Chapter: 668
I see the sword slicing through the void.
It definitely wasn’t going to reach me, but I still raised my shield.
With a heavy thud, my body gets pushed back.
Ah. Really. I can never predict the timing.
Even when observing from a third-person perspective, the sword strike arrives randomly!
“Hehe.”
Frey swings her sword again, grinning. I can see the prelude, the sword’s trajectory, and Frey’s intentions, but still, the clear sound does not come from the shield.
“Hehe!”
I’m pretending to be in a bad position, yet Frey is just watching me from a distance.
She must think she can win by attacking unilaterally from this distance.
I don’t like that she’s being so calm, which is so unlike her. That smug smile irritates me!
I know she’s trying to make me anxious to break my defense, but knowing that doesn’t mean I can do nothing.
Since she has the initiative, all I can do is slowly crumble if I just endure.
Well, it’s a simple duel, so let’s go for broke.
If I’ve assessed things correctly, I should be fine.
And more than that, I really don’t want to keep seeing that annoying smirk.
I take my eyes off the fairy and lower my shield.
I provoke her with just a grin, daring her to come at me.
Seeing me like that, Frey didn’t immediately swing her sword.
“Are you scared?♡”
As soon as I see her grip tightening on the sword, I bow forward and lower my head.
I can feel the sword strike cutting through the air right above me.
“Scared, huh?♡”
Hearing the giggles of the fairies, I step forward.
In a light step that looks like I’m dancing, Frey swings her sword again, but I don’t stop.
Following my instincts, I twist my body sideways as the space next to me warps.
“Just as I thought, Lucy.”
After dodging two sword strikes, Frey found herself right in front of me.
I spread my hands again, surrounding the fairies.
Raising my shield and mace would only repeat the previous mistake.
So, I need to lead them into a favorable battlefield.
While it’s true Frey is a genius with a sword, my strength surpasses hers.
I spread my arms in a challenging manner, prompting Frey to instinctively lower her waist.
Confirming that, I press down on Frey’s shoulder with a smirk.
Realizing she’s fallen into a trap, Frey tries to resist late, but it’s pointless now that I’ve got her.
“Gack!?”
How dare this fool mock me! She must be prepared to face the consequences, right?
Infusing personal emotions into it, I start to squeeze Frey until I hear a sound of surrender escape her lips before finally releasing her.
“You were brave enough to rush in bare-handed.”
Arthur, who was watching the duel from behind, shook his head in astonishment.
“I’m different from that cowardly guy.”
“Who could possibly be talking about me?”
“Ha-ha! You know it well, Shoddy Prince.”
“…I don’t understand why this little brat is praised as the savior of the continent.”
That’s what I’m saying! It’s not like I’ve been quiet elsewhere; I’ve been showing up even more out of spite, yet the praise shows no signs of dwindling!
“Prince.”
While I was nodding along, Frey, who had resurrected, grabbed Arthur’s wrist.
“A duel.”
“Are you just looking to vent your frustrations on me?”
“Are you scared?”
“Have I ever been scared and backed down? I just find your attitude unpleasant…”
“You’re scared. Coward.”
“…Just try making excuses about losing because you couldn’t rest.”
While I prayed for Arthur’s soul as I watched his back, I patted the heads of the fairies begging for compliments.
“That was an excellent fight, Young Lady.”
Seeing Phoebe praise me, which is a common occurrence, I noticed her eyes were a bit redder than usual today.
Joy, tell me you’re not—
“That time Lucy smashed it, right? That was the end of it!”
“Then why is this landmine princess in this state?”
“Listening to the tales of Young Lady’s impressive feats moved me to tears. I wish I could go to the prayer hall right now and offer a prayer.”
You can replay images in your head just by hearing a story?
Phoebe, I really don’t want to say this, but you’re really an otaku.
Your looks are great, but put on those “glasses pig” filters, and replay all of Phoebe’s actions, and you’ll get chills!
“Hehe. I’m sorry. I was so overwhelmed that I ended up revealing my inner thoughts.”
“That’s a bit creepy, so can you not come any closer?”
“I’ll take a step back.”
Without a hint of disappointment, Phoebe stepped back with a smile.
“So, Young Lady, why did you gather us?”
“To torment the shoddy ones who are buried underground and waiting to rise.”
As for reasons like ensuring pure power, increasing the influence of Lord Jushin through my actions, or amassing achievements for various apostles to make things advantageous in the future, or even that my safety is a vital element for the world’s salvation, there’s an excess of reasons for me to just sit still.
On the other hand, reasons for me to act?
Honestly, there’s none.
