Phoebe, who woke up from her sleep, rubbed her eyes and took in the darkened sky outside.
“When did I fall asleep? My last memory was directing the restoration of the ruined Holy Land… I must have lost consciousness right there.”
“Seriously, I’m not doing anything right.” With a sigh, Phoebe tried to get up but felt a firm pressure on her shoulders.
“Take a break. There’s no rush.”
Startled, Phoebe turned her head, relaxing at the warm presence.
“Young Lady, have you finished your reunion with the great Lord Jushin and your dear mother?”
“…You don’t look surprised. I thought you’d make a bigger fuss if it were Phoebe.”
“Not for anyone else, but it makes perfect sense that the Young Lady continues the Lord Jushin’s divine rank.”
Everyone who participated in the battle at the Holy Land learned that Lucy was the child of Armadi.
The touching reunion that took place where a miracle occurred made even the thickest people recognize the nature of their relationship.
People were shocked to learn that the Apostle of God was actually a demigod, but their turmoil didn’t last long.
From the beginning, Lucy had shown her exceptional nature to everyone.
She had accomplished things that no simple human could ever do with ease.
For someone like Lucy, holding a demigod’s rank was, of course, understandable.
“I’ve regarded the Young Lady almost like a god. Why would I be surprised?”
“Just in case, I’m going to tell you in advance, if you come running like a fanatic, crying and screaming, I’m going to run away.”
“Hehe, don’t worry. Young Lady. Didn’t you teach me? No matter what kind of being Lucy Allen is, her essence doesn’t change.”
Now that it was revealed that Lucy was a demigod, nothing had changed in Phoebe’s standpoint.
It’s certainly remarkable that the Young Lady possesses a divine rank.
However, the reason I like the Young Lady isn’t because of her exceptional nature.
I admire the dignity and goodness she has shown all this time.
In the past, I mistook that, but after many mistakes, I don’t anymore.
“The Young Lady is my precious friend. That won’t change no matter what happens.”
I want to stand by the Young Lady. Not just from afar, longing and praying, but spending time with her.
So I’m going to be not the Young Lady’s follower but her friend.
Just like I always have been.
The smile Phoebe showed now was gentle, unlike the resolution to decide to do something for Lucy in the past.
Lucy, who was quietly looking at Phoebe’s smile, lightly chuckled and crossed her arms.
“Then you won’t even throw me a prayer, right?”
“That’s a bit different.”
“What’s different?”
“As the face of the Jushin Church, I have to pay homage to the Lord and his Apostle. I can’t make excuses as a role model for everyone.”
“Is that so?”
“It’s kind of old news by now. To those who were already on the battlefield, the Young Lady is an object of worship.”
Phoebe honestly conveyed what she had seen.
People who were crying and praying.
Knights who bestowed all the glory of victory upon Lucy.
Mercenaries rejoicing at having stood with the god in battle.
Those who were sobbing, having lost the accessory depicting Lucy.
“You might want to prepare your heart in advance. The Young Lady will receive cheers wherever she goes.”
“That sounds dreadful.”
“You’ll find it pleasant once you get used to it. It’s quite nice when people approach you first with goodwill.”
“I don’t like it! I really dislike it! I feel like perverted apostles will be mass-produced!”
“…Hmm.”
Phoebe, who would generally say things would turn out just fine, couldn’t do so this time.
The probability of Lucy’s worries coming true was too high.
Right now, among those standing on the battlefield, many seemed to be dangerous individuals. That would have to be deemed an unavoidable disaster.
“I have to tarnish my reputation. I need to do whatever it takes to nullify my magnificence!”
“It’d probably be easier to fight Agra once more.”
“Can’t you just say something nice at a time like this?! You’re good at that, Phoebe!”
“But I can’t lie to the Young Lady.”
“I’ll allow it, so just white lie!”
Seeing Lucy make a sad face, Phoebe felt certain that her curse had been lifted.
The Young Lady, who had once had an awkward confidence even after gaining freedom of expression.
But not now. The Young Lady was showing a vivid expression like a girl of a similar age.
Perhaps even more vivacious than ordinary people.
It was surprising that someone so straightforward and lively had been unable to express all her emotions.
How difficult must it have been for her? How painful? How heartbroken must she have felt in that moment when she lost her last understanding?
“Ahhh, enough. I’ll just worry about this later. I don’t want to think about it right now. What good does thinking do?”
“That’s true.”
“So I’ll just point out what bothers me. Phoebe, how long are you going to keep calling me the Young Lady?”
“…Huh?”
“Aren’t we friends? Why do you keep using such a formal title?”
“Well…”
At Lucy’s remark, Phoebe’s eyes shook slightly.
Can I really address the Young Lady by her name?
