Chapter 183 DO NOT READ

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'H-he really is...!!!'

Just as was declared by the sudden alarm by one of the workers, the Hero appeared to have been passing by.

His magnificent outfit got all of their attention, and the entire workforce made sure to leave everything they were doing to welcome him.

"We greet the Hero!" They all declared, bowing before his majesty.

The Hero currently donned what he referred to as a Hoodie Jacket, and the blue color flowed smoothly with the black trousers he donned and his casual Crocs.

His black hair danced with the soft wind, and his marvelous smile caused everyone's heart to race in delight.

Everyone loved the Hero, without even a fraction of a doubt.

'He's here! D-does he know about... no, there's no way!' Asa shook her head and tried to simply keep an open mind.

The Hero had lots of responsibilities. Plus, he was already occupied with rebuilding this city. While it was possible he knew of her plight, he was currently too busy.

'Maybe it's better not to say anything.' She trembled while biting her lip.

Asa knew she would have to look forward to yet another version of the dreams that haunted her at night.

Asa raised her head once more to gaze upon the glorious image of her savior and model figure when she noticed something.

'H-he's looking at me?!'

It was so unexpected that Asa found herself frozen in place—almost as if her body became lead. Her heart was still pretty malleable, though, and it was racing at a dangerous speed.

'H-h-h-he's really l-looking at me!'

It wasn't as if he hadn't spoken to her before, but it was very rare. Asa still treasured the advice he gave her in the past, and she could vividly imagine all of their meetings.

It shouldn't have been strange for him to look at a familiar face such as hers.

Still...!!!

'Those dazzling blue eyes, it's almost like they can see right through me. And he's smiling warmly at me. I... I...'

At this point, Asa couldn't keep denying that the Hero unaware of the matters that troubled her heart.

'Is he waiting for me to speak up? Is he testing my courage?' She didn't know the answer.

The Hero's smile suddenly widened, and he nodded at Asa, almost as though he read her mind.

It was... so humbling.

'H-he knows everything!'

Asa shut her eyes, tears streaming down her face. She felt so overwhelmed by the strong emotion coursing through her that it became impossible to stand still.

'I-I'm so sorry, Sam... I'm so sorry!' In her cowardice, Asa ran away.

Guilt. Shame. Anxiety. Awe.

Several emotions churned within the young girl, but she couldn't let them out in any way more than tears.

She e picked up her pace and abandoned her workplace, no longer able to withstand the purity of her Hero.

***********

'E-eh?'

What just happened? I had no honest idea.

I had been taking a look around the progress everyone was making concerning the rebuilding of Dulum. Seeing everyone band together for one glorious cause made me genuinely happy.

When I came to this spot, I came across this set of workers—mostly residents I didn't know of—working on the lighter aspects of construction.

One 'genius' had to scream out my position to everyone, causing them to pay me total kind. Usually, I would feel comfortable staring emptily into a crowd, but I didn't know most of these people.

Fortunately, I spotted Asa, and I was happy to see her. In fact, her dazed expression was pretty cute, considering we hadn't really spoken in a while.

'Maybe now would be a good time to address what has been on my mind about her...' I had thought, nodding to myself as I kept maintaining my friendly Hero smile.

How could I have expected that she would suddenly shed tears and run off? It made zero sense to me, to be honest.

'What did I do to make her break down so suddenly?'

I was sure my performance was flawless. I didn't creep her out... right?

"Lucy, follow after Asa and ask her what's wrong." I told the redhead behind me.

"But, what of your security?"

"Don't worry. I'll be fine. I can take them if they ever misbehave." A smile formed.on my face as I glanced in the direction of the very dissatisfied—yet scared—Demons Generals.

Lucy nodded instantly.

'It's a good thing she listens to me.'

"Should I silently observe her? Or do you suspect her of subversion—perhaps she's guilty of something or hiding a dangerous secre—"

"No, Lucy. I'm just concerned. You're a girl, and you're also a fellow Adventurer. Plus, she respects you. Find out what she knows without letting her know I set you up to it, then report back to me."

I didn't want to go myself, because that would be weird. Plus, sending any Demon wouldn't probably relay the kind of message I wanted to show.

In the end, I had to resort to my cute little Lucy to make it happen.

"Understood. I will carry out your request."

"Thank you."

That was indeed a relief, and I was happy to see Lucy run after Asa in swifter motion than the latter displayed.

"Now then, shall we proceed?"

The Demon Generals in front of me shuddered slightly and nodded, resuming their march which would lead me across the rest of the City.

'I think I'll have a nap when I return.'

*

*

*

Surprisingly, when I returned to my lodging space, Lucy was already waiting for me.

I shouldn't have been surprised, but it definitely felt weird that she arrived before we did. Weren't girls supposed to talk for a long time, or something?

"Great work. Did you get the information I wanted?"

"Yes sir."

For someone older than me to refer to me as that... what was my world turning into?

"Great. Fill me in when we get inside. The rest of you are dismissed. Go watch over the perimeter. Ensure everything around this place is safe and secure."

If another enemy was going to attack, I needed to know when and where.

"Understood." They all responded and left me alone with Lucy, who slowly trailed behind me as I entered my lodging