Chapter: 394
The day I saw the message that my understanding and proficiency of the Divine had increased, I immediately put in the effort to apply it in real combat.
For me, being able to handle the Divine better wasn’t just about improving the performance of Divine Magic; it meant an overall enhancement of my combat ability.
I thought that if I handled this well, I could finally land a hit on Benedict, so I adapted to the changes by using my friends and Allen’s knights as test subjects.
Despite these efforts, I still couldn’t overcome the wall that was Benedict.
Ugh. It’s so frustrating just thinking about it.
Isn’t that guy a bit too childish?
His daughter is struggling to reach him, and he wouldn’t even give her a chance once?
Even if it’s commendable that she’s trying her best, wouldn’t it be nice to allow just one sneak attack?
Leaving aside Benedict’s childishness, fighting him greatly helped me adapt to the newly acquired Divine.
I found myself naturally getting used to it as I desperately did my best to survive.
During my duels with Benedict, it was hard to feel this progress, but when facing ordinary monsters instead of a freak like Benedict, I realized how much stronger I had become.
Puhak! As I watched a monster explode upon being struck by my mace, I couldn’t help but let out a laugh.
It’s true that the monsters coming out of this dungeon aren’t strong. This place relies more on numbers than individual specs.
But are they really weak to the point of being useless? Not at all. As a place often used for mid-level grinding, they have at least some basic strength.
To put it simply, the reason these monsters are getting smashed is that I’m just too strong.
Puhak! After smashing one that was about to fall backward behind me, I sent another flying with my shield while watching the rest. The one that stood out the most was Frey.
She had always loved acting solo, and now, with my approval, she dove right into the crowd of monsters, causing chaos among them.
With her sword now infused with color, every swing took off a monster’s head, greatly reducing the crowd that approached me.
Arthur’s growth was also noticeable.
Having trained rigorously in the knights’ order, he mastered his aura and could naturally use magic even in close combat.
As I watched the perfected version of the sword-wizard I’d long desired, Arthur shouted out in frustration.
“Lucy Allen! Is this really a time to just watch?!”
“Why? Is it too tough for you alone? Then please…”
“Damn it! Forget it! Just handle it yourself!”
…So boring. So annoying.
Alright. If you want to do it alone, see how long you can last. I’m not helping at all.
Ignoring Arthur’s complaints, which had completely stopped, I turned my attention to Joy.
She had caught on during our duels, mastered a system from Allen’s knights’ training, and her practical magic was so clean it reminded me of a wizard beyond the monitor.
Effortlessly taking down approaching enemies and keeping defensive magic ready for any sudden attacks while stacking up large area spells to deal with hordes… Is that what the academy professor meant by talent?
“Ah!?”
I hastily turned my head toward the warm Divine as I tried to ignore Joy, who got hit by the debris from a monster she just handled.
Having fully embodied the Grace of the Lord during our separation, Phoebe had become immensely talented, rivaling many of the current famous clergy, thanks to being taught directly by Johan, a master of Divine Magic.
Everyone has grown to the point where they can compete with the characters I know from the monitor.
Of course, it’s only natural since we’ve gathered a group of people here who wouldn’t normally be in one place to train in a user-based manner.
It’s quite troublesome. With this, the conclusion is that I’m the only one lacking compared to others on the monitor.
“Everyone! Fall back!”
Feeling a mix of pride and emptiness, I chuckled as Joy raised her voice in urgency.
Without a hint of doubt, my friends immediately retreated from the swarm of monsters, and upon confirming that, Joy quickly placed her prepared magic among the monsters.
A lightning strike, once thought to be the wrath of the gods, came crashing down inside the dungeon, eradicating the monsters.
Hmm. Did it take about an hour to break through one trap? Looking at the kids now, they could probably break through one more trap, but that would be their limit.
After that, a rest is necessary.
Not to mention, considering when Agra might try to mess things up.
“This should be the end… right?”
While thinking about how to grind from this point, Joy’s voice made me smirk.
“…Young lady? Why are you looking at me with that expression?”
“What’s wrong with my cute face? Silly!”
“You have a very mischievous expression right now…”
Did that show too much? While fiddling with my mouth, I shrugged at Joy, indicating that my ominous premonition had turned out to be correct.
I was originally planning to take a break before moving on. But upon hearing the words “Is this the end?” my mischievous side flared up, and I couldn’t help but resist.
If I make that line, it should indicate that this isn’t the end, right?
Right?
“I don’t wanna!”
