The NTR Hero Knelt Before the Demon King – Chapter 37

In any endeavor, especially when it’s not a solo effort but requires the cooperation of multiple people,

I was aware of one crucial principle that must be adhered to.

– Quick Surrender –

No need to cling to what can’t be done. Rather than forcing a solution that won’t work, it’s far more realistic and wise to ponder what can be achieved with the circumstances at hand.

In that sense,

The likes of Samson and the hardliners among the Demon Races could be categorized as just those kinds of individuals.

Stubborn lot, who know not the meaning of compromise with their solid muscle brains.

I had come to understand very well through both reality and the human characters I had witnessed in games, that trying to persuade such beings with logical arguments was a no-go from the start.

‘Even if I supported Elias there, they wouldn’t budge from their views; they’d probably just escalate even more, and might even latch onto the fact that I’m human…’

Of course, there were ways to forcefully break their opinions,

But I knew well that preemptively giving up would allow me to consider what could be gained from that, and how to utilize it, which was a much wiser path in many respects.

With this in mind, right after the meeting ended, I attempted to contact Elias.

As a result…

*

“Then, since everyone has agreed to commence war as swiftly as possible, let’s discuss the specific plans moving forward.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Taken aback by the quick consensus, the Demon King instructed the discussion of more detailed matters.

And right after that…

“I would like to say something regarding this, if you don’t mind, Commander?”

Barely had the Demon King’s words fallen when Elias immediately requested the floor, as if he had been waiting for this moment.

In response, the Demon King, beginning to suspect something was amiss, looked at Elias and said,

“If you have a good suggestion, please do share it.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty. Then I will now discuss the route for our advance in this war that I have been contemplating.”

Saying this, Elias lightly nodded towards Eliza, who was prepared for this moment.

Eliza then promptly unfolded a map that she had prepared, placing it in the center of the round table.

It was a tactical map marked with various indications.

With this in front of them, Elias began the ‘briefing’ that she had so meticulously arranged.

“As everyone knows, our ultimate goal in this battle is to drive out the Racial Alliance, which is occupying various parts of the Demon Kingdom. For this, I propose an attack on Antioch as our first step.”

Elias, thoroughly prepared with the map in hand, expressed his opinion.

In response, although Samson and the other generals showed signs of being slightly flustered, they did not challenge Elias taking the lead in the operation meeting.

Unlike the thoroughly prepared Elias with his map, they had focused solely on expressing their desire to immediately commence battle, so they did not possess particularly brilliant ideas, and moreover, since their opinions had been accepted, they had no choice but to tone down their posturing.

‘Antioch… It’s quite a distance away, but there’s bound to be a reason. After all, we just need to fight to our heart’s content…’

‘It’s war! Whether it’s Antioch or anywhere else, it doesn’t matter! If it’s a place we can wipe out those filthy Alliance guys!’

Thus, despite not knowing the exact reasons, the Demon generals decided to initiate their attack from the place proposed by Elias.

Meanwhile…

Observing that they complied with his opinions without much dissent, Elias felt a sense of relief and slowly nodded his head.

‘Truly, just as the Hero said, the effects of our step back are clearly visible…’

In normal circumstances, even if he had made a concession to this extent, there would certainly have been some complaints among the generals.

However, given the current position of hardliners like Samson, they had no choice but to back down before Elias, who had effectively “yielded” his position.

Both politically and psychologically.

Thus, ultimately achieving what he desired…

To be precise, Elias successfully defined the attack points and movement routes of hardliners like Samson, just as the Hero had conveyed to him the day before.

Feeling a quiet relief that it had been accomplished without any notable fuss, Elias turned his gaze to the Hero seated opposite him, contemplating the events to come.

The Hero, who nodded with a smile, having successfully achieved the first goal with a satisfied expression.

Seeing him like that, Elias couldn’t help but think that man had a knack for being unlucky in many aspects, as he averted his gaze.

‘Since the first time we met, it’s been clear that he’s a rather troublesome guy…’

*

Antioch

A city located in the south of the Demon Kingdom, built in the center of a vast plain.

