The NTR Hero Knelt Before the Demon King – Chapter 27

A hero who swears loyalty while nestled in his embrace.

Watching as he is effortlessly swayed by his own ‘clumsy temptation,’ which he had not expected to fall for…

The Demon King began to recall an important fact that she had momentarily forgotten.

‘That’s right… Hero… there’s nothing left in your heart already…’

The hero, who had returned with splendid achievements.

However,

Behind such glorious deeds of the hero lies the torn and abandoned heart of a man, left behind by his companions and country.

Enduring the shame of bowing low for revenge, he mercilessly killed the kin he once sought to protect.

And… he smiled hollowly, seeing the comrade who had abandoned him now turned into a beast.

His heart, which had been ripped apart by misfortune,

As Beelzebub would describe, was already in a state so full of gaps that standing was difficult.

Moreover, for a hero whose heart was already in tatters, the Demon King’s single strike, no matter how clumsy, would have acted fatally.

‘For a human lost in the desert, even the rotten water in a skull cup would seem like holy water… I’ve… forgotten such an important fact…’

Thus, the Demon King came to a reasonable conclusion about why her bland ‘temptation’ had worked.

At the moment she realized this…

The Demon King began to be swept away by a feeling that her heart ached.

Although the current situation could be positively viewed for national interest…

In her personal feelings,

The guilt towards the hero, which she had originally possessed, began to deepen.

‘I should have known… this man… must have been suffering so much… I only focused on national interest and forgot this fact for a moment…’

As the Demon King started to feel that ache in her heart.

However…

Within the depths of her heart,

Related to this guilt of conscience,

Yet, nonetheless, an unyielding resolve concerning ‘national interest’ began to arise.

‘That’s right… ultimately… what’s most important is for me to handle this well.’

Moving the hero for the nation’s sake.

And providing the appropriate treatment for such a hero,

Ultimately, the whole situation depended on her hands, the Demon King concluded.

‘To use the hero sparingly for this country and to properly support the hero returning with achievements, I must do my best at this moment.’

After all, the reason the hero was hurt was that he had been betrayed by those he had devoted himself to.

Conversely speaking…

What could heal that wound was offering appropriate rewards and comfort for that dedication.

Through this, the hero…

Should be able to believe in someone again and wield his sword to the best of his abilities.

Thus, reaching what she deemed the best conclusion,

The Demon King vowed while looking at the hero lightly trembling in her embrace at this moment.

‘Hero… you, who are both stronger than anyone and endlessly fragile… from now on, I shall take care of you. The eternal happiness that befits your immortal loyalty… will be in my hands.’

*

“It has come to pass. Ultimately, the hero swore eternal loyalty to me, and I accepted it.”

“Truly, you have worked hard, Your Majesty. Thank you for accomplishing God’s insufficient plan so splendidly.”

The Demon King spoke in a dignified voice while sitting on her throne.

In response,

Beelzebub, kneeling before her, shouted with deep relief and gratitude.

Although this alone did not completely ease her worries, if it was the eternal oath guaranteed by the Demon King, Beelzebub could trust it to some extent.

‘Of course, one cannot be sure of a person’s inner feelings… But at least, this would mostly block any justification for the hero’s blatant mischief.’

The deep-seated distrust of that brat, the hero, harbored within Beelzebub did not vanish.

However, still, it was important to join forces for the battle to save the nation…

And if the situation allowed, it was a ‘coalition’ aiming for something even greater, so raising unnecessary doubts could become a poison instead.

‘Well… even if I end up cutting ties with my own hands later, let’s settle this for now. What’s important is that this isn’t it.’

In a situation where urgent matters required immediate action, one could not afford to cling to possibilities.

Thus, deciding to conclude matters regarding the hero, the Demon King spoke in a calm voice.

“Let’s put this issue aside for now. I wish to know why you have come to see me, Beelzebub. Please, speak.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I will do so.”

Since Beelzebub hastily requested an audience early in the morning, the Demon King knew she had not come merely to inquire about the hero’s matter.

In response to the Demon King’s request,

Beelzebub took out a letter she had brought, wearing a serious expression as the minister of the nation.

After receiving the letter through the hands of a waiting servant, the Demon King began to check its contents.

In that instant…

A concerning expression began to take hold on the Demon King’s face…

And towards her, Beelzebub opened her mouth with a serious voice.

“This is information that just arrived this morning. We have received a report that something has happened in the Falcon Empire, the leader of the Racial Alliance and the nation of humans.”

The Demon King, with a cold expression, scrutinized the details while listening to Beelzebub’s explanation.

After a moment,

Once the Demon King finished comprehending the contents of the letter, she set it down,

Then spoke in a tone imbued with cold determination.

“If this report is true, don’t we have any reason to hesitate any longer?”

“Yes, that is correct, Your Majesty. Thanks to the hero’s exploits, they are in a difficult situation with supplies cut off. Given that such issues have arisen now, I see no better opportunity.”

Responding to the Demon King’s words with confidence, Beelzebub affirmed.

Thus, upon confirming through her most trusted retainer, the Demon King stood from her throne and directed her orders towards Beelzebub.

“Immediately issue a gathering order to all Elite Guards, Demon Generals, and the hero. We must seize this opportunity and decisively bring this war to an end.”

“Yes, Your Majesty! I will carry out your orders!”

With her head bowed towards the Demon King, Beelzebub swiftly moved to issue the commands.

Watching her figure, a cold smile began to form on the lips of the Demon King.

‘At long last, the time has come… It is time to collect the price for the blood and tears my people have shed over the years…’

Flaming the gathered feelings of resentment and anger up to this moment, the Demon King began to examine the contents of the letter once more.

The information contained within had played a decisive role in removing her emotions of indecision.

That was at this moment,

Regarding the large-scale bloodshed that had occurred within the Racial Alliance…

The ‘seeds of conflict’ that had lain dormant deep within the alliance had begun to bloom magnificently due to a certain incident.

*

The origin of all the events began a few weeks ago.

When the hero and Eliza began preparing to attack Rob.

The former Hero Party had returned to their homeland after selling Terra in exchange for halving their debts.

Yet, solving the immediate debt distress did not mean the situation had ended.

The debts were merely related to excessively borrowed funds.

In front of Torare and his woman…

There remained the punishment for the ‘original sin’ of having fled after failing the mission.

“Tor… Torare-sama?”

“Everyone, stay calm. Just say what we discussed beforehand.”

They were the soldiers dispatched to apprehend them after their defeat.

Torare spoke in a cold voice as he observed them…

And Aileen, Amelda, and Shude exchanged glances, dripping with cold sweat.

‘We’ve definitely coordinated our words up to this point. There’s nothing to worry about.’

‘But I wonder if it’ll be alright… even if we do this…’

‘There’s no problem. We just need to avoid making mistakes.’

Thus, striving to stabilize their anxious hearts to the utmost,

They quietly allowed themselves to be taken to the royal castle without any resistance at all.

With thoughts in their heads of selling the hero’s corpse for as high a price as possible.