Chapter: 145
After the field trip, a holiday at the Academy came around. At this time, what I was supposed to do was decided.
Training and Sparring.
In my mind, I thought I could take a day or two off, but when it came time to rest, my body itched so much that I just couldn’t stand still.
After rolling around for months, it felt like rolling had become my daily routine.
– Ding!
As I was dashing at my usual speed, I heard the sound of a spear appearing and shifted my gaze.
[Head to the Church of the Lord.]
[Hurry to the Church within the time limit.]
[Time limit: 30:00]
[Reward: ???]
Seeing the contents of the quest, I quickly halted my feet.
What is this? Go to the church? After seeing a quest that looked completely pointless and devoid of meaning, I tilted my head in confusion.
Hmm. I mean, they’re offering a reward, so I guess I’ll go, but why suddenly like this? Is there some sort of trouble at the church?
“Why… is that so?”
Turning at the voice from behind me, I saw Frey, panting, along with Joy sprawled out on the floor, looking all out of sorts.
‘Thinking about something I’d forgotten.’
“I was reminded of some sloppy and useless things I’ve put off.”
Just going to the church wouldn’t take much time. I passed on the message that they should take a break and left the two behind as I exited the training ground.
“Haah. Young Lady. The scent of your sweat is positively enchanting.”
As soon as I stepped outside, a goofy fox, lurking somewhere, appeared in front of me, spouting disgusting remarks.
Haha. Is this a tactic to make me loathe him even more?
Trying to freak me out so I wouldn’t want to touch him?
Sorry, but if that’s the plan, you’re failing! No matter how twisted the expression on that cute little fox’s face, it still looks adorable.
That dopey fox said the reason he had become like this was that my strength was lacking, right?
So when I get stronger, will he get closer to that form I saw in the forest?
Ah, no thanks. Can’t you just stay like this forever?
“But where are you going?”
‘To the church.’
“And what do you care, you pathetic little fox?”
“I was going to ask if I could follow you, you know?”
Although the second half of the sentence was omitted, I understood that fox’s intention. Just looking at that face mixed with cuteness and lewdness was enough to tell.
Since he just praised my scent, he’s probably planning to follow me around and sniff it.
What a pervert. Talk about a bad taste.
Yet, he runs away, embarrassed, if I try to stroke his fur.
If he’s a real pervert, shouldn’t he enjoy that too?! Why is he so lame in that regard!
“Can I?”
‘Do as you like.’
“Do it or not, what do I care?”
At my response, the dopey fox joyfully trotted over and stood next to me.
Of course, it wasn’t directly beside me. He was maintaining a distance just in case I might try to grab him.
Hah, you really do seem like a damn dopey fox.
[Looking like this, who’s really the pervert here, huh?]
‘…Why is it perverted to find small animals cute?’
That’s just a natural instinct for humans, old man. What defamation! Besides, you yourself admit this dopey fox looks adorable.
[If you think that way, I guess it’s fine.]
‘What are you trying to say? Old man. Go ahead and finish your thought.’
Based on that response, I might have to revive the Academy tour that I had previously discarded.
Bickering with the old man, I stepped outside the Academy and noticed something was off about the atmosphere on the street.
What’s this? Why are people whispering like that? Why are the teachers and guards glaring with wide eyes?
While I trained inside the Academy, what the heck happened? According to the game scenario, nothing was supposed to occur at this point!
Unable to grasp the situation, I grabbed a passing professor.
“Lady Alrn. What happened here?”
‘Is something going on?’
“Pathetic professor. Why don’t you just tell me what happened, instead of yapping away?”
“That is…”
As soon as the explanation finished, I began to sprint towards the church.
Nakrad attacked Phoebe in the Academy street and fled? What kind of insane nonsense is this?!
It isn’t impossible. Nakrad is an Apostle of the dark evil god Tariki. At the very least, he excels in hiding.
Unless it’s a place inherently barred from intrusion, like the Academy, stopping him is nearly impossible.
Even now, when there’s still time before the evil gods can truly resurrect. However, other abilities are a different matter.
Even if he is an Apostle of an evil god, he can’t be outstanding in every aspect.
Especially, knocking out Phoebe, who has a similar inverse affiliation, with just a finger – that absolutely cannot happen right now.
So something must’ve happened that I’m clueless about! Ugh! Damn variables! Could you please flow more like the game?!
Upon reaching the vicinity of the church, I could feel the chaotic atmosphere around me.
A number of Academy students looked worryingly at the church doors, and a few individuals working at the church were blocking the entrance.
An unprecedented situation where an Apostle of the evil god attacked a saintlet meant they were forbidding outsiders from entering.
Ugh. This is a hassle.
“Step aside, please.”
“Pathetic ones. Move aside. I don’t want to feel bad in my bones.”
The notoriety of Lucy held true even in this area.
Vendors selling to the Academy students were well aware of the rumors regarding students, and they remembered my face as one of the targets to avoid.
As someone shouted, “Lady Alrn?!” the path opened, but the church doors were still closed.
The church priests, who had previously encountered me a few times and had difficulty, stood firm at the entrance instead of fleeing.