I’ve decided to stand beside her, but addressing her as Lucy might feel too impropriety.
“What? You can call Joy by her name but I can’t? Aha? So you’re saying you’re just pretending to be friends?”
“Y-Yes!? No! That can’t be!”
“Enough. Who can’t just say it? A~ I see, the sloppy person in front of me couldn’t even say that because they’re an incorrigible fool?”
D-Do I have to?
…
Calm down, Phoebe. You’ve done it before.
There’s no reason I can’t do this. It’d be foolish to be nervous over something so trivial!
I’ve stood before the Evil God Agra; it doesn’t make sense that I can’t handle this!
“Or are you trying to make me angry on purpose? Did you enjoy being tormented like that? Want me to use you as a chair again?”
“I will! I’ll do it! I will call you!”
“Alright? Then go for it. You said you can, right?”
“Uuuhhh…”
With her face flushed, Phoebe hid it with her hands, took a deep breath, and suddenly looked up.
“Lu. Lu. Lu. Lucy.”
“Huh? What? It’s too quiet, I can’t hear you.”
“Lu. Lucy!”
“Once more.”
“Lucy! Lucy! Lucy! Is this good enough!?”
“Pffhuh. Haha, yeah, you did well. Silly.”
Lucy, who giggled, approached the flustered Phoebe and naturally sat beside her.
“Phoebe, you don’t have to worry about your duties or anything. Our silly mama will be here for a while anyway. So relax. You’ve lived this way in haste all this time.”
Then, she held Phoebe’s hand with her small hand.
Her delicate-looking hand, bearing the traces of hardship, revealed genuine concern.
“I’m not the only one who has lost an ordinary childhood, Phoebe. You’re the same. We’ve both suffered because of our incompetent mama. I want to reclaim our childhood even now.”
The Young Lady is…
No, Lucy has been thinking this way.
I too see myself as a fellow victim.
Someone who lost the happiness she should have experienced as a child.
So I must also become happy. Since everything has ended, I need to help her shed the burdens she carries.
“There are parts of me that Lucy doesn’t know about.”
“Hah? What do you not know?”
“I’ve already received my due reward.”
Lucy and I are different.
Lucy, who spent her childhood amidst disdain from others, and I, who smiled under the name of the Saintess, cannot be the same.
I won’t say I haven’t faced trials.
I won’t downplay the misfortunes that filled my childhood.
But I have received fitting rewards for my hardships.
From my time in the Jushin Church till now, I’ve lived in excessive happiness.
“So, I will continue to serve as the Saintess of the Jushin Church. To repay all that I’ve received.”
I don’t dread living an everyday life.
The time I spend laughing and chatting with friends is delightful just thinking about it.
But still, I cannot abandon the duties I hold.
I am one chosen among the proxies by the great Lord Jushin.
I am a devotee who hopes this land saved by Lucy will be filled with happiness.
A Saintess who began with lies and ultimately became real. The one chosen by Lucy, by Armadi.
I will never fail to uphold the expectations I’ve received.
As Phoebe spoke with determination, Lucy lowered her eyes.
“So this is how you come out.”
“Oops, did you know?”
“Of course I did. You never compromise on these things.”
“Ahaha, I guess I can’t outdo Lucy.”
“So, I’ve prepared a response too.”
“I’m curious. What have you prepared to convince me?”
“If you don’t rest, I won’t either.”
“…Huh?”
“If you want me to enjoy life comfortably, then you don’t do anything.”
E.EEEH?!
N-Not that!
Lucy! That’s unfair! Holding yourself hostage!
“Why? I’m just thinking the same way as you.”
“But Lucy and I are different!”
“So what? Are you saying I’m wrong?”
“That’s… that’s not it, but…”
As Phoebe stuttered, unable to decide, Lucy shook her head with an uh-huh laugh.
“I’m not saying to do absolutely nothing, silly. I’m just saying to take it easy.”
“I-Is that so?”
“But when I say let’s hang out, drop everything and come look for me, okay?”
“Of course! For Lucy, I’d rush over even from the other side of the continent!”
“No need to go that far.”
With a light laugh, Lucy stood up while hiding her fidgety hands behind her back and looked at Phoebe.
“Thanks for supporting me all this time. I don’t know how much it meant to have you beside me.”
“I feel the same way. Lucy, because you were here, I could be here.”
“Well then, I’m off. Sleep well.”
“I’ll find a way to cut back on my praises for Lucy by the next time we meet.”
“Haha, yeah. I hope you find a good method.”
As Lucy vanished with a fairy-like whoosh, Phoebe, left alone in the room, instinctively attempted to clasp her hands but lay back down in bed again.
There’s no need to launch prayers today.
Even God needs some free time.
