“Wait a moment! I...”
“Hold on. Foolish perverted fox. Let me change out of these clothes.”
No matter what, I can’t keep walking around in this bunny girl outfit!
I’m used to putting on my armor now, so it won’t take long, okay? If it’s urgent, I can even wear something light, but just let me change!
“Hoh, so your friend is asleep, but your dignity is more important?”
The foolish fox asked, feigning a serious expression as if she were scolding me.
To an outsider, it might look like she was reprimanding me, but I knew better. This perverted fox just wanted to enjoy looking at me in the bunny girl outfit for a little longer. Her twitching smile gave it away.
It’s not like a few more minutes would cause any harm! What, does she think I don’t know that Faybi can stay asleep for at least a week without any danger?!
“Look at your other friend. She’s worried sick.”
I glanced over at Joy, who was standing off to the side, clearly trying to avoid looking directly at me. She was fidgeting nervously.
“I’m fine, Lady Alrn. Go ahead.”
Despite her words, Joy’s face had gone completely pale. She didn’t know Faybi’s exact condition. How could she be calm when her close friend’s life was potentially at risk?
...Sigh. I’ve already shown myself to others like this. Changing now won’t really make a difference, will it?
The bunny girl outfit isn’t too bad. It’s comfortable to move in since there’s so little fabric, and the breeze feels nice on my skin. Yeah, it’s fine. Totally fine.
“Let’s go.”
“Shall we? Foolish fox.”
“You’re not going to change?”
“I’m fine.”
“It’s just that as long as your disgusting, perverted eyes aren’t creeping all over me, I think I’ll manage.”
“Hmm, that’s quite a dilemma. Even if I don’t mean to look, my eyes are naturally drawn...”
“Please just die.”
“Honestly, you’re revolting. Just die. Apologize to all the creatures of this forest that you govern, then go kill yourself.”
I earnestly wished for it, but all the foolish fox did was grin, unable to hide her amusement.
One day. Someday. If I grow strong enough to beat her, I’m coming back to this forest just to smash her skull. I’ll personally give her a “physical education” lesson.
Faybi was resting just five steps away in a nearby room. As I opened the door, I saw her lying on the bed, peacefully breathing.
Her face was lit up with a happy smile—clearly, she was having a good dream. What kind of dream could it be? Knowing Faybi, who connects everything to that pathetic god of hers, she’s probably seeing Armadie in her dreams too.
She really needs to learn that Armadie is just as much of a pervert as anyone else. He’s not the noble, good god she thinks he is. He’s a sadistic masochist, a pedophile, and even more useless than Agra!
Sure, he’s been more helpful lately, but he was terrible before! Even with Faybi’s deep faith, once she knows the truth about Armadie, there’s no way she’ll keep worshiping him.
If the day ever comes when I can openly declare myself an apostle of Armadie, I’ll make sure to tell her.
“Do you know the best way to wake someone from an illusion?”
The foolish fox approached Faybi, passing by me, and gently placed her hand on Faybi’s forehead.
“The best way is to make them deny the illusion themselves. For this child, that should be easy.”
This foolish fox might be the best character when it comes to anything related to mental fields, but why do I find it so hard to trust her?
Is it because I heard her begging to be stepped on under my feet, asking for more?
Outside the orphanage, Faybi sat on a worn-out bench—one that the children had bet on to see when it would collapse—smiling as Armadie gently stroked her head.
“No, I’m fine. After all, you came to see me, Lord.”
I’m happy. Happier than I’ve ever been.
To have Lord Armadie acknowledge, comfort, forgive, and praise me for all I’ve done. How could I not be happy when my entire life has been validated by the one I believe in and follow?
As the warm sunlight bathed her, and she smiled under Armadie’s gentle touch, Faybi closed her eyes. That’s when Armadie spoke again.
“My saint, may I give you a task?”
Faybi’s eyes flew open as she turned to face Armadie. His face still shone too brightly for her to see clearly, but that didn’t matter.
What mattered was that Armadie needed her.
“Yes, of course. Anything, my great Lord.”
What could Armadie ask of me? For him to personally assign me a task, it must be something dangerous and difficult.
But Faybi wasn’t worried. Why would she be, with the great Lord himself watching over her?
“One of your friends has quite the sharp tongue, does she not?”
“...Yes, that’s true.”
Hearing Lucy’s name, Faybi felt a lump form in her throat, but she pushed it down and answered as best she could.
It couldn’t be helped. Lady Alrn was a beloved figure of the god, after all.
“Could you insult me the way she does?”
"...Pardon?"
Faybi, who had been silently scolding herself for feeling jealousy, couldn’t help but ask in disbelief.
