chapter_0186

Mesugaki Tank Enters the Academy –
186

Mesugaki Tank Enters the Academy –
186

After hearing the news that
Lucy was coming, Benedict left his office and headed towards the
butler.

“It’s been a long time
since the Master has come here.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. You haven’t left the
family estate since the Mistress left us long ago.”

Receiving the key from the
Head Butler, Benedict opened the door and proceeded inside. The
entrance was adorned with various luxury items.

These were the things Lucy had
once coveted when she loved expensive and extravagant items.

But ever since that one day,
Lucy had changed. Now, even when offered these items, she would ask
what she would ever do with them.

Without even glancing at them,
Benedict passed by and moved further inside.

There were numerous jewels he
had received while working for the kingdom.

Various weapons and armors he
had acquired while conquering dungeons.

Scrolls imbued with magic.

Rare potions.

Heading to the far end of the
room, he reached a suit of armour. The armour was huge and painted a
dense black, as if it could absorb light.

Any average adult male trying
to wear it would likely be crushed to death under its weight.

“You’ve taken good care of
it, Head Butler.”

“Ha ha. It wasn’t easy. It
takes at least four people just to lift and move one part of it.”

Benedict picked it up as if it
were a toy and began to don it piece by piece. Despite not wearing it
for ten years, he dressed without hesitation.

Once, it had felt like a
second skin to him.

Although much time had passed,
there was no hint of awkwardness.

Soon, fully clad in his
armour, Benedict walked further in and looked at his sword.

It was one of the weapons
passed down through the Allen Family.

Used by his distant ancestors,
the greatsword had collected dust for ages until it was brought back
to its former glory in Benedict’s hands.

Despite the handle being right
in front of his eyes, the sword was so long and thick that it touched
the ground. Benedict let out a deep breath before gripping the
handle.

Feeling the weight even
through the gauntlet, Benedict smiled lightly.

“It’s a remarkable thing.
For Lucy to meet the supposedly lost Karia. Could this also be the
guidance of God?”

“I’m sure it is. The
Great God seems to favour Miss Lucy.”

“Even though it may be
blasphemous to say, as a father, it’s truly an unsettling thought. I
just wanted Lucy to live a peaceful life.”

Benedict knew well that the
Great God’s grace had been significant in changing his once lost and
wandering daughter.

Of course, he was thankful
that God had achieved what he, a foolish father, could not.

However, as a father, he was
endlessly selfish when it came to his daughter.

If God had given her strength,
he wished for him to not expect repayment and simply leave.

Or, he hoped that God would at
least demand compensation from him instead.

Even though he knew that’s not
how the world works.

“Haha, Master. Do you
really think peace and Miss Lucy fit together?”

“Of course not. My
daughter can’t live without causing a bit of trouble.”

Benedict chuckled at the Head
Butler’s joke and gripped the sword’s handle with both hands.

Benedict did not think that
Lucy heading to Menestail at the start of her vacation was simply a
whim.

Ever since she received God’s
grace, she had indeed become obsessed with strength, but Benedict
also knew she valued efficiency just as much.

If her goal was to gain
experience attacking dungeons, there were countless better ways to
achieve that than going to the far and treacherous Menestail.

There must be another reason
she insisted on going there despite the distance and danger.

Most likely, the reason was
what is often referred to as divine guidance.

“So, this father must do
his best.”

If it were simply a matter of
finding Karia in Menestail Dungeon, Benedict wouldn’t have budged.

True, Karia was once a close
companion of his, but that was a thing of the past.

Now, he had something far more
precious to him than her.

There was no reason to risk
political burden and tangible danger to go there.

But this time was different.

Lucy was the one who found
Karia, and she wished to save her.

And, for this wish, she asked
her Papa for help.

How could a father refuse his
daughter’s request?

Ending his momentary silence,
Benedict resolved to act and drew his sword with ease, slinging it
over his back before turning around.

“For the peace of my
daughter.”

Just as Benedict and the Head
Butler were smiling at each other, one of the attendants came rushing
in urgently.

“Master!”

“What is it?”

“Miss has returned!”

“Lucy?”

“Yes. That’s…”

Before the attendant could
finish, Benedict dashed outside.

To see the face of his
precious daughter who had returned after so long.

And to witness that adorable
way she called him Papa!

Watching Benedict’s excited
figure, the Head Butler gave a wry smile and helped up the attendant
who had been pushed over.

The first time I saw Benedict
burst through the family gates, I thought to myself how impressive he
looked.

Dressed in thick, black armour
that seemed impenetrable and carrying a massive greatsword on his
back, he looked like the protagonist of some epic tale.

So that’s what Benedict used
to look like when he roamed the battlefields.

No wonder everyone trembles at
the mere mention of his name.

Just imagine a monster like
him standing on the front lines, swinging a greatsword his size. It’s
truly terrifying.

But my admiration melted away
in an instant when I saw his expression soften the moment he
recognized me.

