I still didn’t fully understand why Lucy had so desperately wanted that necklace. The memories I had of Lucy ended in the midst of despair.
However, it's not that I couldn't guess. The driving force behind Lucy's actions at that time must have been the memories Mira left behind before her death, so it wasn’t hard to infer why Lucy desired that necklace, which looked so similar to the one Mira used to wear.
I was sure that at that time, Lucy must have seen her mother’s apparition in that necklace.
Knowing this, I placed the necklace on Mira’s grave. I took it out to convey the longing and sorrow that Lucy had felt.
I didn’t think anything was strange about it. Jewelry’s appearance usually follows the trends of the time.
There are so many similar pieces in the world that it would be odd to make much of a resemblance.
But now, I knew better. The moment that the perverted god’s holy energy infused this necklace, it became clear that the god had arranged this moment.
Perverted God, you’ve been watching Lucy for a long time, haven’t you? You’ve been watching her suffer in sadness, looking at her as she was crushed by the curse disguised as a blessing.
If the old Lucy knew this, she would have surely poured out her resentment.
She would have vented all her anger toward that useless god.
Even now, I felt no different.
I still hated the incompetence of that useless god and looked at him with disdain while pretending to be cheerful.
I didn’t like him for giving a burden to a little girl who wasn’t even an adult yet.
But, I didn’t hate or despise him.
I knew his intentions were good.
I knew he was grieving for the sorrow happening on the surface of the world.
I knew he was heartbroken over his own incompetence.
I knew that because I had heard his heartfelt apology to Fayvie. He wasn’t evil, just powerless.
So, despite my personal feelings, I didn’t curse him. I didn’t know what Lucy’s thoughts would be, but for me, that was true.
Thinking about the nature of the perverted god, I assumed the necklace held his own form of apology.
Smiling, I looked at the necklace through my emotions.
[Necklace of Miracles] [This is a necklace containing the perverted god’s miracle. However, due to a lack of divine energy within, it is unable to exert its full power.]
I silently apologized to Mira and picked the necklace back up.
The incompetent, useless god, though he had planned this moment, hadn’t even been able to communicate it properly—but that was alright.
Because the apostle of the god was here.
It wasn’t because I wanted to serve him, but as the god’s representative, I had to finish what he had left undone.
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Taking a deep breath, I gathered the god’s divine energy and poured it into the necklace.
And then, I realized why miracles are called miracles.
Damn it. Why did this have to be so complicated? Why did even something as simple as infusing divine energy have to be so difficult?
...It’s alright. Stay calm. You’ve already performed a miracle before. Compared to what you did in Menestale, this is nothing.
<Lucy, do you really think you can do this?>
‘...What?’
<Can someone like you, who was once the epitome of a beastly knight, truly understand this?>
‘No. Why are you suddenly starting a fight with me?! Do I look like I’m in the mood for jokes?!’
Why is he suddenly acting like this?! I mean, he jokes around often, but he’s not one to be completely oblivious to the atmosphere! Has he lost his mind?
<And isn’t there someone right next to you who’s an expert in this?>
Hearing the old man’s playful voice, I understood what he meant and let out a chuckle.
‘Couldn’t you just say you’ll help me?’
<I don’t quite understand. I never asked for help, did I?>
As I continued talking with the old man, the sadness that had started with Lucy’s sorrow began to ease.
‘Grandfather, you said I wasn’t being honest, but I think the same applies to you.’
<Heh.>
‘I understand, Grandpa. Please help me. Help me fulfill this miracle.’
<If you’re asking so nicely, I guess I have no choice. First, you need to spread out the divine domain. It’s important to make using the divine energy easier. And then...>
As soon as I asked, the old man immediately started telling me what I needed to do. I followed his instructions, gradually infusing the divine energy into the miracle within the necklace.
The process was so complicated that I failed countless times, but the old man didn’t scold me. He simply guided me on what to do next.
The silver lining was that, as I listened to the old man’s explanations, I became more skilled in handling divine energy.
At first, I failed over and over just to perform a single step, but gradually, the number of mistakes decreased, and eventually, I was able to move on without failure.
Though I still made many mistakes, the rate of failure had certainly reduced.
How long did I keep at it? After persevering, I finally managed to perfectly replicate the miracle that had been embedded in the necklace.
