Chapter: 341
A few days had passed since finding out what kind of person the Apostle of the Arts, Prete, was.
When Joy faced him again, her expression was so fierce that anyone could recognize it.
She looked like she was angry even if she stayed still, and even when she smiled, it seemed like she was plotting to wipe someone out.
The genuine hatred etched onto her face was so terrifying that even Prete, who had met all sorts of people as an Apostle of the Arts, broke out in a cold sweat.
“Uh… Young Lady Partlan?”
“Why are you calling me?”
“Your expression doesn’t look too good.”
“…Do you not know why I’m like this?”
As Prete asked, Joy’s expression soured even further.
The fact that he had no awareness of his own perversion only made her angrier.
How could someone who had met many people and accumulated various experiences still be aroused by a little girl and not realize it was wrong?
If he were not the Apostle of the Arts, she would have used the power of the Ducal Family to throw him deep into a prison by now.
“I have a rough idea. You must have seen me when I was moved by Lady Allen’s beauty last time.”
“Yes, you are well aware.”
“If you saw that, I can understand how you might misunderstand me. So, uh, would you grant me a chance to explain?”
After showing such an ugly side of himself, he wants to explain?
Hah. Let’s see what kind of nonsense he comes up with.
I’m curious about just how ugly an Apostle of the Arts can become.
When Joy silently nodded, Prete grinned and continued.
“First of all, I have no ill intentions towards Lady Allen.”
…Does he really think that makes sense?
Does he seriously believe he can prove his innocence after showing such disgraceful behavior?
Who knew that an Apostle of the Arts could be this foolish?
I’ll tell my father next time.
“Given that I stand before the embodiment of beauty recognized by the Goddess, how could I harbor pointless thoughts!”
“…Huh?”
“Before such noble and pure beauty, even the tiniest of ill thoughts would be purified and turned into awe! I stake my honor as an Apostle that there is no corruption in my heart when I look upon her!”
“No, um…”
“Now that I have the opportunity, allow me to tell you everything! First, let’s talk about those eyes! More vivid and sparkling than any jewel!…”
As Joy watched the scene unfold, it reminded her of Lucy—the excitement escalated into madness.
Should I just let someone like him be? Shouldn’t I find a way to handcuff him?
“Prete.”
Just as Joy became paralyzed in the face of madness she had never encountered before.
Phoebe, stepping in for Joy, spoke with strictness instead of the usual softness she showed when talking to friends.
“What’s with your voice… Huh?”
“The Lord Jushin said that excess is to hide one’s unease. Do you think that the nobility of Lady Allen is something that must be expressed in a hundred words?”
“…Ah, I see. I apologize. I feel my own lack.”
Phoebe truly is enviably mature during times like this.
I should become someone like her as a Ducal Young Lady.
“Prete, shall we return to the main topic?”
“Yes, let’s first look at the clothes.”
“Are they already finished?”
“Well, they aren’t finished immediately. It took several days.”
…Is it even correct to say “several days” when the design of the dress hasn’t even been decided yet?
This isn’t just any ordinary leather scraps worn by commoners, but an aristocratic dress being made!
“This dress here is for the Saintess, and this one is for Young Lady Partlan.”
As the dresses were placed on the table, Joy covered her mouth with both hands.
The dress Prete pulled out of his Space Pocket was impressive enough that even Joy, who had seen all kinds of dresses, couldn’t hold back her admiration.
Before even considering just being luxurious or beautiful.
The black dress held out in front of her perfectly matched her taste as a Ducal Young Lady trying her best.
It was as if someone had stepped into Joy’s mind and brought her wishes to life.
So this is what an Apostle of the Arts is like. Regardless of Prete’s character, his ability is genuine.
After about a minute, Joy finally came back to her senses and subtly turned her gaze to gauge Phoebe’s reaction.
And she felt assured. Phoebe’s feelings were surely not much different from her own.
The smile on her lips clearly signified happiness.
“I see you like it, so it seems okay for me to explain it now. First, the silk used is from Barit. Since my sudden request felt a bit urgent, I had to solve it with what was available.”
If it’s Barit’s silk, that’s supposed to be made from cocoons harvested from the mid-level of Barit Dungeon.
That’s definitely high-class enough, right? Even most nobles wouldn’t dare use such material.
“Instead, I borrowed the Authority of God to bless it, so please understand.”
“What kind of blessing?”
“It’s nothing too significant. The dress will automatically adjust to the body and maintain its best condition without needing any special care.”
That’s already incredibly impressive.
The value of clothing blessed by an ordinary priest of the church would jump up, but if it’s blessed directly by an Apostle of the church…
…Am I really allowed to accept this? It feels too burdensome no matter how I think about it.
“The design, by the way, is based on what Lady Allen gave me.”
“Lady Allen?”
“Please don’t misunderstand. It wasn’t simply because she asked me to make it. After much consideration, I judged her request to be correct. It shows that you two have been observing each other carefully.”
“…I see. Lady Allen.”
Joy muttered softly as she grasped the necklace that Lucy had gifted her.
Usually, Lucy acts like she has no interest in these things, but that’s not the case at all.
She always watches closely around her and fulfills their wishes.
Wasn’t it Lucy who helped me when I was tormented by nightmares and couldn’t even step into the dungeon?
Surely, Lucy’s vast concerns have seeped into this dress as well.
“Thank you so much. I will treasure it.”
Having thought this far, Joy bowed her head and spoke.
There’s no way I could refuse such a precious gift!