With the sound of his heavy
armour thudding against the ground, he quickly reached me and gently
enveloped me in his arms like he was cuddling a small animal, his
voice breaking into sobs.

He told me how lonely he had
been without me.

How he wanted to run to me
whenever he heard dangerous news.

How happy he had been to hear
I made friends.

Despite all the conversations
we had through communication magic, it seemed it wasn’t enough for
Benedict.

Holding me tightly, not
wanting to let go, he was the same daughter-loving Benedict I always
knew.

Even during the meeting to
discuss the Menestail Dungeon expedition, his behaviour didn’t
change.

“Lucy. Why don’t you call
me Papa anymore? You called me Papa during our last conversation with
communication magic, so why not now?”

Count Georg could hardly
contain his astonishment at Benedict’s childish demands to be called
Papa.

‘Benedict?…’

“Ridiculous, Father.
You’re starting to embarrass me. Can you stop using that creepy
voice?”

“You’re doing it again.
Come on, repeat after me. Papa. It’s Papa.”

Unable to bear watching
Benedict’s stubborn attempts to be addressed as Papa, Johan, who
had been pinching his brow, spoke up.

“Sir Benedict. Why are you
acting this way? Surely, you understand that this is not merely a
social gathering.”

Despite Johan’s admonishment
that there were more pressing matters to be discussed, Benedict
remained confident.

“Worry not. This won’t
take long!”

“Hah… Do as you wish.”

Power that didn’t need to
consider others’ opinions.

Overwhelming strength that
none could control.

And the audacity to remain
brazen no matter the situation.

These three elements combined
made Benedict a force like an unstoppable truck without brakes.

I felt like I was starting to
understand where Lucy got her unruly behaviour from.

Having no choice but to give
in to this hopeless stubbornness, I eventually raised my hands in
surrender.

“Dummy Papa♡ Shut up♡”

Seeing Benedict grin joyfully
just because I finally called him Papa, I couldn’t help but let out
a sigh.

It’s because he’s always
like this that no matter how much people say Benedict is
extraordinary, I find it hard to believe. To me, Benedict is just a
foolish father who can’t get enough of his adorable daughter.

Perhaps it was thanks to
Benedict’s eccentric behaviour.

The atmosphere in the
reception room, which had been stiff when we first gathered, had
become considerably more relaxed.

Did Benedict act like a fool
on purpose to achieve this?

With a silly smile on his
face, he looked around and then stood up in front of the table.

“Lucy. While I will comply
with your desire to maintain silence, there are some matters to
settle first. Johan, Count Georg?”

The voice that had been
whining just moments ago was now heavy and solemn, commanding the
attention of the reception room as he called on Johan and Count
Georg.

“The reason the three of us,
coming from different places, are gathered here is to fulfil Lucy’s
request. Do you both agree?”

“Y-Yes. That’s correct.”

“Naturally, Sir Benedict.”

“Therefore, Lucy should be
given full authority over this matter. What are your thoughts on
this?”

The other two tilted their
heads at Benedict’s suggestion, but the most surprised person was me.

While I had initiated this
matter, I never intended to lead this meeting.

It’s fitting for me to hold
full authority when I’m at the Academy.

There, I’m the best.

Whether in terms of
performance or skill, no one surpasses me, so my words carry weight.

But here, it’s different.

Benedict. Johan. Count Georg.

They are all people who have
achieved accomplishments in their respective positions.

There’s no reason for them to
listen to a girl who just entered the Academy.

Even if I raised my voice now,
it would be hard to gain their trust in a short period.

So, I planned to share the
information I had and let Benedict guide the overall direction,
intervening only at critical moments.

But Benedict did not do that.

He insisted that since I
brought them together, everything should be entrusted to me.

“Benedict Allen.”

The first to voice doubt was
Count Georg.

“I am not unaware of your
daughter’s capabilities. However, despite that, she likely has more
shortcomings than strengths for now. Perhaps in the future, but
currently, it’s…”

“Count Georg. My daughter is
more capable than you think. Lucy is loved by Armadi.”

At Benedict’s words, Johan
turned his gaze toward me. After observing me for a moment, he seemed
to understand something and nodded in agreement before speaking.

“Indeed. It would be better
to entrust Lady Allen with full authority. If there are any
deficiencies, we can make up for them.”

“Bishop Johan, I knew you
would understand.”

With both of them agreeing,
there was no way Count Georg could continue opposing. Reluctantly, he
nodded, and all three pairs of eyes turned to me.

“Well then. Lucy, tell us
about your plan.”

I don’t know exactly what
Benedict’s intentions are.

I’m still lacking when it
comes to making such guesses.

But I think I know what needs
to be done.

‘Alright. Benedict.’

“If the big oaf of a
father has no confidence, I guess I have no choice. I’ll lead.”

When I said that,
straightening my shoulders, Benedict looked at me with a pleased
smile.

Is this what you wanted,
Benedict?

“Lucy. You should call me
Papa.”

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