The NTR Hero Knelt Before the Demon King – Chapter 31

-Clank!

With a sharp sound, the interrogation room door swung open.

At the same time, the soldiers guarding the entrance immediately readied their weapons and blocked the way.

“… What do you think you’re doing?”

“We apologize. However, we have received orders strictly prohibiting the removal of the prisoner.”

The soldiers warned while gazing at Amelda, who was standing in the back.

In response, Brutus spoke with a tone that indicated his disbelief.

“I am the interrogator assigned to investigate this prisoner! Is there a problem with me taking the prisoner?”

“They said it was an order from above. Please refrain from causing unnecessary trouble.”

“I have been granted permission to use coercive measures if necessary. You cannot move to take the prisoner!”

“Coercive?”

Brutus’s attitude seemed disturbed by the soldier’s words, and he coldly replied.

At that moment, a peculiar aura of power began to stir within him.

Brutus, as a bishop who had trained the Paladin Order, possessed considerable combat power.

His intimidating presence naturally sent chills down the soldiers’ spines.

However, despite Brutus’s warning, the soldiers, following their orders, replied firmly, “We are merely following orders.”

“No matter how much of an interrogator you are, regulations are regulations. Please do not create unnecessary disturbances!”

The soldiers showed no signs of retreat.

Watching their unwavering stance, Brutus maintained silence for a moment before heaved a small sigh, relaxing his ominous demeanor.

“Ha… understood. Then I have no choice.”

With that, Brutus moved forward alone, leaving Amelda behind in the room.

The soldiers lowered their weapons and proceeded to close the interrogation room door.

But then…

“Gack!”

“Kuh!”

In the next instant, the soldiers suddenly gasped for breath and began to slump down to the floor.

Overwhelmed with sudden pain, they desperately tried to make noise to alert others to the situation.

However, the pressure on their necks made it impossible for them to produce any sound.

Moments later, those soldiers ultimately lost consciousness, foaming at the mouth.

Immediately after, Amelda dragged one of the fallen soldiers into the room and closed the door tightly.

A little while later…

“Is it done?”

“Yes, I’ve changed.”

In response to Brutus’s question, Amelda answered while putting on the last piece of armor.

At this moment, she was wearing the armor of the soldier who had been guarding the interrogation room, not her usual Paladin attire.

Having completed their escape preparations, Brutus and Amelda locked the door after leaving the soldiers inside.

If they realized that they had drawn their swords first, they would use that as an excuse and swarm like a swarm of bees.

Though this was a flimsy measure, they needed to buy as much time as possible.

“Alright, let’s go. We’ve disguised ourselves, but we never know when we might be discovered, so we need to hurry.”

“Yes, Master.”

With that, Amelda rushed out of the prisoner’s room.

And just after they vanished…

In the darkness, someone lurking quietly began to take action.

*

Achilles Decliment

One of the three generals of the Falcon Empire and the person overseeing the defenses here.

In this moment, he began to smile coldly at the report that had just come to him.

“So… that Elf bishop did something like that, did he?”

“Yes, General. He attacked my soldiers guarding the prison without reason and is currently stealing their armor to aid the prisoner in escaping.”

“Oh dear… Even though they are allies, to pull such a stunt in the heart of the Empire. That Bishop Brutus has acted recklessly.”

Achilles displayed considerable enjoyment as he spoke, with the thought of ‘just as planned’ clearly visible on his face.

Seeing this, the head officers present also began to respond with cold smiles.

“This surely means that the Elves have something they’re hiding regarding the Hero Party, doesn’t it?”

“I think so too. They wouldn’t dare act so recklessly in the heart of the Empire otherwise.”

“Please issue an immediate command. I will go and capture those filthy Elves!”

While the Falcon Empire was the one that initiated threats, it was the Elven bishop and paladins who had reacted with actual force.

After all, the law could deem the first one to throw the first punch as the bad guy, even if the other side threatened with a sword.

