Chapter 65: A Qualified Accomplice
Ismael was shocked.
He never imagined the Hero would say such a thing, nor did he expect the Hero to refuse the duty of protecting such a sacred object. Of course, he assumed the Hero had misunderstood him. The Hero simply didn’t know the terror of the Gate to Another World being destroyed, so naturally, he had an obligation to explain it to the Hero.
Maintaining his gentle smile, he tried to explain the whole matter patiently. “Lord Lance, you may not be aware of the importance of the Gate to Another World.”
Misha saw Lance frown slightly. From the look on his face, he clearly didn’t want to listen to Ismael’s forthcoming nonsense.
Forget it. The Hero not interrupting Ismael was already polite enough.
Let him frown if he wants. As long as Misha didn’t look at the Hero, he could pretend he didn’t know!
Ismael said, “The Gate to Another World is one of the few wondrous places specially left in the mortal world by the gods at the time of creation.”
Lance: “Mmh…”
Ismael: “It is because of the existence of such sacred artifacts that we can listen to the oracles of the gods, and the gods can descend to the mortal world.”
Lance: “Oh…”
Ismael: “But just last night, some villain actually destroyed the Gate to Another World.”
Lance: “…”
Ismael took a deep breath, seemingly unable to hide his anger, and continued without thinking, “The Holy Scripture saysâ”
Lance finally raised his hand, interrupting Ismael.
Ismael froze, instinctively stopping his words, though he was clearly confused.
Ismael: “Lord Lance, you…”
Lance: “So the Gate to Another World is broken?”
Ismael: “To be precise, it was completely destroyed.”
Lance: “Why are you looking at me?”
Ismael: “…Huh?”
Lance: “It’s not like I broke it.”
Ismael: “…”
Misha: “…”
Misha was shocked.
If you didn’t break it, who did?!
How can this person lie so blatantly with a straight face! Doesn’t he feel any guilt at all?!
But the Hero certainly didn’t look guilty.
He looked at Ismael with such righteous confidence that his overly direct expression almost made Ismael himself feel… that perhaps there was a problem with his own explanation.
As a knight of the Church, a devout believer raised in the faith, Ismael inevitably held a subconscious, idealized view of the Savior Hero chosen by the gods.
He felt that the Chosen One could do no wrong. If the Hero said something strange or impious, the problem must lie in their communication and mutual understanding.
For example, right now.
The Hero clearly hadn’t fully understood what he said. He didn’t understand how serious the destruction of the Gate was. The Hero carried a heavy burden; he was rushing to stop the Demon Lord’s evil deeds. It was perfectly normal for him to be a bit impatient.
So, Ismael put on that friendly smile again, ready to explain the situation of the Gate to the Hero earnestly and patiently once more.
“You may not have understood my meaning,” Ismael said seriously. “Lord Lance, if the Gate to Another World is completely destroyedâ”
Lance: “Does that have anything to do with me?”
Ismael: “The Godsâ”
Lance: “They will definitely figure out a way for you.”
Ismael: “But we cannot enterâ”
Lance: “Rules, you know? Just change them.”
Ismael: “…”
Misha: “…”
Ismael turned his head, grabbed Samuel who was standing next to him, dragged him two steps away, lowered his voice, and couldn’t help asking, “This Lord Hero… what on earth is wrong with him!”
Samuel: “…”
Misha also grabbed the self-righteous Hero, suppressing the anger in his heart, dragged Lance a bit in the opposite direction, and shouted furiously, “Lord Lance! You can’t be like this!”
Lance: “…”
Samuel scratched his head and began to explain to Ismael.
“He’s always been like this,” Samuel said, carefully recalling the Hero’s actions. “But I can guarantee, he really is a good person.”
Ismael was skeptical.
Samuel: “Lord Lance has outstanding abilities. He’s terrifyingly strong.”
Ismael raised an eyebrow.
“If anyone can defeat the Demon Lord, it must be him.” Samuel couldn’t help but think of the incident where the Demon Lord broke into the Dwarven town, and he involuntarily added, “Just a short while ago, the Demon Lord tried to kill him.”
Ismael finally showed some curiosity, willing to listen seriously to what Samuel had to say.
Samuel: “The Demon Lord broke into his room, but was defeated by the Hero.”
Speaking of this, he couldn’t control his admiration for the Hero. He felt that only such an amazing Hero could be the nemesis of monsters.
Ismael was indeed shocked. “The Demon Lord came in person?”
Samuel nodded.
Ismael: “And lost to the Hero?”
Samuel nodded again.
Ismael: “And then?”
Samuel: “…Then?”
Ismael: “After that battle, what happened to the Demon Lord?”
Samuel: “…”
Samuel recalled carefully.
