“Yes, Heavenly Demon.”
“To transform impending rain into needless worry… how hopeful. A blade as cold as it is kind.”
The Heavenly Demon read the kanji etched into the blade, offering her succinct appraisal. When had those even appeared? It must’ve been because of how strongly I felt about the Saintess.
“The rain will eventually stop.”
As I held the sword and assumed an overhead stance, the rain abruptly ceased, as if in response. So it was the sword that had summoned the rain. At first, I thought it was just a coincidence.
“…I hope she finds happiness.”
“Kuhuhu! At this point, I truly wish to meet her in person! boy!”
“So do I, Heavenly Demon.”
White Magnolia remained untouched by the rain. Perhaps she had warded it off with her internal energy. Her dry, soft brown hair swayed as she smiled. Truly, the Heavenly Demon was a cheat code in human form.
“…Thank you for everything you’ve done for me.”
“Indeed, boy, you’ve worked hard.”
Now that I had obtained the Heart Sword, it was truly time to leave. While I felt a mix of relief and lingering attachment, I knew I had to press forward.
“Once Head Eike is defeated, you will be freed from this forest, Heavenly Demon.”
“That is something Dennis already told me. Let us end this delightful meeting with different words, something more fitting.”
“…I don’t think magnolias ever look withered. A flower’s beauty lies in the fact that it blooms and fades in its time.”
“Kuhuhu! What’s this? Are you teasing me now, pretending to be a disciple of the Heavenly Demon?”
White Magnolia covered her mouth with a hand as she laughed. She seemed pleased by my imitation of her manner of speech.
“Very well, boy. That conviction of yours—guard it well and keep it close. You have my support.”
“Thank you for everything, Heavenly Demon.”
Raising my sword high into the air, I assumed a stance from the Magnolia Sword Art. With my preparations complete, I readied myself to leave the heart of the endless forest of beasts.
“…Actually, you may call me Master, boy.”
White Magnolia’s words caught me off guard. I remembered her as someone with considerable pride, and it seemed she felt melancholic about being left alone once I departed.
“Yes, Master. This unworthy disciple, Licht, bids farewell!”
“Kuhuhu! A disciple with both Eastern and Western swordsmanship masters—how amusing. It was a pleasure to teach you!”
With a hearty farewell, she swung her sword. The motion was as graceful as falling petals, but its power was enough to fell every tree in its path.
Clutching my sword tightly, I took my first steps forward.
***
At that moment, a group of people was traversing the endless forest of beasts. The ground was damp, and knights stood on the moist earth where rain had recently fallen.
“Do you think we’ll find him today, Gold?”
“…You really shouldn’t keep doing this every day, Your Highness Gransia.”
“But… I can’t just stand by and do nothing.”
The knight in heavy armor sighed as he watched the Empire’s princess, clad in her crystalline armor, use an expensive teleportation crystal daily to search for the Dark Knight.
“No matter how concerned you are about him, please leave it to us.”
“Silence, Gold.”
Even for someone addressing her as the Imperial Princess, her reaction was unusually intense. She must have been very close to him.
As Gold sorted through his thoughts, another voice spoke.
“…Licht. His scent?”
Inside her crystalline helmet, Phine caught the faint scent of sweat in the air. Her wolf-like senses picked up on something.
“Wait, Princess Phine Gransia! Where are you going? That path is too dangerous—!”
Phine ignored the warning and sprinted in the direction of the scent. Utilizing mana to augment her speed, she dashed ahead, leaving the golden-armored knight struggling to catch up.
Licht… Are you alive? Truly…?
It was already too late to stop her. The white-haired wolf’s ears twitched as she followed the trail of the Dark Knight.
She ran for what felt like an eternity.
Eventually, she stumbled upon an area where trees had been cut down. The clean slices left no doubt that a sword had been used. This increased the likelihood that he was nearby.
The scent is getting stronger.
Phine tripped countless times over roots and through the undergrowth in her haste, her exceptional vision failing to keep up with her racing heart.
I won’t lose anyone else because of Magic Hat… Licht…
Her eyes, clouded with determination, guided her as her heart pushed her beyond her limits. Her breath was ragged, her chest heaving as her pounding heart threatened to burst.
And then,
“Uh… Mardol?”
“…Licht.”
There he was—the man in the Dark Knight’s helmet, standing still with a blue sword in hand.
“Licht!”
“Mar—”
Crash!
In her rush, Phine collided with him. She tackled him to the ground, landing on top of the Dark Knight. Her armored form pinned him down, and she could feel the warmth of his unarmored body beneath her.
“Mardol…! Please get off me! You’re heav—ah, actually, not heavy at all? Is it because you’re a masterpiece?”
As always, this Dark Knight was the same. Oblivious to the concern he had felt, he cracked a joke even in such an emotional moment.
“…Haha. My apologies, Licht.”
She laughed for the first time in what felt like ten years. This man, fully aware of her imperial status, still joked as casually as ever.
“…I’m sorry for worrying you.”
The man pinned beneath her sighed deeply as he apologized. He must have understood the reason for her intense reaction.
“As long as you know. Licht.”
Though he had spoken as if going to his death and returned nearly a month later, none of that mattered to her. As long as no one was hurt by Magic Hat, that was enough.
“…Would you mind getting off me now? I already said I’m sorry. I can’t—”
She could hear his heartbeat. She felt the pulse of life from his chest. He was alive. Phine, who had been terrified of reliving her dark past, wanted to indulge just a little longer.
“No.”
“Fine. Do as you wish…”
Licht gave up, releasing the tension in his body.
…Kind liar.
Phine’s sharp eyes noticed how he had deliberately thrown the blue sword far away to ensure she wouldn’t accidentally hurt herself.
As the rain ceased, the two knights reunited.