Chapter: 413
Luca doubted for a moment that his eyes weren’t playing tricks on him.
The scene before his eyes was that unreal.
A night shrouded in darkness.
The moonlight was swallowed by storm clouds, and even the starlight couldn’t show its face on such a dark day.
In the heart of the church where all light had vanished stood Lucy Allen, illuminating the world even amidst the thick, deep darkness.
Her skin was whiter than a snowfield in mid-winter.
Her red hair naturally captured attention even in the night.
She looked like she was walking absentmindedly, yet her movements were graceful.
The nun’s attire that fluttered slightly managed to add to her mysterious aura.
Her ruby-like eyes, clearly looking out even in the pitch black of night.
In that dark church’s prayer hall, it seemed as if Lucy Allen was surrounded by light.
Lost in thought, he forgot the possibility of being caught while admiring where Lucy was.
Luca watched Lucy Allen kneel and clasp her hands as warmth began to radiate around her.
Having worked as a professor for a long time, Luca had met all sorts of clergy.
Among them were those so corrupt that he wondered why the Lord Jushin granted them divinity, and others who were so lofty they made him think they were foolish.
Through this, Luca realized one thing: the divine nature wielded by both extremes was strikingly similar.
Clerics of the church would say this similarity was the equality of the Lord, but Luca did not think so.
Why should the Lord alone seek equality when other benevolent gods willingly lend their strength to those who believe in them?
Luca secretly concluded that what the Lord showed was not equality, but ineptitude.
However, at this moment, Luca’s conviction crumbled.
The divine warmth possessed by Lucy Allen was on a different level from any other clergyman.
It was clear.
The reason all the clergy he had seen so far shared similar divinity was that their wills diverged from the Lord’s will.
The reason the Lord had remained silent all this time was that he was dissatisfied with the church itself!
Behold! Lucy Allen, who bore the warm divinity spoken of in legends!
That person is truly one who is loved by the Lord! One who will unfold the Lord’s will to the world!
She is the one who will become the brightest sun in this world!
As he etched the image of Lucy Allen praying in the warmth of divinity in his mind, Luca gained certainty.
If it’s Lady Allen…
If it’s that person who is loved by the Lord…
If it’s the one who has erupted with the overwhelming talent of the Allen family…
If it’s that person with extraordinary perseverance that contrasts with her appearance!
Then maybe she could help me achieve my goals.
She might even overshadow the star of talent I once saw. With a manic grin on his face, Luca decided to prepare tests for Lucy Allen.
Not the trivial things he had previously prepared to aid her growth. But trials that would engrave the name Luca, the artisan, into the divinity that is Lucy Allen.
Although he wanted to keep watching Lady Allen from this spot, the likelihood of being caught was too high, so he thought about sneaking away.
After imprinting Lucy Allen’s face in his mind one last time, Luca quietly exited the prayer hall.
*
Determined to offer a proper prayer for the Shoddy God, I emptied all the jeers I’d thrown at him until now and filled the prayer’s content exclusively with gratitude and my future resolutions.
I expressed my thanks for protecting me until now and for allowing Lucy to hear her mother’s voice to ease her sorrow, swearing that I would wipe out the shadow of the Evil God in this world, fulfilling your will.
Having finished everything I wanted to say and opening my eyes, I noticed the divine light illuminating the prayer hall, but I let it be when I saw Phoebe and Erin praying together beside me.
It was quite ordinary for Phoebe to pray next to me, but it seemed like it was the first time seeing Erin pray.
Was she a believer of the Lord Jushin Church?
As far as I remember, I hadn’t seen Erin go outside on weekends.
Usually, when I’m in the mansion, Erin always sticks by my side.
…Maybe she intentionally avoided mentioning it, knowing that the previous Lucy hated the church.
What a workplace boss that suppresses religious freedom. Are the rumors about Lucy Allen still lingering?
– Ding!
As I pondered various thoughts, the notification sound buzzed in my ear, making me look up.
[The Apostle’s prayer has reached the Lord Jushin!]
[Rewards will be distributed!]
[Skill [Corruption Building] has been granted!]
My eyebrows shot up slightly upon seeing the term “Corruption Building.”
The Corruption Building skill I knew was a type of passive skill learned in the Holy Knight or Priest trees.
