I WAS The Rank–1 Hero-Chapter 72: Nathalia [3]

A slight grin formed on her lips as she spoke.

"In return, I shall teleport all of you back to the Human Continent. Unharmed."

"!?"

Did I hear that correctly?

I didn’t believe what I had just heard. And neither did Sera.

’Sera, am I hearing this right?’

Sera didn’t respond immediately.

Her ghostly form hovered right beside me. She was silent, as if processing Nathalia’s words—just like me.

’All of this… doesn’t make sense to me.’ Sera finally said, her tone was sharp and a bit confused. ’She’s the one who sent those Nova’s students here in the first place. Why would she offer to send them back now?’

Absolutely.

That was exactly what I had wanted to ask.

Nathalia’s offer was tempting. Too tempting.

Going back to the Human Continent while avoiding unnecessary battles with two Authority Holders, in a land we know nothing about… It was an ideal scenario.

But trusting Nathalia? That was out of the question.

I mean.

How could I trust her?

She was the same person who, according to Sera, had annihilated an entire civilization without a bit of hesitation.

The same person who had transported an entire batch of students from Nova into the Demon Continent, effectively throwing them into all kinds of chaotic atmospheres.

And now she expected me to believe she meant no harm?

Heh!

How could I?

I clenched my fists, my mind racing.

As if sensing my hesitation, Nathalia spoke again.

"You can trust me. I haven’t harmed any of the humans here."

"…?"

My eyes flickered.

’She didn’t harm anyone?’

That was an absolute lie.

I scoffed, stepping forward.

"Didn’t harm?" My voice came out sharp, laced with disbelief. "What about the Defender? The one whose face your maid peeled off?"

At my words, Nathalia didn’t react.

But the same couldn’t be said for Lilith. She had been standing silently in the corner of this room—or this laboratory, whatever it was—watching our conversation like a mere spectator.

Now, though, her shoulders tensed up.

She flinched.

Just slightly. But I noticed it.

I turned my gaze toward her, narrowing my eyes as I spoke.

"She almost killed him," I said coldly. "And you expect me to trust you?"

Lilith smiled bitterly.

She stepped forward, her movements slow, and deliberate.

Her crimson eyes held no hostility, it was as if she didn’t even care about anything.

Then, she stopped.

Right in front of me.

I stiffened instinctively.

’What is she doing?’

I questioned myself, I was confused by her actions. This wasn’t normal. None of this was normal.

Nathalia remained where she was, arms crossed over her chest, watching silently as Lilith lowered herself.

And then—

She got to her knees.

Pressed her forehead to the cold marbled floor.

"…Huh?"

It took me a second to process what was happening.

Lilith—Nathalia’s so-called maid, the one who had nearly killed the Defender without hesitation—was kneeling.

No, not just kneeling. She was prostrating.

Before me.

’What the hell is she doing?!’

The sight was unsettling. It was unnatural for someone like her.

Nothing about this made sense.

Nathalia’s story, the one Sera had told me before, described her as a ruthless, merciless being. And Lilith? She was supposed to be her executioner, carrying out her orders without a shred of hesitation.

So why?

Why were they acting so differently from the stories?

Sera had never described them this way.

But…

I didn’t think Nathalia was lying either.

Why would she?

And more importantly—

I halted my thinking.

I couldn’t think ill of Sera.

Not when she could read all of my thoughts.

’Wait…’

A thought suddenly clicked inside my mind.

My eyes widened slightly.

’If she can read my thoughts… then…’

I flickered my gaze toward Sera.

Sera and I shared the same consciousness.

Which meant— if she was truly reading my mind, wouldn’t that mean—?

I could do the same to her?

’Guh!’

Sera let out a strange noise.

Bingo.

I snapped my head toward her.

She was avoiding my gaze now. I guess I finally hit a nail.

If she can invade my privacy, then I would do the same to her.

A sinister smile appeared on my face.

I wondered—what kind of thoughts did an Elf have?

But before I could even ask, Nathalia finally spoke.

"You are correct," Nathalia said softly, her voice as melodic as ever. "Why would you trust someone like us?"

"..." Lilith was silent. I wasn’t able to see her reaction.

She took a step forward, her bare feet were soundless against the marble floor. Her presence alone was overwhelming, she had a unique aura, which would be harder for me to sustain, if it’s not for my Ruler skill.

Lilith, still kneeling, had her forehead pressed firmly against the ground. She hadn’t moved an inch since she bowed.

But then—

"Raise your head, Lilith."

Nathalia’s words were calm, almost gentle to our ears.

Lilith obeyed immediately.

She lifted her head, adjusting her posture into a seated position.

Her movements were precise, controlled, almost mechanical, as if she were a puppet controlled by her master.

Nathalia tilted her head slightly, her blindfold-covered eyes landed on Lilith. Then, she gave another command.

"Look me in the eyes."

Lilith hesitated for just a fraction of a second.

Then, she obeyed.

Her crimson eyes locked onto Nathalia’s unseen gaze.

She didn’t even blink.

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But Nathalia wasn’t done.

"Repeat what I ordered you to do."

Lilith’s lips parted.

"Yes."

Her voice was devoid of any emotion, as if she were nothing more than a doll following its master’s will.

But she wasn’t finished.

I just stood there, as I saw all this.

"I was sent to investigate the Authority Holder," Lilith continued. "The one who was most likely teleported here."

Her tone remained calm, devoid of any hesitation.

"I was merely following that order."

A pause.

"I never intended to go against you, not even in my dreams."

And then—

She fell silent.

A question appeared in my mind.

’What exactly is the relationship between these two?’

To be Continued...