“…What on earth am I doing?”
Suppressing the bubbling anger from deep within, I asked, and the crow puffed out its chest and replied confidently.
“This city has way too little reverence for Lucy! I was just trying to fill that lack of worship!”
“When did I ever say I wanted that?”
“Never! But who doesn’t like being worshipped?”
I had no intention of fully denying the crow’s words. I like being adored too.
Especially if it’s related to a Dungeon.
But you see,
“The way you’re praising is all wrong! You idiot!”
There’s no way I’d allow a statue to be erected in the city I live in! Especially if it’s a glittering statue made of gold!
Why on earth did this crazy girl make a statue without even asking me?
And to put so much unnecessary effort into it?!
Even if she was desperate to make it, the least she could have done was ask me once along the way!
“Have you turned into the crow from the story!? Do you think anything that sparkles is good?!”
“Isn’t it? Humans go crazy for shiny stuff.”
“I don’t! So take it and get out!”
“Do I have to?”
As I was venting my frustration towards the thoughtless crow, a voice filled with skepticism came from behind.
Having grown accustomed to life here a few days after descending to the surface, Mama tilted her head beneath her parasol.
“But it’s a too beautiful statue to refuse.”
“…That’s…”
Hmm. I can’t deny that. The Goddess’s work is indeed beautiful.
Deep down, I want to argue, but I can’t bring myself to do it.
As Grandpa and Mama said, the statue that the crow brought was beautiful.
Even someone like me, who doesn’t know much about art, was amazed.
If this were put up for auction, rich folks would be fighting over it, offering all their fortune to buy it.
But beautiful or not, it’s still irritating.
I’m already feeling overwhelmed by the gazes of the people these days; how will they react to something like this?!
What will they do? They’ll probably pray in front of the statue.
‘Caw caw!’
Just imagining it makes me annoyed! And the fact that I have to see it in Lady Allen’s Territory adds to my fury!
“Under no circumstances will this stand!!”
I won’t stop them from doing it elsewhere! After all, they wouldn’t listen even if I told them not to!
But I absolutely can’t allow this in my territory! If I have to see that every morning, I feel like I’ll die from stress!
“If you want to decorate it, do it where your creepy followers are!”
“Don’t worry! It’s already set up!”
“What?”
“I couldn’t give Lucy a half-hearted gift! So I made several and brought the one that received the best feedback!”
How long has it been since she finished her duties in the Holy Land that she’s made so many statues?
The Goddess of Beauty and Art didn’t earn her title for nothing, huh.
But why waste that talent on this sort of nonsense? She could do something better with it!
“Ah! Maybe it’s not enough with just one!? If Lucy wants, I could theme decor for the entire city!”
“Are you speaking a different language than me? No! Go away! Use your talents for the world instead of your selfish reasons! You crow lady!”
“I am using them right now!”
This guy doesn’t get it!
She clearly has no intention of listening to me. This crazy girl!
Ahh! I really feel like I could rip out those wings!
That’s not entirely wrong.
‘…Grandpa. I’m not in the mood for a fight right now.’
I’m not teasing you. Think about it. If that statue is placed in Lady Allen’s Territory, people will flock from far away just to see it. You can’t ignore the symbolism of the city where you were born.
‘Do I look like I don’t know that!? That’s why I’m complaining!’
While living in the Holy Land, I had enough headaches from people coming to pray. I’ll have to deal with that in Lady Allen’s Territory too!?
This is my home! I can’t live like that!
If people gather, it means the townsfolk can make a living off the tourists. Considering your influence, it will benefit not only this city but also nearby small territories.
Recalling places known for tourism in my past life, I couldn’t retort and ended up stammering.
I know the impact tourists have better than anyone.
If I think of the reasons people come here, there’s no need to worry about negative influences.
Who would dare act blasphemously in a place where the Lord and his Daughter reside?
Even if someone did, they’d be powerless against the knights of the Allen family. Plus, creating local products would be easy.
A casual mention to the Arts Church would likely have them begging to make something.
‘But what do other people’s benefits have to do with me!? I’ve already fulfilled my duties! Now it’s time for me to exercise my rights!’
I hesitated a bit but resolutely shook my head.
No matter how many advantages, a no is still a no!
Our territory isn’t struggling for money!
There’s no reason to be concerned about such business!
One more thing, this is also a beneficial proposal for you.
‘Don’t try to entice me with flowery words! I won’t fall for it anymore!’
I know it’s full of benefits! But it’s bad for my mind!
Why should I suffer watching this ridiculous spectacle when I want to live my life in peace!?
That’s not nonsense. It’s a political matter.
‘Politics?’
Under the Allen family, there are many branches. Not long ago, your father unified them, and some of those successors are working in Lady Allen’s Territory.
I know that. I met them often while lazing around in the mansion. I politely greeted them, but we never had a proper conversation since they always went on and on.
In the future, you’ll inherit the Allen family and be in charge of them.
