Chapter: 575
Ruel, borrowing Lucy’s body, watched Erginius with a sunset glow on his face and the Fairy Queen, now a blooming red flower, fidgeting. After listening to Erginius explain the plan, Ruel nodded.
“Not a bad plan for a virgin brain. But, dude, are you confident? You might end up world-hopping in the sorrow of heartbreak if things go sideways, you know?”
“Don’t worry about that. I’ll just die alone.”
Seeing the determination etched in his eyes, Ruel kicked Erginius near the knees, bringing him to his knees, then placed his hand on his head.
Ruel had long exhausted his divine powers, but he could still pray for the one who chose hardship to be blessed with good fortune.
“…Thanks.”
Erginius, grateful for Ruel’s light chuckle, suddenly straightened up to bow to everyone, but Benedict, standing beside Lucy, blocked him.
“I’ll accept your thanks after everything’s done. You’re not planning to bail, are you?”
“Uh.”
Hearing that, Erginius widened his eyes, then bit his lip when he saw the others nodding in agreement, soon breaking into a smile.
“Got it. Then I’ll be off.”
“No need to come back. The only ones who like a virgin loser like you are the chicken-lady on the verge of expiry.”
“Haha. Still, I have to say thanks.”
After Erginius, the Fairy Queen, and the dark Evil God bound to their hands entered the middle of the forest, Ruel let out a long breath and stretched.
Perhaps due to borrowing Lucy’s body, several blue-colored windows appeared before him, but Ruel didn’t touch them. It was something Lucy needed to confirm.
“Um, Ruel.”
“Why? You dumb troll? Worried your beloved daughter might be in trouble? Pfft. You’re big but small on the inside.”
He meant to say not to worry since your daughter was sound asleep, but why did it turn out like this?
Even while residing inside Lucy, Ruel had felt this distortion of power was simply uncalculable.
“Could it be that you taught Lucy that way of speaking?”
“Are you worried about that? Seems like you really liked it, huh? Was it so nice to get scolded by your daughter?”
As he saw Benedict’s eyes narrowing, Ruel bit his lip.
“No! Meeting Lucy was like two years ago! How could I teach her such a weird way of speaking? It’s unfair!”
“Just kidding. You probably met Lucy around two years ago.”
“…How do you know that? Disgusting. Seriously.”
“Since her movements changed drastically from that time, and the way was completely different from our Allen Family, we had our suspicions.”
Benedict, laughing in realization that it might’ve been Holy Knight Ruel, made Ruel let out a long sigh.
If you already knew, then don’t overplay it! After all, like father, like daughter.
“By the way, even using Ruel’s body, Lucy’s way of speaking hasn’t changed.”
“Can’t help it if it’s Shoddy God’s taste. I just want him to go away quickly.”
Ruel, thrust into blasphemy against his will, hastily shut his mouth as Benedict laughed.
“You’re definitely giving off Ruel vibes. Lucy would’ve been all high and mighty about it, no doubt.”
“Hey, troll. Wanna play a secret game? I could give you something a beast like you might enjoy.”
“Ah, are you asking me to keep it a secret from Lucy? Understood. Gotta maintain the dignity of a master.”
Maybe it was due to spending so much time with Lucy, but he was quick to interpret.
Yet, how could someone who understood so well look so pitiful whenever Lucy spoke?
He must get the gist of whatever she said.
“It changes depending on who’s talking.”
Ah, so even realizing it’s his daughter, he still gets hurt? I think I somewhat understand that feeling.
“Um.”
“Oh, look at that pitiful saintess. Hello.”
“Is… is it pitiful?”
“Phoebe! It’s distorted! You know that!”
“Pitiful…”
Phoebe, wounded, bit her lip, causing the gazes of those around to turn toward Ruel. This was truly unfair for him.
To be blamed for something he didn’t even say! How was Lucy able to endure this all this time?
Sigh. To resolve this situation, he needed to comfort that girl.
He guessed what she was trying to ask and considered giving an answer.
“Seeing you minding others’ opinions while contemplating yourself is pitiful. Increase your self-esteem like barnacles. Pig.”
That girl probably wanted reassurance about whether she was doing alright.
Even having spent time with Lucy and regaining her integrity, it was still dependent on Lucy.
Her doubt about herself couldn’t have vanished completely.
Hence, she would seek answers from me, the hero.
Saying what you wish is not all that hard, but really, it would only increase the number of dependents.
The final answer must be found on her own.
I doubted whether my point got across, but judging by her serious expression, she seemed to grasp it at least to some extent.
Ah, really. Why does the child, who seems to have already found the answer and gotten it acknowledged by the deity, wander like this?
Could it be that the brightness of Lucy affected her adversely?
It would be nice if she realized she’s shining just as much.
“Hey, hey, Ruel.”
Just as Ruel let out a sigh of relief, Frey quietly came over to stand beside him.
“What is it, you beastly little brat?”
“Duel.”
“…Are your eyes just for decoration? You think a weakling like me has the energy to play with a beast like you?”
If it were up to him, he’d like to play once, but the body that borrowed Lucy was already at its limit.
Even now, moving was almost like forcing the remaining energy.
If he moved anymore, Lucy would complain a ton later, and he wouldn’t have a valid argument.
“Yup. There is.”
