Chapter: 158
About the church’s backstory, the fact that she’s a created saintess, and that all her childhood memories are fabricated—
Phoebe shouldn’t have known.
Even if she figured it out, it would have been a story after about 1 to 2 years from now when Phoebe would have developed enough talent to crush the church’s brainwashing.
At that time, even if Phoebe had noticed everything, the church wouldn’t dare to act hastily.
Because the presence of the truly awakened saintess Phoebe would be so overwhelming that the church would feel burdened.
But not now.
Phoebe is still weak.
Doubting herself and the god, she even makes mistakes in purifying the boss in the Academy Dungeon, making her a being that could be erased by the church at any moment.
No matter how great her halo is, what does it mean if it’s empty inside?
If she makes a mistake, an “unfortunate accident” could happen.
So, Phoebe had to remain silent.
Even if this situation contradicts her beliefs, she had to keep quiet.
Until the moment the church can’t touch her.
And now, I’m in the position of convincing Phoebe to stay silent.
“Can I really do this?”
I had no confidence in my ability to pull it off.
The first visible problem was definitely the tone of the Mesugaki Skill.
No matter what I say, I can’t predict how it would change when translated into the Mesugaki tone.
Depending on the situation, the meaning could be completely distorted.
Well, I could solve this if I make use of the Mesugaki tone properly, but a bigger problem remains.
That’s Phoebe’s personality.
No one in the Soul Academy community denied that Phoebe is a saintess.
Even though having such a grand title would naturally increase doubts, it was still the case.
What this means is that Phoebe isn’t simply a good person.
A person who is only good cannot be called a saintess.
It’s fine for an ordinary believer or priest to be kind, but saintesses are different.
They must be the face of the church and the representative of the god; they need to be different.
Those who would go through any hardship and adversity for the sake of steadfast beliefs and goodness.
The Phoebe in the game was that kind of person.
Someone who could condemn the church right in the middle of the capital without hesitation despite knowing the dangers surrounding her—how could such a person lack belief?
It’s true that the current Phoebe is very different from the game version.
However, I don’t think her core has changed.
Right now, I’m telling her to wait for me, playing dumb, but if I fail to persuade her, Phoebe will probably—
“Don’t worry.”
As I habitually imagine the worst-case scenario, Grandpa spoke in a serious voice.
“Didn’t you prepare hard yesterday? Everything will turn out fine.”
Usually a nagging old man, but—
Yeah.
Right now, I could see the hero Luel in him, and it felt reliable.
But I don’t want to admit this reliability.
If I do, Grandpa’s shoulders will rise, and he’ll start rambling nonsense.
“Was that preparation yesterday? All I remember is getting hit.”
“Are you saying you forgot how hard I was brainstorming?!”
“Yes! So please give good advice from the side!”
“…Sigh. Girl. Please. Being foolish these days is not a compliment.”
“It’s like you’re saying there was a time when being foolish was considered a compliment.”
“…”
I thought he was joking and retorted with a laugh, but grandpa kept silent.
What? Really!? Was there a time when being foolish was a compliment?!
“Girl, do you know why chivalry was created?”
“No.”
“To appeal to the thick-headed knights living like orcs or trolls to start using their heads.”
Grandpa’s words, steeped in deep rage from a distant past, echoed in my mind.
*
Finding Phoebe at the academy wasn’t too difficult.
With her beautiful appearance, noticeable figure, and angelic personality, she was treated as the idol of the academy.
Wherever she went, she was surrounded by people and would receive immediate answers if anyone asked about her.
It’s similar yet opposite for me.
I’m so notorious that no one dares approach me, but when someone asks where Lucy went, they get an answer right away.
How do I know this? Because Frey came looking for me like that last time.
Her expression, telling me that everyone was interested in me, really annoyed me.
Today, Phoebe was surrounded by several people again.
Regardless of commoners or nobles, clergy or unbelievers, and age didn’t matter either.
Phoebe, the unifier, was someone who could tie it all together.
And I’m the centrifuge.
I can make them all scatter.
“Everyone? Could you step aside?”
“Shoddy trash. What are you bunch doing, gathering like bugs? Could you please get lost when I’m asking nicely?”
The moment I said that, people started backing away one by one from the outskirts.
At first, I was stunned by the scene, but now I understand the funny expressions on their faces.
Don’t provoke the bull; just avoid it.
People scrambled away in fear, unsure if they’d brush against me, but a few still stood guard in front of Phoebe.
Do they think I’m going to hurt Phoebe?
How rude. Seriously.
I don’t know what they think Lucy Allen is like, but I’m actually a very reasonable person.
It’s not like I’ve never worked with Phoebe before, and there must have been rumors that I helped her last time, so why would I do something bad to her?
And by the way—
I’m also a holy knight! A holy knight!
I’m affiliated with the Jushin Church, just like Phoebe!
How would someone like me do anything to the saintess?!
