"By the way, where could Lucy be right now? Fabi, don't you feel anything?"
"I'm sorry, Joy. It's hard to pinpoint with Lucy's presence spreading across the entire city."
Normally, Fabi would have answered without being asked, but today, she hesitated, wearing a subtle expression as she held back her response.
The entire Allen domain was engulfed in Lucy’s presence, making it impossible to pinpoint her exact location.
"Could it be because of all the things Lucy has decorated with?"
"No, it probably isn't just that. When we visited the Art Guild before, it wasn't like this."
As Fabi pondered the difference between then and now, she arrived at one answer.
Back then, Lucy hadn't fully realized who she was.
Now, Lucy is very aware of her own identity—she knows she is the daughter of the deity and is close to divinity.
If this difference is causing the phenomenon, then it means the widespread belief across the continent is affecting Lucy.
In other words, she...
"Fabi?"
"Ah, yes. Sorry, I couldn’t be of any help."
"No, it’s alright."
Despite arriving at an answer, Fabi swallowed her thoughts. She knew Lucy wouldn't want anyone bringing up what was on her mind.
Luckily, her friends didn't press her further but started thinking about where Lucy could be.
"How about heading to the mansion first?"
Arthur, who had been crossing his arms, spoke as if something had occurred to him.
"The mansion?"
"Lucy Allen went to punish those who deceived her. While we can assume that Ruell has received his punishment, next would be Armandi."
"A human punishing a god. That’s quite a violent way to put it."
"If you know the details, it’s just a family quarrel."
"Is it really a quarrel, though? Lucy gets angry, and Armandi ends up looking miserable?"
"...Shouldn’t we be protecting Armandi's authority?"
The group, having come to a conclusion, immediately headed toward the Allen mansion. The guards at the front gate greeted them politely.
"Are you here to see the young lady?"
"Is Lucy inside?"
"Yes, she is. However... it's a bit of a chaotic situation."
"We knew that and still came, so don’t mind it."
"In that case, please go right ahead."
Not long after they entered the mansion, they discovered a glass case in the corner of the garden.
Inside it was a mace that looked too familiar to them, but the surface of the mace was swarming with ants, so none of the group dared touch it.
"Is this Ruell’s punishment?"
"So for us, it’s like ants crawling all over our bodies... Just thinking about it gives me chills."
"I don’t like this either."
"Uhm... should we take it out?"
"Saint, the one who deceived Lucy was Ruell. He must have prepared himself for this. If we interfere, it would disregard Ruell’s readiness."
Arthur tried to convince them, but their ears couldn’t catch Ruell’s screams from inside the mace.
He was, after all, the weapon bound to Lucy.
While Ruell screamed, the group left the scene, feeling uneasy.
"Prince, should we just forget about Frete’s request?"
Once they were in front of the mansion’s gate, Joy suggested with a trembling voice.
"If Lucy, who respects Ruell so much, is this angry, it means she really doesn't like what happened. We might get caught in the aftermath."
"Even so, we won’t end up in that kind of situation."
"Do you really think so?"
"...Let’s just watch the atmosphere for now. Frey, I’ll warn you in advance. Don’t say a word."
"Got it! I won’t say a thing!"
Even Frey, who usually liked to joke around, nodded immediately, sensing the gravity of the situation.
The group exchanged looks, took deep breaths, and then stood at the mansion door. As soon as Joy knocked, the giant mansion’s door opened, and...
"Ah, welcome! Master!"
They were left speechless as they saw a woman bowing her head.
"Thank you for visiting Allen’s mansion. G-g-greetings."
"Madam, are you not doing it properly? Should I lock you up like Grandpa?"
"No! I-I’ll do my best! Lucy! So, just that much, please!"
The sight of the deity who had gathered the greatest faith on the continent, now holding onto her daughter's arm, weeping and begging, was unsettling even for the group who had experienced many strange situations.
"Ah, you’re here?"
The one responsible for all this, Lucy, just smiled mischievously, as if she had no thoughts about the situation at all.
"Lucy, why is the deity dressed as a maid?"
It took about a second for Joy to gather her composure and ask, and Lucy grinned widely.
"What do you think? Isn't our Madam cute?"
"I’m sorry, but I don’t know what to say in this situation."
"Deity, I-I didn’t see anything! I’ll erase today’s memory right away!"
"...This is really maddening."
"Wow. Armandi, you're so cute."
