Chapter: 544
When Joy first set foot in the meeting room of the Burrow Mansion, familiar faces were already there.
The Apostle of the Arts Church, the Sword Saint, Count Arteia, and only Erginius, who had recently taught her magic, were present.
Thanks to that, Joy could introduce them to Ducal Lord Partlan and Jeff Partlan.
Jeff, who wasn’t really close with them, bowed his head every time he faced someone, looking grateful, but Ducal Lord Partlan focused solely on Erginius.
“You look just as the historical texts described.”
“Were you hoping for a more shabby appearance?”
“No, of course not. I am just happy to see the pinnacle of magic looking so spry.”
His plain words were filled with genuine respect, but others looked at Ducal Lord Partlan with concern.
His jubilant expression was fierce, as if he would torture the great wizard directly to extract knowledge.
“There are a few questions I wish to ask.”
Ducal Lord Partlan was about to ask a curious question as a wizard, but he could not finish his sentence.
Before he could, the noble Second Queen of the kingdom made her entrance.
“Did I interrupt your conversation?”
“…No, not at all.”
Ignoring Ducal Lord Partlan’s fierce gaze, the Second Queen took her seat, and shortly after, the First Queen appeared, followed by many guests. But the true reason for all this was that Lucy Allen hadn’t shown her face yet.
Lucy! When on earth are you planning to show up? Is it okay to keep all these people waiting!?
Despite not being the main party, Joy felt a prickling sensation in her stomach as a girl’s voice rang out from outside.
Thank goodness! She’s not so late that it would be rude!
Given Benedict’s honor, it should be easy to smooth things over with a good explanation!
As she felt relieved at Benedict’s apology, Lucy finally appeared, towering over the large figure of Benedict.
Joy, who prided herself on having spent a long time with Lucy, noticed today was different. Lucy didn’t look the same as when she took care to dress up for an occasion.
Lucy looked, more than ever, more noble than any moment Joy had ever seen her.
If the Apostle of the Arts Church had fallen to their knees saying the Goddess had descended, Joy would have found herself nodding along without realizing it.
It seemed Joy wasn’t the only one with such thoughts.
The Apostle of the Arts Church had already fainted backward.
Count Arteia was staring blankly at Lucy, forgetting the gazes around him.
Ducal Lords Burrow and Partlan gasped in unison.
Even the Second Queen let out a chuckle filled with awe, and Phoebe, along with the other members of the church, seemed awestruck, blinking in amazement.
Even the First Queen, who seemed indifferent, might have some thoughts of her own.
However, the shock that soon hit them all took a different direction.
Lucy unleashed her usual verbal abuse.
Starting with a reeking remark implying she disliked being objectified.
Followed by an insult suggesting people should crawl toward her, given her status.
Then, the comeback, “Can’t you even wait for that much? What a sloppy bunch.”
That was definitely a comment typical of Lucy, but the issue was that this wasn’t an ordinary place.
To unleash such insults in a place where even Ducal Lords Burrow and Partlan had to be careful of their surroundings!
Joy, despite not being the main character, felt as if she was about to lose her mind.
She knew Lucy didn’t mean to say those things, but…
What should I do? How do I help? What can I possibly do here without even being able to speak!?
Desperately searching for a way to help Lucy out of her predicament, Joy was relieved to find that she wouldn’t need to intervene. Before she could, Erginius, seated in the high position, spoke up.
“Do not worry. No one here will say anything about your lateness.”
“Oh. Looks like you all are less sloppy than I thought? Perhaps some kind-hearted adults who can be patient? Should I give you a compliment?”
“That’s enough, just sit down. We waited for you, recognizing your value, so you should return the favor.”
“Tch, you’re so stingy. Is that why you died without ever holding a girl’s hand, Sympathy Wizard?”
“Shut up.”
When the great wizard, a hero from the mythic age, dismissed her rudeness, others naturally nodded in agreement.
Of course, there were some who seemed displeased, but with Erginius and everyone else in high places not voicing complaints, who could dare to say anything?
If it were back in the day, there would’ve been chaos. Remembering the various incidents caused by Lucy in the past, Joy felt acutely how much Lucy’s position had changed since then.