Before the Racial Alliance occupied it, it served as the granary of the Demon Kingdom and acted as a transportation hub that crossed over the Black Mountain Range. Its importance had not changed even after the Alliance took control.

However, due to these traits, this always lively and bustling place was now engulfed in a gloomy atmosphere as thick darkness loomed over it.

“Did they request more food from Dimode again?”

“Yes… That’s correct, General.”

“Galadia has put in the same request. If this continues, the soldiers risk starving to death…”

“Ugh…”

Today as well, endless requests for food supplies came flooding in.

In light of this, Parisect, the officer managing Antioch, couldn’t help but frown.

“It’s frustrating; even our stockpiled food has its limits, and the situation only worsens… Has there been no news of support from the homeland?”

“I’m sorry, we have been repeatedly requesting support, but it seems we need more time.”

“Hmmm…”

Parisect felt a headache from his subordinate’s words and frowned deeply.

Though not at the level of the Empire’s Three Knights, Parisect held considerable power.

But in the fine circumstances of the supply situation deteriorating moment by moment, he had no good alternatives to suggest.

‘Damn it… If only Cassandra hadn’t been careless, it wouldn’t have come to this… We’re not exactly overflowing with food ourselves.’

Thanks to the hastily acquired supplies from this place, Parisect had been helping other regions.

However… Despite his efforts, with the supply lines from Rob severed, the situation was growing increasingly dire.

Local procurement had its limits, and even if food could be forcibly secured, there was absolutely no solution to the shortage of military supplies.

As a result, the Alliance forces inside the Demon Kingdom could only maintain a defensive stance, staying hidden with no provocation toward the enemy permitted.

They were in a situation where those who had come to fight were simply stuck at home, and in the meantime, Antioch had to assist other regions because they had surplus food.

Consequently, the frustrations of Parisect and his subordinates began to naturally point toward the absent commander, General Cassandra.

“It’s frustrating; if that Cassandra had just handled things properly, it wouldn’t have reached this extent.”

“Indeed. How could someone bearing the title of the Empire’s Three Knights make such a fatal mistake…”

“No matter how one looks at it, who would’ve thought she would waste the supplies like that? It’s truly disappointing.”

Thus, while striving to cope with this vexing reality by blaming an absent superior, Parisect and his subordinates came to naturally let out their complaints.

Especially as Parisect, who hadn’t made it into the Three Knights due to Cassandra, was now letting slip the grievances he had kept tucked away in his heart.

“That person used to be quite capable, but having only stayed in the rear, her skills have dwindled. It’s almost a waste of the title of the Three Knights.”

“We think the same.”

“You truly should have been one of the Three Knights, General Parisect.”

With a hint of flattery, his subordinates expressed their agreement with their immediate superior’s remarks.

Watching them, Parisect couldn’t help but start to feel that this event might be an opportunity for him.

‘But… Depending on the viewpoint, with Rob now having taken a hit, the importance of Antioch has increased, which might present an opportunity for me… If I can manage this crisis well, I might even…’

Antioch was not only a military strategic point; it was also one of the few regions capable of self-sufficient food production, given that most supplies were being transported from the homeland.

From the perspective of the Racial Alliance, who had seen their supply lines to the front severed, Antioch had now become a crucial location they absolutely needed to defend, even if it meant scraping by with whatever little food they could muster.

Given that attention was now focused on the forces’ survival, if anything were to occur here, it might provide an opportunity for Parisect to significantly elevate his name.

‘If the Demons attacked this place, the Alliance forces would surely exert all their efforts to protect it. And at the center of that would stand none other than me, General Parisect… If that happens, perhaps I could aim for the title of the Empire’s Three Knights once again.’

Thus, nurturing a degree of ambition even in the face of crisis, Parisect was now turning his attention back to the pressing issue of food procurement.

At that moment…

“General! Parisect General!”

“What is it?”

“Uh… The enemy! A great army of demons is approaching here!”

“!”

The soldier, panting and speaking urgently, was greeted with a complex mix of emotions—one that could even be described as a measure of joy—on Parisect’s face.