“Ugh, this is disgusting.”
There were plenty of players who enjoyed that kind of gameplay. In fact, it was probably weirder to pursue only the Saintess route, like I did. The game was, after all, primarily aimed at a male audience.
[NTRGoldenKnight: “Who cares? The character’s going to die anyway. Might as well NTR her…”]
[Duke’s Husband of the North: “…You’ve crossed the line.”]
[Pure Love Dark Knight: “Ah, you bastard.”]
My hand instinctively moved to my mouse. To let this slide would be to admit defeat. Insulting me was one thing, but no one messed with my Saintess.
[SYSTEM: NTRGoldenKnight has been expelled from the guild.]
[Duke’s Husband of the North: “You crazy idiot! Did you really have to kick him out of the guild?!”]
The real problem was that a guy like him had been in my guild in the first place. Idiot husband of a Northern Duchess.
[Pure Love Dark Knight: “Give it up. I’ll overlook other things, but this, I won’t tolerate.”]
As if he wouldn’t constantly spam duel requests if someone talked like that about his Duchess.
“Good thing I’m the guild leader. Cutting someone like that loose is the right call.”
I felt a satisfying sense of relief. Maybe I’d gotten too well-known in the community, attracting complete opposites of my playstyle.
[Duke’s Husband of the North: “I should just stop talking… Anyway, this Demon Lord is insanely tough to beat.”]
Feeling a bit calmer, I returned my attention to the chat.
[Pure Love Dark Knight: “That’s why it took me ages to get past Phase 1. How’s it going for you?”]
The Magic Hat Demon Lord was undeniably one of the hardest bosses compared to others. You had to bring all elemental attributes, and there were four entire phases to endure.
[Duke’s Husband of the North: “I’m trying it with our Duchess up north.”]
[Pure Love Dark Knight: “Is that even possible?”]
[Duke’s Husband of the North: “Turns out, it works. But the Nameless Saintess is just a supporting character, so you can’t cheese it with tricks like that. Honestly, is it worth the hassle?”]
“…”
In Knight Heart, the Head had at least excused the Saintess from combat scenarios. In this installment, however, the non-combatant Saintess had to join the fray.
“…That’s why I do my best to keep her from getting hurt. My Saintess.”
No matter how much endgame gear I equipped her with, it was heartbreaking to see her take hits from the Demon Lord’s minions. That motivated me to refine my controls even more.
[Pure Love Dark Knight: “I do it because I like her. Remember when you rode trains all over the country hunting Easter eggs?”]
In the end, we were the same. One of us followed official routes, while the other dabbled in user-created fan routes. That was the only difference.
[Duke’s Husband of the North: “Sure, but that was because datamining and strategy videos revealed them. Your wife doesn’t even have that going for her.”]
We were both players who cherished these game characters more than anyone.
[Pure Love Dark Knight: “I’m the guy who bought a rare, out-of-stock life-sized figure of the Saintess with cash. That’s what pure love looks like. Learn from me.”]
[Duke’s Husband of the North: “Are you insane…? Whatever. Just don’t overdo it.”]
[Duke’s Husband of the North: “You’ve been logged in for over 12 hours.”]
[Pure Love Dark Knight: “Actually, I went to the ER earlier.”]
I’d already been hooked up to an IV and sent home. Sure, the doctors said I needed rest, but gaming was my idea of rest.
[Duke’s Husband of the North: “?! Are you trying to get our guild disbanded? If you die from gaming, I won’t even come to your funeral.”]
[Pure Love Dark Knight: “Relax. I’m not dying. I’d never make the Saintess cry tears of blood. I’ll sleep once I’ve got this cleared.”]
[Duke’s Husband of the North: “Fine. Good luck, Pure Love Dark Knight.”]
[Pure Love Dark Knight: “Thanks for the support, Duchess’s husband.”]
Four hours later, I got isekai’d. If I’d gone to sleep earlier, maybe I wouldn’t have received that beta tester email.
Honestly, my motivation for trying so hard wasn’t complicated. I just didn’t want to see her cry.
It was a simple reason.
[“I prefer rain over snow, Sir Knight.”]
The Nameless Saintess had once said that to me in Knight Heart.
Until then, I’d disliked the rain. What was so great about rain that couldn’t even extinguish a fire?
[“I like the sound of raindrops tapping. It makes people more emotional.”]
She had smiled. A warm expression completely different from her cold first impression, gently stirring up my past traumas.
[“Rain knocks on windows, nourishes dry earth, and cheers for life. It treats everyone equally.”]
Outside, a soft drizzle fell. The game’s seasonal mechanics meant it often rained in spring.
[“Some people can avoid the rain, but no one can stop it from falling.”]
I think I started liking the rain from that moment on.
[“And… it hides tears from others.”]
[“Rain is kind, isn’t it?”]
[“Hehe, I hope you come to appreciate its beauty too, Sir Knight!”]
Her wolf ears and tail twitched ever so slightly as she spoke with unparalleled optimism.
But when I faced Head Eike, the Demon Lord of Omniscience, her tears mingled with the rain.
[“Please… Please… No… Sir Knight…”]
My first attempt had ended in failure.
It was likely because of that failure that I worked so hard to improve. My playstyle had evolved into a precise balance of skill and gear superiority.
[“Why…? Is it because I’m not strong enough to heal you…?!”]
The first time I lost to the Demon Lord, she clutched my lifeless hand, desperately praying for my salvation.
[“It’s not over… I can still… save… you…”]
But my character had grown cold, beyond saving. Even as she prayed with everything she had, as if holding onto a glimmer of hope.
The falling rain hid her tears.
[“Sir Knight…”]
But her face had already betrayed her sorrow. It was an expression of pure heartbreak. Even her divine powers, manifestations of reason, had been blocked by the grim reality.
That’s why I trained to learn Healing Prayer and vowed to never let her cry again.
A game-over screen featuring the Saintess in tears?
‘She’s the one person who deserves to be happy. My Saintess…’
The game’s ability to pull at the player’s emotions like this was its hallmark.
Then, it happened.
Plop. Plop.
A cold sensation tapped against my shoulder.
Rain had begun to fall.