Chapter: 453
“Ah. Hello.”
“Greetings, Lady Allen of the Allen family.”
As I stepped out of the mansion and headed down, the two owners of the forest were waiting, taking human forms.
A bear with a size comparable to Benedict or Lasha, and a tree that resembled an old gentleman.
Despite their strong exterior vibes, they maintained a courteous demeanor.
“Your skills may be sloppy, but at least you know manners? I was worried you might be shoddy in personality too.”
I responded as usual, but there was no noticeable change in their expressions.
It must be because my kindness to them was so great. Thinking how well this turned out, I grinned, and the bear’s eyes sparkled.
“Wow. You’re really small and cute.”
There was clear admiration in her voice.
Perhaps due to her massive size, it seemed I, being doll-like, was a source of envy for the bear who loved cute and small things.
As I watched the bear wiggling her fingers, I had a slight feeling of unease, but the tree next to me struck the bear’s thigh with its staff.
“Kun, what nonsense are you saying to our benefactor? Please, mind your manners.”
“Uhh. Sorry, Mirval.”
“The one you should apologize to isn’t me.”
“Sorry, benefactor.”
“Enough. Don’t worry about it. What can I do about how ridiculously cute I am compared to a clumsy bear like you?”
Thanks to being trained by sloppy foxes and perverted apostles, the shy bear’s demeanor was just adorable.
At least she would blush if teased.
Unlike the sloppy fox or the perverted apostle, they would just start panting heavily.
“You really are merciful. Lady Allen.”
Seeing my demeanor, the tree bowed again in respect.
So this magnificent old gentleman has lived his life as a virgin until now?
Never having held a woman’s hand, always alone?
Imagining the image of an old man living lonely in a study naturally brought a smile to my face.
“…Why are you smiling?”
“Huh? Oh, nothing. Just thinking about the ugly sight of the lonely tree.”
“Lonely…”
The old man’s expression stiffened instantly. It seemed he was sensitive about this in various ways.
As I enjoyed his reaction, Myrrh, who was beside us, quickly stepped between the bear and me.
“Okay. Since the young lady is busy, let’s get to the point.”
“The point? What do you want, pup?”
“Yes, Lady Allen. You are our benefactor, after all. Naturally, we should repay you.”
“Repay? You sloppy folks?”
“Originally, we planned to grant you a blessing that can only be received after overcoming an exam.”
…Seriously?!
I hadn’t expected this, and my eyes widened as I turned to the bear and the tree. They nodded their heads.
“I don’t think this is enough as a repayment. However, it’s all I can give you right now.”
“…Same on my side.”
Looking at the visibly stiff tree, I felt it might burst if I poked it further.
To be honest, I kind of wanted to see the tree blow up while the others tried to calm it down.
But I’ll hold back. Let’s just finish this quickly. Wasting the kindness I’ve built up like this would be a shame.
“If you’re going to give it, just hand it over quickly. I don’t want to waste time with you guys.”
“Then just a moment.”
The bear, stepping forward, knelt down to meet my gaze.
Wow. Why is her gaze higher than mine even though she’s kneeling?
It’s really unfair. If Lord Jushin wasn’t a pedo, this wouldn’t have happened!
“Wha… what did I do wrong?”
Seeing my eyebrows furrow, the bear seemed flustered and pouted her lips.
From the looks of her, it seemed she could crush my waist with one hand, but in reality, she struggled even to extend a hand, making her look like Joy.
Just like Joy, who looks like a bloodless and tearless villain but is actually a gentle person.
Just a moment ago, she had been stammering and then ran off.
I wish she hadn’t.
I was really expecting her face to burst if I poked her a bit more.
“Uh…”
Hearing the bear’s voice snapped me back, and glancing at her increasingly woeful face, I smiled and grabbed her paw.
“…Uh?! Uh. Uhh.”
“What are you doing? Are you not going to give it?”
“I-I’ll give it! Uhh. Just a moment.”
The bear gazed at my hand anxiously like a chick, mumbling about needing to control her strength.
Considering my body’s durability, I believed she wouldn’t seriously injure me if she tried her best.
She only looks delicate, but she’s packed with the strength that can smash everything inside.
“The blessing I’m giving is the bear’s immense strength.”
The blessing of the bear’s immense strength is very simple yet powerful.
It momentarily boosts one’s strength to its limit.
However, after delivering a blow, a significant attack power debuff kicks in for a while, but from my perspective, this skill is unendingly useful. After all, I’m someone who bets everything on a single strike.
