The NTR Hero Knelt Before the Demon King – Chapter 103

In front of me stood an elf, looking up with a face filled with concern.

From within her expression, I could distinctly feel it—a fear that she cherished far too much.

With a cold smile lingering on her lips, Eliza addressed Octavia, who was right in front of her.

“You probably already know, but right now, Your Majesty, the Demon King, is greatly enraged at your elven people. Logically speaking… it’s quite unusual for a thief who barged in a few days ago and butchered your children to suddenly propose a deal, wouldn’t you say?”

“Ugh…”

Eliza’s words unflinchingly pointed out the mistakes.

Hearing this, Octavia realized that she had fundamentally miscalculated from the outset.

Although there were discussions about the country’s affairs and rationality, ultimately, it was people’s emotions that dictated all.

If those sentiments were met with overwhelming resistance, one could be denied no matter the circumstances.

The realization of her grave mistake in not considering this point stung Octavia deeply.

And then, looking at her, Eliza spoke in a voice laced with coldness.

“To be frank, because of that, a lot has been said among our demon races regarding how to deal with you. Some suggest beheading you immediately, while others advocate for turning you into a Dark Elf and making you a slave for life.”

“D-Dark Elf?”

Just the name, uttered as if it were a blasphemy, made Octavia feel as if her entire body had frozen.

To an elf, being turned into a Dark Elf was the greatest and most horrific insult.

Just the mention of it made her psyche feel thoroughly diminished.

“Well, those are just discussions going around. No matter how you look at it, it would be exceptionally unreasonable to commit such acts against someone like you, the Daughter of the Pope. Surely, even Your Majesty, the Demon King, would not permit it.”

“…”

Eliza, who seemed to be teasing her with an absurdly beautiful smile in this situation, made Octavia feel a slight annoyance at herself for getting flustered, and she tried her best to maintain her composure as she asked,

“So… what is it that you want?”

“Hmm?”

“In the end, what do I need to do? How can I make the Demon Kingdom want to help us?”

In the end, Octavia had only one thing left: to negotiate somehow.

Moreover, the fact that they hadn’t immediately proceeded to behead her or turn her into a Dark Elf indicated that they possessed some degree of willingness to compromise.

And in response to her inquiry, Eliza, with a chilling smile, presented a piece of paper before Octavia.

“Well, it’s not a very difficult matter…. Just sign right here, and that’s all.”

“Ugh…”

A single sheet of paper fell before her.

It was considerably large, filled with a dense amount of content, and Octavia began to examine it, feeling a deep sense of dread.

And then…

“! W-What… what ridiculous conditions are these…”

Immediately upon confirming the contents, a wave of astonishment mixed with profound displeasure began to rise within Octavia.

The contract Eliza had handed to her contained conditions that were cruelly harsh, even for someone like Octavia, who had mentally prepared for this meeting.

The staggering sum demanded as a war compensation was not even the primary issue.

Simultaneously, the various commercial benefits and their military requests felt almost palatable in comparison.

What was absolutely intolerable was… that they requested the Pope himself to kneel before the Demon King and apologize for the mistakes made in the last war.

The crux of this contract was that the racial war was fundamentally flawed, and a heartfelt apology had to be given to all demon races that had been affected.

This action would essentially mean the Pope denying the very essence of the elves, who pursued truth under the divine mandate.

Octavia felt a surge of anger at the absurdity of having such content included in the terms, glaring at the exquisitely terrifying demon before her with a cold voice.

“This… effectively shows that you do not wish to negotiate with us at all, does it not? Am I wrong?”

“Is that so? Well… if you think so, it must be true. But there’s some good news for you.”

With those words, Eliza pulled something out from her sleeve.

It was a vial containing the Black Flame that Octavia had brought.

And alongside it was a small vial glowing with Blue Flame.

“W-What is that?”

“Hehe…”

Eliza chuckled lightly in front of the bewildered Octavia.

She then placed the Blue Flame into the vial of Black Flame.

Suddenly…

“!”

The Black Flame vanished in an instant, reacting to the Blue Flame.

In that moment,

Octavia felt the angry emotions that were simmering inside her mirror the extinguished Black Flame, sinking into a profound calm.

Looking at Octavia like this, Eliza continued with her cold smile.

“What you desire has already been prepared. And if you just sign here, I’ll gladly hand it over.”

“Ugh…”

Eliza spoke with a tone suggesting excitement.

However, despite her haughty demeanor, Octavia could not deny that this situation was not just a joke or a threat.

Before her lay this ludicrous contract.

Should she sign it, having been entrusted with full authority by her father, the Pope, it would undoubtedly lead to catastrophic damage to the very foundations of the Elf Church Country.

Yet,

Regardless, by signing, she could perhaps safeguard something.

The Elf Church Country, and indeed the World Tree Jupiter itself.

Beyond that, she could save countless lives of her compatriots who were currently engulfed in flames and dying.

Thus, in this situation where everything hinged on her own hands, Octavia started to hesitate.

Observing her, Eliza spoke in a voice laden with mockery.

“So, what will you do? The only thing left is your choice. Will you save the World Tree and everyone now? Or will you cling to your pride and let your kind perish?”

“!…Ah…”

Eliza spoke casually, as if stabbing her with a knife, uttering words far too harsh for the situation.

Instantly hearing those words, memories of the countless people in her homeland flashed through Octavia’s mind.

Her younger siblings, who always smiled brightly at her.

The friends she practiced with.

Her father, who showed subtle paternal love despite his stoic demeanor.

And the children she saw while walking by, playing innocently without a care in the world…

In this moment, where the lives of all those she loved could perish due to her hesitance,

Octavia knew she had no choice but to decide.

“….Ugh… Hnn… Hah… Hah…”

With blood tears streaming down, she began to move the pen with great difficulty.

If it became known that she, representing the Church Country, had signed such a treaty,

her name would undoubtedly be etched in history as a traitor who sold out her country for generations to come.

Yet,

Even so, she had to make a choice.

To at least allow that tarnished history to continue.

To save all those she knew and loved…

Thus,

The so-called Black Flame Pact, infamous for being the worst disgrace in the history of the Elf Church Country, was signed deep within the depths of the Underground Prison, enveloped in despair.

However,

Upon hearing this news, the elves who had been seething with anger did not know.

That their humiliating decision was but a trivial matter in comparison to the overwhelming chaos that awaited the continent.

*

“Cough… Hah… Hah…”

Octavia, sitting on the floor, hung her head, shedding tears of sadness and despair.

Having done something terrible to her country with her own hands, she was writhing in unbearable shock and torment.

Yet, Eliza, watching her, felt more amusement than pity or sympathy.

Seeing that noble elf, who had looked down on and tormented demon races, wallowing in such misery was a sight she somewhat wished to display to her mama and others.

As she enjoyed the show of despair from this elf,


Eliza slipped the signed contract into her bosom and, with a laden tone of mockery, spoke to her.

“Hey, what’s so serious? There’s no need to cry sorrowfully as if you sold out your country. Am I right?”

“!… Hah…. Hah…”

Momentarily taken aback by Eliza’s words, Octavia looked at her.

Though her vision was blurred with tears…

She clearly felt the emotions of humiliation and anger contained within.

Eliza then, with an exceedingly kind smile—filled with the spirit of a mocking gesture—said to her one last time,

“You just saved millions of elven lives. You should be quite proud of your actions. Right? The hero who protected the World Tree?”

“…”

At those words, Octavia froze in shock, staring blankly at Eliza.

And then Eliza left her behind, stepping lightly out of the prison,

Carrying the anticipation of the further humiliation the elves were about to face.