She had no choice. What Armadie had just said didn’t sound like something the great Lord should be saying.
“I’m asking if you could mock me like Lucy does.”
But she hadn’t misheard. The one at the center of all gods wanted her to insult him.
Why? Faybi suppressed the question that was about to escape her lips. It would be too blasphemous to question the will of the god.
“I know you may not understand, but this is something necessary.”
Of course. If the great Lord says such a thing, there must be a reason. How could a mere human like me comprehend it?
Faybi, it’s just words. All you have to do is say them. You can do it.
“Ah... Lord Armadie...”
But how can I say that to the one I trust and follow?! What do I do? What do I do!?
“It’s all right, my saint. I’m asking this of you.”
“Yes... Yes, of course!”
Closing her eyes, Faybi took a deep breath, recalling the words Lucy often said.
What would Lady Alrn say right now? What would she say? Biting her lip, Faybi finally gathered her thoughts and let out a squeaky cry.
“U-uh... You pathetic god! You w-want to be insulted by me? P-pervert!”
As she slowly opened her eyes, Faybi realized that the bright light that had once obscured Armadie’s face was now gone.
What? Confused, she blinked and saw a man’s lecherous gaze, one she had seen once before, ogling her from behind her saint’s robe...
“Kyaaa!”
With a scream, Faybi awoke, clutching her face with her small hands, trying to calm her rapid breathing.
A dream. It was just a dream. Of course, it was. There’s no way the great Lord would ever ask for something like that... or make such a perverted expression.
Stupid Faybi! You’ve gone too far, even dreaming about insulting the god! You’re so dumb! Idiot. And...
“Faybi, are you all right?”
Lifting her head at the familiar voice, Faybi saw Joy looking at her with concern.
“Joy? Why do you look like that?”
“Faybi! I’m so glad you’re awake!”
Joy, who normally restrained her emotions due to her status as a noble, suddenly hugged Faybi, leaving her blinking in confusion. What was going on?
“I thought you wouldn’t wake up!”
Only after hearing Joy’s teary voice did Faybi start to piece together what had happened.
I was undergoing the trial in the Saitil Forest. What I saw there was the thing I wanted most...
...
That’s right. I saw the face of the god I longed for every day. And because I didn’t want to accept it as an illusion, I ignored all the signs.
I’m so pathetic. Just like Lady Alrn always says.
“I’m sorry for worrying you, Joy. And thank you.”
“I’m sorry to interrupt, but there’s someone else you should be thanking.”
As Faybi gently patted Joy’s back, she looked up at the words coming from Rina, who had been standing nearby.
“...Huh?”
Only then did Faybi notice the two figures standing beyond Joy. Rina looked the same as before, but the other person...
Lucy Alrn. Beloved of the god and the most talented saint on the continent.
The person who taught Faybi the meaning of jealousy. She was standing there, dressed in something that could barely be called clothing.
What in the world? Her arms, shoulders, and legs are all exposed! Am I still in the illusion? Did my dark heart somehow desire to see Lady Alrn dressed so shamefully?!
“Hah. You’re such a pain. Useless saint.”
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“Ah. I’m sorry?”
“I’m going to go change. Wait for me in the reception room.”
This... this isn’t a dream, is it?
Maybe if I die, I can go back in time?
Who knows? Maybe if my head gets chopped off, I can reload to an earlier time. It’s not like I’ll know unless I try. But, of course, I don’t have the courage to test it out.
Sigh. Damn it.
Back in the room where I had taken off my armor, I slammed the door shut and threw the old man back into the inventory, then tossed the bunny girl outfit onto the floor.
This is driving me crazy! I can’t get the look on Faybi’s face when we made eye contact out of my head! She probably thinks I’m a lunatic, doesn’t she?! She does, right?!
Ughhh! Stupid God of Losers! Could you at least tell me what kind of punishment you were planning to give me after completing this quest?! If the mysterious humiliation you had in mind is worse than showing myself in this bunny girl outfit to everyone, it might actually make me feel better! Please!
There’s no way a voyeuristic pervert like you isn’t watching me right now! Hurry up and answer!
—Ding.
I screamed in frustration, and of course, it worked. I could feel whatever was left of my faith hit rock bottom.
[Quest Complete!]
[You have successfully earned the recognition of the Forest’s Ruler!]
[Rewards will be distributed!]
[The function of your cross has been enhanced!]
What is this? A consolation prize? Is this your way of saying, "Here, take this and go away"? Well, I guess it’s better than nothing, but it still feels... off!
[...]
[During the reward evaluation, it was discovered that you gained not just the ruler’s recognition, but also her affection.]
[Overachievement of quest requirements has been acknowledged!]
[Additional rewards will be granted!]