Once a decision was made, things moved quickly. Or at least, that’s what I wanted to say, but it wasn’t exactly that simple. After all, we were people with pretty significant positions.
“The Saintess is our symbol and our beacon! We cannot send her to the most dangerous places!”
“Even now, when the atmosphere within the church is so ominous, people still rely on the church because of the Saintess. We cannot send her away!”
“Saintess, please reconsider. Without you, we...”
At first, the church’s opposition was fierce.
As the Pope planned internal purges, many had fallen, and new faces kept appearing. That was the current situation of the church.
Yet, despite this turmoil, the faithful clung to their faith because the church’s symbol, Faby, stood like the sun, unwavering.
Priests who understood this feared what would happen if Faby were put in danger, and above all, they hoped she wouldn’t fall into harm’s way.
There were those who truly considered Faby a Saintess, and others who knew she was a created Saintess.
“Everyone, please be quiet.”
Because of the scale of this issue, John, the bishop sent for the task—no, now filling the vacant cardinal’s seat—raised his hand to silence the priests before quietly turning to look at Faby.
“Saintess.”
“Yes, Cardinal John.”
“As you know, your light is essential to the church. It has become necessary.”
“I see. It’s a great honor.”
“If you were to disappear, many would mourn.”
“Even so, another hope will bloom. I want to go to those who can no longer face hope.”
“Is that God’s will?”
“It is my will. God may love even the puppets who follow only his words, but I do not wish to be one.”
Though this response might seem somewhat irreverent to both God and the faithful, John appeared satisfied with it and turned to persuade the other priests at the front. Despite everything, that man is a good cleric.
“At the moment, she says this, but she was actually adamantly opposed to this mission. She said there was no need to risk our lives for the remnants of the past.”
As Faby watched John’s retreating back, she smiled softly.
“But in the end, he acknowledged it.”
“That old man was moved by listening to the dumb sermons of the ‘useless’ Saintess?”
“It’s hard to call it a sermon, but in any case, he came to acknowledge that even the remnants of the past should be given a chance for salvation.”
Just as John’s gaze had been warm when he worried about Faby, Faby’s gaze as she watched him was also filled with warmth.
Though they could never have been together in the game, the two had long since come to see each other as family.
“To be welcomed by the fairies, it can’t be helped.”
The next person I went to was the Duke of Partlan, who listened to my words with his usual grim expression.
“I’ve already heard from Lord Erginnus. I’ve also confirmed my daughter’s intentions. So, according to the original plan, I was going to follow it. But not this time.”
Then, a sense of crisis, not the usual pressure that comes from his mistaken sense of superiority, hit me, enough to ring alarm bells in my mind.
“You are excellent, but you are still students. You are too inexperienced to be called seasoned warriors. And you want to approach the remnants of the mythic age? With my daughter, who might become the future of magic?”
The Duke of Partlan was a man who made countless mistakes and was often clumsy, but he was also the leader of the five dukes, an extraordinary man.
He was a grand magician who supported the kingdom, a lord who ruled a vast territory, and a knight who could confidently laugh even in front of Benedict.
His intimidating presence was, frankly, hard to endure, especially given his expression.
An individual like him, who had so much influence over the country, showing true murderous intent, would normally make anyone anxious.
But I wasn’t intimidated.
“If my daughter dies, do you think I’ll cry for three days and nights?♡ Do you think I’ll lose my will to live and become a cripple?♡ I’d love to see that. I wonder if the Duke’s evil face would still be intact even if he became a cripple.♡”
I had faced countless strong opponents. Even the evil gods of the mythic age had stood before me.
And I insulted them. I angered them. I smiled, hiding the trembling hands that were ready to receive their murderous intent.
But would I be afraid of this foolish father figure?
Ha, what a joke.
If this man had started smiling foolishly, then maybe I would have actually run away.
“Did you perhaps develop some improper feelings for my daughter?♡ If the idiot hears that, he’ll be shocked.♡ He’s such a fool, he’d have his eyes wide open.♡”
“...Stop using people’s emotions as a reason to make your point. You’ll really die doing that.”
Ah, he saw through it. He might be a clumsy fool, but he’s sharp when it matters.
Even though it didn’t matter, I appreciated that he saw through the provocation.
If I could stop provoking people just by being aware of it, even the legendary evil gods wouldn’t have their way with me.
