Hero? Are You Worthy?
Chapter 101 - 81 Pseudo. Absolute Defense (4000 words)_2

Chapter 101: Chapter 81 Pseudo. Absolute Defense (4000 words)_2

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Just now, because I was distracted during the battle, Luo Meng seized the opportunity to nearly take me down with a combo—it was a close shave. If I had been a little slower in activating my Power, I would have been pinned to the cliffside.

Although I’ve always heard people say Luo Meng is useless, his combat instincts are truly exaggerated.

For now, I’m clinging to life thanks to Pseudo Absolute Defense, but the situation is still dire. After all, this Power is strong, but it’s not something I can use without limit.

It can be used a maximum of three times a day, and no more than nine times a month.

Benson could not guarantee how many days he could hold out relying solely on his Power. As the demons slowly surrounded him from all sides, he just hoped that Rose Vesper and Catherine could hurry over.

My dearest comrades, they should be on their way by now.

...

Rose Vesper’s fingernails were digging into her palms, her teeth clenched so tightly that Catherine could hear a grinding noise next to her.

The provocation from Angelica almost blew Rose Vesper’s top.

But Rose Vesper would not explode, at least not in front of the Hero. She would not reveal her true self, certain that Angelica must have spoken ill of her behind her back. But those words might not be believed by Qin Chu; she had to maintain her image.

After a few seconds had passed, Rose Vesper finally adjusted her mood. Her face, which had been clouded with darkness, suddenly lit up with a surprised and joyful smile, "Oh my, Sister Nadia, I can’t believe you’re actually fond of the Hero. This—so many young men in the Empire must be heartbroken..."

"On one side is Mr. Brave, and on the other, the Great Sage—truly a match of talent and beauty..."

"However, whether Sister Nadia can get what she wishes for depends on this person’s intentions," said Rose Vesper, casting a glance towards Angelica, deliberately stirring the fire.

Rose Vesper was irritated by the multitude of women around the Hero, but she felt she needed to deal with Angelica’s challenge first. If Angelica disagreed... A mere maid daring to interfere with her master’s romance—wasn’t that overstepping? Surely her standing in Qin Chu’s eyes would fall. If she agreed, it would also dilute some of Angelica’s importance to Qin Chu, making it seem like Angelica was not that significant.

"I’m just a maid after all. The master’s matters are for the master to decide, and they have nothing to do with Angelica," Angelica said lightly. "However, if you insist on asking for Angelica’s opinion, then Angelica can accept it."

Nadia tilted her head slightly, looking puzzled, "You wouldn’t feel uncomfortable, or rather, angry?"

"Well, I might be a little jealous. But if it’s Miss Nadia, Angelica can completely accept it," Angelica answered with a smile.

Nadia was even more confused, "Don’t you like Qin Chu?"

"Very much so!"

Nadia couldn’t understand. Louisa once said that loving someone creates a strong desire to monopolize them, not wanting any other people close to one’s beloved.

"It’s precisely because I deeply love the master that I welcome Miss Nadia," said Strong Angelica, with her hands clasped behind her back. Although she was speaking to Nadia, her gaze was fixed on Qin Chu, full of deep affection. "Miss Nadia is very strong, much stronger than Angelica. What Angelica can’t do, Miss Nadia can. Angelica can’t protect the master, but Miss Nadia can."

"The master has a special status, many people want his life. I think, if Miss Nadia were to stay by the master’s side, she would definitely protect him well."

"Angelica doesn’t like having many girls around the master either, but what I care about more is the master’s safety."

That is Angelica. She’s a bit clever, with a clear view of the situation in the cake shop. Although she seems to be clumsily throwing herself into the master’s arms, everything including that speech, was deliberate on Angelica’s part. She wanted to show those women, through that action, that she is the master’s woman.

But, no matter what, the master’s safety is the most important thing in Angelica’s heart—unshakeable.

Even Catherine couldn’t help but nod slightly.

```

Rose Vesper had intended to stir up trouble and lower Angelica’s standing in Qin Chu’s eyes, but the outcome had been entirely unexpected. That wretched girl had even managed to curry favor with Qin Chu in such a manner—it was too cunning.

As the silence once again became unbearable, nobody spoke a word. Qin Chu’s face bore a strange expression as his gaze swept over Rose Vesper. "Holy Daughter, have you forgotten something?"

If they continued to delay, Benson was going to be in trouble!

Even if Rose Vesper didn’t care about Benson’s fate, he as the Second Generation Brave Warrior certainly did. He coughed softly to draw everyone’s attention to himself and, with a touch of indulgence, patted Angelica on the head. Then he turned to Nadia, "Miss Nadia, first of all, thank you very much for your interest—it’s an honor for me..."

"But as you can see, there’s a girl I like very much and care deeply about..."

"So, I must apologize for declining your kind offer," Qin Chu said politely.

Nadia nodded noncommittally. She had been rejected. It was the first time she had expressed her feelings to someone of the opposite sex, and to be dismissed so callously felt quite odd.

Yet, weirdly enough, Nadia wasn’t too heartbroken, which puzzled her.

After refusing Nadia, Qin Chu turned to Rose Vesper and Catherine. "You two didn’t come here to dine, did you? Or is there something you need from me?"

Hiss...

Rose Vesper inhaled sharply.

Previously flustered by Angelica, she had totally forgotten her real purpose, but now that Qin Chu reminded her, she finally remembered.

She didn’t have much time to waste here.

Taking a deep breath to regain her composure, Rose Vesper spoke evenly, "The thing is, Catherine and I have discussed it and feel that Mr. Brave has made some progress in his training, so we’re prepared to take you outside the city for some real combat experience with demons."

"Of course, Catherine and I will be accompanying you, so please don’t worry about security."

Finally getting to the matter at hand, a smile spread across Qin Chu’s face. "Of course, I couldn’t ask for more."

"I’m going too," Angelica immediately said.

Although her master had already told her what to do, at this moment she needed to make a stance to avoid suspicion, and ultimately Angelica stayed in the Imperial City under her master’s forceful orders.

Qin Chu’s eager acceptance surprised Rose Vesper, but considering the dire situation with Benson, Rose Vesper didn’t have the luxury of time to ponder and quickly left with Catherine to take Qin Chu away.

Nadia, seemingly contemplative, followed suit.

Although Rose Vesper was greatly annoyed with Nadia, there was no reason to forcefully expel her, so she allowed Nadia to follow behind.

Nicholas hurriedly made his way to the Imperial Palace. Rose Vesper and Catherine were taking Mr. Brave for combat training, a reason Nicholas couldn’t object to, but he had to report the situation to Wozworth as quickly as possible.

In the distance, Candice, who was watching the scene, curved her lips into an arc, quickly passing along the intelligence as per Qin Chu’s previous instructions.

The woman’s face bore a twisted, eerie smile. This was the Brave who could sit parallel to Lord Horus. Although many felt that the Brave was weak upon his arrival to this world, Candice, having witnessed the peculiarities about the Brave and knowing his continual struggle against the weird foes of the Void alongside Lord Horus, was well aware of how powerful the Brave really was.

She was eager to see... rivers of blood!