episode_0386

As I looked at Benedick’s face where tears were falling, I reached out my hand and wiped them away.

It wasn’t something Mesgaki would do, but my movements were not blocked.

This is because by visiting the archipelago, some of the restrictions on my actions have been lifted. Or maybe it’s because this is what Lucy wants.

As I watched Benedick’s expression become blank, the emotions welling up in my heart gradually became clearer.

So I could tell. About what Lucy thought of Benedick and her father.

“Lucy.”

The child who suffered under the curse resented his father. He hated the person who left him alone in hell. They tried to assign the original sin of not being able to save his mother to Benedick.

However, this resentment did not last long. The dedication that Benedick showed made the resentment go away.

“Lucy…”

However, Lucy was unable to convey these feelings to Benedick. He couldn’t do that because there were too many mistakes he had made before realizing Benedick’s devotion.

How would a young child who has been blocked by a curse and lost his sincerity know how to admit his mistakes and show his true feelings?

“ Are you forgiving your ugly father?”

After reading all these emotions, I was convinced that Lucy was still inside me.

Are you asking me to tell Benedick what you couldn’t say? Lucy?

If that’s your wish, I’ll be happy to do so.

“Lucy?”

I did not answer Benedick’s question. Because I knew that the curse of the Mesugaki skill that still resides within me would distort the words of forgiveness. Instead, I spread my knees, walked in front of Benedick, and hugged his waist…

I tried but failed.

no! I tried my best to open my arms, but how can I not even hug my waist?! This person is really needlessly grown!

Having failed in my original goal, I took a step back, looked up at Benedick who was kneeling, and found my next goal.

It’s impossible to hold it on your waist, but it’s probably possible there. I jumped up and hung on Benedick’s neck, which was still stiff, and only then did he carefully pick me up.

“So this is in lieu of an answer.”

Benedick laughed while crying. Benedick understood what I meant and cried endlessly.

He sat down while hugging me and poured out the tears he had been holding back.

As Benedick’s face was so big, the amount of liquid flowing out of him was unpleasant, but I couldn’t escape from his embrace.

Because I haven’t been able to defeat Benedick by force yet.

Even while I was sobbing, the arms that hugged me were careful so I didn’t suffocate, but I couldn’t escape Benedick’s embrace anyway.

Benedick, who had been crying for a long time after that, regained his senses when my clothes got soaked as if they had been hit by rain.

After getting out of Benedy’s arms, I didn’t hide my bad feelings at all.

Because the discomfort was too great to describe it as a father’s love.

Benedick, who noticed my annoyance, swelled up and apologized with a face that would scare even an orc away, but the golden time had already long passed.

If he had any sense, he should have let me go when I complained.

“Perverted Papa. Does it feel good to make your daughter wet like this?”

“Ah. no. that. Lucy. You know. That it’s not because I want it.”

“Are you claiming that you are mentally and physically weak? okay. Papa. I’ll listen to the detailed story from behind the bars.”

“Lucy?!”

“It would be really fun if a rumor spread that the hero who protected the kingdom was actually a pervert who was targeting his daughter. Right?”

“Sleep. Just wait a moment. Lucy. It’s true that this poor father did something wrong, but it’s not a crime that deserves death from society!”

Benedick was desperately trying to make excuses by throwing up his arms, but his defiance was suppressed by my cold gaze.

It was something that could not be helped. Even if he is forgiven for his past sins, it doesn’t change the fact that Benedick is an idiot.

Do you feel any guilt in tormenting your foolish daughter, Benedick?

But that’s okay. It’s clear that Lucy thinks this is right, as no feelings arise in her heart even though she’s longing for Benedick like this. Is there any reason to feel guilty?

I, who had been tormenting Benedick under Lucy’s watch, stopped craving only after Benedick told me to please forgive him because he would do anything.

“Really? Papa? You said you would do anything, right? Aren’t you just saying that this won’t work and that won’t work?”

“…Stir. Lucy. Still, as much as possible, within the line of common sense.”

“If you keep behaving so rudely, I will tell you all the mistakes Papa has made in front of Mama’s grave.”

“I was wrong. I did something wrong, so please don’t say anything to Mira!”

Benedick, who died fiercely in the face of a deadly attack, eventually promised to listen to anything I said, but he was clearly anxious.

Benedick, who is familiar with Lucy in the past, might be thinking of something extravagant.

Of course, I had no thoughts right now. As I harassed Benedick, the words just came out naturally.

Is there anything I need to ask Benedick now? Even after thinking about it, nothing really comes to mind.

…ah. I had a good idea.

As soon as he and Heishan returned to the kingdom, Karia took him to the second queen, so the quest will definitely be completed within a few days. Then the stat bonus will be paid.

Then, all four stats will be able to exceed 100. Considering the increase in specs that will result from that, wouldn’t it be possible to give Benedick a shot in the arm?

When I remembered that scene, I raised the corners of my mouth and raised my voice towards Benedick.

“Papa.”

“What. Are you smiling like that because you are planning to ask me something?…”

“I will crush you stupid idiot Papa with my mace.”

“…Huh?”

