Chapter: 267
The night before heading to Burrow Territory. Including myself, everyone who decided to join in defeating the Evil God was gathered in the Arteia family estate.
The reason is simple.
We planned to launch an attack on Burrow Territory the moment dawn breaks.
No one knows how long it will take to take down Tariki.
If everything goes according to plan, I estimate it shouldn’t take more than half a day, but fighting against the Evil God always requires accounting for variables.
If the fight drags on and night falls, who knows how the situation will unfold.
So we start the operation the moment the sun rises. So that we can finish everything while the sun guards the sky.
With this plan in mind, it would make sense to get some sleep to prepare for tomorrow, but even now, with the moon rising in the center of the night sky, I was staring quietly out the window.
Are you anxious?
‘…Yes.’
I couldn’t lay down on the bed because the tension in my heart wouldn’t ease at all.
This is the first time I’ve seen you like this since your entrance exam at the Academy.
‘Is that so?’
Yes. Young lady, you were always a person of poise and confidence.
Thinking back, that does seem true.
I have hardly felt this anxious before.
The crises that had come my way were either ones I was confident I could overcome from the start or those that arrived without giving me a moment to worry.
‘Hey, Grandpa.’
What is it?
‘How did you feel in situations like this?’
How did Grandpa feel at times like this?
Considering Grandpa’s usual personality, it doesn’t seem likely that he would be overly tense.
Me? I was super tense.
‘…You, Grandpa?’
Yes. There were countless nights when I couldn’t sleep and prayed to God all night long.
Thanks to which, he added with a hearty laugh, he had made many big mistakes due to lack of sleep.
Imagining Grandpa being all tense and unsure is hard to picture.
That’s normal. Young lady. If you’re not tense in a life-threatening situation, what kind of person would you be?
‘…Right?’
Exactly. So don’t worry. You’ve done everything you could. Now just think about how to crush Tariki’s face and what insults to throw!
‘Why is insulting him the main premise?’
Weren’t you planning to?
…Of course, I would insult him.
If Tariki gets angry and starts throwing curses, he’ll probably be super excited and let out all sorts of noises.
But assuming I would obviously insult him is a problem!
That makes it sound like I really am a horrible person!
Well, that aside.
‘What is it?’
If you have nothing to do, just train a bit.
‘But you told me to relax before a big event!’
Isn’t it more practical than tossing and turning in bed all night?
That’s… true. I realized that just staring out the window wouldn’t help me sleep and obediently laid down on the bed.
Before I could hardly close my eyes, the training grounds, now familiar to the point of being boring, emerged before me. Grandpa, donned in armor, gave me a reassuring smile.
*
The next morning.
Still, the time of the moon and stars was guarded by hazy clouds.
Having finished all preparations, Phoebe was sincerely praying to Lord Jushin.
Her prayer was long and complex, but the content inside was quite simple.
Oh great Lord Jushin. Please watch over and protect those who seek to fulfill Your will. Grant us Your help.
The prayer went on for a while until someone knocked on the door.
“Saintess.”
Startled by Johan’s voice from outside the door, Phoebe quickly got up and hurriedly checked herself in the mirror before opening the door.
“Good morning.”
Even though it was an early hour, Johan looked sharp and pristine.
As if there would be no problem going to morning worship right away.
“Of course. Did you sleep well last night, Bishop Johan?”
“I should say so, but unfortunately, I didn’t get much sleep. My heart races every time I think of tomorrow.”
Despite having aged, Johan smirked shyly, calling it foolish, which caused Phoebe to widen her eyes slightly.
The Johan she knew was strict to himself and even stricter to others.
Especially towards Phoebe.
Whenever Johan looked at Phoebe, he always wore a stern expression and his emotionless lips only spoke words of reprimand.
So Phoebe found it hard to approach him.
Even though she knew deep down that he was a good person and was someone who genuinely sought closeness to God more than anyone.
But the Johan now was different.
