Chapter 108 Ah, Starry Nights... Aren't They Wonderful?

It didn't take long for the canopy of darkness to cover the night sky.

Stars glimmered in their few, dim numbers, and the moon hung above.

Dark clouds hovered in the deep expanse of the firmaments, and the chilly wind blew across the areas of the doomed city.

Golems kept constant watch—serving as security to alert of any evil that approached. This allowed the denizens of the surrounded place have some measure of hope, at the very least.

Everyone slept peacefully that night—at least, better than the last few days.

The Hero was granted his private lodging, while every of his important leaders were also given honorable rooms—none were as grandiose as the former, though.

And so, as the night sky painted an eerie, yet peaceful sight that no one appreciated, one person stood in front of his window and stared at the distant clouds and dim stars.

His breath was heavy, and his heart was in turmoil.

He was the Hero himself... and despite everything that was said about him, one question remained prevalent in his mind.

"What am I supposed to do now?"

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Uncertainty made everything worse.

I had been lucky thus far, but even in those instances, my chances of success weren't astronomically as low as this.

It was either I had knowledge, or my opponents overestimated my capabilities.

'But, I can't be everywhere at once. I also can't use Runes, as our supply is very limited. There are options, but I can't pay that price. Not now...'

As I bit my nails thinking of alternatives, a gentle knock sounded on my door.

'Am I imagining things?'

As if to prove me wrong, the knock sounded once more.

'Isn't it late at night? Who could it be?' I wondered, staring at the hardened metal door.

"I-It me..." I heard a shaky female voice creak out.

The whisper was soft, barely audible. I could sense a lot of hesitation behind the tone as well, but there was no way I wouldn't recognize the voice.

'What is she doing here...?' I wondered.

It was pretty late—probably as close to midnight as I imagined.

'My phone could tell time, fortunately. Unfortunately, I wasn't sure how accurate it was in terms of this world's time calendar. So far so good, though.

"Come in." I made my voice loud enough so she could hear, while maintaining my position as I stared even deeper out the window.

The door creaked, and the girl entered my private lodging.

It was a spacious room with wooden furniture, but it remained a slightly average room nonetheless. I understood the tastes—or lack thereof—that Adventurers had, so I couldn't complain.

As my visitor ventured further into the room, closing the door behind her, I inhaled the night breeze from my open window and Gabe a cool exhalation.

"What are you doing here, Lilith?"

My voice was a mix of 'distant' and 'caring', I think. It was the kind of aesthetic I was going for, and so far I was doing a good job at it.

"W-well... I... I..." Her voice kept breaking, making everything she said incoherent.

Lilith wasn't exactly known for her good grammar, but it was just terrible tonight. I couldn't make a single thing out.

Slowly, my head turned in her direction and I gave a cool smile. The ray of moonlight washed over me as my gentle demeanor radiated forth.

It was perfect for the aesthetic! Yes! It seemed the universe was on my side on this part, at the very least.

"Come here."

The Demon girl looked surprised by my invitation to draw near. She seemed unsure, and her cheeks were red, but she did so anyway.

'Ah, I'm just noticing... she's putting on a negligee...'

It wasn't transparent, though. Her black night garment had enough fabric to keep my eyes away from the goods.

'At this point, that's a good thing.' I sighed internally.

Naughty thoughts were far away from my mind at the moment.

"M-Master... I..." Her voice kept breaking as she drew closer to me.

Calmly observing her face, then her body, I realized she was trembling. It could have been cold or sickness, but I knew better than to conclude on that when considering a Mid Demon of Lilith's caliber.

No, it had to be something else.

After racking my brain for a while, the answer dawned on me.

'She's scared!'

Just as I figured it out, she was right next to me, clinging tightly to my body as het body kept shaking.

"Lilith... you're scared, aren't you?"

Her eyes widened slightly, and then she looked down, nodding shamefully. Her cheeks became redder, and her body seemed to cling tighter to mine.

"M-Master... Lilith scared. Lilith..." Her voice was shaky, but I got the message.

It felt a bit cowardly to say stuff like this, especially when everyone was trying their best to fight, but...

'Who can blame her?'

I definitely wouldn't.

Unlike everyone else who was so enamoured by my presumed capabilities, Lilith knew the harsh realities of Demonkind.

It was perhaps the one thing we shared in common—a bond that couldn't be relegated.

'Having to face hundreds of Demons like her, and thousands more in the lesser cadre. I'm sure she knows the odds of her survival.'

As she clung more to me, I felt my heart ache for the Demon Girl.

I initially despised her.

After all, she was the one responsible for the deaths of my people in my first try. She made me waste my precious [Arcana Call], and she was an enemy.

But, the more I got to know about Lilith, especially after she told me about her past, the more I empathized with her.

Having someone like her come to my room, breaking down in fright, was something I could not overlook.

"Why don't you escape?" Before I realized it, the words came out.

"U-uh...?" Her expressions depicted surprise.

I couldn't stop myself at this point—not after the thought popped in my mind.

Swiftly moving, I grabbed Lilith by both shoulders and drew my face closer to hers. Even if it wasn't befitting of a Hero of my caliber... even if it ruined the aesthetic—I had to be honest with her.

I owed Lilith that much!