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Chapter 525

Chapter: 525

I stopped in my tracks, surprised by the news that I was being followed. After a moment of thought, I couldn’t shake off the feeling that something was off.

‘I know that the followers are skilled individuals, but can they really deceive Benedict?’

Is there even a follower capable of tricking that monster’s senses? If such people were truly following me, I should just allow them to follow peacefully.

[That’s unlikely. Your father must have noticed long ago.]
‘Then is he just letting them be?’
[It's one of two things: either he believes their presence poses no threat to you, or he finds them too bothersome to deal with. Personally, I think it’s the latter.]
‘Why’s that?’
[If not, there’s no way your father would allow those following you to be.]

That makes sense.

Benedict’s love for his daughter is definitely on the excessive side.

He wouldn’t leave something that posed a threat to me unchecked.

If he could, he would have torn apart the stalkers right then and there.

Benedict must find those who could potentially provoke him to be annoying.

I wonder who it could be. Since that monster wouldn’t really think of anyone as a bother on a physical level, it must be something political.

[So I suggest you make a case for your father, don’t you think?]
‘Are you thinking what I’m thinking right now?’
[Exactly. It's what you do best.]

Hearing my grandfather’s playful voice, I chuckled involuntarily. Joy, who was beside me, tilted her head, looking confused by my laughter.

“What’s so funny?”
“There’s only one thing in front of me.”
“…Me?”
“Hahaha. You got it. Your pathetic face looking so miserable made me laugh without realizing it.”
“Is. Is that so?”
“Your hair looks like a dried rag, your eye wrinkles are drooping, and there’s drool just dripping from your mouth.”
“Ugh?! Wh-what?! There’s no drool!”

“Oh really? The way you’re flustered makes me think maybe you did drool a little, huh? Huff Hahaha!”

“Lucy, you shouldn’t tease your friends too much.”

Flushed in her face from embarrassment, Joy hurriedly opened her mouth after catching sight of Benedict who had just arrived.

“Lord Allen, do I really look that tired right now?”
“…Hmm. To be honest, yes. You should probably go rest.”
“Ah… I see.”

After hearing Benedict’s serious advice, Joy quickly shuffled away. I wound up exiting the building with Benedict.

[There's one on that tree, one behind the building, and the one sitting on the bench. And...]

As I followed my grandfather’s words to spot the followers, my eyes widened slightly.

Followers in this fantasy world are no joke. In a world where magic, magic power, and divine influence exist, they’re truly hard to notice.

Had I not had a sense of aesthetics, I wouldn’t have been able to tell even with my grandfather’s hints.

[So, is there anyone you’d like to pick on?]
‘There is one suitable target.’
[Good, then let’s act right away.]

Why is my grandfather so amused? Is watching me provoke others that fun for him?

I find joy looking at dumb animals confused by a girl’s words.

But can a noble and holy knight like my grandfather really enjoy this?

As I moved my feet, feeling sorry for those who treat this grandfather like a deity, I strolled casually down the street before suddenly stopping and whipping my head around.

“What’s wrong, Lucy?”
Benedict asked, puzzled, but I didn’t answer. Instead, I walked confidently to the guy sitting on the bench.

The guy in the school uniform was reading a book but noticed me and finally looked up.

“…Lady Allen?”
The shock in his eyes was so intense that I could believe he was the lead in a dramatic play.

However, there was a limit. The picky Crow Goddess’ authority managed to find something bizarre in his expression.

“What… did I do?”
“Playing innocent now?♡ I’ve seen that lustful look in your eyes, like a monkey in heat!♡”
“…What?!”

Was he flustered by my provocation, or was he scared of Benedict’s fierce glare? The guy pretending to be a student stuttered in true confusion.

“You’re still stealing glances at my legs!♡ Did you think I wouldn’t notice those eyes full of desire?♡”
“No! I never looked at you with such intentions!”
“Hehe, really? Those shifty glances I see aren’t suspicious at all?♡ If it weren’t for my dumb Papa, I might have been jumped on!♡”

As I poked at his chin with my finger, Benedict’s glare turned into something far more sinister.

Even for someone not involved, a chill ran down my spine. What about that guy facing this murderous intent? Breathing must be tough for him.

