SSS-Knight in a Hero World

"Yes, that's right," Ferris answered.

Marie's eyes lit up. She observed his figure for a few seconds and smiled even more. "You look even more handsome compared to the one on the website!"

"...Thank you. Now where am I supposed to sit?" he calmly asked.

Marie patted the seat beside her. "You can leave your backpack on the seats behind."

...

Strapping his seatbelt on, Ferris completely relaxed himself for the time being.

After all, this wasn't a supercar that could go too fast for his taste.

Once everything was set, the old white van began moving at a steady speed.

"Where will you pick up the other hero?" Ferris asked. He wanted to estimate how much time his commission would take.

"We'll pick her up on our way to City 18, and oh, she isn't a hero, by the way."

Not a hero? Her?

"It's my first time doing hero commissioning, but the hero association puts penalties on first-time users."

"I could only recruit one hero, so I searched for others on various websites."

Ferris gave off a rather suspicious look. It's your first time? And you give such an innocent vibe. You're the type to get scammed when you travel to your first city...

"Where did you find her? I'm curious," Ferris said.

Marie looked away and rummaged through the storage compartment for her phone.

"No need to show me. You can just tell me while you're driving."

Ferris had a crooked smile by then. If Marie's also a first-time driver...

"Oh, alright." Marie returned her gaze forward and began humming as she tried to remember. "...I forgot the website's name, but I just saw it in recommendations for alternatives to the hero association."

Alternatives... so it's basically no different from hiring mercenaries.

"But what I do remember is how easy it is for first-time users. They don't even ask for government IDs or personal information. You get to be completely anonymous. Isn't that wonderful?"

No, I think you hired someone from the dark web, Ferris thought.

But if that was the case, Ferris had no real worries. He only wondered how well he could get along with his new co-worker for the upcoming week.

Since I'm a registered hero after all... what if this person hates me for that?

Indeed, it wasn't like Henosis was a utopia. The villain-controlled cities were a testament to that fact.

Certain people didn't like being ruled, some wanted freedom. Though, that wasn't an excuse to commit villainy.

Ferris rested his arm by the window and enjoyed the early morning wind to cool his head.

He could only imagine what this mercenary looked like.

"Are you sure that this person is safe to hire?"

Marie nodded and smiled. "Her reviews are good. She even asked me to lower my payment in return for giving her a ride to City 20."

"She's also pretty. You should see her in person!"

?! Ferris twitched the corners of his mouth. Is beauty your only standard?

You should know about the halo effect. Beauty does not equal goodness. It's the inside that matters!

Ferris remembered the social studies he took in the knight academy.

For example, Alaric has a mean-looking resting face, but he's very nice to his pupil.

"I... can't wait to see her then," Ferris begrudgingly replied.

...

During the entire road trip, Ferris paid no attention to the outside scenery. Instead, he focused on his meditation.

At the same time, he tried to figure out why his meditation was starting to take a toll on his body, even though it shouldn't.

He got to the point where he tried asking Judas' soul for answers, but there was no reply, indicating that even Judas did not know, despite residing within Ferris' soul.

Perhaps it's related to blessings? But I don't have one.

If that were the case, then his knowledge of essence wasn't enough to give him an answer, let alone a clue.

After finding no concrete answer, Ferris paused his meditation.

For now, if he couldn't solve his fatigue issue, then he would learn to tolerate it. By meditating for an hour and resting for half an hour, he could slowly get used to the tiring effects.

Get used to it...

It's like having an incurable disease. I need a doctor for this, damn it.

In the midst of his self-deprecation, Marie spoke from behind the wheel. "Let's have lunch. Your partner's meeting point is here."

The white van neatly parked in front of a fast-food chain, and the two entered the busy restaurant to eat and wait for their next member.

***

Under Elizabeth's personal building, in one of the many training areas.

Elizabeth, Asmadeas, and Lionheart stood by the entrance of an unoccupied training room.

Asmadeas covered her nose with her sister's handkerchief. She wasn't prepared for the stench of the training area.

Despite the ventilation, the sheer number of people training there produced enough heat to warm the entire underground facility.

She looked at Elizabeth, who seemed unbothered. "Tell me, sis, why do you need more bodyguards? With the number you're recruiting, you could form a small army."

"Can't you just ask Father to hire as many people as you need?" Asmadeas pleaded, stepping closer to her.

Elizabeth smiled in response. "Then that would turn out badly, wouldn't it?

The people I personally hire are bound to be more reliable than those hired by my father's company."

Asmadeas lowered her head. "Sigh... If only I were strong enough, I could at least redirect fate so I wouldn't be standing here," Asmadeas said, nearly clinging to her. "Can we at least enter the room? That way we could escape the smell."

"No. We have to meet Sir Tailor and his brother like this."

Asmadeas gave her a disappointed look. "If I remember correctly, that Zaku wasn't very bright when I met him. He's also quite young and inexperienced."

"I already told you, there's not a lot we can gain—...?

At that moment, she looked toward the distant hallway.

Elizabeth heard footsteps approaching. "Asmadeas, when have I ever been wrong?..."

"Are you alright?" she asked, noticing her sister's expression.

Lionheart spoke up. "I should plan on renovating this place. The ventilation might not be sufficient for Miss Asmadeas' nostrils," he said, half-jokingly.

Two figures appeared in the distance. A young man with dark green hair, and his taller brother with a lighter shade.

"There's no need for that, Sir Lionheart," Asmadeas said, casting him a cold glance before turning back to the two figures.

To her surprise, Zaku was rather bright. Just as bright as Lionheart.