Chapter: 479
…What on earth did I just hear? Am I hearing things?
Right. It must be that. There’s no way someone labeled as a Sword Saint would say something like “Please, give me your father!” That’s just utter nonsense.
“Just to clear up any misunderstandings, this is not a joke. I am genuinely here to meet Sir Benedict Allen. His… Uh… Heh. Heh.”
I don’t know what kind of imagination they’ve got, but the corners of the Sword Saint’s mouth were stretched out loosely, resembling a Sloppy Fox.
“…Gross.”
Feeling a familiar sense of disgust from the Sword Saint’s actions, I instinctively took a step back. Then I heard the sound of people collapsing around me, one by one.
…Should I just run away now? At least take the Sword Saint with me. No, this guy is one of the roots of the problem too.
No answers here. Since that guy, Lord Jushin, has no answers, could it be that everyone in this world is in the same boat?
While denying reality with thoughts of wanting to turn back, the Perverted Apostle appeared behind the Sword Saint.
The Perverted Apostle dashed toward me but stopped in his tracks upon locking eyes with me and covered his nose with his hand.
Given the blood seeping through his fingers, I guess blood was gushing from his nose.
He looked fine enough on the outside, giving off a sickly vibe, but in reality, he’s a perverted lolicon panting after a girl.
Truly terrible. He needs to be slapped in handcuffs and thrown into jail ASAP.
“…My apologies, Young Lady Allen. I was surprised to see you looking even more beautiful than before. Your every movement is so adorable, I nearly lost my mind.”
“Shouldn’t you have just lost your mind and collapsed instead? It’d have been more beneficial to the world if you had smacked your head on the ground and died.”
“Haha, I can’t do that. I still have the duty to spread the beauty of the Young Lady to the world.”
“I really wish you’d just die already.”
Despite my verbal abuse, the Perverted Apostle maintained his idiotic grin.
This really puts me in a bad mood. What exactly should I do to pay this guy back for all I’ve had to endure? He laughs off blasphemies against the Goddess, so I’m truly at a loss.
“So, what brings you here? If you’re here due to our last talk, I’m still not prepared.”
“Don’t worry. I have no interest in a filthy pervert like you.”
“Then…”
“I’m here to find this Orc girl.”
Upon hearing the term ‘Orc girl,’ the Sword Saint flinched slightly.
“Um, Lady Allen, I don’t think I’m someone who can be called an Orc girl.”
The Sword Saint snapped back, her appearance being on the good-looking side, especially for an NPC that’s one of the strongest characters in the game with a personal story. There’s no way her looks would be horrific.
“I’m talking about something inside, not outside. You are a monster who shouldn’t be in human society.”
“…Um.”
“The fact that you got defensive right after I opened my mouth means you feel guilty about something? Pu-hah-hah. If you’re going to use your head for decoration, at least wear something pretty. Why pick up trash from the dumpster for your brain and your looks?”
With each word I spat out, the color of the Sword Saint’s face became a deeper shade of red. It was clear my provocation was hitting home.
Truthfully, I shouldn’t be doing this. I need to ask the Sword Saint for cooperation, so I shouldn’t be making her angry.
But somehow, I can’t help but want to jab at her with my words every time I speak.
“I’m glad you followed me. It almost turned into a disaster.”
While I was pondering where to jab her as the Sword Saint stood out, a voice came from behind.
The suddenly appeared Karia hurriedly slipped between me and the Sword Saint, spreading her hands wide.
“Long time no see! Not that you’d remember, since the last time we saw each other was like over ten years ago, right?”
“No, I remember. Lady Karia, you’re not someone I can easily forget.”
“Wow, I didn’t expect the Sword Saint to remember a small fry from the Underworld. What an honor.”
The Sword Saint seemed noticeably uncomfortable with Karia.
I couldn’t understand why.
Karia had lost most of her power. So, there shouldn’t be any reason for a power level like the Sword Saint to fear her, yet the moment the Sword Saint saw Karia’s smile, she took a step back.
“I’ve heard you hid for a long time and just returned not too long ago, but I didn’t expect to see you here.”
“Don’t worry. I have no business with you, Sword Saint. I just thought something might explode if I left my Employer and you alone, so I hurried over.”
Although Karia’s words were largely out of context, the Sword Saint pressed her lips together, looking puzzled.
“How did you read my thoughts? I had hidden my expressions and actions.”
“Haha, I can’t let you in on that. I don’t have the connections or power I used to have, so I can’t reveal my trade secrets, can I?”
“…”
“If I’m bothering you, just listen to what my Employer has to say. That way, we can part ways quickly.”
“Understood. I was hoping to talk with Lady Allen too, so I shall gladly oblige.”
As soon as the Sword Saint nodded, Karia subtly turned her head toward the Perverted Apostle. The Perverted Apostle, who had been blankly staring at me, belatedly recognized Karia’s gesture and spoke up eagerly.
“Would you like me to guide you to the reception room?”
*
Yuden, the Sword Saint, sat across from a girl who had her legs crossed.
The girl resting her chin on her hand and glaring at Yuden was someone anyone would marvel at as being stunningly beautiful.
It’s no wonder Yuden thought that even the Apostle of the Arts Church couldn’t capture that beauty perfectly the first time she saw the girl.
