Chapter: 170
<...Lucy. What did you say?>
“Didn’t you hear? Silly Papa?♡ Is such a stingy Papa not able to do even this shabby thing?♡”
<Gah!>
Benedict made a sound as if he had taken a hard hit and remained silent for a long time.
“Silly Papa♡?”
<...I can hear you, Lucy.>
I wondered if there was a problem with the crystal ball, so I called out to Benedict, whose voice came back sounding all gooey as if he might melt away any moment.
Wait a minute, Benedict, just a moment ago you were being so stern with Lucy. And now, just because she called you Papa, you’re switching gears like this?
Is this even right?! No matter how much of a doting father you are, there should be limits!
[Uh… why are you suddenly calling me Papa, Lucy?]
“Why?♡ I just want to call you silly Papa!♡ Don’t you want that?♡”
[N-no, that's not what I meant. Of course, it's great if our Lucy calls me Papa, I'm super happy about it!]
Benedict’s voice was extremely urgent. It seemed that the title of Papa was something he absolutely couldn’t let go of.
How strange. I thought this title of Papa was a trap set by the Shoddy God to make me say it.
Considering Benedict’s love for his daughter, he would be happy, but I figured it wouldn’t have a huge effect.
But look at this! Benedict turned into a foolish father who couldn’t do anything in the face of the title Papa.
Oh Armadi! Were you watching from the sky and giving tips like that?
Ah, you see what this humble lamb can’t see!
Armen! I believe in the power of the great Lord Jushin!
As I praised the wise Armadi in my heart, I noticed Benedict fidgeting and continuing to speak from beyond the crystal ball.
[But Lucy, you haven’t called me Papa since you were little.]
Aah. Now I understand why Benedict is so weak to the title Papa—Lucy used to call him Papa when she was a child!
It must be bringing back nostalgic memories that leave him flustered. After all, Benedict is the ultimate doting dad.
“Is that really important right now, silly Papa?♡”
[Th-that’s true, but…]
“If you don’t let me go, I’ll never call you Papa again.”
[N-no. Um...]
“I won’t even call you silly Daddy. I’ll call you dumb troll instead.”
[Dumb troll?! ... No, no matter how it is, Menestel is way too dangerous. Lucy, please.]
“Hmph. I totally hate silly Papa♡ You smell like an uncle, and it makes me sick♡ Your voice is gross too♡ Even if you look like a troll, I won’t go back to the family!♡”
[Lucy, please listen to me...]
*
Benedict tried to persuade me one way or another, but he was powerless in front of the title Papa.
Even when he pretended to be stern, he melted away every time I used the title Papa and eventually had no choice but to allow me to go to Menestel.
Usually, the one who likes it more ends up losing in these situations.
The condition set was that I must always keep Karl by my side.
From my perspective, wanting to always be armed to deal with the antics of the stingy Evil God, that was absolutely no penalty at all.
I did feel a bit guilty watching Benedict look gloomy as he allowed something that should never have been permitted.
I’m sorry, Benedict. But if I don’t do this, the Shoddy God will torment me.
Besides, this is also about resolving one of the great threats that will one day come to the continent, so please understand.
You don’t have to worry. A veteran gamer like me will have no issues in the dungeon, right?
After several days passing since that night, the vacation began.
As the students of the Academy were heading to their respective destinations, my steps led me to the back alley of Soul Academy Street.
“Welcome, Lady Allen.”
‘Alsatine. Is everything ready?’
“Information dealer. You aren’t below my expectations, right?”
“Of course. Please check here.”
Just as he confidently claimed, Alsatine had perfectly prepared the items I asked for.
Great. With this, no matter what variable arises while tackling the Menestel dungeon, I’ll be able to deal with it.
‘Thank you for your hard work.’
“For a shabby guy from the back alley, you did well.”
“That’s because it’s a matter related to my mentor. I must do my best.”
Alsatine answered solemnly.
Before this day arrived, I told Alsatine I would pay him in advance for his services.
After all, I have to go to the Menestel dungeon. While I’m at it, I thought I’d solve Alsatine’s problem too.
Alsatine was pleased with my words but also hesitated. It seemed he was troubled by the fact that he hadn’t quite earned the worth of the information I had given him.
So, I just said I would pay him before the job, stating, ‘Just take this for now!’
‘Thank you so very much, Lady Allen! I will repay this favor!’
Alsatine was overjoyed at the fact that he could finally resolve his long-standing grievance.
I hope that feeling doesn’t change after everything is settled.
Confirming that all preparations were ready, I stood in front of the Translocation Technique with Alsatine and Karl.
Sigh. I can’t believe I am going to use this again.
I had vowed never to use this magic again since the last time I used it upon visiting the Newman family, but this time I had no choice.
Menestel was too far to go by road. It would take nearly a month just to go back and forth, and I can’t afford to waste that much time.
Even if it’s a bit painful, using this technique is the best option right now. I must endure it.
Having firmly made up my mind, I stepped into the brightly glowing Translocation Technique, and not long after, I immediately regretted it.
“Ugh.”
I felt like I was gifted with the dizziness I would normally experience after a month in a carriage, and I couldn’t handle my body at all.
Ugh. I thought I had grown a lot compared to before, but I’m still like this, huh?
When will I be able to keep a calm face like Karl?
“Need help?”
