The NTR Hero Knelt Before the Demon King – Chapter 165

A massive offensive by the Allied Nations targeting the Magic Kingdom.

I had anticipated something to this effect, but their movements were so intense that the Magic Kingdom had no choice but to respond.

The Defense Forces stationed in major regions were mobilized, and part of the capital’s combat power was redirected.

Yet, despite this overwhelming offensive, the Magic Kingdom continued to operate with the unwavering stance that there would be no openings to exploit.

The elite Witch Brigade, the actual core combat force of the Magic Kingdom, remained steadfast at the altar where the ceremony was taking place, never departing the capital.

Moreover, two of the Four Demon Maidens were on standby there, and the Magic King Azuthas himself was overseeing the ceremony.

Even if, by some chance, they were to conduct an assault here with a separate unit, he intended to ensure that nothing would disrupt the ceremony.

Meanwhile, from a distant vantage point observing the strict security,

Digon, who officially had evaporated but was still a member of the current Hero Party and a witch from the Magic Kingdom, couldn’t help but frown.

“Indeed, the security is formidable as expected. Who would have thought that even the Four Demon Maidens and the Magic King himself would come out in force…”

As a member of the Hero Party recognized as a distinguished witch, Digon knew her own power was no match for what Azuthas possessed.

All she knew was that Azuthas’s power was beyond imagination.

Rumor had it that he was an immense being, greater than the combined powers of all witches in the country, and the fact that he could nonchalantly conduct Forbidden Magic Dreamland across the continent marked her as a being well beyond human capacity.

“At any rate, it seems an attack by us here is utterly impossible… The defenses are too thorough right from the entrance.”

Considering current events, the city was surrounded by a massive defensive wall that no one except witches could pass through.

It was impossible for a half-hearted force to break through, and even if someone with immense power did manage to force through, their location would be instantly revealed, leading to encirclement by enemies.

Thus, even with the formidable Hero Ellen’s strength, attacking this place was confirmed to be out of reach once again.

With that thought, Digon began to stealthily maneuver into a side alley to set her plans in motion.

“If this operation goes well, the Demon King promised to grant us immense wealth and freedom. I must ensure it succeeds.”

Considering her origins as a witch from the Magic Kingdom, Digon’s actions could be regarded as a betrayal of her homeland.

However, despite knowing this, she had firmly resolved herself.

Above all, the safety of her companions took precedence.

Moreover, even if her homeland and ruler desired this course, Digon understood well the risks and horrors of this operation, making it impossible for her to support it.

“Honestly, is it simply fear of the Magic King that keeps the witches from bowing submissively to him, even in this situation? Or do they think everything will turn out fine?… Either way, it doesn’t feel good.”

With such thoughts, Digon cautiously began to invoke her magic.

While she couldn’t compare with the Four Demon Maidens, she was still considered one of the top twenty among witches.

Attacking such tightly guarded locations was certainly out of the question, but she was more than capable of carrying out her assigned mission.

“Plus, since the head of the defense force is that person, even if something goes wrong, I won’t need to worry about death…”

With those thoughts, Digon extended her hand toward the distant defensive wall.

It was a special skill she’d used when attacking the Demon King previously.

And that was…

-KABOOM!!!

*

Witch York.

As one of the Four Demon Maidens possessing exceptional power among witches, she was currently rushing alongside her subordinates along the outer walls of the castle.

“What on earth is going on? Damage to the defensive wall in the midst of all this?”

“I’m sorry. I don’t have the details. However, according to the soldiers stationed there, a massive explosion occurred suddenly without any warning.”

Tension ran high in the Magic Kingdom with the ceremony looming ahead.

Especially for York, who oversaw the defense of the region of Rhehe, the pressure was significantly intensified.

Although the Magic King had granted her forgiveness, York was fully aware that her standing was not favorable due to the previous defeat in Macedonia.

Therefore, she felt a psychological pressure to execute this mission flawlessly, and any mishap in this situation only served to heighten her anxiety.

“Immediately investigate the area. Find whoever recklessly disrupted matters at such a critical time and bring them before me.”

“Understood, General.”

Following York’s command, her subordinates immediately began their investigation.

At that moment…

“J- General! We have a major situation!”

An urgent voice broke through.

Feeling her irritation deepen within an already troublesome situation, York turned her head.

“What now?”

“Umm… There’s been a sudden damage report regarding the western defensive wall…”

“What? How long has it been since the last incident, and there’s another one? What are the defense soldiers even doing? You still haven’t found out who the culprit was this time?!”

“I apologize. According to the soldiers, there was no sighting of any suspicious individuals before the explosion…”

“Damn it! Send people over there to investigate immediately! And reinforce the internal defenses! Depending on the situation, a rat might have slipped in while we weren’t looking!”

“Y-Yes, General!”

York, visibly frustrated, sharpened her focus even further.

In a critical moment like this, a stir-up was the last thing she wanted.

If this affected the ceremony, she didn’t even want to think about the possible consequences.

Thus, York started to gather as many troops under her control as possible to investigate this incident.

“Um… General? We’ve just received contact from Insmurs…”

“Insmurs? I don’t have the luxury to deal with that right now! Take care of it yourselves! A second explosion has just occurred at the northern wall!”

“Y-Understood.”

Ignoring the external requests entirely, York concentrated solely on her own affairs.

At this moment, her mind was entirely focused on the pressing pressures, unable to take in the urgent matters of others.

“I’ll catch you, no matter what. How dare this rat play with me at such a time? Whoever it is, I’ll ensure they face my wrath…”

*

“Ahhh…”

Feeling incredibly bored, Shude was aimlessly wandering around the area near the Sealing Stone.

Truth be told, protecting a national treasure or whatever felt like nothing more than a mundane task for warehouse keepers, and she found the situation deeply frustrating.

“I can’t believe I’m stuck guarding this object at a time like this.”

With that thought, Shude turned her gaze toward the Sealing Stone.

It emitted a red glow deep within the temple, and she touched the object, trying to alleviate her boredom.

A massive rock filled with tremendous magical power.

With its aide, she could wield magic far beyond her usual abilities.

In that sense, it was undoubtedly an impressive artifact, but with its immobility and the absence of any immediate battle, this situation felt like a pretty shiny rotten fruit to Shude.

Suddenly, she thought, ‘Wait a second, with power like this, wouldn’t it be okay to give that a try?’

A single thought crossed her mind.

It concerned Vice Minister Eileen of the Falcon Empire, the last thorn in her life.

‘Although I can’t act on it now, this could help me figure out where she is in the Falcon Empire. If I could…’

She unleashed the tracking magic she had recently learned, aimed at locating Eileen within the approaching Forbidden Dreamland.

While her usual range was confined to within the Magic Kingdom, with the Sealing Stone’s assistance amplifying her power, she could now track a larger area.

“Perfect, with nothing else to do, I should check this out.”

With that thought, she began to chant her spell using the power of the Sealing Stone.

In that instant, the magic erupting from her body began to relay information about Eileen’s location somewhere in this world.

However…

“…Huh?”

The information she’d been waiting for about Eileen began filtering into her senses.

The moment she received the intel she sought,

Shude’s expression turned stiff.

“What… What is this?… Why… Why is she… behind me?”

Eileen’s movements were detected approximately 1km behind her.

And as she sensed it getting closer in real time, a chill ran down Shude’s spine.