“I’ll be first, Kainel.”
Ah, right. I’d forgotten he’s obsessed with strength.
Mardol’s golden wolf-like eyes gleamed with quiet intensity as he traced his finger along the bracket, counting how many matches he’d need to win to face me.
“…”
At moments like this, it was best to stay silent.
If I said the wrong thing, I might get imprisoned in the Imperial underground where no light reached. I knew that because it happened in one of the game’s romance routes with the Imperial Guard.
If the love escape route failed, you’d be locked away. It was seriously scary.
“I want to fight you, Licht.”
“…Do as you please.”
I’d give him the Dragon Heart, so please just leave the Mana Rose alone.
His golden wolf eyes stayed on me, and I felt an inexplicable sense of deja vu.
***
As the sun set, marking the end of another day at the Academia, the air grew quiet.
“Then, Mardol. Get back safely.”
“We’re heading to the dorms, Mardol!”
“Yeah, see you later, Licht, Kainel.”
Phine waved goodbye to the Black Knight and the Hero as they entered the boys’ dormitory.
Her heart felt lighter now, and even her words grew a bit longer than usual.
‘Licht… said he likes meat, didn’t he?’
As she watched the man wearing the black knight’s helmet walk away, a thought lingered in her mind.
One day, she wanted to invite him to one of her favorite restaurants and treat him to a good meal.
‘A place run by Dwarves… that should be fine, right?’
Licht was the man who had rescued both Nex Aureus and Charitines, her older brother and older sister figures.
And more than that, he had saved her mother.
He might not think much of it himself, but to Phine, Licht was an irreplaceable benefactor. There was no way she could overlook the debt she owed him.
‘These days, it’s easier for me to go to school.’
At first, she’d built walls around herself, fearing that she might be harmed by the Demon Lords.
She was terrified that if she got too close to anyone, that crazy magician would target them.
So she’d thought she wouldn’t grow close to anyone.
But the man named Licht had continually drawn her in.
‘That little black one… it was so cute.’
The fuzzy little creature he had summoned with his shadow magic was adorable. Its soft, fluffy fur made it look like a stuffed animal.
One of Phine’s dreams was to take it for a walk one day.
“The Year-End Exams… start tomorrow.”
Muttering to herself, she slowly walked toward a secluded area.
She had to use the teleportation crystal in a place where no one was watching. If she didn’t, someone might realize that she was the Imperial Princess.
As always, she glanced around to make sure no one was nearby.
That’s when she heard familiar voices.
“Lady Phine. It’s been a while.”
“Sis! It’s been so long!”
A young boy with black wolf ears and a dignified butler approached her from the opposite side.
“Dijur… Lupus? What are you two doing here?”
“I am but a humble butler, ever at the side of Sir Mardol as his sword and shield.”
“Hehe! We’re here to watch the Year-End Exams, sis!”
They had come to cheer her on at the Academy.
Phine’s surprise was evident as her wolf ears and tail perked up, her body reacting on its own.
“…Lupus. My name here is Mardol.”
“Okay! Mardol, sis!”
The Glass Knight turned to her younger brother and gave him a stern warning.
She placed a finger to her lips, making a “shh” gesture. She was afraid that if Magic Hat overheard anything, she might target her friends.
“…You seem to be doing well, Lady Mardol.”
The butler, Dijur, noticed the change in Phine’s demeanor. Her words had grown longer, and her once-guarded nature had softened.
It was clear she had become much more open while attending the Academy.
“Is it thanks to that knight, Licht?”
“Yeah, Dijur.”
This was a surprising sight. Since rescuing Empress Bellin, Phine had steadily returned to her old bright and positive self.
“I knew he was strong, but I didn’t expect him to defeat the Demon Lord of Truth.”
The man who had saved her from Magic Hat—and even saved his hostages.
When he subdued the Shadow Wolf, his skill had been undeniable. It had been so smooth and efficient that it felt like second nature to him.
At the time, if things had gotten any worse, Phine had been ready to rush in and save the Hero and Magician herself.
“At this rate, he might end up being listed as a hero.”
“That’s wrong, Dijur. He’s strong… but he’s also weak and kind.”
“Ah, I see. A pure-hearted knight who has yet to outgrow his innocence.”
Phine shook her head, correcting Dijur’s assessment.
Licht wasn’t simply “strong.”
‘He’s a kind liar.’
That’s what Phine thought of him.
A powerful but awkward knight.
A paradoxical but kind liar.
“Licht saved our mom, right?”
“Yes, Lupus.”
“…I want to say thank you to him.”
Even the once-prideful Crown Prince had changed his tune the moment Licht’s name was mentioned.
His wolf ears and tail twitched as he spoke with quiet sincerity.
His opinion of Licht had shifted so much that he now referred to him as “Big Brother Licht” instead of “that guy.”
The reason for this was simple.
Licht was someone that his proud sister had acknowledged.
And he was also the one who had saved their mother.
“…”
But there was one unresolved issue.
The Queen of Hearts card.
Since they hadn’t yet found a way to lift the Demon Lord’s power, it was still unknown when Empress Bellin would return to normal.
Phine hadn’t told her father, the Emperor, about this.
He might be so shocked that he’d faint on the spot.
The other reason was more practical.
If her father found out, he’d likely raise an army and march to hunt down Magic Hat himself.
“…The chance will come, Lupus.”
They had to be patient.
Phine didn’t want a reward or any sort of compensation.
She simply wanted to express gratitude. Licht had been there for her—not for a prize, but to comfort her purely from kindness.
Her “good eyes” told her that much.
Licht wouldn’t want a war.
She was sure of it.