It has been nearly a year since Ruel became involved with Lucy.
Read latest chapters at freёweɓnovel.com Only.
While their first meeting was anything but pleasant, Ruel has come to cherish Lucy like his own blood.
He feels genuinely saddened that he has no physical body to protect her and must send her into battle.
As such, Ruel knows Lucy well.
Despite acting like a damn brat due to the blessings from the deity, her heart is kind.
She often shows weakness, yet when it’s time to act for others, she endures all pain and remains upright and strong.
She tends to feel lonely.
Because she has garnered so much disdain from those around her, she doesn’t even think others could possibly like her.
Usually, she is incredibly sensible, but sometimes she behaves in ways that are far from common sense.
When she starts to immerse herself in something, she becomes so absorbed that she forgets her surroundings.
Having received the paper for dungeon creation from the Dungeon Studies professor, Lucy was holed up in her room, clutching the paper as soon as classes at the academy ended.
Normally, she would train until sunset and return late at night after intense training in holy magic, but today, she abandoned her routine and focused solely on creating the dungeon.
It wasn’t because she was pressed for time. The Dungeon Studies professor had said that as long as she completed it within three weeks, there would be no problem.
The reason Lucy was so absorbed in creating the dungeon was simple: the sheer joy of crafting it was overwhelming.
‘Using the gimmick to target weaknesses here is good, but how should I inform the clues? Making it visible would be too obvious, so that’s out. Then...’
Unaware that her thoughts were flowing from her head, Ruel smiled warmly at the sight of Lucy moving her pen.
Is it that delightful for her to create a dungeon with her own hands?
After all, if it’s anything related to dungeons, her emotions skyrocket, so it would be strange if she weren’t grinning like that.
Normally, Ruel would have scolded Lucy for skipping meals while fretting over her work, but today was different.
The sight of Lucy, unable to contain her excitement, was the very image a girl of her age should possess.
She was a child who had been weighed down by her duties and hadn’t enjoyed any leisure, so it was good to let her indulge in something she liked once in a while.
‘...Why is the capacity already full without having put anything in!? Am I supposed to create a dungeon or not! Damn it. Let’s remove as many complicated gimmicks as possible. And.’
Seeing Lucy struggling so much indicated that creating a dungeon was likely far more complicated than I had imagined.
As someone who always approached dungeons from the standpoint of challenging them, I never considered that the Evil God’s followers must have had their share of worries.
Ah, so that’s why my companions were so furious when they destroyed the dungeon.
‘What?! I can’t use this gimmick yet?! Why not?! This is the basics of dungeon攻略!’
Seeing her struggle makes me want to offer some guidance, but since Lucy is proud of her ability to create dungeons, I shouldn’t offer advice unless she asks.
In this situation, I’m not even sure what kind of advice to give, so I should just wait and prepare a good answer for when Lucy asks me something.
Having made that decision, Ruel began to anticipate the questions Lucy would ask and prepared his answers.
This was partly because he genuinely wanted to help Lucy, but also because he wanted to hear her say, “Grandfather! You’re amazing!”
The flattery from a girl like a granddaughter was more than enough to melt the heart of the once formidable paladin, Ruel, who was often treated as a difficult person.
However, unfortunately, Lucy did not ask Ruel any questions. She merely pondered over various trial and error, deriving her own answers without seeking help from others.
How many times did Ruel repeatedly hope for her to ask, only to be disappointed?
Before long, time passed from evening to night, and as dawn approached, sunlight began to stream in through the window, but Lucy still moved her pen, her eyes bloodshot.
“Is she unaware of fatigue?”
Around early evening, Rina, who had fallen asleep and woken up in the morning, approached Ruel while looking at Lucy sitting at her desk.
“Has she gotten up in between?”
<She did get up. After all, she is still human.>
“I guess that means she returned to her seat shortly after and grabbed the pen again.”
<Yes.>
“Seriously, what kind of magical ruin is she trying to create?”
Rina’s words, suggesting that Lucy might instill trauma in first-year students, drew a light laugh from Ruel.
<Oh, surely not. Having been warned by various people, Lucy will be cautious.>
“She will be cautious. However, even with caution, the fact that it will be extraordinarily difficult doesn’t change.”
Lucy has a habit of evaluating others based on her own standards, which may stem from having been ignored by others for so long. She doesn’t realize that she has far surpassed the usual benchmarks.
Just looking at the assignments Lucy hands out to those around her reveals this.
She thinks they should be manageable at her level, but those tasked with them face endless struggles every day.
For now, her companions are all superhumans like Arthur, Joy, Frey, and Feiby, so everyone can keep up.
If that weren’t the case, wouldn’t someone have dropped dead from overwork by now?
“It’s clear. That Lucy girl will create a magical ruin that no one in first year can pass, thinking it’ll be easy.”
Ruel couldn’t bring himself to refute Rina’s words.
“If she puts that out there, she’ll surely be told by the professor to redo it, and Lucy will submit something that, while easier than before, still far exceeds first-year level.”
<...It seems obvious that someone will comment that even the Third Prince could manage this.>
“Ha. That’s certain. That Third Prince is also a monster that is more than worthy of being called a genius at that age.”
And if the Third Prince were to see the dungeon created by Lucy, he would probably respond with, “You think I can攻略 this? Me? What kind of nonsense is that?”
Lucy, especially when it comes to dungeons, is someone who doesn’t know moderation.
“Therefore, let’s filter out what we can before presenting it to the professor. We should avoid unnecessary time waste.”
<Today, you’re particularly meticulous.>
Usually, Ruel observed Lucy’s experiences from a distance, but today, he wondered why he was so concerned.
