Chapter: 395
“Are you planning to head to the Arts Church?”
Maybe it was because I was openly frowning. Alsatine’s words contained a sense of caution.
“Of course! I can’t just stand by and watch those perverts act like idiots!”
“Acting like idiots… is that what you mean?”
“Yeah, acting like idiots.”
Thud!
I tossed the paper I was holding onto the desk, and Alsatine’s expression became complicated.
“Can I hear your reasoning?”
“Can I use any other expression than ‘acting like idiots’ for a plan to walk into my own doom?”
The place we were headed to at the Arts Church was undoubtedly a trap. There were all sorts of vile creations made by the followers of the Evil God gathered there.
It’s not some dungeon where you can somehow overcome by fighting back. It’s a hell filled with malice, designed to kill anyone who falls into its trap.
Isn’t it stupid to voluntarily walk into such a situation?
“Is it really a trap?”
Alsatine’s eyes widened in disbelief.
“It’s based on the information Nakrad leaked, cross-verified with other followers of the Evil God.”
“Ugh. With that low intelligence, what do you think about just rolling around with Jack next to Karia? That would suit your level.”
I suddenly realized that people living in this world didn’t know much about the followers of the Evil God.
If they understood how these crazies thought, they wouldn’t sell out their own faction.
“Listen here. I don’t want to waste any more time with you. You’re utterly pathetic.”
In Soul Academy, the forces of the Evil God were surprisingly tightly-knit.
Unlike the various churches that competed for power under the sun, the followers of the Evil God had united to survive under oppression.
They may worship different gods, but the commonality of having to hide their identities brought them together.
Because of this, followers of the Evil God would never betray each other.
They see each other as allies striving to achieve the dream of resurrecting their god.
They value the dream of being with their god above the pain they might face in this world.
These fanatics, who became followers for their reasons, would willingly die to ensure achieving their dreams.
Nakrad is also the same. Ever since the death of his wife, this guy no longer cares about this world without her.
All he wishes for is to reunite with his wife after death.
Would a guy like that betray the forces of the Evil God to save his own skin? Did he leak information knowing he would never see his wife again?
No way. That guy would rather die than give up the chance to meet his wife.
After listening to my explanation, Alsatine blinked a few times and then asked.
“I understand what kind of mindset the followers of the Evil God have. But why do Nakrad and the other followers have matching accounts?”
“Are you a goldfish? I told you earlier, why don’t you get it? The idiots who follow idiots like to lick each other.”
They must have coordinated what fake information to spill in the event of captivity, so of course, identical information would come out.
“Ah! Indeed!”
Finally realizing something was off, Alsatine pulled out his notebook and started checking various things, exclaiming in surprise.
He understood something was wrong.
How strange. In the game, Alsatine noticed when the information was oddly consistent, but why couldn’t the real Alsatine see it? Is it a reaction to Karia’s return?
“I understand. I will relay this information to the Arts Church.”
“Information peddler. Don’t get in my way.”
The reason I stopped Alsatine from going off alone was simple. His credibility was lacking.
How seriously would the Arts Church take the words of someone who’s just an informant declaring that the plan was wrong?
But I’m different. If I, who is favored by the Crow Goddess, directly speak to the Arts Church, they’ll immediately revise their plans.
“Stop being so cocky and just follow me. Got it?”
“If so, I’ll prepare to move to the Arts Church in advance.”
*
After parting ways with Alsatine, I told my friends it was time to disperse.
Now, everyone should head home to rest and then meet again at the Academy.
Although my friends showed varied reactions, they all agreed on welcoming the rest. After all, we’d been on a forced march for almost a month, so this felt normal.
The residents of the Liz territory welcomed our dispersal just as eagerly.
They’d been forced to keep up with us as we tirelessly raided dungeons day and night, and upon hearing we were leaving, they were almost brought to tears with joy.
