Chapter: 298
‘…Girl. …Go.’
Even with the beautiful voice filling his mind, Prete’s consciousness remained deep in slumber.
‘My child. There is still work left for you to do. Wake up.’
Was it because the scene etched in his eyes was too beautiful for Prete to bear? Or was he too busy imprinting that sight in his mind? One thing was clear: his mind was trapped in a deep swamp.
Even when the Goddess he serves called him earnestly, he couldn’t wake up.
‘My child… Sigh. Wake up! Lord Armadi has decided to keep the portrait of you! I was saving my voice to give you advice, and now it’s just troublesome! Wake up! Wake uuuup!’
“Huh?!”
With the Goddess’s earnest shout, Prete barely regained his senses, holding his throbbing head and letting out a long sigh.
What on earth happened?
Why am I sleeping in this unfamiliar place without even knowing how I passed out?
…Oh. Right. I reached the forest where Lina lives to paint Lady Allen’s portrait.
And as soon as I arrived here, I encountered Lady Allen, dressed in revealing clothes, and I was mesmerized by her presence.
I…
I…
“Kuh?!”
While reminiscing about Lucy, Prete almost tumbled forward again, but someone struck the back of his head to force him back to reality.
“Don’t faint again, you weak pervert.”
“…Lady Lina.”
Lina, the one who rules and manages the gigantic forest, possessing divine abilities within her realm.
She glaringly looked at Prete, showing no signs of hiding her displeasure.
“Not only did you interrupt my peaceful time with Lucy, but you also fainted and made me lose time with her.”
“…I am truly sorry.”
Her anger was so justified that Prete couldn’t come up with an excuse.
“But, Lady Lina, that Lady Allen is…”
“She can’t waste time doing nothing, so she is outside training.”
When Lina said she’d take a quick lap around the forest, Prete let out a snicker.
Considering the size of the forest that Lady Lina governs, a lap isn’t exactly a light jog.
She really doesn’t seem like a first-year student at the Academy, possessing such remarkable physical abilities.
“Your misfortune has become somewhat of a blessing. Thanks to you, sweat-drenched Lucy can stomp on my face with her smooth, soft, and fluffy feet. Ah, just imagining it makes me happy. I can’t wait to dig my tongue between her toes.”
With a melting and grotesque expression on her face, Prete forced a smile.
I know I’m not normal myself, but Lady Lina is on a whole other level. I don’t think I can catch up.
“Well then, I should prepare in advance until Lady Allen returns.”
I need to set things up so I can start working on the portrait as soon as she gets back.
I have no idea how long it will take to capture her beauty on canvas.
Prete attempted to rise from the bed, but his intention was thwarted.
The moment he tried to stand, a fog enveloped him, pressing down on his shoulders and forcing him back to a seated position.
“Before that, we have some matters to discuss, you weak pervert.”
“…If it’s something reasonable, I could answer without this.”
“What is the purpose of you and the Goddess you serve when approaching Lucy?”
As a fierce beast-like intensity filled Lina’s gaze, the pressure holding Prete down intensified.
Even Prete, who had reached a sufficient level of strength as an Apostle of the Goddess, felt the weight.
Desperately rotating his divinity, Prete barely managed to break free from the pressure and urgently spoke.
“I only wish to praise the beauty of the Young Lady as someone who follows beauty and art. I have no other intentions whatsoever.”
“Does the Goddess you serve feel the same way?”
“How can this mere fledgling Apostle know the intentions of a noble Goddess? However, she commanded me to spread the Young Lady’s beauty. I don’t think it differs greatly from my own intentions.”
After Prete finished his words, Lina continued to gaze at him for a long time before her cold eyes shifted, and she asked another question.
“When Lucy is in danger, will you gladly help her?”
“Of course. It would be unthinkable to sit idly by while the miracle that is her life falls into ruin.”
Why would he remain still when such a beautiful being that even the Goddess praises is in danger?
Even if Prete held fear in his heart, the Goddess would surely push him to assist Lucy, so it was only natural that he would.
“Lastly, you don’t harbor any devious thoughts about Lucy, do you?”
“I don’t know what you see me as. Before I was human, I am an Apostle of the Arts Church. How could someone like me defile her, a masterpiece?”
Even under the growing pressure, Prete scoffed.
While he might have considered other doubts, this question was one that touched his pride, so he couldn’t help but respond.
“Tsk. Being unnecessarily honest.”
The moment Lina clicked her tongue, the smoke pressing down on Prete vanished like an illusion.
“If you have more questions, please ask quickly. I have a lot to prepare.”
“What’s happening with the Apostle of the Evil God you took with you?”
“He is currently being interrogated in the Church. Those associated with the Evil God are often interconnected, even if they serve different deities. We are erasing the remnants of Tariki while tracing the signs of other Evil Gods.”
“Is he in a state suitable for Lucy to see?”
“…Hmm. No. It’s a rather gruesome sight to show to the illustrious and kind Young Lady.”
Prete recalled Lucy’s pale face when she saw a corpse.
She is noble and steadfast but also delicate and frail.
Therefore, he couldn’t show her anything horrifying. He didn’t want to leave any scars on the artwork that is Lucy.
“I will share the information I gained from him, but I doubt I’ll be showing his face.”
“An excellent choice. No need to burden Lucy’s mind.”
“Anything else?”
“From now on, it’s about a rather personal matter. Could you possibly share a drawing of Lucy?”
“That’s a no-go. I have promised to use the drawings for personal collection.”
