Chapter: 510
Just as Lucy was finishing up her work in the clock tower, Arthur dashed down the academy streets with perfectly functioning legs, unlike in the world of trials.
No need to worry about Joyna, though. While others might, there’s no way Lucy Allen would push those two into danger.
But his brother is different. Although Lucy Allen isn’t one to intentionally harm someone, he’s not the kind of saint who would grind his teeth to protect even those who have a bad history with him.
Since their last conversation, Arthur had built some rapport with the Second Prince, and he hastily moved his feet, keeping in mind the possibility that something could have gone wrong.
“Brother! Are you okay?”
“As you can see, I’m perfectly fine, little bro.”
Surrounded by people, Second Prince Cecil Soladin smiled and replied to Arthur’s voice.
“Honestly, I didn’t even feel anything happened. I woke up after a nightmare, and everything was over.”
As Cecil shrugged and spoke, those in his faction nodded along.
It seemed everyone shared similar feelings. Watching this, Arthur concealed his mixed emotions behind a smile.
Is that so? To those who were asleep, the various incidents at the academy were just minor disturbances washed away with the darkness?
Logically, he understood it’s better than someone screaming, but it’s hard to accept emotionally.
“Seems like you’re the odd one out, Arthur.”
“…Huh? Brother, what do you mean?”
“Alright, everyone, go do your work. I have something to discuss with my little brother.”
“But, Your Highness…”
“What? Want to stretch your legs for the first time in forever?”
“N-No! I’ll be going now!”
Cecil waved away the crowd and, after confirming they had left, gestured to Arthur.
“Are you sure it’s fine to let Young Lady Kent go?”
Frey, looking enviously at those fleeing, tilted her head in confusion when Cecil called her.
Her attitude showed no manners at all, but having sensed what Frey was like from before, he just smiled instead of saying anything and shifted his gaze to Arthur.
“Yes, since we’re comrades who shared the dream.”
“Really?”
“And if I leave this troublesome brat alone, who knows what trouble he’ll stir up?”
Just on the way here, Frey was eager to fight after seeing an external knight. If she were left unchecked, another commotion might ensue.
“I’m being treated unfairly.”
“You made that judgment too harsh.”
Cecil chuckled at the grumbling Frey, gesturing at Arthur’s fingers.
Understanding the meaning right away, Arthur cast a barrier to block out the surrounding noise.
“I know you’ve only recently learned it, but it’s clean. It looks similar to how brother spreads barriers.”
“Thank you for the compliment. However, I still think I’ve got a long way to go to compare with my elder brother.”
“I don’t think you need to be that humble. Now, let’s skip the pleasantries and get to the point. What happened?”
Arthur, pausing to think at Cecil’s question, decided to only speak about the visible aspects.
If Lucy Allen wanted him to catch on, she wouldn’t do things in such an annoying way.
That girl doesn’t want her name spread around.
So, it’s only right I consider her wishes.
“To summarize briefly…”
Arthur’s explanation was simple.
Amid the chaos that arose during this break, Followers of the Void invaded the academy, targeting the midterms, but fortunately, the Sword Saint, who happened to be visiting the academy with the Saintess, repelled the Followers of the Void.
“Was the owner of that sword strike the Sword Saint? Well, anyone less than him wouldn’t be able to take a dragon’s head in a single strike.”
Cecil instantly accepted Arthur’s story far too easily. The overwhelming skill of the Sword Saint and the uniqueness of the Saintess made it undeniable.
“Impressive, both the Saintess and the Sword Saint.”
Seeing Cecil genuinely nod, Frey could no longer hold back and tried to say something to him.
However, before her words could come out, the magic Arthur had secretly prepared blocked her mouth.
Frey, having her mouth sealed, shot a furious glare at Arthur, who found himself staring back at her.
Doesn’t anyone care if I’m feeling uncomfortable?
It bothers me too.
Thinking of Lucy Allen, who fought while risking her life in a place where no one could see her, made his heart ache.
It infuriates me to think of that girl being evaluated only as a troublemaker without being recognized by anyone!
But this is also the path Lucy Allen chose, isn’t it?