In this case too, it was perfectly reasonable and just to punish the Elves who drew their swords first, regardless of the circumstances.

After confirming that they had secured a ‘justifiable reason,’ Achilles immediately commanded his subordinates, who were fully prepared and waiting.

“Move out immediately. Capture all the Elves who have betrayed our alliance!”

“Yes, General!”

*

“Kugh…”

“Ugh… how long has it been since we came out that they’re already here…”

The moment Brutus spotted the troops completely surrounding the path they intended to take, he couldn’t help but frown at the unfolding situation he had feared.

In truth, Brutus had already suspected that things might head in this direction based on the overall atmosphere.

However, it was painfully clear to Brutus that if he didn’t act now, he and Amelda would inevitably be buried under the false testimonies of the other members of the Hero Party.

Ultimately, cornered with no other choice, Brutus had to make a decision.

But…

That didn’t mean he was rashly gambling everything away.

“Amelda. You need to escape through the eastern gate right away. With that outfit, you should be able to blend in with the soldiers and escape.”

“W-what? But what about you, Master?”

“Don’t worry about me. Regardless of what happens, I represent the Elf Church in this country. It wouldn’t be easy for them to lay their hands recklessly on a foreign guest.”

“Master…”

With those words, Brutus lightly smiled at Amelda.

At that moment, she instinctively sensed something in his first genuine smile she had ever seen.

However, she couldn’t bring herself to mention it any further.

In that moment, she realized what her master was hoping for her to achieve by going this far.

“Later, if we meet again in the Church Country, I’ll treat you to a meal. So make sure you escape safely.”

“….Understood.”

“Alright, go.”

With a final sentence from her master, Amelda lowered her head deeply and began to sprint away in the opposite direction.

After witnessing her last sight, Brutus hardened his expression again and turned away.

“I must return alive… the fate of the Church Country… the fate of our race depends on you.”

With that thought, he slowly began to reveal himself before the soldiers.

And then…

The moment the soldiers caught sight of him, they immediately drew their weapons and approached him.

Regardless of being a foreign guest, their intent to act strongly was clearly evident.

In response, Brutus, as if he had anticipated it, began to draw in magic power and prepared to create as much commotion as possible to ensure his disciple could escape easily…

A commotion that would cost him his life.

“For the Church Country…”

*

With tears in her eyes, Amelda moved as quickly as possible to flee after parting from her master.

Fortunately, thanks to her master’s distraction, no pursuers were in sight.

However, the main routes were still blocked by soldiers, and if she approached carelessly, she risked immediate discovery.

Though she currently wore the armor of the Empire’s soldiers, if they conducted any checks, she would be exposed.

‘There’s no other way.. I’ll have to wait for the right moment and sneak out among the moving troops. Once I escape the fortress, I just need to head into the forest.’

If she could blend in with the soldiers wandering about, she could avoid being checked.

Moreover, catching one escaping Elf using the forest would be quite a challenge for a human.

While she was contemplating her escape route, a group of soldiers began to pass in front of her.

‘Alright! If I can just slip in among them…’

Thinking this, Amelda hid behind a pillar and quietly joined the soldier’s ranks.

After all, wearing the same armor meant she was confident that no one would notice unless they looked closely.

But then…

-Thud!

“!!…”

In the next moment, a sudden sharp pain and the sensation of her body going numb from poison overwhelmed her.

Caught completely off guard by an attack she couldn’t sense at all, Amelda collapsed to the ground in defeat.

‘What the… an attack so subtle I couldn’t even detect it? That means…!’

This meant that the person who struck her was someone among the top talents within the Empire.

However, regardless of her thoughts, Amelda found herself unable to move a finger and helplessly crumpled to the floor.

“That’s one with a marked armor!”

“Quick, contact the General. We’ve captured the Elf girl who attempted to escape!”

Immediately, soldiers began to surround her.

Amelda felt a deep sense of despair as she gradually sank into unconsciousness.

‘N-no… this can’t be…’