I see the sword flying through the air, cutting through the void.

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It was never going to reach me, but still, I raised my shield.

With a dull impact, my body is pushed back.

Ah. Really. I can't predict the timing at all.

Even when I predict the prelude from a third-person perspective, the moment the sword strike lands is entirely random!

"Heheh."

Frey giggles as she swings her sword again. The prelude is visible, the trajectory of the sword is clear, and I can see Frey's intent, but still, there’s no clear sound of the shield ringing.

"Heheheh."

Even though I’m deliberately playing at a disadvantage, Frey just stands there watching me from afar.

She must think she can win if she attacks from this distance.

I don’t like how calm she is. The fact that she's smiling smugly irritates me!

I know she’s trying to make me anxious to break my defense, but knowing that doesn’t mean I’m going to do nothing.

Since she has the initiative, if I just wait, I’ll slowly be overwhelmed.

But this is just a simple sparring session. Let’s take a gamble.

If what I’ve figured out is correct, it’ll be fine.

And most importantly, I don’t want to keep seeing that smug smile anymore.

I withdraw my fairy’s sight and lower my shield.

I provoke her with nothing but a smile, as if daring her to do something if she can.

Seeing this, Frey hesitates, as if unsure, and doesn’t swing her sword right away.

"Scared?♡"

As soon as I see Frey tighten her grip on her sword, I bend forward and lower my head.

I feel the sword’s slash cut through the air right above me.

"Scared, huh?♡"

With the fairies' laughter echoing around me, I take a step forward.

With light steps, as if dancing, Frey swings her sword again, but I don’t stop.

Following my instinct, I twist my body sideways, and the space next to me distorts.

"As expected, Lucy."

Having dodged two slashes, Frey is now in front of me.

I spread my fairies around again and stretched out both hands.

If I lift the shield and mace, I’ll just repeat the mistake from before.

So I need to lead us to a more favorable battleground.

Frey is a sword genius, but when it comes to strength, I’m stronger.

As I spread my arms wide, Frey instinctively lowers her waist.

Seeing that, I pressed down on her shoulder with a sneer.

Realizing she had fallen into my trap, Frey tried to resist, but once she was caught by me, it was meaningless.

"Kuuaak!?"

You foolish idiot. How dare you mock me. I’m sure you’re ready for the consequences, right?

With personal emotions packed into my actions, I made Frey squirm, and only after hearing her surrender did I release my hold with a laugh.

"You actually thought of charging in with just your body?"

Arthur, who had been watching the duel from behind, shook his head in disbelief.

"I’m different from that cowardly person."

"Could it be... me?"

"Heheh, you know it well. My~ Prince."

"...I don’t understand why such a little brat is praised as the savior of the continent."

I’ve been saying it. I don’t keep my mouth shut elsewhere, and I get more defiant out of spite, but there’s no sign that the praise is diminishing!

"Prince."

While I was nodding, Frey, who had revived, grabbed Arthur’s wrist.

"Let’s duel."

"Don’t tell me you just want to vent your anger on me?"

"Scared?"

"When have I ever been afraid and backed down? It’s just your attitude that bothers me..."

"Scared. Coward."

"...Try to make an excuse about losing because you couldn’t rest."

Looking at Arthur’s back, I prayed for him, then gently tapped the fairies’ heads, who were seeking praise.

"Great fight, Young Lady."

Faybee always praises me, but today she seemed to have red eyes.

Joy. You don’t mean...

"You broke it that time, Lucy! That was the end!"

"Then why’s this idiot like this?"

"Listening to how magnificent the Young Lady was, I was so moved that I almost wanted to go to the chapel and pray right away."

Can you really replay those images in your head just by hearing the story?

Faybee. I don’t want to say this, but you’re really like an otaku.

Although your appearance is too good, if you apply the glasses pig filter and think back on Faybee’s actions one by one, you’ll definitely get goosebumps, won’t you?

"Hehe. Sorry. I got so overwhelmed that I couldn’t hide my thoughts."

"It’s kind of gross, so can you not come closer?"

"I’ll step back a step."

Without any sign of being deflated, Faybee took a step back with a smile and continued.

"So, Young Lady, what was the reason you called us together?"

"To torment those weaklings who are hiding underground, just waiting to rise."

There are plenty of reasons why I should stay quiet—whether it’s to preserve my strength, to make my influence grow through my actions, to build achievements with the apostles for future advantage, or to ensure my safety as an essential part of the world’s salvation.

