The moment I heard that I was being followed, I instinctively stopped in my tracks. But after a moment of thought, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off.
‘I know they’re skilled, but are they good enough to deceive Benedict?’
Is there anyone capable of fooling a monster like Benedict? If they were following me, I might as well just allow them to continue.
<That’s not it. Your father probably noticed them already.>
‘So he’s letting them be?’
<One of two things. Either he considers them harmless to you, or he’s too bothered to deal with them. Personally, I think it’s the latter.>
‘Why’s that?’
<If not, your father would never just let those who are following you get away with it.>
That’s true.
Benedict’s obsession with his daughter borders on excessive.
He’s not the kind of person to leave matters that threaten me unchecked.
If he could, he would’ve torn apart the ones following me right on the spot.
The ones he’s reluctant to deal with must be... I’d bet they’re political, not someone he’d want to interfere with directly.
<So here’s a suggestion: How about you create a reason for your father to act on them?>
‘Are you suggesting what I think you’re suggesting?’
<Exactly. The thing you do best.>
Hearing my grandfather’s mischievous tone, I couldn’t help but chuckle quietly. Joy, who was next to me, tilted her head in confusion.
“What’s so funny?”
“There’s only one thing in front of me.”
“...Me?”
“Ha-ha. You got it. I couldn’t help but laugh at the pitiful face of a fool like you.”
“D-Do I really look that bad?”
“Your hair looks like a dry rag. Your wrinkles under your eyes are sagging, and there's drool by your mouth.”
“Wha—! I don’t have any drool!”
“You’re embarrassed, so you thought you might have spilled some, huh? Ha-ha-ha!”
“Lucy, don’t tease your friends too much.”
Flushed with embarrassment, Joy quickly turned to Benedict, who had just arrived, and urgently spoke.
“Lord Arlen, do I really look that tired?”
“...Hmm. To be honest, yes. I think it’s best you rest.”
“...I see.”
Hearing Benedict’s sincere advice, Joy quickly left with slow steps, and I stepped outside with Benedict.
<There’s one on the tree. One behind the building. And one sitting on a bench...>
Following my grandfather’s words, I checked the followers and widened my eyes.
The skills of these followers in this fantasy world are no joke. In a world where magic, mana, and divine power exist, it’s really hard to notice them.
If I hadn’t had a sense of aesthetics, I probably wouldn’t have noticed, even with my grandfather pointing it out.
<How about it? Is there anyone you can target?>
‘There’s one who seems suitable.’
<Good. Let’s act on it right away.>
Why does my grandfather sound so pleased? Does he enjoy provoking people like this?
While I enjoy watching angry livestock, I’m curious if a noble and holy knight like my grandfather should be enjoying this.
I shook my head, pitying those who treat my grandfather as a half-god as I walked down the street, but suddenly stopped and swiftly turned my head.
“What’s wrong, Lucy?”
Benedict, sounding puzzled, asked, but I didn’t answer him. I simply walked towards the man sitting on the bench.
The man, who had been reading a book, noticed the presence and looked up.
“...Lady Arlen?”
His startled gaze was so naturally dramatic, it could’ve been a starring role in some play.
But even that had its limits. The power of the capricious Crow Goddess found something strange in his expression.
“What... did I do?”
“Now you’re pretending to be innocent?♡ I’ve seen your eyes full of lust, like a horny monkey.♡”
“...Huh?!”
The student, whether it was because of my provocation or Benedict’s intimidating gaze, began stammering, looking genuinely flustered.
“Even now, you’re glancing at my legs.♡ You thought I wouldn’t notice the way you’re looking at me with those lustful eyes?♡”
“No! I—I’ve never looked at you that way!”
“Heh♡ Really?♡ But your eyes were so sinister as you looked behind me. You’re not trying to pounce on me like a fool papa would, are you?♡”
I casually touched my chin with my finger, letting my voice slip with mock curiosity, and Benedict’s gaze turned even more like a demon.
Even though I wasn’t directly involved, I could feel my spine tingle. How about this guy, receiving such murderous intent—could he even breathe?
“Absolutely not! Lord Benedict! How could I, someone like me, harbor such disgusting thoughts about Lady Arlen!?”
“Hmm♡ Really?♡”
The reason I chose this guy as my target was twofold.
One, because he was the easiest to provoke, and the other because his gaze had really been following me.
What do I mean by that? The world is full of perverted freaks.
As I chuckled and lowered one shoulder, the garment draped over my shoulder slid down, revealing my fair skin and deeply carved collarbones.
Naturally, his gaze followed, but then he tried to act nonchalant, though he couldn’t hide his physiological reaction.
“Hmm, what is this?♡ Huh?♡ Care to answer? You disgusting pervert?♡”
“No. It’s not like that.”
“Just in case, I’m telling you not to say it’s naturally that size, okay?♡ A small guy like you, trying to fill your ego like that... I’ll probably die laughing!♡”
I laughed derisively and stepped forward, blatantly continuing my speech while focusing on the center.
“Come to think of it, you’re a pervert, but not a pedo, huh?♡ A little guy like you couldn’t be an adult, right?♡”
I leaned in close, right up to his chin, provoking him, and his hidden energy began to seep out.
Updat𝓮d fr𝙤m ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com.
Feeling it, I understood why Benedict had let them be.
I now knew why my grandfather had made me provoke them.
Because the energy coming from this guy’s body was undoubtedly divine.
“Well.”
Benedict, who had effortlessly grabbed the man’s hand as he tried to grab my collar, crushed it, smiling viciously.
“You’re quite troublesome.”
The man’s face, previously consumed with rage, turned pale in an instant.
“I only stayed quiet because I knew you were from the church. But now, to repay my patience like this...”
“Oh, Lord Arlen. There’s a misunderstanding here.”
“A misunderstanding? Could you explain what kind of misunderstanding that is? I hope it’s a proper explanation. Otherwise, my anger won’t subside.”
The uproar I started soon spread around us.
It was inevitable that people would start looking when Benedict and I raised our voices.
With Benedict’s anger, my mocking smile, and others’ curious stares, the man, drenched in cold sweat, didn’t know what to do and repeatedly opened and closed his mouth.
He must have known that the noise would escalate.
“Lord Benedict Arlen. Lady Lucy Arlen.”
The man, who had appeared through the curious gazes, broke the silence with a respectful bow.
He had faintly revealed divine energy as he approached and spoke, ensuring that Benedict and I would notice it.
“I will explain separately. Could we step out of here?”
“Why should we believe you?”
Hearing Benedict’s question, the man took out a peculiar cross from his clothing.
...That’s the Inquisitor’s proof.
Wait. Wait a minute. The ones following me are from the church’s Inquisition?
Why are those lunatics, who go around hunting heretics, following me!?