Chapter: 238
“Long time no see, Employer! You’ve really made a grand mess of things, huh?”
Just as I stepped into the shop, Karia greeted me. She was smiling while speaking, but her eyes told a different story.
Behind those smiling eyes was a clear reprimand directed at me. Asking why I’d done something so crazy.
Yeah, I really went nuts. Not only did I call the Second Prince a Pitiful Prince, I also fought him and started a brawl right after our duel.
“If you wanted to test Benedict’s concealed durability, you might as well have fed him poison! Do you have any idea how annoying it was for him to keep calling for me after hearing this news?”
Karia, who had been grumbling about not being able to work because of Benedict’s fidgeting, sighed deeply after a bit of nagging.
“Well, the results weren’t bad, so I’ll leave it at that. But please think a little more before you act next time.”
I had thought and acted! I’d done it after consulting with Grandpa. She wouldn’t believe that anyway, so I might as well keep my mouth shut.
“Getting back to the point, thanks to the big fuss you made, news of your brilliance is spreading quickly.”
The duel between the notorious Lucy Allen, who has become infamous across the continent, and the Second Prince made for juicy gossip, and with this event spreading, the Second Prince’s talents, and mine that overwhelmed his, were also being talked about.
Things like conquering the Academy Dungeon in a single day or easily blocking the aura wielded by the Second Prince.
With this new story added to my previous duel with the First Prince at the Partlan Festival, Karia explained that people were starting to believe in my abilities.
“As of now, your public reputation is this: You have overwhelming talent like someone from the Allen family, you’re smart, but have a dirty personality and are a wild noble.”
To sum that up in one phrase: a capable brat.
Is this evaluation, which had only been limited to the Academy, spreading across the continent now?
Being recognized for my skills is great, but it’s a bit strange that the assessment of my personality as dirty comes with it.
Well, considering that my calling the Second Prince a Pitiful Prince got out, that part would only worsen, not improve.
“There are also a few things related to the Church. Something about repentance or maybe being quite devout. Or becoming favorable to the Church.”
Most of the things related to the Church were positive.
It couldn’t be helped. Lucy’s past was so tragic, and my recent actions could only be seen favorably by the Church.
I received a revelation from God, obtained Ruel’s Mace, lifted two instances of Agra’s Curse, and handled Divine Magic based on enormous amounts of divinity, not to mention being close to Phoebe.
If the owner of this story wasn’t Lucy, everyone would have nodded in agreement, calling me a devout believer.
“I think the Church is slowly starting to take an interest. Keep that in mind, Employer.”
As soon as I heard that the Church was taking an interest, my brows furrowed involuntarily.
Being noticed by the Church is never a good thing. The current Church doesn’t seek out devout people.
…Hmm. Should I ask Johan to pass along any bad stories about me later?
“Oh. And there’s this too. A person with a face that seems chiseled by God.”
‘…What’s that supposed to mean?’
“Auntie. What nonsense is that?”
“The Apostle of Beauty and Art made a song for you and spread it around.”
Ah, that pervert I met at the Partlan Festival.
I didn’t want to talk much, so I just told him to do as he pleased, and he came up with a song?
“The lyrics are a bit bizarre, but the song is good, so the bards often sing it. Want to hear it?”
Curiosity sparked for a moment, but I suppressed it and shook my head.
No matter how I think about it, listening to that song would undoubtedly inflict serious internal damage on me.
It’s a song made by a pervert who could rival the Sloppy Fox. That perversion would definitely seep through, and I really didn’t want to hear it.
“Well, anyway, thanks to your talents being confirmed, everyone’s eyes are turning red. You’re a daughter of Benedict, after all. Anyone who remembers that guy’s might would naturally have expectations for Benedict’s child.”
The glory created by my father might be passed down through his daughter. There’s even a chance she could create an even greater glory.
The expectations forged by the name Allen and the achievements I’ve made have significantly raised my status.
I’m the daughter of a monster who reconfigured the panorama of war all on her own. Who wouldn’t want to have someone like that under their wing?
Even if I might be difficult to handle, it’s far better than being an enemy.
“Just think! Even after giving a great humiliation to the Second Prince, the Second Queen is still hoping for you!”
While I did succeed in widely broadcasting the Second Prince’s talent, that was only a part of the outcome; I gave him more humiliation than advantage.
Given the situation, it’d make sense for the Second Queen, wishing for the Second Prince to become king, to squint her eyes, but this time it was different. My value was simply too great.
“Now for the main point.”
Karia, who had been speaking leisurely until now, suddenly lowered her voice.
“Alsatine will be introducing you to someone from the Second Queen’s side. Then, the talk about this whole incident will come up.”
It makes sense. The fact that this event spread widely also means the nickname of Pitiful Prince has spread as well.
The Second Prince’s camp, given the already ambiguous evaluations, could hardly dismiss the nickname.
