Academy’s Pure Love Dark Knight

I had a dream from my childhood.

During my foolish school days.

I thought I was the most unfortunate person in the world.

Accidents caused by fires, unfortunate family matters. The absence of someone to protect me. Unfading burn scars and wounds.

“…Why am I scared of this too?”

If it was common, it was common, and if I said it was unlucky, it was indeed an unlucky life. My father, who raised me alone, passed away yesterday. I couldn’t endure it.

“My head hurts…”

I no longer saw any hope, and my heart, which had bent under the pain, tormented me.

The rooftop of a building in my hazy memories. That day, I tried to end everything, but,

“…”

I couldn’t jump out of fear. I sat down, looking at the cars passing below. I was such a fool that I couldn’t even make a proper decision.

“…Another rain.”

A drizzle began to fall. It tickled my cheeks, and it became hard to distinguish between tears and rain. Without an umbrella, my clothes were getting pitifully soaked.

The thing I hated most in life at that time was the rain.

“Let’s go home, Lee Soo-hyun… Oh?”

As I pushed myself up with my hands, something strange caught my eye. A beautifully decorated game poster.

“Night Heart…?”

At that moment, it felt like a rare coincidence. I saw an advertisement on the rooftop of the building where I was about to end my life.

An RPG game labeled [Night Heart].

A blue-haired man with a glowing white aura, and beside him, a brown-haired woman with antlers looking at him with pity. Next to them was a blonde character, resembling a hero, paired with a red-haired mage.

[What Defines the Demon King and the Hero! [Night Heart]! We will gift you with love!]

What does the Demon King have to do with love? Now that I think about it, the wording sounded really suspicious.

And thus, I encountered the fate that would completely change my life.

“…Love? Ha, that’s ridiculous.”

I felt absurd at that moment. I was the one who had just tried to throw my life away. I thought love would never be mine.

Others would look at my severely scarred face and either be frightened or,

“That’s all a lie.”

They would only offer cheap sympathy. I thought that feeling could go to hell. The ad’s wording was so ludicrous and disgusting that I started it.

..At that time, I didn’t even know our Nameless Saintess. How shameful.

After my failed suicide attempt, I went home alone with a game CD I had bought. My empty, barren room.

Only an old computer case and monitor were left there.

When people still knew what a floppy disk was.

Weeeeeeee—

The sound echoed as the CD was inserted, and,

“White hair and wolf ears…? How interesting.”

I began to play the first installment of [Night Heart Trilogy].

[Nice to meet you, Lee Soo-hyun-nim.]

The pure white woman introducing herself as the Nameless Saintess. Her first impression was the worst, like blank sheet music.

[Sorry, Knight. I collapsed again.]

“…Why is her performance like this?”

The Saintess was designed so poorly that she couldn’t even defeat a level 1 slime, and later, I found out she was a character most people used only at the beginning and then discarded.

[No matter how weak I am, I will always be a strength by your side, Knight.]

“…”

I felt pity for her. Although it was a desperate situation where she could do nothing, it was uncomfortable to see her trying to be helpful.

She was just like me. It would have been easier to give up.

[What? You want me to stay behind because I’m a bother? No thanks.]

She wouldn’t leave my party no matter what. There were characters that automatically leave the party if their reputation or favorability is low, as stated even in the loading screen. Why was she like this?

“…She’ll eventually tire out and give up.”

Even if she was a game character, there had to be limits. I got curious about how long she could keep this up.

[Hehe, you solved the request well today, Knight.]

Every time we proceeded with a mission, it became my daily routine to protect the Saintess.

“Why do you speak as if you did it all yourself…?”

I understood why she was called inept.

“…Hmm, but her personality is good.”

But as I played the game, unexpected sides of her slowly revealed themselves. Though she appeared impassive and blunt on the surface,

[Hurry, escape this way! Everyone!]

She was the first among my party to rush to help someone in trouble.

[Hehe, today, you all are it! This Saintess is coming for you~!]

[It’s the Wolf-Ear Saintess! Run!]