Did the events in the Burrow territory change his mind?
As Ruel admired Rina, who appeared so mature unless it involved Lucy, she melted with a smile that showed she was akin to a fox.
“This needs to end quickly so that Lucy can show off her bunny girl outfit.”
<...Yes?>
“I’m looking forward to it. When the Lucy before her level-up donned that bunny outfit, it felt like my sanity was slipping away, but if the current Lucy wore it... and then trampled over me with a disdainful expression. Hah. Just thinking about it sends shivers down my spine.”
As Ruel’s mind froze in horror at the scene of Rina drooling while he said that, he felt completely at a loss for words.
Surely, Rina is capable and overflowing with dignity, but why does she turn into a pervert in front of Lucy?
It’s true that Lucy possesses a striking appearance, noticeable wherever she goes.
But now, with even more allure, she reached a level that could leave one speechless the moment their eyes met.
Still, isn’t it too much to react like that towards a mere child?
If I had still been in my physical form, I would have smashed a mace on their head to teach them some etiquette.
“Finished!!!”
As Rina’s face melted away, Ruel’s disgust grew when Lucy, with a voice full of delight, rose from her seat.
‘Grandfather! Quickly take a look! I worked super hard on this!’
“Old man! Please look quickly! I created a dungeon that would make you feel like your brain is turning to stone!”
I wonder how many times I’ll have to tell her to keep those thoughts to herself.
She seems too excited to care about such things.
Since Lucy is so happy, I won’t spoil her mood with a scolding.
...Hmm. And I should also try to restrain my criticisms as much as possible.
Lately, she’s pranked me so much that I was planning to tease her playfully again, but I can’t ruin that bright smile.
If there are things that need to be fixed, I’ll address them as gently as I can.
With that resolution in mind, Ruel slowly absorbed the sight of the dungeon Lucy had created.
First, what stood out was the small size of the dungeon. At this rate, Lucy could probably complete it in under ten minutes.
While it’s true that this is a test for kids, isn’t this too short?
Ruel had his doubts but swallowed them as he read through the dungeon’s contents.
Since it was made by Lucy, there must be a reason for her to make the dungeon so short.
His speculation proved correct.
The dungeon Lucy created was short but not trivial.
<Is it a dungeon that infinitely repeats the same location?> ‘Yes! That’s right! When certain conditions are met, the scenery of the dungeon changes. To move on, another condition must be met!’
Indeed. This would be perfect for evaluating the ability to攻略 gimmicks.
<A brilliant idea.> ‘Right? Right?’
As Ruel heard Lucy laughing at the praise, he continued to read through the dungeon she had written.
Overall, the composition was good.
There was nothing overly forced, and the realizations gained previously were effectively used again, which was attractive.
Haha. I was wondering why she was wracking her brain so hard, but I finally understand.
To create something like this, you have to think deeply.
...Huh? That’s not it?
Thinking back on previous tendencies, the gimmicks I had previously used should be applicable again, right?
Ah! So that’s how it was.
How could I, someone like this, make such a mistake? I must be getting rusty.
At first, Ruel had been looking for points to improve the dungeon, but at some point, the situation changed.
Once he crossed a certain point, Ruel found himself returning to the time he攻略d various dungeons with the past hero, seriously attempting to solve the problems presented by Lucy.
<Ha! Yes! If I’m caught, this level is nothing!>
How long did that last?
Having successfully defeated the final boss of the dungeon and seen its conclusion, Ruel, filled with a strange sense of accomplishment, raised his voice, only to realize Lucy was grinning beside him.
‘Grandfather! Grandfather! I made it super well, right? Isn’t that so?’
<...I can’t deny it.>
This dungeon served as a place for examinations, a space for realization, and a stage for performance.
If you manage to reach the end, even the most stoic person will find themselves letting out a sound.
That’s how well made this dungeon was.
<If I were to praise what you created, it would be endless.>
‘Hehe. Of course. Who made it?!’
<Then let’s point out just one problem and move on.>
However, that doesn’t mean there were no issues.
‘A problem? Is there such a thing in this dungeon?’
<Yes. The problem is that no first-year student will see the end of this dungeon.>
‘...What?’
<Considering how many dungeons I’ve攻略d, even I had to go through countless struggles in the middle; there’s no way a first-year student could攻略 this in one go!>
Even when I think about it again, it’s a level that doesn’t make sense.
How could I even think of presenting this as an exam to kids who have never experienced practical combat?
Thank goodness that Lucy is a disciple of the deity. If this brat had created a dungeon under the Evil God, filled with malice...
Just thinking about it is horrifying.
That place would surely have been a terrifying location where even the heroes, including myself from back in the day, would have to prepare for death.
‘What? But the monsters that come out are weak, and there’s nothing particularly dangerous, so if we take our time, it should be fine.’
<Will that work?>
Lucy’s face visibly fell at the absolute declaration that no one would be able to攻略 it.
Despair was something rarely seen on the face of someone who always carried a proud expression.
Seeing her like that made Rina, who was next to her, raise her voice, saying it was attractive in its own right, but both Ruel and Lucy lightly ignored her.
It was common for Rina to say something nonsensical.
‘Ugh. There’s nothing more to take out. If I take out any more gimmicks, the concept of the dungeon will disappear!’
<I agree with that. Reducing this dungeon isn’t a good choice.>
‘Then what should I do?! Should I scrap it and start all over again?!’
<There’s no need for that. You have a trick up your sleeve.>
‘...What is it? <If it’s a dungeon that no one can conquer in one go anyway, you can give them multiple chances to conquer it.>