I'm Actually Not Overpowered!
Chapter 20 Is The Hero A God?

"M-my God…"

These were the only words that Byron could utter in his dazed state after hearing all that Sarah had to say.

To think the town had been attacked in their absence, and even more surprising, that the Hero Summoning had worked.

It was a miracle beyond belief.

However, based on what Sarah had said, that was only the least of the numerous miraculous things that had also occurred within Byron's short absence.

The Hero that was summoned had not only asked for no remuneration, he had also saved everyone by displaying his magnificent power. Furthermore, he went on to massively develop such a backwater community, like theirs into something supremely splendid.

Everything Sarah had been wearing when they arrived—even down to her underwear—were all thanks to the Hero's generosity.

He did away with the old and brought in the new.

His elite class of Magic that could manifest any and all items from thin air was beyond Byron's comprehension..

The fact that he knew everything about the difficulties assailing the people, as well as how to resolve them, made Byron perceive the Hero as a divine entity that had descended from the heavens.

His new mindset could have been partly influenced by Sarah's hero-worship, as all she did was praise the Hero.

According to her, all the wondrous tales of the Hero's magnificent deeds that she had been relating, were not exaggerations but the plain, unsullied truth. Looking around, it was easy to believe all her words were true.

Everyone donned new and comfortable clothes.

They all looked clean and radiant, due to constant baths.

They were living happily and peacefully.

'Even the issue of food and water that I was so concerned about…'

It turned out everything had worked out perfectly thanks to the Hero's intervention. He was indeed as perfect a being as Sarah depicted him to be.

'This great entity… I would like to meet him!' Byron thought, anticipating meeting such a great being.

He needed to meet the magnificent and benevolent being that had saved his people, to not only thank him from rescuing his people from the shackles of the Lower Demons, but also for everything he had done to renovate and upgrade the settlement.

Sure, a few people died, but it was by no means the Hero's fault. Everything was due to their own weakness, and the amazing man had simply cleaned up their mess.

"He is currently awaiting your presence in his residence. However…" Sarah's eyes narrowed as she glanced at Byron and the others with a peculiar gaze.

One would almost think she considered them dirt—especially when compared to the Hero.

"… It's best you freshen up and properly prepare yourselves before meeting him." She said simply.

Byron felt his heart squeeze in pain. How could he have been so thoughtless?

Compared to the attires worn by everyone else in the settlement, he and his people stood out like sore thumbs in their rags.

Besides, they hadn't had a bath in a days, so their current condition wasn't exactly optimal. To put it plainly they were filthy.

'Yet, I dared ask for an audience with such a great entity… how foolish!' He chastised himself once more.

"I will show you to a bathhouse, where you can freshen up before you meet with the Hero. Clothes have also been provided for you all, taking your measurements into account."

Byron marveled once more, awed by the structured way in which the Hero seemed to run the town.

"For those who have been injured, I'll also treat you before you meet the Hero."

They could only render thanks, as well as apologies for the trouble.

"It's no problem. Compared to what the Hero is doing, what are my capabilities?"

Byron and his fellows would have vehemently argued with Sarah if she had said this in the past.

There was nothing 'ordinary' about her abilities, extraordinary was more like it.

A Level 5 Priestess was rare among humans, which made Sarah very valuable. The Spells she could utilize defied common sense, and everyone relied on her for numerous things.

However, after hearing about the deeds of the Hero, as well as his capabilities, it was easy to understand why she had just made that statement.

p Still, was it really fair for a mere human to compare themselves to the likes of a god?

Lucy was uncharacteristically silent, as though she was contemplating everything Sarah had said.

"Now, then. Let's go to the bath."

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

Byron was amazed!

He had no idea that a bath could feel so good.

The feeling of heated water splashing on his body from above felt sublime. He didn't even require a bucket as the bath was specially designed for the water to shower upon him like rain.

As expected, it was the Hero that came up with this innovation.

Sarah had told Byron how he was a master of Runes, capable of developing a Rune for practically anything.

Their barren soil turned fertile due to the effect of a Rune—same with their water supply.

Byron even heard that the delicious warmth permeating the village was a result of the another Rune by the Hero. It altered the chill in the area and heated it, creating a more pleasant atmosphere.

Even 'The Hub' didn't have this form of luxury.

'Amazing! Simply amazing!' Though Byron had heard of the existence of such luxuries, but by experiencing it, he felt like a child in a wonderland.

"A-ahh… such refreshing water …" He shamelessly moaned as more droplets splashed all over his body.

He wasn't the only one.

Everyone was in bliss.

Even Lucy—who was bathing alone in the women's Bathhouse—couldn't deny the luxury she was enjoying.

This was paradise indeed.

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

After changing into new clothes that fit properly, everyone was now ready to meet their savior.

Sarah had already taken them on a mini tour of the town, so they had seen a great deal of town's transformation.

This filled them with even more respect for the Hero.

No one could object to Sarah's endless praises towards him, and before they knew it, Byron and the returning travelers also began mimicking her.

They now stood in front of the Hero's Tent— the best looking tent in the settlement—that seemed to enclose something powerful and extraordinary within.

Byron could feel his heart racing, and his ears picked up a melody that caused him to sweat slightly.

The sound was emanating from the tent—tunes of foreboding, displaying the essence of the powerful entity right before him.

Sarah had already explained to them how the Hero could utilize Sound Magic through his Ancient Grimoire—among other things.

'He defies the very laws of this world. If he's not a god, then…' Byron didn't know if his thoughts were blasphemous or not, but he deeply revered the Hero as a being closest to the ones who resided in the heavens.

"Oh, He—I mean, Sam… the Chief and his entourage are here." Sarah's voice was trembling at this point—a sharp contrast to the composed manner in which she previously addressed everyone confidently.

Her body quivered in awe, and her cheeks were so pink that one would have thought she had a fever.

But, this was not a fever.

It was simply pure reverence.

"I see. Well, then…" He said grandly.

Byron and the others swallowed their saliva and awaited the Hero's words with bowed heads.

"… You may all come in."