Chapter: 204
The First Prince straightforwardly acknowledged his defeat.
After all, it was his bet to start with, and considering that the final showdown involved some rather unconventional tactics from his opponent, I expected him to have a lot to say. But nope.
The Prince just shrugged and acted all nonchalant, saying it was a refreshing match, before taking off.
Even with the constant noise around him, he didn’t seem to care.
The mustached old man chimed in, casually noting that the situation ended up working out for me, but I couldn’t just let it slide lightly.
He knew what kind of person the prince was; how could I just brush this off?
The reason the First Prince got dubbed “Hikikomori Prince” wasn’t just because he holed up in the capital all the time. No, it was much more about his grating personality.
Arthur, even with his intimidating talent and outstanding achievements, had a personality that was petty and meticulous to a fault.
Users who encountered him while navigating the royal palace often found themselves shaking in their boots over the countless traps he had set up, all the while trying to plot the downfall of that little jerk.
This was a guy who completely crushed anyone who acknowledged him as an enemy, regardless of their status, gender, or strength. And yet, he neatly accepted his loss like it was nothing?
This was definitely not good news.
His acknowledgment simply signaled that he was now methodically preparing to make my life miserable again.
Watching the First Prince push through the crowd, I had a whirlwind of thoughts racing through my mind.
I even found myself regretting not intentionally throwing the quest just to see him laugh smugly.
Think about it. If I had lost, I’d have been humiliated by the prince and would have etched a legacy of shame at the Partran Festival, but at least I wouldn’t have that hanging over me.
Damn it. I got too excited and tackled that dungeon like it was a game after ages.
If I had just kept a little more of my composure, I might have actually thought through my actions!
This was all the fault of that stall owner!
That dude showed me a cringe-worthy newbie party that was too juicy to resist, completely screwing with my reasoning!
“Lucy, are you listening?”
As I screamed internally, I lifted my head at the sound of a weary voice. Today, Benedict’s face was lined with worry.
“Did you hear me? What you’ve done so far is fine since the First Prince took it in stride. However, you mustn’t cause trouble during the party. Please keep your papa’s reputation in mind.”
Benedict spoke after hearing about the incident that transpired between me and the prince after we finished our duties and attended the Partran Festival.
I couldn’t imagine how concerned he must have been, and he must have felt relieved that things hadn’t blown up.
If Benedict were to meet an untimely end, I knew I’d have a huge impact on that.
Despite the repeated conversations and his worried glances, he had to leave due to the call of the servants regarding the party preparations.
As he left, several maids, including Erin, came into my room.
They held several dresses I’d packed for the event at the Partran territory.
Half of those outfits were the flashy dresses Lucy had worn during her days in high society.
Looking at them made all the previous regrets seem to float away.
Regardless of whether it was the First Prince or the Evil God, I could handle them if I put my mind to it.
But those dresses? They were a different story.
The perverted deity’s punishment for me by suggesting I wear those was a disaster I couldn’t hope to handle—an absolute nightmare that would scar my soul!
I wouldn’t lose on purpose, why on earth would I?
You expect me to wear those and then be subjected to who-knows-what kind of additional punishments? Talk about insanity.
I filtered out all the dresses that might get me ridicule even from the elves in fairy tales, where they’d say, “Aren’t you being a bit shameless?”
“Size should fit. It was the same when it was measured before.”
‘…Still, I don’t want to, so please take them away.’
“Quiet down. You pitiful Erin. Just do what the master says.”
“Understood.”
There’s no way they’d still fit, since Lucy had actually grown up since then; it must’ve been at least two or three years since she last wore any of those.
Now, she was at that age where you shoot up, and even a few months’ time meant you’d likely need to switch out clothes.
But why hadn’t she changed?
Could it be she’s already done growing?
At this short height?!
Nah, that can’t be it.
It just doesn’t add up.
Lucy, born of a suspicion due to her troll-like lineage and from either above-average-height parents, should really be more concerned about being too tall rather than too short.
But why isn’t she growing?!
Why?!
Is it because of the deity?
Is the perverted god stopping my growth spurt?!
Normally, I’d brush that off as nonsense, but with that musty god’s name, it suddenly seems plausible.
“Miss, what dress would you like to wear from these?”
At Erin’s words, I snapped out of it and surveyed the remaining dresses.
I’d filtered out the totally unacceptable options, leaving only the ordinary designs.