Ugh. I already owe a lot to Lady Allen, and now I’m accumulating even more.
I feel like even if Lady Allen calls me a fool, I won’t be able to complain.
“I feel the same, Prete. Thank you for making such a wonderful dress.”
“Haha. If you’re grateful, you should thank Lady Allen. I just listened to her request.”
“However.”
“If you really want to express your gratitude, could you pass this dress to His Highness Third Prince Soladin and Young Lady Kent?”
Prete pulled out new garments from his Space Pocket.
The light brown suit for men and the light blue dress were just as magnificent as the ones placed on the table moments ago.
“What’s this?”
“I felt that what I could offer in return for what I received from Lady Allen wasn’t enough. So, I made something for the other two friends as well.”
I doubt Lucy would want to receive it if I give it directly to her, so I should just pass it over, right?
Joy blinked in surprise.
“…What on earth kind of debt did Lady Allen pay?”
“She gave me a price that I would willingly offer my life for.”
The Apostle of the Arts, who could obtain anything if desired. And if this dreadful pervert found it satisfactory, then surely…
“You mean she permitted me to decorate her!”
Joy, lost in her adolescent fantasies as she concentrated her magic, froze at the sight of Prete’s melting expression.
“Whaa! Just thinking about it makes me feel like I’m going to die from happiness. To be able to enhance the beauty of Lady Allen with my own hands!”
Did he forget the advice Phoebe just gave him?
As Joy facepalmed at Prete, who described his happiness with over-zealous words, she asked.
“Phoebe, can I ask one thing? Not all Apostles of God are this kind of person, right?”
“Joy! Of course not! Being chosen as an Apostle by God means that!… Cough. Anyway, this one is a bit… No, rather, quite unique.”
“I’m glad to hear that. I almost doubted the character of the other Apostles.”
*
On the morning of the party celebrating the end of the Soul Academy, the streets around the academy were bustling like never before.
The end-of-term party, which attracts the most guests along with the entrance ceremony, is a boom for merchants and a festive scene for tourists.
It is not unusual for the streets to be noisy during this time, but this year’s hustle was even more pronounced than usual.
“The dungeon looks much more fearsome in reality than what’s recorded in the articles.”
“Are students really tackling something like that? Soul Academy’s level is quite high.”
“Even the one who crafted me is an Academy student. Truly one of the greatest educational institutions on the continent.”
Given the usual guests alongside newcomers who came to experience the academy dungeon,
it seemed that this year’s dungeon would be the best one created by Soul Academy.
With the opportunity to tackle the real dungeon, how could those enthusiastic about dungeon strategies just stand idly by?
Some came with admiration, some with pure curiosity, some to boast, and some simply to relieve boredom, thus filling the Academy’s streets with people.
However, not everywhere was like that.
The area around the fountain in the middle of the academy street seemed almost deserted, as if some Great Wizard had cast a spell over it.
It wasn’t that there weren’t enough people passing by.
Just a few meters away from the fountain, it was so crowded that it was hard to step into.
Yet, in front of the fountain stood Lucy Allen.
And she was frowning fiercely, making it inevitable for an empty space to form near her.
This was a natural phenomenon as Lucy Allen’s notorious reputation had spread widely, but there was one difference from the past.
Unlike before, people were not fleeing in fear but were instead gazing at her from a distance and whispering among themselves.
“Is that Lucy Allen?”
“Surely. She would be worthy of praise from the Bard of the Apostle of the Arts. So beautiful.”
“…Wow. I almost forgot her infamous reputation for a moment.”
“If you’re not insane, don’t approach her. You won’t get a good outcome.”
“Do I look like I don’t know that? Second Prince. Oops, my mouth slipped.”
“I heard she’s the one who made the Academy’s end-term dungeon?”
“Amazing. She seems very young.”
“I also heard she ranks first in both strength and intelligence at the academy.”
“That’s a confirmed fact. They say she has never lost her top spot.”
“How unfortunate. If only she had a better temperament.”
“The Great Lord Jushin is fair, I guess.”
“By the way, this rumor…”
Just as the story of admiration and awe was about to take a depraved turn,
Loud laughter echoed from a distance.
“Hahah! Thank you all for speaking so highly of our lovely daughter! As a father, I couldn’t be happier!”
Benedict Allen.
An individual revered by all warriors across the continent.
A figure who is known with fear by those who remember him in battle and a hero of the kingdom that even the royal family cannot treat lightly had made his appearance.
“Daddy, you’re being…”
“Whooo! Lucy! Lucy!!!”
Benedict, covering a considerable distance in a single bounce, landed with a big thud as he immediately pulled his daughter into a hug.
“As I’ve said before in the crystal ball, I am so proud of you! Hearing praise for our Lucy all around makes me so happy!”
“Um…”
“And just look at how beautiful you’ve become! When I saw in the crystal ball, I couldn’t believe my eyes, but seeing you here feels like an angel is showing me a vision!”
“No, I…”
“But I’m also worried for you! You’re so stunning and talented! I can’t help but be anxious about which jerk might come after you!….”
“STO-P! DADDY!”
“…Oh. Lucy?”
“Please shut that smelly mouth and let go of me from this awkward hug?!♡ I’m starting to dislike you more, you fool dad?!♡”
“Sorry! Lucy! Please don’t take back the words that you don’t mean!”
Watching the monster bleeding from his own daughter’s words, the onlookers could only mumble with their lips.
What a marvelous sight it was.
But for those who didn’t see this spectacle, would they even believe my words?
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