Chapter: 407
In the basement of a shop located on Soul Academy Street…
Just a moment ago, those who had been cheerfully working in the store wore solemn faces, as if they had thrown away the brightness of moments before.
In the heavy atmosphere that seemed to invite endless silence, the person at the counter spoke up in a grave tone.
“Ever since the Saintess returned, the atmosphere around the Church of God has been unusual. It seems they’ve sensed something.”
“I heard the same from those who were just in here. The priests of the church appear busier than usual,” another replied.
“…But it’s strange. Was there any corner for our identities to be discovered? Even the professors from the academy and the church bishops haven’t noticed us.”
In response to a man’s remark suggesting they might be misinterpreting the situation, silence settled over the table. Everyone shared similar thoughts.
Those among the followers of the Void, deemed elites, are entirely different from the usual rabble relying solely on the Evil God’s power.
Not only can they mimic the appearances of others, but they can also act out everything they’ve devoured, giving them confidence that they could infiltrate anywhere in this world.
In fact, they had never been caught since infiltrating the academy street.
They deceived the academy’s professors, misled the priests of the Church of God, and even the bishops were unawares of their infiltration.
Yet, a mere Saintess typically associated with the Church of God managed to notice a discrepancy in just one day?
“Let’s hold off on that discussion for now. Even if we are misjudging, it’s better to be prepared for the worst.”
The one who first spoke, while sharing the same concern, suppressed it and tried to stabilize the atmosphere.
Thinking it might be a misapprehension, it was best to prepare for the worst-case scenario.
“For now, let’s each return to our posts and wait.”
As the man summarized the situation when his crystal orb in his arms began to glow.
Apologizing to the others at the table, he took out the orb and channeled his magical energy into it. An urgent face of another man appeared within.
“Lord Elrok.”
The man, who seemed to have been rushing, took hurried breaths, his voice strained as he continued talking.
“The church has moved! The priests are surrounding the shop we infiltrated!”
Elrok, who had been leading the conversation, cursed silently upon hearing the man’s words.
Damn it. The church’s movements are quicker than I originally thought.
How could this happen? The rigid Church of God would have to go through various procedures to make a move. Did they discover some crucial evidence?
“For now, other followers are impersonating the staff to hold them off, but I can’t guarantee how long they can hold out!”
“What pretext has the Church of God given?” Elrok asked.
“Identifying heresy.”
“Did they provide any evidence?”
“No. Nothing at all.”
What the? It wouldn’t have that kind of power to force a heresy identification without evidence, not with the current Church of God.
Elrok frowned, unable to guess the church’s intentions when suddenly there was a commotion from above.
Although no one had told them, everyone at the table realized who had come to visit the store.
The aura emanating from the intruders was undeniably that of the Church of God.
“…Looks like we need to back off. If they are this confident, it means they have something.”
It was unclear whether their confidence was mere bluster or genuine, but Elrok’s suggestion to retreat seemed wiser to the others, who nodded in agreement.
“No, I’m staying here.”
However, not everyone seated at the table agreed with Elrok’s decision.
The one entrusted with a crucial role in this infiltration, now disguised as a chef, insisted on his opinion despite receiving reproachful gazes.
“This works out well. If they’re just suspicious, let them see for themselves. If it comes to light that they’re being unreasonable, we can operate more freely than now.”
“That sounds overly risky.”
“Even if trouble arises, I’ll buy us as much time as possible. So, Lord Elrok, please keep an eye on the situation from below.”
His words, laced with determination to buy time despite potentially facing death due to a mistake, revealed a clear resolve.
Elrok, measuring both the man’s utility and the various gains that could come from a successful operation, nodded slowly.
“Understood. But don’t expect us to help you.”
“Of course not.”
With a grin, the man emerged from the room, adjusting his expression as he ascended the stairs.
The chef he was currently portraying had a fiery temperament and high pride. This persona would surely raise their voice during the church’s unexpected visit.
Standing at the door leading above, the man cleared his throat lightly before kicking it open, puffing out his chest.
“What the hell is going on here?!”
With a booming voice that filled the shop, everyone inside turned their gaze toward him.
Employees filled with confusion, priests wearing somewhat coercive expressions, and at the center—a small girl.
A girl?
What on earth is Lucy Alrn doing here?
