The NTR Hero Knelt Before the Demon King – Chapter 129

The fortress Delphi, located in the northern part of the Falcon Empire, is home to the headquarters and training grounds for the Empire’s paladins.

Within the halls of the Delphi Temple, Cassandra Inklement tirelessly tended to the injured soldiers.

“Bring me more bandages; my magic power is running low, so I’ll have to resort to herbal remedies from here on,” she instructed.

“Yes, General,” came the reply.

“Any word on supplies from the capital?”

“I’m sorry, but there is still no response from them.”

“I see… There’s nothing we can do about it. For now, we just have to make do with what we have. What about the enemy’s movements?”

“They are still resting, but it looks like they will return soon.”

Despite exchanging real-time updates with the soldiers, Cassandra did not stop caring for the injured in front of her. Even as a general, she always devoted herself to tending to the wounded whenever she had a spare moment, and in doing so, she was fostering a strong trust among her subordinates and the troops stationed in Delphi.

“I can’t help but feel she’s truly compassionate.”

“Right? Unlike other commanders, she’s always making an effort to save even one life among the Empire’s citizens. We’re all grateful for that.”

Cassandra had once executed a strategic retreat that bordered on defeat during the previous war. However, among the Imperial Army present, hardly anyone blamed her for it. The enemy had been overwhelming in numbers, and most importantly, the Army’s goal in that battle was to buy time, not to engage in a total defeat.

After that battle, the enemy had been unable to directly attack Castle Delphi, spending time instead to reorganize their forces. Moreover, since the allies had suffered very few casualties during this time, it could be said that Cassandra, while losing the battle, had achieved her strategic objectives.

The only downside was that, although she possessed superior recovery and defense compared to the other three knights, her combat power was relatively lower, which led to her inability to take down even one of the four demon maidens she had coincidentally encountered.

Thus, Cassandra and her 20,000 troops prepared for battle at Castle Delphi, stalling the enemy’s advance.

At that moment…

“General!” a subordinate rushed in.

“What is it?” Cassandra asked.

With a beaming smile, the subordinate exclaimed, “Rejoice, General! Support troops numbering 15,000 from the Imperial Capital are on their way!”

“Really? Finally, reinforcements are coming?”

This delightful news arrived just before an imminent clash with the enemy. Cassandra’s face lit up with joy, and after finishing her treatment for the injured, she immediately stood up.

“Thank goodness, this means we can proceed according to plan…”

*

Having awaited the arrival of the reinforcements, Cassandra promptly went out to greet them.

Standing in front of the Delphi Temple, which served as the army’s headquarters, she was flanked by her head officers and 1,000 troops for show. Before her, the figure of Aias, the Imperial commander leading the reinforcements, began to come into view.

“Welcome, Commander Aias. Thank you for making the long journey here,” she greeted.

“It’s been a while, Cassandra. You seem to have gone through quite a lot. Your face is all bruised,” he observed.

“Well, it is a battlefield after all. Now, let’s head inside; we have a pressing situation with a lot to do.”

As they exchanged light pleasantries, Cassandra began leading Aias inside.

At that moment…

“Wait. Before that, we must first read the emperor’s decree,” Aias interjected.

“A decree?”

With a serious demeanor, Aias spoke, causing a wave of confusion to wash over Cassandra and the other commanders present.

Then, Aias gestured to his aide, who pulled out the emperor’s decree and read it with authority.

“In the name of Emperor Kratos III, I hereby command that I have entrusted the command of the troops to General Cassandra, one of the Empire’s three knights. However, General Cassandra has shamefully failed and disgraced the Empire by suffering a humiliating defeat against the enemy. For this reason, I will hold her accountable and will relieve her of her command. I order that her position be passed to the newly appointed royal knight, Commander Aias. The defeated Cassandra is to surrender her command immediately and return to the Imperial Capital to await further orders.”

In summary, the emperor’s command was to dismiss Cassandra and place Aias in her position.

At this shocking decree, Cassandra’s aides and soldiers froze in disbelief, whispering amongst themselves.

“Are… are we really expelling General Cassandra?”

“This… This can’t be happening!”

Confusion, surprise, and indignation spread among the soldiers at the unexpected command.

Seeing this, Aias spoke sternly, “Everyone, quiet down. This is the emperor’s command to hold a general accountable for defeat. Do not forget your place!”

The ordinary soldiers had no choice but to fall silent at Aias’s words.

Just then, one of Cassandra’s aides cautiously approached him.

“Um… about this defeat… There seems to be a misunderstanding; we did not suffer such a loss, General. The last battle was merely to stall the enemy; we haven’t engaged in a full-blown fight yet…”

-Clang!

“What?!”

Suddenly, Aias’s aide pressed a knife to the aide’s neck.

Coldly, Aias warned, “Can you not keep your mouth shut? Do you dare challenge the emperor’s decision? If you do, I will deal with you as a traitor right here!”

“Traitor?! I was just—”

“Aide, step back.”

“What? General!”

In the next moment, Cassandra stepped forward to stop her aide. With a calm voice, she looked directly at Aias and said, “If it is the emperor’s will, then there is nothing to be done. As a servant of the Empire, the emperor’s words are the ultimate truth. From this moment, I will hand over all command to General Aias.”

“Cough…”

“General…”

The soldiers displayed despair at Cassandra’s words.

With a smug smile, Aias addressed her, “Wise choice, Cassandra. I knew you wouldn’t do anything foolish.”

“As a general of this country, it is only natural to follow the emperor’s command. I will take my leave now, so please handle the aftermath, Commander Aias.”

“Of course. I’ll make good use of your subordinates, so you just rest easy.”

“Oh, but before that, I still have some injured soldiers I haven’t seen to yet. If you wouldn’t mind letting me finish with them…”

“Injured? Ah, I remember you had that hobby. Just take care of that yourself. I don’t need to worry about those small matters as the Supreme Commander.”

“Thank you. Then I shall.”

With that, Cassandra returned into the temple.

Watching her, Aias allowed a cold smile to creep across his lips.

“At last, I’ve removed that annoying woman and claimed this position for myself. If I win this war, my ambition will be fulfilled. I’ll cut down those magic kingdom scum with a single blow and establish myself as the Empire’s strongest general!”

*

Back inside the temple, Cassandra immediately focused on treating the injured soldiers.

Seeing her so composed despite the circumstances, her subordinates and loyal soldiers began to express deep concern.

“Are you truly going to sit back and let this happen, General?”

“No matter what the emperor’s command, this is too extreme. To face such harsh treatment when we haven’t even suffered a total defeat…”

“I will petition again. With my connections, I could easily—”

They hated the thought of losing their capable leader in such a manner.

However, Cassandra calmly replied, “Don’t waste your breath; bring me more bandages. At this point, we cannot change the emperor’s decision.”

“Ugh…”

“But…”

“We must do what’s best for the Empire. And above all, do not die. Don’t recklessly seek honor and venture out carelessly. Until we meet again, take great care of your lives.”

“General…?”

Suddenly, with a serious tone, Cassandra spoke words filled with weight.

Her subordinates’ expressions revealed both confusion and a flicker of hope.

After bandaging the final patient in front of her, Cassandra stood up.

“Then, let’s all meet again. Not here, but somewhere else.”