Chapter: 244
From the day Phoebe received salvation from the true Apostle of God, Lucy Allen, she always tried to stay close to Lucy whenever possible.
When Lucy was attending classes. When she was having meals. When she was training.
Unless she had to leave for matters related to the church, Phoebe always kept Lucy in her sight.
Even though she knew rumors were spreading that she favored Lucy because of this behavior.
She wasn’t unaware that her actions could be an inconvenience to Lucy. There were moments when she thought that perhaps Lucy might start to avoid her because of it.
Yet, the reason Phoebe couldn’t leave Lucy’s side was simply that being near her made her feel like she could sense the warmth of God.
When she stayed close, it seemed like all her anxieties just disappeared.
It was because she could feel certain in her faith.
And because Phoebe herself thought of Lucy Allen as someone precious. There was something undeniably precarious in the always confident and unhesitant appearance of Lucy that she simply couldn’t take her eyes off.
As time passed, Phoebe came to learn several things about Lucy.
First, that she was strict with others and equally strict with herself.
Every morning, Lucy would be the first to arrive at the training grounds, undergoing more intense training than anyone else and staying later than anyone else.
It seemed there was no time for rest, let alone studying, in her training schedule, yet Lucy calmly followed this every day while achieving outstanding results in midterms.
Observing that, Phoebe couldn’t help but wonder if the young lady actually got any sleep.
Next, she learned that Lucy was indeed a good person.
It was hard to tell because of her sharp expression and sarcastic tone, but she would respond with goodwill if the opposition did not show hostility first.
She would find a discreet place to eat or sit in class, knowing people were afraid of her.
Whenever someone asked for help, she would nod in agreement without hesitation.
Even if someone, like Duke Burrow or people from her past who harbored jealousy and hatred towards Lucy, might be in danger, Lucy willingly put in the effort to help them.
Having witnessed all of this, Phoebe understood why Joy liked Lucy and why God had chosen her as His apostle.
She was truly someone worthy of God’s selection.
Finally, Phoebe discovered something concerning Lucy’s tone.
She always spoke provocatively and with a mocking gaze, regardless of whether the other person was a commoner or a king. However, there was a slight difference between her casual speech and her tone when genuinely trying to belittle someone.
It was an infuriating tone meant to anger her opponent.
Sharp and vivid, it was the kind of tone that etched red into even Phoebe’s heart when she heard it.
Lucy sometimes used that tone.
When fighting monsters to draw attention to herself.
During duels to shake her opponent’s emotions.
When ridiculing someone, she did it to genuinely infuriate them.
Even now.
“Why are you feeling offended?♡ To receive affection from a girl like me is so flattering that I should feel guilty and embarrassed to deny it, right?♡ I think I should be the one feeling upset for being tangled with someone like the inferior Duke!♡”
“You’re spouting nonsense.”
“Oh. Is that it?♡ So, our dear inferior Duke is just a shy guy who’s embarrassed, huh?♡ I understand♡ It’s typical for a guy who has never held a girl’s hand!♡”
While looking at the blushing Duke Burrow, Lucy was clearly trying to provoke him.
It was clear why.
Because Phoebe had made a mistake.
The reason Phoebe visited the Burrow Ducal Family today was because of a request from Lucy.
That there might be something strange about the Duke’s condition. Whether she could offer any help in detecting that anomaly.
When she received that request, Phoebe nodded without hesitation.
She had always relied on Lucy’s help.
If she could repay even a little bit for that salvation, or if she could contribute to fulfilling God’s will, she was ready to do anything. The word “refusal” simply did not exist in her mind.
Even with that firm resolve, when she arrived at the Burrow residence, everything was far too peaceful.
The Duke, who had been said to be seriously ill, looked perfectly fine and well. The Duchess seemed only a bit fatigued, with nothing particularly wrong. Phoebe couldn’t find a hint of oddity within the mansion either.
Phoebe felt a sense of relief along with the realization that even someone as perfect as Lucy could make mistakes.
Finding something odd usually meant there was a problem, and if there was a problem, it meant someone would be in misfortune.
So the best scenario was to find no problems at all. Even if it meant not being able to repay debt to Lucy.
However, Phoebe overlooked one crucial fact.
Lucy was an Apostle of God. Whenever she acted in a way that was hard to understand, there was always the will of God behind it.
This incident was no different. Lucy had shown no interest in the Burrow Family until now, even though the absence of the Duke was known.
Then, one day, she suddenly decided that she needed to go to the Burrow residence and took charge of the situation.
What was this? It meant Lucy’s intent was not her own but rather God’s will.
God had revealed to Lucy that something was wrong with the Burrow Family—how could there possibly be mistakes?
Something was definitely wrong in the mansion. They just had not discovered it yet.
“I never expected so many people would come to see me.”
Phoebe realized this only when she caught sight of Duke Burrow.
“It’s been a while since we last met.”
She noticed the turmoil of desire swirling in his eyes.
