Chapter: 535
Benedict returned with a portrait of Lucy, drawn by the Apostle of the Arts Church, wearing a brighter smile than ever.
Heh heh heh. There’s no way these sloppy guys could capture my beauty properly, so Lucy wouldn’t even let them draw a single portrait!
So I wanted to keep that child’s painting in the mansion, but it was absolutely impossible.
But this time, the Apostle of the Arts Church has drawn such a cute portrayal of Lucy in my hands!
Where should I display it? Where can I place it to convey Lucy’s beauty to everyone in the mansion?
First of all, the painting of Lucy standing under the moonlight at night absolutely has to go in my room, and the others…
“I can see why your employer hates you. You kind of make me feel queasy.”
“Why are you suddenly attacking me?!”
“But right now, your smile is just too creepy.”
Karia, who had experienced Benedict rampaging like a madman on the battlefield, felt even more repelled by his injuries.
“What on earth did Mira see in this creep?”
“Believe it or not, he wasn’t that unpopular.”
“With the reputation you’ve set, it’s an issue if you’re not popular.”
Benedict, sulking by drooping his shoulders, saw that Karia’s expression hadn’t changed at all and returned to his original demeanor.
“Actually, it’s not just the fact that I received Lucy’s portrait that makes me happy. Sure, that’s a joy, but what’s even more joyful is Lucy’s surroundings.”
When Benedict went to meet Lucy today, he encountered two artists who genuinely cherish his daughter.
He saw Lucy’s friend, who seemed to have gotten quite close while spending time together at school, calling her by her name.
He witnessed people openly taking up space in the middle of the street, filled not with curses but with exclamations of admiration.
He faced those who would suppress complaints before he even had to step in when someone occasionally whined.
“I’ve always worried about our daughter. Right now, my presence is holding Lucy back, but what will happen when I’m gone?”
No matter how monstrous Benedict may be, he cannot defy the human lifespan.
Just like the heroes of the mythological age, he would one day be buried in the earth.
Then, what will happen to Lucy? Who will support her when she loses her anchor?
The reason Benedict decided to change his mind and send her to the Academy, despite wanting to keep her in his arms forever, was this very concern.
He hoped she would be able to live well on her own, so he let her go.
Looking back now, it was a terribly irresponsible thing to do. What difference does it make to throw a child who has been perpetually hurt by relationships back to people again?
Fortunately, Lucy turned out to be a much better person than the dumb Benedict, and she successfully forged connections with many people without harming herself.
“Now my job is to remove any obstacles in front of our Lucy, even at the cost of my life. Since my daughter, loved by the Lord, will face many trials, a true father should bear at least a part of the burden resting on her little shoulders.”
“You’ll have to fight for your life soon enough.”
“I know. Given Lucy’s interest in the Fairy Forest, she must have received a revelation.”
Benedict felt no fear in facing the Evil God from the mythological era. It was easier to confront the Evil God than to be cursed by Mira after losing his life in the future.
“We need to prepare for a march.”
“Don’t make too much noise. If your knights make any signs of movement, chaos will erupt everywhere.”
“That’s not a bad thing, I suppose.”
“What?”
“Drawing the attention of everyone would mean announcing that the Allen Knights are becoming sharper.”
At Benedict’s declaration that no one would dare touch Allen, Karia let out a snicker.
“Sounds great, but if you do that, won’t there be even more marriage proposals than now?”
“I don’t care. I’ll reject anyone, no matter who they are.”
“What if someone makes your daughter fall in love at first sight?”
“…That’s.”
“Seriously, how would you hold up if you hear her say she hates Papá?”
Imagining that scene, Benedict felt his legs weaken and collapsed to the ground while clutching Lucy’s painting, weeping loudly.
“No! Lucy! I can’t send you to that kind of guy! There’s no way someone who can’t even bring me down could protect you!”
“What kind of insane nonsense is this? Are you planning for your daughter to live alone for life?”
“But! But!”
“I regret ever thinking you were cool for even a moment. Seriously.”
*
The conversation with Erginius yielded many harvests, but the most valuable aspect was being able to specify what preparations to make.
The Fairy Forest is an unknown territory to me.
So I had to experience firsthand what to prepare and how to respond. However, thanks to talking with Erginius, I could identify things to some extent.
