Chapter: 443
The alchemist watched as everything he had laid out crumbled before him.
The various potions he scattered were burnt away by the wizard’s magic.
The numerous creatures he summoned were swept away by various weapons.
The tentacles he extended burst against the heavy club.
The alchemist couldn’t believe the current reality.
It hadn’t even been two years. Only that much time had passed since he let that damned brat slip away.
But could it really make sense that he became this strong in such a short time?!
This was something that couldn’t simply be described by the word talent!
That foolish little brat who couldn’t even swing his own weapon properly was now like this.
Amid the approaching crowd, the alchemist saw the divine figure standing next to Lucy.
A light warmer than the sun.
Now that I think about it, the reason I couldn’t capture that brat back then was due to God’s intervention.
A miracle unfolded, and I had to spare that little brat to save my own life.
Was he chosen by God? Did he pick that brat to counter the Evil God’s forces?
Was it not just a whim but a selection?
Damn it.
Yeah. I should have noticed back then.
I realized when someone who lost most of their power intervened before the Evil God.
Ah.
No way.
No way.
Oh Evil God, please do not abandon me.
Please. Don’t leave me behind, this ignorant and foolish me.
I have devoted my life to you. I have given you everything.
I devoted my life to you! Agra!
Bring forth the price for my devotion!
My life. Help me continue my research!
As the alchemist desperately struggled against those approaching him, he felt a gaze watching him from beyond the darkness.
Oh Evil God.
– Foolish one.
…What?
– Do you still not realize that you have outlived your usefulness?
Outlived my usefulness? There’s still so much I have to do! So many things I can create!
How could it be?
How could it be?
How?!
– Disappear. You are useless.
Staring blankly as the gaze in the darkness vanished, the alchemist let out a hollow laugh.
“Ha.”
I will curse you.
“Hahaha.”
Even if I fall into hell, I will curse you.
“Hahahahaha!”
I will wait for you to fall deep into that abyss once again.
For sure. For sure!
“Ugh♡ Why are you laughing?♡ Are you expecting to get hit again?♡ It’s really disgusting, I don’t want to touch you♡”
Suddenly lowering his head, the alchemist faced the girl’s mocking face and added strength to his gaze.
“…I will definitely kill you with my own hands!”
“Puhaha♡ You’re angry♡ You’re angry♡ With your age, you should be more patient♡ You were a premature baby before you became a mess?♡ Did it even take you 3 seconds?♡”
*
Watching the alchemist’s body crumble after struggling as much as he could, I stretched.
Ah.
Now that I vented all my frustration on that scum, I feel a bit better. Punching a sandbag is the best way to vent frustration when you’re annoyed.
<…The vocabulary used during the fight was hardly what a noble young lady would say.>
‘I didn’t do it! It was unavoidable because of the blessing.’
[Did I hear you say venting felt refreshing? Was it something I misunderstood? ]
‘…Anyway, it worked out, so it’s fine!’
Those I provoked could only aim for me!
I was just performing the duties of a tank! I didn’t do anything weird!
[Is it really okay to leave it like this?]
I tried to ignore the genuine worry in Grandpa’s voice and turned my head to look at the two fallen forest owners sprawled on the ground.
“Sloppy Saintess.”
“You’re asking if I can heal these two, right? It’s completely possible. Since most of the Evil God’s energy was taken away in the recent battle, it’s no hard task.”
Phoebe, who had gained the ability to wield Lord Jushin’s divine grace, smiled, saying it was nothing.
Watching him, various words I had thrown at the giant’s wood during the battle flashed through my mind.
‘Smells like sympathy♡’
‘Isn’t that why you’re all alone for life?♡’
‘Wouldn’t it be better to rot and decay?♡’
You don’t remember…do you?
You wouldn’t, right?
He was in a state of madness back then.
There’s no way he could remember all those things I said.
Right. As long as I don’t mention them unnecessarily, it’ll be fine.
No problem.
Yep.
“Lady Allen.”
“Eek?!”
Startled by the ferocious voice I heard from behind while lost in thought, I shrank my shoulders and cautiously turned around.
There stood Joy, hiding her face behind her fan.
Usually, when Joy hides her face with a fan, it’s when she wants to conceal her sloppy face, but not this time.
Her cold gaze was different than usual.
From beyond the fan, the gaze looking down at me had shadows, making me unintentionally swallow my breath.
“I have a few things to say.”
“Huh? What is it, you dimwit?”
Trying to act confidently using Mesugaki Skill in front of noble Joy caused cold sweat to pour down my back.
What’s going on? Why is Joy angry?
What did I do?
Even if I helped Joy, it doesn’t seem like I did anything to her?
“First of all, I’d like to express my gratitude. If it weren’t for the young lady, both I and the prince, as well as Young Lady Kent and Phoebe would have been in danger.”
Watching Joy bow in gratitude just made my suspicion grow.
Am I imagining things? Did I misunderstand?