“Hey?!”
“Everyone. Please step aside.”
“But saintess…”
“Don’t worry. Lady Allen isn’t the type of person you’re concerned about.”
Those who looked at me with wary eyes, all negative feelings faded away as soon as Phoebe spoke.
As she stepped over her friends blocking her, she approached me with her usual unblemished smile.
“Hello, Lady Allen.”
“Hello, Phoebe.”
“Hi, Sloppy Saintess.”
As I called her Sloppy Saintess, the murmurs around us grew louder.
This isn’t the first time this has happened, so I didn’t pay them any mind.
But Phoebe was different.
She briefly took her eyes off me and smiled while looking around.
“Everyone? Bad words aren’t good.”
“Uh, sorry…”
“Excuse us, saintess.”
Upon hearing Phoebe’s warning, people started mumbling, wondering how she could be so benevolent.
Is this the difference in conduct?
If it were me, I would have been mercilessly ridiculed from behind.
By the way, didn’t Phoebe just look a bit serious there?
Am I imagining things?
Hmm. Yeah, it must be my imagination.
Phoebe wouldn’t make that kind of expression.
“I’m really sorry, Lady Allen. There was a bit of commotion.”
“It’s okay, Phoebe. More importantly…”
“Forget it. It’s not a big deal with those shoddy ones, and by the way, Sloppy Saintess, do you have time? I have something I want to talk about, just the two of us.”
“Yes, of course.”
As I mentioned wanting to talk alone with her, people around us shot me worried glances, but with Phoebe speaking up, they fell silent.
When I brought Phoebe back to my dorm, I saw the Sloppy Fox sound asleep on the bed.
That guy is still sleeping. Just because his outer appearance looks like a baby fox doesn’t mean he has to act like one!
Well, that’s just a joke; I know why he’s sleeping.
The Sloppy Fox, who had been drained of strength due to coming here as a body, lost most of his power after making a contract with me when he was already exhausted.
So the Sloppy Fox has been conserving strength by always napping.
That’s not a bad thing for me.
It’s a little bothersome that there’s something strange about it, but whatever, it’s a cute fox. For ornamental purposes, it’s not bad.
Of course, it’s not right now.
I need to have a serious talk with Phoebe about gods and the church and can’t leave him here.
Picking up the sleeping Sloppy Fox by the scruff of his neck, he slowly opened his eyes.
“Uh? What…”
And then I tossed him outside the door.
As he blinked in confusion, I locked the door, and Phoebe was staring blankly at where the Sloppy Fox just was.
“Is that…”
“Right now, that’s not important.”
“Sloppy Saintess, it’s not something you should worry about.”
“…Okay.”
What you’re thinking is right, but it’s fine.
That guy is incomprehensibly shoddy.
Now that I know how to handle it, even if he starts acting perverted, it won’t be a problem.
I sat Phoebe on the bed and took out a Silence Scroll from my inventory, activating it.
This will turn this place into a perfect soundproof room for a while.
Now we can talk trash about the church, gossip about the academy professors, and mention how the Shoddy Lord is just an incompetent perverted piece of trash…
Ah, wait. I can’t do that. There’s definitely going to be payback. That guy is a seriously petty one.
Do you know what reward I got for clearing the past investigation quest?
[Tip: Benedict usually allows most things if you call him Papa.]
The same piece of useless advice!
Isn’t this too much?!
The risk is way too high while the return is this pathetic!
Sure, I might have teased the Evil God a bit, but to engrave that lesson into my heart and get revenge?
What kind of Lord is that? Total loser! No, it’s a complete disgrace!
“This is the Silence Scroll.”
Seeing me immediately recognize the scroll I used hinted she knew what effect it had.
Good. I don’t have to provide a lame explanation.
“Then let’s go ahead with what we discussed yesterday.”
“Yes.”
After taking a deep breath, I pulled a chair and sat across from Phoebe.
As if I was going to swallow her whole.
I kept up a calm appearance while crossing my legs, eyeing her straight on.
“First of all…”
“Just so you know, Sloppy Saintess, all the shoddy knowledge you possess, I already know.”
That Phoebe was created by the church as a saintess.
That the higher-ups in the Jushin Church are corrupt.
I laid out many other bits of knowledge Phoebe might have gained upon restoring her memory before her, expecting her to show signs of panic.
But Phoebe listened to me without much of a reaction, as if it wasn’t strange at all.
“Grandpa! Your reaction is way different from what I expected?!”
“What of it? It’s easier to talk if she understands it quickly.”
“But!”
I had prepared options but what do I do when my opponent acts outside those options!
While mentally whining to Grandpa, I finished everything I needed to say.
At that moment, Phoebe, who had quietly listened, closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and looked at me with clear golden eyes, speaking.
“Is all that information because you’re the Apostle of Armadi, Lady Allen?”
…Huh?
Hmm?
No way. Wait, Phoebe.
That was my line!?
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