Chapter: 399
Erin, the third daughter of a small barony near Allen’s territory, had often heard stories about the apostles of the Arts Church even before becoming a maid in the Allen family.
Bloop! Bloop!
These were people who wandered the continent promoting their arts. Those who graciously helped the struggling with what they gained. People who saved countless souls tormented by the followers of the Evil God.
Back when Benedict Allen was shaking the continent with his idleness, Prete, the apostle of the Arts Church, made a name for herself through her goodness.
In some ways, Prete might have been more famous among the girls than Benedict.
The figure of Prete, conveyed by wandering bards, was that of a stunning artist with a sweet voice.
When Erin finally met Prete after a considerable time, she found her even more beautiful than the bards had described.
Wow!
“As far as I know, Prete is around the same age as the head of the family, but how does she still look like a twenty-year-old? Is this also the effect of the Goddess’s Blessing?”
Erin was amazed by Prete but didn’t show any excessive reaction.
If it had been back in the estate, chatting and chattering with the village girls, she might have squealed.
But not now. By staying beside Lucy Allen and having gotten used to her beauty, Erin could react calmly even upon seeing Prete.
Prete raised an eyebrow slightly at Erin’s reaction, finding it refreshing, but she didn’t say anything more.
“You are the exclusive maid of Lady Allen, correct?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Before I give you guidance, could I see how you typically do things?”
“If the Young Lady permits.”
“I don’t want to. I won’t be giving my permission!”
Hah!
During their conversation, a voice suddenly cut in. Erin turned her head forward and saw Lucy’s face reflected in the mirror above.
The mischievous face of a cute little girl. Not the annoyed grin Erin had seen when she had just become Lucy’s maid but a smile of delight.
She hadn’t imagined she would see such a face when she was reluctantly made the lady’s maid.
“How can I not?”
“I said no.”
If she were another maid from the Allen Mansion, she would have been startled by Lucy’s sharp voice and lowered her head. But not Erin.
Knowing the current Lucy, instead of being frightened, she responded with a light smile and bowed her head.
“Miss, could you please reconsider just once?”
“…If you’re so serious about it, what can I do? Sloppy Erin, you’re so boring!”
“I’m sorry, Young Lady.”
“Whatever. Do as you wish. But just know, if I don’t like it, I’ll be playing pranks on you.”
“Thank you for your mercy.”
Watching their natural banter, Prete smiled warmly, but gradually, her expression turned stern as she saw Erin working on Lucy.
“…What do you think?”
“It’s not bad. For someone from a decent noble family, this is enough, I suppose.”
While it was a compliment of sorts, Erin’s expression was not bright. She felt the menace in Prete’s tone.
“However, Erin, your lady is someone of a level above any ordinary noble’s young lady. You cannot use the usual methods on someone so close to the Goddess.”
Prete’s stiff tone and piercing glare made her previous soft smile feel like an illusion.
But even under the heavy atmosphere, Erin remained calm. Having endured Lucy’s evil ways before her transformation, this amount of pressure was nothing to her.
“Could you tell me what to correct?”
“Look. Lady Allen possesses such a perfect form that it seems there’s nothing to touch. While that is indeed the case, there are always ways to enhance beauty, even with perfection.”
Listening to Prete’s teachings, Erin felt admiration. So this is also a way. No doubt she deserves to be called a person who leads the arts of the continent.
“Prete, is it alright if I take notes in my notebook?”
“Do as you please. No, from the beginning, I’ll explain again so write it down and engrave it in your heart. I cannot tolerate sloppiness for someone who is to adorn Lady Allen.”
While it took about thirty minutes just to touch an eyebrow, Lucy, who had been enduring the boredom, let out a yawn.
At that, Prete, who had stiffened mid-explanation, hurriedly pinched her nose, which was bleeding.
“Perverted Apostle, please go die.”
“Young Lady, I’m sorry, but I can’t do that right now. I have work to finish.”
“Even saying that with a nosebleed only makes you look like a hideous piece of trash.”
“If you say I’m a hideous piece of trash, then that must be true. It’s an honor.” “…I really feel sick to my stomach.”
Blech!
Bishop Yurik’s corpse was discovered in the bishop’s bedroom.
He usually disliked others entering his room and took care of everything himself, which delayed the discovery of his death.
