Chapter: 377
The moment I saw my reflection in those eyes, all the sounds around me vanished.
Am I really moving as I wish? Showing confusion while losing the confidence that comes with my Mesugaki skill?
In a rush, I pulled a mirror from my inventory and examined the girl’s face reflected in it.
Since stepping into this world, I’ve faced Lucy’s face so often that I had grown numb to how annoyingly cute and pretty she looked.
Because of that, I knew very well that there were limits to the expressions I could make. The constraints of the Mesugaki skill did not allow for any weakness from me.
Yet now, the image of Lucy in the mirror was different. Instead of the usual confidence and arrogance, confusion filled her face, making her look like an ordinary girl her age.
Am I dreaming? Have I still not escaped the illusion Lucy has shown me?
“Ouch!”
As I grabbed her soft cheeks randomly, a pained voice escaped my lips involuntarily. What the heck?
So this isn’t a dream? I can really act without the constraints of the Mesugaki skill!?
Unable to accept reality, I made all kinds of faces in front of the mirror.
I smiled, frowned, pulled a crying face, and then pouted. Completely lost in this facial charade, I didn’t realize Karia had snatched the mirror away from me.
“Employer! What on earth happened in there? You’ve always been one to express your feelings, but this is something else entirely!”
“If I knew, would I be here like this? Auntie? Ugh. You’re old enough to have some sense, yet you don’t know what’s happening around you, do you?”
“Why is that coming up here?!”
Ignoring Karia, who was genuinely exasperated and shouting, I continued to think.
Just now, I was about to tell Karia that I wasn’t so sure about what happened. But the words that slipped out of my mouth were far from mild.
The meaning was quite clear. The Mesugaki skill was still lurking within me. The constraints had only weakened compared to before.
But something feels off. Just a little while ago, there was a slight difference between how I spoke and how my voice came out, but now there isn’t any. That subtle difference has vanished.
‘Grandpa. Grandpa. Doesn’t something feel weird when I’m talking right now?’
[Instead of saying it feels weird, it would be better to say you’ve found the right way of speaking. To me, you seem much more normal now.]
‘Is that so?’
[Yeah. Isn’t the disconnect gone? ]
Is it? Listening to grandpa made me recall old memories, but I didn’t quite feel it. If grandpa says it’s true, then maybe it is. Hmm.
‘Why did this happen?’
[I can’t really answer that. Your change likely stems from what you’ve experienced.]
So, to truly know what happened, I need to understand the intentions of the pathetic deity.
“Employer?! Are you listening?!”
“Karia, just calm down for a sec. Our Young Lady being like this isn’t exactly a one-off thing, is it?”
“…Well, that’s true, but still.”
“And nobody can deny that Karia has a lovely appearance. No matter what our Young Lady says, the facts won’t change, so why not laugh it off and show some grace?”
With her decent looks, soothing voice, and a sharp tongue that cut like a knife, Karia’s expression softened for just a moment.
However, that was short-lived. Karia quickly guessed the true intention behind Kal’s words hidden behind the mask of a knight.
“Hey, are you thinking that this is childish?”
“…What do you mean by that?”
“If I have a debt of gratitude towards you, there’s nothing I can do, but not for you. Just wait. I’ll make sure to get you back.”
While Karia, sensing the anger, was sweating bullets, Heishan quietly approached me and handed over a map.
“Did something come to light in there, Young Lady?”
“It was just a pathetic dungeon birthed from some lackluster imagination. Not very fun at all.”
“Then perhaps something has changed on the map?”
Understanding what she meant, I took the map and infused it with divine energy. And just like that, a new drawing appeared on it.
“It seems like we’ll need to travel across all the islands.”
That drawing was etched on the shapes of other islands. So, I’ll have to discover another secret over there?
Grasping the intentions of that pathetic deity, I couldn’t help but chuckle and handed the map back to Heishan.
I don’t know exactly what this change in me means. I have no idea if it’s a positive or negative direction. But one thing’s for sure; I need to see this journey through to the end.
Once we’ve conquered all the dungeons, I think I’ll understand what the pathetic deity wants to tell me.
As I noticed the once-black sky turning a purplish hue, I stretched and began to move my legs.
Time to get back to the inn and sleep for a couple of hours.
So much has happened in just one day.
I need to take a breather.
*
Last night, Joy, after teasing the blushing Arthur a great deal, plopped onto her bed with a satisfied smile.
After enduring non-stop teasing from the prince, it felt great to give him a taste of his own medicine!
Thanks to Young Lady Alrn’s playfulness, it was truly enjoyable. I just hope Prince Arthur gets embarrassed by that bunny headband for a long time.
