The basement of a store on Soul Academy Street.
Until just a moment ago, those who had been working in the shop, smiling, now wore solemn expressions, as if they had discarded the brightness from earlier.
In the oppressive silence that seemed like it would stretch on endlessly, the person in charge of the counter spoke in a heavy voice.
“The atmosphere of the Church of the Divine Maiden has been strange ever since the Saint returned. It seems they’ve noticed something.”
“I heard the same from the people who came earlier. The priests in the Church look busier than usual.”
“...But this is strange. Was there any way for our true identities to be discovered? Even the professors at the Academy and the bishop of the Church didn’t notice us.”
At the words of one person who seemed to be under some misunderstanding, a heavy silence settled over the table. It seemed that everyone had the same thought.
Among the followers of the Void, the elite ones, they were different from the other common followers who relied solely on the power of the Evil Gods.
Not only did they mimic others' appearances, but they could also act out everything they absorbed, giving them the confidence to infiltrate anywhere in the world.
In fact, they had never been caught since they infiltrated Soul Academy Street.
They had deceived the professors at the Academy, the priests of the Church of the Divine Maiden, and even the bishop hadn’t detected their infiltration.
But now, a so-called “unskilled” Saint had noticed the anomaly in just a single day?
“Let’s talk about that later. Even if it’s just our misunderstanding, it’s best to prepare for the worst.”
The one who spoke first, while harboring the same thoughts, hid them and tried to regain composure.
It was better to prepare for the worst than to face the consequences of underestimating the situation.
“For now, let’s all go back to our posts and wait.”
Just as the man who had organized the situation was about to direct everyone on what to do, the crystal ball in his arms began to glow.
He excused himself to the others seated at the table and took out the crystal ball, channeling magic into it. A flustered face of a man appeared within it.
“Elock.”
The man, who had apparently been in a hurry when making contact, gasped for breath, almost struggling to speak as he continued.
“The Church has moved! The priests are surrounding the store we infiltrated!”
Elock, who had been leading the conversation, swore under his breath after hearing the man's words.
Dammit. The Church is moving faster than I anticipated.
How is this possible? The Church of the Divine Maiden, which has been so rigid, would have to follow a process to act. Did they find some crucial evidence?
“Right now, other followers are imitating the staff and blocking them, but we don't know how long they can hold out!”
“What’s the justification the Church is using?”
“They’re claiming it’s a heresy purge.”
“Do they have any evidence?”
“No. Nothing.”
What? If it were before, the Church wouldn’t have had the power to push for a purge without any evidence.
Unable to guess the Church's intentions, Elock furrowed his brow when a commotion erupted from above the ceiling.
No one had specifically told them, but everyone seated at the table immediately recognized who had arrived at the shop.
The energy radiating from the intruders was undoubtedly from the Church of the Divine Maiden.
“...We need to retreat for now. If they’re showing that much confidence, it must mean they’ve found something.”
Whether it was simple bluster or genuine intent, Elock decided that retreating was the best option for now.
“I’ll stay here,” said someone at the table, not agreeing with Elock.
The man who had taken on a major role in the infiltration and was now acting as the cook insisted on his decision despite the reprimanding glares.
“It’s actually a good thing. If they’re just suspicious, we should let them observe. If they’re forcing the issue, then we’ll be able to move more freely afterward.”
“That seems too risky.”
“Even if it becomes a problem, I’ll drag it out as long as I can. Elock, you should go down below and monitor the situation.”
His words, promising to drag things out if things went wrong, carried a clear resolve.
Elock, facing the man, weighed his usefulness and the benefits he might gain if this mission succeeded, and then slowly nodded.
“I understand. But don’t expect us to help you.”
“Of course not.”
With a grin, the man walked out of the room and began adjusting his expression as he climbed the stairs.
The cook he was impersonating had a fiery temperament and immense pride. A person like him would never be intimidated by the Church’s sudden appearance.
At the door to the ground level, the man lightly adjusted his neck and then barged through the door, tightening his throat.
“What is going on here?!”
His booming voice filled the shop, drawing the attention of everyone inside.
Flustered employees. Priests with slightly coercive expressions. And at the center stood a small girl.
A girl?
Why was Lucy Allen here?
