The Return of the Cannon Fodder Trillion Heiress - Chapter 118

Chapter 118: Chapter 118 Practice What You Preach
“I do,” Hera replied, her voice carrying a soft chuckle that seemed to dance in the gentle breeze of the summer noon, its tone soothing and pleasant to the ear. However, the content of her words was far from comforting, something they didn’t want to hear.

The other participants were taken aback, unsure how to respond to Hera’s unexpected reaction. Before they could gather their thoughts, Hera continued speaking.

“Don’t you see the double standard here?” she questioned, her tone calm yet firm. “When my team and I were graciously invited by the villagers to share a meal, you all were up in arms, crying unfairness. But now that it’s your turn, suddenly it’s justifiable because Alice isn’t feeling well? Regardless of the circumstances, shouldn’t you lead by example and practice what you preach?”

“B-but…” The other participants stuttered, struggling to find the right words to express their thoughts or feelings at the moment. However, Hera didn’t allow them time to gather their thoughts as she continued to bombard them with her own opinions.

“My team and I respected your request and politely declined the villagers’ invitation to dine with them to avoid unnecessary thoughts of unfairness within the group. However, that doesn’t mean we can’t gather ingredients from the mountains or rivers. I mentioned this earlier where we got what we had, even though it wasn’t necessary.” Hera paused and looked at everyone’s faces to see their expressions before she continued.

“But I just happened to share what I heard from the villagers about someone saying that they are feeling unwell because they don’t have enough to eat because they can’t get enough points, that offended you? What about when you accused us in front of our faces? Isn’t that hypocritical and ironic?” Hera’s words were straightforward and direct, yet she maintained a smile on her face as if discussing the weather. However, her tone carried weight. When their eyes met hers, they found themselves avoiding her gaze, knowing she spoke the truth, though it stung.

Hera felt compelled to assert her thoughts and truths because remaining silent would only embolden them further. If she allowed them to take the lead unchallenged, they would continue their entitled attitude, believing they could demand anything from her whenever they perceived the playing field as unbalanced.

Feeling defensive, they struggled to find an immediate response to Hera’s pointed remarks. Instead, they sought a scapegoat, attempting to deflect why they were being held accountable in the first place.

It’s a common tendency for people to operate this way, convinced they’re acting in the best interests of everyone involved. However, when they only hear one side of the story, it’s easy for them to take sides and assign blame. It’s only when they’re questioned themselves that they pause to reflect on their own knowledge and assumptions.

This mindset makes them vulnerable to manipulation, as they are passive bystanders eager to join in without truly understanding the situation. They become susceptible to being swayed by others who may not have their best interests at heart.

‘So, why not throw them off their horse so they can at least get shaken a little and think for themselves?’

“Hera, I’m not sure how I offended you or why you think so poorly of me. But that’s not what I meant, or what I wanted to say,” Alice said softly, her voice as gentle as a cat’s purr. Tears that had threatened to fall earlier now cascaded freely down her cheeks to her chin. She appeared both pitiful and beautiful in that moment, eliciting sympathy from anyone who beheld her.

Hera, often painted as the villainess, responded with a gentle smile, radiating a serene demeanor akin to a benevolent saintess untouched by offense. “Alice, I’m not sure where you’ve gathered the notion that I think poorly of you. I know you’re a kind-hearted girl, prone to tears over the slightest thing, so I never took any offense. I also understand that you’re still young and may not always see things through a mature lens. If I came across as harsh, I apologize. Just as you cry out of frustration, I speak my mind when I’m similarly vexed. Let’s put this behind us,” she said, extending an olive branch in hopes of reconciliation.

Hera subtly implied that Alice used her tears as a shield, not genuinely expressing her emotions or what she truly thinks, and subtly insinuated that Alice was trying to manipulate others into believing Hera was at fault. Hera recounted the events that had unfolded, aiming to highlight Alice’s behavior. Behind her smile, Hera wished to convey that she found Alice immature and foolish even when they were supposed to be the same age.

Hera fought the urge to burst out laughing, maintaining her composed expression despite feeling amused. She pretended to be genuinely upset as if bearing the brunt of all the blame.

Hera couldn’t understand why Alice persisted in using the same tactic repeatedly, especially targeting her when she was simply going about her own business.

Hera wondered if it was the story’s plot that compelled them to assume the roles of the female lead and the cannon fodder. However, if that were the case, Alice wasn’t doing a convincing job as the female lead. Hera couldn’t fathom why Alice was even considered for such a role. Apart from her physical beauty, she seemed only slightly above average in other aspects.

Was everything solely based on her beauty and stamina, allowing her to take on all five male leads? Did her role revolve around intimate encounters with them? If so, was she making a wise decision in attempting to usurp the female lead role from Alice? From what Hera recalled, all four of the male leads she had encountered thus far possessed fit bodies and impressive stamina, according to Athena.

Then, wouldn’t she be digging her own grave and leaping into it? Somehow, she’s starting to second guess her decision, they are not talking about a single man whose sex drive could be compared to a rabbit in heat or like an Akhal Teke horse that boasts great stamina, they are talking about five men with equal qualifications. And the novel ‘Thin Line Between Love and Lust’ is just like how the title describes, the whole scenario revolves around the R18 scenes, where Alice is always portrayed as always sore and waking up late at noon because of the whole night till dawn exercises they made.

Just the thought made Hera’s brows twitch, almost breaking her composed facade. She pushed aside all distracting thoughts and refocused on the matter at hand.

“What’s this?!” An aloof voice cut through the tension, drawing everyone’s attention.