The Sloppy Fox, who followed me from behind, came up beside me, trying to calm my inner turmoil.
Help? Can you solve this motion sickness?
I couldn’t summon the energy to speak, so I just nodded, and the Sloppy Fox pressed its paw against my forehead.
It felt soft, but I didn’t think that would really help.
Oh? The dizziness is gone!
What the heck is this?!
Even if it’s a Shoddy Pervert Fox, does that mean a master of the woods is a master?
“Tsk. Using my power has tired me out. Mind if I borrow your head for a moment?”
Having solved my motion sickness, the Sloppy Fox clambered up to settle on my head, but I didn’t stop it.
Thanks to that guy, I was back to normal. I should at least provide a resting place for it.
Now that I regained my senses, I stepped outside and took in the sights of Menestel.
Sure enough, being a city belonging to the Magic Empire, there were several aspects different from the Kingdom.
For instance, most of the buildings in Menestel are shorter than those in the Kingdom.
With its vast territory, there’s no need to build tall edifices. If there’s so much land, why not make the most of it?
And if you look away from the buildings, there are various magically enhanced objects visible.
True to the name of the Magic Empire, this country possesses higher magical technology compared to other nations.
As such, the common folk living below can enjoy the blessing of technology more comfortably than elsewhere.
There were also various minor differences, but these were the most prominent.
Seeing the landscape I had only seen in the game made my spirits lift slightly, but it wasn’t as high as when I saw the streets of Soul Academy.
After all, to me, this place was just a side story.
No matter how grand and large it was, from my perspective, it didn’t mean much.
The sunset-lit streets were beautiful, but that’s about it.
“It’s already gotten to this time. I think it’s best to find lodging first.”
Karl suggested sensibly, keeping an eye on the gradually darkening sky.
Typically, I’d agree with his perspective. It’s always a priority to find a place to stay wherever you go.
However, in my case, there was an exception. I have something I can rely on.
‘No, rather…’
“Shoddy. I’ll decide the schedule. First, we are going to the Adventurer’s Guild.”
While it is true that the Menestel dungeon is open to everyone, that doesn’t mean you can just rush in.
If anyone could enter and leave as they pleased, taxes wouldn’t be collected.
Therefore, those wishing to enter the Menestel dungeon must definitely stop by the Adventurer’s Guild to obtain a certificate.
While nobles of the Magic Empire could be exempt, unfortunately, as a noble from the Kingdom, I could only have convenient processing during the certificate issuance. That would be all.
“However, my lady, if we don’t find a place to stay…”
“It’s fine.”
“Hey, Shoddy. Are you arguing with your owner? How rude!”
“Sir Knight, the Young Lady has her own reasons for what she’s saying. No need to worry.”
Unlike Karl, Alsatine seemed to have a grasp of my intentions and defended me.
Seeing him understand my thoughts faster than his own knight, Karl glared at Alsatine out of jealousy, but soon changed his expression, acting as if he had said it out of courtesy.
Pffft. What? You can’t lose to loyalty, huh? That’s really funny.
Even if you mess up once or twice, it doesn’t change the fact that you’re my knight. Silly Karl.
Anyway, you’re not planning to oppose any further? Then let’s go to the Adventurer’s Guild.
Here, the guild processing is rather slow, so if we want to enter the dungeon tomorrow, we must apply for the certificate a day in advance.
Even though this was my first time seeing the street, I walked without hesitation.
There’s no way to this world that I’d be unfamiliar with.
To establish the shortest route in a speedrun, I had to do things like this.
Thanks to that, I arrived at the Adventurer’s Guild without much trouble.
Perhaps because it was the time of sunset, the Adventurer’s Guild was bustling with activity.
People were trying hard to earn a bit more compensation.
People begging to extend their request period by just a day.
People drinking and having candid conversations with their party members.
People tidying up their equipment.
People trying to haggle with guild staff over the value of their loot.
Everyone was finishing their day after spending one day in the dungeon.
But all those daily lives paused for a moment as soon as I opened the door and walked in.
All eyes were glued to me.
[Tsk. I guess they never learned proper manners; it’s irritating how they stare like that.]
‘…Huh? What do you mean by that?’
Having grown accustomed to the stares during my Academy life, I felt indifferent amidst their gazes.
But others were different.
Grandpa openly showed he was displeased,
Karl frowned and stepped forward, blocking me from the gazes of others, and
Alsatine glared at everyone from behind, providing a warning.
I’m not sure why, but judging by how overly reactive they were, it seems I’m not being looked at in a good light this time either.
Most likely, it’s curiosity stemming from the bad side.
Perverted idiots. Just because they’re seeing a girl who’s at their chest level, does it pique their interest?
It seems my charm level is indeed quite high; after all, the moment I appeared in the guild, I caught everyone’s attention.
But you know, with my charm being validated, another fact has been proven too.
Just how trashy is my reputation?!
How low has my reputation score fallen that this high charm score has no impact here in the Academy? Damn it!
“Perverted bastards.”
As I lamented facing this dreadful reality, the Sloppy Fox sitting on my head couldn’t help but mutter.
He’s not wrong. It’s not an incorrect observation.
But hey, Sloppy Fox. Didn’t you, a Shoddy Pervert, rejoice while getting stepped on by my foot?
Aren’t you feeling guilty at all? Huh?!
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