He only remembered that the fight between the Hero and the Demon Lord had nearly destroyed the entire Dwarven room. When Arlo rushed over, he only saw the wreckage on the floor. After that, Samuel had heard about the Hero’s amazing victory and had curiously asked the Hero about the outcome. And the Hero’s answer wasâ
Samuel answered seriously: “The Demon Lord’s tail feels really nice.”
Ismael: “…”
It’s over.
Ismael felt that this world was definitely doomed.
Misha could hardly suppress his anger; he wanted to punch the Hero in the face.
But he knew he couldn’t. Here, all the knights thought he was Lance’s Divine Envoy. That meant if he did anything inconsistent with the identity of a Divine Envoy, he would immediately attract attention.
At a time like this, Misha really didn’t want to attract the knights’ attention.
He didn’t understand.
The Hero had just committed a major crime, attracting so many knights to investigate. At a time like this, the Hero had no intention of keeping a low profile. He didn’t seem afraid of the knights’ investigation at all. He even spouted strange words, as if afraid Ismael wouldn’t notice him.
Damn it, what exactly does this Hero want to do!
Afraid that someone in the knight’s camp might hear them, Misha dragged the Hero a distance away from the camp, avoiding the patrolling knights, until they were under a massive rock. Only then did he speak, unable to contain his anger, yet still keeping his voice down. “What are you doing!”
Lance blinked at him, instantly returning to his usual expression.
When he spoke, he always had a smile, as if even his gaze softened, yet there was a hint of mischief. “I’m hoping to leave sooner, of course.”
Misha: “…Huh?”
Lance leaned forward slightly. Before Misha could react, he propped his hand against the rock wall behind Misha, leaning in close to Misha’s face, lowering his voice to a whisper. “I’ve done such a terrible deed; naturally, I’m thinking about how to escape quickly.”
Misha: “…”
Escape? Did the Hero’s actions just now look like someone trying to escape?
Suppressing his anger, Misha looked up, about to speak, but suddenly realizedâthe Hero was way too close.
Startled, he couldn’t help but raise his voice. “Youâ”
Lance cut him off. “Too loud. People will hear.”
Misha: “…”
Misha instantly lowered his voice, trying to threaten him. “Stay away from me!”
Lance: “Mmh…”
He really removed his hand from the wall and took a step back, but the smile remained in his eyes. “Since the investigation has nothing to do with us anyway, we should ‘escape’ sooner.”
Misha: “…How does it have nothing to do with you!”
He couldn’t figure it out.
How could the Hero, the day after committing the crime, separate himself from his crime so cleanly? He didn’t seem panicked at all, nor did he feel any guilt. Judging by his appearance, he seemed to think he was a nameless hero who had done a good deed. What kind of experiences form such twisted actions and values?!
Misha took a few deep breaths, trying to calm himself.
“Your reaction was too abrupt,” Misha said. “Not like a normal Hero. It will definitely arouse Ismael’s suspicion.”
Lance blinked at him. He didn’t question it, but he didn’t seem planning to ask what a normal Hero should do in this situation either.
Misha added, “You should assist them in the investigation.”
Lance stroked his chin. “Hmm, makes sense.”
Misha: “…”
Misha hadn’t expected Lance to agree to his suggestion so quickly.
But then Lance nodded and said, “Since only I can enter the Holy Land, whatever result I find, they’ll have to accept it, right?”
Misha: “…”
Misha had a bad feeling.
Lance: “If I investigate myself, I definitely won’t admit to anything.”
Misha: “…”
Lance: “Let’s just say it broke naturally.”
Misha: “…”
What is going on? Is the Hero this casual even when making up excuses?
How could something like that break naturally!
Misha took a deep breath, trying his best to control his near-explosive rage to avoid raising his voice and attracting the attention of the surrounding patrol knights.
“That excuse won’t work,” Misha huffed. “Even if you make up a random suspect who broke into the Holy Land, it would be better than the weird excuse of ‘natural damage’.”
Lance dragged out his tone, clicking his tongue softly. “Oh?”
Misha: “…Please be serious!”
But Lance kept that half-smile on his face. The more serious Misha got, the more Lance couldn’t suppress the smile on his lips.
Misha took a deep breath, deciding to ignore the Hero’s strange expression, and said seriously, “If we start thinking of an excuse now, it should still be in time.”
Lance spoke softly. “You changed so fast.”
Misha: “…What?”
Lance reached out, as if his old habit had flared up again, wanting to pat Misha’s head. Misha dodged quickly, avoiding Lance’s hand.
Lance didn’t mind.
He looked straight into Misha’s eyes, unable to hold back the smile on his lips.
“It’s only been one night,” Lance said slowly. “Have you adapted to your identity as an ‘accomplice’ so quickly?”
Misha: “…”
Damn it, this cursed Hero!
What accomplice!
Wait, why am I helping this annoying Hero find excuses to hide the truth!
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