Chapter: 553
After the decision was made, things escalated quickly. I want to say that, but it wasn’t all that straightforward. After all, we’re pretty significant people.
“Saintess, you are our symbol and beacon! We can’t send you to the most dangerous place!”
“Even now, with the church atmosphere being grim, people cling to Jushin Church because of the Saintess. We cannot send her away!”
“Saintess, please reconsider. Without you, we…”
For now, the church’s opposition was fierce.
As the Pope schemed internal purges, many perished, and fresh faces emerged in the current state of the church.
Despite this chaos, the believers steadfastly held onto their faith because Phoebe, the church’s symbol, stood firm like the sun.
The priests, knowing this, worried about what might happen if Phoebe was put in danger, and more than anything, they hoped she would not be.
Some truly thought of her as the Saintess. Others knew she was a created Saintess.
“Everyone, quiet down.”
Given the scale of this situation, Johan, now occupying the vacant position of cardinal, raised his hand to silence the priests and quietly gazed at Phoebe.
“Saintess.”
“Yes, Cardinal Johan.”
“As you know, your light is needed by the church. It has become essential.”
“I understand. It’s an undeserved joy.”
“If you were lost, many would grieve.”
“Even so, new hope would surely bloom. I wish to go to those who can no longer face hope.”
“Because that is the Will of God?”
“It is my will. God may love even the puppets that follow His words alone, but I do not wish to be that.”
This response, which might seem somewhat blasphemous to God and the believers, seemed to satisfy Johan, who then persuaded other priests from the front. Regardless, that person is a good clergy member.
“Currently, she is saying this, but she actually strongly opposed this at first. There is no need to risk life for the remnants of the past.”
As Phoebe was about to leave the priests’ area, she chuckled watching Johan’s back.
“But in the end, he acknowledged it.”
“Did that old man get moved by the sloppy Saintess’s silly sermon?”
“It’s somewhat ambiguous to call it a sermon. Anyway, he acknowledged that even the remnants of the past deserve a chance at salvation.”
Just as Johan worried for Phoebe, the warmth filled Phoebe’s gaze as she looked after him.
The two, who could never be together in the game, had come to regard each other as family.
“To receive the fairy’s hospitality, there’s no helping it.”
The next one I sought was Duke Partlan, who listened to my words with his usual grim face.
“I previously heard from Lord Erginius. I confirmed our daughter’s will. Thus, I was planning to follow the original plan. However, this time, it is different.”
He gave a level of pressure that rang alarm bells of crisis, different from the usual intimidation that began from misconceptions.
“You all are excellent, but you’re still students. Too young. You’re far too clumsy to be called seasoned warriors. And you intend to approach the remnants of the mythological era? With my daughter, who might be the future of magic?”
Duke Partlan, despite being an incompetent, mistake-prone man, was also someone outstanding enough to become the leader of five dukes.
A great wizard who supports the nation, a lord ruling a massive territory, and a knight who could even smile boldly in front of the giant Benedict.
Honestly, his intimidation was an unbearable kind. Especially with that face.
It’s only normal to feel pressured when a mafia boss that runs the country genuinely shows intent to kill.
Still, whatever. I can hold my ground.
“Why?♡ Are you worried that if your daughter dies, you’ll cry for three days and nights?♡ That you’ll lose the will to live and become an invalid?♡ I’d love to see that face♡ I’m curious if the sloppy Duke’s evil face remains normal after becoming an invalid♡”
I had faced countless strong opponents until now. Even the Evil God from the mythological era stood before me.
And I insulted them. Provoked them to anger. I hid my trembling hands with a smile to incite their hostility.
But do I look like I’m scared of this daughter-fool uncle?
Ha. What a joke.
On the contrary, if this uncle had started smiling, I genuinely would have run away.
“Do you perhaps harbor some misguided feelings for my daughter?♡ The fool would be shocked if he heard that♡ Since he’s a huge fan of romance novels, his eyes would widen!♡”
“…Stop making arguments based on touching emotions. You’re really going to get killed.”
Wow. He saw right through it. Even if he’s clumsy, he’s a smart guy.
But frankly, I don’t care about being found out.
If simply recognizing a provocation could prevent it, then those filthy, powerful Evil Gods wouldn’t be messing with me.
“Are you angry?♡ Can’t you hold back from screaming at your daughter’s friend?♡ Finally exposing the hidden rapist nature?♡”
“Sorry, but I’ve never looked at anyone outside my wife. Especially not a kid like you.”