Additionally, whenever we visited a town during our journey, she loved to stop by the orphanage there to care for or play with the children.

[Wooooo… I’m a scary wolf~! Ah, will you join in, Knight?]

Every time she smiled like that, she felt like a different person.

[It’s not that… hard for me… This is what I ought to do..]

“…”

In a village oppressed by the Demon King, she often collapsed after healing the injured day and night without receiving any rewards.

As spring arrived, like snow melting.

[Good morning, Knight. Thank you for visiting today.]

The Saintess’s initially stiff speech gradually became gentler. The distance in my heart kept closing,

[Don’t try to shoulder everything alone, Knight. I’m here..!]

It was too late for me to avoid it.

[You’re a real shy one, huh? Hehe..]

Above all, she was warm and kind. It was an unstoppable unjust attack.

While continuing to progress the story, she suddenly made a remark about my character.

[Should I heal your burn scars?]

I was startled by such a sudden line.

[Yes/No]

Oh, she wasn’t talking about my face. I misinterpreted it. I sighed in relief and chose “No” from the options that appeared.

“This game is pretty detailed.”

Did I customize my character too closely? It seemed like it was a problem to have burn scars on Licht’s face, just like me.

[Ah, I brought it up too lightly. I’m sorry.]

I stopped her hand from touching my cheek with the mouse.

[..Cheer up, Knight. Those people are not right. Should I scold them for you?]

“You can’t do that.. you can’t even defeat monsters properly.”

I let out a deep sigh in reality. Because of the weak Nameless Saintess, my character had to grow stronger.

“…”

If I wanted to keep her in the party, I couldn’t replace the healer’s position, so I couldn’t hire anyone else.

[Honestly, I didn’t like this town at all.]

Is she really a Saintess? Shouldn’t she refrain from saying that? The description noted that her wolf ears and tail were bristling with annoyance.

Just a moment ago, after looking at my character’s face and watching the favorability drop, the Saintess shot a stern comment at the NPCs. As we moved away from the town,

[How could they not see how kind and handsome our Knight is?!]

The Saintess, huffing in anger, began to like me just a bit from that point on. She was the first to get mad for me.

“…If only there were someone like her in reality.”

It was already a case of too late regrets. My heart was shattered like glass and emptied. At that time, I foolishly thought I could not piece it back together.

Even if I ran away and refused, she was the only one who approached me.

[Today is February 22nd..! Happy birthday, Knight! Cheers~ Here’s your favorite chocolate cake..!]

“Oh, today’s my birthday. I forgot because there are no people around.”

A carefully wrapped item appeared in my inventory. It was labeled as purchased from [Grancia Empire Confectionery].

“…Why are there tears? It’s supposed to be a happy day.”

Thus, memories began to accumulate one by one. My heart was slowly being colored by her. White settled into my charred heart.

[Today, let’s go buy dolls to donate to the orphanage. No, I’m not buying for myself, Knight..!!]

“Haha, there’s already one behind you.”

The Fox Slime doll that she had secretly purchased; looking at it this way, she might really be a gold thief.

[Sorry! It just looked too cute, I couldn’t help it…]

She covered her face with the large doll. Perhaps she found her clumsy side a bit cute.

“It’s been a while since I genuinely smiled.”

A Saintess who couldn’t heal properly but adored cute things like crazy.

[Please hand over that candy I’m holding, Knight.]

“…I don’t remember that? What’s going on?”

Watching her get adorably pouty if I didn’t give her sweet things, I often thought she felt like a real person. I naturally began to fall for her.

[If the world doesn’t trust you, I’ll be the first to believe in you.]

“You speak like you understand the human heart. The game is well made.”

Slowly, the empty space in my room began filling up with white goods. As the empty spaces filled, life gained meaning.

[..Didn’t I tell you not to spread rumors about me reading romance novels?! Knight!! Ahhh, it’s so embarrassing..]

“Hahahaha, this is a game.”

Whenever something sad happened, I would drink a can of cola while tearing into chicken and play the game.

