Chapter: 407
In the basement of a shop on the street of Soul Academy.
Just a moment ago, the people who were happily working in the shop now wore somewhat solemn faces, as if they had thrown away the brightness of just a moment before.
In the atmosphere where silence seemed to stretch endlessly if left alone, the one at the counter spoke in a heavy voice.
“The atmosphere at Jushin Church has been strange since the Saintess returned. It looks like they’ve sensed something.”
“The information we just heard from those who came in also matches. The priests of the church seem busier than usual.”
“But it’s strange. Was there a gap for our identities to be discovered? Even the professors of the academy and the bishops of the church didn’t notice us.”
While one person pondered whether they were misinterpreting something, silence settled over the table. Everyone had similar thoughts.
Among the followers of the Void, those who could be called elite were of a different caliber than the other mismatched individuals who simply relied on the Authority of the Evil God.
Not only do they imitate the appearances of others, but they also had the confidence that they could infiltrate anywhere in the world because they acted out everything they absorbed.
In fact, since infiltrating Soul Academy Street, they had never been discovered even once.
They had deceived the professors of the academy, fooled the priests of Jushin Church, and even the bishop of the church hadn’t detected their infiltration.
Yet now, a clumsy Saintess from Jushin Church had noticed the anomaly within a day?
“Let’s discuss such matters later. Even if it’s our misunderstanding, it’s wise to prepare for the worst.”
The one who spoke up first, despite having similar thoughts, hid them and tried to regain control of the atmosphere.
Thinking it might just be a misconception, but if faced with the worst case, it would be curtains.
“For now, let’s all return to our respective places and wait.”
Just as the man who organized the situation was about to talk about what each should do, the crystal ball in his arms lit up.
He asked the others at the table to excuse him before taking out the crystal and pouring his magic power into it. An anxious man’s face appeared within.
“Elrok!”
The man seemed to have hurriedly contacted him, gasping for breath as he continued.
“The church has moved! The priests are surrounding the shop we infiltrated!”
Elrok, who was leading the conversation, cursed inwardly upon hearing the man’s words.
Damn it. The church’s actions are faster than I initially thought.
How can this be? A church as rigid as the Jushin Church would have to go through various procedures to step forward like this. Have they found some crucial evidence?
“For now, other followers are disguising themselves as staff and blocking them, but I don’t know how long they can hold on!”
“What’s the justification from Jushin Church?”
“The identification of heretics.”
“Is there any evidence they presented?”
“No. Nothing at all.”
What? In the past, this might have been plausible, but the current Jushin Church shouldn’t have the power to force identification without any evidence!
Elrok’s brow furrowed as he found it hard to guess the church’s intentions when suddenly, commotion erupted above them.
No one had told them, but those seated at the table realized who had entered the shop.
The presence of the intruders was undoubtedly the Divine Grace of Jushin Church.
“…I guess we’d better pull back. Their blatant confidence means they must have something up their sleeves.”
Whether it was simple bravado or genuine confidence, it seemed wise to retreat for the time being, and the other followers nodded at Elrok’s words.
“No. I’m staying here.”
However, not all seated at the table agreed with Elrok’s statement.
The one tasked with a major role in this infiltration, who was currently acting as the chef, insisted on his opinion despite receiving disapproving glares.
“This actually works in our favor. If they’re just suspicious, they can take a good look. If it turns out they have no grounds, we can operate more freely.”
“That sounds too dangerous.”
“Even if it becomes a problem, I’ll buy as much time as I can. So, Elrok, please observe the situation and act accordingly.”
The man’s words were filled with a firm resolve, indicating he was prepared to face death if he made a mistake.
Facing him, Elrok considered the man’s utility and the potential benefits they could gain if this plan succeeded, slowly nodding his head.
“I understand. But don’t expect us to help you.”
“Of course not.”
With a sly grin, the man stepped out the door, adjusting his expression as he climbed the stairs.
The chef he was portraying had a fiery personality and a lofty pride. With that persona, he wouldn’t be intimidated by the church’s sudden appearance.
Standing before the door leading to the outside, the man lightly cleared his throat and kicked the door open, flexing his neck.
“What the hell is going on here!”
With his booming voice filling the shop, everyone inside turned their gazes towards him.
Dazed employees, priests with somewhat coercive expressions, and at the center, a small girl.
A girl?
What on Earth is Lucy Allen doing here?