“Hmm♡ Really?♡”
“Got it. Understood. I’ll end this little test here, just try to temper yourself. It’s surprisingly hard to keep emotions in check.”
Grumbling, the Duke waved his hand, pressed his forehead, sighed, and swept his hair back.
“Do you have the confidence to protect my daughter?”
“I think I could protect her better than a useless father who prioritizes his family.”
Without having to say it, she is likely worth more than my own life.
I still think it’s better for me to die than for my friends to die.
I just decided to ensure everyone ends up happily ever after.
“That’ll do. I’ve heard a bit about the miracle you’ve spread from Duke Burrow, so I believe it. Please, perform a miracle once again this time.”
After his request to take good care of his daughter, I moved toward the Kent family, where I found Count Kent, looking somewhat tired, and Frey, who had already finished her preparations.
“I’ve heard the story.”
“But you’re not saying anything?”
“I’m just doing what I should, and she’ll do what she needs to do. Frey is a competent swordswoman. There shouldn’t be any danger here.”
“Yeah, right. I’m going to cut everything down.”
Next, I went to Arthur, who listened to my story, spoke briefly with the squad leader, and then left.
He had been the most thoughtless among those I had persuaded.
“Of course. Unlike you all, my existence is inconsequential. Rather, they’d probably be glad to see an unnecessary person like me gone.”
Arthur didn’t even know why he had come here alone. I nodded in agreement. There’s no point in him gaining merit here; all it brings is trouble.
“Hey, why are you nodding?”
“Just as you said, you’re unnecessary. Useless Prince.”
“At times like this, you’re supposed to comfort me!”
“I don’t want to. If I do, and you get your hopes up and shrug, that would be embarrassing.”
“Can’t you speak prettier?!”
“I can’t! If you’re that mad, try to shut me up!”
“What do you even mean by that?! Aaaaah! Seriously!”
And finally, when I arrived at Benedict, who was moving with other knights, he wiped the sweat from his hand with cloth and patted my head, smiling.
“Go and have a good trip.”
“…So you’re saying it wouldn’t matter if I wasn’t there? Silly Papa?”
“There’s no way! I’m worried about you. It makes me think I could just wreck everything if I wanted to. I find it annoying that Lord Jushin is pushing you into danger too. But still, you’re going to move forward with your choice, right? Then I should cheer you on. As a father.”
Hearing Benedict’s slightly hesitant voice, I briefly closed my mouth, then rushed forward and collided with him.
His body, closer to a giant than a human, was as solid as a mountain, but it definitely shook from the sudden ambush.
“Boo. I’m not going in there yet! I’m just going for a test. Test. You’re the foolish Papa who can’t even distinguish the two. Apologize to the knights. Apologize for letting me become a dumb troll.”
“W-what? What did this Papa just say? I thought I said something good. No, Lucy, Lucyyy!”
Having secured everyone’s permission, I prepared to head toward the fairy forest barrier.
Comparing the map drawn by Erginius with the one made by the kingdom, I recorded all of it.
Thinking about preparations for those who are presumed to be inside.
Storing various incidents that occurred near the fairy forest in my mind to prepare for unexpected variables.
Countermeasures against the worst-case scenario.
And when I felt that all preparations were complete, I gathered my friends.
“Hey, did you pick up on the scheming heart of the sympathy loser skeleton?”
“I learned the wisdom of the Great Wizard. I have no intention of learning his nonsense.”
“You’re admitting that the one who taught you magic is a sympathy loser? What a jerk! Ungrateful!”
“…Huh? No, this is not like that.”
“Isn’t someone ungrateful just a beast?”
“It’s okay. Joy. Lord Jushin will show mercy even to beasts.”
“Lord Jushin is amazing.”
“Why does everyone treat me like a beast?! I’m a perfectly normal person! I know about gratitude! Right, Professor Karl?!”
“…Bodyguards shouldn’t interfere in such matters.”
“Not you too!”
Ignoring Joy, who was yelling, I checked my friends’ equipment and conditions. Good. Everyone’s ready.
No sloppy parts. If this were on a monitor, I could crush the final boss with ease.
Honestly, if it were on a monitor, I could easily take them out with my bare hands, so whatever.
“Shoddy ones. Quit slacking and start moving. If you leave me homeless, I’ll make you my bedding.”
Let’s go. To where the fairy forest is located.
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