The moment I saw my reflection in her eyes, all the noise around me disappeared.
Am I really moving as I wish? Is my face betraying confusion, stripped of the defiant confidence granted by the Mesugaki Skill?
In a rush, I pulled a mirror from my inventory and examined the face reflected in it.
Since stepping into this world, I’d grown sick of seeing Lucy’s face. Her undeniably cute and pretty appearance had become so familiar that I barely noticed it anymore.
That’s why I knew all too well the limitations of expressions I could make. The constraints of the Mesugaki Skill didn’t allow me to show weakness.
And yet, the Lucy staring back at me in the mirror was different. Gone were the usual smugness and arrogance; instead, confusion filled her expression, making her look like an ordinary girl her age.
Am I dreaming? Could I still be trapped in the illusions Lucy showed me?
“Ow.”
I tugged mercilessly at my soft cheek, and a yelp of pain escaped my lips. Wait...
Does that mean this isn’t a dream? Am I really free to act without the constraints of the Mesugaki Skill?
Unable to accept this as reality, I began making all kinds of faces in the mirror.
I smiled, furrowed my brow, pouted, and even made a teary expression. Time slipped away as I lost myself in observing the changes in my reflection, only snapping back to reality when Karia snatched the mirror from my hands.
“Employer, what happened in there? You’ve always been expressive, but this is on another level!”
“If I knew, would I be acting like this, Auntie? Ugh, no wonder a spinster like you doesn’t have any men around—no sense of tact.”
“What does that have to do with anything?!”
Ignoring Karia’s indignant outburst, I continued to think.
Just a moment ago, I’d been planning to calmly tell Karia that I didn’t know what was going on. Yet, what came out of my mouth was far from calm or polite.
The meaning was clear: the Mesugaki Skill still resided within me. It had merely weakened its grip on me.
But something still felt off. Until recently, there had been a slight difference between what I thought and what I said. Now, even that subtle discrepancy was gone.
“Grandpa, Grandpa! Doesn’t something feel weird when I talk right now?”
<Rather than calling it ‘weird,’ it’s more appropriate to say you’ve regained balance. From what I see, this seems far more natural.>
“R-Really?”
<Yes. Hasn’t the dissonance disappeared?>
Has it? Listening to Grandpa’s words, I tried recalling old memories, but I couldn’t pinpoint the difference. If Grandpa said so, then it must be true. Hmm.
“Why do you think this happened?”
<I wouldn’t know. This change likely stems from what you saw earlier.>
So, to get a clear answer, I’d need to understand the Main God’s intentions.
“Employer?! Are you even listening to me?!”
“Karia, calm yourself. This isn’t the first time our lady has behaved strangely.”
“...I suppose you’re right, but still.”
“And Karia, it’s an undeniable fact that you possess great beauty. No matter what the lady says, that won’t change, so why not brush it off with grace?”
Karia’s face softened briefly, charmed by Kal’s smooth words delivered in his usual polished voice. But the reprieve didn’t last long.
Quickly reading between the lines, Karia glared at Kal.
“You... you’re thinking I’m being ridiculous, aren’t you?”
“I wouldn’t dare to presume such a thing.”
“You’re not off the hook. I’ll get you for this. Just wait.”
As beads of sweat formed on Kal’s forehead, Heyshan quietly approached me, holding out a map.
“Lady Lucy, you found something in there, didn’t you?”
“It was just a dungeon born from some god’s lackluster imagination. Nothing exciting.”
“Then perhaps the map has changed?”
Understanding her intent, I took the map and channeled divinity into it. New markings appeared, overlaying the map.
“It seems we’ll need to explore every corner of the island.”
The updated map depicted another island. So, we’re being directed to find more secrets there.
Grinning faintly at the Main God’s ploy, I handed the map back to Heyshan.
I still didn’t fully understand the changes I’d undergone. I didn’t know whether they were for the better or worse. But one thing was clear: I had to see this journey through to the end.
Only after clearing all the dungeons would I grasp what the Main God was trying to convey.
