The moment that thought struck her, Velian began replaying what had just happened, and suddenly felt that the other party’s series of actions had been strangely abnormal.

For a moment, she couldn’t make up her mind, and began observing Anlis again.

Anlis was suddenly locked onto by that direct gaze, cold sweat pouring down her back.

‘What kind of look was that?’

Could it be that she had started to suspect that she had discovered her identity and was therefore putting on an act?

Thinking about it carefully, her behavior just now had been far too negative, any normal person would have noticed something off.

Her acting was still too poor!

‘Come on, think, you useless brain!’

If she didn’t come up with a reason quickly, she’d definitely be killed, right!

Suddenly, a flash of inspiration crossed Anlis’s mind, and an idea rapidly took shape.

In life-or-death situations, people could always do things they normally couldn’t.

A heavy look of sorrow gradually appeared on her face, and her acting skill surged sharply at this critical moment.

“Nun Velian, didn’t you want to know why I don’t want to level up? I’ll tell you the truth, actually, today I already met the Corruption Monarch.”

“What?”

Velian hadn’t expected the other party to suddenly mention her, her attention instantly drawn in completely, a trace of astonishment flashing in her eyes.

“Sigh, I was defeated by her magnificently, hehe, the reason I collapsed on the ground was because I lost.”

“This...”

“Pathetic, right?”

No, so it was because being defeated by her had shattered her resolve?

At the time, she had only casually kicked this hero over.

Looking at Anlis’s dejected expression, Velian almost let out a mocking remark.

But thinking of her current disguise, she quickly controlled her emotions.

“Hero, a temporary failure is nothing, in this world, only you can defeat the Demon Lord, if even you, the hero, give up, then how will humanity and all living beings in this world continue to exist?”

“You don’t understand!”

Anlis suddenly raised her voice, her tone carrying a near-breaking scream, startling Velian into a brief daze.

“You don’t understand anything! The Corruption Monarch is too powerful, so powerful that it fills me with despair! I... I don’t want to be a hero anymore.”

As Anlis spoke, her expression grew more sorrowful, as if she had truly fallen into deep despair.

“I’m just an ordinary farmer, a human life only lasts a few decades. Instead of throwing my life away for some illusory mission, it’s better to live well in the present and spend my days in peace.”

Her words made it seem like she had fully entered the role, her emotions full, her eyes moist, making one feel pity.

She even stepped forward and grabbed Velian’s arms.

“Can you understand me? Nun Velian, just thinking about that scene makes me feel afraid...”

Before she could finish, she shrank back again.

“You’ve seen me make a fool of myself. I’m really a useless hero.”

‘It doesn’t seem fake… So it really was because she had been completely crushed in defeat and developed a psychological shadow, leading to this negativity?’

It seemed she hadn’t exposed herself after all.

The suspicion in Velian’s eyes faded slightly, and a trace of pride rose in her heart.

But creatures like heroes couldn’t be judged by common sense.

If she relaxed and thought she could safely leave, that would be a huge mistake.

Who knew, maybe some beautiful girl harem would come along and rebuild her resolve.

She was a cautious Demon Lord, she couldn’t be careless or underestimate the enemy.

So, she would take that important position herself.

“I understand.”

“Hm?”

“Then please allow me to encourage you, Hero.”

Velian placed one hand on her small chest, her eyes filled with determination, “May I become your companion, stay by your side, and help you regain your courage?”

Anlis’s expression stiffened, her emotionally charged state nearly breaking.

‘Are you insane?! You’re a Demon Lord, and you’re trying to become a companion of justice and encourage the hero to defeat yourself?’

She really couldn’t understand it.

“Forget it, Miss Velian, mm, I don’t think it’s necessary.”

“How could it not be necessary? You are everyone’s hope.”

“I’m not worthy, sigh, I won’t disturb you any longer, I’ll... head back now, my parents are still waiting at home, as for the reward for saving my life, I’ll definitely bring it to you personally another day.”

