I'm Actually Not Overpowered!

It didn't take long for a canopy of darkness to envelop the night sky.

Stars glimmered dimly in the dark sky, and the radiant moon illuminated the area.

Dark clouds hovered in the deep expanse of the firmaments, and the chilly wind blew across the areas of the doomed city.

Golems kept constant watch--serving as guards, to alert residents of incoming danger.

This allowed the denizens of the city have a measure of hope, at the very least, despite the fact that their city was surrounded.

Everyone slept peacefully that night--at least, better than the last few days.

The Hero was granted a private lodging, while each of his important leaders were also given comfortable rooms-- of course, none were as grandiose as the former.

And so, the night became darker and deathly still, creating an eerie yet peaceful calm. While the town slept, a lone man stood in front of his window and stared listlessly at the distant clouds and dim stars.

His head was heavy, and his heart, desperate.

He was the 'all-powerful' Hero ... and despite the great faith the entire town had in him, one question kept puzzling him, keeping him awake at night.

"What am I supposed to do now?"

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

Uncertainty made everything worse.

I had been lucky thus far, but in every dire situation I've ever been in, my chances of success hadn't been as astronomically low as this.

It was either I had knowledge, or my opponents overestimated my capabilities.

'But, I can't be everywhere at once. I also can't use Runes, due to the limited supply of materials needed to make them. There are options, but I can't pay that price. Not now...'

As I bit my nails thinking of alternatives, I heard a gentle knock on my door.

'Am I imagining things?'

As if to prove me wrong, I heard the knock again.

'Isn't it late at night? Who could it be?' I wondered, staring at the hardened metal door.

"I-It me..." I heard a shaky female voice speak out.

The whisper was soft, barely audible. I could sense a lot of hesitation behind the tone as well, but there was no way I wouldn't recognize the voice.

'What is she doing here...?' I wondered.

It was pretty late--by my estimate it should be midnight or close to it.

'My phone could tell time, fortunately. Unfortunately, I wasn't sure how accurate it was in terms of this world's calendar. So far so good, though.

"Come in." I made my voice loud enough so she could hear, while maintaining my position as I stared even deeper out the window.

The door creaked noisily, and the girl entered my private lodging.

It was a spacious room with wooden furniture, but it remained a slightly average room nonetheless. I understood the tastes--or lack thereof--that Adventurers had, so I couldn't complain.

As my visitor ventured further into the room, closing the door behind her, I inhaled the night breeze from my open window and exhaled softly.

"What are you doing here, Lilith?"

My voice was a mix of 'distant' and 'caring', I think. It was the kind of aesthetic I was going for, and so far I was doing a good job at it.

"W-well... I... I..." Her voice kept breaking, making everything she said incoherent. Lilith wasn't exactly known for her good grammar, but it sounded even worse tonight. I couldn't make a single thing out.

Slowly, my head turned in her direction and I smiled kindly at her. A ray of moonlight washed over me creating a beautiful silhouette, it made me look handsome and mysterious.

It was perfect for the aesthetic! Yes! It seemed the universe was on my side on this part, at the very least.

"Come here."

The demon girl seemed surprised by my invitation to draw near. She seemed unsure, and her cheeks were red, but she did so anyway.

'Ah, I'm just noticing... she's putting on a negligee...'

It wasn't transparent, though. Her black night garment had enough fabric to keep my gaze chaste contrary to my amorous intentions.

'At this point, that's a good thing.' I sighed sadly.

Naughty thoughts needed to be far away from my mind at the moment.

"M-Master... I..." Her voice kept breaking as she drew closer to me.

Calmly observing her face, then her body, I realized she was trembling. It could have been cold or a flu, but I knew better than to conclude on that when considering a Mid Demon of Lilith's caliber.

No, it had to be something else. After racking my brain for a while, the answer dawned on me.

'She's scared!'

Just as I figured it out, she was right next to me, clinging tightly to my body as her's kept trembling.

"Lilith... you're scared, aren't you?"

Her eyes widened slightly, and then she looked down, nodding shamefully. Her cheeks became redder, and her body seemed to cling tighter to mine.

"M-Master... Lilith scared. Lilith..." Her voice was shaky, but I got the message.

It seemed quite cowardly to say stuff like this, especially when everyone was trying their best to fight, but...'Who could blame her?' I definitely wouldn't.

Unlike everyone else who was so enamoured by my presumed capabilities, Lilith knew the harsh realities of demonkind.

It was perhaps the one thing we shared in common--a bond that couldn't be relegated.

'Having to face hundreds of demons like her, and thousands more in the lesser cadre. I'm sure she knows the odds of her survival.'

As she clung tightly to me, I felt my heart ache for the demon Girl.

I had initially despised her.

After all, she was the one responsible for the deaths of my people in the previous timeline. She made me waste my precious [Arcana Call], and she was also an enemy.

But, the more I got to know about Lilith, especially after she told me about her past, the more I empathized with her.

Having someone like her come to my room, breaking down in fright, was something that softened my heart.

"Why don't you escape?" Before I realized it, the words came out.

"U-uh...?" Her expressions depicted surprise.

I couldn't stop myself at this point--not after the thought popped in my mind.

Swiftly moving, I grabbed Lilith by both shoulders and drew my face closer to hers.

Even if it wasn't befitting of a Hero of my caliber... even if it ruined the aesthetic--I had to be honest with her.

I owed Lilith that much!