“They’ll be fine for now, as I’ve cast a spell to help them stabilize,” Faybie said as she dispelled the divine power lingering in her hand and addressed Joy.
Joy, lying on the bed, looked at Faybie with an expressionless face. Although she appeared cold and indifferent to the world, Faybie, who had known Joy for a long time, understood what thoughts lay behind that mask.
Thus, she wasn’t afraid at all, unlike others.
“Joy.”
When Faybie called her name, Joy slowly turned her head.
“Look at me.”
But when she added another phrase, Joy’s cold eyes met Faybie’s again.
“You know better than anyone that you’re not fully stabilized yet, don’t you?”
“Yes, that’s true.”
“Then why did you do something that would provoke your trauma?”
Joy had no proper response to Faybie’s questioning.
How could she explain that she entered the dungeon out of greed?
Surely Faybie would find it ridiculous and end up sighing in disbelief.
As Joy remained silent, Faybie grasped her hands firmly with both of hers.
“Joy, you’re a strong person. But even strong people need time to overcome their challenges. If you swing the blade before the iron has fully hardened, it will only break.”
“That’s true.”
“According to the words of Armathi...”
As Faybie began to lecture, Joy felt her breath catch in her throat.
Faybie was undoubtedly a saint.
In all the years Joy had known her, she had never seen Faybie lose her temper.
No matter how unfairly she was treated, Faybie would just smile and say it was all part of the divine plan.
Even when Lucy spoke to her rudely, Faybie would only respond with an awkward smile.
But then again, perhaps it was because she was so calm most of the time that when she did start lecturing, it could go on for quite a while.
Having been lectured by Faybie a few times before, Joy knew that once Faybie started quoting scripture, she could easily continue for two hours.
To the Saint, who had delivered sermons in countless formal and informal settings, giving a lecture was something she could do at any time.
As Joy seriously contemplated pretending to faint from exhaustion, the door to the infirmary opened.
A girl with dark pink twin-tails and slightly upturned eyes entered.
She had a mischievous smile and a playful demeanor that was unbecoming of an Earl’s daughter.
And she was infamous, in the worst sense, as the most notorious person in Soul Academy.
Lucy Allen.
She turned to her knight and said, “Lousy Knight. Wait here. You can do that much, right?” before entering the infirmary.
“What’s this? Is the Lousy Saint healing the Airhead Lady?”
Joy was unexpectedly relieved to hear Lucy Allen’s voice, which completely disregarded the atmosphere of the room.
“Lady Allen, how are you?”
“Can’t you tell by looking, Lousy Saint? Is your face so fat that you can’t see mine?”
“F-fat?”
Everyone in the infirmary froze at Lucy’s words.
The healer, who had been drinking water, started coughing uncontrollably,
Joy doubted what she had just heard was real,
And Faybie’s face turned bright red as she forced a smile.
Amidst all this, the only one who remained composed was Lucy.
“Is it strange that I called you fat? Then how about I say—”
“More importantly! What brings you here, Lady Allen?!”
Joy had never seen Faybie so flustered before.
Faybie, who had met countless people and experienced countless situations as a high-ranking member of the Church, was thrown off balance by Lucy.
As expected of Lady Allen.
“I’m here because the Airhead Lady called for me.”
“I see! W-well, then, I’ll leave you two alone!”
“No need.”
“N-no! I’ve already finished speaking with Joy anyway!”
Faybie, who had been fumbling and unable to focus her gaze, suddenly became calm.
She stared at the cross hanging around Lucy’s neck, and in a faint voice, asked Lucy,
“Lady Allen, has your necklace been blessed recently?”
“You noticed, Lousy Saint? Yeah, so what?”
“It’s amazing. To have gained so much divine power in such a short time... You truly are blessed by the gods, Lady Allen.”
Faybie’s voice was filled with pure admiration, and Lucy responded with a smug smile.
“Not really. Doesn’t everyone receive this much attention?”
“I wish that were the case, but unfortunately, it isn’t, Lady Allen.”
“What? Lousy Saint, are you jealous? Pfft. That’s not very saintly of you.”
Lucy’s usual arrogant and self-righteous mannerisms were on full display.
To an ordinary person, it would have sounded like she was boasting, but Faybie just smiled.
“This conversation is getting long. I’ll excuse myself, but before I go...”
Faybie stood up from her chair, turned to Joy, leaned in, and whispered,
“I’ll continue our earlier discussion later.”
Joy’s eyes trembled at the declaration that the lecture wasn’t over yet.
The Saint is trying to drag me to hell.
Forget about favorability and quests; wouldn’t it be better to just give up and see the game over screen?
No, that would be too late.
For a quieter and more peaceful death, I should ask Alsetine to get me some poison.
Yes, that would be the best option.
<Girl, that—>
“Grandpa, please be quiet.”
No matter what you say, it won’t mend my shattered heart.
Grandpa must have sensed my broken spirit because he didn’t speak further.
Sigh.
Lousy and incompetent god?
What have you done to me? You strengthened the Mesugaki skill, and now this!
What is this?!
Not only did I spew vulgar words at the Saint, but I even snickered at her!
Damn it.