However, once she wiped away that astonishment and looked at the girl again, other things became apparent.
A badge that could only be earned by those who devoted their entire lives to something.
It’s hard to believe this girl, who is stunningly beautiful, was born under a monster, yet possesses a talent that proves she is the monster’s daughter.
Just as Lasha had previously evaluated. I understand why the crazy woman was drooling in anticipation of her growth.
If I weren’t burdened with several things, I would have probably asked if she wanted to learn swordsmanship.
“Hey, Orc girl,”
…Yeah. If it weren’t for that damned way of speaking.
Yuden wrinkled her brow at the annoying tone digging at her nerves, but she suppressed her annoyance upon meeting Karia’s gaze.
“What is it?”
“Before we get to the main point, I have a question. How does an empty-headed Orc like you know about our foolish Papa?”
“How could I not know of a talented warrior like Sir Benedict Allen?”
“Really? Are you just wearing that for show? Do you not understand what I meant?”
With Lucy’s scornful tone causing Yuden to seal her lips, Karia flashed a playful smile.
“Oh, I can explain that.”
“Auntie?”
“Of course. This is my area of expertise.”
“Lady Karia, please stop. I’ll explain it myself.”
It’s been over ten years since I stopped working, yet that damned gloomy personality hasn’t changed at all.
This is exactly why I find that person uncomfortable. They always keep their true self hidden while sniffing around in other people’s business.
With a long sigh, Yuden tilted her head back and stared at the ceiling.
“Lady Allen, just to cut to the chase, my relationship with Sir Benedict Allen is close to a one-sided admiration.”
Yuden wasn’t originally a Sword Saint.
Strictly speaking, she was a long way from being the Sword Saint. How could a person without a proper master forge their way in swordsmanship?
Though Yuden was indeed born with extraordinary talent, there was no way she could surpass the accumulated history of swordsmanship alone, and she herself never expected to move beyond that.
In the end, she would have remained an ordinary strong person.
The first turning point for Yuden came when she randomly encountered a particular monster.
When she was hired as a mercenary and found herself on the battlefield, she witnessed a monster resembling a human rampaging in the distance.
The monster wielded a greatsword the size of a considerable adult male, and its movement was rough and crude.
Honestly, it was like the complete opposite of the type of swordsmanship Yuden pursued.
Nonetheless, Yuden was overwhelmed by the monster’s sword.
If I were standing there, would I be able to withstand it? Could I catch that sword? Could I surpass it?
The talent Yuden possessed instantly answered her questions.
It said impossibility.
As a mere mercenary, she could never surpass that sword.
After experiencing what overwhelming force felt like, she immediately used the money she’d earned to wander various swordsmanship schools.
Until she could imagine standing before that monster.
She learned to wield a sword.
Worked to earn money.
Then learned swordsmanship again.
Took on work as an adventurer.
And continued on. Continued. Continued.
Eventually, when she could stand before the monster and even thought she could defeat it, Yuden had already become known as the Sword Saint.
“So now I just have to go visit Papa, right? Even if you’re a foolish girl with questionable brains, a Sword Saint is still a Sword Saint, so surely foolish Papa would meet with you?”
As Lucy, who had been quietly listening, raised her eyebrows in skepticism, Yuden pouted her lips. It was as if she simply couldn’t say the words.
“Just checking, but you’re not trying to make excuses because it’s too embarrassing to visit foolish Papa first, are you? Pu-hah-hah. I sound ridiculous even saying it. An empty-headed Orc girl thinking like that.”
“What’s wrong with being a bit shy!? He’s an object of admiration! Sir Benedict!”
Yuden’s face turned beet-red when she shouted, and Lucy, who had been blinking her eyes in surprise, burst into laughter.
Lucy’s genuine laughter, swaying her legs while chortling, made Yuden glare at her, but Lucy showed no signs of stopping her laughter.
After a while, Lucy wiped away a tear from her eye, still smiling, and said in a voice brimming with mirth, “Just to let you know, it’s better if you don’t have any vain delusions. Foolish Papa’s preferences are light-years away from someone like you.”
“I appreciate you pointing that out, which I already know..”
“Well. I won’t tell you to give up. Because I’d love to see you getting betrayed after holding on to hope.”
“…I’ll make sure to keep that advice in mind.”
“No need to bother. You’d forget it all by tomorrow anyway, so why bother?”
“My intelligence isn’t that low.”
“Really?”
“Yes. It is.”
“Then I’ll give you a real piece of advice. Orc girl. Look for a dim-witted fool who can embrace your pathetic, stupid self that doesn’t have a shred of femininity. Um… For example, someone like a Perverted Professor.”
“Who’s this Perverted Professor?”
At Lucy’s sudden mention of the title, Yuden showed her confusion, prompting Karia to respond in place of Lucy.
“He’s a professor named Luca. I think the Sword Saint knows him well?”
“Are you talking about the Luca I know?”
“Yep. That’s right.”
Karia nodded, and Yuden let out a hollow laugh.
“Ha. He must be having a rough time too. He has to teach such grotesque nobles. I’m sure I could never handle that.”
The way she spoke about Luca was filled with affection.
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