NOVEL WEB Chapter 56
I headed towards the library.
A magnificent repository of knowledge inside the Grand Hertz Academy. There sat a figure among the piles of books.
“Nameless Saintess, huh? Tsk. Other people have been asking about that too….”
“Sage, what do you mean…?”
“I can’t see the future of someone like that, so I don’t know either.”
A woman with demon horns sighed deeply. The Sage of the Wizard Tower. A person among the Ten Heroes with the ability of foresight. She doesn’t know the Saintess either?
‘..Something feels off.’
In the game, she was a character that revealed every possible route that wasn’t confirmed.
“..Are you the famous Licht?”
“Ah, yes. That’s me.”
A hero more famous by the nickname of Sage than by the name Azmodius.
“..The uncertainty of ‘having no name’ is just too big.”
“Well, Laplace didn’t know either.”
The librarian of the [Library of Truth], where all information from the past was recorded. I had already met Director Laplace. Even she shook her head.
‘This can’t be true. The only thing the status window told me about a contradiction was [Black Heart]. There was no mention of the Saintess in [Night Heart] where she first appears.’
“Then she must be someone who didn’t exist in the past. Maybe someone lied.”
“Absolutely not.”
I immediately replied. My helmet rattled as my confusion surfaced. This was something I had avoided discussing because it could be a spoiler. She could be wrong.
‘It might be because the Head is involved that I can’t see. Or maybe it’s the Magic Hat or something…’
My hands began to tremble. Damn, my body is causing trouble again. I bit my tongue in frustration at my own weakness. The hypothesis that the Hero Church’s purpose was the Saintess began to form.
‘If that were the case, they’d be targeting Schartines in the first place.’
It’s contradictory. She definitely isn’t the Saintess now; she should be the Third Saintess, not the Second.
“..Are you misunderstanding? Is it something to do with the Head’s ignorance?”
“A chick that knows nothing about the future sure chirps a lot.”
“Have you seen my future?”
“Yup. Of course! But it’s a hassle, so I won’t tell you.”
Ugh, I really dislike this person. Just getting close to her, she throws out unverifiable information like confetti. In the game, she was less accurate than the weather forecast in reality.
She had already repeated the same answer dozens of times and was yawning from tiredness. I crossed my arms and began to think.
‘That said, I did succeed in the Corruption Route.’
Even if I mentioned the condition of losing a loved one, she wouldn’t believe me. Only the players know the behind-the-scenes of the Demon Kings.
“…”
Otherwise, I might get caught as the reincarnator in this game. The risk is too high. What kind of resolution can I come up with?
Ah, there was that.
“Don’t you want to impress Drake?”
“..What? How do you know that? Wait, you must be….”
“Yes, I am Licht, the disciple of that person.”
This person had a setup where she has a crush on Drake. The instant I brought up my mentor’s name, her attitude changed. Her eyes shook and she became restless.
“..If you happen to see our Saintess’s future, please tell me immediately. I’ll take my leave now.”
“Hey!! Wait!”
I decided to leave it at that. I turned around and exited the library. I still wasn’t ready to connect my mentor and the Sage’s love lines.
“I’ll find her, so just try to say something nonsense to Drake!!”
If I shake her up and leave, maybe it will give her the courage. I felt like I couldn’t take any more gloomy stories about the Saintess.
At that moment, familiar figures passed right in front of me. I almost walked past them in my anxious haste.
“Hey, Licht.”
“Helmet, are you on your way back from the library?”
I ran into the Hero party heading out for lunch. Now, even the Crown Prince was mingling with the group.
“Licht, we’re going to the Grancia bakery, do you want to come?”
The blonde-haired Hero suggested with a smile. Sounds good. I had to tag along to raise Kainel and Ariel’s affection level. I finally snapped back to my senses and looked ahead.
“..Sure. Lead the way, please.”
Thank goodness my expression was hidden by the helmet.
*
The smell of freshly baked bread tickled my nose. So this is the famous bakery from the Empire. The place was adorned with magnificent decorations and furnishings, giving off a luxurious feel.
“Licht. Eat a lot.”
Look who’s talking; you’re eating the most! There are already several empty plates on the Glass Knight’s table. I don’t even know how it’s all going in.
“..Understood. Mardol.”
He was a guy who covered his face thoroughly with glass magic while eating. He probably hated to get exposed as the Crown Prince.
“And don’t get hurt. Licht.”
Seeing him worry like this made me feel a bit embarrassed. Is he saying to eat well and recover quickly? After all, I had bled when I went down the Corruption Route.
But then I realized his words had become unusually lengthy? I nodded slightly and looked at the menu.
‘Special Apple Pie, Éclair… What’s that?’
A familiar name. Now that I think about it, it makes sense for this Grancia bakery to have it.
“I’ll have one chocolate cake, please.”
The birthday gift given to me by the Nameless Saintess. I had received it as an item but hadn’t even unwrapped it out of regret. Now I had an actual chance to eat it.
At that moment, a mumbling sound came from beside me.
“..I’ll have the strawberry cake.”
Mardol quickly finished off a crispy croissant and chimed in as I was choosing my menu. Strawberry cake, huh? Is there even room for more?
“..I found the crab sandwich to be delicious. Licht.”
“Mardol’s recommended bear sandwich looks cute too! Helmet!”
As I looked at the Glass Knight with a strange expression, the Hero couple joined in the conversation. I just want you all to start getting lovey-dovey already.
“How about the chocolate crepe, Kainel? You loved that one, didn’t you?”
“Uh? Helmet? Is that true? No way…?”
“Ariel..! No! You know I hate sweet things!”