“Are you angry?♡ Can you not resist yelling at my daughter’s friend?♡ Finally revealing the true nature of the rapist?♡”
“I’m sorry, but I’ve never looked at anyone other than my wife. I certainly don’t have any interest in a kid like you.”
“Huh♡ Really?♡”
“I understand. I understand. The trial ends here. But you better control your emotions. It’s surprisingly difficult to keep them in check.”
Grumbling, the Duke waved his hand, pressed his forehead, sighed, and swept his hair back.
“Do you have the confidence to protect her?”
“I think I can protect her better than a worthless father who values his family above his daughter.”
Without even needing to say it, I know I’ll prioritize her over my own life.
My belief hasn’t changed: I’d rather die than let my friends die.
I’ve decided that everyone will have a happy ending, and that’s the only way.
“That’s fine. I’ve heard enough about the miracle you’ve shown from Duke Burrow, so I’ll believe it. I hope you can create another miracle this time.”
After hearing the Duke’s request for me to take care of his daughter, I went to meet Count Kent, who looked tired, along with Frey, who had already prepared to leave.
“I’ve heard the story.”
“But you’re not saying anything?”
“I do my job, and my daughter does hers. Frey is a skilled knight. There won’t be any danger in a place like this.”
“Yeah, that’s right. I’ll cut through everything.”
Afterward, I went to Arthur, who, after hearing my story, spoke a few words to the commander of the knights and left.
He was the most useless one I’d convinced so far.
“It’s obvious. Unlike you guys, I’m someone whose existence doesn’t matter either way. Honestly, they’re probably happy to see me go.”
I nodded at Arthur’s words. He would only cause trouble if he stayed here.
“Hey, why are you nodding?”
“You said it yourself. You’re useless. Incompetent prince.”
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“When someone says something like that, you’re supposed to comfort them!”
“I don’t feel like it. If I did, I’d only end up having false hope and look pathetic.”
“Can’t you say something nice?”
“I can’t. If you don’t like it, go ahead and shut my mouth.”
“Do you even know what that means? Aaagh! Seriously!”
Finally, when I arrived at Benedict’s place, he was moving along with the other knights, wiping his hands on a cloth soaked with sweat. He ruffled my hair and smiled.
“Take care.”
“...So, you’re saying you wouldn’t care if I wasn’t around. Foolish papa?”
“Of course not! I’m worried. I’m wondering if it’s better to destroy the reception and everything else. I hate the god who pushed you into danger, but still, you’re going to go according to your choice, right? Then I should support you from behind. As a father.”
Hearing Benedict’s hesitant voice, I closed my mouth for a moment and then suddenly charged toward him, hitting his chest.
His body, closer to that of a giant than a human, was as solid as a fortress, but he certainly shook from the unexpected attack.
“Idiot. I’m not going into that place yet! I’m going for the trial. Trial. Do you understand the difference? Idiot papa, apologize to the knights! And apologize to me for being a troll’s offspring.”
“Wha-what? Did I say something wrong? I thought I said something nice. No. Lucy. Lucyyyyy.”
After getting everyone’s approval, I prepared to head toward the Fairy Forest barrier.
Comparing the map Erginnus had drawn and the one made by the kingdom, I carefully recorded everything.
I thought about the people we were likely to encounter inside.
I prepared for any variables, taking into account past incidents near the Fairy Forest.
I even had a plan for the worst-case scenario.
And when I felt everything was ready, I gathered my friends.
“Idiot. Did you get the ominous intentions of the virgin skeleton?”
“I learned the wisdom of the great magician. I have no intention of learning about his virginity.”
“You’re not denying that the person who taught you magic is a virgin, huh? You ungrateful little fool.”
“...Huh? No, I didn’t mean that.”
“Those who are ungrateful are like beasts, right?”
“It’s fine. Joy. The god will show mercy to beasts.”
“Praise be to the god.”
“Why does everyone treat me like an animal? I’m a perfectly normal person! I know about gratitude! Right?! Professor Kal!”
“...The guards were taught not to interfere in matters like this.”
“You too!”
Ignoring Joy, who was shouting, I checked my friends’ equipment and their conditions. Good. Everyone’s in perfect shape.
There’s no weak spot. If this were beyond a monitor, we’d casually crush even the final boss.
Actually, if it were beyond a monitor, I could handle it with my bare hands.
“Idiots. Stop slacking off and move. If you make me sleep outside, I’ll use you as bedding.”
Let’s go. To the Fairy Forest