The NTR Hero Knelt Before the Demon King – Chapter 56

Those advocating for the continuation of the war and those discussing caution.

In the midst of them, I began to share the conclusion I had reached after much 고민.

“Certainly… we are not in a situation where we can easily mobilize the army. After several days of forced marches, our soldiers are severely fatigued, and many have sustained injuries.”

“Hmm…”

“Well, that may be true…”

Unlike the usual confrontations with Elias, the fact that I was now speaking this way—having previously backed them—caused them to start listening to me with a somewhat flexible attitude.

Feeling relieved by this fact, I continued with what I had to say.

“On the other hand, the enemy must be preparing to strike like a cornered rat. Making a hasty attack during such a time is not a wise choice. However—”

“However?”

The demon races began showing a bit of curiosity at my following words.

In particular, Elias displayed a surprisingly noticeable reaction among them.

While she had opposed due to realistic reasons, it seemed she too was quite regretting the present situation.

‘She truly is capable in many ways; to suppress her emotions and assess the situation calmly… it’s surprisingly not an easy feat.’

As I raised my evaluation of her, noting that she possessed both intelligence and the patience to judge coldly, I found myself looking at Elias and continued speaking.

“However, even though that is the case, giving up on this momentum is rather a waste. As it stands, this large-scale victory has soared our morale while putting them under significant pressure. Under these circumstances, I propose a slightly different method of attack.”

“A different method of attack?”

“What is that? Please, go on.”

The demon races began to show deep anticipation for my words.

Honestly, there were those like Samson who relied solely on courage, but there were quite a few who were sharper than me as well.

Yet, I, being someone who had always been interested in modern military history, along with various bits of knowledge, had found better methods within this field.

After all, knowledge is a product of the flow of time.

At this moment, with my understanding of various tactics used in modern warfare, I had come across a very good tactic suitable for this situation.

‘Sometimes, words can be more terrifying than swords. In this case, that method should be quite effective.’

*

While the hero passionately outlined his plan, the demon races listened eagerly.

However, at that moment,

Among the demons present, one person was focusing not on the hero’s words but rather on the person at the end of his gaze.

‘No way…?’

At that moment, the hero spoke to Elias with a slightly jovial tone.

Watching this, she…

Eliza couldn’t help but frown at the complex and anxious emotions blooming within her heart.

For Eliza, who was desperately trying to find out who the hero’s confessed “lover” was, every little gesture of his became a matter of keen interest.

And in that aspect,

The sight of the hero glancing towards his mother was something she couldn’t ignore.

‘Oh, no way… even so, that’s unlikely. How could Mama be like that among all these people…?’

The one person in this world Eliza felt she knew better than anyone was her mother, Elias.

The thought that her mother, who had always been an adversary, would fall in love with the hero seemed absurd to Eliza.

But…

Despite acknowledging that, her heart was still troubled by the sight of the hero looking towards his mother.

‘Come to think of it… I feel like I’ve heard somewhere that you can become close while fighting. Could it really be…?’

As her thoughts ventured this far, Eliza’s feelings began to grow more and more complicated.

Though greatly improbable, the notion that her competition could be the person she loved the most—her own mother—brought her an unbearable turmoil.

Carrying the anxiety that wouldn’t fade from her heart, Eliza felt the need to investigate this matter further when she had the chance, not to mention consulting with Rebecca, who had now become her “comrade.”

‘I absolutely don’t suspect Mama. I trust her completely; this is just to confirm something so I can be sure about Mama…’

*

Paladin Amelda of the Elf Church Country.

Until recently, she had been a member of the Hero Party, but now she had returned to her original role as a paladin.

At this moment, having just crossed the sea back to the Demon Kingdom, Amelda took out the decree she had brought with her and began reading it to the elf generals and soldiers in front of her.

“Then, I shall relay the decree of His Holiness the Pope.”

A proclamation adorned with a clear seal.

Holding it in her hands, Amelda suppressed her inner tension and began to read its contents calmly but loudly.

“As of now, it has been decided that the Racial Alliance Army located within the Demon Kingdom shall withdraw, and therefore, I, the Pope, command the repatriation of all elves within the Demon Kingdom. All generals and soldiers shall comply and hastily return to focus on safeguarding the Elf Church Country.”

“Ugh…”

“Haah…”

With her declaration coming to an end, sounds of lament began to arise from various corners.

It’s no wonder; while not overtly stated, the Pope’s decree basically signified a complete failure of this campaign.

The Racial Alliance Army and soldiers of the Elf Church Country were returning as a sort of defeated rabble, having relinquished the territory they had painstakingly captured.

Having recognized that the current situation was already the worst, they understood the necessity of this choice, but still, they harbored a glimmer of hope.

Perhaps the great Pope, who upheld the Divine Will, would propose a good solution even amidst such a crisis.

This was only natural for the elves, who had shown the most fervent faith among other races and thus had the highest expectations for this war.

However, rather than some grand strategy, the Pope’s proclamation simply announced a retreat, leaving them only disappointment.

And so, the elf soldiers began to dismantle their gear, engulfed in deep feelings of defeat.

In a way, the very fact that they could return home might have been something to be joyous about.

Nevertheless, most of them, deeply rooted in their faith, could only feel emptiness at the end of their prolonged efforts.

“To think we must retreat like this…”

“The holy army chosen by God can’t…”

“We had the perfect opportunity to root out that Demon King and the demon races…”

As the elf soldiers lamented while packing their gear,

On the other hand, Paladin Amelda was internally feeling a more profound regret and guilt than they were.

‘It’s my fault… If I had surely helped the hero back then, we wouldn’t have experienced such a humiliating defeat… We could have ended the war as everyone wished…’

With her heart filled with such regrets, she began to turn back to her tent, her steps heavy.

At that moment.

“It’s inevitable. Give up.”

“But… General! We can’t just leave them behind!”

“At the very least, let us get the news of the retreat to them! If we leave them like this, they’ll all perish!”

“I say again, it’s far too dangerous. We don’t even know if our comrades are still alive, and currently, the route to reach them has turned entirely into demon territory, even if we deliver the news, they have no way of escaping. It’s unfortunate, but we cannot afford to increase casualties any further.”

“General!”

“Ugh…”

The soldiers were exchanging desperate words.

In response, Amelda cautiously approached them and asked.

“Excuse me… What seems to be the problem?”

“Ah… Amelda.”

*

“Is it about the soldiers in Galilee?”

“Yes, according to reports, approximately 400 of our elf soldiers are still stationed there, but our situation is so uncertain. Nevertheless, these men are adamant that they must convey the news to them…”

“Please, I beg you. They must still be alive.”

“No matter how slim the chance, they are my comrades and friends. If there’s absolutely no way, then at least let us go. We will risk our lives to deliver the message.”

The group of soldiers spoke with earnest voices.

Watching them declare their willingness to risk their lives for their comrades, memories of what she had been unable to do began to flood Amelda’s heart…

The inability to put her life on the line for the hero resurfaced.

As a result, she felt an urge to repay him in any way possible…

And soon, this thought led her to one crucial decision.