…Now that I think about it, didn’t she capture our comrade when we infiltrated the Art Guild last time?
Considering the uproar at the Art Guild, it’s undeniable.
Has this troublemaker been given some sort of blessing?
Was there truly a reason for the Apostle of Darkness to cling to this little girl?
“Hey, pig. Why are you looking at me like that?”
The man, lost in thought and scowling, couldn’t help but chuckle at Lucy’s sharp voice.
“I was aware that Young Lady Alrn is close with the Saintess, but I didn’t expect you to wield the church’s power so freely!”
His words brilliantly turned the aim of the identification of heresy into Lucy Alrn’s mischievous antics. The priests behind Lucy showed their shock upon hearing him.
Yet, Lucy stayed unfazed. She boldly walked up to him, looking up with a grin.
“Oink? Oink oink?”
“…What are you doing?”
“I just spoke to you in the language of livestock, didn’t I? Why pretend you don’t understand?”
Her complaints of feeling disrespected for disregarding her consideration made the man’s face turn slightly red.
Calm down. The more she acts wildly, the greater my justification grows. Just let this brat do her thing.
“Puhahh!♡ Look at you pretending!♡ Trying to act refined while looking like a randy pig? It’s just hilarious!♡”
Ignore her. The reason Lucy Alrn is causing chaos is undoubtedly due to the lack of solid evidence. If I just laugh off all her words…
“Or maybe you’re just insecure?♡ I mean—if you’re covered in rolls of fat, you probably can’t see anything at all~♡”
Then…
“How about when you need to pee?♡ Do you lift your skin to find the way?♡ Or do you just go on yourself and wash up later?♡ That’s it, huh?♡ I thought something smelled off♡…”
This little brat.
In an instant, the man lost all rational thought, forgetting his original purpose, and drew a dagger from his cloak, swinging it at Lucy Alrn with the sole intent to take her down.
An attack filled with the power of the Evil God, aimed at the cheeky little Lucy Alrn.
Lucy didn’t flinch, even as he swung the dagger.
It wasn’t that she couldn’t respond.
Having surpassed the level of common knights, how could she miss such a slow attack?
The reason Lucy only stared at the incoming assault was that she had no need to respond.
Beside her stood a knight ready to risk his life to protect his lady.
“You’re quite audacious. Who do you think you are to lay a hand on the Young Lady?”
The dagger-clutching hand was swatted away, ruled by his sheer force.
The followers impersonating the staff were drenched in cold sweat, and even the priests behind Lucy glistened with the same.
While Lucy hummed a tune as usual, she turned to look back at the priests.
“Hey? Priests? What are you standing there for? If your eyes are fine, you must’ve seen that, right?”
“…Uh, yes. Yes, we saw.”
“Then get to work♡ You useless fools who can only follow behind the pathetic Saintess♡”
With Lucy Alrn’s provocation as a signal, the priests immediately lunged toward the shop staff, trying to capture them.
Realizing the situation was spiraling out of control, the followers of the Void revealed their identities and fought back, but their lackluster power simply verified their status as followers.
Even if they stayed in another shop, it would be much the same.
As Lucy commanded, an assistant named Pheby borrowed the holiness of the God to unveil the disguises of the followers of the Void.
Thus, the infiltration plans laid out by the followers of the Void over several months crumbled in just one day.
As the commotion arose one week before the opening of Soul Academy, it drew a significant amount of attention. Most listeners considered it another occasion for the Saintess of the Church of God to demonstrate her abilities.
While Pheby denied such claims, most people simply interpreted her modesty as the nature of a Saintess.
“This isn’t simple modesty. I genuinely did nothing during this incident.”
“But you were the one leading the people from the church, right?”
“That… is true, but…”
“Ha ha. Don’t be too modest, Saintess.”
Lucy’s intentions also intertwined in Pheby receiving the full credit for this incident.
Wanting not to draw any unnecessary attention, Lucy’s actions led naturally to Pheby accepting all the praise.
As Pheby struggled with feelings of embarrassment for receiving accolades for something she didn’t do, Lucy, having emerged from the turmoil, gazed at her quest log in her dormitory.
[Eliminate the heresy!]
This is odd.
Why isn’t the quest clearing, even after smashing the followers’ hideout?
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