Chapter: 353
The moment I heard Phoebe talking about church matters, I gave up on taking her with me.
Well, it makes sense since the church is super busy right now. The New Year is just around the corner!
December, when the new year begins, is a crucial time for Jushin Church, with important events happening one after another. So of course, Phoebe, being the face of the church, has to stick around the Holy Land to be part of those events.
I could relax during summer vacation since nothing major was happening, but now it’s just not possible!
With that thought in mind, I quietly examined the divine power concealed within Phoebe.
Not long ago, Phoebe had acquired the Divine Grace of the Lord, and she quickly became accustomed to the new power.
She was already showcasing overwhelming skills in handling divine power before.
With her talent and effort combined with Johan’s help, she mastered the divine power in just a few days.
At first glance, there’s nothing unusual about Phoebe.
Since I’m the Apostle of God, I can feel the warmth of the Sloppy God’s divine presence, but others can’t.
Joyna and Arthur by her side probably have no clue how much she’s changed.
So, even if Phoebe heads to the Holy Land now, very few will notice her transformation.
The problem lies with those few people.
As I etched those variables one by one into my mind, I concluded that it was okay to put my worries aside.
Those trashy folks wouldn’t be able to guess Phoebe’s changes anyway.
Plus, Phoebe herself has grown to some extent, and Johan is planning to support her too.
Most importantly, the Pope is sure to appreciate Phoebe’s changes!
If that guy, wielding absolute power in the church, cherishes Phoebe, nothing can go wrong.
…Still, it’s better to have at least one safety device.
Standing up, I handed a ring to Phoebe, whose face was flushed and unsure of what to do.
She stared blankly at the ring resting in my palm, then slowly raised her head.
“Um, Young Lady. What is this?”
‘It’s a gift. You don’t like it?’
“What? Don’t like the gift I gave you? Well, I guess I’ll just take it back.”
As I pretended to take it back, Phoebe desperately grabbed the ring.
“N-no way! I’m just curious about what this ring is!”
‘It’s a communication ring. Just in case.’
“The Sloppy Saintess is just like her friend—totally clueless! I’m worried she might do something weird, so I gave her a communication ring.”
It was one of the little things I bought when we visited the auction house.
In the game, it was just junk, but I thought it’d be useful in reality.
While the magic circle inside is small, it might not allow for conversations like a crystal ball, but it’s sufficient for contacting her in case of danger.
“You’re worried about me…”
With both hands carefully clutching the ring I gave her, Phoebe bowed her head before breaking into a beaming smile brighter than ever.
“Thank you so much! I’ll treasure it!”
Not like you need to treasure it that much! It’s not a precious item or anything.
“Lucy, Lucy.”
Surprised by how much Phoebe liked it, Frey suddenly tugged at my sleeve.
“What about me?”
…You? Why?
“I’m a fool. I get into trouble a lot. You should be worried!”
So you are jealous because I’m only giving gifts to Phoebe?
Hmm. I do have gifts I bought for Frey’s birthday in my inventory.
There are also other things she might like.
I think if I just tossed her something appropriate, she’d beam with joy, but giving it casually isn’t fun, right?
‘Do you really want a gift that badly?’
“What? You fool knight! You really want a gift? Hahaha. Hmm. What should I do? It’s a dilemma.”
“Yes! I really want one.”
‘Nope. Not giving you one.’
“But that’s unfair~! You’re definitely not giving it to me!”
“Not giving? Is that what you’re saying?”
…Huh? Why are her eyes watering?
No.
No. No. Wait a minute.
I didn’t mean to make her cry!
I was just messing around!
“Sniff.”
Ah! Wait a second!
Here, Frey. Here’s your gift!
It’s an object you can decorate on the hilt of your sword.
With Possell’s advice, it shouldn’t hinder your sword movements, so it should be fine.
“…Gift.”
Frey’s bright smile returned as she snatched my present and attached it to her sword, glancing at it.
Haa, I was trying to tease her, but now I feel like I got teased instead.
Well, if she likes it, does it matter?
“Joy, why are you so quiet? I thought you’d jump in over there.”
“I already got a gift a while back. Just showing the poise of a first friend.”
“…Huh. How profound.”
*
Allen Territory.
One of the places bordering the arrogant Terasha Empire that calls itself an empire.
Years ago, after Terasha declared invasion, the land it infiltrated saw years of war, but now it’s so restored that it’s hard to find any remnants of that war.
Arriving in the city where the Allen family resides at the invitation of Lucy, Arthur was filled with admiration looking at the faces of lively people.
The reason people could smile without a hint of anxiety despite the war is probably because Sir Benedict is residing in this city.
Everyone forgets their worries because the knight, who changed the tide of battle single-handedly, is here.
Truly moving. To be trained in that man’s family.
Since that day he faced against a dragon, he hasn’t lost any respect or admiration for that man.
My first time holding a sword was to follow in his footsteps. As long as he wields a sword, my respect will never fade.
…Of course, the various looks he showed while being beside Lucy Allen were rather ugly.
But if you look at it positively, isn’t that a form of human charm?
Arthur shook his head, trying to forget those ugly memories while recalling how he would laugh and cry with Lucy Allen, begging at her feet.
