Chapter: 119
On the way to the entrance of the Academy Dungeon.
Phoebe could hardly hide her anxious heart.
Even though she was moving because of a promise, her steps repeatedly halted, turned back, and then went forward again.
She was just going in circles.
The reason she was like this was incredibly simple.
It was because she had broken the doctrine and followed her desires due to her curiosity.
“Fool.”
Phoebe usually spoke about how anyone could falter in formal settings.
If one repents and gathers their heart, Armadi would definitely forgive them.
The important thing was not committing a sin but how one acts afterward.
However, at this very moment when she had made a mistake, Phoebe could not think like that.
In her mind, the sin she had committed wasn’t something that could be forgiven just by asking for forgiveness.
“Fool. Idiot.”
No matter how much she was lost in her thoughts, what was she thinking to do something like this?
Working with none other than the Apostle of the Evil God!
That night.
On the day she left the church resenting her petty heart.
When she had stepped forward without hesitation to heal an injured person.
Phoebe had encountered someone with the Evil God’s Energy.
Normally, upon seeing him, she should have called the church’s people to subdue him, but she didn’t.
Because she had been enchanted by the words that leaked from his lips.
The statement that he would solve all her curiosities had touched the deepest part of Phoebe’s heart, and so she took a step forward.
“Is Lady Allen loved by Armadi?”
At Phoebe’s first question, the man opened his eyes slightly and smiled.
“Why do you ask what you already know? Do you wish for that person not to be loved?”
“That’s not!…”
It wasn’t true.
What she wished was for everyone to be loved equally.
She didn’t want to take someone else’s love away.
Phoebe simply…
Simply?
“I’ll answer you. Yes. Lucy Allen is loved by Armadi. After all, she has been chosen as Armadi’s Apostle. How could she not be loved?”
Armadi’s Apostle.
The shock of that term was anything but light for Phoebe.
Historically, Armadi had never had Apostles.
This was stated in the scriptures as well.
Armadi loves the world equally, thus does not choose Apostles.
Any worker in the church knew this common knowledge.
How could she not be surprised to hear something against that common sense?
“Lie.”
“Think what you want. I’m only stating the fact. How you accept it is none of my concern.”
Seeing Phoebe back away and deny it, the man could hardly suppress his laughter.
“How amusing. Since it’s a good mood, I’ll answer one more question. Ask away.”
“You’re going to lie again, aren’t you?”
“That could be so. But wouldn’t it be better to hear it?”
Phoebe hesitated.
Normally, it would be right to turn back now.
Regardless of the deal and all, it was better to turn a blind eye.
However, Phoebe couldn’t take her steps back in the darkness.
“…Can I… receive Armadi’s love?”
“Oh? You ask that to the Apostle of the Evil God?”
“…”
“That’s too expensive a question. It’s not something I can answer right now. First, heal. And…”
“Shoddy Saintess?”
“Hyah?!”
At the voice that came from behind, Phoebe screamed and staggered, losing her balance and falling forward.
Though she squeezed her eyes shut at the impending pain, she felt no shock.
As she carefully opened her eyes, she saw a gloved hand wrapped around her waist.
“What are you doing? Do you want to become a clumsy saintess following your friend?”
Phoebe recognized who had saved her from the sharp comment.
Lucy Allen.
The person she both wanted to meet and didn’t want to meet at the same time.
What should I do?
Even after getting help from Lucy to stand up, Phoebe continued to tremble and looked at the ground.
“What’s wrong? Are you tense? Are you scared? Turns out you’re a bigger mess than your friend?”
“That’s not true.”
At Lucy’s words, Phoebe shook her head.
Entering the dungeon didn’t scare her at all.
Even though she had lived as a saintess of the Lord Jushin Church, she hadn’t grown like a flower in a greenhouse.
She had faced monsters in dungeons a few times, so there was no way she would be afraid to enter the Academy Dungeon.
“Then why are you like this?”
Phoebe couldn’t answer that question.
She couldn’t say that she was afraid of getting caught having dealt with the Apostle of the Evil God.
To someone who might be Armadi’s Apostle.
Lucy wouldn’t know.
That after that night, it took a lot of courage for Phoebe to speak to Lucy.
That every time she saw Lucy’s smile, she feared her shadow would be revealed in the light of Armadi.
Though deep down, she wanted to hide in a church room and pray for forgiveness forever, the one reason Phoebe summoned her courage to talk to Lucy was simple.
She was curious about why Lucy received Armadi’s love.
Wanting to know what it was about her that attracted Armadi’s heart.
And thinking that if she could follow her, perhaps she could also receive Armadi’s love.
That she might hear that voice too.
Phoebe stood here, suppressing her fear.
While looking at the ground, unsure of what to do, Lucy walked in beneath Phoebe’s long hair.
Then she looked up, wearing her usual annoying smile.
“You’re scared, aren’t you?♡ Such a pathetic coward♡”
At that moment, a splash of red stained Phoebe’s heart that had been dark for days.
“No, I’m not scared!”
“Really?♡ Doesn’t seem like it~♡”
“Really.”
When Phoebe stated it like a declaration, Lucy just smiled at her but didn’t say anything more.
In the silence that followed, Phoebe arrived at the entrance of the dungeon and met the people who would go in with her today.
“It’s an honor to enter the dungeon together, Saintess.”
The Combat Studies professor, Karl.
An initial professor but well-regarded by various students.
He was dedicated to teaching and had a good personality, especially popular among the female students due to his fairytale knight-like appearance.
Phoebe had often heard her friends say how much they admired Professor Karl.
“It’s an honor for me too, Professor.”
“Likewise, I’m counting on you.”
Next to him was Frey Kent.
A leading candidate for the next Sword Saint and regarded as the most exceptional talented among the current Holy Ones in the continent.
Though Lucy’s emergence had somewhat diminished that acclaim, her strength couldn’t be denied.
It was said that even the Holy Knight captain would want to make her a knight if possible.
“Yes, I’m counting on you too.”
“But, Saintess. How is your stamina?”
“Me? I think it’s about average for a clergy member.”
Phoebe’s stamina wasn’t particularly bad, but it wasn’t outstanding either.
As a clergy member, she had to move around, so she had at least a minimum level of stamina, but that was it.
As Phoebe spoke, Frey quietly looked her over and said in a soft voice,
“Do your best.”
…Huh?
Do your best?
Phoebe blinked at Frey’s incomprehensible words, but Frey didn’t explain further.
“…Hey.”
“Have we introduced ourselves? Then let’s go.”
Phoebe, having finally collected herself, tried to grab Frey’s arm, but Lucy’s voice overlapped and faded away.
Thus, without receiving an answer, Phoebe walked into the dungeon and admired the scenery.
This was made by the academy professors?
Well done.
It looked just like a real dungeon.
Is this what they call Soul Academy?
While she was looking around the dungeon, Phoebe felt a gaze on her and turned her head.
It was Lucy.
She was crossing her arms, surveying Phoebe from top to bottom before speaking.
“Lady Allen. Why are you like this?”
“Shoddy Saintess. Can I carry you?”
“…Huh?”
Carry me?
Me?
Why?
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