Its effect increases stats when fighting those connected to the Evil God and prevents the Energy of Evil Gods from approaching for a certain time in the area where divine power was deployed.
When the second year starts, the followers of the Evil God would surely be more active, so this skill would definitely be helpful.
It was an oddly great reward for a single prayer, but I couldn’t feel completely happy about it.
The reward I received after driving the followers of the Evil God off the academy street was an increase in reputation.
An ambiguous reward that was hard to even feel physically!
But here I was getting a usable skill just for saying a prayer!
Isn’t this a bit strange?
Isn’t it normal for rewards to be reversed?
I know it’s okay to complain, but it’s still strange!
What kind of bizarre Shoddy Perverted God gives rewards like this!
Even if I had to serve him forcedly, may I please ask for a little dignity as the one I worship!?
As I was overflowing my complaints against the Shoddy God, another notification sound rang.
I frowned, thinking maybe it was an excuse, and cocked my head when I saw that an existing quest had transformed into a new one.
[Luca’s Trial]
[Professor Luca of the academy wants to leave his mark on the brightly shining star. Please overcome the trials he prepares.]
[Reward: ???]
[Failure: ???]
Luca? Why did he suddenly pop up?
I hadn’t seen him since I returned to the academy!
Curious, I looked around but found nothing and turned my gaze back to the blue window.
What is this?
No matter how weird the Shoddy God is, I doubt he would twist the story like this.
“Lady. Is something wrong?”
While I continued pondering with a pout, I overheard Erin’s worried question and shook my head.
What does it matter? I can just find out tomorrow.
For now, I should start by calming down Phoebe, who looks like she’s about to faint from crying.
*
The next morning, I woke up and entrusted my body to Erin, who had perfectly completed her preparations.
“Today, I’m going to visit those who work at the academy to find my tasks. It’d be a bother to follow you to class, my lady.”
While Erin tied up my hair, she mentioned she would be looking for work.
Knowing that my image among the commoners wasn’t great, I asked if she was sure about that, but Erin flashed a confident smile.
“Don’t worry, my lady. I’ve gotten quite good at handling those situations.”
I pondered her words but decided to let her go since she seemed so confident.
After all, as she had said, I couldn’t keep her by my side forever.
I figured I could later tell Karl to keep a good eye on her.
Finishing my grooming, I stepped out of the room and immediately headed to Luca’s professor’s office.
Although it was still early morning, knowing Luca, he’d probably be working by now.
“It’s been a while, Lady Allen.”
As expected, Luca was buried under a mountain of paperwork on his desk.
As usual, after organizing the papers and putting them away, he began to explain the various trials he had prepared for me.
Even after talking for a considerable time, I didn’t notice anything strange about Luca.
“If you’re talking about the First Queen, I accepted the deal on purpose. It seems she has her eye on you.”
He even mentioned the relationship with the First Queen.
Making this judgment was not much different from what my grandpa would have thought, so I set aside any immediate suspicions.
For now, let’s keep vigilant and observe.
Since a quest has been given, it’s certain this guy would pull something crazy down the line.
As I was about to leave after finishing my checks, Luca suddenly spoke up, as if remembering something.
“Lady Allen, did you perhaps do something during the vacation at the Arts Church?”
“Why are you asking that? I don’t want to share personal matters with a sloppy pervert like you.”
“Aah. It’s because the Arts Church has been distributing items related to you.”
…Already?!
How long has it been since I left the Arts Church that they’re already spreading items!?
Stunned by the immense momentum of these crazy folks, Luca pulled out a pendant from his drawer.
From the outside, it looked plain, but inside was a picture of me praying with my eyes closed.
“It seems they’re testing their products and gauging the atmosphere, but rumors are spreading that they intend to create plays related to you along with songs and poems.”
I could understand songs and poems. After all, the Perverted Apostle had spread them around already, so adding a few wouldn’t change much.
But what about the play!?
What have I done to deserve them making a play about me!?
“I’ve heard that the popularity of the prototype is pretty good. The Arts Church’s items are popular anyway, and…”
As I listened to Luca, I suddenly jumped up and left the professor’s office without asking for permission.
The back alley.
I have to go to the back alley!
I need to confirm if this rumor is true!
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