…Now that I think about it, it was Lucy Allen who grabbed our companion during the last infiltration into the Arts Church.
Given the commotion at the Arts Church, this is an undeniable fact.
Did this brat receive some sort of blessing?
Was there a reason the Apostle of Darkness was so fixated on this little girl?
“Hey, pig. Why are you looking at me like that?”
The man, lost in thought, heard Lucy’s pointed voice and laughed as if he couldn’t believe it.
“I knew Lady Allen had some connections with the Saintess, but I never expected you’d wield the church’s power so freely!”
The way the man twisted the goal of identifying heretics into Lucy Allen’s reckless behavior was truly impressive. The priests backing Lucy showed their surprise at his words.
Yet Lucy was unfazed. Stepping forward confidently, she looked up at the man and grinned.
“Oink? Oink oink?”
“…What are you doing?”
“I just spoke to you in the language of livestock! Why are you pretending not to understand?”
The man’s face flushed slightly at Lucy’s complaint about his disregard for her kindness.
Calm down. The more this brat acts up, the bigger my justification grows. Just let the little one do as she pleases.
“Ahaha♡ Look at you pretending not to notice♡ Your eyes scream ‘horny pig’ while you’re trying to act dignified!♡”
Ignore it. The reason Lucy Allen is causing a scene is undoubtedly because there’s no concrete evidence. If I can just laugh off all her words…
“Or are you perhaps insecure?♡ I mean, with all that belly fat, it seems you can’t see anything~♡”
If that happens…
“When you pee, how do you do it?♡ Do you lift up your skin to find it?♡ Or do you just go and wash?♡ I bet that’s it!♡ No wonder it smells like urine!♡…”
That fucking brat.
In an instant, the man’s rationality evaporated, forgetting his original goal as he pulled out the knife hidden in his apron and swung it at Lucy Allen.
With the Authority of the Evil God embedded in it, his thought was simply to take down the arrogant brat named Lucy Allen.
Lucy didn’t even flinch at the sight of the knife being swung toward her.
It wasn’t that she couldn’t respond.
How could someone of her caliber, far beyond that of an ordinary knight, miss such a slow attack?
The reason Lucy merely stared at the blow was that there was no reason for her to counter it.
For beside her stood a knight willing to risk his life to protect her.
“How arrogant. Who do you think you are to lay a hand on the young lady?”
With a simple motion, the knife in the man’s hand was sent flying.
The followers of the Evil God disguised as staff and even the priests standing behind Lucy broke into a cold sweat as the power in the room shifted.
Meanwhile, Lucy Allen twirled around, humming a tune as she looked back at the priests.
“Excuse me? Priests? What are you doing just standing there? If you can see properly, you saw that just now, right?”
“Uh… yes. Yes, that’s correct.”
“Then get to work♡ You pathetic losers who can only follow the sloppy Saintess around like little puppies♡”
With Lucy Allen’s provocation as the starting point, the priests snapped back to attention and immediately moved to capture the shop staff.
Realizing the situation couldn’t be reversed, the followers of the Void revealed their identities and began to struggle, but that struggle mostly demonstrated that they were merely priests.
Even the other shop where the followers of the Evil God resided was no different.
Following Lucy’s commands, Phoebe invoked the Divine Grace of Jushin to unveil the disguises of the followers of the Evil God.
Thus, the infiltration plan of the followers of the Void, which had taken months to prepare, was smashed to pieces in just one day.
With less than a week before the opening of Soul Academy, the ensuing commotion caught the attention of many. Those who listened to the situation all concluded that the Saintess of Jushin Church had once again proven her abilities.
Phoebe, the subject of the matter, denied it, but most people simply regarded her words as modesty from the Saintess.
“This isn’t mere modesty. I genuinely did nothing in this incident.”
“But wasn’t it the Saintess who led the church’s people to act?”
“Well… that is true.”
“Did anyone mention the issues on the street to the Saintess?”
“…Well…”
“Haha, being too modest isn’t good, Saintess.”
Lucy’s intentions were also mixed in with Phoebe receiving all the credit in this matter.
Due to Lucy not wanting to draw attention unnecessarily, it naturally resulted in Phoebe receiving all the accolades.
While Phoebe struggled with receiving praise for things she didn’t even do, Lucy slipped away from the chaos and stared at the quest screen in her dorm.
[Eradicate the Corruption!]
Strange.
She had destroyed the lair where the followers had stayed, so why hasn’t the quest cleared?
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