The Hero’s Party Members Treat Me Well for Some Reason - Chapter 75



Imperial Expedition (9)

As I always say, leveling up in this game is incredibly difficult.

Because of that, reaching level 70 here earns you the status of a quasi-strongest.

In smaller countries outside the Empire, you might even be treated as the strongest there.

Just being in the low 70s is enough for that.

So what happens after that?

Once you reach level 80, you’ll be among the top five even within the Empire. The emergence of an 80-level superhuman is rare even in an entire era.

That’s why they get recorded in history. As infinitely great superhumans, outstanding masters, or grand sorcerers, sages.

Written in ancient tomes, they are forever praised by the people.

From level 90 onwards, there are barely ten in the entire history of the continent, and level 100 is an uncharted realm altogether.

—

I hope this captures the essence and atmosphere of the original text!

Of course, it had been shattered recently because of the sun goddess, Ennen… Anyway.

[Lv 87]

The number floating above that head is not just a simple number.

He is, of course, the strongest in the current empire, and even if you search through history books, it would be hard to find someone comparable.

Such a person is looking down at me.

Moreover, he didn’t seem to have much fondness for me.

“So, where has our hero Nari been all this time, and what has he been doing?”

No, it was rather the opposite.

A clear hostility.

His expression gradually twisted as if he had seen something disgusting.

Kugugugu!

As a result, the air around us grew heavier. The magical power seeping from his body was pressing down on the surroundings.

There was no way someone of his caliber couldn’t suppress his magical power.

In short, he was intentionally trying to intimidate me.

Even though I was certainly not the type to be cowed, I found it hard to breathe. But the more so, I raised my head high. I couldn’t show any weakness here.

There were dozens of people nearby, all evaluating me. To maintain the rogue concept, I at least had to pretend to have some guts.

“I see you haven’t heard the report. The neighboring territory’s Viklon was brainwashed and came to investigate.”

“I know that. That was quite a while ago. It’s been a few days since then, so what have you been doing instead of moving on to the next territory?”

I had been taking care of some kids for a bit.

But I couldn’t say that outright, so I mumbled something vague.

“Still, you are the lord of a territory. It took me a bit longer because I needed to clean up afterwards.”

“Hah, what a joke. A scoundrel like you must have managed that well.”

He sneered. His expression clearly showed disbelief.

Feeling the atmosphere grow tense, the faces of those around us gradually stiffened.

“Do you know this? I consider myself quite devout. Even though I’m not a holy knight, I’ve always believed in the goddess and tried to follow her… However, recently, I’ve started to doubt the intentions of such a goddess.”

Do you know why? he asked, taking a breath before speaking to me again.

“Because a scoundrel like you has become a hero.”

Clear animosity was directed at me. The hostility of a level 87 felt like it could crush me just by facing it.

“Why? Why on earth? How did you become one? Are you even a good person, or are you exceptionally skilled? You might have some talent, but if that’s the case, that friend over there would have been fine too. If it comes to the hero’s powers, that friend would surpass you in no time.”

He pointed his index finger at Farell Douglas.

Despite being directly pointed out, he simply lowered his head in silence.

“I truly dislike people like you. Those who get lucky and act as if their power belongs to them. Lazy and arrogant.”

“So?”

I shrugged my shoulders.

“So what do you want me to do about it?”

This is what I like about reckless people. When things like this happen, they don’t have to hold back.

“Anyway, the goddess chose me. Not you or that guy over there, but me.”

That didn’t change anything, even if he was the strongest in the Empire. I had called out a fool in front of the Emperor, so this was nothing.

He probably tried to draw the holy sword as well. If he was that capable, he would have been a strong candidate for the hero. But the goddess did not look at him and bestowed her blessing upon me.

It was a seat meant for me from the start. No one else was even a candidate.

“…You b*stard.”

As I said that, his expression twisted like a grotesque mask. It seemed my words had quite upset him.

“If you weren’t the hero, you would have died by my hand in no time.”

Anyway, I learned one thing from this. I was completely marked by this person. He must have had his sights set on me even before we met, and now he had firmly nailed it down.

“Stay right there. I’ll catch the Four Heavenly Kings. I’ll prove to the goddess personally that she chose the wrong hero.”

It seemed he was quite troubled by not being able to become the hero.

Thud, thud, thud!

He said that and turned his back, walking away.

As he distanced himself, the oppressive feeling that had weighed down on me lifted.

With my breathing becoming a bit easier, I let out a long sigh.