The relaxed smile on his face was reminiscent of a boy dreaming of adventure.
The one she had seen when she was little.
“Saintess?”
“…What? Ah.”
It’s okay. Phoebe.
It’s okay.
This was something she had already accepted in her heart.
Seeing Phoebe hastily collect herself, Johan raised one eyebrow slightly.
“I apologize. It seems I might be slightly lacking in sleep as well.”
Did my mistake not sit well with him? While Phoebe waited for a reprimand, Johan just sighed faintly without saying anything.
“I’m here to meet you because of Lady Allen. It seems time is short, but she is still resting in her room.”
“Understood. I will go see her.”
“Yes, please do.”
After Johan left, Phoebe let out a long breath.
Then, stepping outside her room, Phoebe did not hesitate in her steps.
Though she didn’t know where Lucy was staying, that wasn’t a problem.
Her Divinity. That warm light like the sun. Anyone who stood by her for just once could never forget it.
As soon as Phoebe reached in front of a certain room, a voice came from within.
“Come in, Sloppy Saintess.”
Seems she sensed my presence. Truly, Lady Allen thinks so, and when Phoebe opened the door, she froze.
The wide-open window. The curtains fluttering in the cold breeze as the seasons changed.
And dancing with them, Lucy’s long red hair.
Her small hands were clasped in the center of her chest.
Slowly moving lips. Eyes firmly shut.
And the gentle warmth of divine presence that even made one forget the early chill of winter.
Lucy was praying.
Ah.
What a beautiful scene this is.
Entranced by the sight, Phoebe found herself about to clasp her own hands but soon snapped back to reality.
She realized she was interrupting Lucy’s prayer.
…What a rude thing to do, Phoebe!
To disrupt the young lady’s prayer!
Should I close the door again right now?
No, but the young lady did say to come in?
If I leave now, that would be even more rude.
As Phoebe panicked and didn’t know what to do at that moment, Lucy opened her eyes, and her divine presence scattered with the wind.
“What are you doing? Sloppy Saintess?”
“…I-I’m sorry!”
*
No matter how I think about it, it seems Phoebe sees me as more of a person to be respected or honored than a friend. To create such a fuss just from interrupting a prayer.
In such cases, her reaction is normal. You interrupted a morning prayer, after all. Especially one being conducted by an Apostle of God.
‘Is that so?’
While Grandpa explained that Phoebe’s reaction wasn’t all that strange, I still found it hard to understand her response.
In the end, a prayer is just a conversation with Shoddy God, right?
Is it really a problem if it’s a bit casual?
Look.
[Daily Quest Clear!]
[Divinity slightly increased!]
[Dignity slightly increased!]
See? Even if I barely keep it casual, Shoddy God is more than satisfied and gives rewards.
Isn’t the church team thinking too highly of Shoddy God? Sure, he’s a petty pervert, but he’s not that fussy.
…I think you’re underestimating Shoddy God too much.
Ignoring the incredulous tone of Grandpa’s voice, I calmed Phoebe down and let her go ahead before patting on my armor from my inventory.
When I first put on this armor, I didn’t know what to do, but now my hands just move before my thoughts do.
Well, it’s been a while since I wore this armor anyway.
When I entered the reception room, everyone was already gathered except for me.
“You’ve arrived, young lady.”
Finally, the sword I gifted was lowered from the display case.
“I apologize for earlier. Lady Allen.”
Even though I told her not to, Phoebe apologized again.
“You’ve arrived.”
Holding a holy book close to his chest, Johan nodded respectfully.
“Everything is ready.”
Alsatine nodded with a serious face.
“I was foolish. Defeated by desire, leaving the forest behind.”
The Sloppy Fox, sitting on the sofa, was covering his face with both hands, scolding himself for being so stupid.
He’d been like this since yesterday.
If he was defeated by desire, he should at least be committed to it. Why cause such a scene for failing at both?
Really annoying.
