The NTR Hero Knelt Before the Demon King – Chapter 104

Eliza, holding the contract, disappeared before my eyes.

As Octavia gazed at her departing figure, tears had long since stopped flowing from her eyes.

No, it wasn’t just the tears…

In that moment, even the emotions of anger and resentment that had surged within her moments before were greatly diluted.

Seeing her in despair, Eliza had smiled with a pure and beautiful expression, enough to make Octavia’s heart race, despite being the person who had forced her into this desperate choice.

And then, Eliza spoke to her, her voice filled with genuine emotion.

“You just saved the lives of millions of elves… You can be proud of what you’ve done.”

With an angelic smile, she offered comforting words filled with kindness.

Though this could be interpreted as mere sarcasm and mockery by some, for Octavia, who had already hit rock bottom with despair and confusion, those words were incredibly comforting.

Just as she said, while immense losses had been incurred, her choice ultimately saved her kin from the flames of hell.

It was a logical conclusion that it was far better to pay a hefty reward and save oneself than to be sentenced to death.

Of course, Octavia’s mental escape from this heavy burden played a part, but regardless, she could find solace in Eliza’s words.

And then…

‘Eliza… no, Lady Eliza… Although you’re a demon and a subordinate of the Demon King, you seem like a good person. To think you would comfort me in such a situation.’

Though she was undeniably cold in carrying out her duties, Eliza left behind a little kindness (?) in the process.

About that, Octavia’s cheeks flushed red, and now, her gaze remained fixed on Eliza’s receding figure for quite some time.

*

“What… what is this! You brought this back as a negotiation, did you?!”

“I-I apologize, Your Holiness.”

“But there was no other way. The demon races had been so obstinate, they even imprisoned us…”

“Ugh…”

Inside the Grand Temple located within the World Tree Jupiter, the Pope and the High Elves were unable to contain their shock and anger as they looked at the results brought back by the Envoy.

The demands from the Demon Kingdom were to the extent of uprooting the very foundation of the Elf Church Country, and contained within it was Octavia’s signature.

Among them, the fact that Octavia had signed a contract stating that the Pope himself would offer an apology struck the Pope with a shock so profound it was hard to believe.

However,

“….It can’t be helped.”

“Y-Your Holiness?”

“While it’s frustrating and unjust, it’s already spilled milk. With the signature of the Envoy’s chief who has been given full authority, we cannot go back on this. And… you all know well that we have no more time.”

“Ugh…”

“Your Holiness…”

Despite everything, the Pope and the High Elves no longer had the grounds or the luxury to try and overturn this decision.

They had already turned 60% of Kann Forest to ashes, and the black flame was now right at the doorstep of World Tree Jupiter.

To stop it, they absolutely needed the magic displayed right before their eyes by the demons, and ultimately, the Pope and others had no choice but to officially endorse it.

“This is a letter bearing my seal. Pass it to the demons outside.”

“Yes… understood…”

“We will accept all of their demands. However, in accordance with the contract, I ask that they use their magic immediately. We have no time. Hurry!”

“I’ll make sure to deliver it.”

The retainer rushed out urgently to fulfill the Pope’s orders.

Watching that figure, the Pope couldn’t help but feel incredibly complex emotions.

‘This will save the World Tree and the Elf Church Country somehow. But… things will become truly difficult afterward.’

It was akin to surrendering an arm in exchange for salvation.

Regarding this, should the Pope view it positively for saving the nation’s life, or negatively for the fall of his authority and the uprooting of national power, he felt utterly confused.

Feeling a mix of relief and deep agony, the Pope gazed at the Envoy and asked about the girl who was not present.

“So… Octavia is left there as a negotiator?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“It was said to be a token to ensure the contract is properly executed. If she fails, they will immediately turn her into a Dark Elf.”

“Hah…”

In effect, the Pope’s daughter Octavia was treated like a prisoner, a status akin to being a princess captured by the Demon King.

As the Pope thought about his daughter, now in such a dire situation, he couldn’t help but feel a darkening weight of concern.

Of course, since she had irresponsibly signed this horrific negotiation without dealing with the situation more flexibly, he also felt he couldn’t absolve her from responsibility.

However, when it came to his daughter’s helpless actions, feelings of pity overwhelmed his anger.

‘Just having barely returned alive from that black flame… why has she found herself in such danger again?’

No matter how cold and strong the Pope was, who received the will of God, in front of his daughter…

In front of the person he loved the most, Octavia, he was just a father.

At the moment he heard that his daughter was surrounded by black flames, he couldn’t help but feel as though the world was collapsing around him.

After narrowly escaping the danger of death, she had chosen to take the perilous path of negotiating with the demons voluntarily, and now she had become a wretched prisoner in their hands.

Feeling genuine sorrow over that fact.

At the same time, wanting desperately to wrap things up well and bring her back,

The Pope thought that not just because of the issue of faith but he had no choice but to earnestly fulfill this humiliating contract as best as he could.

*

“Well done.”

“Indeed, if we continue like this, we will soon turn the World Tree to ashes.”

Before the blackened earth and the black flames flickering at its edges, Achilles, Knight of the Empire, wore a deep smile.

If the Kann Forest and the World Tree, which served as the elves’ natural fortress, were to burn and disappear, the elves would lose all capacity for resistance. All that would be left would be to march forward and occupy the land of those reduced to mere ashes.

And through this series of events, conquering the elves would surely push forward Achilles’ grand plan to greater heights.

‘Once the elves are gone and the World Tree disappears, the divine power acting in this world will diminish significantly. That would mean… I could bring forth the plan for Her Excellency much sooner.’

Feeling a rich sense of anticipation, Achilles happily savored the final moments of the elves.

Then, suddenly,

“Huh?”

“What… what is that?”

In the next moment, an unexpected situation unfolded before him.

The ease on Achilles’ face vanished in an instant, replaced by deep bewilderment.

The black flame that had been poised to engulf the World Tree just moments ago began to be engulfed by a mysterious blue flame that erupted unexpectedly.

And…

“What… what’s happening?”

“W-We don’t know either. What is that blue flame?”

Flames erupted from all directions, devouring the black flames.

It was beyond mere wildfires, growing to a size rendering it impossible to artificially contain. The blue flames swiftly extinguished the black flames that had been rapidly consuming the Kann Forest just moments ago, wiping them out as if they had never existed.

“The black flames… just like that?”

“Is this the elves’ magic? Could they really devise a countermeasure in such a short time?”

“Damn it! If we had just gone a little further, we could have burned the World Tree, but of all times…”

The Empire Army began to express their deep anger and disappointment.

However, the one who felt the greatest shock among them was none other than General Achilles himself.

‘It’s impossible… Those black flames were a gift I received directly from Him. There’s no way the power of that being, who is in opposition to the elves, could be extinguished so easily. But how…’

Achilles, who understood the makeup of those black flames better than anyone, knew that this situation was close to impossible.

Thus, he recognized that someone else had intervened in this matter.

‘Tell me… the Magic Kingdom? Could those filthy witches be in league with the elves?’