Seeing that made me feel a bit guilty for not being more considerate to them. I couldn’t apologize or express gratitude due to the Mesugaki Skill though.
Anyway, instead of heading directly to the Arts Church, I visited the Allen Family first.
I didn’t need a break. Compared to the multiple trainings I had done, my earlier grind was nothing. I also let my guard down a bit to accommodate my friends.
The reason I sought the Allen Family was that I needed someone to suppress the perverts of the Arts Church.
I still remembered the day I contacted the Perverted Apostle through the crystal ball.
Strange creatures had appeared behind that Apostle, battling just to meet me.
Heading to the Arts Church meant stepping into the heart of those perverts, and I wasn’t confident I could handle that alone!
At the very least, I needed someone to block those perverts from getting near me! My ideal candidate was Possell.
Although he might not be as good as Benedict, I judged that his considerable reputation and power could easily keep the perverts in check.
“I’m sorry, Young Lady. I’d like to accompany you, but I can’t leave the territory unattended with the head of the family absent.”
But, unfortunately, my hopes crumbled against reality’s wall.
Damn! I thought with Possell, I could fend off those disgusting guys!
In the end, the ones who would accompany me to the main base of the Arts Church ended up being the usuals.
My knight Karl, the bald knight who always tagged along, Erin who would take care of miscellaneous matters, and the Sloppy Fox, who was regaining energy with spring approaching.
“Don’t worry! Lucy! I will block any perverted bastards from getting near! How dare these scummy guys! Just one pervert near you is enough, right?”
Listening to the Sloppy Fox’s nonsense made me feel like I had a lot to say, but I held my tongue. I should just be satisfied that he admitted he was a pervert. I wouldn’t want to make it tiring for myself otherwise.
Having gathered my companions, I headed toward the place where Alsatine said he was waiting.
“Lady Allen. There’s a small problem. The Arts Church refuses to accept the teleportation of outsiders.”
Hearing that they had a tendency to be rather insular didn’t bother me much. I replied without a second thought.
“Information peddler. Just tell those perverted bastards my name.”
“What?”
“Just do it. My brain is better than your old, sloppy one.”
Alsatine tilted his head in confusion but still complied with my request.
“…Uh. The permission has been granted.”
I sent the other knights and Alsatine through the teleportation circle first, then headed to the main base of the Arts Church.
As the blue light enveloped me, I closed my eyes. Suddenly, the dizziness that comes with teleportation hit me.
In the past, I would have collapsed from this, but not anymore. Though my stomach churned and my head throbbed, I didn’t feel like I would faint.
Taking a few deep breaths to regain my composure, I carefully opened my eyelids. Then, seeing the bustling crowd of the Arts Church beyond the barrier created by Karl and the bald knight, I shut my eyes again.
…Something feels off. Did I see something wrong?
Did I unconsciously pile up fatigue?
Am I fainting and having a strange dream?
“Ahhh! So pretty!”
“Lady Allen! Just wave your hand, please!”
“You were keeping this masterpiece all to yourself!?”
“Ugh. I’d die happy today…”
“Is this what the Goddess’s manifestation looks like?”
“Uwaah, so beautiful!”
As I listened to the voices whispering in my ears, I began to regret coming here.
If I’d known it would be like this—no, I did know, but if I had anticipated it to this extent, I’d have just left everything to Alsatine and not even thought about coming here.
Should I turn back now? Just leave everything to Alsatine?
While pondering this, I made an effort to compose myself and lifted my eyelids.
Sensing the numerous gazes filled with lustful desires directed at me, I felt a slight exhilaration.
Thinking about it, was there really a reason to shy away from those perverts? There’s hardly anything as fun to toy with as them.
They aren’t as strong as the Sloppy Fox or the Perverted Apostle. If they get truly annoying, I could just chase them away.
Once I shifted my perspective, those disgusting perverts began to resemble toys.
Hmm. I’ve only been bullied by those other perverts until now.
Should I return the favor to these shoddy trash a little?
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