Kainel shook his head vigorously, denying it strongly. When I saw that, Ariel gave him a knowing smile. Truly a perceptive little red cat.
“..Hehe, our Kai is still a picky little kid, huh?”
“What? Ariel? What are you talking about…?”
“No, it could be~. How long have I watched you, Kainel!”
“…”
Wow, so you come up with thoughts like that too. Scary. The elf Mage is too indirect with her feelings.
‘A tsundere doesn’t always have to shout or be violent.’
I nodded slightly as a signal that she was doing well. It seems Kainel had a significant change of heart since almost dying. He got a bit softer in his approach.
“I can eat some.. Ariel.”
As the golden-haired Hero spoke in a meek voice, her smile began to rise. A response that’s adorable.
“Then Kai, would you like.. um, to eat that together? It’s not like I particularly want to share with you or anything!”
I could see small writings next to the chocolate crepe. Kainel was bowing his head, staring at the table.
‘A couple set. What a classic.’
I had said that intending it from the start, but they truly are a fresh couple. I couldn’t help but smile inside my helmet. I shouldn’t be smiling. I need to hold it in.
“Is the crab sandwich tasty too, Kain?”
“Yeah.. Want a bite? ..Ariel?”
“Wha, what..! Uh, um. That’d be great..”
The yellow-haired one, having completely lost his wits due to a fear of sweets, handed over the sandwich he had been eating to Ariel.
“..This is tasty too, Kai..!”
She took a small bite and chewed on it like a squirrel. The red-haired Mage’s face turned slightly red, and she wore a bashful smile. Kainel looked relieved that she liked it.
‘I should give them some space.’
Kainel gulping down the chocolate crepe should be the time for only Ariel to indulge in it. I think love means starting to like what you hated.
There was no chance for me to sneak in.
“Mardol, could you come with me for a moment?”
Ah, I needed to take the Crown Prince with me while I made my way out of the area. There was something to hand over.
“Licht, why?”
“..Just a little matter.”
It’s already been a month, and with all the chaos, I had forgotten about it. The Glass Knight followed me outside the bakery.
*
In a quiet alley not too far from the place where the Hero couple was.
“Here. This is the Queen of Hearts.”
“..Huh?”
I checked to see if there were people around before handing Mardol a card. A trump card with a striking Queen of Hearts design.
The hostage kept by the Demon King of Truth must return to her family.
“..This, no way?”
“Yes, I retrieved it from the Magic Hat. The Empress Bellin Grancia is here, right?”
“…”
The Glass Knight, trembling, carefully received the card and stared at it for a long time without moving.
“I’ve kept it for over a month and almost forgot about it.”
I hadn’t had a chance to hand it over until now. After escaping the Crown Prince’s hug, I was being tossed around like a roasted chicken by Kainel.
“..I’m sorry. It’s so late.”
But this excuse wasn’t enough; this way is better. Honestly, I wanted to give it back once the Magic Hat’s powers were resolved. Keeping it felt too uneasy.
“..Mardol?”
Having just admitted my mistake, I was met with silence from the Glass Knight. He stood frozen, still holding the card carefully. Worried about his well-being, I moved closer to check.
Then, a small voice broke through.
“Th-thank you.. Licht.. really.. I’m.. weak…”
His fingertips kept trembling, and the golden eyes behind the helmet were losing focus. He was crying. The muffled voice was soaked with sorrow.
“..It’s okay, Mardol. It’s not your fault.”
“I couldn’t save her.. You did, Licht…”
I patted the back of the Glass Knight, offering my comfort. I hadn’t expected this level of reaction.
‘Today, I really miss my parents too.’
He had already sat down, forlornly talking. I plopped down beside him. Even if it were just a dirt floor without a proper seat, what does it matter?
“Don’t say you couldn’t save her. If you hadn’t stalled for time, I wouldn’t have been able to either.”
“..You’re not lying, are you?”
That was true. Thanks to the Glass Knight creating an opening while facing the Magic Hat, I was able to push it away with Void Slash.
“I wouldn’t risk it if I were lying.”
While also saving Kainel and Ariel, I was able to succeed in fighting against the Demon King. If it had just been the Hero couple against the Magic Hat, they would have lost their lives long ago.
‘He was also the one fighting at the end. He could have run away, yet he didn’t.’
Even if he has a masterpiece-level equipment, fighting against the Demon King requires a heart-wrenching determination to discern.
If the Crown Prince hadn’t fought back with life on the line, I would never have been able to retrieve Empress Bellin Grancia. I had already followed the shards of glass he left behind to find her.
“..Thank you for fighting to the end.”
“Even if I’m weak, I was able to protect something.”
“Yes, exactly. So be a bit more confident…. Mardol?!”
At that moment, a huge shadow loomed over me.
“..I’m sorry for making you fight alone.”
Boom! Mardol collapsed toward me.
“I was afraid I’d lose someone again.. Licht..”
I thought the weight of the armor was pressing me down, but unlike last time, he just held me and sobbed.
“It’s okay now.”
I kept patting Mardol’s back. Some might think it’s disgusting to see two men in this position, but the situation was critical.
‘..He must have really gone through a lot.’
I sighed lightly in my heart. Still, since he wasn’t pushing me down with strength, but rather depending on me to shoulder his burdens, I could let it slide.
“Everyone gets scared, Mardol.”
I too had been scared and fled in relation to the Saintess. We might have mutual traits.
“Everything is alright. You’ve retrieved your mother, haven’t you?”
“..Thank you, Licht.”
So I consoled the Glass Knight until the Hero couple finished their meal. Whether a flag was raised or not, it was too sad to discard someone like him.