Chapter: 377
The moment I confirmed myself reflected beyond those eyes, all sounds around me vanished.
Am I really moving as I wish? Am I showing confusion, having lost the pride of my Mesugaki Skill?
In a panic, I pulled out a mirror from my inventory and examined the face of the girl reflected in it.
Since stepping into this world, I’ve been faced with Lucy’s face to the point of boredom. I used to think she was unbearably cute and pretty.
Because of that, I’m all too aware that there’s a limit to the expressions I can make. The restrictions of the Mesugaki Skill don’t allow for weakness.
Yet, the Lucy reflected in the mirror was different. Instead of the usual confidence and arrogance, confusion filled her face, making her look like an ordinary girl my age.
Am I dreaming right now? Am I still trapped in the illusion Lucy shows me?
“Ow.”
I pulled at my soft cheeks haphazardly, and a pained sound escaped my lips. What the heck?
This isn’t a dream? I can really act without the restrictions of the Mesugaki Skill?!
Unable to accept reality, I made all sorts of faces in front of the mirror.
I smiled, furrowed my brow, made a crying face, and pouted. I lost track of time while examining my changing expressions until Karia finally snatched the mirror away, bringing me back to my senses.
“Employer! What the heck happened inside? You might usually show emotions on the outside, but this is too much!”
“If I knew, would I be like this, Auntie? Sigh. With your age, it’s no wonder there are no men around you.”
“Why did that come up here?”
I ignored Karia, who was seriously annoyed, and continued thinking.
Just a moment ago, I had planned to tell Karia I didn’t quite get it. However, the words that slipped out of my mouth were far from mild.
What this means is clear. The Mesugaki Skill is still lurking inside me. The restrictions have weakened, but they haven’t vanished entirely.
But something feels strange. Just a short while ago, there was a slight difference when I spoke and when my voice came out, but not now. That tiny difference has disappeared without a trace.
“Grandpa. Grandpa. Don’t you think there’s something weird about how I’m talking?”
[Rather than saying it’s weird, I should say you found the right way to express yourself. To me, this seems much more normal.]
“Is that so?”
[Yes. The gap has disappeared, hasn’t it?]
Is that so? Listening to Grandpa, I tried to recall old memories, but I couldn’t quite grasp it. If Grandpa says that, it must be true, but hmm.
“Why did this happen?”
[It’s hard for me to answer even if you ask. Your change must have come from what you’ve seen.]
In the end, understanding the intentions of the Shoddy God will be key to getting a proper answer.
“Employer?! Are you listening?!”
“Karia, please calm down. This isn’t the first day our Young Lady has acted like this, is it?”
“…That’s true, but still.”
“And no one can deny that you are beautiful, Karia. What our Young Lady says doesn’t change the truth, so why not laugh it off and show your grace?”
Karia had appearance and a soft voice that could charm many female students at the Academy. When combined with Karl’s characteristic wit, her expression relaxed for a moment.
However, it was just a moment. Karia quickly caught on to Karl’s true intentions lurking behind the knight’s mask.
“Hey. You think I’m being unreasonable.”
“…What are you talking about?”
“I might not be able to say anything to the Employer because of my favor, but you’re different, alright? Just you wait. I’ll definitely get you back.”
While Karl was sweating cold at Karia’s fury, Heyshan quietly approached me and handed me a map.
“Did our Young Lady find something inside?”
“It was a dungeon created by some sloppy guy with a weak imagination. Not very fun at all.”
“Then the map might have changed, right?”
Understanding her intention, I took the map and infused it with Divinity. Suddenly, a new image appeared above the map.
“It seems we’ll have to travel around the entire island.”
The image was inscribed over the shape of another island. Does it mean we have to find another secret there?
Grinning at understanding the Shoddy God’s intentions, I passed the map back to Heyshan.
I don’t know exactly what change has happened within me. Is it positive or negative? But one thing is sure: I need to reach the end of this journey.
After I conquer all the dungeons, I’m sure I’ll understand what the Shoddy God wants to convey to me.
Looking up to see the once-black sky turning purple, I stretched and got ready to move.
Time to return to the lodging and get a couple of hours of sleep.
Too much has happened today.
I should rest a bit.
*
Last night, Joy returned to her room, satisfied after teasing Arthur, whose face was turned bright red, and plopped down on her bed with a smile.
To think she succeeded in paying him back even just a fraction of the torment he usually receives!