What’s with calling her fat? What’s with calling her fat?
If this skill gets any stronger, I might actually start calling Faybie a perverted Saint!
Huh?
I muttered to myself, and for some reason, it felt like that might actually happen.
Even the way I address Carl turned into "Lousy Knight" after the Mesugaki skill was strengthened.
Right now, I’m only calling her Lousy Saint, but if I cross the line, I might start calling her the Perverted Saint.
If that happens, I’ll be done for.
Insulting the Saint, who is practically the symbol of the Church, with a sexual innuendo?
I can’t even imagine what would happen next.
Not even the game had a scenario like that!
“Lady Allen?”
I was lost in my thoughts, lips sealed shut, when Joy cautiously called my name.
“Are you alright?”
Even with the Mesugaki skill, my expression should look relaxed, so why is Joy worrying about me?
Is keeping my mouth shut the issue?
Well, if you’re asking whether I’m okay or not, I am fine.
I might have said some regrettable things, but Faybie will probably let it slide.
It’s just that I’m worried something worse might happen next time.
So, I shrugged and smiled.
“I’m fine.”
“You’re worried about me, Airhead Lady? Considering you almost wet yourself, you seem pretty relaxed.”
Mesugaki skill, don’t you think you’re being a bit too generous today?
If you keep dishing out these insults, I’m going to have a hard time.
“I don’t think I’ve ever wet myself.”
“I was joking.”
“Airhead Lady, can’t you even tell the difference between a joke and a serious comment? You’re so clueless.”
“...Of all people, I don’t want to be called clueless by Lady Allen.”
Right?
Even I’d be pissed if someone like Lucy called me clueless.
“Joy, why did you call me?”
“So, Airhead Lady, what’s up? Can’t sleep alone? Want me to sing you a lullaby?”
“A lullaby from Lady Allen? That sounds terrifying, so I’ll pass. I called you because I wanted to apologize.”
She spoke in her usual serious tone, apologizing for being too scared to enter the dungeon after confidently saying she would.
For messing up my schedule because of that. For causing unnecessary misunderstandings.
And most of all, for not being able to repay the favor I did for her.
Listening to her, the only thought that came to my mind was, Why is she apologizing to me?
If you think about it, I’m the one who contributed to her trauma, so if anything, I should be the one apologizing to her, not the other way around.
A wasted day?
I’m not speedrunning here, so there’s no reason to freak out over losing one day.
This much isn’t even a setback for a veteran of Soul Academy.
“Don’t worry about it.”
“Airhead Lady, you’re so timid. Why would I care whether someone as insignificant as you pays back a favor? Do you think I have any interest in someone as pathetic as you?”
“But still.”
“I said it’s fine.”
“Airhead Lady, stop being so clingy.”
With that, I stood up.
If I stayed any longer, who knows what kind of insults I might end up throwing at Joy.
I can’t keep berating someone who’s just recovering from trauma!
“I’ll be off then!”
New n𝙤vel chapters are published on freewebnovel.cσ๓.
“Take care, Airhead Lady. I hope that foolish face of yours improves by the next time I see you.”
Lucy Allen. That damn girl.
A while ago, she had the audacity to block Lady Parten’s path and harass her.
Everie did it solely for Lady Parten’s sake.
Dragging Lady Parten, who had bad memories associated with dungeons, all the way to the entrance and forcing her to relive her trauma.
How could Everie stand by and watch that wicked girl go to see Lady Parten again?
But that girl revealed her true, nasty nature.
She insulted Everie and pushed her to the ground.
Even after several days, Everie still gritted her teeth whenever she recalled that humiliating moment, which had occurred in front of so many people.
As a young lady of the Countess of Rumley’s household, who had been adored and respected by many, Everie couldn’t endure this disgrace.
I can’t stand her.
It was bad enough when she behaved like a tyrant in high society, but now that she’s done well on the entrance exams, her arrogance is beyond tolerance.
If Lucy Allen were from a lesser family, Everie would have personally taught her some manners.
But she couldn’t do that to Lucy Allen.
As the only heir to the Allen family, the most prestigious martial family on the continent,
As a prodigy who had claimed the top spot in the Academy’s entrance exam and showcased her immense talent,
As the monstrous girl who had defeated Freyr Kent, a strong candidate to become the next Swordmaster,
Lucy Allen was not someone Everie could handle on her own.
Under normal circumstances, Everie could have relied on Lady Parten’s influence to say something, but Lady Parten thought well of that wretched girl.
She considered Lucy her savior.
The idea that such a wicked girl could save someone’s life was preposterous.
It must have been a coincidence, but regardless, Lady Parten firmly believed it.
“If you continue to insult Lady Allen, I might actually get a little angry.”
Lady Parten’s conviction was so strong that Everie’s and the other noble ladies’ attempts to persuade her were completely ineffective.
So Everie and the others decided to take a different approach.
They decided to enlist the help of someone who must be harboring deep resentment toward Lucy Allen.
Someone who was likely still grinding their teeth in anger and plotting revenge after their recent defeat.
Arthur Soladin.
They decided to seek the support of the Third Prince of the Soladin Kingdom.