“Everyone.”
And she recognized the familiar dark energy that lurked within him.
She understood.
She enlightened.
The darkness of the Evil God, which had once tried to tempt Phoebe, was now targeting the Burrow Family.
When Phoebe realized this, she stood up in shock.
Even though she shouldn’t reveal that she had noticed the anomaly, she couldn’t help but give it away.
“Saintess? What’s wrong?”
When Duke Burrow’s gaze turned towards her, Phoebe couldn’t muster any words through her bewilderment.
She knew she had to manage the situation. She was more aware than anyone that if things continued like this, they could ruin God’s plans. Yet, her mind went blank, and she couldn’t think of any excuses.
It was Lucy who smoothened the situation. Whether it was true or not, she casually remarked on a clearly shameful and malicious rumor as if it was nothing.
By doing so, she drew the Duke Burrow’s attention and erased the mistake Phoebe had made.
“Phoebe, what on earth are you doing?”
You came to help Lady Allen, to repay your gratitude, right?
But instead, you were on the verge of ruining God’s will and ended up receiving help from the Lady!
Even as Phoebe blushed in embarrassment over her disgraceful mistake, the argument between Lucy and Jack continued to escalate.
“I thought you believed in something, but it turns out you just believe in your own cuteness!♡ I’ll admit it♡ Your looks are pretty cute♡ Your skills with the spear are cute too♡ You’re even cute in height!♡ Why don’t you put on a dress?♡ It would suit you so well!♡”
“Yet you, Lucy Allen, lack any femininity! Who would like someone like you?!”
“Haha♡ So you also have issues with your eyesight!♡ How could you not recognize this adorable girl standing right in front of you?♡ Pitiful♡ I wonder if your lineage can continue with that kind of flawed view?♡”
“Hah! How amusing that a girl who can only throw sarcasm is calling me flawed!”
“Both of you, please just cut it out. This mansion, which was so quiet, is going to be filled with your commotion.”
At least it was fortunate that Arthur was there.
When the prince, possessing such a title, raised his voice in annoyance, Jack kept quiet, and Lucy followed suit.
While Lucy looked down on Jack with an expression of disdain, he trembled as if he wanted to charge at her.
Just as Phoebe was focused on the uncomfortable atmosphere flowing between them, Ducal Lord Partlan returned to the reception room.
He glanced around the reception room and shrugged, suggesting they head back.
*
“Good work. I’m sure only vexation remained in Duke Burrow’s mind about you.”
“…Well, it’s nothing.”
On the way back after visiting the Duke’s family.
As soon as I stepped into the dormitory, Grandpa praised me, but I couldn’t accept that compliment purely.
At first, I intentionally provoked Jack to draw his attention.
But then I got worked up during the conversation.
Thinking it through, I still wasn’t pleased.
Seriously, why the hell was that guy acting all offended on his own?
How frustrating it must be to be involved with someone like me—an inferior class character!
The way he was always being told he was unworthy due to looks, story, and performance—just completing a related quest meant they’d never come back!
Insane!
If Arthur hadn’t butted in, I could have provoked that brat until he swung a punch first, and then I would’ve stomped him!
As I calmed my frustration, I heard a knock at the door.
Even though I hadn’t opened the door yet, I figured out who it was on the other side. There was only one person among my acquaintances who possessed such warm divine energy.
“Come in, Phoebe.”
“Welcome, Sloppy Saintess.”
“I apologize. Young Lady.”
As Phoebe shyly entered my room, I activated the ring’s magic to drown out the sounds from outside.
Considering how shocked Phoebe looked, the conversation we were about to have wouldn’t be something to share with others.
Once inside, Phoebe immediately bowed her head. She almost felt she could have ruined her day.
Honestly, I couldn’t understand that apology. If it weren’t for her, I wouldn’t have even known about the situation in the Burrow Ducal Family.
“Don’t worry about it, Phoebe.”
“Did I seem that petty? Sloppy Saintess?”
“No! That’s not it!”
“Don’t let it bother you.”
“It’s okay. It wasn’t anything major.”
“…How can you be so merciful!”
As expected of the Apostle of God! After calming Phoebe, who kept bowing her head, I asked her the most important question.
What exactly had she seen in the inferior Duke that made her so shocked?
“…I felt the energy of the Evil God from Duke Burrow. It felt like the same energy that had once seeped into me.”
…
Wait. Just wait a second.
Are you saying the problem in the Burrow Family is related to the dark Evil God?
– Dding!
[Quest Complete!]
[You successfully identified the anomaly in the Burrow Family!]
[Calculating rewards! Please wait a moment!]
The moment I heard Phoebe’s words, several windows popped up in front of me.
This meant one thing.
That everything Phoebe just said was true.
…Uh. So, this is seriously surprising, realizing that something I thought was impossible has turned out to be true.
But one thing is clear.
I now have grounds to smack that brat Jack across the face!
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