I'm Actually Not Overpowered!

"Good morning, Sam."

Fortunately, Lucy came around not too long after my short and awkward conversation with the Demons.

As usual, the redhead was dressed in her neat and light armor, donning her sheathed sword behind her while standing at 'attention'.

While she was extremely cute, Lucy's strong suit wasn't acting the part. She was a Loli, yet behaved more mature than most of the older and bigger women I had seen thus far.

'At least she's calling me Sam now. That's progress.' I smiled and returned her greeting.

"Good morning, Lucy. How did your... patrol go?"

"It went smoothly, as always. Thank you for asking." She nodded in response.

Her speech was usually clogged with formality, and she always acted stiffly around me. Normally, that would have made me grow distant from her, but I found Lucy's actions to be somewhat endearing.

I mean, despite how she looked, she was nineteen years. It would be too much to ask her to be cute, at this point.

Though, whether she wanted to or not, Lucy's warrior vibe was still very adorable.

'To think I was frightened of her in the past...' I smiled in nostalgia.

Many things had changed about how I viewed this world and the people in it. If I were to think back, I had to thank Sarah, Lucy, and Lilith the most... for their help.

'All their memories of those events have been erased because of the Arcana Call, though. I suppose that's a good thing... since it ended badly.'

My very first try ended badly for everyone in the settlement. Sarah had pulled me out of my slump, giving me necessary resolve to use Arcana Call and save everyone.

It was a very heartwarming incident, but there was no way I wanted Sarah to remember how I broke down in front of everyone and displayed such weakness.

Lucy's death was also something I could never forget. It was one of the most tragic moments for me. Fortunately, I was able to reverse it all.

'I still haven't forgotten your sacrifice, Lucy...' I grinned at the short girl.

"Is anything the matter, Sam?" She tilted her head obliviously.

"N-no, nothing." Her clueless expression and stern face made me think she was cuter than usual, but I swiftly chased those thoughts away.

"A-ah, yes. I would like to inspect the progress of the construction."

"Very well. I shall stay at the rear, if that is fine by you. These five can stay at the front." Lucy's words carried heavy weight as she shot the Demons a deep glare.

"Okay." I did my best not to stutter.

To say things got even more awkward wouldn't do the situation justice.

I mean, it was no secret that Lucy held a strong dislike for Demons. Her statement implied that the Demons weren't to be trusted in watching my back, so she would handle that.

'I understand your apprehension, but...' I grimaced internally.

Either way, it wasn't like the Demons liked any of us much either, so in a way... it was fair.

"You heard the Hero. Lead the way." Lucy's hands were on her hip as she spoke.

Her crimson eyes narrowed as she glared at the five Demons. Of course, they had no choice but to obey.

The five swallowed whatever words they wanted to say—Adu really seemed like he was about to burst at this point—and began moving steadily.

Once they walked forward a little, I began advancing as well, while Lucy stayed very close to me from behind.

Things really were awkward.

'Yikes!'

*************

Asa was assisting with the construction project—just like every other functional member of Dulum.

Since Adventurers were physically stronger than regular people, they had to work for longer and had very little breaks—though she didn't mind at all.

For her, being able to be a part of the Hero's efforts to recreate the city was simply amazing.

'Was this his plan all along? He must have used the fight to ensure that this city's lacking infrastructure would be gone. The damage caused to this city must have been intentional!'

That was only her theory, though. However, it made a lot of sense.

Looking around her, Asa could see many workers talking and bonding. Adventurers and denizens discussing. Children assisting in whatever ways they could. Socializing here and there.

Dulum had always been too busy for socializing—at least, with what Asa experienced in her time there.

Adventurers often went out to complete quests in order to make ends meet. No one had time for much socializing, unless they were in the same party.

However, looking at the peaceful and friendly atmosphere, Asa surmised that it was the Hero's intention to draw the people to one another.

What an amazing and thoughtful plan that was.

Of course, there were Golems and Demons working too—but they were handling the more difficult tasks since their frames allowed them to do more.

For humans like her, making blocks and carrying certain materials made up most of her work.

The Golems were designed to build the actual structures since they were precise in their measurements and actions. Sure, they had artisans as supervisors, but the Golems did amazing jobs.

As for the stronger Demons and Adventurers, they were responsible for carrying the heavy loads.

'I'm only Level 15. I can't do all that much yet...' Asa muttered to herself.'

Folks like Gu, Galandel, and other heavy lifters were meant to handle tasks like that. Since she was better suited for tasks like making blocks—due to her speed—she was working with most of the common people.

'The Hero, huh...' Her thoughts finally returned to the matter that constantly plagued her heart.

No matter how much she tried to distract herself from her constant nightmares and their meaning, Asa kept returning to the subject.

'I have to tell the Hero. But how...?'

The Hero was a busy person. He had an entire city to manage, and a whole world to save. How could she get him mixed up with her problems?

'Would I even be able to have access to him?'

Sam was always followed by an entourage of powerful subordinates, after all.

"Haa..." Asa sighed in defeat.

Who was she kidding? How could she even reach him? It wasn't like some sort of miracle would happen and he would just pop out of nowhere.

"N-no way!!!" A loud voice roused Asa, instantly snapping her from her thoughts. A loud voice.

The voice attracted a lot of attention. But, most especially, it pointed everyone's focus in a particular direction.

A direction Asa also looked at—not at all expecting what she laid her eyes on.

"T-the Hero is here?!"