“By the way, where do you think Lucy is right now? Phoebe. Isn’t there a place that feels like something’s up?”
“I’m sorry, Joy. It’s hard to tell since Lucy’s energy is spread all over this city.”
If it were any other day, Phoebe would have answered before being asked, but today she kept her response guarded with a subtle expression.
The entire territory of Allen was covered in Lucy’s energy, making it impossible to pinpoint a specific location.
“Is it because there are so many things adorned with Lucy?”
“No, it wouldn’t be just that. When we visited the Arts Church before, it wasn’t like this.”
As Phoebe pondered the differences between then and now, she arrived at one answer.
Back then, Lucy hadn’t even realized herself.
The current Lucy is fully aware of what she is. She knows she is the Daughter of Lord Jushin and is close to deification.
If that difference has created this phenomenon, then the faith that has spread throughout the continent must be affecting Lucy.
In other words, that means…
“Phoebe?”
“Ah, yes. I apologize for not being more helpful.”
“No, it’s alright.”
Even with an answer in mind, Phoebe swallowed her thoughts. She knew that Lucy wouldn’t want someone to bring it up.
Fortunately, instead of pressing her, Phoebe’s friends began to contemplate where Lucy might be.
“How about we go to the mansion first?”
Arthur, who had his arms crossed, spoke as if something had come to mind.
“The mansion?”
“Lucy Allen went to punish those who deceived her. Ruel already got his due punishment; the next would likely be Lord Armadi.”
“Someone who punishes the Lord Jushin? That’s quite a violent sentiment.”
“When you know the truth, it’s nothing more than a family squabble.”
“Is it even a squabble? Lucy is the only one raging while Lord Armadi is sulking.”
“…Shouldn’t we defend Lord Armadi’s authority?”
Having reached a conclusion, the party headed straight for the Allen mansion. The guards at the family’s front gate politely greeted Lucy’s friends.
“Are you here to see the young lady?”
“Is Lucy inside?”
“Yes, she is. However, um, it’s a bit of a chaotic situation…”
“Then don’t worry about it since we came prepared.”
“In that case, it’s fine. You may enter.”
Before long after stepping into the mansion, they spotted a glass case in one corner of the garden.
Inside was a mace incredibly familiar to the party, swarming with ants, making it hard for anyone to dare touch it.
“Is this Ruel’s punishment?”
“By our standards, it’s like ants crawling all over his body, right? Just saying that gives me chills.”
“I don’t like this either.”
“Um, shouldn’t we take it out?”
“Saintess, remember that the one who deceived Lucy was Ruel. He must have prepared for this outcome. If we intervene, it would disregard Ruel’s resolve.”
Ruel shouted something nonsensical from inside the mace, but his voice didn’t reach their ears.
After all, he was merely a weapon bound by a contract with Lucy.
While Ruel screamed inside, the group uneasily left the spot.
“Uh, Prince. How about we forget about Prete’s commission right now?”
The moment they stood in front of the mansion’s main gate, Joy nervously made the suggestion.
“If Lucy, who respects Ruel, is that angry, it means this matter really irked her, right? We might face repercussions.”
“Even so, I doubt we would end up like that.”
“Do you really think so?”
“…Let’s just feel out the atmosphere for now. Frey, let me warn you: don’t say anything at all.”
“Okay! I absolutely won’t say a word!”
Even Frey, who liked to joke around lately, seemed to grasp the seriousness of the situation and nodded immediately.
As they exchanged glances, they took a deep breath and stood in front of the mansion’s door. Just as Joy knocked, the massive mansion doors swung open.
“W-welcome! My Lady!”
Seeing the bowing woman, the party was left speechless.
“Thank you for visiting Allen’s mansion. I-I’ll do my best…”
“Mama, is this how it works? Are you going to throw me like Grandpa?”
“N-no! I-I’ll do my best! Lucy! So please, just that!”
The sight of the Great Lord Jushin, who had drawn the greatest faith on the continent, holding his daughter’s arm and weeping, was bewildering even for friends who had seen many things.
“Ah, you’re here?”
The very one who caused this scene, Lucy, merely smiled mischievously, seemingly unbothered by the situation.
“Lucy, why are you dressed like a maid in front of the Lord?”
After about a second of stunned silence, Joy gathered her thoughts and asked, prompting Lucy to smirk.
“What do you think? Our Mama is cute, isn’t she?”
“I’m sorry, but I don’t know what to say about this situation.”
“Lord Jushin, I-I didn’t see anything! I will erase today’s memories immediately!”