As the dark sky shifted to a soft violet hue, I stretched and began walking.
Time to return to the lodging and get a couple of hours of sleep.
Too much had happened today.
I needed a break.
That night, Joy, still gleeful after thoroughly teasing Arthur, collapsed onto her bed with a satisfied grin.
Finally, she’d managed to repay the prince for all the mockery she’d endured. Thanks to Lady Allen’s mischievous streak, the sight of Arthur, red-faced and trying to explain himself to Freya, was pure gold.
Still chuckling softly at the memory, Joy quickly drifted into a deep sleep, unbothered by dreams.
The following morning, she awoke to faint sounds from downstairs. Rubbing her eyes, she glanced out the window at the dawn-lit scenery, stifling a yawn.
Lady Allen must have returned late last night. There’s still time before we leave. I’ll just greet her in the morning.
However, no matter how much she tried to return to sleep, her body, conditioned by the rigorous training of the Allen Knights, refused to cooperate.
Realizing she wouldn’t find rest by lying down, Joy sighed, dressed, and headed downstairs.
On the first floor, she saw knights easing their fatigue at the tables and Lucy sitting on a chair, her legs swinging as they didn’t quite reach the ground, humming a light tune.
Did something good happen? Lucy’s usual sharpness seemed absent, replaced by an unusual cheerfulness.
Smiling at the rare sight, Joy descended the stairs. Sensing her approach, Lucy turned her head.
“Oh, look who’s here. Still awake, Joy? Guess you’re not tired enough. Maybe I should push you harder next time.”
The words were as cutting as ever, but Lucy’s expression wasn’t.
For the first time, Joy saw a radiant, innocent smile on her face—a sight so striking it left her momentarily stunned.
Even though Lucy always exuded confidence and beauty, her usual smug expressions never highlighted her charm. A serene smile like this, however, was utterly disarming.
Before Joy could fully process Lucy’s transformation, a clatter snapped her out of her daze.
“Kal, what’s wrong with him?”
“The lady’s smile probably purified him.”
“Her smile is lovely, but this is excessive.”
“If the Master found out, he’d be beside himself.”
“Should we prepare condolences in advance?”
The knights’ banter barely registered with Joy, whose heart was racing uncontrollably for reasons she couldn’t quite understand. Lucy, oblivious to Joy’s turmoil, hopped off her chair and approached her.
“Hey, Joy. You okay? Don’t tell me your body’s gone as sluggish as your brain now?”
Lucy’s gaze, filled with a concern Joy had never seen before, left her completely flustered.
Is this really Lady Allen? The Lady Allen I know would never wear an expression like that.
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Confused, Joy flinched when Lucy poked her nose with a soft finger, causing her to stumble back and land on the stairs.
“Ow...”
As she sat there nursing her bruised pride, Lucy burst into laughter.
“Pfft! Oh wow, you’re such a klutz.”
Jumping to her feet, Joy, her face flushed bright red, quickly grabbed a fan to hide her embarrassment. She glanced at Lucy, cleared her throat, and tried to regain composure.
“Ahem. Lady Allen.”
“Yeah? What is it, Joy? Are you going to beg me not to tease you anymore because it’s just too embarrassing?”
That’s exactly what I want to do! But even if I beg, you’ll just tease me more! Like I’d fall for that!
Suppressing her inner rant, Joy let out a deep breath to steady herself before carefully asking her question.
“Did something happen last night?”
“Sharp as ever, Joy. Yeah, something did happen.”
Lucy didn’t deny it. She acknowledged that something had changed.
“Are you curious?”
“Yes, very much so.”
“Hmm. Well, since you’re my friend, I’ll tell you. So, last night—”
Just as Joy leaned in expectantly, Lucy burst into laughter.
“Hahaha! Look at you, all excited! Did you really think I’d tell you?”
“...What?”
“Since you’re so curious, I’ll keep it a secret. Nope, not telling!”
Watching Lucy’s playful grin, Joy covered her face with her hands.
How can someone be this cute?! This has to be illegal!