‘Rejected again.’

Velian couldn’t help but feel a little disappointed.

Then, how did it go in the original story?

Scenes from the manga began to surface in her mind.

After Hero Anlis was cursed by the Demon Lord, she collapsed by the roadside like a puppet, then was picked up by her childhood friend and best friend, brought home and cared for, when she woke up she was at home with only her friend beside her, then when the curse activated, she directly pinned her friend to the ground.

What followed was the classic beginning where she discovered her strength had increased.

Suddenly, the distracted Velian noticed Anlis placing her hand on the doorknob.

Her eyes narrowed slightly, carrying an indescribable danger, “Miss Anlis, where are you planning to go?”

At that question, Anlis immediately froze, her hand stopping on the handle.

“G-go home, haha, I’ve already been out for quite a while, my family will worry, and I already said my goodbyes just now, didn’t I?”

“But it’s already very late, Miss Anlis, it’s dangerous outside, isn’t it?”

Anlis braced herself, “Don’t let appearances fool you, I actually have some strength.”

Velian didn’t say more, only slowly walked toward Anlis.

“You’re being naughty, Hero, you’ve only just woken up, your injuries haven’t been fully treated yet, you should rest properly.”

An invisible pressure swept over her like a tidal wave, even though Velian hadn’t done anything, Anlis felt her legs go weak, almost collapsing to the ground.

Fortunately, her hand had been gripping the doorknob the whole time, barely stabilizing herself without revealing anything unusual.

‘As expected, it wouldn’t be that easy!’

“Alright, if that’s the case, then I’ll go back tomorrow.”

The moment she said that, the pressure receded like a tide, Velian still wore the same smile, but it had become much gentler.

“That’s more like it, if you get hurt, I’ll be sad, you’re the hero I saved, I don’t want you to run into danger again.”

At such close distance, a refined fragrance that seemed to seep into the soul, accompanied by a voice as clear as a nightingale, instantly entered Anlis’s senses.

Anlis’s mind became dazed, a strange feeling growing stronger and stronger.

She didn’t notice that the curse in her lower abdomen had begun to flicker slightly at an inappropriate moment.

Turning her head, at such close distance, she finally realized that the Corruption Monarch was truly breathtakingly beautiful.

No! What was she thinking?!

This was clearly a black rose, beautiful to look at, but filled with poisonous thorns!

“Haha.”

Anlis forcefully drove away the distracting thoughts, letting out an awkward laugh, under Velian’s gaze, she stiffly turned around and sat down at the spot closest to the door.

She had already figured out Velian’s plan.

Velian truly wanted to join her party.

She was probably planning to personally monitor her this way.

Wouldn’t that mean she’d have to keep up her disguise under this person’s watchful gaze the entire time?

If the other party realized that she had been deceiving her all along and had actually known her true identity as the Demon Lord from the start, then with the Demon Lord’s temperament, she would definitely tear her into pieces!

How could she distance herself from her?

But...

Anlis’s gaze, for some reason, couldn’t help but fall once again on the body of this “nun” before her, the rational thoughts from earlier gradually blurring under a rising restlessness.

‘What was Velian’s appearance like?’

Her graceful waistline outlined a delicate and petite figure, especially those slender jade-like legs wrapped in black stockings, exquisite like a work of art, if they stepped on her, she didn’t even know how pleasurable it would feel.

And that tender neck, if she could lightly bite it and then suck hard—

Anlis suddenly froze, her whole body trembling, her face flushing hot red.

No, what was she thinking?!

These thoughts would never be something she would normally imagine!

She hurriedly raised her hand and slapped her head hard, trying to drive away those absurd thoughts.

But it was useless.

Her consciousness became increasingly unclear, even her pupils turning into peach-colored hearts.

A single thought forcefully and crazily occupied her mind, destroying her reason.

‘I really want to get close to her~’