...Now that I think about it, Lucy Allen had been the one to capture our companion when we infiltrated the Art Cult.
Considering the commotion at the Art Cult, it was undeniable that she was involved.
Had this brat been given some kind of blessing?
Was there a reason why the Apostle of Darkness was so fixated on this girl?
“Hey. Pig. Why are you looking at me like that?”
The man, who had been deep in thought, heard Lucy’s sharp voice and couldn’t help but laugh in disbelief.
“I knew Lady Allen was on friendly terms with the Saint, but I didn’t expect you to wield the Church’s power so casually!”
The man’s words, which turned the Church's purge into a personal attack on Lucy Allen, were expertly spoken. In fact, the priests standing behind Lucy Allen looked confused as they heard his words.
But Lucy didn’t react. She walked up confidently to the man, looked up at him, and grinned.
“Oink? Oink oink?”
“...What are you doing?”
This chapt𝒆r is updated by frёewebηovel.cѳm.
“I spoke to you in the language of livestock. Why are you pretending not to understand?”
The man’s face flushed slightly at Lucy’s words, which showed no respect.
Calm down. The more this brat causes trouble, the more it plays in my favor. I can just let her do whatever she wants.
“Puhahaha ♡ Look at you pretending not to understand ♡ With those pig-like eyes, trying to act dignified? It’s just hilarious ♡”
Ignore it. The reason Lucy Allen is making a scene is that there’s no concrete evidence. If I just laugh off everything she says...
“Or maybe you’re just insecure? ♡ Though, I bet no one can see anything with all that belly fat ♡”
That fucking bitch.
For a moment, the man’s sanity snapped. Forgetting his original purpose, he pulled a kitchen knife from his pocket and swung it at Lucy Allen with the sole intent of attacking the arrogant brat who had the power of the Evil God.
Even though Lucy saw the knife coming, she made no attempt to move.
It wasn’t that she couldn’t defend herself.
How could she miss a slow attack from a man, when she was far beyond the skill of ordinary knights?
The reason she didn’t act was simple: there was no need to.
Standing beside her was a knight who would risk his life to protect her.
“Don’t be rude. How dare you lay a hand on my lady?”
With a single strike, the knife was knocked out of the man’s hand. His own momentum controlled the fight.
The followers of the Evil God who had been pretending to be staff members, as well as the priests behind Lucy Allen, were all sweating as they witnessed the scene. Meanwhile, Lucy Allen spun around cheerfully, humming a tune as she looked at the priests.
“Hey, priests? What are you doing standing there? If your eyes are still working, you should have seen what just happened, right?”
“...Uh, yes. Yes, that’s right.”
“Then get to work ♡ You useless bastards who can’t do anything but follow the saint around ♡”
Spurred on by Lucy Allen’s tirade, the priests quickly moved to seize the shop's staff.
Realizing that the situation had spiraled beyond repair, the Void followers revealed their identities and began to struggle, but their efforts, as expected, only confirmed their status as priests.
The other shop where the Evil God’s followers had stayed was no different.
Thanks to Phoebe, who followed Lucy’s instructions, the disguises of the Evil God’s followers were revealed using the Divine Maiden’s power.
In just a day, the infiltration plan of the Void followers, which had been months in the making, was shattered.
As the academic year at Soul Academy was less than a week away, the commotion drew the attention of many. Those who heard the details deemed it as another testament to the Divine Maiden’s abilities.
Phoebe, the person involved, denied it, but most people interpreted her denial as mere humility.
“It’s not just humility. I really didn’t do anything in this.”
“But you were the one leading the Church’s people, weren’t you?”
“...Well, that’s true.”
“Then, was there anyone who told you about the issues on the street?”
“...Well...”
“Haha, it’s not good to be too humble, Lady Saint.”
Lucy’s influence played a role in the credit being given to Phoebe.
Since Lucy didn’t want to stand out, it was natural that Phoebe took all the credit.
While Phoebe was flustered by the praise she didn’t deserve, Lucy, who had slipped away from the commotion, was staring at her quest screen in her dorm.
[Eradicate the Heresy!]
That’s strange.
I destroyed the hideouts of the followers, but why hasn’t the quest been completed?