Thanks to the mischief of Lady Allen, it was really fun. I hope the Prince feels embarrassed about that bunny headband for a long time.
Recalling Arthur’s desperate excuses to Frey made Joy chuckle softly, but her laughter was short-lived.
Lately, she hadn’t gotten any proper sleep, and her body invited her into the world of dreams.
Having slept comfortably enough not to even dream, she awoke to sounds coming from below.
Rubbing her eyes and getting up, Joy stretched and yawned at the dawn scenery visible outside the window.
Could it be Lady Allen returned from last night? There’s still time before we have to leave, so I can sleep a bit more and greet her in the morning.
Resting her head back on the pillow, Joy tried to sleep again, but she couldn’t. After the rough training at the Allen Knights, her body deemed that she had enough sleep already.
She realized lying like this would only bring her discomfort, so she sighed, got up, and lightly groomed herself.
Once Joy skillfully finished getting ready to head outside and went downstairs, she saw knights alleviating fatigue and Lucy sitting at a table.
Lucy was sitting in a chair, swinging her legs that couldn’t touch the floor while humming a tune. Did something good happen?
With a cute look that didn’t show the usual viciousness, Joy smiled as she came down the stairs, catching Lucy’s attention.
“Foolish Young Lady. Have you not slept until now? Guess you’re less tired than I thought. You may need to roll around more?”
Her words, as always sharp, sounded different this time.
The expression on Lucy’s face was bright—a look Joy had never seen during their time together.
Joy felt anew just how pretty and cute Lucy truly is.
Usually, Lucy always wore an arrogant face, looking down on others.
It was undeniable that she was beautiful, even with that haughty expression, but her characteristic demeanor made her appearance stand out less.
It’s common sense that a smiling face is prettier than a frowning one. Lucy always seemed to forget her own beauty.
But today, Lucy, who usually wouldn’t smile, broke into a radiant grin. How powerful that smile must be!
While Joy was dazedly gazing at Lucy’s smile, she came to her senses with a loud thud.
“Karl. What’s wrong with her?”
“Must be cleansed by the Young Lady’s smile.”
“Sure, her smile is beautiful, but this is a bit much.”
“…The Lord would be astounded.”
“Guess I should offer up some early condolences.”
While the knights of Allen were chatting about the collapsed Karl, joy couldn’t hear them. She was too busy holding onto her racing heart.
Lucy tilted her head, completely oblivious to Joy’s confusion, then jumped up from her chair and approached Joy.
“What’s up? Foolish Young Lady. Are you sick? Now you’re even feeling foolish about your health?”
Looking up at Joy, Lucy’s gaze was filled with a concern Joy had never seen before.
What’s going on? Is this really the Lady Allen I know? The Lady I’ve come to know wouldn’t make such an expression.
Am I still dreaming? I thought I woke up, but maybe I didn’t?
In the midst of this confusion, Joy trembled as she felt a soft touch tickling her nose, causing her to jump back and fall on the stairs.
“Ow ow…”
In her disorientation, Joy lamented, realizing how foolish she had acted, her face turning bright red.
Then came a familiar but somehow clearer laughter at her ear.
“Pffhahaha. You look completely silly.”
Eagerly getting back up, Joy immediately covered her face with her fan, peering at Lucy while clearing her throat.
“Ahem. Lady Allen.”
“Hmm? What? Foolish one? Are you going to ask me not to tease you because you’re so embarrassed?”
While she wished she could say that, wouldn’t asking just give her more fuel to tease? Does she really think I would fall for her tricks just once or twice?
Suppressing her grievances, Joy took a deep breath, gaining her composure before hesitantly asking.
“What happened during the night?”
“You’re sharper than you let on. Yup, something happened.”
Lucy didn’t deny Joy’s curiosity. She acknowledged that something had changed within her.
“Curious?”
“Yes, very much.”
“Hm. I won’t say anything since you’re my friend, but only to you, Foolish Young Lady. So, last night…”
Joy was eagerly awaiting Lucy’s response, which seemed casual, but Lucy didn’t oblige.
“Pffh. Pffhahaha. You look so expectant. Did you really think I’d tell you?”
“…Really?”
“Since you seem so curious, I’ll keep it a secret. I won’t tell you.”
Joy covered her face with both hands at Lucy’s mischievous smile.
Is it fair for someone to be this cute?! This is totally cheating!
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