Isabel and Feiby raised their heads only after a considerable amount of time had passed since I finished all the procedures.
The sight of Isabel, who looked as though she might burst into tears at any moment with just a light touch, and Feiby, who was all worked up, was quite burdensome, but I chose to act as if I knew nothing.
I figured that if I accidentally touched the wrong nerve, it might set off a chain reaction.
Fortunately, Isabel didn’t make any further fuss and headed to her storage, returning with a small pocket.
“This is a pocket of space. The items you requested are inside.”
A pocket worth hundreds of platinum coins, perhaps.
I plan to return everything left over once the job is done, but I can’t help feeling guilty about it.
If you’re going to lay a foundation, you should do it all the way, but I couldn’t do that.
...I guess I’ll visit whenever I get the chance in the future. It might please Isabel if I pretend to pray for her each time. Probably.
For now, I’ve completed the preparations needed to create a miracle.
Now all I need to do is find the people.
Even if I say “people,” there are only three individuals I absolutely need. Everyone else is just a bonus—characters who are fine to have around but not necessary.
Since I’m determined to proceed with the minimum number of people, even if I add some, it shouldn’t exceed one or two.
“Um, Lady Alrn.”
As I was checking my plans in my head, Isabel quietly spoke up.
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“May I ask what kind of miracle you’re trying to create?”
“I’m curious about that as well, Lady. I haven’t heard any specific plans yet.”
It’s not difficult to explain. After all, I had already told her about being the Apostle of the Deity and the Evil God, so I could certainly share at least my plan.
However, if I explain it now, I’ll just have to explain it again later.
Since it’s a plan that even my grandfather found ridiculous, I would also have to explain why it’s feasible.
So, I wanted to bring Johan, the key figure of the plan, before discussing it further.
Having that thought, I asked Isabel to bring Johan, and she nodded readily.
“You mean Bishop Johan of the Alrn territory, right? Understood. I’ll send a spatial magician to fetch him.”
‘...A spatial magician?!’
“Does that lousy house even have a spatial magician?”
A spatial magician is a general term for a wizard who specializes in magic related to space.
Telekinesis, teleportation, spatial pockets, etc. They aren’t necessary, but having them adds a richness to life.
“Yes. Even if I look like this, I lead a large trading company. It wouldn’t hurt to have a few spatial magicians around. I have some under personal contract, and there are several working with the company as well.”
Right, even though Isabel appeared quite disheveled and repulsive in front of me, she was originally the head of a massive trading company.
Given that she had to work extensively, it was only natural for her to have hired spatial magicians personally.
This is a fortunate turn of events. I needed a spatial magician for personal use anyway.
Originally, I planned to rush to find someone through the Newman family, but if the Arteia family has a spatial magician, the situation is different.
‘That spatial magician...’
“What kind of fool would contract with the perverse fanatic you are?”
“Could you please tell me the necessary conditions?”
Before I could finish my question, Isabel adjusted her posture. She quickly grasped the significance of my interest.
Truly, a merchant knows her trade.
“So...”
“They should be able to transport around seven people at once. They must be tight-lipped. Aside from those two conditions... well, they can’t be a coward who cries at the drop of a hat.”
“If that’s the case, our spatial magician is quite suitable.”
“Is it about defeating the Evil God of Darkness?”
Having received a rough explanation from Lucy, Johan exhaled deeply.
The apostle of the Evil God, who devoured the Burrow family. The colossal black magic being prepared there. A special operation to stop it.
None of it sounded even remotely absurd.
If a child had uttered such words, they would have been scolded for speaking recklessly.
Yet, it was Lucy who provided that explanation. She was the one who had caused a miracle in Menestel, a beloved of the great Deity.
Could there truly be any falsehood in her words?
Of course not.
“I understand what you’ve said.”
As Johan nodded, Feiby let out a sigh of relief beside him.
However, it was only for a moment. When Feiby met Johan’s gaze, her expression hardened again.
Knowing Feiby’s true identity, Johan had treated her sternly for a long time. Even now, the memories of the past likely lingered, causing him discomfort.
To be honest, Johan still didn’t particularly like Feiby. She represented the corruption of the Deity’s church.
However, since the one receiving the Deity’s love was by his side and he recognized that he too was someone the Deity wished to protect, he was merely suppressing that sentiment.
As Johan tore his gaze away from Feiby, he met Lucy’s eyes again.
“However, you’ve omitted the most crucial part. How do you plan to chase away the Evil God’s influence?”
“I was about to explain that. Impudent bishop. You really are impatient.”
At the sound of the insult directed at Johan, Feiby next to him held her breath, but Johan remained unfazed.
He knew the fierce Lucy from his childhood. Compared to back then, this level of provocation was nothing.
“So that’s why the kids run away when they see you. You devilish fool.”
...Maybe it is a bit more than nothing.
“The plan is simple. We’re going to create a sun in the center of the Burrow territory.”
“A sun... you say?”
“A sun?”
“We're going to create a sun?”
Everyone present in the reception room of the Arteia family displayed their confusion, yet Lucy’s face revealed no emotion other than confidence.
“I’ll explain it in a way that even you suspicious fools can understand.”
When Johan first heard Lucy’s words, confusion filled his mind.
Creating a sun? How could that be possible?
However, as Lucy continued her explanation, Johan’s thoughts began to shift.
Despite being distanced from the mainstream factions of the church, he had risen to the position of bishop.
His only source of faith was his own ability, so he had desperately honed himself. He was among the top five in the current church in terms of knowledge of holy magic.
Thus, he realized that Lucy’s seemingly absurd words were actually quite feasible.
