The NTR Hero Knelt Before the Demon King – Chapter 39

Late at night, with most of the troops fast asleep except for the guards, I found myself sitting in the barracks, trying to pull an all-nighter.

Fortunately, ever since becoming a Hero, skipping a day or two of sleep hadn’t been too much of a problem, but that didn’t mean I could completely ignore the feeling of fatigue.

My mind was endlessly circling the thought that I would really like to lie down right now.

But still, here I was, absolutely unable to fall asleep.

I had intended to quietly blend in with the Grand Army and enjoy my time, but somehow I had mistakenly become the Vanguard Commander.

And this unexpected twist had resulted in me being compelled to stay awake all night like this.

“Damn… how did I end up in this ridiculous situation…?”

If I had simply marched out myself as the Vanguard Commander, I wouldn’t have needed to worry so much.

My combat power as a Hero, capable of even taking down a Demon King, was no mere decoration, and I was fully equipped now.

I could easily ignore incoming magic barrages and showers of arrows, and it was entirely feasible for me to leap onto the castle walls and slash through the enemies.

I could literally jump right into the enemy’s midst and go on a killing spree.

However, despite my personal strength, there was the problem of the 100 Demon Races assigned as my direct subordinates naturally following behind me.

While it wasn’t a large number, it certainly wasn’t insignificant.

If they were to get wiped out or heavily injured, no matter how many enemies I killed as the Human Hero, my reputation would plummet for sacrificing my ‘kind’.

“To be honest, I’d rather just keep them all holed up in the fort, but then again, if I don’t use the troops I just received, that would present its own issues…”

Regardless of the circumstances, since they were troops graciously given to me, simply hoarding them wouldn’t do—their generosity might be taken as an insult.

These 100 Demon Races had become a troublesome, half-tangible existence that I couldn’t easily deploy or just let sit.

In this ambiguous situation where any action seemed awkward, the only conclusion I could reach was one thing.

“I have no choice but to act myself…”

For a regular warrior, this might be a challenging task, but considering my status as potentially the strongest in this world, protecting my allied Demon Races while engaging in battle was very much a feasible task.

Moreover, the abilities I possessed as a Hero weren’t limited to just myself.

Right now, I had access to what one might call ‘buff’ skills from the game, some of which could also be used on allies nearby.

Of course, that didn’t mean my troops’ power would increase exponentially, but at least they wouldn’t be at risk of dying from a stray arrow.

However, this would require careful timing to minimize damage to my allies and protect against attacks that couldn’t be covered by them. Meanwhile, I would need to appropriately intercept enemies.

That was to say, it was highly likely that the battle would be so mind-numbingly chaotic and frantic that meticulous preparations like the current one were absolutely essential.

Yet, despite these hardships, I kept pushing myself as hard as I could to devise a near-perfect plan.

For my own benefit and survival…

And beyond that.

To fulfill my duty for the sake of others whose lives depended on me.

“If I’m not careful, a single decision of mine could lead to the death of dozens. I must ensure that doesn’t happen…”

*

A clear blue sky stretched indefinitely above on that morning.

Beneath it, nearly 30,000 lives—enemies and allies combined—stood ready, weapons in hand, positioned for battle.

20,000 Demon Races prepared to charge outside the castle.

And within, 7,000 soldiers of the Racial Alliance were straining every effort to hold them back.

The atmosphere between both armies thickened with rising tension as they anticipated the bloodshed soon to come.

And then…

“All troops, advance! Crush those pathetic humans!”

The figure that unmistakably shattered this taut atmosphere was none other than Samson, the Demon General and Supreme Commander of the Army.

“Uoooohhh!!!”

“Charge!”

“Reclaim Antioch!”

“Death to the Racial Alliance dogs!”

Following Samson’s command, the Demon Race soldiers began their bold advance.

On the other hand, Parisect, who was standing atop the Antioch ramparts, watched the approaching wave with a cold gaze.

“Who is leading the enemy vanguard? Can you make them out?”

“I’m sorry, but honestly, I can’t tell.”

Parisect asked the question to one of the soldiers known for their keen eyesight.

However, the soldier responded with a perplexed expression, prompting Parisect to feel a slight sense of doubt and inquire further.

“Why not? You’ve always been able to spot the vanguard from this distance, haven’t you?”

“Yes, that’s true. But… I truly don’t know. I’ve never seen a commander with that outfit and weapon before.”

The sight of a warrior clad in black armor, wielding a great sword.

Right behind him were about 100 Demon Races that seemed to serve as his direct subordinates, yet this too failed to help the soldier identify who the enemy commander was.

