I WAS The Rank–1 Hero

Chapter 81: Preparation [2]
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How much had she lost?

I wanted to stop.

I really did.

But I couldn’t.

Because at the end of the day, I had a family too.

A family that once lost me.

I didn’t want them to lose me again.

I didn’t want to see my mother cry again.

I didn’t want to see Elise lonely again.

I was scared.

Scared of everything.

I didn’t even know if my immortality truly worked, if I die again.

So…

I pressed on.

I asked her once more.

I forced the words out of my mouth.

"What about Rex?" My voice was quieter this time. "What was he to Olympus?"

The tension in the room shifted.

Lilith sighed deeply.

Then, for the first time since this conversation started between us—she smiled.

Not her usual smile.

But a bitter smile.

"You’re persistent," she said. "You know that?"

I smirked.

"I’ve been told."

There was a reason some god was involved in Lucy’s kidnapping—

Lilith didn’t tell me everything.

She finally answered me, and she left me with only one sentence.

"Just know that all of this is connected to the Child of Prophecy... to you."

That was it.

And yet, those words alone gave me enough to think further.

I could draw so many possible conclusions just by that one sentence. So many paths of reasoning.

Lilith didn’t want to tell me more.

That much was clear.

But why? I wonder.

She had already shown signs. The flickers of emotion that she wasn’t supposed to have. Those little hints of something buried deep inside her.

It’s as if—

’She was bound by something.’

Or… was she simply afraid?

She felt fear.

Fear was an amusing thing. A force that dictated the actions of all living beings in the universe, from the weakest creature to the strongest deity. It was fear that made them hesitate before their death.

Fear that made rulers betray their allies. Fear that made even gods falter. It stripped away logic, forcing the minds of others to seek survival above all else. It twisted the hearts of the righteous and crushed the will of the proud.

And now…

It left even a divine being like Lilith standing before me, hesitant, avoiding my gaze.

"..."

"..."

The bedchamber fell silent.

Neither of us spoke.

Lilith was gripping her wrist tightly, her back resting against the wall. Her head was tilted down, her long silver-white hair let loose casting a shadow over her expression— it was an expression I couldn’t really see.

Why did she suddenly go quiet?

’Did I make her angry?’

I shouldn’t have pushed her so hard.

Maybe she had a past connection with those two names, a wound that was deep buried in her, and I scratched to the surface.

And yet…

There was still one last question I wanted to ask.

This chapt𝒆r is updated by frёewebηovel.cѳm.

I was being shameless. I knew that.

But I had to know.

"Tell me this—"

"Now, now, don’t bully my maid."

A familiar voice interrupted me just as I was about to speak.

It was Nathalia.

She stepped through the doorway, her blindfolded eyes first landing on Lilith before shifting toward me.

"She has her reasons not to share it with others," she said calmly.

I clenched my jaw.

I knew that.

But—

"If you truly want to know more…" Nathalia’s lips curled into an amused smile. "Perhaps try being a little more polite and nice to her?"

"..."

I felt pathetic.

Being lectured by her, of all people.

But she wasn’t wrong.

I had pushed hertoo far.

I needed to approach this differently.

Nathalia chuckled as she stepped closer, resting a hand atop Lilith’s head and ruffling her hair gently.

"Treat her to her favorite food," she suggested. Placing her index finger on her lips. "She’ll eventually open up to you."

"Food?"

I raised an eyebrow.

"Hehe~" Nathalia chuckled lightly. "She really likes apples."

"..."

Really?

I turned my gaze toward Lilith.

She was now hiding her face even more, but I caught the faintest glimpse of redness on her cheeks.

Did she adore her master?

The relationship between these two… I still didn’t understand it.

Nathalia turned back to me.

"The teleportation artifact is ready," she announced. "In one hour, I will teleport you and all your companions."

I exhaled a quiet breath of relief.

"Alright."

This phase was complete.

Now, it was all up to Ruby.

She had to gather all the students in one place.

I had to move now.

I turned to Nathalia.

"How will I contact you?"

It was necessary to do so.

If she truly planned to teach me about demons, gods, and authority, I needed a way to reach her.

I can’t just come to the demon continent, every time I need to learn something.

Nathalia lifted her hand—the same one that had the strange tattoo.

"Our souls are connected," she said. "You can reach me whenever you need to be. Just concentrate your Elemental Essence on this region."

I looked down at my own wrist.

The tattoo with its strange patterns…

I followed her instructions, focusing my Essence on that spot.

The moment I did that, the tatoo glowed—a soft golden light pulsing beneath my skin.

At the same time, Nathalia’s tattoo responded, emitting the same glow.

Interesting.

So they resonated with each other.

"I got it."

Now that everything was set, it was my time to leave.

I turned to both Nathalia and Lilith.

"It’s time for me to go now."

But just as I took a step forward, Nathalia stopped me—

"Lilith will guide you."

"!?"

"What?"

"This continent is crawling with demons," Nathalia continued. "Many of them might be aware of you by now. You did run around mindlessly, after all."

I froze.

Was she serious?

I didn’t mind Lilith tagging along.

But… wouldn’t it be weird if she followed behind me with both of her wings flapping?

It would attract too much attention.

’You are such an idiot.’

Sera’s voice echoed in my head.

’What?’ I asked.

’She’s not following you all the way to the human continent, idiot,’ she scoffed. ’She’s only guiding you until all of you are safely teleported.’

Yeah, I knew that!

’No, you didn’t!’ she snapped.

"Alright, I don’t mind." I said, finally agreeing.

Lilith would be guiding me, huh?

This would be… interesting.

To be Continued….

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