Overpowered by Accident: The Hero Who Doesn't Have a Clue

The Demon King's Daughter

The journey back to the castle was unusually quiet. Sir Garrick, typically gruff and critical, remained silent, stealing glances at Shinichi every now and then. Princess Arisa, however, couldn't stop smiling. To her, the success of their first quest only cemented her belief that Shinichi was the hero destined to save their world.

"You're a natural, Shinichi," Arisa said, riding alongside him. "That display of strength was... beyond words."

"Natural?" Shinichi laughed. "If by 'natural,' you mean clumsy luck, then yeah, I've got that in spades."

Their conversation was interrupted when the wind shifted, carrying with it a faint but unmistakable presence. Garrick's hand went to his sword. "We're being watched," he growled.

Before anyone could react, a figure stepped onto the path ahead. A young woman, her long black hair cascading down her back, stood blocking their way. She wore sleek, dark armor adorned with crimson accents, and her piercing red eyes seemed to glow in the fading sunlight.

"Well, well," she said, her voice lilting with amusement. "The hero and his entourage. You're making quite the impression."

Garrick's sword was out in an instant. "Identify yourself, demon!"

The woman smirked, unfazed. "I'm Lydia, daughter of the Demon King. But please, no need for hostility. I come in peace... for now."

Shinichi, still sitting lazily on his horse, tilted his head. "Wait, Demon King? So, you're the princess of the bad guys? Do you have, like, a business card for that?"

Lydia raised an eyebrow, her amusement growing. "A business card? No, but I do have this." With a flick of her wrist, she summoned a swirling orb of dark energy, letting it hover ominously above her palm.

Garrick stepped forward, shielding Arisa. "Stay back, princess! This could be a trap."

Arisa hesitated but nodded, her gaze fixed on Lydia. "What do you want?" she demanded.

Lydia dismissed the energy orb with a wave of her hand. "I'm here out of curiosity," she said, her eyes locking onto Shinichi. "You see, word travels fast, even among demons. A 'hero' with no discernible power taking down an entire pack of corrupted wolves? Fascinating."

Shinichi leaned back, his tone casual. "What can I say? I've got a knack for stumbling into success."

Her smirk widened. "Or perhaps you're stronger than you realize."

Garrick scoffed. "Don't flatter him. He's just lucky."

"Is he?" Lydia countered, her gaze unwavering. "Luck doesn't leave craters in forests or terrify monsters to the point of retreat." She stepped closer, her presence radiating a mix of elegance and danger. "I wonder... what else are you hiding, 'hero'?"

Shinichi shrugged. "Nothing much. Just a killer ramen recipe."

Lydia chuckled, clearly entertained by his nonchalance. "You're intriguing, I'll give you that." She turned to leave but paused, glancing over her shoulder. "We'll meet again, Shinichi. Try not to disappoint me."

As she vanished into the forest, Arisa let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. "That was... unnerving."

Garrick scowled. "She's dangerous. We should have attacked."

"And risk a fight we weren't prepared for?" Arisa countered. "We need to be cautious."

Shinichi, however, seemed unbothered. "She seemed nice enough. For a demon princess, anyway."

Arisa stared at him, exasperated. "Shinichi, she's the daughter of the Demon King! She's not 'nice.'"

"Hey, she didn't kill us. That's a win in my book."

As they continued toward the castle, Arisa couldn't shake the feeling that Lydia's interest in Shinichi was more than simple curiosity. And unbeknownst to her, Lydia watched them from the shadows, a sly smile on her lips.

"This hero," she mused, "might be more entertaining than I thought."