From the circumstances, he appeared to be a newcomer to the battlefield.

And with that, a hint of relief began to surface on Parisect’s face, who was preparing for a difficult battle.

“Thank goodness, it’s not a renowned figure like Samson. If it wasn’t some brute like that leading the vanguard, we might have a shot at taking this victory.”

If they could handle the enemy’s vanguard easily, breaking the enemy’s morale would follow suit.

In that sense, having an unfamiliar newbie at the helm brought quite the positive light for Parisect.

“If they’re inexperienced in combat, they’re bound to panic. That will surely lead to the enemy’s collapse.”

With that judgment made, Parisect immediately issued orders to the soldiers as the Supreme Commander.

“Commence the attack! Send those filthy Demon Races straight to hell!”

Finally, Parisect’s command was given.

Upon which, the soldiers immediately began launching prepared attacks toward the oncoming Demon Races.

“Fire!”

The target was, of course, the foremost rushing enemy vanguard.

Countless arrows flew from the ramparts, aimed almost perfectly at them.

A veritable downpour of death reminiscent of rain.

The sharp arrows, crafted from steel and imbued with magic, would hammer down on the enemy vanguard, inflicting severe damage.

But…

“Huh?”

“What’s going on?”

Suddenly, the scene entering the Antioch soldiers’ eyes.

Even from a considerable distance,

Those in that moment could clearly see the black aura enveloping the great sword of the enemy commander.

Despite the substantial distance, there was an inexplicable sense of pressure emanating.

As that foreboding energy radiated, the vanguard commander swung his great sword toward the rain of arrows coming toward him.

And then…

-Swoosh!

In an instant, a dazzling black flash.

With an intensity that seemed to split the sky, his strike met the deluge of arrows rushing toward the Demon Races.

“Wh-what…?”

“How can this be…?”

In an instant, that strike erased countless threads of impending death.

The astonishing scene caused a moment of paralysis among the Antioch soldiers…

And their captain, Parisect, found himself frozen in shock.

The attack they had expected to land easily had vanished without a trace, leaving them with a weighty sense of fear that began to paralyze their ability to react swiftly.

But…

“Ugh! Everyone, calm down! If the arrows don’t work, prepare magic! As soon as they enter range, bombard them!”

“A-Aye… yes!”

“Understood, General!”

Still reeling, the soldiers struggled to regain their composure and prepare for the next assault upon Parisect’s orders.

The magic battalion, led primarily by wizards and priests, had not yet fully overcome the shock of the earlier scene but forced their bodies to begin preparing spells.

Vividly colored magic circles appeared before their hands.

Fire and ice, wind, and spheres of divine power.

Though shorter in range than arrows, they housed immense fiery power far beyond them.

“Fire!”

At Parisect’s command, the barrage of magic was unleashed forward.

And at this moment, though not explicitly mentioned, the target of these countless magical attacks was aimed solely at the vanguard commander who had just dismissed the arrows.

Just one singular individual.

A concentrated assault incited by the fear of the enemy.

Instinctively driven to eliminate that presence as quickly as possible would compel them to unleash barrages capable of obliterating dozens or even over a hundred foes upon just one.

However…

“!!”

“What… what is happening?”

The vanguard commander leapt into the air, charging toward the incoming magic.

At this incomprehensible sight, the faces of the Antioch soldiers were seized with confusion yet again, mixed with an unsettling sense of intimidation.

Instead of dodging the incoming magic barrage, he was charging directly into it—a clear madness.

Yet…

In that fleeting moment, a single word flitted through their minds.

“Surely… not…”

Triggered by the shock of what they had just witnessed.

And then…

As if in response to their thoughts, the vanguard commander swung his sword at the magic flying toward him.

And then…

-Boom!!!

An eruption of noise resounded in an instant.

Moments later, the soldiers’ eyes were graced with the sight of the black-armored monster landing back down onto the ground, unfazed, continuing to stride forward toward them.

A scene incomparable to the black flash that had dismissed the arrows just moments before.

It drove a chilling dagger of fear deep into the hearts of the soldiers.

One person could completely neutralize firepower intended to strike an entire unit.

In that moment, the soldiers felt as if their hearts were collectively constricting, and instinctively began to recall one undeniable truth.

“That… that can’t be…”

“A-Absolutely, it can’t be. Even if the armor color is different… that is undoubtedly…”

They had borne witness to numerous wars, and one striking figure stood indelibly etched in their minds.

The only existence capable of wielding such tremendous power with nothing but a sword…

They knew exactly who it was.

“The… Demon King…?”