Mesugaki Tank Enters The Academy-Chapter 715: Ordinary conversation (12)

Several days had passed since the war that determined the fate of the world had ended, but the continent was still in turmoil.

However, that turmoil was a pleasant one. They were the victors of the war, people who had lived through a miraculous generation.

The Sanctuary, which had been at the heart of the war and was still undergoing restoration, was the same.

Despite losing most of their previous land, the people of the Sanctuary still lived with smiles on their faces.

They didn’t doubt that things would get better.

How could they doubt? With gods descending from the heavens, sitting together and contemplating how to restore the Sanctuary.

“Ganshu, what do you think of this design? I put a lot of effort into it.”

“For a crow, you’ve put a lot of thought into it. You’re trying to represent religious harmony through various colors, aren’t you?”

“Yes! I think this will fit perfectly with the newly rebuilt Sanctuary!”

“Your opinion is noted. Teravis, what does the God of Architecture think?”

“I want to say that practicality is for the dogs, but this design is too good to give up on. I’ll think about it.”

As the God of Architecture folded his arms and mumbled, the Goddess of Beauty and Art stood up with a bright smile.

“Then, I can leave now, right?”

“Will you? There are still many buildings to be rebuilt, and there’s a lot of work for you to do. Where do you think you’re running off to?”

“Just for a day! Please let me go! It’s something I must do!”

“If it’s something related to the God’s paintings, why not leave it to your apostle?”

“I want to see it for myself! I want to!”

People from other religions who had visited the Sanctuary, following the gods of the Shushin Church, worked enthusiastically as if it were their own land.

They couldn’t honestly say that they got along well with each other—once, they had even gritted their teeth as enemies—but now, both the people of the Shushin Church and those from other religions respected each other.

They had stood together on the same battlefield, following the will of the apostle of Shushin and the great daughter of Shushin, the savior of the continent.

‘The god said that the continent must unite now. Only by becoming one can we prevent the disaster that will return in the future. We must break the chain of vengeance and become one.’

In the midst of war, they had all felt a sense of shared humanity despite differing beliefs. Through the Saint’s sermon, they gained enlightenment and, instead of condemning each other, extended their hands in peace.

If Lucy had heard that sermon, she would’ve probably yelled that she never said such things, but what ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) did it matter?

She would likely scream as her reputation rose again, but if it was the price for achieving religious harmony, then it was an acceptable exchange.

Though, whether Lucy herself would think that way was another story.

‘Though the tone was somewhat aggressive, I’m sure Lucy’s true feelings were like this. Therefore, I’m certain I didn’t distort the will of the gods.’

‘In that case, it should be fine to report it directly to the apostle, right?’

‘...I apologize. I was being boastful.’

Thinking back to the Saint, who had boldly made a mistake only to cower behind afterward, Cardinal Johann smiled lightly and headed toward a building in the corner of the Sanctuary.

Within the tower, erected on land that had collapsed, there was a sinner locked up, someone who deserved to be called the shame of the Church.

“What brings you here?”

The man, once called the Pope, had lost all the dignity he once held.

Where once his flesh had provided warmth, only bones and skin remained.

His once unwavering eyes now wavered weakly, and his clothes, which had always been white, were now dirty with dust and soot.

“I have something to say.”

“To me? I’m not sure what you’re planning to say, but speak your mind and leave.”

The man, who had been rejected by the very god he had worshipped, simply wished for death. Even if he fell to hell, he wished for his very soul to burn away and disappear.

However, even in a land where the evil god had vanished, the power of Agras still lingered.

The man had no permission to die and had to continue walking the earth.

A reality more cruel than the time when he had been left alone on the land at the end of the age of myth.

“You were wrong.”

“Yes, I was wrong. That’s why I am here.”

“I’m not just telling you that your plan was wrong. I’m saying that the very Church you led was wrong.”

The man hadn’t simply been a member of the Church for a few years. Since the end of the age of myths, the shadow of this man had always loomed over the Church for hundreds of years.

“From now on, everything you’ve built will be rejected. From the grandest framework to the smallest details, all of it. You’ll have to watch as all of it is undone.”

“That will happen. I am an idiot who couldn’t understand even a part of the divine teachings while listening to them.”

Seeing the man’s indifferent response, Johann stood up.

What more could he say? This man was a relic of the distant past.

Even if he cursed at someone who had been preserved in time, what would they understand?

A child who never grows up can only live forever trapped in their dreams.

“Well then, I’ll just say thank you and leave.”

“To me?”

“Yes, you sent me to the Allen estate, which allowed me to meet the apostle.”

“...”

“I thought you were trying to separate me from central politics, but thanks to you, I was saved.”