“Troll. I…”
“If you don’t, I’ll tell Lucy you were a cocky little brat like her.”
…That’s a problem.
Maybe it’s because their relationship has grown that lately, Lucy’s been just waiting to tease him.
But if what he said while borrowing her body got out…
Just imagining it was horrific. How many days would he get teased because of that?
“Do you have something to say?”
Sigh. “The sound of a barking dog is annoying, but right now, it’s a no. Just wait, puppy.”
“A royal?”
As Frey tilted her head, Ruel averted his gaze and looked up at the sky.
Night was falling.
*
Hahaha. Enduring the insults while observing that brat was worth it.
Thanks to that, I got to record a really amusing story.
Grinning as he watched the scenery on the ground, he frowned at an uninvited guest that arrived with a bang!
“This place is always musty. I feel like I’m getting polluted, and it makes me nauseous.”
“It’s the optimal setup for storing books.”
“Hah, what a ridiculous excuse. This dump is just your style—moldy.”
“If you don’t like it, then get lost, crow.”
“Only one person granted that nickname, you know?”
The Goddess of Beauty and Art, Rapetus, met Ganshu’s sharp gaze with her own.
“I see. What do you want, Rapetus?”
“I’m here to stop those two. Help me. Their beautiful story shouldn’t fade from this world yet.”
“Your involvement might ruin that story.”
At Ganshu’s retort, Rapetus fell silent.
She knew well that the story they chose was the most beautiful scenery.
Yet, despite that, she came to this place as proof that she cared for those two and many down on Earth.
“Just trust and watch, you foolish crow.”
“Hey, you. Just now I…”
“Trust them, nor me. Trust the great Lord Jushin. For the scenery chosen by Him is this.”
Just as Rapetus was about to blow her top, she sealed her lips, closed her eyes, then, after a moment, ran her fingers through her hair and sat across from Ganshu.
“If anything goes wrong, you’ll pay for it.”
“Haha. Are you going to hit me?”
“I’ll make you wear the outfit I specially prepared for you. My kid drew something fun not long ago.”
“…Fun outfit?”
With an ominous feeling, Ganshu asked again, but no answer came. The Goddess of Beauty and Art was too focused on the night that was descending on Earth.
*
The goddess’s apostle said the darkness would influence the one receiving power.
Then, couldn’t the opposite also be true?
Normally, when affecting something, one must be prepared to be affected in return.
Darkness could never be exempt from this rule.
Arriving at this conclusion, Erginius asked the Fairy Queen to dream for him.
“Please think of me in the scenery of dreams.”
Even if it wasn’t voluntary, the Fairy Queen had dealt with darkness for hundreds of years.
Her will must be deeply embedded in it.
Additionally, the concept of the Fairy Queen being close to deification also played a significant role.
Her will would exert much greater influence than other beings.
“If you think of me, I’ll surely become that.”
Though Erginius was speaking with academic flair, the Fairy Queen received it quite differently.
To always ask her to think of him in dreams?
Then, would she always be herself?
The queen knew he meant it in a different sense, yet nonetheless felt her face heat up.
“Whew. You’re going to defy me with the power of love? That’s quite charming.”
As they observed from the side, the Evil God sneered, causing both to stiffen, but after a moment, they exchanged smiles.
The power of love, how poetic that expression was.
“Erginius, are you ready in heart?”
“I’ve been ready since the moment I spoke. And you?”
“No need to ask. I’ve spent hundreds of years thinking only of you.”
“What a remarkable coincidence! Same here.”
They gazed at each other with smiles, then simultaneously turned their attention to the Evil God.
“Have fun. Just hope that ending suits the darkness.”
As the Evil God finished his last words, his head crumbled, and darkness flowed out around him.
The darkness, having lost its master, searched for a new one. Amidst the rolling waves of darkness, the two faced each other.
“Queen, may I borrow your hand for a moment?”
Erginius clasped the queen’s outstretched hand. His magic penetrated her physical form.
The Fairy Queen did not reject it but rather welcomed it, even knowing it was the very magic that had delivered nightmares for centuries.
“How long should I dream this time?”
“You’d best prepare yourself.”
“…I see.”
It’s alright. There’s absolutely nothing wrong. This dream isn’t just hers. With this one, she could endure hundreds of years.
“When you open your eyes again, you’ll be wandering through an eternal dream.”
“Uh. That’s a metaphor, right?”
“Don’t point it out! Do you know how hard I’m struggling to contain my embarrassment!?”
“Hmm. However, I know Erginius is a person such metaphors have nothing to do with.”
Surrounding darkness deepened. The sunset faded, giving way to the night that grew increasingly distinct.
“Any parting words before you leave?”
“I have a lot to say that I must convey to you.”
“Is that so? Hmmm. Then I’ll take the initiative. I love you, Erginius. Even now, hundreds of years later, I can say it passionately.”
As Erginius tried to say something back to the Fairy’s confession, her lips blocked his breath first.
“…Y-Your Highness.”
“I told you, I’m no longer pure.”
Wreathed in darkness, with a sweet smile that would mesmerize even the moon, she embraced Erginius’s shoulders and closed her eyes.
The Fairy Queen dreams.
A woman in love falls into dreams.
A dream of love that never tires, even after hundreds of years.
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