Chapter 114 W-Will I Really Be Caught Having A Scandal?!

"Sam, it's Sarah Lyniette. May I come in?"

As soon as the knock and the voice sounded, a single thought appeared in my mind.

'SHIT!'

Sweat began pouring out of my pores, and [Freedom Of Expression] wasn't working, for some reason.

My eyes darted around the room, taking in the implicating evidence that was no doubt going to sully my image if word got out.

'The Hero sleeping with his Demon Slave. Oh, shit... that'll the biggest scandal I've ever heard of!'

Sarah's knocks became louder as she repeated her words.

I was frozen in place, unable to respond. My heart was racing and my jumbled thoughts tried to figure out a solution before it was too late.

'If Sarah is here, that means it's important. Should I hide Lilith? No, Sarah's senses are heightened, so she would still be able to sense her.'

If I threw Lilith out the window, it was possible that one or two eyewitnesses would see me, leading to a much bigger scandal.

Rather than having random strangers see the Hero in a compromising state, it would even be better if Sarah was the one that caught me.

'Maybe... if I explain the Level-Up issue to her, she'll understand.'

I hadn't confirmed it yet, though. What if it didn't work for others? I would only be labelled as a liar!

'Arghhh!!! Everything is falling apart now.'

Fortunately, there was no major indication that I was engaged in any illicit activity. If I simply replied Sarah and thought of something on the spot, I could perhaps send her away without having her open the door.

'Yes! That's exactly what I will—'

"Sarah is here?" A fairly loud Demon girl's voice interrupted my thought.

Yes.

Just as anyone's guess would be... it was Lilith!

'How did I forget about her? Oh, crap!'

It was like I was jumping from one rollercoaster to the other. My mind hadn't been given a moment to settle. At this rate... I could just as well go crazy.

"L-Lilith? What are you doing in the Hero's room?" Sarah's voice peaked to an unprecedented level.

Her tone told of both shock and suspicion, causing my body to tremble even more. It was only a matter of time before she opened the door to see what was up.

'Think, Sam! You have many options! Just go for one!' My body refused to move, regardless.

"The Hero is in the middle of a special meditation, so he can't answer you. Hero asked Lilith to guard him while he is in this state, since he won't be able to do anything." Lilith's next response made my jaw drop in shock.

"Shhh..." Her finger plopped on her pursed lips as she winked at me.

'E-eh...? Is this really Lilith?'

"A-are you sure? Why would he tell you and not me? I should probably come in to guard him too!"

Following this voice was the creaking sound of the doorknob twisting. My eyes instantly turned bloodshot as it was fairly certain what was coming next.

"Lilith is strong. Stronger than all of you. Of course, The Hero would ask Lilith and not anyone else."

Her bold response, albeit harsh, caused the suspension of the doorknob. She had bought enough time. But... I knew too well that those words weren't enough to stop Sarah.

"B-but, he never did such meditations before now. I better make sure to—"

"The Hero never did it because the risk was too high. Sarah and the othrrs don't have enough power to protect him, at least from some degree of harm. But, Lilith is a better choice."

'Damn... isn't that too harsh?' I cringed several times as the Demon Girl tore into the competence of everyone.

"B-but, how can I trust you with the Hero? Y-you're..."

"Lilith is the Hero's Slave. Lilith will never betray the Hero. Also... is Sarah perhaps implying that the Hero was wrong in his decision?"

"A-ah, n-no... that's not, that's not what I—"

"Hmm? But Sarah is questioning the Hero's words. Maybe Sarah thinks the Hero is not right about—"

"I was wrong!" The Priestess' voice rang out, surprising me immensely.

The Sarah I knew was often persistent and stubborn, especially towards others. Only Lucy was less agreeable than her, at least in areas where I wasn't the one calling the shots.

Yet—

'Lilith really broke Sarah down within moments. Damn...'

—This stubborn Priestess was thoroughly defeated.

"Lilith will tell the Hero of Sarah's visit when he is done." The Demon Girl's voice implied that she was done with the conversation.

I could only gulp and watch—grateful I had not said a word or taken any action. Leaving everything to Lilith was perhaps the smartest thing I didn't think of.

"U-understood. Then, I'll make the preparations. Please tell him the moment he is done with his mediation. It's quite urgent."

"Lilith understands."

I heard Sarah's footsteps grow fainter—evidence that she was, at long last, gone.

"Whewww! I thought I was screwed for a second there. Thanks, Lilith." I smiled at the Demon Girl with much relief.

It was only when it was guaranteed that Sarah had gone that my body could finally melt in comfort.

"Hehe! Lilith is a good liar! Master does not need to tell a lie. Lilith will do all that for Master!" She smiled cheerfully.

My heart leaped a bit, and a a warm feeling permeated me. How could someone so seemingly dangerous and nefarious be so cute?

"Y-yeah, I'm counting on you."

"So, what now? Sarah mentioned the situation being urgent?"

Lilith had a point.

This was a sensitive period, and it my attention was required, I had to show up... no matter the cost.

"If we leave here too soon, it will seem too convenient, though." I didn't want Lilith or me to be viewed with suspicion.

Still, I couldn't afford to allow a very urgent matter to fester without my presence. I had to make a choice.

"Let's get dressed, Lilith. I'll think of something to say, but it's better we hurry up and see what's going on."

"Y-yeah... you're right."

For some reason, the Demon Girl was blushing and looking all embarrassed. I didn't understand at first, until it dawned on me.

"You don't have an outfit to wear, do you?"

Her nod was enough to tell me that I was right.

She only came here in her negligee, and there was no way I could let her wear something as implicating as that out of this room—especially since I practically told her to 'guard me', at least according to the story.

"Ah, damn... we'll need to do something about that."

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[A/N]

I hope you've been enjoying the read so far. I apologize for the slow progression of this arc. I'll try to speed things up a bit, and also bring in the action that we're all looking forward to.

Thanks for reading.