Then I should respect that!
Unless she’s directly telling me otherwise, I have to hold it in!
If I don’t, it’ll be a nuisance for Lucy Allen!
Maybe sensing something from Arthur’s gaze, Frey blinked and stepped back quietly.
“Little brother. I’m going to drop the barrier.”
“…Huh?”
“The First Queen has taken a seat over here.”
Startled by Cecil’s words, Arthur instinctively turned around. Just as he said, the First Queen of the Soladin Kingdom was approaching them from afar.
With a soft yet cold smile.
*
Hmm. I don’t quite understand what’s going on, but if my favorability went up, let’s just roll with it.
I’ll need to keep sticking with Arthur, so it’d be nice if he thought well of me, right?
As I swiped down the message about Arthur’s favorability, a volley of messages detailing a fierce back-and-forth between Armadi and Agra appeared.
Thinking it was all old news, I swiped past them like spam messages until the one I had been searching for finally showed up.
[Quest Clear!]
[You’ve turned the trials Professor Luca intended into something other than a trial!]
[You successfully prevented the Evil God from resurrecting!]
[You’ve succeeded in repelling the intervention of Evil God Agra!]
[Mythical Achievement!]
Alright! Lord Armadi! Show me what you prepared for me quickly!
In my head, I had a hundred ways prepared to compliment you!
By the way, I also have a hundred ways to mock you, so mind your manners!
Ah, I shouldn’t have said that. That perverted freak is probably going to be waiting to see how I mock him.
[The God of Martial Arts sees your struggles!]
As I eagerly awaited the next message, it delivered something I never predicted.
Um. Huh? Suddenly?
I mean, I appreciate you lightening your dislike for me, but what did I even do?
I was just doing what I did in games, right?
[The God of Martial Arts advises you!]
[Gentleness and strength are not opposites.]
Whoa. This advice could mean I did something to strike a chord with him.
I seriously don’t get this sudden change of heart and what that advice means.
Every time I see these messages, I wish they would just say it clearly.
Why not just say, “Doing this will be better for you”?
If it was Grandpa, I might think he could understand, so after relaying the God of Martial Arts’ advice, Grandpa gasped.
‘What does that mean?’
[Don’t speak for a moment. I’m busy organizing the insights that popped into my head. I’ll tell you later once it’s sorted out.]
I still couldn’t understand it, but seeing Grandpa excited probably meant it was an important message.
Maybe when I hear Grandpa’s explanation later, I’ll finally grasp what it means.
[Your stats have increased due to shattering Luca’s trial!]
[Power increases slightly.]
[Agility increases slightly.]
[Divinity…]
The next phrase confirmed that my stats had increased. It was the same message I’d seen over and over each time I overcame Luca’s related trials.
I could easily predict the next one. Power would shoot up, while intelligence would remain unchanged.
Sure enough, right after overcoming Luca’s trial, the message would always say:
[Intelligence increases.]
“Eh?!”
I couldn’t help but let out a shout at seeing a message I’d thought I’d never see.
“What’s wrong? Why are you acting up, Employer?”
“Nothing! Just don’t mind me. I don’t want to add gray hairs to that unmarried auntie’s head.”
“…Hmm. Got it for now.”
Passing off the astonished Karia, I rubbed my face and rechecked the message in front of me.
[Intelligence increases.]
Is this for real? My intelligence went up!? Not just a little, but it actually increased!
Waaah! This is amazing! My intelligence might even have crossed 70 by now!?
Finally, I can break away from being a complete idiot!? Is that what this is!?
Lord Armadi! I have faith in you! You truly know what your apostle desires!
If you had shown this awesome side more often, I would have genuinely believed in you!
No, wait! Please don’t mind my ramblings!
From now on, I’ll hold deep faith and sing your praises!
Ahhh! I believe! Armadi!
Thrilled with my newfound intelligence, I fervently prayed harder than ever when a notification sound tickled my ears.
Is it not yet!? There’s still more left, right?! Lord Armadi!
[Your great achievements amaze Armadi.]
[The Lord’s blessing settles within you.]
[You can now perform the Miracle of Purification!]