“I’m sorry, Lady Alrn. Right now, only those involved may…”
“Shit-tier priest?♡ Are your eyes just for decoration?♡ You can’t even see what’s in front of you?♡ It’s laughable how pathetic you are!♡”
As I showed my cross necklace, the priest wore a troubled expression.
At this moment, it’s hard to argue that I’m an outsider from the Church of the Lord.
Having cast Agra’s curse on me not once but twice proves I heard the voice of the god, so how can they still call me an outsider?
And let’s be honest. I became an official believer of the Church after receiving prayer from Phoebe! Are you actually trying to claim I’m an outsider? Seriously?!
“But.”
“Could you step aside?♡ It’s hindering me!♡”
At my provocation, the priest’s face turned crimson, but he still held his ground.
Hah. Can you just move out of the way? I’m here to save your saint!
I can’t comprehend why they keep making it so annoying when I’m not doing any harm to them.
As I tried to force my way through, the priests attempted to block me. But that was an impossible task.
No matter how trained they are as priests, they are still just priests.
The ones attempting to stop me crumbled like paper before my strength.
“A pathetic one beaten by a girl!♡ Shitty little priest!♡ Just stay crumpled there!♡ It’s pitiful!♡”
“Lady Alrn?!”
As I entered the church, I addressed the old man.
I’ve moved back and forth a few times, but I don’t know the layout inside, right? Naturally, I don’t know where Phoebe is either.
But I don’t care. Grandpa’s navigation is always accurate.
[Go through the door on the right side…]
“Stop right there!”
“Block him!”
“Why is he so strong?!”
After a forceful breakthrough, I opened one of the doors and discovered Phoebe lying in bed.
Her usually pale face appeared even more ghastly, like that of a corpse. Unless her chest was slowly rising and falling, I might have mistaken her for dead.
– Ding!
Seeing that, as I bit my lip, the notification sound chimed again.
[Quest Updated]
[Rescue Phoebe!]
[Save Phoebe, who lost consciousness after being attacked by the Apostle of the Evil God, within the time limit!]
[Time limit: 24:37]
[Reward: ???]
Why does it feel like I’m more desperate to save Phoebe when she’s in danger than I am when I’m in danger? Pathetic pervy god?
I thought he was a pedophile, but it seems he’s good with just anyone pretty! Seriously, I wonder how wide his strike zone is.
“Lady Alrn?! What is this place?”
“Pathetic bishop?♡ If you’re just going to ramble nonsense, keep quiet!♡”
The bishop examined my face for a moment before spotting the cross necklace on my chest and stepping aside.
Hmm. Surprisingly quick to grasp the situation, as expected of someone who has reached the bishop level.
With the bishop’s tacit permission, I stepped into the room and inspected Phoebe’s frowning face as she lay on the bed.
[There are no major abnormalities in the body, but she contains the dark god’s magic within her.]
‘For Phoebe?’
[Yes. That is likely affecting this girl…]
While I was pondering a plan with the old man, the dopey fox suddenly bounced onto the bed.
Hey, what the heck are you doing? I’m in a big hurry right now! Can you not mess around weirdly in this situation?
“That Apostle of the Evil God lured this girl into his spiritual world.”
‘…Huh?’
“What did you say, silly fox?”
“It simply means that only her mind was taken captive.”
Having specialized in aspects related to the mind due to her own trials, the dopey fox skillfully continued with her explanation.
The other party had previously planted their power within Phoebe, slowly influencing her. Once the hold became complete, they came to meet Phoebe and imprisoned her mind.
“Impressive cunning on their part.”
“Dopey fox?♡ Enough with the nonsense; can you just cut to the chase please?♡”
“What else is there? The solution is quite simple. If she has been kidnapped, then all you need to do is rescue her. I will send you into this girl’s spiritual world. Repel the kidnapper and bring her back.”
‘Me?’
“Me?”
“Who else would go? Right now, this girl is as frail as she looks, so you’re the only one I can send.”
So I can’t just send Karl or anyone else to do it for me, huh?!
Damn.
Could I beat Nakrad right now?
While it’s true I’ve gotten stronger since then, it’s debatable whether I’ve actually made significant growth.
If I were to go into Phoebe’s spiritual world, I would likely yield the same results as before.
Recalling that day sends a whirlwind of images in my mind.
With blood flowing from the holes in my body, the ground soaked in red. Bones broken, reassembled time and time again. Whenever I thought I’d gotten used to the pain, a new pain would hit, reminding me just how naive I was.
The only reason I survived that day was sheer luck. Thankfully, I happened to be alive and standing here again now.
In other words, had luck not been on my side, I would have crumpled on the floor, embraced by dirt.
And at this very moment.
To rescue Phoebe, I would have to rely on luck again.
On the coincidence that might not even exist now.
…
Well, it’s easy! Because I’m lucky! I’ll pull through this time too!
After shouting that in my heart to suppress the fear, I lifted my head and looked at the dopey fox.
She was once again wearing a goofy grin.
What’s with that expression?
“Don’t worry, my master. As long as you carry the light, you will never lose to that one.”
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