I stepped closer and pulled his hands away from his face.
Our eyes met.
“Hey, Trash Fox ♡ When did you ever behave decently? ♡ All you ever do is disgusting things, you perverted piece of trash! ♡”
“…”
“If you want to be leashed and crawl on the floor, you better obey your master! ♡”
“If you want to be punished, then do your damn job! ♡ You trash! ♡”
I finished with a whisper, noticing the sparkle returning to Sloppy Fox’s eyes.
So it seems that insults are what motivates him. What a true pervert.
…Is he deliberately trying to provoke me to insult him?
Under normal circumstances, this wouldn’t be something anyone could see through, but judging by the Sloppy Fox’s nature, it seems more like a reasonable suspicion.
Ugh. This is seriously gross.
After glaring at the Sloppy Fox in disgust, I raised my head to find everyone’s gaze fixed on me.
…Except for the Spatial Sorcerer, everyone else was too calm. It’s frustrating. It’s like I’m the only one acting like a freak.
And hey! Karl, why the hell are you looking at this like it’s envious?!
Ah! Seriously! Can we not go back to normal?!
Where did the knight who said he would be a proper knight go? The past you was a little more composed!
After rubbing my face, I redirected my gaze towards the Spatial Sorcerer. He spoke with an awkward smile.
“The preparations for teleportation are complete. You can go anytime you wish.”
Looking outside, I saw the sky transitioning from violet to crimson. The sun was rising.
Confirming that, I looked around again, and everyone nodded as if they already knew what I was about to say.
Everyone’s ready, right?
Got it.
Let’s go now.
“Let’s go immediately, moving slave.”
“…Ahem. Yes, understood.”
As the Spatial Sorcerer struck the ground with his staff, blue flames erupted from beneath.
After confirming that, I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.
It’s okay. My plan is so perfect that Grandpa would consider it flawless. Now all that’s left is to execute the plan and laugh at Tariki, who thought he would win.
“Huh?!”
At that moment, a voice filled with shock came from the Spatial Sorcerer.
“Magic is being disrupted!”
…Tariki. He caught on.
“Damn it! It’s impossible to cancel! I’ll try to stabilize the coordinates, but don’t expect much!”
How long has it been since the Spatial Sorcerer uttered that irresponsible cry?
Surroundings started to change.
From the immaculate reception room of the Arteia family to a boundless blue sky.
Haha! Crazy! Are we going skydiving just because we have guests?!
Feeling my body accelerating according to gravity, I looked down.
It seems I have successfully reached Burrow Territory.
Everyone in the reception room was successfully transported in one go.
At this point, I suppose the Spatial Sorcerer did his job well, even amidst Tariki’s interference.
Now it’s time for the rest of us to do our thing.
‘Sloppy Fox!’
“Sloppy Fox!”
“I got it! I’ll handle it!”
Assigning the response to the Sloppy Fox, I felt the ominous energy swirling below and gripped my shield tightly.
The black magic projectiles targeting us.
Wow. As if skydiving wasn’t enough, we’re getting fireworks too. They really prepared well for the guests?!
“Lady! That’s my job!”
It’s fine!
“Don’t need it, just wait! Shoddy Dog!”
In my past self’s case.
When I first encountered Nakrad, I probably wouldn’t even have thought to block it.
But not anymore.
I’m not the same as who I was back then.
Just half a year ago?
No, that’s not right.
For this rotten piece of trash, half a year is more than just half a year—it’s quite a long time.
As I gathered divinity to the tip of my lips and focused it on the shield, it spread out, forming a massive shield capable of blocking the projectiles.
Almost instantly, the projectiles collided with the divinely formed shield.
The force was so overwhelming that I felt my body try to rise against gravity, but that was it.
Before the light standing against darkness, even the tiniest golden glimmer could not be seen.
Hey, Tariki.
If this is all you’ve prepared, then…
I might feel a bit disappointed.
You gloomy excuse for shoddy trash.
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