“I’m not asking for it for free. This is about trading it for a portion of my hidden collection.”
“…Can I hear the details?”
“This is about Lucy…”
*
Having run on a well-kept dirt path, running through the forest felt completely different.
There weren’t any properly groomed paths to concern myself with, but dodging the obstacles that came up was entertaining.
I also enjoyed the refreshing air of the forest, and seeing little birds or cute creatures along the way was nice.
Most of all, being able to calm down the tiger-like creatures that suddenly jumped in with a forehead slap and then petting them was the highlight of it all.
Thanks to this, my mood lifted considerably after starting the day off feeling heavy.
When that perverted Apostle fainted and bled, I had some truly absurd thoughts, but now I’m grateful he passed out.
Of course, even now, just recalling that scene makes me feel nauseous.
As I wiped my sweat with a towel I took from my inventory and opened the mansion’s door, I naturally expected the Sloppy Fox to spring out and squeak something weird.
But the Sloppy Fox did not reveal itself until I walked into the room.
Strange. Normally, it would be sniffing and grinning while trying to lick my skin.
Maybe he’s trying to hold back since this is his main body, I thought as I heard voices coming from down the hallway.
Listening to the alternating voices of a man and a woman, it seems like the Perverted Apostle and the Sloppy Fox are having a chat.
What serious conversation could they be having that they didn’t notice my arrival?
Feeling curious, I quietly moved toward the source of the voices.
“Wow. Is this…”
“Uh… amazing…”
I could hear the pride in Sloppy Fox’s voice. Maybe he’s showing off some of his powers.
“The concentrated aroma is just so fragrant.”
“Stop! That’s enough! We’ll discuss the rest after the trade!”
Trade? What trade?
“…Lady Lina. Can’t I pay with something else?”
“What are you saying?! The fabric soaked with Lucy’s sweat can only be exchanged for her portrait! If you keep babbling, I’ll throw you out!”
…
Realizing what was happening in the room, I couldn’t help but raise my mouth corners and pulled out my mace from my inventory.
Oh, girl! That place called an inventory is so stuffy!
‘Grandpa, please be quiet for a moment.’
…What’s going on? No. No. I’ll keep my mouth shut. Don’t mind me.
Kicking open the door to the room, I saw the Sloppy Fox tightly holding onto a towel I assumed I had used before while the Perverted Apostle was clinging to it.
“…Oh. Lucy? Oh! When did you get here?”
“E-Elegant Lady, please put down the mace. Let’s talk. Let’s have a conversation like the intellectuals we are.”
“Die♡ Worthless, disgusting trash!♡”
*
After stepping into the world of Soul Academy, I often lamented my own weakness.
From the moment I chewed my lips after losing in a duel to when I felt powerless in the face of death.
I kept thinking it would be nice if I was just a bit stronger.
And even now, I lamented my own weakness.
If only my power was a bit greater, I could send these two pieces of trash before the Pervert God!
No, seriously, thinking back on it gives me chills.
Just when did that Sloppy Fox sneak away with the towel I wiped my sweat with?!
And why was the Perverted Apostle going to such lengths for that towel?!
What’s the problem here?
What on earth is wrong that such crazy perverts flock around me!?
“Um. Girl.”
As I was seriously reflecting on my own karma, the Sloppy Fox, who had been serving as my chair, spoke carefully.
“G-giving rewards is good, but please return that towel.”
“Is the living trash here even capable of being furniture?♡ Shut up♡ Just hearing your voice makes me want to vomit♡”
“Uwaah! This is….”
Ignoring the trembling Sloppy Fox below me, I raised my head and saw the Perverted Apostle, who had been quietly observing me, hastily bow his head.
Why is this Apostle, who serves the Goddess, acting like such a mental case?
Shouldn’t an Apostle at least maintain some basic dignity?!
What does he think his Goddess will think seeing him like this?
…Oh, right. I remember now. That crow Goddess overseeing beauty and art isn’t normal either.
What can I expect from a Goddess known as the nuisance crow, possessing a greedy nature that desires anything beautiful and having a ridiculously trashy illustration?
As I held my forehead and sighed, the Perverted Apostle cautiously glanced at me.
Looks like he’s aware he’s doing something insane.
Ha. Alright, let’s think positively.
If I twist this situation a bit, it gives me a reason to get some jewels from this perverted guy.
“Hey♡ perverted bastard♡”
“Did you call me?!”
“I’m so super duper kind♡ that I’ll offer you a chance to be forgiven even for your irreversible, useless perv trash ways♡”
“What must I do?! This is Prete! I swear on the name of the Goddess I serve, I’ll do anything!”
“I don’t really understand, but I’ve heard that people love jewels made by disgusting perverts like you♡”
As I rested my chin on my hand and mentioned jewels, Prete blinked.
“What is it?♡ A perverted bastard like me trying to act like an artist?♡”
“No, that’s not it. I just thought that giving accessories for the Young Lady would be a worthy compensation. I was struggling to figure out how much to give.”
His words flowed out naturally, causing me to grasp my swirling mind somehow.
“Ha♡ how could I, a Young Lady, ever wear something made by a perverted bastard like you?♡ Dream big, huh?♡ Get a grip and sit down, will you?♡”
“W-why?! Young Lady! Please change your mind! At least see what I made!…”
Watching him beg with a voice as filled with resignation as a courtier in a historical drama brought a sigh out of me.
In the future, when I become much stronger than now.
Before going after the evil gods, I should take care of the Sloppy Fox and the Perverted Apostle first.
That sounds like a plan.
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