“Did your face change to look like a troll and your intelligence also become that of a troll? Why can’t I understand these simple words? ha. okay. Since I’m a nice guy, I’ll kindly explain to stupid Papa. Let’s spar. big. Lotus.”

*

After finishing all the church work, Faby was preparing for morning prayer alone in her room, staring blankly at a blank piece of paper and eventually hitting her forehead on the desk.

“What should I do? My hair is pure white.”

Originally, Fabi did not worry about the contents of her morning prayer.

In the past, when she was still inexperienced in the role of a saint, she had to go through many hardships, but now that she has been doing the same thing over and over again for several years, she can finish all the preparations in about 30 minutes.

The reason she was suffering so much was because the face of one person was filling her head, where she was supposed to be thinking about her morning prayers.

“If I had known this would happen, I would have finished everything and contacted you.”

Fabi had just had a conversation with Lucy through the crystal ball.

The content itself was nothing special, but even after several minutes, Fabi still couldn’t forget the scene of the conversation.

It was something that could not be helped. Lucy always had a mischievous and arrogant smile. She seemed like she didn’t know how to show her true emotions. For the first time, he showed a bright, childlike smile.

The sincere smile of a person who was already beautiful and holy had enough power to knock down the saint of the church.

“Wow. I feel unfair and resentful. me too. I also want to see your smile with my own eyes. I want to laugh while talking to that person.”

Fabi, who was complaining and flapping her arms and legs because she was in a room where no one else was watching, soon collapsed on the desk and let out a long sigh.

There was still a lot of work left to do at church.

When the New Year comes, all official events are over, so it is possible to escape from the sacred place, but realistically speaking, this is nonsense. Because Fabie, who holds the title of saint, has more than one job to do in the church.

Based on my experience so far, I think I won’t be able to meet you until after the academy opens.

Fabi, who knew a light warmer than the sun but was frustrated for a long time at not being able to be next to it, raised her head in surprise at the sound of a knock on the door.

“Saint. Could you please come out for a moment?”

The voice coming from outside the door was infinitely familiar to her.

Current head of Jushin Church. A powerful person in the church who cannot treat anyone easily. Despite his old age, he is an iron man without the slightest disorder. A person who clearly played a role in turning Fabi into a false saint. So, I thought that Fabi was the person I wanted to meet the most.

Pope.

“I’ll be leaving soon. His Holiness the Pope.”

“It’s not urgent, so it’s okay to prepare slowly.”

Fabi quickly got dressed and looked at herself in the mirror.

The girl who was complaining just a moment ago was not there. Faby, reflected in the mirror, had an appearance so neat that anyone could say she was a saint.

Pabby, who calmed herself down by taking a deep breath, carefully opened the door and was greeted by the Pope’s kind smile.

“It’s been a while. Holy woman.”

“…That is indeed true. His Holiness.”

Fabi bowed her head politely and thought about what was reflected around the Pope.

Why can’t I see anything around His Holiness? Warmth too. Coldness too. Nothing else is shown, right?

The divinity lurking within that person must be so enormous that no one else can compare, so why?

“It seems like life at the academy gave you enlightenment.”

Faby’s thoughts were interrupted by the Pope’s words. You noticed the change in me as soon as you saw me. It seems that it is impossible to deceive the Pope.

“Yes. It’s thanks to meeting good people there.”

“That would also be the guidance of the Lord. It is indeed a good thing.”

The Pope’s gaze towards Fabi was infinitely kind. So much so that I can’t believe that he was the one who chose her as a false saint.

“Saint.”

“Yes. His Holiness the Pope.”

“Would you like to go on a short vacation?”

“Vacation…?”

“This is a story after the events leading up to the New Year were over. Since the saint has gone through so much trouble, shouldn’t we give her proper compensation?”

While Fabi was transfixed by the completely unexpected story, the Pope left, saying he would send the detailed story separately in writing.

Fabi, who was left alone, looked blankly at the spot where the Pope was standing and then tilted her head.

What on earth is the Holy Father thinking?

*

Two days had passed since Benedick cried so loudly that he felt like making a well. On a morning when the snowstorm had stopped and sunlight had emerged for the first time in a long time, I was facing Benedick with my shield and mace raised.

Benedick, standing on the other side, was unarmed, but no one pointed out to him.

The person named Benedick is a monster whose body itself is no different from a weapon.

“Lucy. Are you really going to spar?”

Unlike the intimidating feeling that naturally radiated from his body, Benedick’s expression was filled with anxiety. I guess I’m worried that I might make a mistake and do something wrong.

“Papa is a loser with no confidence in controlling his strength?”

Although I understood his feelings, I did not back down. I also wanted to see with my own body the extent of the person who is said to be the strongest on the current continent.

“Not really. Just in case.”

“Well then, all you have to do is just get beaten gently♡ That’s perfect♡ Since Papa, who is so rude and stupid, is a bit big!♡ He’ll be perfect as a punching bag!♡”

I also wanted to let Benedick know how much power I have now.

I chuckled at the sight of Benedick hesitating despite my sincere provocation, and added strength to the hand holding the mace.

There was one goal.

Giving Benedick a shot.