Chapter: 159
While I was in practice mode, having a discussion with Grandpa, there was one key premise we established:
First, I had to be recognized as Armadi’s Apostle.
Otherwise, no matter what I said, Phoebe wouldn’t listen to me.
She’d half-ignore me and later act according to her own desires.
However, if I were recognized as Armadi’s Apostle, it would be different.
If the Apostle of God appeared before Phoebe, who wished for the love of God but realized she couldn’t be loved as a false Saintess, she would take my words seriously.
As long as our sloppy, incompetent God doesn’t say anything to Phoebe, my words are basically the words of God.
She wouldn’t be able to doubt that, right?
Of course, I’d have to cater to her whims a bit, but if I could persuade Phoebe, that wouldn’t be too hard.
I didn’t know how the Mesugaki Skill would respond, but if I showered her with enough encouragement, wouldn’t she feel better?
That was the rough plan I had in mind, but when Phoebe mentioned Armadi’s Apostle, I was taken aback.
Had she caught on? How on earth?!
That doesn’t make sense.
Who would guess that a crazy girl calling Armadi a Shoddy God is actually Armadi’s Apostle?
Me using Divine Magic?
Most people would think, “Oh, Armadi must have mercy even for that crazy girl!”
Even the bishop who taught me Divine Magic thought that!
“How…?”
“Sloppy Saintess, how did you find out?”
Seriously! This doesn’t make any sense!
Did you learn mind-reading, Phoebe?
Did you gain some cheat skill to see other people’s status windows?!
At my question, Phoebe widened her eyes and raised the corners of her mouth.
That thrill assured me of my status as Armadi’s Apostle.
If that cocky brat over there is the Apostle of God, she might think she isn’t entirely false herself.
However, the joy on her face quickly vanished.
As Phoebe was about to speak, she shut her mouth again, lowering her gaze and fidgeting with her hands resting on her knees.
It was so unlike the confident and bright Phoebe that I was sure she was hiding something, but I didn’t rush her.
Instead, I waited for her response.
“Well, um…”
Phoebe spat out several lies.
But since Phoebe hasn’t lied much, it showed.
Her voice trembled, she avoided eye contact, and didn’t know where to put her hands.
Anyone could see she was lying. After I pressed her a few times, Phoebe fell silent for a while before whispering,
“…I heard it from Tariki’s Apostle.”
What she said was shocking.
She had made a deal with the Apostle of the Evil God!
[Well, that explains the dark magic residing within her.]
‘…Right?’
The reason Phoebe, who possessed Divine Power appropriate for the title of Saintess, was abducted by Nakrad was that darkness resided within her.
At the time, we couldn’t guess that, but with this, it makes sense.
She must have made a deal with Nakrad, thus harboring that darkness.
[What will we do now?]
‘What do you mean?’
[Making a deal with the Apostle of the Evil God is a grave sin.]
Grandpa continued in a heavy tone.
In the past, that would have been a sin worth instantly losing one’s head over. Once affected, one cannot return. We should immediately condemn Phoebe for it.
Each of those words was filled with deep hatred. More hatred than when facing the Apostle of Evil God.
Perhaps those feelings stemmed from experiences Grandpa had in the past.
Not knowing what had happened back then, I found it hard to empathize with Grandpa’s emotions.
So what if she made a deal with the Evil God?
If that choice was efficient under these circumstances, why couldn’t one make that choice?
I had made deals with the Apostle of the Evil God several times in games when necessary too.
I even assisted that guy while playing the Evil God concept. Unfortunately, there was no story related, so it ended up being a boring concept, though.
Anyway, I had no intention of condemning Phoebe at all.
If it’s efficient, I’ll gladly make a deal with the Apostle of the Evil God. That’s just how gamers are!
The part that shocked me even more was something else.
The shock of realizing that Phoebe had been so shaken was immense for me.
As I mentioned before, Phoebe is someone who clearly deserves to be called Saintess.
In other words, she’s not someone who would easily compromise with the Apostle of the Evil God.
The fact that she had such significant inner turmoil meant her struggles were quite massive.
I was spouting nonsense, thinking, “Phoebe will be okay.”
Sigh. How pathetic.
What’s with being a Veteran Gamer at Soul Academy?
This world is a reality based on a game!
Get your head out of the delusions and look at what’s in front of you, you fool!
Ignoring Grandpa’s voice, I stood up and approached Phoebe.
When Phoebe saw me, her eyes widened, then she resigned, and finally, fear took over as she tightly shut her eyes.
I couldn’t approach her with open arms…
The Mesugaki Skill wouldn’t allow such kind, softhearted actions, right?
Instead, I threw my foot up on the bed and looked down at Phoebe from above, covering my smirk with my hand.
‘Phoebe, did you think I wouldn’t know that?’
“Puhahat! Sloppy Saintess, did you really think I wouldn’t know? You’re such a fool, getting seduced by the Apostle of the Evil God!”