Maybe Joy is holding back her embarrassment and stiffening her face.
“However, apart from this gratitude, I must ask you something. Young Lady.”
“What? Just say it. As long as it’s not a stupid question like yours, I’ll gladly answer.”
“Why didn’t you say anything at all?”
“…Huh?”
“Why didn’t you explain anything about what you were trying to do?”
That’s when I finally understood what Joy was trying to say.
“Is there a need to know? What would change if you sloppy ones knew?”
I wanted to convey that I didn’t want to worry her, but the Mesugaki Skill didn’t allow that.
Having called out Joy’s name felt like a mere moment of miracle, as the Mesugaki Skill twisted my true intentions once again.
Seeing Joy’s eyebrows slightly raise, I felt my heart tighten.
How do I resolve this misunderstanding?! How can I speak in a way that won’t hurt Joy’s feelings!?
Shoddy God!
Are you watching?! Please help me like you did just now!
Since you just completed the quest you gave me, help me live right now!
“…Right. From your perspective, that might be the case.”
Under Joy’s now significantly heavier voice, I felt a crushing sensation.
The words Joy spoke now felt heavier than the fist of the giant’s wood that had just resounded.
So I kept my mouth shut.
To avoid any misunderstandings, I bit my lip and observed Joy.
In the silence, as we exchanged glances, it was Joy who first opened her mouth.
She sighed, lowered her fan, and slightly bowed to make eye contact with me.
“Lady, if I become your burden, please tell me how to not be. Let me be of help to you. Knowing a friend isn’t just about receiving help.”
“…”
“When you’re most troubled, please allow me to support you.”
As I saw the loose smile on Joy’s lips, I became once again at a loss for words.
I had no idea how to respond.
No matter how I replied, I felt like my true intentions would get distorted again like before, making it impossible to say anything.
As I repeatedly opened and closed my mouth, Joy let out a pointless laugh.
“Don’t worry. Young Lady. I’ve known for a long time that you can’t speak properly.”
“…What?”
“He’s right. I already knew that your tone is distorted.”
Being so bewildered by Joy’s words, I blinked, and nearby Arthur shrugged and spoke.
“Right. Right. Lucy. We’re not fools.”
“No. You are a fool. Frey Kent. Don’t try to butt in between us.”
“…So mean.”
You knew? That my words are distorted? Since when exactly?
“If it were the old young lady, maybe, but the current young lady is thoughtful. Someone like her wouldn’t say something harsh like you just did.”
“Yeah. No matter what, a girl who grew up in a noble family wouldn’t say things like scum, sympathy, or premature in a sentence.”
“Prince! Choose your words carefully! What on earth are you saying in front of the young lady?!”
“I’m just repeating what this guy said!”
“Prince, you pervert.”
“So I’m!…”
Oh.
That was indeed said in the heat of the moment.
It was originally a carefully chosen word for provocation.
…Let’s keep this as a secret for a lifetime.
Yeah. This is all because of the Mesugaki Skill.
I’m not at fault here.
I’m not that shameless of a person.
“Anyway. No matter what you say, we’ll listen to you, so please don’t worry and just speak.”
I looked at Joy, who raised the corners of her mouth.
I saw Arthur shrugging his shoulders with a chuckle.
I saw Frey, who had her usual blank face, moving her hands around.
I saw Phoebe, who couldn’t take her eyes off this side while healing the tree.
As time passed, the worries that had built up in my heart melted away, and a natural smile escaped.
“You silly Joy.”
“…I wasn’t mistaken. Young Lady. You just called my name.”
“You know how I said before?♡ You sounded just like a girl confessing her love♡ It was♡ so♡ cute♡”
“…Huh?”
“It’s all because I just adore you so♡…”
“Th-That’s not it! I didn’t mean that at all! I said it in no such sense!”
“Whoa. Joy. You’re quite the strategist, aren’t you?”
“No, I’m not! What nonsense are you saying, Prince!”
“Joy, the great Lord Jushin doesn’t discriminate against anyone.”
“Phoebe! Don’t join in on teasing me! Focus on healing!”
Watching Joy’s face turn red as she yelled, I laughed when I heard a ding sound and a spear appeared in front of me.
[Quest Clear!]
[You resolved the scheme lurking in the forest!]
Hmm. Finally, am I getting my reward?
I wonder what they’ll give me this time.
Since I’ve been through a lot, they’ll probably give me something decent, right?
The Shoddy God wouldn’t give stingy rewards.
With expectation, I waited for the blue spear to rise, but what followed wasn’t a message of rewards.
[An additional quest is provided.]
[Eliminate the remaining traces of corruption in the forest!]
[Accepting this will grant you extra rewards!]
[Will you accept?!]
Are they asking if I want to double it?
Puhuh! Alright. I get it.
I’ll gladly do it.
But make sure to prepare proper rewards.
If you offer me something strange, I’ll smother your idol in that sloppy fox’s saliva.
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