On the other hand, why do I need to act?

Honestly, I don’t.

If I just prepare for the variables the Pope might cause, people from different places will help bring about victory, just like in the game.

I think it’s best to wait until the crucial moment and then show up.

Even if intervention is necessary, it’s more logical to leave it to other strong individuals besides myself.

Knowing all this, I’ve decided to move on my own.

Everyone supports me, so I’m getting rebellious.

That’s why I decided to test just how far they’ll go in supporting me.

Imagine a girl, who mocks and tramples on the people who praise her, wearing sacred armor and running wild. Doesn’t it sound like fun?

Plus, if I rack up enough achievements, I’ll have more to demand from that weak god later.

Just thinking about making the ones who abused me kneel is thrilling!

Most importantly, I think my friends will follow along with the ideas I have in mind.

I want to set some fun records.

If I find a new build that cuts down on time, I’ll gladly try it—it’s what someone stuck in the past would do, right?

Right?

"Let’s cooperate."

"I’ll gladly do so."

"If Lucy says so, of course I’ll follow."

"Me too. Me too. It’s fun when I’m with Lucy."

Huh. Frey, what about Arthur? Are you alone?

Weren’t you just dueling?

Blinking my eyes, I turned my head to the side and noticed Arthur, bleeding from his mouth, his eyes full of veins.

"Frrrey Kent!"

"Wow. Prince, you’re tough. It’d be better if you were just a bit stronger though."

"I’ll entertain you properly, you damn brat!"

Elaris of Velheim.

Conquered in just 30 minutes.

By the time the people the Pope sent arrived, the dungeon had already disappeared.

Seraph of Cardonia.

Ravaged by the Alrn Knights.

Thanks to that, the traps I’d set in advance lost all meaning, and the dungeon was gone less than an hour after it appeared.

Aerin of Lumiella.

Rasha personally showed up, but as if she had anticipated it, many strong figures, including Kensei, blocked her path.

Meanwhile, the Apostle of the Dark God entered the dungeon.

Before Rasha’s fight even ended, the dungeon was gone.

Rasha herself seemed satisfied, saying it had been a good fight.

Defeat.

Defeat.

Defeat.

Defeat.

The Pope, while checking the reports that had come in, unconsciously let out a groan.

This is troublesome. I didn’t expect to be overwhelmed this much.

While reading the reports full of failures, the Pope looked toward the map with a grin.

I had expected the Apostle to act personally.

They would willingly stake their life for others.

If sacrifices arise, it’s inevitable for them to take action.

However, since they’re human, I thought there’d be limits.

That’s why I stayed still even after seeing the Apostle act personally.

Waiting for the moment when they collapse, to strike.

Such a foolish mindset.

There’s no way someone who represents the god’s great work would suffer due to these kinds of people.

Ah, the Apostle of the Dark God is so extraordinary that I can’t predict the future with my wisdom.

"A very, very pleasant and happy miscalculation."

Since they’ve proven their greatness, I suppose I should prove my evil as well.

That’s the battle between good and evil.

The more the people of the continent hate us, the more fear they feel, and the more they express gratitude to the Apostle who saved them, the closer my plan will come to success.

"So I should come up with a plausible story for the Apostle."

The Apostle already has enough of a backstory.

Having been cursed from a young age, they had no choice but to mock others.

They learned to be hated instead of loved at an age when they should have received love.

The mother who had loved them died from illness, and the father, shocked by losing his lover, ignored his daughter.

Thus, the cursed girl became an outcast.

The people of the continent don’t know the whole story, but they know at least the general circumstances.

The Pope made sure to spread this.

The hero who rose for the world without being broken by tragedy has become an increasingly tragic figure, and more and more people feel sympathy for them.

However, this isn’t enough yet.

The past’s tragedy is a fine background, but it doesn’t touch the heart.

The tragedy that arises now, and the hero overcoming it, will truly move the people and make them praise the great god and the Apostle.

Imagining the god descending with light from the heavens, the Pope wiped away a tear and turned his gaze to the map.

Where his gaze stopped was in a remote part of the Soladin Kingdom.

"First, let’s start with the small stuff."

I hope the Apostle cries miserably.

It’ll be perfect if they lock themselves in their room and collapse.

And then, if they rise again for the sake of the world...

"Sigh."

That will be the true appearance of a hero, and the appearance of the Apostle chosen by the god.

I really want to see that up close.