Chapter: 389
I still don’t know why Lucy desperately wanted that necklace. The memories I received from her ended in the midst of despair.
But it’s not like I can’t guess the reason. The driving force behind Lucy at that time must have been the various memories left behind by Mira before she died, so it’s not hard to infer why Lucy would want that object so similar to the necklace Mira wore.
Surely, at that time, Lucy saw her mother’s illusion in that necklace.
Knowing this, I gifted the necklace to Mira. I took out that necklace to convey Lucy’s feelings of longing and sadness.
I didn’t think it was strange. Jewelry’s appearance is usually in line with the fashion of that time.
There are just too many identical pieces of jewelry in the world to tilt my head just because it has a similar shape.
But not anymore. Since the moment the Divine Grace of Shoddy God resided in this necklace, it became clear that the Shoddy God had arranged this moment.
Shoddy God. You’ve been watching Lucy for a long time. You’ve been looking at her while she’s sad. You just stood by as Lucy crumbled under the curse known as blessing.
If the old Lucy had known this fact, she would have definitely poured out her resentment.
She would have vented her frustrations toward the incompetent god.
I’m no different now.
I still despise the incompetence of the Shoddy God and look down on him, pretending to be cheerful while he toys around.
I don’t like someone who places a heavy burden on a girl who hasn’t even become an adult.
However, it’s not that I hate him or despise him.
I know his intentions are good.
I also know that he is grieving just as much for the sadness occurring on Earth.
I understand that he is heartbroken over his incompetence.
Since I know that he sincerely apologized to Phoebe, I understand that he is merely incompetent and not evil.
So, aside from personal feelings, I do not curse him. I don’t know what Lucy, who might still linger in my heart, would think, but at least I don’t.
Considering the nature of the Shoddy God, what is contained in that necklace is his way of apologizing in his own way.
Thinking that, I smiled and examined the necklace through my emotions.
[Necklace Containing a Miracle]
[This is a necklace containing a miracle of God. Due to insufficient divine grace, it cannot exert its power.]
I silently apologized to Mira and picked up the necklace again.
The Shoddy God, utterly incompetent, couldn’t even properly convey what he had arranged, but that’s not a problem.
Because the Apostle of God is here right now.
I don’t serve because I want to, but as the agent of God, shouldn’t I finish what he couldn’t?
Taking a deep breath, I drew upon the divine grace of the God and infused it into the necklace.
And then I realized. There’s a reason miracles are called miracles.
Damn it. This is damn complicated. What’s the deal with making even simply infusing divine grace so difficult?
…It’s okay. Stay calm. You’ve done it once before to create a miracle. Compared to what you did in Menestel, this is nothing.
[Lucy, can you really do this?]
‘…Huh?’
[Can you understand what I mean by saying you are an exemplar of a beast-like knight from the past?]
‘No. Why are you suddenly picking a fight?! Do I look like I’m in the mood for jokes right now?!’
What’s with this guy all of a sudden?! He usually jokes around, but he’s not someone who can’t read the room! Is he losing it? Is he going senile!?
[Isn’t there someone next to you who specializes in that? ]
Hearing the playful voice of Grandpa, I understood what he meant and let out a chuckle.
‘Can’t you just say you’ll help me?’
[I don't really get what you mean. I’ve never heard a request for help.]
As I chatted with Grandpa, the melancholic feeling that began with Lucy’s sadness subsided to some extent.
‘Grandpa, you said I wasn’t being honest with you a while ago, but I think that’s the same for you too.’
[Ahem.]
‘I get it. Grandpa. Please help me. Guide me so that I can create a miracle.’
[If you’re asking like that, there’s no way I could refuse. First, unfold the
As soon as I asked Grandpa, he immediately told me what I needed to do. I slowly started infusing the divine power into the miracle contained in the necklace.
The process was so complicated that I experienced countless failures, but Grandpa didn’t scold me. He merely informed me of what to do next.
One fortunate thing was that while listening to Grandpa’s explanations, I became more skilled at handling divine grace.
At first, I had to fail countless times just to execute one explanation, but gradually, the number of failures decreased, and there were even times when I passed to the next step without failing at all.
Oh, of course, that just means the mistakes decreased. I still didn’t understand a lot and continued to fail repeatedly.
How long did it go on? Not giving up and continuing to challenge, I eventually perfectly replicated the miracle contained in the necklace.
‘Grandpa! I did it! I finally made it!’
[Haha. I know you’re happy, but calm down for a moment. Shouldn’t we see what happens next?]
‘Then I’ll just start by saying thank you for helping me! Thank you so much! Grandpa!’
After saying the most important words, I looked at the miracle arranged by the God with a thumping heart.
