Chapter: 644
Lasha didn’t particularly like Lucy Alrn, but she thought the girl was quite exceptional as a martial artist.
Not only did she train tirelessly, recognizing the importance of her physical form, but she also persevered through hardships, always trying to find a way out even in dire situations. She had the heart to gamble everything to win, even if it meant risking her life.
And there’s no need to even mention her talent. She’s the daughter of Benedict Alrn, and even the God acknowledges her. What more can I add?
Maybe that’s why every time Lasha saw Lucy Alrn, she couldn’t help but think how nice it would be if she had just a few more years under her belt.
Despite being a strong contender now, the finished version of her after a few years would probably rival Benedict himself.
With her mental faculties hanging by a thread, she barely managed to grip her weapon with trembling hands, taunting the girl again, knowing full well it would end in defeat.
Any common sense would simply be shattered, and before she knew it, Lucy would be standing next to her, maybe even above her.
But I won’t get to see that. One of us is bound to die, be it this brat or me.
Well, if it comes to that, I guess I’d rather it be me. It’s better to watch the one who crushed me rise to power than to survive to feel empty at the end.
…Wait a minute. Is that really my kink?
I’ve always thought of it as ambition for a martial artist, but maybe…
Nah. That can’t be it. After all, I’m the one who’s crushed countless so-called strong opponents in their prime. There’s no way I’d secretly wish for defeat.
“Bugs.”
As Lasha pondered internally, Lucy, staggering, called forth the fairies lingering beside her.
At this point, having them spring into action wouldn’t mean much. If they were in the forest, it might be a bother, but that’s not the case here.
Thinking of it as a meaningless action, Lasha patiently waited for Lucy. But the moment she raised her shield, Lasha teasingly tried to stop her.
However, Lucy didn’t back down. Instead, she tried to provoke Lasha into attacking.
After a few light blows to bring out her frustration, Lasha, fully aware of Lucy’s intentions, played along.
As Lasha threw a punch, Lucy got knocked back as usual.
“I don’t know what you’re planning, but things can’t change overnight!”
This kid’s shortcomings can’t be fixed immediately.
It’s just a lack of experience.
Lucy Alrn’s physique and techniques as a martial artist had already reached a certain level.
If she could face my planned situation or predetermined scenarios, she might fight me on equal terms.
But what fool would just fight as their opponent wanted?
Of course, I’d find out what she dislikes most and exploit it.
To counter this, she has no choice but to accumulate experience.
No matter the situation, she needs to reach a level where she instinctively finds the best solution.
Lucy Alrn isn’t there yet.
She’s trying to catch up a bit too late, but a moment’s lag in a fight between strong opponents can be fatal.
Look. It’s the same now.
She’s too late.
“If you’re just planning to recklessly charge in without direction, I’m out! I don’t want to play with a boring opponent.”
“Did you enjoy crawling beneath me that much?♡ You’re all fired up, huh?♡”
“Ha. Seriously.”
I need to shut that mouth up.
As long as I don’t die, that’s all that matters.
In one swift motion, Lasha reached Lucy’s clear face, extending her palm toward her.
Lasha had already calculated the kid’s reflexes. There’s no way she could react to this now.
Huu. Finally, I might escape this annoying brat.
Oh?
Lucy’s shield blocks Lasha’s hand.
Though Lucy’s body tumbled to the ground from the impact, she managed to block the attack.
Did I miscalculate?
That shouldn’t be the case.
The speed of that last attack was something this kid could never match.
“What a pathetic attack~♡ So slow♡”
Lucy, staggering back up, threw out her taunt once more.
From her confident expression, it seemed that last thing really was no accident.
Maybe it’s time for a little test.
As Lasha charged at Lucy at the same speed again, Lucy’s eyes locked onto her.
It was clear. Lucy was adapting to the impossible.
Throwing Lucy once more, Lasha frowned at the fairies swarming around her.
What just happened? They seem to be connected somehow, but that can’t be a meaningful variable.