“I am Myrrh, the representative of the forest’s lords. Known to the world as the sharpest fang.”
“…Wasn’t that a legend!?”
“It seems there have been many surprises this year.”
Most attendees of the meeting widened their eyes upon hearing Myrrh’s name.
And understandably so; it was one of those names that frequently appeared in heroic tales.
The reason why no one could dare disturb the forest in a world where fairies had vanished.
The sharpest fang in the world! A great being respected by various nations, not just the kingdom.
As he and Lina took their seats in the meeting room, Ducal Lord Burrow stood up after confirming a few things.
“Now that everyone is here, I’d like to discuss the main topic—the strategy for the fairy forest. First, Lord Erginius?”
“Greetings, everyone. I am Erginius. Overly honored to be called a hero, and naturally, a great wizard as well.”
Despite the absurd situation of having a hero from the mythic age physically present, no one doubted his words here.
The Saintess of the Jushin Church, the Apostle of the Arts Church, the queens of the kingdom, and the great dukes had all proven the authenticity of Erginius’s hero status. How could anyone else raise doubts?
“This was my proposal…”
Erginius spoke of how the forest of fairies was his regret, how he felt guilt for leaving it behind, and that it was time for him to address it across the ages.
Upon hearing this, the nobles found a solid reason to feel joyful, having received a clear justification.
After all, it was the hero himself who proposed the expedition.
Other nations wouldn’t dare question it.
While attendees whispered among themselves, Erginius meticulously explained his plan.
Though notable individuals interjected questions, Erginius responded to each question as if he had anticipated them, even addressing concerns he had kept in mind.
Thanks to this, by the time the entire discussion wrapped up, almost no one doubted that the mission to save the fairy forest would fail.
Though some losses might occur, the fairy forest would undoubtedly be saved.
“Looks like there are no further questions.”
Not many were surprised by this fact.
With such heavyweights present, it was impossible for a plan to be half-baked.
Everyone had come expecting that the restoration of the fairy forest was possible.
Therefore, when Erginius finished his pitch, the attendees—particularly those whose groups had to be supported, like the mercenary leaders and the commanders of magical squads—frantically rolled their eyes in a tense silence.
Interests. Who would do what, where, and how much they would invest.
What could they gain from it.
The main reason they all gathered in one room had presented itself.
“If it’s not too much trouble, could I speak first?”
The first to raise their voice was Ducal Lord Partlan.
“Our house will fully mobilize the magical troops for this task, on the condition that Lord Erginius teaches us.”
“I was already planning to teach regardless of your request. Precision is necessary for proper preparations.”
“In that case, we have nothing more to discuss.”
Once Partlan’s house acquired their desired magic and withdrew their verbal commitment, the next to speak was the Saintess of the Jushin Church.
“Our church will be satisfied if we can cast our light upon the fairy forest.”
While it was a roundabout way of saying it, this was really about establishing the church and monopolizing the religion.
Those who understood Phoebe’s meaning turned to the Apostle of the Arts Church, but the Apostle merely shrugged without saying anything.
Thanks to that, the church’s demands were easily accepted, and representatives from the church temporarily left to discuss detailed negotiations with the kingdom.
Next, individuals who participated in their personal capacities rather than as representatives of specific organizations spoke up.
The Sword Saint, the Apostle of the Arts Church, and the lord of the forest were among them.
These individuals, standing there out of goodwill or in return for favors, first stated that they wished for nothing in particular.
“Honestly, I don’t need anything specific. The honor of fighting alongside the hero is enough for me.”
Once the Sword Saint finished speaking, attendees began to look at those seated high up in the meeting hall.
The silent First Queen, the contemplative Second Queen, Ducal Lord Burrow taking on the role of coordination, and others like Count Allen and Count Benedict.
Only once they spoke could those waiting in the wings voice their thoughts.
Perhaps sensing this desire, the First Queen blinked and then, with a bright smile, opened her mouth.
“Our kingdom’s First Knights will take the front line.”
That was an extreme statement, something unimaginable in a light-hearted tone.
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