The mont I saw my reflection in her eyes, all the noise around disappeared.
Am I really moving as I wish? Is my face betraying confusion, stripped of the defiant confidence granted by the sugaki Skill?
In a rush, I pulled a mirror from my inventory and examined the face reflected in it.
Since stepping into this world, I’d grown sick of seeing Lucy’s face. Her undeniably cute and pretty appearance had beco so familiar that I barely noticed it anymore.
That’s why I knew all too well the limitations of expressions I could make. The constraints of the sugaki Skill didn’t allow to show weakness.
And yet, the Lucy staring back at in the mirror was different. Gone were the usual smugness and arrogance; instead, confusion filled her expression, making her look like an ordinary girl her age.
Am I dreaming? Could I still be trapped in the illusions Lucy showed ?
“Ow.”
I tugged rcilessly at my soft cheek, and a yelp of pain escaped my lips. Wait…
Does that an this isn’t a dream? Am I really free to act without the constraints of the sugaki Skill?
Unable to accept this as reality, I began making all kinds of faces in the mirror.
I smiled, furrowed my brow, pouted, and even made a teary expression. Ti slipped away as I lost myself in observing the changes in my reflection, only snapping back to reality when Karia snatched the mirror from my hands.
“Employer, what happened in there? You’ve always been expressive, but this is on another level!”
“If I knew, would I be acting like this, Auntie? Ugh, no wonder a spinster like you doesn’t have any n around—no sense of tact.”
“What does that have to do with anything?!”
Ignoring Karia’s indignant outburst, I continued to think.
Just a mont ago, I’d been planning to calmly tell Karia that I didn’t know what was going on. Yet, what ca out of my mouth was far from calm or polite.
The aning was clear: the sugaki Skill still resided within . It had rely weakened its grip on .
But sothing still felt off. Until recently, there had been a slight difference between what I thought and what I said. Now, even that subtle discrepancy was gone.
“Grandpa, Grandpa! Doesn’t sothing feel weird when I talk right now?”
“R-Really?”
Has it? Listening to Grandpa’s words, I tried recalling old mories, but I couldn’t pinpoint the difference. If Grandpa said so, then it must be true. Hmm.
“Why do you think this happened?”
So, to get a clear answer, I’d need to understand the Main God’s intentions.
“Employer?! Are you even listening to ?!”
“Karia, calm yourself. This isn’t the first ti our lady has behaved strangely.”
“...I suppose you’re right, but still.”
“And Karia, it’s an undeniable fact that you possess great beauty. No matter what the lady says, that won’t change, so why not brush it off with grace?”
Karia’s face softened briefly, chard by Kal’s smooth words delivered in his usual polished voice. But the reprieve didn’t last long.
Quickly reading between the lines, Karia glared at Kal.
“You… you’re thinking I’m being ridiculous, aren’t you?”
“I wouldn’t dare to presu such a thing.”
“You’re not off the hook. I’ll get you for this. Just wait.”
As beads of sweat ford on Kal’s forehead, Heyshan quietly approached , holding out a map.
“Lady Lucy, you found sothing in there, didn’t you?”
“It was just a dungeon born from so god’s lackluster imagination. Nothing exciting.”
“Then perhaps the map has changed?”
Understanding her intent, I took the map and channeled divinity into it. New markings appeared, overlaying the map.
“It seems we’ll need to explore every corner of the island.”
The updated map depicted another island. So, we’re being directed to find more secrets there.
Grinning faintly at the Main God’s ploy, I handed the map back to Heyshan.
I still didn’t fully understand the changes I’d undergone. I didn’t know whether they were for the better or worse. But one thing was clear: I had to see this journey through to the end.
Only after clearing all the dungeons would I grasp what the Main God was trying to convey.
As the dark sky shifted to a soft violet hue, I stretched and began walking.
Ti to return to the lodging and get a couple of hours of sleep.
Too much had happened today.