"Right? She’s cute. Frey knows what’s up."
"Hehe, of course I do!"
While Lucy and Frey were chatting happily, Armandi’s face sank lower and lower.
Most of those who saw the great deity being humiliated felt anxious, but no one intervened.
When Lucy first entered the mansion, she had been radiating a terrifying aura.
"Alright, Madam. I’m going to hang out with my friends now."
"Okay. Have fun."
"Ugh, lame maid. That's not what I meant. Should I give you more lessons? Is that what you're hoping for?"
"Have a good time! Master! Armandi will wait for you at the mansion!"
Lucy nodded in satisfaction and led her still-dazed friends out of the mansion.
Once they were away from the unrealistic interior of the mansion, the group exhaled deeply and then rushed toward Lucy.
"Lucy! Can you explain what’s going on?"
"My Madam sold me out and sold me to a perverted crow."
Joy, who had been asking for an explanation, immediately shut her mouth at Lucy's soft remark.
She knew Lucy well after all these years of being friends.
Lucy was extremely angry right now.
"I’ve always loved my Madam so much that I forgot everything that happened and kept smiling, but my Madam betrayed me. Do you understand?"
"The deity must have some evil in her, too."
"Fabi."
"Yes, yes!"
"Think about it carefully and then speak. What did you say?"
"Nothing!"
Overwhelmed by Lucy, even Fabi couldn't speak and just smiled brightly as she stood at the front, leading her friends.
"Lucy, what are we doing now?"
"I don’t even want to look at the domain, so let’s go to the capital."
While Lucy and Frey chattered away, Joy and Arthur exchanged desperate glances behind them.
"Wow, Prince, what do we do!?"
"What do you mean, ‘what do we do’? Do you think she’ll listen to anything we say right now? Let’s just wait until she cools down!"
"Let’s go get something sweet! It’s always best to eat something delicious when you're angry!"
"Do you think everyone is as simple as you? Fool!"
"Then what should we do?! Do you have some brilliant idea, Prince?!"
"...Maybe a dungeon?"
"Hah! A dungeon in this situation!? This is exactly why Lucy isn’t interested in you, Prince!"
"Why...!"
"You two. What are you doing? Hurry up and follow me."
"Yes!"
"Got it!"
It was strange.
Lucy was speaking much more kindly than when she used her Mesugaki skill, but right now, it was even scarier.
The group, unable to speak up, quietly followed her behind.
They could only hope that Lucy’s anger would subside soon.
Karia took pride in being able to read people's emotions, but right now, she wished that ability would vanish.
If it had, she would have been able to ignore the intense anger her employer was showing, someone who had reached a position where she could no longer be treated lightly before being her benefactor.
Her employer, who outwardly smiled but inwardly swore to crush everyone who crossed her, was literally a walking bomb.
In both metaphorical and physical terms.
Benedict. That crazy bastard. What the hell did he do!?
Even after multiple near-death experiences, Karia had never seen her employer this angry!
This person may seem harsh on the outside, but inside, she's soft and simple!
After about an hour, she would have forgotten all about what happened and be focused on the matter at hand, so why is she still this angry after hours!?
Sigh. If you're going to contact me urgently, at least tell me why you're so mad!
What the hell are you going to do if you just throw it all away, you bastard!?
"Karia."
"Ugh. Yes!? Why? Employer?"
"This food is delicious. I can’t believe this is a front business."
"To avoid suspicion, it needs to be indistinguishable from real."
Karia answered while observing Lucy’s friends’ faces.
Except for Frey, everyone else was carefully watching Lucy. They were all familiar with politics, so it wasn’t obvious, but it was clear that they were frightened.
"So why did you come here with your friends? Want me to get you some tickets?"
"No. There's no need for that. Just spread what’s written here across the continent."
Karia took the paper, and after reading what was written, she roughly understood the situation.
It seemed like that crow had done something foolish, given the notes on the goddess’s embarrassing past.
Since her employer wasn’t carrying the mace, it meant Ruell had cooperated, and the only reason for his cooperation would be the deity’s command.
In other words, Armandi had deceived her employer for her own selfish desires.
And now, her employer was furious after being betrayed by the very deity she believed in.
Hmm... In this situation, there’s no need for me to step forward.
With a light laugh, Karia approached Joy and whispered something in her ear.
Joy looked up in surprise, but instead of answering, Karia slipped out of the room.
Now, shall I go have a word with those foolish parents?