“Long time no see, Employer. You really stirred things up this time, didn’t you?”
As soon as I stepped into the shop, Karia greeted me with a smile. However, her eyes told a different story.
The glint in her eyes was clearly chastising me, asking why I had done something so crazy.
I had indeed done something reckless. Not only had I called the Second Prince the “Idiot Prince,” but I also fought him, and right after that, I picked a fight, which led to an actual brawl.
This content is taken from freeweɓnovel.cѳm.
“If you wanted to test Benedict’s durability, you might as well have poisoned him. Do you know how annoying it was to have him keep calling for me after hearing this news?”
Karia, grumbling about how she couldn’t get anything done due to Benedict’s anxiety, nagged for a while before finally letting out a deep sigh.
“Since the results weren’t bad, I’ll leave it at that. But next time, please think before you act.”
But I did think and act! I made this decision after consulting Grandpa. She probably wouldn’t believe me even if I explained. So, it was better not to say anything.
“Now, getting back to the main topic, thanks to the big incident you caused, your reputation is spreading quickly.”
The duel between the madwoman Lucy Alrn and the Second Prince of the Soladin Kingdom was a hot topic among many gossipmongers, and as this incident spread, the Second Prince’s talent, as well as the talents of the person who had overwhelmed him, were also shared.
There were stories about conquering the academy dungeon in just a day. Or about how easily she blocked the Second Prince’s unique aura.
With the tale of my past duel with the First Prince at the Festival of Partan now added to this, Karia explained that there were fewer people doubting my talents.
“Right now, your external evaluation is this: As expected of a member of the Alrn family, you possess overwhelming martial prowess, your intellect is sharp, but you’re a dirty and headstrong noble.”
To summarize that statement in one line:
A skilled brat.
So the evaluation, which had been limited to the academy, was now spreading across the continent.
While it was a good thing to have my skills recognized, having the tag of being a “dirty noble” attached felt a bit off.
After all, it was likely that the fact I had called the Second Prince an “Idiot Prince” had spread as well, so if that part worsened, it would not improve.
“There are also some things related to the church. They say you’ve repented, or that you might be devout, or that you’ve become favorable toward the church.”
Most of the information related to the church was positive.
It couldn’t be helped. Lucy’s past was too tragic, and everything I had shown recently was something the church could only view positively.
Having received divine revelations, acquiring Ruel’s mace, curing Agra’s curse twice, handling divine magic based on a tremendous amount of divinity, and even being close with Faybi.
If Lucy wasn’t the main character in this story, anyone would nod, agreeing that she was a devout believer.
“It seems the church is starting to pay attention as well. Keep that in mind, Employer.”
The moment I heard that the church was paying attention, I instinctively frowned.
Gaining the church’s attention was never a good thing. The current church does not seek devout people.
...Hmm. Should I ask Johan later to pass on any bad stories about me?
“Oh, and there’s this too. Someone with a look as if they were chiseled by the gods.”
‘...What’s that supposed to mean?’
“Auntie, what nonsense is that?”
“The Apostle of Beauty and Art composed a song for you and spread it.”
Ah, that pervert I met during the Festival of Partan.
Not wanting to engage in a long conversation, I told them to do as they pleased and sent them off, but they made a song?
“The lyrics are a bit bizarre, but the song is good, so the bards often sing it. Would you like to hear it?”
In an instant, curiosity sparked within me, but I suppressed it and shook my head.
No matter how I thought about it, I was sure that hearing that song would be severely damaging to my mental state.
It was created by a pervert comparable to a fool. There was surely a strong hint of that perversion in it, and I didn’t want to hear it.
“Well, anyway, thanks to your talent being confirmed, everyone is staring at you with red eyes. Since you’re Benedict’s daughter, those who remember his glory can’t help but have expectations of you.”
The possibility that the daughter could inherit the glory created by her father. Perhaps not only inherit it but also create even greater glory.
The expectations generated by the combination of the Alrn name and my achievements had significantly elevated my standing.
I was the daughter of a monster who changed the tide of war by herself. Who wouldn’t want to have me under their banner?
Even if I was difficult to handle, it would still be much better than being an enemy.
“How could it be that even after presenting the Second Prince with such a huge humiliation, the Second Queen still has hope for you?”
Although I had successfully showcased the Second Prince’s martial prowess, that was only part of the results; what I had truly delivered to the Second Prince was far more humiliation than gain.
Given the circumstances, it would be normal for the Second Queen, who hoped for the Second Prince to become king, to narrow her eyes at me. But this time, it was different. My value was simply too high.
“Now, back to the main topic.”
Karia, who had been speaking leisurely just moments ago, suddenly lowered her voice.
“Alsetin will guide you to the Second Queen’s people. Then a discussion about this incident will take place.”
That’s right. The fact that this incident had spread widely meant that the title of “Idiot Prince” had also been disseminated.
The Second Prince, whose reputation was already shaky, couldn’t afford to dismiss the “Idiot Prince” title.
