Chapter 21 Let’s Just Go With The Flow

Aaaand, that brings us to this point!

I stared at the kneeling people with a superior air around me. I was aware that one small mistake on my part could send everything crashing to the ground.

I couldn't have that.

Fortunately, I made sure to maintain my 'Hero aesthetic'.

I was currently seated on my favorite couch from when I was still on Earth. It was comfortable, large, and it appeared grander than it really was.

'I got it for like 2 Points in the Junkyard…' I smiled mischievously.

As, everyone was digging my current getup, I could see that my plan was falling into place.

Reverent music played in the background from the two speakers I placed at opposite corners in my room, intensifying the melody being played by my Tablet—correction, Ancient Grimoire.

I needed to be in character, after all.

I wasn't being delusional or idiotic, but at this point, I couldn't break character. It was best to just go with the flow.

"You must have gone through a lot on your way here. Sarah tells me how you make diligent efforts for this community. I must commend you all."

This only caused the people to bow even deeper. Their expressions told me that they didn't feel like they deserved those words.

'I haven't even impressed them well enough, and they already trust me so much. Are the people here so gullible? Or, could it be…?' I glanced in the direction of the Priestess.

Perhaps Sarah had already sang my praises to them in her usual manner.

Of all my supporters, she was the most fervent, and I knew she always raised the spirits of everyone by talking about me every day.

'That's the only reason I keep her close to me. If she can keep feeding everyone her bullshit, no one will be able to see through my ruse.' I smiled, carefully concealing my true emotions.

I was extremely fortunate to encounter such a gullible Priestess and make her my ally.

'If that's the case, then I was safe for now.'

Everyone was added to Character List—registered as my subordinates—except for one person.

I glanced in her direction, still trying my hardest to ensure I maintained an aura of superiority.

'

'Her name is Lucy, uh…? What's with this girl? She's already at Level 30?! Damn!'

For humans, their Level Cap was 30. The strongest of humans could not exceed this point. That also meant that those with that level were superior to all other humans.

'Why does she have that Level? She's freaking strong, isn't she?' I was slowly beginning to panic.

Even though I couldn't see her full information, unless she was registered in Character List, I could at least observe a few things.

'Level 30. HP and MP are also incredible. Damn, this girl is basically the most powerful person I've encountered since coming to this world.'

I didn't know her Skills, Titles, or Character Info, but this Lucy girl was definitely a formidable force to contend with.

'No wonder they lasted this long. Shit, they were hiding a monster like this?'

I thought everyone here was weak and thus gullible, which was why I could easily bullshit my way out of all my predicaments.

They all blindly followed me, assuming I had the absolute strength to protect them all. This was only possible because they were also weak.

'But, this one is different.' Even from the manner in which she carried herself, it was obvious that she was not like the others.

As I stared at her red hair and spiteful crimson eyes, I gulped nervously.

For those who were already strong, there was no need to follow another so obediently. Since she was already at the pinnacle of human ability, she must have been able to sense it by now… how utterly weak the so-called 'Great Hero' was.

I felt like the ground should swallow me whole. She must be aware that I had been putting up a facade.

'If she reveals my secret, it's all over!'

[System Notification]

New Secondary Quest Added:

[Lucy is a powerful warrior who is skeptical about your identity and unsure of your strength. Prove yourself to her and gain her trust]

Rewards: Loyalty Of Lucy (The Strongest Plebian). Addition of Lucy to Character List. +5 Stat Points. +10 Karmic Value.

Failure: Loss Of Trust From Supporters (Depending on how bad the failure is, you could lose all their trust)

Additional Information: Depending on how well you complete this mission, additional Rewards Will be given for Achievements.

[End Of Information]

'Fuck! This just had to happen!'

'',

I never knew Lucy was an important character in the first round. She even had a Title, which meant this girl was very relevant to the story.

'Haa… and such a failure is gonna deal a heavy blow!'

I had spent so much time, energy, and relentless effort to build myself to this point.

There was no way I would allow a her would tear my kingdom down like this. That meant, as usual, I had to figure a way out of this.

'What should I do?'

"Rise to your feet. You will all be properly rewarded after you have had considerable rest." I stole a glance at Lucy, wondering if she was impressed by my generosity.

Her ferocious gaze remained the same, causing my terror to increase ten fold.

'What the hell do you want? How can I prove myself to you? Just tell me!' I screamed internally, however somewhere within me, I had already answered my own question.

Still, I desperately hoped that wasn't the case.

Unfortunately, my inner thoughts seemed to have been read by the girl. Because, the next thing the young girl did was speak to me.

"Hero, I have a request to make." Her tone was flippant, containing none of the respect and adoration I was used to from these people, but I couldn't exactly get angry at someone who was superior to me in every way.

If she wanted to kill me, it would be so easy. I would not even be considered a challenge by such a powerful human.

"Oh? Sure. Ask for whatever you desire." I tried my hardest to ensure that my voice betrayed none of the panic I was feeling within.

I spotted Sarah giving the girl an icy glare, clearly dissatisfied by Lucy's impudence.

'Will she think less of me for accepting so easily? Shit, what else could I have done?!' I racked my brain desperately as I pondered on what the consequences of my immediate consent would be.

Never did I imagine… that it would be the very thing I was dreading.

"Hero, I request a duel from you."

"Eh…?"

Beads of sweat simultaneously appeared on all my pores, and every hair on my body rose.

I instantly realized how screwed I was.

"Fight me!" Lucy bellowed with confidence and determination.

'Fuck! I was definitely screwed.'