“Oh, have you enjoyed it so far?♡”
“Hmmm. Well. I guess I’ll find out bit by bit.”
Lasha gradually picked up the pace.
She continued the offensive to see just how far Lucy could keep up.
However, it was strange; the speed that would have knocked out Lucy in no time before had her responding now.
As if she suddenly gained experience that never existed before.
With each encounter, Lasha’s suspicions grew.
There’s no way she was hiding her power.
That this brat was truly at the mercy of her hits was genuine.
What did those fairies do that changed her so completely?
What kind of phenomenon did fairy magic cause?
Ding!
A refreshing sound rang in Lasha’s ear.
The hand suspended in the air barely caused any impact before floating away.
With a beaming smile, Lucy held her mace tightly.
Lasha instantly sensed she wouldn’t be able to evade her attack.
Receiving the mace aimed at her side, pain radiated through her body as she laughed.
“Are you really a masochist?♡ You look so pleased!♡”
“Bwahaha! Maybe I am!”
Responding to Lucy’s mocking laughter, Lasha gripped her neck and tossed her away.
“Now I’m too bored to think! Let’s play for real! My Apostle of the God!”
Lucy’s eyes remained bright even after being slammed against the wall.
Lasha relished that look in her eyes.
*
The ancient tree they found, following the old gentleman’s guidance, looked incredibly shabby for having lived so many years.
It seemed as though it could crumble away with just a strong gust of wind, indeed at the brink of death itself.
“It was once known as the World Tree in the human realm. But now, that story is meaningless.”
The old man approached the tree, warning that its life was almost spent.
As soon as his hand touched the trunk, branches trembled, dropping a few sparse leaves.
“It’s been a while since our last meeting, but I doubt there’s time for joy. You’ve lived many long years. I wish to ask you something.”
Do you know anything about the Apostle of the Evil God?
The old man posed his question, but the ancient tree showed no sign of a response.
Erginius bit his lip as he watched.
So this isn’t the place either.
Damn it. Is this really what Lucy Alrn sent us to?
We might just be being played here.
Just as Erginius moved to say thanks for the old man’s efforts, the tree suddenly began to shake violently.
It was like it was trying to burn its last life away, conveying its emotions to even those unable to hear its tale.
It knew something. This tree must have faced some kind of encounter with the Evil God’s Apostle.
Standing at the front, witnessing the tree’s fury, the old man turned his head, his expression now serious.
“What do you want to convey?”
“About the Apostle of the Evil God. It appears the one you call the Pope swore an oath here.”
The tree had forgotten that fact.
Having not been permitted to remember, it had to forget.
But for some reason, now it was recalling that memory from that day.
The man carrying the weight of numerous deaths, shouting like a madman in front of it.
“What was that content?”
When Erginius cautiously asked, the old man stammered but firmly adjusted his hat.
“The Apostle of the Evil God truly worships the God. He believes the Great God is omniscient and omnipotent. Thus, he wonders why the God has suffered due to Agra or such.”
“That’s nonsense. The God is indeed great, but not omniscient nor omnipotent. Yet, he strives for the good of this world.”
“Yes, I think so too. However, the Apostle of the Evil God was different. He formulated many hypotheses to resolve his doubts and built his conclusions around them. The reason the Great God struggled was because of the burdens around him.”
“Burdens?”
“Those referring to the many Divine beings alongside the Great God.”
Erginius could not comprehend the words of the old man.
It was those beings that allowed the struggle between good and evil to ebb and flow.
No matter how great the God, if he stood alone, he could not have resisted all the armies.
“Wait a minute.”
Joy urgently interjected, halting their conversation.
“If what the ancient tree said is true, wouldn’t it mean that in the Pope’s eyes, neither the Divine beings nor the Evil God should exist in this world?”
The answer to Joy’s bewildered query came from Lina, who swung open the door.
“As long as it’s aside from the Great God, then yes.”
“Absolutely insane.”
No one could counter the words of the great mage who had lived in the age of mythology.
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