“Let’s say I’m your arch-nemesis. For now.”
I sighed. I almost uttered a word that would cause Kainel to have a seizure. I shouldn’t delve into his past any further.
“The target for detecting evil is limited to ‘himself,’ and,
It doesn’t work on lunatics.”
“What did you say?”
Mentioning the Demon King in front of the hero would get me dragged to the Inquisition by tomorrow morning. For the peace of the Empire, I’d either disappear into the gallows or face a much worse fate.
Let’s tone it down for now.
“How do you know all this?”
“When you think about it, it’s strange, right? The very existence of such a weapon.”
“It’s the Holy Sword of Light. Isn’t it similar to a Masterpiece Artifact?”
“No, that’s not the issue. Human emotions aren’t that simple, are they?”
I sighed. I thought I had shown enough reliable evidence by now.
“Kainel, are you the type to trust a sword that trembles when it senses something for the first time in your life?”
“But it’s the sword that chose me. Even with the Shadow Wolf…”
“You can’t let a weapon be the criterion for your judgment. Unless it has no flaws, like this? What if Miss Ariel is in danger and it doesn’t tremble, just like now?”
I picked up the split coin and handed it to him. They said it didn’t react because there was no evil intent, but it could definitely be a situation where others are in danger.
“..You’re right, Licht.”
Kainel began to sweat a little. What’s the point of wearing good items? It actually prevents you from becoming stronger.
The one wielding the Holy Sword should be the hero. The sword shouldn’t be the one wielding the hero.
But the Kainel I’ve observed had reversed this order.
‘This might be why he ran away when fighting Magic Hat.’
I’d heard that the fallen route Kainel was refreshing, but thanks to the conditions from the Saintess, there’s a lack of information.
“At least try to trust people more. There are so many good ones out there.”
Like that nameless wolf healer who existed somewhere.
After finishing the conversation, I adjusted my stance.
After giving him a signal with my eyes,
The two swordsmen clashed.
“Got it, but I can handle it now!”
“Do you really think so?”
I crossed swords with Kainel. The power gap was no longer there. Even if his real-world combat experience was lacking, a hero is still a hero. It was almost unfair.
I slightly regretted putting on airs and giving advice.
‘But thanks to you, the game was more enjoyable.’
I smiled faintly.
Talking with him. Crossing swords like this. Training him.
These were all scenarios I’d only seen as text in the game.
As a player of <Knight Heart>, what could be more delightful?
***
After another two hours, we left the training ground, exhausted.
“Ah~~ seriously!! If I had gone just a little longer, I would have won!”
“It’s not about winning or losing. It’s training.”
“No, I even used Shine Strike, Licht. How did you block it?!”
“It’s a secret.”
Frustrated at losing at
in the end, he kept pressing me to find out what I did. If he goes hiking with Drake a few times, he’ll understand. I sighed softly.
“So, how was it?”
“Not being afraid is good for fighting.”
“Isn’t there an easier way?”
“Well. Maybe being chased by a bear. Or if the Grand Sword Master spars with you as if he wants to kill you, you’ll improve.”
That’s just my experience, by the way. Everything happened during my training with my Master. Kainel, if you go through this, not becoming stronger would be stranger.
“What? So, you really know Sir Drake?”
“We’re from the same village.”
“Where? I’m from Lavrans Village.”
“I’m from Sprout Village.”
We walked through the night, chatting about this and that. Is this what being friends is like? It had been so long since I’d felt this that it felt awkward.
I wonder if that guy in the real world is doing well.
“Hiyaaaaaaah!!”
Then, I heard a strange sound.
A silhouette could be seen from the direction of the scream.
A woman and two burly men.
To be precise, it was ruffians dragging a red-haired mage by the wrist.
‘Did she come to meet Kainel?’
It was Ariel.
“No!! I have someone I like!!”
“Come on, just have some fun with us. Okay?”
“She must be an academy student. She’s quite the looker~”
She shouted for help, but the academy’s operating hours had long since ended.
Unless someone who had been training in swordsmanship for hours appeared, there was no one around.
“Hey, Licht. That…”
“What are you waiting for? Go.”
“Yeah.”
With his blond hair fluttering, Kainel started running towards her.
He even used mana to run. He’s really fast.
In the original <Black Heart> route, he would have hesitated after seeing the Holy Sword not shake.
He’s such a gentle human.
He probably would’ve just scolded or observed the villains. They’d have excused themselves, saying Kainel misunderstood. The rest of the story would have been horrible.
But those flags had long been removed. There’s a reason I suffered back at the carriage.
“Are you crazy? What are you doing to Ariel?”
“K-Kai?”
Growling, Kainel grabbed the ruffians by their wrists.
He stood between the men and Ariel like a hero protecting her.
With him standing in front of her now, there would be no more harm done. Even if it doesn’t look like it, thanks to the nameless saintess, I’m the one who took the companion route for Kainel.
“What’s with this blondie?”
“He’s from the academy too?”
Despite Kainel’s sudden appearance, the ruffians didn’t back down an inch. If they’d run away now, they would have escaped unscathed.
“Little punk, we’re a bit scary, huh?”
“Are you guys shooting a movie? What’s with the hero act, huh?”
“Ahaha! He’s going to cry. Stop it already!”
They didn’t even realize what situation they were in and were badmouthing the hero who had just fought a similar battle with me.
Oh dear, they’ve crossed the line. Kainel hates arrogant people the most. And they’ve messed with Ariel.
Sending a silent prayer to the extras who were guaranteed to face an ending involving an unfamiliar ceiling the next day,
‘Go, Yellow Dog, bite them!’
I recited a line used as an emoticon in the community.