On the way to the dungeon entrance at the academy, Faybi couldn’t hide her anxious heart.
Although she kept moving forward because of the promise she made, her steps faltered several times, forcing her to stop, turn around, and then walk forward again.
Her feet kept repeating the same path, over and over.
The reason for her hesitation was simple.
It was because she had followed her own desires, violating the teachings of the church due to a question that weighed on her heart.
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"Idiot."
Faybi always said in formal settings that anyone could falter.
As long as one repented and steeled their heart once again, Armadi would surely offer forgiveness.
She would say that what mattered wasn’t the sin itself, but how one acted afterward.
However, in this moment, having committed a wrongdoing herself, Faybi couldn’t think that way.
In her mind, the sin she committed wasn’t something that could be forgiven simply by asking for forgiveness.
"Idiot. Fool."
No matter how much turmoil she felt in her heart, how could she have done such a thing?
To make a deal with an apostle of an evil god, no less.
That night.
The night she had cursed her own petty heart and left the church.
The moment she stepped forward without hesitation to heal someone who was injured.
Faybi had encountered a person with the aura of an evil god.
Normally, she should have immediately called the church’s people to hunt him down, but Faybi didn’t.
Because she had been swayed by the words that had slipped from his lips.
The promise to resolve all her doubts had touched the deepest part of Faybi’s heart, and in that moment, she took a step forward.
"Does Lady Alrn receive Armadi's love?"
That was the first question Faybi asked, and the man narrowed his eyes and smiled.
"Why do you ask something you already know? Do you wish for her not to be loved?"
"No!..."
That wasn’t it.
What she wanted was for everyone to be loved equally.
She didn’t want to steal anyone else’s love.
Faybi just...
Just?
"I'll tell you. Yes, Lucy Alrn is loved by Armadi. How could she not be? She’s been chosen as Armadi’s apostle. It would be impossible for her not to be loved."
Armadi’s apostle.
The shock of hearing that word was not something Faybi could easily bear.
Historically, Armadi had never taken an apostle.
It was even stated in the scriptures.
Because Armadi loved the world equally, he didn’t choose an apostle.
Anyone working for the church would know this as common sense.
How could she not be surprised to hear something that contradicted that?
"Lies."
"Think whatever you want. I only speak the truth. How you take it doesn’t matter to me."
As Faybi backed away, shaking her head in denial, the man laughed as if he couldn’t hold it in.
"This is amusing. Since I’m in a good mood, I’ll answer one more question. Ask."
"You’ll just lie again."
"I might. But wouldn’t it be better to hear it?"
Faybi hesitated.
Logically, she knew she should turn around right now.
Despite the deal, it would be better to ignore it.
But Faybi couldn’t take her feet off the ground, stuck in the darkness.
"...Will I be loved by Armadi?"
"Oh? You’re asking an apostle of an evil god that?"
"..."
"That’s too expensive a question. I can’t answer that now. First, heal me. And then—"
"Useless priestess?"
"Hiyaaah?!"
A voice from behind startled Faybi, causing her to lose her balance and fall forward.
Faybi braced herself for the impending pain, squeezing her eyes shut, but the impact never came.
Cautiously opening her eyes, she saw a gauntleted hand around her waist, catching her mid-fall.
"What are you doing? Are you trying to become an airheaded priestess like your friend?"
The sarcastic remark gave Faybi an idea of who had saved her.
Lucy Alrn.
The very person she both wanted and didn’t want to meet right now.
What should she do?
Even after being helped up by Lucy, Faybi trembled, staring at the ground.
"What’s wrong? Are you nervous? Scared? Turns out you're even more useless than your friend?"
"That’s not it."
Faybi shook her head at Lucy’s words.
Entering the dungeon didn’t scare her.
Although she had lived as a priestess of the main church, Faybi hadn’t been raised like a flower in a greenhouse.
She had entered dungeons and faced monsters before. There was no reason for her to be afraid of the academy’s dungeon.
"Then what is it?"
Faybi couldn’t answer that question.
She couldn’t.
How could she confess that she was afraid of being found out for making a deal with an apostle of an evil god?
Especially not to someone who might be Armadi’s apostle.
Lucy wouldn’t know.
She wouldn’t know how much courage it had taken Faybi to speak to her after that night.
How every time she saw Lucy smile, Faybi feared that her own shadow would be exposed under Armadi’s light.
Deep down, Faybi had wanted to hide in a church room and offer prayers of repentance forever, but she had pushed down her fear and spoken to Lucy for one reason.
