Chapter: 345
Rene, sweating bullets, couldn’t help but feel a twinge of guilt for the headmaster.
Being the First Prince and a powerful heir to the throne, Rene found it hard to feel amused about putting the headmaster, who had helped him during his time as a student at Soul Academy, in such an uncomfortable position.
However, there was nothing Rene could do to get him out of this predicament.
It wasn’t him who created this situation, but his mother.
This morning, before heading to the academy’s end-of-term party, Rene was taken aback by Kabadi’s unexpected visit.
He thought they wouldn’t set off until at least the afternoon, since the party didn’t start until evening.
“Your Highness the First Queen, I understand the guards aren’t ready yet.”
“Yeah, that’s right. But it’s no problem. We’re planning to move separately.”
“…Excuse me?”
Instead of answering Rene’s question, Kabadi clapped her hands.
Immediately, the door opened, and people from the Information Department entered, carrying disguise tools.
“If we act openly, we’d disturb those enjoying the festival, right? We need to move in secret.”
Slightly doubting that logic, much like the headmaster, Rene asked a very sensible question.
“Uh… Your Highness the First Queen, wouldn’t it be dangerous for someone of your status to roam around unaccompanied?”
“Headmaster, what are you worrying about? With me and Rene together, how many people can really harm us?”
Kabadi’s comment that it’d be fine as long as it wasn’t Lord Benedict going bananas left both the headmaster and Rene speechless.
How many people could truly threaten someone who was one of the top powers in the Capital’s Knights before becoming the First Queen?
“Isn’t it obvious I won’t have to use my power? I trust in the capabilities of Soul Academy.”
The headmaster could only respond with a “just enjoy yourself” to that somewhat curt sentiment, as he was still in a subordinate position in front of one of the kingdom’s most influential figures.
“I graduated from here decades ago, and it hasn’t changed a bit.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. That building over there. That statue. And the scholars’ prison over there.”
While adding that it was a wonderful place that should be wonderful, Kabadi spotted a girl passing through the square and followed her with interest.
Her red hair fluttered with every step.
Playful eyes sparkled.
Her fair skin shone even under the sun.
A sense of femininity emanated from her petite frame.
That girl was stunning enough to attract everyone’s attention wherever she went, but Kabadi wasn’t interested in just that.
It wasn’t about her appearance but her inner strength.
She possessed a uniqueness and formidable divine aura that made it hard to believe she was just a student at the academy.
“Isn’t that Young Lady Allen?”
“…Huh? Oh, yes. That’s likely her.”
Rene answered, lacking absolute certainty.
The Lucy Allen he had met during the Partlan Festival seemed almost identical yet entirely different from the Lucy Allen of today.
What could have happened in just a few months since the festival ended?
He heard she had changed but never expected it to be to this extent.
How could a mere beautiful doll come to life so vibrantly?
…So, the Apostle of the Arts praising her and even composing songs made sense now.
“She’s even more astonishing in person. I can’t believe she’s the girl who used to insult us.”
“She must be carrying the blood of the Allen family.”
“That’s quite the feat for a first-year student at the academy.”
As Kabadi created a crescent moon with her eyes, she continued to observe Lucy Allen until she disappeared from view, then proceeded towards the hands-on area with lighter steps.
The dungeon experience area was still packed with people.
From those trying their best to socialize and create connections to others who hardly left their territories at all.
While Rene marveled at how impressive this dungeon was as he watched them, Kabadi couldn’t help but wear a bigger smile.
Some time passed, and as Rene and Kabadi stepped into the dungeon, they went through it leisurely.
What had been fun here?
And what had been pleasant here?
The conversation between Rene, who was considered perfectly fit for the throne, and Kabadi, who had wandered through countless dungeons even before becoming Queen, could have moved Lucy to tears.
The two moved smoothly until they stopped upon reaching a corridor leading to the 0th Floor.
As they arrived at the fourth room, Rene found his head cut off by Kabadi and sat up, rubbing the severed spot while frowning.
Magic had been activated—a type that muffles sound.
It wasn’t originally set up in the dungeon; it must have been the Queen’s handiwork.
“Rene.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“What do you think about your engagement with Young Lady Allen?”
“…Are you speaking sincerely?”
Rene couldn’t bring himself to dismiss this as a joke.
Aside from her personality, Lucy Allen had no disqualifying aspects whatsoever.
But her character flaw was considerable.
As Rene pondered what he should do if the First Queen were to dig in her heels, Kabadi chuckled.
“From your expression, I can see you really don’t like it. Just joking. Young Lady Allen has way too many issues to become a queen.”
“Then…”
“But she is definitely a talent worth keeping close.”
“…”
“At the same time, she’s someone to keep an eye on.”
Kabadi, who helped Rene to his feet, continued to smooth out her magic as she spoke.
“I have more to do now. There’s a lot to investigate, preparations to make, and a lot to think about.”
“…Is there anything I can help with?”
“No. Just go about your business as usual. This is something I have to handle myself.”
After finishing her conversation, Kabadi withdrew her magic and went down the corridor alone, her pace noticeably slower than when she entered the dungeon.
*
– Ding!
“Young Lady Allen, did I make a mistake or something?”
Startled by the sudden notification, I flinched as the Perverted Apostle, still fiddling with my hair, gently asked.
‘No, it’s fine.’
“It’s just your disgusting touch gave me the creeps. Don’t mind it. It’s not like you throwing up has ever been a one or two-day thing, right?”
“Haha, I see. I’ll be careful.”
After confirming the Perverted Apostle continued to move his hands, I turned my head toward the message window.
It had been quiet even after the penalty expired; why was it suddenly popping up now?
Not receiving any responses, I thought maybe something would come in after the break.