“I swear! Lord Benedict! How could someone like me harbor such ugly thoughts against the lady!”
“Hmmm♡ Is that so?♡”

The reason I chose this guy as my target for provocation had two major reasons.

One, because he was the easiest one to pick a fight with.

Two, because his gaze was genuinely following me.

What do I mean? This world is filled with pedophiles and weirdos.

As I giggled and shrugged one shoulder, the shirt draped over it fell, exposing my pale skin and deep collarbone.

The guy’s gaze was naturally drawn there, and he tried to act nonchalant about it, but he couldn’t hide his physiological reactions.

“Now what do we have here?♡ Huh?♡ Wanna answer me, pervert?♡”
“No! This is…!”
“In case you were about to say it’s normal for that size, don’t!♡ If a small guy like you tries to fill his self-esteem like that, I might die laughing!♡”

Laughing and stepping forward, I continued to speak, directly looking at the center of his attention.

“Thinking about it, yes, you’re a pervert, but certainly not a pedophile.♡ A little one like you can’t possibly be an adult, right?♡”
As I stepped forward, leaning in close enough for my face to almost touch his, the energy hidden within his body began to seep out.

Feeling that energy, I understood why Benedict noticed them yet let them go.

I realized why my grandfather wanted me to provoke someone.

The energy oozing from him was certainly divine.

“Interesting.”
Benedict easily swatted away the hand the guy extended to grab my collar, crushing it as he gave a menacing grin.

“You seem to be in a bit of trouble.”
The guy’s previously furious face turned as pale as a ghost.

“I was being peaceful because I acknowledged you as members of the church. To repay my kindness in this way…”
“Ah, Lord Allen. There’s a misunderstanding.”
“A misunderstanding? What kind of misunderstanding would you care to explain? I hope it’s a good one. Otherwise, I don’t think my fury will subside.”

The commotion that began with me quickly spread around.

It’s hard to miss seeing Benedict and me.

In this situation with us raising our voices, the gazes of others quickly turned toward us.

With Benedict’s rage, my sneer, and the curious looks of others, the guy sweating profusely didn’t know how to react, repeatedly opening and closing his mouth.

He must have known the turmoil would only grow.

“Lord Benedict Allen. Lady Lucy Allen.”

A figure spoke, cutting through the curious gazes of others. The man, radiating a faint divine aura and who had made his way over, bowed politely before continuing.

“May I request to speak privately in order to explain this matter?”
“What do you think you can make us believe?”
Upon hearing Benedict’s retort, the man retrieved an oddly shaped cross from his cloak.

…That’s the evidence of an Inquisitor.
No, wait a minute. Are those who were following me members of Jushin Church’s Inquisitor!?

Why are these lunatics, who hunt heretics, following me!?

“I swear to the great one I serve, I have no intention of harming your daughter. How could we possibly do something to a friend of the Saintess?”
“…Understood. I hope your explanation will soothe our hearts.”
“I will answer sincerely.”

The church’s Inquisitor led us to a private room in the academy.

Someone was already in the private room, seemingly having been ordered to wait. They bowed upon seeing the Inquisitor and quickly left the room.

Then, putting up a barrier to prevent anyone from eavesdropping, the man took his seat opposite Benedict and me.

“I’ll reintroduce myself. I am the Inquisitor Nian of Jushin Church.”
“Pray tell why a busy Inquisitor, who deals with the church’s enemies, has come here.”
“Not long ago, a miracle occurred at Soul Academy.”
“…A miracle?”
“What I’m referring to as a miracle isn’t some abstract concept. It’s something I can only describe as happening by the will of the Great One.”

Benedict showed a puzzled expression at the abstract statement, but I wasn’t confused at all. Being the subject of the miracle he spoke of, I couldn’t help but understand what the Inquisitor meant.

“Hmm, yes. I understand there was a miracle. But what does it have to do with my daughter? If such an event occurred, it would be preferable to seek the Saintess first.”
“Normally, yes.”

The Inquisitor nodded at Benedict’s question, adding more focus to his eyes.

“This time, it’s different.”
His eyes glimmered with madness, shifting past Benedict to land directly on me.

“Because the Saintess isn’t the subject of the miracle.”

…Oh.

Did I get caught?


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