She wanted to know why Lucy received Armadi’s love.
She wanted to know what about Lucy had caught Armadi’s favor.
And she hoped that by following in her footsteps, she too could receive Armadi’s love.
That she might hear his voice.
That’s why Faybi stood here, forcing herself to suppress her fears.
As she continued to fidget, unsure of what to do, Lucy suddenly bent down, stepping under Faybi’s long hair, then looked up at her with that usual irritating smile.
"You’re scared, huh?♡ You pathetic coward♡"
At those words, the darkness that had filled Faybi’s heart for days was tinged with red.
"No, I’m not scared."
"Really?♡ Doesn’t seem like it~♡"
"I’m really not."
As Faybi spoke with conviction, Lucy scrutinized her face for a moment before stepping out from under her hair.
"Alright then, let’s go, useless priestess. We don’t have time to waste."
With that, Lucy began walking ahead. Faybi stared at Lucy’s small back, thinking how, somehow, it seemed so large.
"What are you waiting for? Not coming? Are your legs still frozen, cowardly priestess?"
"Ah, no, I’m coming."
Snapping out of her daze, Faybi hurriedly quickened her pace to catch up to Lucy.
"Um, Lady Alrn."
"Yes."
"I wanted to ask... how far are we going in the dungeon today?"
Faybi had only heard from Lucy that they’d be going to the dungeon today, but she hadn’t been told how far they’d go.
The only thing Zoi had told her was to mentally prepare because it would be exhausting.
"All the way."
"...What?"
Faybi wondered if she had misheard Lucy’s response.
Maybe she meant they would explore until the time limit was up.
But Lucy shook her head.
"We’re going to the 100th floor. I’ve already made all the preparations."
"But we’re starting from the 1st floor."
Faybi had never cleared the academy’s dungeon before, so she had to start at the 1st floor.
Even though Lucy was known for her fast dungeon-clearing pace, it seemed impossible to clear from the 1st to the 100th floor in one day.
It wasn’t that Faybi doubted Lucy’s abilities.
It was just that, logically, it seemed physically impossible.
Just walking from the 1st floor to the 100th would take more than a day, not to mention the battles in between.
"Listen, useless priestess."
"Yes?"
"Just because the incompetent priestess can’t do it doesn’t mean I can’t."
At Lucy’s answer, paired with her usual mocking smile, Faybi almost snapped back in frustration but held herself in check.
Calm down.
She’s just teasing me because it’s my first time in the dungeon.
She’s just playful like that.
Don’t fall for it, Faybi.
You’re not a child.
"Of course."
Faybi smiled in return, and Lucy simply smiled back without saying anything more.
In the silence that followed, they arrived at the entrance to the dungeon, where the rest of their group awaited.
"It’s an honor to enter the dungeon with you, priestess."
It was Karl, the combat instructor.
He was a newly appointed professor but had already earned a good reputation among the students.
He was dedicated to teaching and had a pleasant personality, making him especially popular with the female students, thanks to his knightly appearance that seemed straight out of a fairytale.
Faybi had heard her friends gush about Professor Karl many times.
"It’s an honor for me as well, Professor."
"I’ll be relying on you, too."
Next to him stood Frey Kent.
She was considered a strong candidate for the next Sword Saint, known for her exceptional martial skills, considered the best on the continent.
Though Lucy’s rise had slightly dampened her reputation, Frey’s strength was still undeniable.
Even the commander of the main church’s Holy Knights had expressed a desire to recruit her.
"Yes, I’ll be relying on you, too."
"By the way, priestess, is your stamina good?"
"Me? I think it’s about average for a cleric."
Faybi’s stamina wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t particularly impressive either.
As a cleric, she had enough endurance to move around, but that was all.
After hearing her response, Frey gave her a long look and then quietly said:
"Good luck."
...Huh?
Good luck?
Faybi blinked at Frey’s mysterious words, but Frey didn’t offer any further explanation.
"...Um."
"Are the introductions over? Let’s get going."
Faybi tried to ask Frey what she meant, but Lucy’s voice interrupted, and the moment was gone.
As she followed the others into the dungeon, Faybi couldn’t help but marvel at the scene before her.
The professors at the academy made this?
It’s really well-made.
It’s just like a real dungeon.
As expected from Soul Academy.
As Faybi admired the dungeon, she felt eyes on her and turned to see Lucy, who was sizing her up with her arms crossed.
"What is it, Lady Alrn?"
"Useless priestess. Can I carry you?"
"...What?"
Carry me?
Why?