As soon as I entered deeper into the Manor, I felt a sense of tension. I cautiously moved forward and saw Fiora Ravenscoft with the Butler. She had her usual cold demeanor.
It seemed she had no duties today, as her expression was fixed on a distant point. Not a single trace of emotion could be felt in that expression.
She had worn that expression ever since the Lord died. A change, however, appeared on her face.
Her eyes widened as soon as she saw me.
"Lucian Vane greets the Acting Lord."
As I showed proper etiquette, her slightly trembling voice was heard.
"Lucian Vane, are you safe?"
"I apologize for causing you worry. Thanks to your concern, I have returned safely."
If I didn't maintain this level of formality, I wouldn't be able to get closer to her. Although it was a shota persona that maintained decorum, I also had to consider her feelings.
Why? Because I wanted to eat her.
The Butler spoke as if to assist me.
"He beheaded the Veteran Orc that took away the promising talents of our territory!"
"...Is that true?"
Fiora asked me directly. I immediately nodded.
"Yes, it's true. I did it."
At my confident reply, Fiora's pupils trembled in shock.
Just by her expression, you'd think I had brought back a dragon's head. But then again, the Veteran Orc's infamy was indeed great.
Fiora, who had been rubbing her forehead to calm herself, nodded.
"Even if you are of a Hero family lineage, to face a Veteran Orc one-on-one... Lucian, you truly are extraordinary. You surprise me every time I see you."
"You flatter me."
"Then you must have the most outstanding performance among the current Hero Candidates?"
The Butler nodded. I wanted to nod too, but it wasn't proper etiquette towards a noble, so I remained still.
I did have the highest performance. I was the first to enter here, and I took the head of the Veteran Orc, something no one else had managed.
"Lucian, at first, I didn't expect much from you. I simply thought you were a fool who only relied on his lineage."
So that's what she thought. I maintained my expression and simply bowed my head.
I understood. A skinny like me came saying he'd become a Hero without even a sword. And his family was a Hero family, no less.
Anyone would think that. When anyone meets someone, the first thing they judge is appearance, isn't it?
That's why Show and Prove is necessary.
"But the you now, you are a genius who surprises me every time I see you. You are clearly the talent who will become a Hero and bring glory to our territory!"
Fiora was sparing no praise. She wasn't originally a character who showered praise like this.
'Kyaa, it feels good to hear such a torrent of praise. Shall I try talking myself up a bit then?'
A little smooth talk should be fine. I opened my mouth.
"Acting Lord, I was born here. For a Hero to protect people, and for a native to protect their hometown. I believe that is only natural."
Fiora shook her head, her long silver hair swaying.
"To some, that may seem noble. That is how a Hero is born."
"Indeed. But to me, it's just like breathing, eating, and training day by day - my daily life. It's nothing more than something as natural as this daily life."
"Hoo...."
Fiora's ocean-like blue eyes gleamed as she showed interest. Good, let's continue.
"As a Hero, I swear to do my best for the territory and for the Acting Lord."
She couldn't help but admire me. It was as if even if she brought her nephew or niece to perform at a talent show on Lunar New Year, she wouldn't be this impressed.
Fiora spoke. Unlike before, her voice held a hint of warmth.
"Lucian, you truly are a wonderful child. Indeed, a sprout grown under excellent parents."
She looked back at the Butler. This meant she was about to bestow a reward.
However, I couldn't let it proceed like this. I was planning a much bigger picture.
'Is this the start of an early event? I'll change things up a bit!'
I smacked my lips and made my move.
"Acting Lord, may I say a word?"
I expressed my affection for my territory and hometown. I also asserted my righteous character as a Hero.
On top of that, I even spoke up, saying that the previous Lord had fought bravely.
Now was the time to add the finishing touch. Would it work?
Fiora smiled gently and nodded.
"Do so."
"I have heard that unsettling forces have recently been moving within our territory."
Fiora sighed as if she didn't even need to think about it. It seemed she was quite troubled by this.
"Ah, yes. It seems the fellows who used to dominate the underworld are crawling out one by one. Don't worry, I'll take care of it."
"If I may be so bold, I am one who seeks to become a Hero. A Hero is one who protects humanity from evil. And I am one chosen by the Lord. I wish to step forward to the front lines, investigate them, and deal with them."
At my bombshell statement, both Fiora and the Butler were surprised, their postures faltered.
It was a statement uttered by the territory's most promising Hero Candidate.
The Butler spoke as if to dissuade me.
"The way those bandits fight is different from monsters. Don't be reckless!"
I shook my head. Reckless, my ass.
It seems these guys don't know. In fact, if the Ravenscoft territory is left as is for a little longer, it will eventually be dominated by underworld forces.
It means it will become a hotbed of crime. Whatever else happens, I'm the one who will conquer all the women in this territory someday.
For someone like me, those underworld bandits were guys who absolutely had to be killed.
There was absolutely no reason to let them live. While I was at it, I could earn points and grow too.
"It's not reckless. Rather, monsters are external enemies. Now that I've dealt with the Veteran Orc, they will be quiet for a while. The problem is the internal enemies, those underworld bandits."