“Huuh…”

Well, I had expected this. My curse wouldn’t just pass by smoothly. It was quite painful to have the strongest in the human realm harboring ill feelings toward me, but… it couldn’t be helped.

Of course, I had spoken in a way that could be seen as unpleasant.

But what could I do? I was getting irritated too.

If he criticized me without knowing what I had sacrificed to become the hero, I couldn’t help but want to say something back.

Having concluded that conversation, I surveyed the atmosphere around me.

I had heard some rather harsh words, but they didn’t particularly linger in my mind. Compared to the unfair treatment I had received until now, this was nothing.

It didn’t even tickle.

What I was more curious about was the chaotic atmosphere around me. Now, how would my party members react…?

‘Huh?’

The reactions of the party members were somewhat unexpected.

Each pair displayed contrasting responses.

Camilla and Adele wore expressions of triumph, as if they were speaking for themselves, while Yuliss and Lily were… grimacing with all their might.

Yuliss looked at me with a wistful expression, and Lily muttered something with an annoyed face.

“…You don’t know anything.”

From noble mtl dot com

Hmm. I’m the one being scolded, so why are they the ones feeling upset?

“Don’t worry too much, Hero.”

“Uh, um… yes.”

I nodded dazedly at Yuliss’s comforting words.

There had been various happenings, but we were able to hear the plans of those conducting the investigation, nonetheless.

“We plan to expand the search radius centered around the location where the victim occurred.”

“That’s a conventional method.”

For the puppet master to use their abilities, they must approach at close range. Their power is indeed formidable, but they cannot use it over long distances.

This means that even if they run away, they wouldn’t have gotten far. So, the current investigators thought they could gradually widen the search area to find them…

However, there was something that bothered me.

“I’ll kill them. I’ll kill them. I’ll kill them…”

I looked at the puppet man locked in the detention cell. Numerous clergy were casting purification spells on him, but he remained in a state of brainwashing.

I pointed at him with my hand and asked.

“But isn’t that guy completely brainwashed?”

There are exceptions to the puppet master’s abilities.

While there are many restrictions on the distance for brainwashing, once someone is already brainwashed, the distance limitations are considerably relaxed.

And completely brainwashed individuals can receive commands even from a significant distance, reaching down to the roots of their subconscious.

Moreover, like in Olek’s case, puppets can concede certain parts.

There are far too many variables. The investigators must be aware of that.

“Don’t you think it’s possible that the puppet master brainwashed him in advance, then gave commands after breaking through the encirclement?”

“We’ve considered that as well. That’s why we instructed to create encirclements throughout the Empire, not just here. We don’t know where he’ll be found, but he’s already a rat caught in a trap.”

“Oh.”

This time, a pure admiration escaped my lips.

In other words, they had spread a net of heaven and earth.

A net of heaven and earth woven purely by human effort.

The incident site expands its search radius, while the surrounding territories gradually tighten their encirclement.

It was a method made possible by the overwhelming number of personnel.

Is this truly what it means to be an empire?

For our elite party, it was a method we could hardly even contemplate.

“That much is… well.”

It’s a conventional and not entirely bad approach. Honestly, there’s no room for us to get involved.

“Then we will conduct our own investigation in our own way.”

With that, I stepped away from the gathering.

My method of investigation has always been the same. I lay out one-eyed bugs in all directions and simply wait.

Perhaps the investigators were performing better than expected; I found that I had little to do.

‘It’s been a while since I’ve had free time.’

How long has it been since I found myself with time to spare? So, I decided to take a walk for the first time in ages. It was just the right moment to do so.

In this territory, which has no distinguishing features, there is one unexpected place. Just like that spot in Chunghwa Fortress.

I passed through the square and ventured deeper inside.

An alleyway appeared, one that could be found anywhere in the empire, and I continued to move inward.

Then, a shabby abandoned house emerged.

Located on the outskirts of the territory, it was a dilapidated place that seemed like a ghost might leap out at any moment.

As if forgotten by people, there was not a single sign of life here.

It had likely been truly forgotten. This place had that quality.

Creeeak…

As I opened the door, I saw a pit just large enough for a person to squeeze through.

Its presence was so faint that I felt I might lose it from my consciousness at any moment.

Yet, once discovered, it was an ominous pit that could never be forgotten.

I activated the system to examine the name of the pit.

[Forget#!^$◇ ◆ ◈Matsudon?Gilkig?Gikgak?]

Enen.

It’s time to find out what she is hiding.