With Joy screaming in protest, I started plotting the long grind ahead and dashed toward the next trap.
*
A week into the grueling grind at the Liz territory. Even while reducing breaks to the max, I hadn’t received a single message from Agra.
He used to cause a ruckus every time I entered a dungeon, so why hasn’t he even poked his nose in once now?
Why isn’t he showing up when I’m completely ready for all the bullshit?! You stingy bastard!
What’s wrong with letting me gather a bit of experience as a bonus!?
Even as I complained about Agra a little due to the heat rising within me, he had not intervened in the dungeon even once.
That bastard… Since he’s an Evil God, he’s all about honor and pride, only wanting to engage when he thinks he can win, isn’t he?
Just you wait. There won’t ever be a time when you win.
While Agra being a petty and spiteful bastard with no spine or pride was clear, the leveling process was going smoothly.
To my surprise, my friends’ stamina was better than I had thought.
Perhaps due to their reduced sleep and relentless training in Allen’s knights, they were able to grumble during our grueling sessions but remained standing.
Oh, of course, Arthur did once ask why we were doing this kind of thing. He thought training in the knights’ order would have been more beneficial.
My answer to that was simple.
“Is our pitiful prince really too silly to feel his own growth?”
Levels might not be visible outwardly, but they were surely part of this world’s rules.
So, if we grind and rapidly raise our levels, we can’t help but feel our growth.
After hearing my words, Arthur realized he was growing stronger and did not voice any complaints thereafter.
The same went for the others. When it’s obvious that you get stronger the more you suffer, there’s no reason to complain.
“Petty, spiteful, shoddy little bastard Agra. Stay there forever and continue to whine. Please.”
As usual, upon entering the dungeon, I threw out my provocation only to be met with silence.
My grandfather, witnessing my antics, remarked that I was probably the only one who acted this way toward an Evil God, but he didn’t try to stop me.
*
Two weeks into the grind.
People in the Liz territory were beginning to look at us with mixed feelings, but I didn’t care.
What bothered me was that the efficiency of the grind was declining more and more. At this rate, hitting level 90 before entering second year would be a stretch, wouldn’t it?
Damn it. If Agra had given me a few bonus stages earlier, I would’ve grown much faster than this!
*
Three weeks into the grind, and on the fourth day.
After spending twenty hours a day in the dungeon, I reached level 90 and hit my growth ceiling.
Despite grinding all day, my level wasn’t increasing.
While it was still effective for my friends to grind here, their stamina was a concern.
Having endured a forced march for nearly a month, everyone looked worn out, and even I, who would usually say determination could solve everything, started worrying that my friends might collapse.
Perhaps I should wrap up the grind. Although second semester is starting soon, it’s not like I’m rushing things.
As I pondered this, Alsatine visited the outpost next to the dungeon.
Visiting in disguise with a completely changed face and voice, he chuckled upon seeing my friends’ state.
“I thought the Duke Burrow was being treated harshly, but this is worse.”
“What can a pathetic bastard like him learn?”
“He’s receiving the basics I learned as an informant. The master mentioned plans to use him as an informant within the academy.”
Hearing this, I silently prayed for Jack’s well-being.
How unfortunate that he ended up marked by that crazy Auntie Karia. Being her plaything will surely lead to immense suffering in the future.
By now, wasn’t he thinking Allen’s knights would’ve been better?
“He seems to be doing well enough, so you shouldn’t worry.”
“I get that, but why are you here, informant?”
“I have something to tell you.”
On the paper that Alsatine handed over, the words written at the top were this.
“Plan to eradicate the Evil God followers led by the Arts Church.”
Each word was chillingly intense, and while I blinked in shock, Alsatine continued explaining.
“Last time, we captured an Apostle of Evil God. With the information obtained from that, the Arts Church has formulated a sweep plan, but due to its scale, it hasn’t been executed yet. They are currently seeking cooperation from various churches…”
Realizing the weight of what was being conveyed, I studied the text on the paper.
Was the gist to reduce the influence of Evil God forces on the continent based on the information Nakrad provided?
As I read further, I felt déjà vu and quickly went back to reread the whole thing.
Then I was convinced. This was the event I was aware of.
“Informant. Where’s that perverted apostle now?”
“Staying with the church. He’s got lots to discuss.”
“And the shoddy weakling giant?”
“Same. I believe Nakrad is also imprisoned underground by the church.”
…
Uaaaah! Damn it! I really never intended to get involved with the Arts Church!
At this rate, I have to go there!
I can’t just watch these fools walk into a trap!
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