Wait, if I think about it, the Shoddy God tends to drop quests when something urgent comes up, right?
Like when it was with Adri and Phoebe.
Is something happening again?!
[You have received a new quest.]
[What do you want? I’m pretty, right?]
[Show everyone that you are nobler than anyone else!]
[Reward: Clue about the Soul of the Hero.]
Reading the quest contents, I confirmed the frozen look in the mirror through the blue window and sighed.
So that’s it; he just wanted to show off.
Our Apostle is so cute and pretty!
Was that what he wanted to flaunt? Seriously, could you show a bit of Godly majesty instead?
A deity serving should have some dignity; otherwise, what’s the point of following?
Look at the Perverted Apostle beside me. He has no doubts about the god he believes in, not even a smidgen.
Do you know why?
Because despite being a Perverted Crow, he presents a decent facade to those who believe in him!
What does it mean if the Shoddy God can’t even do better than the people under him?
Also, wait. Isn’t the quest condition too vague?
Show everyone I’m noble? What is that supposed to mean?
I’m just saying, if you consider me failing, can’t you just drop the penalty right away…
Huh? Why isn’t there a penalty for failure?
Is there some kind of glitch?
But no, even checking the quest window or log feature shows no penalties.
What is this? The Shoddy God has never done this before!
Regardless of how dangerous or silly a situation is, there has always been a penalty until now; why not this time?
Let’s say it’s a favor from the Shoddy God, but I can’t just let it slide.
The Shoddy God in my mind is never one to offer favors without a catch.
If I stretch my imagination, maybe it’s his way of saying, “No one could possibly think my apostle isn’t noble!”
Or maybe he left something undone to hit back after the quest fails.
Considering the last penalty, it’s clear the Shoddy God isn’t just trying to torment me.
Ah, who knows.
Forget it. I’m sure it’ll work out somehow; stressing over unresolvable issues won’t help. Let’s check the reward instead.
If it’s the Soul of the Hero, that’s a brand new feature, right?
I definitely received it as a reward but had never known what it was, so I had just put it aside, thinking I’d figure it out one day.
And now he’s giving me a clue for that?
Should I say he’s fast? Or should I say thank you now that he’s giving it to me?
If I were a devout believer, I’d have picked the latter, but since I’m not Phoebe…
“Your Highness.”
Called out by the somewhat buoyant Perverted Apostle, I came back from my thoughts and acknowledged his words with a nod.
“I’d like to bestow the Goddess’s blessing upon you, if you permit.”
A blessing from the Crow Goddess usually related to favorability, right? No reason to decline that. I’m in a situation where a high favorability score is ideal.
‘Sure. Please, go ahead.’
“Do as you wish. I wonder if that crow could make me any prettier, considering I’m already gorgeous.”
Ugh. While calling on the Shoddy God, I called him the Shoddy God; now I don’t even treat the Crow Goddess as a goddess?
Having unwittingly insulted the deity he served, I glanced at the Perverted Apostle through the mirror.
His expression had frozen solid. Guess he found this impossible to recover from.
“…S-so, I’ll start right away.”
Was that too blasphemous for him to even pretend he didn’t hear it?
Is that allowed?
Is your goddess okay with you being disrespectful?
That Perverted Crow must be feeling some kind of way!
What if it comes disguised as a blessing, but I end up receiving some bizarre curse instead?
Feeling uneasy about the idea of receiving the cranky crow’s blessing, I didn’t put up any protest as the Perverted Apostle began praying.
Sigh. It’s probably going to be alright. Maybe.
Even if he has a terrible temper, there’s no way he would do anything weird to the Apostle of the God, right?
“Oh Goddess.”
The Perverted Apostle began to project his divine power around him.
The divine energy that spread around him wasn’t the warm sunshine that mine or Phoebe’s had—it was the refreshing air of spring that tickled my skin.
Maybe because I’m getting used to handling divine powers now, I quickly sensed what this divine energy was trying to convey.
It wants me to open a passageway for it?
Don’t do anything weird.
If I mess around, you’re getting burned.
As I opened the passage for the divine energy flowing inside, the Crow Goddess’s energy started to seep in.
I closed my eyes to feel that refreshing divine energy spreading through my body.
– Calling me a crow! Thanks for the nickname! I’ll remember it in my heart! Such a pretty girl!
Not long after, I felt the moment that the divine energy inscribed itself in my body, and I heard a voice pound in my mind.
This is—
No way.
It’s the voice that bounces with life, so clear and innocent that it’s entirely unforgettable.
I could easily guess the identity of that voice.
There’s only one being I refer to as a crow.
…Lord Armadi.
I’ll take back my request to shape me after you. Just stay as you are now.
You’re much better than that Perverted Crow.
Right? You should be…
You have to be better.
Yeah.
You have to be.
Hearing the flap flap, I opened my eyes to see the Perverted Apostle on the verge of a blissful death and sighed.
It’s not like we’re strangers.
At this point, wouldn’t I have built some resistance? Yet, nothing changed at all.
The reflection in the mirror is still just me.
“Hey, Grandpa. Did anything change?”
Not being able to notice any differences, I called for my grandpa, but there was no answer.
Why is he ignoring me again?
This makes it impossible to get an objective assessment.
Knock knock.
“Lucy Allen. Is it okay if I come in? There’s something I want to say before the party starts.”
Oh, Arthur. You came at the right time.
I really needed someone to evaluate my appearance right now.
‘Come on in.’
“Though it’s okay to enter, brace yourself. The Shoddy Prince will find it hard to cope with the sheer amount of awkwardness.”
“What nonsense—”
As the moment Arthur turned to stone and halted in place upon opening the door, I let out an exasperated sigh.
Looks like it’s pointless to seek an evaluation from him.
Why does every guy in this town have to be so sloppy?
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