“Although I know this will be tough for you, you must approach the title issue with humility. Got it? Humility! You’ve got to at least maintain that person’s pride!”
I understood Karia’s point, but I just couldn’t muster a sincere answer to that.
There was no way the Mesugaki Skill would allow for humility. If it were possible, I wouldn’t have had to call the Second Prince a Pitiful Prince to begin with!
“They won’t linger too long on the matter anyway. The Second Prince’s side wouldn’t be in a position of strength in this situation. Once the talk ends, they’re going to try to win you over.”
They might bring up my crimes or whisper many sweet things. Karia paused for a moment before continuing with a smile.
“No matter what they say, just refuse them all. It’s not worth your time.”
[This guy’s right. No matter what conditions they offer, refusing them is the correct choice.]
I agreed with Grandpa and Karia. I didn’t need to listen to any of this. I could just nod it off and walk away.
When I asked why he was saying that as if it was obvious, Grandpa chuckled softly.
[Think about it. Don’t you believe you can get even stronger than now? ]
‘No.’
There’s no way. As the sloppy God’s Apostle, I’m bound to obey his commands.
Someday, I’ll have to face the Evil God head-on.
For survival, to see the end of this world, and even to kick the sloppy God out, I must become much stronger than I am now.
[Do you really need to bow your head to the Second Queen? ]
‘No, not at all.’
I don’t need any support at this point. As I always say, I can get most of what I want the moment I desire it.
[Is your background so weak you’d lose your head if you refuse their offer? ]
‘Not at all!’
Besides the influence of people around me, I have Benedict behind me.
He might be flawed, but who would want to provoke the monster wielding a sword against the Evil God?
[So why are you bowing your head to them? As time passes, your worth will only grow. You should wait until they bow their heads. ]
Ah, I get it. So (Company) Lucy Allen’s stock prices are at their lowest right now.
Right. I can’t sell here! I have to wait for Mars!
Understanding Grandpa’s explanation, I resolved firmly not to be swayed, whatever the Second Queen might say, and stood up.
Alsatine, whom I hadn’t seen in a while, looked weary. I wondered if he had been getting any sleep lately, and when I asked if he was okay, he smiled.
“I’ve been busy learning various things from my master. It’s a fulfilling feeling, so I’m just enjoying it.”
He answered with joy, but there was a glimmer in his eyes that seemed all too much like a fresh recruit enjoying his military life.
Well, if he’s happy, that’s what matters.
Alsatine led me to the shop where I met Kurze Newman.
Following the instructions of the staff, I opened the door to a room and found the familiar face of an old man.
“Greetings, Lady Lucy of the Allen family. I am Nabil, a knight of the Bedfer family and a close aide to the Second Queen. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Nabil.
He’s one of the close aides of the Bedfer family, usually chosen by the Second Queen for important matters, whether in daylight or in darkness.
His appearance here with the name Nabil indicates that the Second Queen holds my value in very high regard.
From now on, whatever he says will be somewhat similar to what the Second Queen would say.
‘Hello, Nabil.’
“Ah, nice to meet you. Fake Grandpa.”
Fake, huh? That’s not wrong. There’s probably more fake in Nabil than real among what he presents.
I dismissed this insult hurled by someone from the Second Queen’s camp, and I was unfazed.
This isn’t the first time something like this has happened. Plus, I know this guy well enough; he’s not the kind to act on petty insults.
“Haha. Just as I heard, Lady, you don’t call people by their names.”
Nabil chuckled pleasantly, offering me a seat. I wonder what he’s planning to use to win me over. With what the Second Prince did, it probably means he’s prepared something significant.
“I believe you might be guessing why I’m here, but I have multiple messages for you. Recently, things have been quite…”
‘Could you please get to the point?’
“Fake Grandpa, could you not interrupt? Do I look like someone with leisure to you?”
I didn’t want to hear a long story about something I was going to refuse, so I interrupted him, and Nabil shrugged.
“Oops. Apologies. When you get older, you tend to talk too much!”
He deliberately chuckled as if to show he was old but then suddenly stopped laughing and spoke with a serious tone.
“First, I must convey that I’m not the one to converse with you here.”
…Huh? What does that mean?
As I blinked in confusion, Nabil pulled out a crystal ball from his coat and placed it on the desk.
Subsequently, as magic seeped into the crystal ball, it activated and an image of a woman appeared above it.
A pair of sharply gazing eyes, piercingly defined pupils, creased brows, tightly pressed lips.
Everywhere I look, I’m assured this woman has a pretty nasty personality, and I stood frozen in place.
[Hello, Lady Allen. ]
Uh, wait.
[I am Serane Soladin. I hold the position of Second Queen of the current kingdom. ]
…If I open my mouth, this is going to be a disaster, isn’t it?
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