The people of the Arts Church, realizing that their comrade had died right next to them without them knowing and not being able to find him in time, forgot their ramblings about the subjugation of the Evil God and began to blame themselves instead. They mourned for their comrade who had died in agony.
When Bishop Yurik’s body was retrieved, an endless line of mourning continued until sunset when the doors of the church headquarters opened, revealing an angel.
With crimson eyes filled with seriousness. Skin as white as the warmth and lethargy of sunset. The apostle of the church touted an appearance forever close to the Goddess. A seemingly fragile body, yet with a gaze so intense it seemed unyielding before any trial.
Lucy Allen boasted an overwhelming presence that could erase even Prete, who stood beside her, as she took in the world.
Even before the sunset’s glow, Lucy’s eyes didn’t dull but rather shined bright.
The congregation facing her felt awe wash over them and knelt down, their reverence spreading further back until it colored the entire street.
Watching this scene, Lucy pressed her lips tight and stepped forward.
In her tiny, delicate steps that seemed they’d vanish with a gentle touch, yet firm against countless trials, the wishes of the congregation piled up.
Apologies for their fallen comrade.
The hope that their comrade who met death would find peace with the Goddess.
Self-blame. Resolutions for atonement.
These feelings piled and weighed down Lucy Allen’s steps, but she didn’t waver even a bit.
She moved forward with confidence as if there were no burdens on her back until she reached the place where Bishop Yurik’s body lay.
The bishop guarding the spot met Lucy’s gaze, bowed slightly, and stepped aside.
Having arrived in front of the coffin, Lucy took a deep breath and gathered her hands to her chest.
And at the moment she closed her eyes, a warm energy began to spread from where she stood.
A warmth that caressed the regrets, sorrow, and lamentations lodged in the hearts of the people and brought them comfort. Tears began to flow one by one from the eyes of the congregation who felt this warmth on their skin.
Beside Lucy, Prete witnessed all of this and thought that Bishop Yurik, who must have reached the Goddess, would have smiled.
She was sure that those who stayed in this place would feel a lightening of their hearts, even if only a little.
This is the power of one beloved by the Lord.
Really, how fortunate it is that this person is here.
With a stiff expression, Prete watched Lucy’s prayer, wiped her reddened eyes with the back of her hand, and, like the other congregants, closed her eyes and gathered her hands.
Ding!
Finishing her prayer and slowly opening her eyes, I looked at the atmosphere among the Arts Church people and shut my eyelids again.
Why are the people kneeling in the streets praying with wails?
And why are the church leader and the Perverted Apostle, who should manage this situation, crying just like everyone else!?
Above all, why are that shoddy dog and the bald knight not coming to my side and just staring at me blankly!?
Aren’t you supposed to guard me?!
Aren’t you protecting me?!
Aaaah! Seriously! What the heck is going on!?
I just wanted to pay my respects to the dead, but why has it turned into this atmosphere!?
Thinking back, the vibe felt weird the moment I stepped out of the church!
It’s one thing for all eyes to be on me as soon as the door opened, but why is everyone suddenly kneeling!?
Am I a king?! A tyrant who will chop off heads if not treated properly!?
And why are you praying to me! The one you worship is the Crow Goddess!
If you pray to me, isn’t that heresy?! Aren’t you afraid of the Crow Goddess’s jealousy!?
Ugh! I feel like I’m suffocating and gonna die!
What do I do!? What should I do!?
‘…Grandpa! What should I do!? The pressure is too much right now!’
[It's okay, Lucy. Just keep your mouth shut, and they'll interpret it well.]
‘That’s not the problem! I feel like I’m going to die from suffocation! I just want to run away right now!’
[Get used to it. As the Apostle of God, you’ll be facing this countless times. Hmm. Thinking about it, isn’t this the situation you longed for? Look around, everyone here is sending you reverence instead of hostility.]
‘I want compliments, not worship!’
As I shouted in irritation at Grandpa’s nagging, the ringing echoed in my ears.
What now! Shoddy God!
In this chaotic situation, why are you jumping in and causing a ruckus!
You could wait until after all this is done to talk to me!
[Thank you very much, Apostle of God. Thanks to you, the faithful can proceed to a better path.]
…Uh.
[Though I don’t know if this will serve as a reward, please take it as the Crow’s goodwill.]
No way. Huh? Huh?!
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