Though my life remained harsh, even in old age,

[Ah, the Fox Slime doll you got me last time is doing well!]

Now seeing her soft smile which stood in stark contrast to that life gave me strength.

[Thank you, Knight!]

“I’m more grateful to you, Saintess.”

In my world where the rain wouldn’t stop, I found a refuge.

[If you’re worried people might be scared, why not use respectful speech?]

She once suggested uniquely that if she spoke to me formally instead of informally, I wouldn’t be scared of my hideous scar.

[There must be others who won’t fear you, just like I don’t!]

“Maybe so.. well, I have nothing to lose.”

I followed her suggestion. These days, there are so many ageless people; it was better than making a mistake in speaking. Until now, I had cemented it as a habit.

When did I begin to like her?

One day, at the Demon King’s Castle, nearing the end of the game, I had a conversation.

[Do you believe in love, Knight?]

The pure white Saintess wrapped bandages around my character’s injured arm, showing a look of concern. Her wolf ears and tail drooped. I was already healed.

“..To be honest, I don’t believe.”

I revealed my feelings while looking at the highly flexible choice.

[Really…? Are you serious, Knight..?]

She tilted her head in disbelief. Her ears drooped as if she couldn’t believe it. No, don’t be sad. It pains my heart.

[Why not…?]

Her tail lost its spirit. Was she disappointed? I started to give a not-so-satisfactory excuse, feeling awkward.

“Things in the world don’t resolve just because you feel love, right?”

[That sounds sad. What on earth happened…?]

“..No matter how much you love someone, there are fates that prevent you from even getting near that person, Saintess.”

Her golden eyes grew wide, and her expression looked like she would cry, which pricked at my heart.

[‘There are problems love can’t solve’? That’s true… But still, it’s okay! Pure love is invincible!]

She interrupted my character’s words as if she held some dissatisfaction. It genuinely felt like we were having a conversation.

“Those kinds of people start off from different starting lines, Saintess.”

No matter how jealous I was, I couldn’t overcome the peak of unfairness. Before I knew it, I was reflecting on my ruined life and spoke calmly.

“I used to have many people around me before I got these burn scars.. now, there’s no one, so I’m alone.”

If it was the game, maybe I revealed my true feelings in a total dark mood.

[That’s a reason to dislike love, but it can’t be a reason not to believe it.]

Then, the white-haired Saintess held my black knight’s face in both hands and opened her mouth. She didn’t leave any space for me to run away.

[I’ve been watching you do everything till now.]

She brought her forehead to mine at the same eye level. She was quite assertive. Maybe it was because she was a wolf character.

“…Whoa.”

The illustration was really close. With it magnified like this, she seemed like a real living person. But there was no voice either. What do the producers do with the money from selling the package?

What if I had chosen the option to say I believe in love? I wondered.

[If you don’t believe, then how have you done all these deeds?]

A question emerged with her words. She looked sad while asking.

“..I just did what I wanted?”

It seemed I had really hit the wrong note. The Nameless Saintess was there, prodding at my uncertainties one by one.

[I’ve thought a lot while watching you, Knight.]

[..At first, I thought you were someone dangerous I shouldn’t approach. Honestly, that’s true, right?]

[You just wore black armor and called yourself a black knight.]

[So on the first day, I didn’t talk to you, but when you collapsed, I felt sorry and spoke.]

What?! Then what I said the first time I collapsed was that?!

“‘No matter how hard it gets, you must get up.’ So then…”

I recalled that shocking remark. No wonder it seemed like we didn’t talk for about three days; I thought it was a bug.

[When the Demon King employed a flank maneuver, you managed to hold off the defense of the village alone until you collapsed.]

[How could you doubt such a good person? I’m unqualified to be a saint.]

A small giggle escaped her lips, and her eyes curved into crescents.

[What I want to say is…]

[You are truly a good person, more than you think. I can assure you, because I’m a Saintess.]

“Is that so… Saintess?”

[So if you can’t get to the starting line and are sitting there,]

[I will stand you up and help you reach the finish line together.]

