckle. So, it was my heart that had brought the rain. Intrigued, I inspected the sword closely.
“It’s time to name the blade, boy.”
“…A name? Why?”
“Everything has a name and a meaning, does it not? Even a mere tool gains purpose and direction when given a name. And this is the Heart Sword that seeks ‘direction,’ is it not?”
A name, huh? This sword, like a connection between me and the Saintess, deserved something meaningful. What should I call it?
“…How about Holy Sword of Love?”
“That is unacceptable, boy.”
“Why not, Heavenly Demon?”
“The so-called god of emotions would likely throw a fit. Think of another suitable name.”
Fine. Since the blade was born from my belief in and commitment to protecting love, I thought it was perfect. But if it’s not allowed…
I propped my chin on my hand, mulling over potential names.
After a while, inspiration struck.
“…How about Conviction, Heavenly Demon?”
“Oh? What inspired that choice?”
I gazed at the blade, its surface glistening as the rain washed over it.
“Conviction represents both belief and protection. I now believe in love. And I must protect it, too.”
This wasn’t some self-centered interpretation or special epiphany. The Nameless Saintess had once said this to me:
[“This time, I’ll help you believe in love.”]
Those words alone had driven me to immerse myself in this game. It was a universal truth, one that anyone could accept.
“The full name is Conviction: Rain of Hope.”
I swung the blade to test its weight. It felt familiar, like the iron sword I had always used, and was easy to handle. It was fascinating to think this was an extension of my own resolve.
“With this blade, I will bear the tears meant for others.”
“Oh, so the rain in the name is written with the character for hope. Does it also carry the meaning of groundless fears?”
“Yes, Heavenly Demon.”
“To transform impending rain into needless worry… how hopeful. A blade as cold as it is kind.”