“Although this blessing doesn’t suit a delicate and cute person like you, I hope you handle it well.”
“Hey, you clumsy one.”
“Yes?”
“You’re cute too! With that beastly look, you make such a hilarious whining sound. It’s sooooo ridiculous that I can’t help but laugh.”
Telling her not to talk nonsense and keep sulking, I brushed past the bear and approached the tree.
Clearly, the shock of just being called the “lonely tree” still lingered on the tree’s face and it didn’t look happy.
However, he was an adult who knew how to separate his emotions from personal matters.
“The blessing I am giving is the tree’s voice. If you listen to the tree, you’ll naturally hear what they say.”
No, hey. You don’t give something like this.
This is utterly useless!
What’s the point of hearing trees’ voices!
The trees’ intelligence is practically nonexistent, so I can’t glean any useful information!
You had this bottled up inside! You were sulking just because I called you a lonely tree a moment ago!
Oh, you’re going to respond that way? Then I’ll return the favor!
I’ll let you feel what it’s like to have your virginity taken once you become a great wizard!
“I’m sorry I can only provide something so trivial. Unlike Kun, the forest hasn’t fully regained its former state yet.”
…Oh.
Hmm.
Then there’s no helping it.
I eagerly swallowed my mounting words, shrugged, and offered a smile, then turned my head.
I wished I could casually say thank you or mention this would be enough, but I knew the moment I said those words, they would be translated into horrible terms, so I kept quiet.
“Well then, I’ll be on my way. I have many things to do back in my forest.”
The tree seemed not to expect a response as it politely bowed again and turned to leave.
Then, Mirrh followed suit, expressing he’d be heading out as well, having much postponed due to the matters here.
“If you need any help, please contact me through Lina. I’ll come running.”
Seeing the bear showing signs of wanting to leave, I subtly turned my head, but she remained kneeling, tilting her head.
Is she not even thinking about tending to her forest?
Even though I helped restore the forest, wouldn’t she still need to?
As I continued to tilt my head, the previously calm sloppy fox quietly approached my side and blocked my view.
What’s going on with her suddenly? If she’s going to stick to me, I’d at least understand, but why is she doing this?
“Lucy!”
Turning at the call of my name was Frey, looking like a mess after our earlier tussle.
Arthur looked no better beside her. They were both filthy as if they’d gotten into a real fight and not just a simple duel.
“Lucy!”
“Get lost! Stupid swordsman!”
As I pushed Frey away from rushing me in that state, Arthur shrugged from the side.
“Looking at your condition, you seem fine.”
“You look even more pathetic than usual, Your Highness. With a face like that, you could be begging under a bridge? No? Should I give you money now?”
“Why are you causing a fuss even when I’m just worried?”
Seeing Arthur getting annoyed, I chuckled and turned my attention to Karl, who was following behind.
As soon as Karl met my gaze, he smiled wide before quickly bowing deeply.
“I’m glad to see you’re healthy.”
“Shoddy dog. What about you? Are you okay?”
“Of course. Compared to the hardship you endured, my suffering is nothing.”
“Right. So that’s the case.”
Eagerly wanting to use the rewards I just received, I grabbed Karl and set him up in front of me.
“Shoddy dog. I’ll really go all out with my strike, so be ready to take it.”
“For your attack, I’ll gladly take anything.”
Seeing Karl smile, I smiled back and firmly gripped my mace with one hand.
What I’m about to do is the same as usual. Striking down with the mace infused with divine energy with all my might.
However, what differs this time is the addition of the bear’s immense strength.
The moment I focused on the blessing and decided to use it, I felt power surging through my body.
Like a furious barbarian, I felt I could smash everything in front of me.
As I deepened my smile, different from the ecstatic sensation of the Mesugaki Skill, Karl in front of me appeared bewildered and stammered.
“Uh. Young lady?! Th-that attack…”
“What are you doing? You’ve got to take it, shoddy dog.”
“Ugh. I’ll give it my all!”
Colorful aura gathered on top of Karl’s sword.
The tip of my mace shone like the sun.
Both of us.
Both of us rushed in to prove our own lights were superior.
BOOM!
The sound of the clash echoed out, leaving nothing behind.
As the collision erased all trace of our lights.
Finally reaching a level where I could face off against Karl, I was lifting my lips in satisfaction, when I noticed his face turn pale.
What’s with that face? Is something wrong with my body?
Whoa.
My arms feel all limp.
Even a joint doll wouldn’t look this bad.
“KYAAAH?!”
The delayed pain surged from my broken arm.
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