Between our faces, less than a hand’s breadth apart, I distinctly smelled her rose perfume.

[If there’s a fate obstructing you, I swear here to fight against it until the end.]

When our golden wolf-like eyes met, her soft smile appeared at the coincidence.

[Even if love is the epitome of unfairness, the memories we made together will forever remain as glass pieces embedded in my heart.]

[So if you fear getting hurt and losing something when you love, you can push me away now.]

Kissing the wolf-decorated crucifix necklace she wore lightly, she,

[I will make you… no, Knight, I will definitely make you believe in love.]

She handed it to my character and placed it around my neck.

[..You can expect it.]

The arm that wrapped around my neck, preventing me from escaping, was a bonus.

[Hehe, love is always a little embarrassing, Knight!]

Seeing the metal shining on Licht’s neck, the Saintess wore a satisfied expression like she had stamped a certificate of ownership. Her face and neck were already red. So cute!

An unintentional confession.

Despite her cold appearance, the Nameless Saintess was honest about her feelings.

It seemed she didn’t like it when the person she liked denied love.

If it wasn’t that, then what was it?

The memory of about to reincarnate into [Black Heart] flashed back.

[Why do I like you, Knight?]

Watching the max favorability meter on the Saintess, I asked, wondering if it was because she saved my life during battles with the Demon Kings.

[Ugh, there are fools who fall in love just because their life was saved. Ridiculous, right?]

Then what was it? I kept clicking the mouse. Then her hesitant movements made her cheeks turn red.

[Excuse me? Isn’t this enough to say everything? Are you really curious..?]

Looking up at me, the Saintess. Because I was curious, I wanted her to tell me quickly.

[..Everything.]

Embarrassed, the pure white woman bit her tongue. She usually wasn’t like this, but it was good that she became softer only around me.

[Actually, love doesn’t need a reason. Lee Soo-hyun-nim.]

[If I had to provide a reason…]

She supported her chin with her hand, furrowing her brow in deep thought while unwittingly closing her eyes, making her look cute.

[You are a hero who protects everyone and is more magnificent than a knight who protects only one person, and]

[Only you believed in me, a half-hearted Saintess who can’t even heal properly, and]

[You cherished me.]

[Hehe, honestly, I like how you’re cuter than anyone else. Where would you find a fool asking for a reason to love someone?]

[..Do you understand a bit more now? Silly doggy.]

With her white hair gently swaying, she gave a bashful smile.

“I got played.”

Calling the black knight a silly dog, she certainly has a playful side.

[Let’s go, we’re almost at the Demon King’s Castle with the Magic Hat.]

As my character began to walk away, a single line appeared in the subtitles.

[You can’t hear me from this distance.]

As a supporting character rather than the lead, there was no cliché production like usual,

[..I really love you, Knight. Forever.]

That simple confession without even a voice output was what I loved most.

Maybe it was then.

..No, it wasn’t because of those big events.

The moment I fell in love with her was…

‘Must have been from the beginning.’

What a ridiculous thought.

Who really counts the reasons for falling in love?

Like getting caught in rain and not realizing your sleeves are soaked.

I learned through her that emotions welling up without your own awareness is love.

Thus, I lived captivated by my dream,

“…”

I loved in my dream.

The reason I was willing to risk my life for her was simple.

Because I liked the Nameless Saintess a little bit too much.

“..Hey, boy.”

Someone kept poking me while I was closing my eyes. Who could it be?

“Boy, wake up.”

I’m dead, don’t wake me up.

“Do I need to hit you to get you to wake up?”

Oh dear, wasn’t I dead? It feels too vivid to claim it’s a dream.

“..Could it be.”

When I opened my eyes, a brown-haired woman was staring at me. A mature woman in a black hanbok with deer horns showed her sharp teeth.

“Are you still sleeping? I’ve never seen someone so relaxed before me.”

“Celestial Demon..? White Lily..?”

“Hmm? How do you know me?”

The main coupling of [Night Heart]. Dennis’s forgotten lover.

Why is this person here?

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