Just as Johann respectfully made his bow, the man suddenly stood up and grabbed the iron bars.

A few days ago, the bars would have easily crumpled, but now, having lost everything due to the gods, the man couldn’t even shake the bars properly.

“If you had been just a bit more human, maybe you could have been saved, like I was. The apostle of Shushin is truly a merciful person.”

Had the man truly sought salvation, the apostle of Shushin would have willingly extended a hand to him.

But the man, trapped in his belief that he was right, rejected that salvation.

“However, now there’s no chance left. You’ve rejected your own salvation. Please, just understand that.”

Having finished his words, Johann ignored the shouts coming from behind and stepped outside.

Under a sky with no clouds, only the sound of people laughing could be heard.

Just as one person had hoped.

The sound of birds chirping woke me from my sleep. I groggily looked around and rang the bell.

At that moment, as if waiting, the door opened, and Erin and several maids appeared.

“Good morning, Erin.”

“...Did you sleep well?”

“Yeah. I slept really well for the first time in a while. Maybe it was because we had so much fun talking yesterday?”

As I grinned, Erin’s cheeks turned a bit pink, and she cleared her throat before continuing.

“Today, the apostle of the Art Church is visiting. So, we’ll be putting extra effort into the preparations.”

“Ugh, do we really have to? I’m already pretty enough as it is.”

“Since it’s the first portrait of the three of us together, shouldn’t we be so beautiful that we forget to breathe the moment we step in?”

I was hoping my role would be minimal. As I’d felt yesterday, the growing attention was starting to feel burdensome.

Grumbling in a huff, Erin ignored my complaints and focused on every detail with care.

Once Erin and the maids were finished, and I could see the awe on their faces, I headed toward the dining room.

“Darling.”

“You.”

I paused as I saw Mama and Papa sitting across from each other, exchanging embarrassed glances.

“...Oh. L-Lucy?!”

“Oh my. Lucy, are you awake?”

“You look really beautiful! I almost don’t want to show you to anyone else!”

“That’s right. Anyone who sees you now will fall in love with you.”

Without saying a word, I simply stared at them, and both of them became flustered, speaking in a hurry.

Watching them in such a flustered state made me feel a little pity, and I quietly turned away.

Though I might not have much of a sense, I knew better than to interrupt them. They’d finally made up, and it’d be a shame to ruin it now.

‘Huh, Grandpa. Could it be that I might get a little sibling?’

<It seems unlikely that there could be two of Shushin’s children on this land...>

“What are you talking about!? Lucy!”

As I jokingly asked my grandfather, Mama’s face turned bright red, and she shouted.

Huh. Could it be?

“Mama, are you reading my mind?”

“...Ah. Well, I didn’t mean to. It’s just that that mace is imbued with my power.”

“Huh, I see.”

Well, since Mama’s a god, it’s not that surprising.

Wait a minute. If Mama can read my thoughts...

A playful smile spread across my face as I sent my thoughts to Mama.

‘But Mama, why do you act so innocent when you know everything?’

“Y-Yes!? Wh-what do you mean?”

‘Hehe. You can’t forget the night you spent with Papa, can you? Being a god and all, seems like you’re weak to desire?’

“L-Lucy? Could you stop?”

‘Or maybe... yesterday...’

“THAT’S ENOUGH!”

Seeing Mama flustered and unable to hide her embarrassment made me feel an odd satisfaction.

What should I do? What should I do? I kind of want to make her cry.

I knew I shouldn’t, but I couldn’t resist the urge to tease her.

“Mira, what are you suddenly doing?”

“Hahaha. N-nothing! Right? Lucy?”

This chapt𝙚r is updated by freeωebnovēl.c૦m.

“Yeah. Nothing at all. I just thought Mama really likes Papa.”

“Heh. Oh, is that so?”

Papa, embarrassed, and Mama, looking down, both blushing—seeing them made me miss these warm, simple moments.

“Ugh.”

I couldn’t hold back the tears that started flowing from my eyes.

“Ugh.”

“Lucy!?”

“Did I make you shout? I’m sorry! Lucy! Mama’s the one who was wrong!”

Ah, damn it. I was trying to make Mama cry, but now I’m the one crying.

“W-what should we do?”

“I-I’ll wipe your tears. Then... then...”

While I frantically wiped away my tears, I saw the two of them panicking, trying to help.

Their foolishness made me laugh, but as I fought back my tears, I couldn’t help but cry again. Eventually, I ended up in a panic, seeking help from others.

Finally, I opened my arms and pulled both of them into a hug.

Though I failed to hold all of them, the warmth they gave me was enough for me.

For Lucy... for me, all I needed was the warmth of those two.

Let me know if you need more translations or adjustments!