Through my chuckles, Phoebe opened her eyes.
From her dazed gaze, I could feel her surprise.
‘It’s okay, Phoebe. Everyone has their moments of doubt.’
“What can I do? I’m the utterly sloppy Saintess, right? It’s only natural that you’re foolish.”
“What does that mean?”
‘Whatever you’ve done, you’re still my Saintess.’
“Haa. It seems I really am a hopeless fool. You don’t understand, do you? No matter what happens, you are a sloppy Saintess.”
The Mesugaki Skill poked Phoebe’s forehead as she finished her sentence.
I didn’t intend to go this far! Still, I’m glad that it seems things are settled!
As I waited for Phoebe’s response with my arms resting on my legs, I noticed droplets forming in her eyes.
Oh.
Huh?
Wait.
“Oh my!”
Where did her usual calm and noble demeanor vanish to? I could only be taken aback by Phoebe, who was sobbing like a high school girl in her age group.
What’s going on? What’s happening?! Why is she suddenly crying?!
I didn’t say anything bad, did I?!
Whatever I did, I told her I believe in her, so why is she crying?!
[She’s probably moved. She must have been bracing herself for condemnation.]
‘Right?! I didn’t say anything wrong, did I?!’
I was genuinely surprised, thinking I might have said something I shouldn’t have.
As I calmed my racing heart after hearing the explanation, Grandpa sighed as if he wanted me to hear.
[Do you truly intend to forgive her? Someone who has forsaken principles and made a deal with the Apostle of the Evil God?]
‘Yes.’
Unlike the ancient Grandpa stuck in his past, I, the MZ generation, know Phoebe!
Although Phoebe might have wavered once, she is someone who can firmly uphold her beliefs.
So, I have no intention of condemning Phoebe at all.
Honestly, I don’t even know what wrong she committed.
So what? If necessary, one can deal with the Evil God too.
<…Is that your will? Or is it the will of those who believe in you?>
Grandpa asked in a low voice, his inquiry probing if what I had just stated was nonsense from the Shoddy God or my own words.
Grandpa, are you foolish? That’s already determined!
‘My will is Armadi’s will.’
Given how sloppy and incompetent the Shoddy God is, if I did something he didn’t like, he’d stop me immediately, right?
In any way, he wouldn’t remain silent!
So, if that sloppy God isn’t saying anything, it means he agrees with what I’m doing!
My will is the Shoddy God’s will!
Do you get it?!
As I confidently spoke, Grandpa went momentarily speechless before breaking into laughter.
[Hehe. Right. Yes. You are the Apostle of Armadi like no other. It was undoubtedly a mistake for a mere believer like me to criticize that will.]
‘Grandpa?’
[Ha. Spending so long dozing off, I’ve become no different from the church’s fools. Puhahat. Truly a pathetic situation. It’s so ridiculous that I can’t help but laugh.]
In front of me, Phoebe was crying until her eyes were swollen, while in my head, Grandpa was roaring with laughter. I had no idea what to do.
…Maybe I shouldn’t have kicked out that Sloppy Fox. If only she were here to watch, it might have provided a sense of peace.
*
A little time passed, and Phoebe finally came out of the restroom after washing her face.
Her eyes were red and puffy, a sight unimaginable for the usual Phoebe.
Ah, if I took a screenshot and posted it on the community with a title like “The Distorted Face of the Noble Saintess,” it would definitely get a massive reaction!
The Saintess Squad would probably flip out. “How dare you defame the Saintess with such pictures!” they would cry.
Their reactions would have been fun to watch!
Of course, all that disappeared once Soul Academy turned into a stagnant, trashy game.
“J…I’m sorry, Lady Allen.”
Her voice was hoarse from all the crying.
‘It’s okay, Phoebe. That can happen.’
“Puhahat! Your sloppy and mischievous face is so funny! Don’t go around like that all the time!”
“Uuuhhh…”
Feeling embarrassed even in her own eyes, Phoebe’s face turned beet red.
If I teased her a little more, she might burst into tears again.
Seeing the usually composed Saintess’s face change so dramatically was entertaining!
It was quite enjoyable.
For a moment, the thought of teasing her more flashed through my mind, but I forced myself to hold it back.
If I made her cry again, I seriously wouldn’t be able to handle it.
And remember, I still hadn’t even started the conversation I needed to have with Phoebe!
For now, I have to tell Phoebe to not break down because she has the potential to become a Saintess in the future!
She may not like the church, but she has to bear with it until she gains strength!
And there’s also the story related to Phoebe’s past I need to tell.
Actually, thinking about it, I have a ton to say!
In this situation, if I made Phoebe cry again, we might not finish speaking even overnight!
So let’s save the teasing for later.
‘Phoebe…’
“Hey, Sloppy Saintess. I’m going to have an important conversation now. Pay attention.”
“Okay.”
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