First and foremost, what I need is a group of wizards who can help set up the various magic that Erginius has designed over centuries throughout the Fairy Forest.
Initially, Erginius thought a few wizards would be sufficient, but after talking to those there, he realized that this was a rather unrealistic idea.
‘This material is considered quite precious on the surface right now. Before we talk about money, the quantity is so scarce that gathering this amount is…’
‘This is also a problem. The Blue Aura Rose went extinct a hundred years ago. The dye made from it is considered a precious item, selling for more than the same weight of platinum.’
‘To recruit wizards skilled enough to understand this magic sounds like a challenge in itself.’
The issue was the generational gap. There had been too many changes between the age of the ancient skeleton Erginius lived in and the current era, causing his designs to become flawed.
[That guy has often caused trouble by ignoring his surroundings. We have suffered so much because of it.]
Benedict chuckled at Erginius, who appeared flustered and asked how to revise his plan.
Hmm. Hearing that explanation makes me think of someone next to Erginius right now?
Is it just wizards who are like that?
Anyway, after finishing discussions with my friends, Erginius proved he was a genius by quickly presenting multiple revised plans.
Though the modification proposals all required the help of a large-scale wizard group, which presented a new issue.
The fortunate part is that the daughter of the leader of that massive wizard group is right next to me.
I know roughly what the sloppy Duke likes and wants, so I can strike a good deal with that.
Next, I had to prepare power as a contingency.
With someone operating under the name of God and engaging in disgraceful deeds, it’s necessary to have enough strength to combat Agra, our lousy sob, in case tainted fairies pour out.
…In the worst-case scenario, I would need someone to prevent disasters if I fail.
Finding someone capable of facing the Evil God would be a tough problem, but luckily I had the Allen Family backing me.
Knights of the Allen Family are those who would readily lay down their lives for what they deem right.
If someone asked if they would participate in the wars of the mythic era, they would undoubtedly respond with narrowed eyes, declaring their willingness to do so.
Others like the Arts Church or Karl and Lasha could be persuaded to join in this fight, so I don’t have much need for grave concern on that end.
While there are many irritating things, they can all be resolved one way or another.
All the connections I’ve built up until now make that possible.
But one thing. There’s an issue I cannot solve by myself.
It’s rather conspicuous to restore the Fairy Forest back to its original state!
Just think about the sheer force involved!
Even after being tucked away in this mansion for decades, the continent still regards Benedict as the mightiest. If he were to lead his knights on an expedition!
Surrounding countries would surely panic and send envoys!
The same applies to the wizards of the Partlan family!
I may laugh it off as sloppy dukes and whatnot, but given his public perception, he’s practically closer to a demon lord.
That kind of guy mobilizing his magical forces to prepare for something? Just hearing that would terrify some people!
Moreover, the very process of purifying the Fairy Forest itself poses a problem.
I barely avoided getting caught by that crazy Inquisitor after performing a miracle not that long ago, but if I go ahead and purify the Fairy Forest, I can’t just entirely credit Phoebe!
It’s bound to grab the Pope’s attention!
What’s more concerning is how this event will be perceived by that madness-inducing nationalist!
If they see this act as treachery, civil war could erupt!
With the Second Queen on our side, we could perhaps dodge the worst, but the potential for trouble is just too high.
[It seems I've got a demand from the First Queen to settle things.]
‘Shall I call it fortunate that I can finally find a reason for it?’
So I need to ask for understanding from the First Queen when I meet her this time.
Since the sick king is holed up in the back room, the First Queen practically wields the power of a sovereign.
Convincing that nationalist should be enough to resolve the situation. If I can persuade that nationalist, that is.
‘…Grandpa, can’t we use a double? I’m feeling so unsure.’
[What nonsense is that now?]
‘No, if I ask Karia to act, won’t she do a better job than I would? I’m sure she’d handle it way better!’
[So I said what I just said. We've got a meeting with the First Queen in an hour, and you’re talking about getting a double now? Do you think it will work?]
Probably not, huh? Looks like I’ll have to convince that psycho myself.
I have to somehow convince that person, jumping through all the distortions of the Mesugaki Skill!
No matter how I imagine it, all I can think of are worst-case scenarios!
Getting stabbed by the First Queen sounds more realistic!
Can someone negotiate in my place? I feel like I’m going to burst a gut!
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