If I just prep for the variables the Pope might cause, then the people from various places will secure the victory for me like before in the game.
I think the best strategy is to wait till a crucial moment and pop up perfectly.
Even if I had to intervene, it would be more rational to leave it to the other strong people instead of me.
Despite knowing all this, I decided to move myself.
These folks are all treating me with such reverence that it ignited a rebellious spirit in me.
So I thought to see just how much they can worship me.
Imagine a girl who despises, ignores, insults, and crushes those who praise her wearing shiny armor, rampaging around—a spectacular sight to behold!
Doesn’t that sound fun?
Plus, if I build up enough achievements, I could demand a lot more from the Shoddy God in the future, right?
Thinking about making the ones who treated me like trash kneel gives me a rush of ecstasy!
More than anything, I feel like my friends would naturally follow whatever thoughts I have in my head right now.
I want to set an amusing record.
If I discover a new build and can save time, it’s only natural for a veteran gamer to try it out, right?
Right?
“Let’s work together.”
“I will happily do that.”
“If Lucy says so, then I must follow.”
“Me too! I want to join because it’s fun being with Lucy.”
Oh? Frey, what about Arthur? Are you going to come alone?
Weren’t you just dueling a moment ago?
Blinking my eyes and turning my head, I spotted Arthur bleeding from his mouth, with burst blood vessels in his eyes.
“Frey Kentiinnn!”
“Wow! The prince is tough. If only you were a bit stronger…”
“I’ll play with you properly, you damn brat!”
*
Ellaris of Belheim.
Bested within thirty minutes of her appearance.
By the time the ones sent by the Pope arrived, the dungeon had already vanished.
Seraph of Cardonia.
Ravaged by the Allen Knights in that area.
Thanks to that, several traps I had previously set lost their meaning, and the dungeon disappeared before even an hour had passed.
Aeryn of Rumiela.
Even though Lasha revealed herself, just like she anticipated, various strong people, including the Sword Saint, blocked her.
In the meantime, the Apostle of God entered the dungeon.
Before Lasha’s fight ended, the dungeon disappeared.
Lasha herself expressed satisfaction, saying it was a nice fight after a long time.
Defeat.
Defeat.
Defeat.
Defeat.
The Pope, absorbed in confirming the reports about himself, let out a sigh he didn’t even notice.
This is troublesome. I never anticipated I’d be overwhelmed this much.
Even while reading the reports filled with failures, the Pope grinned and shifted his gaze toward the map.
He had predicted that the Apostle would act personally.
Someone who would gladly risk their life for others.
If a sacrifice occurs, it’s only natural for that person to act directly.
However, I thought there would be limits since that person is human.
That’s why I remained still, even upon seeing the Apostle stepping forward.
To pounce on the moment they inevitably crumble.
What an utterly arrogant mindset.
There’s no way someone carrying out God’s divine work would suffer due to such guys.
Ah. With how outstanding the Apostle of God is, my wisdom cannot predict the future.
“What a thoroughly, thoroughly delightful delusion.”
That person has proven their greatness, so we need to showcase our wickedness too.
That’s the fight between good and evil.
The more people on the continent hate us, the more fear they feel, and the more heartfelt thanks they give to the Apostle who saves them, the closer my plan will get to success.
“So, I’ll have to create a plausible story for the Apostle.”
The Apostle already has enough stories to tell.
Once cursed as a young child, against her will, she had no choice but to mock others.
At an age when one should receive love from others, she learned the hatred of others.
Her loved one, her mother, died of illness, and her father, traumatized by losing his beloved, turned away from his daughter.
Thus, the girl born from the curse became a loner.
The people of the continent don’t know all this, but they are aware of the general circumstances.
The Pope deliberately spread this information.
Due to the praise of being a hero who rose for the world without collapsing under tragedy, the people increasingly saw even her mockery with pity.
But this is still insufficient.
Past stories are just fine backgrounds; they don’t stir the heart.
The tragedies that arise in the present and the hero overcoming them will truly touch the hearts of the people, making them praise the great Lord Jushin and the Apostle.
The Pope envisioned the majestic figure of Lord Jushin descending with light from the heavens and wiped away a tear that had trickled down before turning his gaze back to the map.
His gaze stopped at a remote part of the Soladin Kingdom.
“Shall we start by tinkering with the minor details first?”
I hope the Apostle cries sorrowfully.
If she crumbles and locks herself in her room, it’d be perfect.
And in the end, if she rises again for the world.
“Ahh.”
That would be the true form of a hero and the figure of the Apostle chosen by the Lord Jushin.
I wish to witness that firsthand.
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