The Return of the Cannon Fodder Trillion Heiress - Chapter 132

Chapter 132: Chapter 132 Who Would Win?
After going around for a little bit more to gather all the items listed in her scavenger list as fast as she could, Hera headed straight back to the cabin where they were supposed to gather once they were done with their task.

Today, it appeared Hera was truly on a winning streak, discovering two additional Easter eggs hidden in the most unexpected corners. Their placement was so discreet that had she not diligently searched, she might never have laid eyes on them, a stroke of luck adding to her success.

Despite her fierce determination to win over Xavier, Hera maintained a composed demeanor throughout the event, seamlessly navigating from one location to another. With strategic finesse, she deftly exchanged the remaining fish she had on hand for the necessary items from the various facilities around, all the while exuding a calm and collected presence.

As Hera strolled along the road back to the cabin, she noticed a distinct absence of other participants along the way. Concern crept into her mind as she wondered if she had taken longer than anticipated to complete her tasks, thinking that everyone else might have already returned to the meeting place.

To Hera’s surprise, upon arriving at the cabin, she found only the Director and a handful of crew members awaiting her. It dawned on her that they might have monitored her progress from the OB van and hastened to the cabin to welcome her. Their presence seemed to suggest they were eager to assess the items she had collected and compare them to her list.

However, instead of immediately diving into the item checking, Hera found herself led aside by the Director, who seemed to prioritize her well-being. The crew went above and beyond, graciously offering her a refreshing glass of lemonade, a welcomed gesture of kindness.

“Since you’ve arrived before the others, take a moment to relax here. Let’s wait for the others before we begin the checking, to ensure transparency and prevent any accusations of favoritism. Your backpack will be opened in front of everyone,” the Director stated with a serious tone, his expression betraying hints of frustration and underlying grievances.

In reality, the Director felt deeply aggrieved. He was even suspected of favoritism and unknowingly offending the influential figures backing Hera, he had endured considerable hardship in recent days. Unaware of the reasons behind his troubles, he found himself unfairly burdened. Consequently, the minor inconvenience he imposed on the participants served as a subtle way to express and share his frustrations.

He even convened a late-night meeting with the villagers to create a sudden event to release some pent-up frustration. While initially annoyed by the disruption, the villagers quickly rallied behind him once the Director explained the situation. They were then reassured that they could challenge the participants as they pleased, adapting their approach based on the circumstances or their own way.

He granted them full authority regarding how the participants could obtain the items, as long as they adhered to the basic guidelines. It was ultimately the villagers who chose to assign tasks to the participants, requiring them to assist around their respective facilities in exchange for the items they sought.

The Director wholeheartedly allowed this approach. Not only would it provide him with the satisfaction of witnessing the participants facing hardships, but it would also enhance the entertainment value for the viewers. The struggles of the participants would showcase their resourcefulness, allowing viewers to appreciate who among them could overcome the seemingly impossible tasks.

But little did he anticipate that Hera would be the one to adeptly decipher the rules and utilize them to her advantage, effortlessly navigating through the challenges. Initially, he had assumed Xavier held the greatest potential to swiftly complete the event.

The Director found himself with conflicting emotions about the outcome. On one hand, he felt a sense of relief that Hera had successfully completed the event, sparing him from potential complaints from those influential figures. This success also dispelled any suspicions of favoritism toward Hera. However, on the other hand, he couldn’t shake the feeling that Hera’s victory relied heavily on luck and cleverness, leaving him somewhat uneasy about her methods that might be used by the other participants against her again.

With a heavy heart, he excused himself and retreated to his OB van, watching with somber emotions as the other participants continued to struggle with their tasks. With just a couple of hours remaining before the event concluded, it was painful to see that most participants had only managed to complete nearly half of their lists.

“I didn’t realize you could fill up your backpack that quickly.” Xavier’s lazy and aloof voice echoed from behind Hera, startling her and causing her to snap her head back to where he was.

It was only then that Hera noticed Xavier sitting leisurely not far away, calmly sipping a cold lemonade without a care in the world. Yet, the way he gazed at her held a subtle hint of smugness and challenge.

‘Then, was I not the first to finish the event?’ Hera couldn’t help but question herself, feeling a wave of uncertainty wash over her. Her pursed lips betrayed her inner turmoil as she struggled to find the right words. Uncertain if their bet had already reached its conclusion, she found herself at a loss.

‘Does that mean I lost again?’ Hera pondered deeply. If indeed Xavier had won once more, he would have a total of five wishes, having already used one. Yet, if he proved to be reasonable, perhaps those wishes wouldn’t pose any issue, and they could simply view it as a lighthearted game.

Following her interaction with Xavier, Hera sensed that he wasn’t the type to be unreasonable. This realization brought her a sense of relief. Despite feeling disheartened about losing to Xavier once again, even after giving her all, she resolved to accept her defeat with grace.

As she collected her thoughts, Hera turned back to Xavier with a smile.

Seemingly sensing her thoughts, Xavier offered Hera a reassuring smile, his eyes twinkling with delight as they crinkled at the corners. His expression resembled that of a contented cat being petted. Though Hera couldn’t quite grasp the reason behind his happiness at that moment, she tucked the curiosity away in her mind. Returning his smile, she settled her tired body, patiently awaiting the arrival of the other participants, one by one.

Hera and Xavier lapsed into a peaceful silence, a comforting tranquility settling between them. Hera found herself gradually relaxing, her body sinking into the chair as she waited for the others. She even began to drift off to sleep, until she felt a gentle hand supporting her head and a soft pillow placed beneath it, easing her into a more comfortable position.

Lacking the energy to open her eyes, Hera succumbed to the exhaustion that had accumulated from wandering around the village and the recent events that had taken a toll on her body. It seemed as though her tiredness was lulling her into sleep, aided by the tranquil atmosphere surrounding her.

Despite the sweltering heat outside, the occasional breeze carried a soothing quality, akin to a gentle lullaby. Hera found herself gradually drifting off to sleep, oblivious to her surroundings. The shade provided by the nearby tree enveloped them, and the rustling of the leaves in response to each passing breeze only added to Hera’s sense of comfort, coaxing her into a restful slumber.