Fiora looked at me for a moment. It wasn't the same merely cold gaze as before, but one imbued with deep emotion.
Heuk, being stared at so directly like this makes me shake like a dog. Thinking that gaze was directed at my erect dick, I trembled.
"So... do you have a plan?"
After a silence that felt like an eternity, Fiora posed the question. I heard the Butler swallow dryly.
I answered without hesitation.
"They are uneducated and parentless, guys who grew up like beasts."
Just like Alpa.
"The first things they target will be drugs or arms trafficking, or perhaps the women of the territory."
"Women?"
"More precisely, all women good for trafficking. So, age won't matter."
At my unhesitating reply, Fiora exhaled softly and admired me. Did she think I wouldn't possess such insight?
Well, then it would be surprising. She nodded.
"I was thinking the same thing. But it's not easy to find their traces."
"If you leave it to me, I'll find a way."
"You? How? With what ability?"
A suspicious gaze. It was a look tinged with suspicion, as if she wondered if I was getting arrogant just because she praised me a little.
But I was confident.
'Shall I increase the intensity of my acting now? Let's do well!'
I pointed to the Dawn Guardian on my sword belt.
"This sword is the holy sword my father and grandfather used. It's also a family heirloom."
"Yes, I know."
"This holy sword tells me. Of course, it only tells me roughly, faintly, but I defeated the Veteran Orc with it."
I wasn't lying. Because I split the Veteran Orc in half with this sword.
Perhaps because I had already shown and proven myself so far, Fiora and the Butler were slightly surprised but immediately believed me.
It was an unavoidable situation. Because I had built it up.
Fiora hurriedly drank from her teacup as if surprised, watching me intently.
"Very well, Lucian Vane. Report to me whenever you find traces of those fellows. I will spare nothing for it. I promise."
"Thank you, Lord."
"If necessary, I will allow you to receive and execute missions directly from the guild or the Manor. And Butler!"
Watching Fiora call the Butler, I cheered inwardly.
I could now receive missions anytime I needed.
'This is something only an official Hero can do. It's become my own privilege, hasn't it?'
I even felt a fear that she might not just trust me, but worship me. But that was even better.
Because then it would be easier to fuck her.
"Give this child 150 gold and the Lyburn Coat."
The Butler opened his mouth wide in surprise, then moved hastily. He soon brought a pouch containing 150 gold and a coat with silver currents flowing through it.
I subtly touched it. It was light, and a coat that strangely evoked a sense of tension.
'Lyburn is a named individual, a lightning-attribute wyvern. So they had something like this. Lucky me!'
As expected, she's giving me a bigger reward. The coat felt good to wear.
Fiora lightly gestured.
"Then go and rest. From now on, your training is optional."
"Are you... serious?"
"Yes. You have to help me clear out the bandits in the territory, right? So, you may participate in training, but you don't have to. Butler?"
"Yes, Acting Lord."
As the Butler bowed his head, Fiora calmly instructed.
"Be sure to inform the Guard Captain of this tomorrow morning."
"Understood."
I was surprised. Wow, she's letting a Hero Candidate not have to train.
'Hyaa, to be freed from the duty like this!'
I barely suppressed the exclamation trying to burst out. This was the greatest privilege Fiora could grant me.
I spoke as if making a vow.
"My sword is yours. May you be at peace."
With that, I left the Manor. On my way out, my eyes met with other Hero Candidates.
Now, the Hero Candidates no longer scorned me.
Their eyes held envy mixed with a little jealousy, and an unusual glint.
In their eyes, I might have been a trailblazer they quickly wanted to reach.
'Should I save 100 gold as funds for future adventures and buy something delicious with the rest? Ah, I also want to get a helmet or a shield!'
As I finally stepped out onto the street, I grinned widely. Ah, so this is what it means for your cheeks to tremble and your mouth to split into a grin.
My laughter wouldn't stop. So, passersby looked at me like I was a crazy person.
Yeah, look all you want. Reality won't change anyway!
From a nearby restaurant, someone confidently shouted.
"It's roast chicken made from Eastern Wild Fowl! It's a new menu item!"
'Should I buy that? I should have a party with Aunt!'
I slowly approached the chicken shop.
***
Left alone in her office, Fiora was flustered, not knowing where to put her gaze. She recalled the Hero Candidate who had just confidently asserted himself to her.
'It's strange. Lucian, every time I see that child, my heart keeps pounding. Just like when I first met the Lord.'
Then she shook her head. That couldn't be. The person who pulled her out of the abyss of darkness, Lord Ravenscoft.
A mere Hero Candidate couldn't be on the same level as such a person.
It shouldn't be... but as Fiora recalled Lucian's words, she couldn't hide her bewilderment.
"No, it must be a misunderstanding. That child is just a mere Hero Candidate. I'm just pushing him forward because I have a little interest. Yes, that's it."
She slowly shook her head, trying to compose herself. Nevertheless, Lucian's manly appearance, and the outline of his huge dick, which occasionally appeared only as a silhouette, came to mind.
'That confident gaze and valor were just like the Lord's. Perhaps, he might be a man beyond imagination...?'
"Hweueut♥"
Caressing her chest, Fiora let out a low moan.