Academy’s Pure Love Dark Knight – Chapter 45.2

“Aaaaah—!!”

I clenched my teeth, unable to even scream properly through the pain.

Somehow, I managed not to let go of the sword. My body felt like it was being torn apart, the agony splintering through me. If I fell now, I wouldn’t be able to get back up.

Both my legs tensed, filling with leaden strength. Cold sweat poured down my body like a flood. Hold on. Steady your will.

Fourth Stance: Vacuum Slash.

Raising my sword high into the air, I concentrated the gale-force pressure into both hands. The moment stretched infinitely, and even Magic Hat’s pupils tracked my movements in slow motion.

The wind gathered. The air condensed, weighing down on the blade. The sword trembled under the strain. I tightened my grip, knowing that any mistake would dull the killing power.

─Shhhhk.

I swung the sword vertically with full force. Just before the blade tip struck the ground—

‘I must kill the Demon Lord.’

The final connection. I executed First Stance: Shadow Slash.

“What…?”

Magic Hat uttered a single word. But by then, the technique had already struck true.

• • Feather Glide, using the enemy’s own power and momentum against them.

• • Reverse Scale Thrust, targeting vulnerabilities with a barrage of thrusts.

• • Vacuum Slash, channeling absolute cutting power into the strike.

• • Shadow Slash, delivering a blow to the enemy’s very substance.

These combined into Dragon Slayer, the ultimate technique of the Drake-style swordsmanship. But through my intent, it transformed into Demon Lord Slayer (魔王殺) and was faithfully executed.

With a deafening roar, the attack unleashed a storm that engulfed Magic Hat. The sharp, black-edged blade cut her body cleanly in two.

‘M-My lord… what have you done to me…?’

She reached out as if to rewrite her reality, but she failed. The Demon Lord of Truth couldn’t even scream as the Demon Lord Slayer obliterated her.

‘No… This can’t be. I’ll actually die. This will affect my true body….’

For the first time in decades, the white-haired woman felt pain. She had to escape. Could she really fall to such a technique?

It wasn’t even the true Dragon Slayer—just a crude imitation of the Drake-style swordsmanship, haphazardly strung together. She even recognized parts of it. But how could it wield such power…?

‘Does this mean my lord truly… intends to kill me?’

The thought formed as she realized the depth of Licht’s resolve. It was immense, almost overwhelming. As her thoughts reached this point, her lips twisted into a crooked smile. Her heart pounded as if it would burst.

“Heh-heh-heh… My lord… I’m sorry… It seems it’s time for us to part!”

Writhing in agony, Magic Hat pulled out the remaining cards from her coat. They spun into the air, carried aloft on a violent gale.

“You… Are you trying to run?”

The enormous deck expanded like a magic trick, scattering into countless cards. This was her last escape route.

A Finale Trick, a skill to create distractions and flee the battlefield.

“Not so fast.”

Once more, I swung my sword horizontally. This time, I slashed her while she was still caught in the storm, carving a perfect arc. The blade traced a circular path.

“Too bad! That one’s fake!!”

The attack was slower than before. Her real body remained untouched. Smirking broadly, she swapped positions with one of the floating cards in midair. Still, my reaction was unfazed.

“I know.”

“…What? If you can’t reach me here, there’s no way you’ll catch me, my lord. Then, I’ll…”

Hovering high in the air, she felt a sudden chill. Why? Why did this unease creep over her? The height difference was massive, putting her well beyond the reach of Demon Lord Slayer. If she escaped this shadowy dimension now, she would be safe—

Then it happened. Licht locked his gaze on her retreating figure in the sky.

「Decision of Icarus.」

A skill that used the Holy Sword. Black wings unfurled from his back.

Now that she thought about it, wasn’t he also a Demon Lord? This simple fact had slipped her mind in the face of the mortal danger she faced.

“I… I was wrong. You’re always incredible… my lord!!”

With arms outstretched, she offered her admiration to the black knight as he soared toward her. Her voice overflowed with pure wonder and affection.

“…”

But Licht, his helmet dripping with blood, remained silent. His expression seemed to mark the end of a conversation she could no longer reach.

“Ahaha… My lord, see you soon!!”

Once more, his sword flashed toward her neck. With a slicing sound, it severed her. This was the moment Magic Hat suffered her first defeat.

Success in Capturing Magic Hat

While I hadn’t managed to kill her outright, I had inflicted significant damage. Even if it was a fake clone, the Shadow Slash had struck her true body.

‘I protected the Nameless Saintess.’

But now, I was plummeting. The black aura of the Holy Sword had dissipated, and it reverted to the artifact Kainel once wielded.

This was proof that I had entirely derailed from the Corruption Route. The shadowy space shattered like glass, and the demonic wings crumbled into dust.

I could no longer stay airborne.

From this height, survival was unlikely. My body was a wreck; even staying still would mean death.

The Holy Sword would likely return to its original owner soon. Without me, it would remain as a solitary artifact in their possession.

“…”

They would mourn. Even as mere game characters, they were good people.

No matter how I struggled, the fall wouldn’t change. As I dropped, I pulled a card from my pocket.

“At least… I got this back.”

It was the Queen of Hearts, snatched from midair as it fluttered down earlier. With this, the Crown Prince would no longer have to endure the pain of his parents being held hostage.

The Empress of Gransia, Bellin Gransia, would also be freed from Magic Hat’s control.

“…Why do I feel like this?”

Time seemed to slow as I hurtled toward the ground.

‘Everything should be fine now….’

Yet, something felt off. I had dealt with Magic Hat’s assault, protected Kainel, Ariel, and Mardol, and ensured the Nameless Saintess’s safety.

‘So why does this… regret linger?’

I thought I had achieved everything I wanted since being thrown into this world. I had done all I could.

Yet, my heart felt as though it was being pierced by a blade.

Ah. Could it be that?

‘Our Saintess… I wanted to meet her. At least once.’

Realizing, in my final moments, that my unworthiness—my scarred face—had been an excuse to avoid her, regret hit me like a storm.

“…So, I like our Saintess.”

My vision blurred as I bled out, closing my eyes.

“Quite a lot, it seems.”

And with that, I lost consciousness.