What did the Shoddy God want to convey to Lucy? What did he leave behind while looking at the suffering child with sorrowful eyes?
– Lucy.
The countless thoughts swirling in my head crumbled under a single word that whispered in my ear.
– Our beloved daughter.
Tears that had paused began to flow again, making it impossible to continue my thoughts.
– I’m sorry for not keeping my promise and leaving you all alone.
Though holding onto my reasoning was arduous, I suppressed every word that wanted to escape my mouth.
I had to, so that the Lucy who might still linger in my heart could hear this voice clearly.
– Now saying this is lacking in face, but please know this much. This mother was happy because of you. Every moment spent with you was such a beautiful memory.
So that Lucy could hear the voice she wanted to convey clearly.
– So Lucy, you don’t need to feel sorry for this foolish mother. This mother has already received immense happiness from you.
“…Mama.”
– If you can’t shake off your feelings of regret, then please fulfill just one request from this foolish mother.
“…Yes, Mama.”
– Please be happy. Make lots of friends. Have lots of fun. Eat lots of delicious food.
I could see the divine grace of God becoming diluted through my tears. The miracle was nearing its end.
“…No! No!”
– So that when we meet again after a long time, we can talk and laugh together.
“Not yet! Not yet, you foolish Shoddy God! ”
Seeing him, I hurriedly tried to infuse divine grace into the necklace but it was impossible. The necklace was rejecting my divine grace.
– I love you, Lucy.
“Is this really all I can manage?! Just this little and I’m out of breath?!”
– Just like before and always.
“Please! Please! Please…”
As the divine grace of God dwindled, the crypt regained its original coldness.
In the midst of it, I held onto the necklace and desperately pulled up the divine grace.
I was doing everything I could to recreate the miracle.
[Lucy.]
‘Grandpa! Quickly help me! There’s still so much I need to hear! There are so many things I have to say!’
[That necklace has lost the
“Shut up and help me! Now! I’m right now!…”
While shouting, my mind faded into a blank white state.
No.
Not like this.
I can’t fall now.
I mustn’t collapse.
I.
I will definitely…
*
When I came to my senses again, I found myself lying on the bed in my room.
Staring blankly at the familiar ceiling, I felt an emptiness in my hands and was startled, trying to sit up, only to feel dizzy and fell forward.
[Calm down. Right now your body is...]
‘The necklace! What about the necklace?!’
[Isn't it hanging around your neck? ]
Only after I forcibly moved my arm and patted my chest to confirm the presence of the necklace, I let out a sigh of relief.
[Right now, you’re in a state of exhaustion because you’ve drained your
Ah, that explains why my body feels so weak.
Is my condition similar to when I wrapped things up in Menestel?
I couldn’t stay down for long, so I forced myself to sit up, naturally tipping backward to rest my head on the pillow.
‘…I’m sorry, Grandpa. I didn’t mean to…’
[The one who should apologize is rather me. I should have calmed you down, but I was too hasty.]
Caught off guard by Grandpa’s sincere apology, I found myself at a loss for words. Normally, I would have teased him, saying it was his fault, but the events in the crypt made it hard to say that.
[Lucy.]
‘…Four?!’
[It’s about the
‘Ah, that one.’
While I was swept away by emotions in the crypt and turned a blind eye to Grandpa’s words, now that I was somewhat calm, I realized he was right.
That miracle back then was merely something created with the power of the Shoddy God. Now that his power has dissipated, this necklace is just an ordinary necklace.
‘It’s okay, Grandpa. I’m really disappointed, but still…’
[The composition of the
‘…Huh?’
[What I’m saying is that you will be able to reproduce it. Lucy. Just like how you reproduced my story.]
‘Is that even possible?’
[You are talking to someone who is a legendary Holy Knight. For me, who has performed countless
Grandpa, no, Grandpa Ruel spoke with confidence in a trustworthy voice.
[The
‘…’
[So until then, you should improve your skills. So that you can create miracles with your own hands.]
‘…Yes, Grandpa.’
Holding tightly onto the necklace, I covered my face with my remaining hand.
[Are there still tears left to shed?]
‘…It seems so. I’m just as surprised as you are.’
[Heh. I hope you don’t faint again because of this.]
‘More than that, Grandpa.’
[What is it?]
‘Isn’t it embarrassing to call yourself a legendary Holy Knight?’
<…Am I tired from talking too much today? I should take a break.>
After saying that, he seemed shy about his own words.
As I let out a snicker, I suddenly started coughing, eventually falling asleep again.
And when I opened my eyes again, the annoying blue window was floating in front of me.
But what was different from usual was:
[You have achieved a hidden condition!]
[Rewards will be given!]
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