“You should understand that this will be very difficult for you, Employer, but you must approach the title issue with a low profile. Do you understand? A low profile. You need to maintain the dignity of the other side!”
While I didn’t disagree with Karia’s words, I couldn’t bring myself to respond sincerely.
There was no way I would allow my Mesugaki skills to go low-profile. If that were possible, I wouldn’t have called the Second Prince the “Idiot Prince” in the first place!
“They won’t drag it out too long. After all, the Second Prince’s side is not in a position to be forthright. Once the discussions about this matter are done, they will likely try to persuade you.”
They might bring up the transgressions I committed. They could whisper sweet nothings into my ears. After sharing that, Karia paused for a moment before smiling and continuing.
“No matter what they say, refuse it outright. They’re not worth listening to.”
<What she says is right. Whatever conditions they offer now, it’s best for you to refuse them.>
Grandpa and Karia’s opinions were in sync. I didn’t need to listen to anything they said. I could simply let it wash over me and rise up afterward.
It was intriguing to hear them speak so confidently, so I asked why.
<Think about it. Don’t you have faith that you will grow stronger than you are now?>
‘No.’
There’s no way I would.
I am, after all, bound to follow the commands of that lousy deity!
I would definitely have to face the evil god with my own hands someday.
To survive then. To see the end of this world. And to kick that lousy deity out of my life, I need to become much stronger.
<Is your support so urgent that you need to bow your head to the Second Queen?>
‘No, not at all.’
I didn’t need any support now. I could get nearly anything I wanted the moment I wished for it.
<Is your backer so weak that if you refuse their offer, you would lose your head?>
‘Not at all.’
My surroundings and the influence of the people close to me were strong, but more than that, I had Benedict behind me.
Even if he was incomplete, who wouldn’t want to make a monster who had wielded a sword against the evil god furious?
<Then why bow your head? Time will only increase your value.>
Ah. I get it. So, (C) Lucy Alrn’s stock is at its lowest point right now.
That’s right. I can’t sell it here. I need to go to Mars!
Understanding Grandpa’s explanation, I resolved to not be swayed by whatever the Second Queen might say and stood up.
Alsetin, whom I hadn’t seen in a while, looked worn out. He had a suspicious look on his face, as if he hadn’t been getting enough sleep lately. When I asked if he was okay, he smiled.
“I’ve been busy learning various things from my master. I’m just happy to feel like I’m filling in the gaps in my knowledge.”
While his response was cheerful, his expression briefly showed the eyes of a second-class soldier who was too happy with military life.
Well, if he says he’s happy, I suppose it’s all right.
Alsetin guided me to the same shop where I had met Kurz Newman.
As before, I opened the door to a room under the guidance of a staff member and was met with the familiar face of an elderly gentleman.
“Greetings, Lady Lucy Alrn. I am Nabil, one of the knights of the Bedfer family and a trusted aide to the Second Queen. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Nabil.
He was one of the trusted aides of the Bedfer family, chosen by the Second Queen for important tasks, regardless of whether they were good or bad.
The fact that he had made an appearance here under that name meant that the Second Queen held my value in very high regard.
What he would say from here on would likely not differ much from what the Second Queen would say.
“Hello, Nabil.”
“Ah, it’s good to see you. Fake Grandpa.”
Fake, huh? That’s a valid point. Among the things Nabil presents, the genuine ones are the rarest.
Even as I hurled an insult at one of the Second Queen's more powerful aides, I felt indifferent.
This wasn’t the first time such a thing had happened. Besides, I knew that Nabil wasn’t the type to hold a grudge over such things.
“Haha. As I’ve heard, you don’t call people by their names, Lady.”
Nabil laughed pleasantly and invited me to sit. I wondered what he might be planning to use to sway me. Given what the Second Prince had done, he must have prepared something considerable.
“I believe you’re already guessing the reason I’m here. There are several things I wish to convey to you, especially given the recent...”
“Could you get straight to the point?”
“Fake Grandpa. Can you not drag this out? Do I look like someone who can afford to be patient?”
I didn’t want to listen to long-winded stories about things I would refuse anyway, so I interrupted him, and Nabil shrugged.
“Ah. My apologies. As one ages, the tendency to ramble increases.”
He seemed to try to show his age, chuckling lightly, but soon his smile faded as he adopted a serious tone.
“First and foremost, I must tell you that I am not the person who will be discussing matters here today.”
...Huh? What does that mean?
I blinked in confusion at Nabil’s words as he pulled a crystal ball from his robes and placed it on the desk.
After the magic flowed into the crystal, the spell activated, and the image of a woman appeared above it.
With sharp eyes, a gaze that felt like it could pierce through me, heavy dark eyes, and a frown etched deeply on her forehead, her tightly sealed lips only reinforced my certainty that this woman had a nasty personality.
I froze at the sight of her face, which seemed to suggest she wouldn’t be pleasant to deal with.
<Hello, Lady Alrn.>
No. Uh, well...
<My name is Seran Soladin. I hold the position of Second Queen of the current kingdom.>
...If I open my mouth, I'll get fucked, right?