Chapter: 526
The moment Benedict met Lucy after such a long time, he showed a pathetic look. However, after regaining his composure, he forced himself to act nonchalant, while internally cursing himself repeatedly.
This stupid fool. After months of not seeing Lucy, instead of displaying a magnificent attitude as a father, he fainted the moment he saw her!
No matter how beautiful Lucy looked in her stunning black dress, it was no excuse to act like that!
Of course, Lucy did look particularly cute today!
There were even parts that vaguely reminded him of her mother!
But still, fainting was simply absurd!
Lost in self-hatred, Benedict ended up making a fool of himself, receiving a tongue-lashing from Lucy until they finally arrived at Soul Academy.
It was when he sensed someone’s gaze directed at Lucy that he regained his sharpness. Someone was following them.
One. Two. Three.
…There were quite a few, but their skills weren’t bad. This wasn’t just an individual’s cunning.
It was organized malice. Benedict hid his clenched fists behind his back and followed Lucy as she walked ahead.
How strange. Why would anyone stalk our daughter right now?
If it were before he had settled the Allen Family, he might guess it was from the collateral side trying something, but those who had already been crushed wouldn’t dare do such a thing.
Besides, there was no reason for other forces to target Lucy either.
At this moment, the ones in the spotlight were the Saintess, the Sword Saint, and Ducal Young Lady Partlan, who were facing the Followers of the Void head-on.
There was no reason for Lucy, who was presumed to be fighting from the shadows, to attract the attention of other factions.
In fact, it was strange that there hadn’t been a tail on her with me right beside her. Any powers from the Kingdom or foreign powers that had clashed with me wouldn’t dare act so recklessly.
As the thoughts piled up, Benedict crushed one of the stalkers with killing intent while Lucy was chatting with Joy.
To the point that even breathing would be a struggle for anyone else. When that individual let their powers slip for a moment while trying to endure the sudden killing intent, Benedict’s questions were answered.
Divine.
The strength exhibited by the stalker was a miracle bestowed by the Lord!
Did the church catch onto Lucy’s uniqueness? With that thought, several questions were resolved.
That they showed interest in none other than Lucy in this situation.
That they didn’t know much about me.
That their forces were finely organized.
That they disregarded the absurd political issues that could arise from infiltrating the chaotic Soul Academy.
It all made sense.
It was also clear why they approached without official channels.
They likely had doubts but not yet convinced.
Considering the happenings of the past with Lucy, it’s understandable they couldn’t easily be sure.
If it weren’t for my witnessing that scene, I wouldn’t even be able to imagine that Lucy was loved by the Lord.
As he walked down the corridor following Lucy, Benedict continued to ponder.
First and foremost, what I need to think about is how to shake them off.
Up to now, Lucy wouldn’t want her identity found out by the church.
If she truly desired it, the Saintess would have stepped forward first.
So, I must shake them off before their suspicions turn to certainty.
The problem is that if I react too strongly, it may only add to their certainty.
The power of the Jushin Church being so massive is troubling as well.
If it were a small faction, I might have considered erasing them outright.
It’s tough.
What should I do?
How should I handle it?
Benedict’s deepening worries were alleviated by none other than Lucy.
The moment she stepped outside, she boldly approached one of the stalkers and started a confrontation.
At first, Benedict thought this individual genuinely had nefarious intentions towards Lucy, and that she had sensed it, but midway through, his thoughts began to change.
No, she hadn’t said a word, but Lucy must have also noticed the follower.
And I think she may be giving me grounds for my reaction.
Seeing the girl he believed he had to protect stepping forward ahead of him, Benedict forcibly swallowed his tears and joined Lucy in her actions.
As Lucy’s clear voice blended with Benedict’s visibly annoyed demeanor, the rising commotion eventually drew out the leader of the stalking organization.
“A miracle has occurred.”
As the Inquisitor from the church spoke those words, Benedict realized his suspicions had been confirmed.
Lucy had initiated something while confronting the Followers of the Void, and the church had caught wind of it.
“Since the Saintess is not the subject of the miracle…”
From the Inquisitor’s gaze directed at Lucy, Benedict felt madness.