Still, considering the prior emotional buildup from Lucy’s old clothes, I thought that these weren’t half bad.
Which one would be the least eye-catching?
As I pondered, Erin spoke up again.
“May I offer a recommendation?”
She hesitated, but after mustering the courage, concern was evident on her face.
She must’ve thought I would shoot her down.
I nodded in silence, already knowing anything she said was prone to become a verbal joust.
Erin’s face lit up with a beaming smile.
“None of these would look bad on you, but there are definitely ones that suit you better.”
As if she had been waiting for this day, Erin’s words flowed out with a strange power.
It was like being under a spell; I found myself nodding along before I realized I was already being dressed.
…Erin. You sinister child.
The preparations for the party were incredibly tedious.
Getting my makeup done, fixing my hair, and squeezing into this complex dress—which was trickier than donning armor—was overwhelming.
That’s when I started to drift off into other thoughts.
I couldn’t hold out mentally while being treated like a doll!
Regardless of how things went, I had indeed crushed the petty deity’s little schemes.
Which meant there was a reward waiting for me.
This pathetic god was impossible to believe in, what with being a perverted masochistic sadist and a useless, petty deity.
But there was one thing I considered reliable: the rewards.
The advice Benedict gave me about his title came in handy later on.
So I had my hopes up this time regarding the reward the lousy deity might dispense, while simultaneously worrying—since I’d thrown shade at Armadi more than just a couple of times during the quest.
Did they pull some twisted “Mesugaki skill enhancement” or something equally absurd?
The first reward was the one clearly stated from the beginning of the quest.
[Your reputation is surging!]
[Your competence will capture the attention of many!]
[Gossip about your abilities and talents will circulate the continent!]
Increased reputation.
The accompanying description was filled with all sorts of fanfare, but honestly, it didn’t feel like a tangible reward.
This isn’t a game; I can’t see any figures indicating exactly how much my rep has shot up.
But I didn’t dwell on it too much.
That prompt appearing meant there’d be some meaningful change, and I’d feel it just by going around.
The next message was something I hadn’t anticipated.
So far, the additional rewards had mostly been related to skills, gear upgrades, or some item-related boon.
[Most of your physical penalties are removed!]
The removal of physical penalties.
This was something I could immediately feel.
Given that I’d been in pretty poor shape, and the penalties from doping were weighing me down, I suddenly felt light and refreshed, like waking up after a good night’s sleep.
After gearing up for a few days, this reward was a more than welcome surprise.
Given the quest’s tough difficulty, I had expected even better rewards than this.
But then again, I wasn’t dissatisfied.
It showed the deity actually cared about the situation at hand.
Once the rewards were done, I anticipated the petty deity to dish out a new quest.
Because up until now, there had always been at least one quest remaining.
But this time was different.
All that came up was a note saying to wait for the second semester of the Academy.
I didn’t know what the reason might be, but I decided to accept it as the deity’s way of saying to relax for the remaining time.
In other words, if I can just get through this party, I’m free to take it easy!
If I could manage to get through tonight smoothly, I’d be on vacation!
I had already plotted my plan.
I would just hide in the corner of the party!
Lurking in the shadows, I would let the time pass.
As long as I don’t meet anyone or say a word, I should be fine!
Just then, while glancing at myself in the mirror as preparations neared completion, there was a knock at the door.
“Pardon the intrusion, my dear Duke. May I come in for a moment?”
Duke Partran? Why’s he here when he must be the busiest guy around?
I was puzzled but didn’t see any reason to block him. I let him in without a second thought.
“Sorry to barge in when things are crazy.”
‘No problem…’
“It’s okay. You’re just being yourself, right?”
“Haha, thanks for understanding. The reason I came here is to convey a message to you.”
A message? Is it about the First Prince?
“You’re aware that you earned the title of Festival Slayer at this Partran festival, right?”
‘Yes, that’s right.’
“Why do you ask?”
“During the party, I’ll have to call you out to officially award you that title. So, you might want to prepare what you’ll say then.”
With a smart and confident smile, the Duke claimed I would do just fine, but I couldn’t find it in me to laugh along.
This meant I had to give a speech before all those influential nobility—along with high-ranking heirs—at the party?
With the Mesugaki skill fully operational no less?
…
Petty Deity!
No, Armadi!
I want a pass!
Let me skip this, please!
For the love of all that is holy!
I beg you, spare me from this crisis!
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