‘Grandfather! I did it! I finally did it!’
<Haha. I know you’re happy, but calm down for a moment. Shouldn’t you see what happens next?>
‘Then I’ll just thank you for helping! Thank you so much, Grandpa!’
Having expressed my gratitude, I eagerly examined the miracle the perverted god had arranged.
What had he wanted to convey to Lucy with this necklace? What had he left behind, watching the suffering child through sad eyes as she slowly fell apart under the curse called blessing?
The many thoughts swirling in my head crumbled with a single phrase that whispered into my ear.
As soon as I heard it, the tears started flowing again, and I could no longer continue my thoughts.
Even though holding onto my sanity was a struggle, I suppressed every sound that wanted to escape my mouth.
Because if I let it all out, Lucy, who still lingered in my heart, would hear it clearly.
I knew Lucy would hear the voice she wanted to hear.
“...Mother.”
“...Yes, mother.”
As I heard these words, I could see the divine energy fading from the necklace. The miracle was nearing its end.
“...No. No!”
“Is this all?! Is this all you can manage?! Are you gasping with just this?!”
“Please! Please! Please...!”
As the divine energy of the god faded, the mausoleum returned to its original coldness.
Desperately, I clutched the necklace and tried to pour more divine energy into it.
I tried, desperately, to make the miracle happen again.
<Lucy.>
‘Grandfather! Please help me quickly! There’s so much more I need to hear! So many things left to say!’
<That necklace has lost its miracle. No matter how much you try.>
“Stop talking nonsense! Help me! Now! I am right now...!”
As I shouted, my mind went blank.
No.
No, I can’t give up yet.
I can’t fall.
I must...
When I came to, I was lying in my bed in my room.
Staring blankly at the familiar ceiling, I suddenly realized that my hands felt empty, and I was startled into sitting up, only to get dizzy and collapse forward.
<Calm down. Your body is...>
‘The necklace! Where is the necklace?! What about the necklace?!’
<...Isn’t it around your neck?>
Feeling around my chest with my trembling hands, I confirmed the presence of the necklace and sighed in relief.
<You’ve drained your divine energy to the very bottom, so you’re exhausted. Even you, Lucy, will need to rest for a few days.>
Ah. That’s why I couldn’t put strength into my body.
It was like when I finished the task in Menestale.
I couldn’t stay collapsed forever, so I forced myself to rise, only to collapse back onto the pillow.
‘...I’m sorry, Grandfather. I...’
<The one who should apologize is me. I should’ve calmed you down. I was too hasty.>
The old man’s sincere apology left me speechless. Normally, I would have teased him about being in the wrong, but thinking about what happened in the mausoleum, I couldn’t bring myself to do that.
<Lucy.>
‘...What?’
<The miracle within that necklace.>
‘Ah. That.’
Though I had been swept up in emotion back in the mausoleum, now, somewhat calm, I understood what the old man meant.
That miracle was just something borrowed from the perverted god. Since his power had dispersed, the necklace was just a regular necklace now.
‘It’s alright, Grandpa. It’s disappointing, but...’
<I’ve remembered how the miracle was structured. If I keep analyzing it, someday, I’ll understand how it works.>
‘...Really?’
<I’m the legendary paladin, Ruell. I’ve performed countless miracles. This is nothing to me.>
The old man—no, Ruell, my grandfather—said with a reassuring voice.
<Miracles can be recreated, Lucy.>
‘...’
<So, until then, keep improving your skills. So that you can perform a miracle with your own hands.>
‘...Yes, Grandpa.’
Holding the necklace tightly, I covered my face with my remaining hand.
<Do you still have more tears left to shed?>
‘...I guess so. It’s surprising even to me.’
<Heh. Don’t tell me you’ll faint again.>
‘By the way, Grandpa.’
<What is it?>
‘Doesn’t it embarrass you to call yourself a legendary paladin?’
<...I’ve said too much today. I need to rest for a while.>
How embarrassing that he said it himself.
Chuckling to myself, I started coughing as it caught in my throat, and I fell asleep again.
When I woke up, the annoying blue screen was floating in front of me.
But what was different this time was...
[Hidden condition achieved!] [Rewards have been granted!]