I needed a break.
That night, Joy, still gleeful after thoroughly teasing Arthur, collapsed onto her bed with a satisfied grin.
Finally, she’d managed to repay the prince for all the mockery she’d endured. Thanks to Lady Allen’s mischievous streak, the sight of Arthur, red-faced and trying to explain himself to Freya, was pure gold.
Still chuckling softly at the mory, Joy quickly drifted into a deep sleep, unbothered by dreams.
The following morning, she awoke to faint sounds from downstairs. Rubbing her eyes, she glanced out the window at the dawn-lit scenery, stifling a yawn.
Lady Allen must have returned late last night. There’s still ti before we leave. I’ll just greet her in the morning.
However, no matter how much she tried to return to sleep, her body, conditioned by the rigorous training of the Allen Knights, refused to cooperate.
Realizing she wouldn’t find rest by lying down, Joy sighed, dressed, and headed downstairs.
On the first floor, she saw knights easing their fatigue at the tables and Lucy sitting on a chair, her legs swinging as they didn’t quite reach the ground, humming a light tune.
Did sothing good happen? Lucy’s usual sharpness seed absent, replaced by an unusual cheerfulness.
Smiling at the rare sight, Joy descended the stairs. Sensing her approach, Lucy turned her head.
“Oh, look who’s here. Still awake, Joy? Guess you’re not tired enough. Maybe I should push you harder next ti.”
The words were as cutting as ever, but Lucy’s expression wasn’t.
For the first ti, Joy saw a radiant, innocent smile on her face—a sight so striking it left her montarily stunned.
Even though Lucy always exuded confidence and beauty, her usual smug expressions never highlighted her charm. A serene smile like this, however, was utterly disarming.
Before Joy could fully process Lucy’s transformation, a clatter snapped her out of her daze.
“Kal, what’s wrong with him?”
“The lady’s smile probably purified him.”
“Her smile is lovely, but this is excessive.”
“If the Master found out, he’d be beside himself.”
“Should we prepare condolences in advance?”
The knights’ banter barely registered with Joy, whose heart was racing uncontrollably for reasons she couldn’t quite understand. Lucy, oblivious to Joy’s turmoil, hopped off her chair and approached her.
“Hey, Joy. You okay? Don’t tell your body’s gone as sluggish as your brain now?”
Lucy’s gaze, filled with a concern Joy had never seen before, left her completely flustered.
Is this really Lady Allen? The Lady Allen I know would never wear an expression like that.
Confused, Joy flinched when Lucy poked her nose with a soft finger, causing her to stumble back and land on the stairs.
“Ow…”
As she sat there nursing her bruised pride, Lucy burst into laughter.
“Pfft! Oh wow, you’re such a klutz.”
Jumping to her feet, Joy, her face flushed bright red, quickly grabbed a fan to hide her embarrassnt. She glanced at Lucy, cleared her throat, and tried to regain composure.
“Ahem. Lady Allen.”
“Yeah? What is it, Joy? Are you going to beg not to tease you anymore because it’s just too embarrassing?”
That’s exactly what I want to do! But even if I beg, you’ll just tease more! Like I’d fall for that!
Suppressing her inner rant, Joy let out a deep breath to steady herself before carefully asking her question.
“Did sothing happen last night?”
“Sharp as ever, Joy. Yeah, sothing did happen.”
Lucy didn’t deny it. She acknowledged that sothing had changed.
“Are you curious?”
“Yes, very much so.”
“Hmm. Well, since you’re my friend, I’ll tell you. So, last night—”
Just as Joy leaned in expectantly, Lucy burst into laughter.
“Hahaha! Look at you, all excited! Did you really think I’d tell you?”
“…What?”
“Since you’re so curious, I’ll keep it a secret. Nope, not telling!”
Watching Lucy’s playful grin, Joy covered her face with her hands.
How can soone be this cute?! This has to be illegal!
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