‘…I guess so?’
Having experienced palace politics, you know that just because you’re below them doesn’t mean they will quietly follow orders. They’ll feign obedience while doing their best for their own interests.
Ugh. Just hearing this is making my stomach uneasy.
But if you provide them with benefits, the story changes. Like taming a beast with food, they’ll bow their heads if you’re the one providing it.
‘So that food is tourism?’
We’ll start with that and gradually make them satisfy their role as pets. You don’t have to worry about a headache. From planning to execution, I’ll take care of it all.
If the purpose is to tame the branches, that doesn’t sound too bad.
The idea of everyone collecting in this city rather than spreading out to other towns sounds appealing.
Enduring the burdens seems better than getting a headache from political affairs.
Above all, you need to build a strong foundation now so that you can push the most sensitive topics to the back.
‘What’s that?’
Marriage Proposal.
My brain momentarily stopped at the notion I had never considered.
Marriage Proposal?
Wait. So, it means…
Me marrying someone else?!
What kind of crazy talk is that?!
Marriage proposals are a noble obligation. Although it’s been a long time since I lived, the thinking hasn’t changed much.
Now that I think of it, Papa said he’d block any proposals that came in.
My value must have increased compared to that time, so there’ll be more proposals, and the pressure to fulfill them will be even stronger.
If you make it so that they have to consider your feelings, they won’t even dare mention marriage proposals.
‘Um…’
And do you know what’s even more important? If you build your influence like this, when your parents bring it up in the future, you’ll be able to confidently refuse.
Right. Right now, Papa and Mama will say to follow what Lucy wants, but who knows what will happen over time?
If the people who had become my buffers start recommending this and that, then I’ll really have no choice but to run away!
In my opinion, it would be good to seduce the Goddess and turn the entire territory into a tourist spot.
Persuaded by Grandpa’s words, I had no choice but to whisper sweet nothings into the crow’s ear, telling her what she wanted to hear.
Naturally, she excitedly told me to leave it to her. I shouldn’t have believed her at that time.
*
“Are you an idiot?”
The day after the crow installed my golden statue in the middle of the city, Arthur, who came to see it, frowned upon hearing the conversation I had with Grandpa yesterday.
“Idiot? I carefully thought and made a decision!”
“That’s why you are an idiot. Why can’t you reach a better conclusion even after thinking?”
“And what about you, Prince? Why do you train so hard only to get beaten by me and Frey time and time again? Do you not know how to escape from being born as a sloppy loser!?”
“What does this situation have to do with that? And I’m not a loser! You two are just abnormally strong; I’m strong enough!”
“Sure, sure. Enjoy bullying the weak as much as you want.”
“…Caw! You!”
Shouting angrily, Arthur stood but noticed the piercing gazes around and sat back down.
There are tons of people here to see my statue, after all.
If he does anything to upset me, he’ll be buried alive!
As if daring to provoke me, he gritted his teeth while staring and sighed.
“Let’s get back to the main topic.”
“Yeah? Why? Are you upset? Are you angry?”
“You’ve been deceived by Ruel.”
“…Huh?”
“Think a bit. What kind of madman would force something onto the Daughter of the Lord? Anyone who does that would incur divine wrath.”
“But—”
“Even without that, there’s no branch that could force their opinion on you. You have all the power, connections, and authority. Anyone trying to come at you would see their family ruined.”
Huh?
“At its core, marriage proposals are meant for maintaining and expanding a family, but Allen has no interest in expansion, and with you here, there’s no need to maintain either. Those inheriting the blood of the Gods wouldn’t have a short life, after all.”
“Then…”
“There’s no reason for a marriage proposal to arise. More precisely, it’s impossible for any marriage proposal to even come through. Do you think there’s anyone who meets your qualifications right now? Greed has to match a certain level to even exist.”
Huh?
“Oh, of course. If there’s someone you desire to marry, then that’s a different story.”
“Is there anyone!?”
“Well then, that’s the end of the discussion.”
“But Mama and Papa might bring it up someday.”
“Ha! That’s a truly nonsensical thought. Would the Allen family and Lord Armadi want to force you into something you dislike? What if you scream and cry, they might just drop dead from shock!”
“…Prince. Wait a moment?”
I raised my hand to stop Arthur’s words, then quietly called out to Grandpa.
‘Grandpa. The Prince is saying strange things, right? Right?’
…Well, it’s not entirely wrong!
‘What do you mean?’
It’s not entirely wrong! A human’s authority is finite! Think about the distant future!
Blocking Grandpa’s words by tossing them into the inventory, I stood up with a smile.
“I’m sorry, Prince. I have urgent matters to attend to and must step away for a moment. Some friends are coming soon, so could you wait until then?”
“Uh? Uh-uh. Yeah. Okay.”
“Thank you. I’ll be right back.”
This is such a dilemma. Where should I bury this rotten Grandpa to make it seem less crappy?