As she recalled Arthur desperately making excuses to Frey, Joy let out a small chuckle, but it didn’t last long.
Having not had a proper sleep lately, her body invited her into the realm of dreams.
She slid into the comfort of sleep, so peaceful she couldn’t even dream, only to be jolted awake by sounds coming from below.
Rubbing her eyes and getting up, Joy yawned while gazing out at the dawn’s landscape.
Is Young Lady Alrn returning from last night? Since we still have time before departure, I’ll just sleep a bit longer and greet her in the morning.
Resting her head back on the pillow, Joy soon realized she couldn’t fall asleep. Having endured grueling training in the Alrn Knight Order, her body had decided it had slept enough.
Sensing this, she sighed and got up lightly to groom herself.
After finishing her preparations to head outside, she descended to the first floor, spotting knights fighting off their fatigue and Lucy, who had taken a seat at the table.
Lucy was swinging her legs, unable to reach the ground, humming a tune. Did something good happen to her?
Seeing her adorable demeanor, which was nowhere near her usual venomous attitude, Joy couldn’t help but smile as she reached the bottom of the staircase. But as if Lucy could sense her presence, she turned her head.
“Dumb Young Lady, you’ve been awake all this time? Guess you’re not as tired as I thought. I’ll have to work you harder!”
Despite her words being as sharp as ever, Lucy’s expression was different.
The look on Lucy’s face hadn’t shown itself in a long time to even Joy, who had been by her side for so long.
Looking at that smile, Joy once again realized how beautiful and cute Lucy truly was.
Usually, Lucy had that magnificent and disdainful look on her, yet her outstanding beauty, while undeniable, didn’t quite shine when she wore that attitude.
It’s common sense that a bright face looks prettier than a scowl. Lucy had a habit of forgetting how charming she was.
But the Lucy, who usually wore that haughty look, was now beaming with joy. How powerful was that?
As Joy stared blankly at Lucy’s smile, she snapped back to reality upon hearing a loud crash.
“Kal. What’s up with her now?”
“She was probably purified by the Young Lady’s smile.”
“Lucy’s smile is undeniably beautiful, but this is taking it too far.”
“…The Lord would surely be aghast if he saw this.”
“Perhaps I should pray for his soul.”
As the knights of Alrn engaged in various conversations around the delighted Kal, Joy couldn’t pay attention. Her mind was racing from her unusually fast-beating heart.
Lucy, tilting her head in confusion, jumped up from her chair and approached Joy.
“What’s up, Dumbo Young Lady? Are you sick? Have you turned dumb now?”
Joy looked up at Lucy’s gaze, seeing a concern in her eyes that she had never encountered in Lucy before.
What’s going on? Is this really the Alrn Young Lady? The one I know would never make that kind of expression!
Am I still dreaming? I thought I’d woken up, but maybe not!
In her confusion, Joy trembled, feeling the soft sensation on her nose, making her jump back and stumble onto the stairs, landing on her butt.
“Ouch…”
In pain and embarrassment, Joy realized how foolish she must have looked just now, her face turning scarlet.
And then her ears caught a familiar, yet clearer, laughter ringing in her ears.
“Ha-ha! You look so silly!”
Joy shot up from the floor, covering her fiery red face with her fan while trying to peek at Lucy’s expression.
“Ahem. Young Lady Alrn.”
“Hmm? What is it? Silly? Are you about to beg me not to make fun of you because you’re super embarrassed?”
While I wish I could say that, you’ve never once been kind enough to stop teasing! If I ask nicely, you’ll probably just use it as fuel to tease me more! You think I’m the type to fall for that trick once or twice!
Joy, filled with a bunch of complaints inside, took a long breath to calm herself before cautiously asking.
“What happened last night?”
“You’re surprisingly perceptive for a dumbo. Yep, something happened.”
Lucy didn’t deny Joy’s question, confirming there was indeed a change about her.
“Curious?”
“Yes. Very much.”
“Hmm. For anyone else, I wouldn’t say a thing, but since you’re a friend, Dumbo Young Lady, I’ll share. So, last night…”
As Lucy answered nonchalantly, Joy eagerly awaited her reply, but instead, Lucy taunted.
“Ha-ha! You were all excited, thinking I’d really tell you, weren’t you?”
“…What?”
“Looks like Dumbo Young Lady is super curious, so I think I’ll make it a secret. I won’t tell you!”
With a playful smile, Lucy’s teasing sent Joy’s hands rising to cover her face once more.
How could a person be this cute?! This is so unfair!
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