“I think you’ve explained it in a way that even a monkey could understand, don’t you think?”
After all the explanations concluded, Lucy straightened her shoulders, but Isabel and Feiby next to her still appeared confused.
Johan understood their feelings.
“It’s unstable. Dangerously risky. And it’s a gamble with no real-life examples.”
Even Johan, who fully understood Lucy’s words, would evaluate it this way. It was rather strange to accept it so readily.
“What are you trying to say, you foolish bishop?”
“It’s simple. Lady.”
And now, Johan added:
“I definitely want to participate.”
He was indeed an unusual person.
A recipient of the Deity’s love, willing to risk his life to save others.
He was attempting to throw away his own life to defeat the Evil God and save humanity.
Could he really participate in the miracles, standing next to me?
Ha! If that were possible, I could easily stake the rest of this old man’s life on it!
“However, Lady, I have a few suggestions I’d like to make.”
“Speak up, foolish bishop.”
“Yes. Regarding the early stages of the plan...”
As I made my way back to the dormitory after leaving the Arteia family, I praised myself for bringing in Bishop Johan.
Originally, I had intended to call Bishop Johan to prepare for contingencies and to give Feiby a reason to act, but he played a role greater than I had anticipated.
Since the plan was based on knowledge from the game, he tightened up the unstable parts with his knowledge of holy magic.
Thanks to that, the gift I prepared for Tariki became even more perfect.
Of course, it’s still not complete. There’s one last thing to do to finalize the plan.
That is to procure the military force that will protect us until the sun is completed.
According to Alsaith’s report, the Burrow territory is already engulfed in the Evil God’s influence.
If we prepare to create the sun there, all the inhabitants of the territory would likely come rushing at us.
While a few might be manageable alone, if the entire territory bore down on us, the situation would be different.
That would be an area where dealing with it would be impossible.
Even if I brought Kal or Alsaith along, it would be the same.
They wouldn’t collapse, but they wouldn’t be able to perfectly protect the miracle in front of the crowd.
In such a situation, the best option would be to employ the knights of the Alrn family, including Benedict. But they would stand out too much. Once the knights began preparing to depart, everyone would notice something amiss.
The same goes for the others. If their movements were too obvious, or if I couldn’t be sure they would follow my instructions.
Adri was the closest to meeting the conditions I wanted, but if I brought her along, there’s a possibility I’d end up purifying Adri as well, which would be unmanageable.
Thus, as I pondered these various concerns, I ultimately decided to reach for a forbidden means.
“...You want to bring the main body of the Ice Fox?”
‘Yes.’
“Fine.”
The main body of the Ice Fox.
Asking the lord of the forest for help.
Upon reflection, the Ice Fox is the ideal choice.
It has the power to fend off the crowd.
Since it is constantly hidden in the forest, no one would care if it disappeared.
Moreover, I’m confident it would keep secrets.
The reason I delayed asking the Ice Fox for help until the very last moment is simple.
“The guardian of the forest is the very essence of its existence. No matter how much you may plead, there are areas where I cannot grant your request.”
I didn’t know how much I would have to give up to ask the Ice Fox, the lord of the forest, to vacate its home.
But now, there’s no other choice.
In the hand I hold now, this is the best option.
So I’ll throw away my dignity.
To save the people of the Burrow territory.
To make a fool of Tariki.
To shove a mace into Nakrad’s face.
To conquer a new dungeon.
“Are you listening?”
I approached the Ice Fox, which had now taken on a human form and was sitting on the bed, lecturing me.
I made sure my breath reached its perked ears, which were full of expectation despite its furrowed brow.
“Really?♡”
“Eek?!”
“I’ve prepared something that a disgusting perverted thing like you would like♡ Aren’t you curious?♡ Huh?♡ Perverted fox♡”
“T-That kind of talk won’t sway me.”
“Bunny girl. You want to see her again, don’t you?♡”
The moment I mentioned the Bunny Girl, the Ice Fox closed its mouth.
Haha. This perverted thing.
I knew it would be like this.
“Puhaha♡ Why are you remembering the past?♡ It must be because I’ve thoroughly examined your nape, collarbone, and armpits?♡ Just like a disgusting pervert?♡”
“B-But I never did such a thing.”
“Who was the one begging, ‘Please step on me~♡’? I wonder who that trash was?♡ It’s strange♡ It seems like I can smell trash from you right now♡”
I could see the Ice Fox’s eyes trembling uncontrollably.
It was likely struggling between instinct and reason.
“W-Well, that doesn’t mean I can’t do it! This is a sin engraved on my soul!”
“Hmm♡ You don’t need any of that, do you?♡”
“Indeed!”
“Then there’s no helping it~♡ I guess I’ll have to throw away the collar I prepared for the perverted Ice Fox~♡”
“A collar?”
“Or should I gift it to that pathetic dog?♡ Kuhuh♡ I’m sure it would be overjoyed...”
As I laughed and chattered, the Ice Fox urgently grabbed my hands.
Its grip was so strong that I was slightly taken aback, but the Ice Fox didn’t care.
It merely knelt on the floor, pleading fervently.
“No! There’s no need for that! I will help you! No, let me help you! I beg you!”
In the end, it couldn’t resist its instincts. This trashy perverted fox.
What a disgrace it is to be the lord of the forest. I wonder how shocked the life forms in that forest would be if they saw this sight.
Well, whatever. With this, the preparations for the plan are complete.
...
Ha. Life is truly something.
Damn it.
You bastard Tariki.
I’m going to unleash all the pent-up frustration, shame, and anger building in my heart on you.
You’d better not plan on dying quietly.