My Evil System

I saw Amara and her group together with Edward and his supporters, and I literally squatted on the ground without thinking.

There were decorative wooden panels that separated the table from another table, and I thanked god for the large vase that hid my body.

"Are you okay?"

I heard Mr. Got, and I knew even without looking at him that he was raising his bushy brow and staring at me like I was crazy.

"I-I'm fine. I'll order what I ordered yesterday. You can go now," I said while still peeking at Amara and the others.

They were busy laughing and chatting to even notice me. I at least released the air that was trapped in my lungs in the form of a deep sigh.

"As you wish. If you need anything, just ring the bell," Mr. Got said, leaving me squatting behind the vase.

I didn't know why I was hiding, though.

<Host should announce his presence and slap on her face that you're also rich>

I ignored it and, without another word, crawled towards my table. A good thing that the second floor was reserved for nobles and important VIPs, so it was slightly empty.

No players would also set foot in her except maybe if they were friends with a noble or something.

The path to my table was also hidden with wood strips and vases, so I was confident that I could reach it without them noticing me.

But just to be sure, I would crawl my way there.

I didn't care when the NPCs pointed their fingers and judged me with their eyes. The important thing to me was to reach my table safely and soundly.

<So why is Host hiding from them?>

The system asked, and I answered in my mind.

Because something told me that if they knew I was here, I wouldn't be able to hear the end of it.

They knew me as a noob, and it would raise suspicion if they saw me eating here.

Come to think of it. I should have left the restaurant as soon as I saw them here. But instead, I panicked and even ordered food.

Maybe there was still time if I canceled?

Too late.

I was already sitting on my chair and tried hard to cover my face with the menu.

<Thomas knew that you're rich, though~>

That kid is different.

<That's what Host keeps telling himself every time you meet a player>

". . ." I admit that I was wrong about the previous players, but Thomas was innocent as a newborn babe. Anyone could see that.

<What Host meant is that, he is a poor boy and needs to be pitied>

Stop putting words in my mouth.

I looked to where Amara was and found that they hadn't noticed me.

Good.

I wonder what they were talking about, though. I couldn't hear any of their conversation from where I was seated.

Not that I really wanted to pry. I was just curious at what they were talking about, tis' all.

<If Host wanted to go there, you should go and sit at their table>

You wanted to get me in trouble?

<The System failed to see why you would be in trouble. Those peasants should feel honoured that you're gracing them with your presence>

It was pointless to talk to it, so I decided to shut up.

If Amara and that Edward guy were constantly taking their lunch in this restaurant and in this part of the map, then I guess I had to find another one. It was too risky to be found out in here.

Maybe I should buy takeout in stalls instead?

But other players were loitering around the market, so that option was out of the question. If they saw me buying so much food, that might spell trouble for me too.

I took a deep breath.

This place was really too restrictive. I couldn't even eat properly. It was like I was sneaking with another person's lover or something.

<Want to add this town in the Main Quest now?>

NO!

Anyway, I guess I have no choice but to find another safe spot to eat food.

Too bad . . . I kind of like the food in this restaurant.

While thinking about my dilemma, I took a look at Amara. She was eating meat without a care in the world.

She was really bliss. Back in our world and even here.

I quickly hid the menu over my face when she looked around. I thought she saw me, but then her gaze was on the new arrivals.

It was Demeter, and she was alone.

She smiled from ear to ear, and she went to Amara's table.

My neck strained in the hopes that I could pick up the words they were saying, but in the end, I could only make up with their facial gestures.

Demeter was talking to Amara with a bright smile on her face, while the latter only had a formal expression. At the side, Edward's frown was seen even from where I sat.

Demeter must be recruiting Amara as well, as evidenced by how Edward's forehead crumpling by the seconds.

Until my food was served, Demeter was still standing by Amara's side.

They didn't even invite her to sit? I thought.

Demeter was supposed to be a high-ranking player in the Kingdom of Trinity. Weren't they scared that it would cause a war by disrespecting a diplomat?

Then again. War was already happening around them, so the blatant disrespect.

I took a bite of meat as I watched them. After another minute, Demeter left.

I was too busy eating and observing them, and when Demeter suddenly took a turn in my direction, our eyes met, and I was so sure that she beamed.

But when I blinked, she was already going down the stairs.

". . ." Was I just hallucinating?

I shook my head.

I must be seeing things.

Or maybe she was beaming at someone she knew around here.

Or was I just overthinking?

Whatever the reason was, it just had to wait for Edward, and his entourage was the one who stood next after ten minutes that Demeter left.

Edward paid the bill, and the man went down the stairs first together with his retinue.

I made sure to raise the menu over my face. They would pass by my table when they went down the stairs though my location was separated with a thin decorative wooden strips.

"My Lord. How long are we going to stay here? Your father had sent countless messages, asking for your return . . . they . . . sightings . . . This place . . ."

I couldn't quite get what they were talking about, so I gave up prying.

It was Amara and her friends who stood next and the menu, and my face almost became one at how close they were together.

"You're so lucky, Amara. Imagine three big Kingdoms fighting over you."

"As expected of Amara."

"So, who are you going to pick?"

My ears perked.

Unlike the men with Edward, who speak with hush voices, Amara and her group of girls didn't bother to lower their tones one bit.

Amara's neutral expression didn't change as she answered, "I don't know yet."

The girls went quiet for a moment before they looked at each other.

"Edward is nice and all. And to be a wife of a noble is rare and would surely set you for life. But . . .  to think that you have to be a mistress together with his other wives . . . and  . . ."

"I think the Allied Kingdoms have a more favorable contract . . . while Grado Empire  is so scary . . . and . . ."

I could no longer hear their conversation when the group left my sight and went down to the ground floor.

I still wanted to listen to their conversation, so I hurriedly ate my fill, paid the bill, wrapped the takeouts for Thomas, and bolted downstairs.

I also made sure that the coast was clear before I went down and went out of the restaurant.

However, I could no longer spot Amara or her friends when I came out.

Sweeping my surroundings with my eyes, I still couldn't find them.

Giving up, I took a deep breath and went on my way back to the dorms.

While traversing that familiar path, I thought about those girls' conversations.

Amara was too prideful to become just a mistress. No matter how good the condition offered to her to pick the Holy Kingdom, she wouldn't do it if it meant becoming a second wife. Or third or fourth and soon.

However, picking the Grado Empire, the land of demons and devils, was also out of the question for any sane and morally upright players.

So the only one left was the Allied Kingdom of Trinity. It was made by humans, by players, so Amara would be safer there than anywhere else.

<Does Host want to follow that girl there if she chose the Allied Kingdom?>

". . ."

I didn't answer because I myself wasn't sure what my future plans were.

<To become the Evil Overlord, the Greatest Villain there is!>

Wrong!