As expected, none of the Inquisitors are sane. Their euphoria over the term “miracle” left them unable to properly conceal their emotions.
I don’t like it.
“So, does that mean our daughter is the subject of the miracle?”
Benedict, who had his arms crossed, openly revealed his discomfort, causing the Inquisitor to smirk.
“That could be the case. The Young Lady is one whom the Lord personally gifted with Ruel’s Mace. It wouldn’t be strange if she’s the subject of a miracle.”
So there’s no certainty, then.
They’ve been following our precious daughter for lack of any evidence just because there’s a high probability.
They didn’t even think to ask the Saintess they cherish so much.
“Hey, Inquisitor.”
Overheating with anger, Benedict found calmness instead, staring coldly at the Inquisitor like he was on the battlefield.
“I understand the church is excited about the fact that a miracle has occurred. I can also understand the desire to meet the subject of that miracle. However, there are procedures to be followed, aren’t there?”
Lucy won’t be able to hide her identity forever. The sun rising in the sky will naturally reveal itself as the clouds part.
“If, as you say, there is someone who performed the miracle, that person must be someone beloved by the Lord.”
But that must be based on Lucy’s own will.
“There must be a reason why someone like that wouldn’t reveal themselves to the church, right?”
Not because of some small fry’s foolish antics.
“What are you trying to say?”
Hearing the rotten voice of the Inquisitor made Benedict uncross his arms.
You don’t know what you want to say? Nonsense. You understand it all but pretend not to because you feel bad.
“Don’t act so presumptuously. The authority of the Jushin Church is undoubtedly great, but that doesn’t mean it’s your authority.”
As Benedict leaned on the table, glaring at the Inquisitor, he could see the tensed brow of the Inquisitor.
Seeing that, Benedict couldn’t help but snicker.
Hahaha. I guess it’s been a while since I stepped back.
In the past, I wouldn’t have imagined such arrogance.
“You must have just started walking when I was roaming the frontlines, so you don’t know what kind of person I am.”
Exhaling deeply, Benedict unleashed the suppressed aura he usually held back, pressuring the Inquisitor. The smirk vanished from the Inquisitor’s face, and his complexion turned pale.
“That’s only natural. A child wouldn’t be able to imprint someone else’s voice on their heart.”
Every word spoken by Benedict added weight to the air in the room.
Even though he had been retired for a long time, the aura of a monster still recognized as the continent’s strongest turned the room into a battlefield.
“Now, feel for yourself. Why did foreign countries fear the Kingdom? Why has this wall guarded by Benedict Allen become a wall of lamentation? Why has the church’s condemnation not been so fierce despite our daughter’s rudeness?”
Within that battlefield, the Inquisitor’s shoulders shrank increasingly.
Rebellion was not an option.
Expressing anger was also impossible.
Even madness had its limits when cloaked in fear.
A monster bearing the name of a man threatened the instinct deep within humanity just by its existence.
“If you dare repeat the same rudeness next time, then it won’t just end as a threat. My sword will touch your neck, and you will embrace the Lord before everything is over.”
The Inquisitor’s body quivered pitifully like a small beast left in the rain, and even after Benedict eased his aura, he still struggled to calm down.
“I will gladly accept that you found our daughter to be noble enough to have performed a miracle and leave now.”
Benedict didn’t even consider comforting the Inquisitor and stood up.
“Lucy, let’s go.”
Looking curiously at the Inquisitor, who seemed like he could faint at any moment, Lucy finally stood up after hearing Benedict’s words.
*
‘…Grandpa. What on earth just happened?’
Benedict showed signs of being troubled, and suddenly the air in the room changed, while the practically mad Inquisitor began to tremble uncontrollably!
[Did you not feel it roughly? It was just an overwhelming aura that crushed them.]
‘That Inquisitor wasn’t weak either.’
[That just means your father is monstrous.]
Grandpa, who used to say he could do similar things back when he was alive, soon cleared his throat and changed the subject.
[By the way, Lucy. Let’s go to Karia with the Saintess again.]
‘Huh? Why?’
[From what I can see, it looks like the church is in a pretty bad state right now.]
