“Now, I’ll teach you a few things about spear combat.”
“But Licht, you seem better with a sword. Are you sure this is right?”
It was true. I had never used anything other than a sword in the game. However, I had a reason for believing I could teach Nex spear techniques.
“I have a friend who’s quite skilled.”
“A friend? With spearmanship? That’s unexpected. Isn’t it hard to come by unless you’re from the North?”
I was quite familiar with a player known by the nickname “Husband of the Northern Grand Duchess.” Since we were in the same guild, I had learned a lot from watching him practice.
This was the guy who found the Northern Grand Duchess route for the first time by discovering an Easter egg and taking a train across the country. He was the one who figured out that she was a heroine.
He uncovered this through an ARG, or Alternate Reality Game.
ARGs bring the game’s stage into the real world, where players solve mysteries or find clues hidden in reality to progress in the game.
There was a time when the game company uploaded a single video, and based on that, people searched for real-world clues that revealed the Northern Grand Duchess as a potential romance target.
‘…Why do they always make things difficult for our Saintess? Damn developers.’
Because of that, I stupidly believed that even our Nameless Saintess could have a happy ending. Now, since it’s been officially recognized in the main route, the Northern Grand Duchess path is in the original game.
“Spear techniques, just like swordsmanship, rely heavily on physical discipline, so mental fortitude is crucial.”
Even though I hadn’t personally wielded a spear, the techniques I had trained in over the years, along with the fundamentals of swordsmanship, applied similarly to spearmanship.
Thrusting, blocking, slashing, and swinging.
Plus, I was very close with that guy.
We had countless PvP matches within the guild for prizes, and we’d often stay up until dawn passionately debating everything about the Saintess, while he fixated on the Northern Grand Duchess lore.
[Pure Love Dark Knight: Honestly, the Saintess is the true main wife. No argument. She’s my canon.]
[Husband of the Northern Grand Duchess: Yeah, yeah, keep your Saintess fetish to yourself.]
[Pure Love Dark Knight: (Saintess emoji saying, “Get out, gigolo!”)]
Our banter was more of a keyboard battle, but even on the day I got stuck in this world, that same guildmate sent me a message, worrying about me.
I hoped he was doing well.
“Licht, do you really think I can learn spearmanship? If I knew that, I would’ve started earlier.”
“You can.”
We had argued so much about the strengths and weaknesses of swordsmanship versus spearmanship that I was well aware of the pros and cons. Given my current physical state, I could easily teach him the basics.
“I’ve been trying to get stronger too, junior. But Northern spear techniques are already…”
“Yes, the Cold-Blooded Northern Duke, one of the Ten Greats, passed away. So, it’s impossible to learn directly from the Grand Duchess.”
In the game, you couldn’t even receive training until you unlocked a certain level of affection with the characters.
“Wait, junior? You seem to know a lot about the Ten Greats… more than a typical student would. I spread rumors about being a troublemaker, but I’ve never been tied to the North.”
As soon as I responded, Nex’s gaze sharpened. He slowly approached me.
Did I mess up?
Knowing too much game knowledge could be a problem. I should have been more careful.
Was I about to get caught as someone possessing game knowledge? But, wait…
“I knew it. You’re the Hero of Knowledge, aren’t you?”
He patted my back lightly and put an arm around my shoulder.
“I was testing you, and you knew about this too. Fascinating.”
“No, really, it’s not that…”
“Come on, don’t lie. Even with that helmet on, I can tell when you’re fibbing, junior.”
“…”
Phew, he misunderstood, but it worked out in my favor.
Nex lowered his voice to a tone that the Glass Knight, who was absorbed in training, wouldn’t hear. She seemed too focused to notice our conversation.
“Also, you seemed to catch on quickly that Mardol is connected to the royal family.”
“When did I give that away?”
“You didn’t even flinch when I mentioned the royal family.”
Damn, he caught me off guard. It was a slip I made during the dungeon expedition when I was too focused. That’s how he figured it out. The man with purple hair smiled like a fox.
“Take care of our Mardol, will you? He may not talk much or be the most skilled, but he’s a genuinely kind person.”