“…This is genuinely maddening.”
“Wow, Lord Armadi is so cute.”
“Right? Isn’t he adorable? See, Frey knows what’s up.”
“Hehe, of course!”
While Lucy and Frey excitedly chatted, Lord Armadi’s face fell lower and lower.
Most who witnessed the disgrace of the Great Lord felt uneasy, but none of them dared to intervene in this farce.
Not long after entering the mansion, Lucy herself had exuded an ominous aura.
“Okay, Mama. I’ll go play with my friends now.”
“Sure, have fun.”
“Sloppy maid, that’s not it. Do you need another lesson? Is that what you want?”
“Have a good time! My Lady! Armadi will wait for you at the mansion!”
Satisfied, Lucy nodded and led her dazed friends out of the mansion.
Once outside and free from the unrealistic mansion’s interior scenery, the group exhaled deeply and rushed towards Lucy.
“Lucy! Can you explain what’s happening!?”
“Mama tricked me and sold me to that perverted crow.”
Joy, demanding clarification, could only shut her mouth at Lucy’s quiet utterance.
Having been friends with Lucy for a long time, she understood.
Lucy is incredibly enraged right now.
“I was just so fond of Mama, forgetting all the things that happened, and then she went and slapped me in the back of the head. Do you get it?”
“E-even the Lord Jushin might have ill intentions.”
“Phoebe.”
“Y-yes!”
“Think carefully and tell me again. What do you say?”
“Nothing at all!”
Overwhelming even the Saintess, Lucy happily smiled and led the party at the forefront.
“Lucy, what are we going to do?”
“I don’t want to see the territory, so let’s go to the capital.”
While Frey rambled on with Lucy, Joy and Arthur exchanged desperate glances.
“Whoa, Prince, what do we do now!?”
“What do you mean what to do! Do you think she’s going to listen to whatever we say right now? We’ll have to wait until she cools down!”
“Let’s go eat something sweet! Eating something delicious is the best when you’re heated!”
“Do you think everyone is as simple as you? Dummy!”
“Then what do we do? Do you have a brilliant plan, Prince!?”
“…How about a dungeon.”
“Hah! A dungeon in this situation!? That’s the only thought you can muster, which is why Lucy shows no interest in you at all!”
“Why is that remark even relevant right now…!”
“You two, what are you doing? Hurry up and follow me.”
“Yes, ma’am!”
“I understand!”
It was strange.
Lucy was speaking far more kindly than when she had that Mesugaki Skill, yet it was far more terrifying now.
And so, Lucy’s friends followed her quietly, without uttering a word.
Hoping that Lucy’s anger would fade quickly.
*
Karia felt pride in her ability to read people’s emotions, yet at this moment, she wished her power would vanish.
If only she could ignore the intense rage her benefactor expressed, who had reached a position that was far from easy to deal with.
She was a walking bomb in both a metaphorical and a physical sense.
Benedict. That crazy guy. What on earth did he do!?
He had never been this angry, not even when he faced life-threatening situations!
He might look shady, but he’s actually quite soft-hearted and simple!
Why is he still raging hours later when it should be easy to forget after some time!?
Haah. If you’re going to contact me in a hurry asking for help, at least let me know why you’re so mad!
What do you expect me to do if you just throw it at me!? Scoundrel!
“Karia.”
“Uh. Y-yes!? What is it, Employer?”
“This food is delicious. I can’t believe it’s a disguise shop.”
“It has to be incredibly real to avoid raising suspicion. If money isn’t an issue, then it has to be made to seem genuine.”
As Karia replied, she scrutinized the faces of Lucy’s friends.
Except for Frey, everyone was keeping an eye on Lucy. They were all politically savvy enough that it didn’t show, but it was clear they were frightened.
“So why did you come here with your friends? Should I get you some entrance tickets or something?”
“No, that’s not necessary. Just spread what’s written here across the continent.”
Receiving the paper, Karia grasped the general story from what was jotted down there.
With the goddess’s dark history running rampant, it looked like that crow did something stupid.
Since her employer wasn’t walking around with a mace, it meant Lord Ruel was involved, and the only reason he would cooperate is due to the Lord’s command.
In short, Armadi had deceived her employer for personal gain.
And it was this very betrayal by someone he believed in that had riled up her employer.
Hmm. Given the circumstances, maybe it’s unnecessary for me to take the lead.
Lightly smiling, Karia approached Joy and whispered something in her ear.
Surprised, Joy looked up, but instead of answering her, Karia slipped out of the room.
Now, should I go have a word with those foolish parents?