“Ugh, this day has finally come.”
While doing so, Joy, who had been by his side, grumbled without end.
Just like how he got tangled up in Lucy’s plot and ended up participating in training with the Allen Knights.
He started out comforting her, but now seeing Joy’s drooping shoulders, Arthur raised an eyebrow.
“By now, just give up and steel yourself. Didn’t we already get permission from Ducal Lord Partlan?”
“But I just don’t want to! That’s just how it is!”
The three who decided to train in Allen’s Knights had to get permission for quite a long outing.
While Arthur, the mere prince, was one thing, Joy and Frey were valuable individuals in their families.
How could such important people be allowed to leave for nearly a month on their own?
So, Joy had pinned her last hope on her father.
She had hoped he would say, “I would have let you if you really wanted to, but I can’t allow it” kind of thing.
However, unfortunately, Ducal Lord Partlan only expressed admiration at Joy’s story about wanting to train in the Allen Knights and didn’t dissuade her.
“That girl will experience that hell. My daughter has grown into an adult now.”
Hell. That one word that Ducal Lord Partlan spat with a defeated face confirmed that all the awful stories Lucy had said before were true.
“I’m not someone who dreams of being a knight.”
“It’s okay. Ducal Young Lady, you’ll become stronger for all the hardships.”
“Miss Kent, I’ll say it again, but I don’t want to be that strong.”
“It might also help Lucy.”
“Ugh…”
Frey dismissed Joy’s complaints with logic, and not long after, the Allen family appeared.
Their residence, though modest for a renowned marquess, was where the three were first greeted by a man who introduced himself as the commander of the Allen Knights.
“I’m Possell. A fortunate man who has earned his current position through the grace of the head of the family.”
“…So you are Sir Possell? The one who single-handedly charged into the enemy ranks during the war?!”
“That was only possible because the opposing army was lacking. I feel truly embarrassed that such tales have been exaggerated.”
Regardless of the two others sending looks of disbelief, Arthur excitedly chatted with Possell.
The three soon followed Possell to meet Benedict.
With paperwork piled high on a desk that seemed disproportionately small for his large physique, he lit up as soon as he laid eyes on them.
“I’m so glad you’ve come! Ducal Young Lady! Miss Kent! And the Third Prince!”
Benedict, looking as if he never expected his daughter to make a friend, was devoid of the fear that had previously been known as the Empire’s fangs.
Nevertheless, Arthur could tell that Benedict had not diminished.
Having trained for a long time, he could sense it.
An overwhelming strength whose endpoint he could not discern. To think such a man had withered.
It makes him acutely aware of just how little the court fools know about the outside world.
While Arthur heightened his respect for Benedict, the latter was oddly cold towards him.
He was friendly with Joy and Frey, but kept a subtle distance from Arthur.
With quick wit, Arthur roughly figured out what that meant.
He probably thinks I have feelings for Lucy Allen.
While I want to scream out that I don’t, if the soft-hearted Sir Benedict would start grilling me about why I dislike his daughter, I’d rather avoid that confrontation.
Haa, what can I do? For now, let’s just pretend to know nothing.
Bringing it up is just going to be bothersome.
“Please do gain a lot during this training session.”
After finishing that sentence, the three of them left the office, received guidance on their training rooms, changed clothes, and stepped into the training grounds of the Allen Knights.
“The training ground is quiet.”
Not even a single knight or soldier can be seen. Were they accommodating for our arrival?
Responding to Arthur’s question was Possell, who had brought a cart.
“They are currently training by moving around the territory for stamina building. They’ll be back soon.”
“…Wait a minute. Did you just say they are circling the entire territory of the marquis?”
“Haha. Surely not.”
“Right?”
“If that were the case, they would need to run for several days straight. It’s too much for a warm-up. During training, they just circle this area for a few laps and come back.”
“…What?”
What he just said sounded like something that could be done but should not be done.
While Arthur was stiffened by conversation veering absurd, Frey and Joy showed up behind.
“Um, Sir Possell. Where is the Young Lady Allen?”
“She is training with the other knights. She should be coming soon. Ah, there she is. The lady must be in the rear.”
Following Possell’s gaze, Arthur turned his head to see the ranks of knights and muttered to himself.
“Why does it feel like the ground trembles every time they take a step?”
“It’s because they are using magical tools that increases their weight. Think of it as if each of them is carrying a horse on their shoulders.”
“…But at that speed?”
“Haha. Normally they are faster. Everyone is just tired right now.”
As Arthur reflected that this wasn’t a normal place, he suddenly realized that what was strapped to the knights’ limbs resembled what had just been brought in on the cart.
“Sir Possell. Just to confirm, what is in the cart?”
“That’s right. You have to warm up before proper training. Here. Take it.”
“…Gah?!”
The moment he took the magical tool being offered, Arthur swayed under the weight far beyond what he had anticipated.
My site has received a lot of DMCA notices, lol. From now on, I will update the MTL on https://darkmtl.com/.
The site is fast and lightweight because there are no ads yet. However, the theme is different from Cybor-TL, so take some time to familiarize yourself.
Support me by donating at least $10, and you'll have the right to request any novel from Novelpia (excluding 19+ content) using a newly developed tool.