“I’m not so sure.”
If helping the Saintess meant securing ties with the royal family, maybe I needed to gain a masterpiece or artifact and take down some Demon Lords.
“Despite that, he’s honest with his spirit. Even Asha Aureus, the eldest of the family, would vouch for him.”
“Then I’ll have to give it some thought.”
After hearing his advice, my resolve became more firm.
If I could be the brake on the Crown Prince’s ambitions, I might be able to stop him from getting too close to the Saintess.
Getting closer to them was the right move. Just like with Nex, this wouldn’t be a loss for me.
Maybe that’s why “Blackie” ran to Mardol.
I had learned the hard way in *Black Heart* that relying on the protagonist was necessary, especially when I got the bad ending at the hands of Magic Hat.
The forced event where Kainel and Ariel fled—it was still fresh in my memory.
I had been suppressing my feelings.
Joining forces with the protagonist might bring me closer to her happy ending.
“Now that I think about it, Mardol doesn’t seem like such a bad person.”
I made sure to say it loud enough. Hopefully, he heard.
“…”
He paused mid-swing and glanced in my direction.
From the looks of it, the Glass Knight was honing his strength to take on the Holy Order. That would save me some trouble.
“Exactly, junior!”
It was still better than the Lupus of the sequel, who had done nothing. He had been a character who leached off the heroines.
Maybe he lost heart when the Demon Lord broke him.
Magic Hat was the strongest Demon Lord I’d faced, so I had to be ready to use every trick I had.
“In any case, while the reach of a spear is a strength, you’ll need to adapt its use in this world, where magic and spirits are involved.”
I picked up a long, staff-like rod. Given Nex’s level, I wouldn’t need to use a sharp weapon.
“If you can, focus on thrusting, slashing, and blocking, incorporating spirit magic.”
“I get it. It already feels easier than swordsmanship.”
As he followed my lead, violet flames flickered along the spear’s blade.
Wow, as expected, his adaptability was quick. After all, in *Knight Heart*, he had been a spearman.
“…This is Northern spearmanship. I’ll teach you the basics, so follow along slowly.”
“Can’t I follow faster?”
“Of course, senior.”
Inside my helmet, I smiled with satisfaction as I passed on my friend’s spear techniques to Nex. No matter what my guildmate might say later, it didn’t matter now.
That friend had even bent the rules in the sequel to save the Northern Grand Duchess, so he’d understand.
“Your stance has too many gaps.”
“Should I use more force, junior?”
“Maybe? I only know the basic stance.”
The Cold-Blooded Northern Duke’s spear techniques were elite. As one of the Ten Greats, it was up to Nex to learn and master the rest on his own.
“If you pick up a sword, I still wouldn’t stand a chance, right?”
“Not unless you call on the Phoenix.”
“…Then I’ll have to work harder. Thanks.”
He looked relieved, as if he had found a way forward. He could definitely grow stronger than he had been during the last dungeon.
“Nex senior, you’re putting too much strength into your shoulders. Try again.”
Licht relentlessly corrected Nex’s form using the rod, practically beating him into shape.
“Deception is fine, but you lack the fundamental stamina to pull it off right now.”
“You caught me, junior!”
“A throwing spear? It’s good for ranged attacks, but…”
He methodically pointed out every flaw in Nex’s awkward attempts, ensuring he understood each mistake.
“Think of offense and defense as a continuous flow. Your movements need to connect.”
Licht was unyielding in pointing out each misstep, guiding Nex through sparring to fix his technique.
“Let’s take advantage of this. The spear is longer than a sword, allowing you to restrict your opponent’s movements.”
“…Seriously, you’re incredible, Licht.”
“Stop talking and focus.”
If the weapon Licht wielded wasn’t just a practice spear but a real one with a sharp blade, one of them could have been seriously hurt.
‘…He’s that good with a spear?’
Golden eyes stared intently at the scene.
It was already known that Licht was a skilled swordsman.
But seeing him so proficient with Northern spearmanship as well—it was amazing.
‘If we fought, could I win?’
That competitive spirit made the wolf ears inside her glass helmet perk up.