The NTR Hero Knelt Before the Demon King – Chapter 6

“I swear my allegiance to Your Majesty, the Demon King!”

The Demon King attempted to sway me.

In response, I immediately bowed my head and displayed absolute obedience.

If I had been in a more relaxed state of mind, I might have dared to push back once, but at this moment, fully aware that my life was hanging by a thread, I could not afford the luxury of hesitating over anything.

Above all, from the very moment I entered the Demon King’s Castle, I had been contemplating severing my ties with the Hero Party and coming under the Demon King’s command.

A normal hero might have felt conflicted about this, but being just an ordinary person, I lacked any sense of grand mission, and as a victim of an NTR game, I had already lost all fondness for the humans of this world.

Given such circumstances, I felt no aversion toward kneeling before the Demon King, and as soon as the Demon King reached out, I grasped their hand without the slightest hesitation.

And right after that…

As the tension from the fear of death slightly dissipated, I began to feel a wave of regret wash over me for being too rash.

“Ha… Damn it… No matter how you look at it, surrendering so hastily after being told to do so doesn’t paint a good picture… I wonder if this will lead to any problems later on?”

Fortunately, the Demon King did not bring up any unpleasant topics regarding my bold actions.

However, in that moment, I saw it.

Just for that brief moment, I noticed a hint of bewilderment on the Demon King’s face.

“At the very least, I should have shown some degree of hesitation… I immediately accepted the order to surrender, so I’m sure my trustworthiness in the Demon King’s eyes has taken quite a hit…”

Even in history and tales, generals who refused surrender until the end and ultimately submitted usually gained more trust.

Even if they eventually surrendered, demonstrating loyalty to their previous master or nation can significantly foster the perception of being a trustworthy individual in the eyes of the other party.

But here I was, gripped by the fear of death, unable to display such a demeanor, and this nagged at me deeply.

“Starting off like this, I’ve already lost points… At this rate, I’ll truly have to show my dedication and effort for the Demon King…”

Sighing in relief at having survived for the time being, I steeled myself, knowing I would need to demonstrate loyalty and ability going forward, and with that resolved, I looked at the Demon King with a face full of motivation and shouted.

“From now on, I shall live and die as Your Majesty’s sword! Your Majesty’s comrades shall be my comrades, and Your Majesty’s enemies shall be mine! I humbly request the opportunity to demonstrate this loyalty!”

I declared as if I were a newbie employee impressing my boss with, “I’ll work hard, so please keep an eye on me.”

And…

Seeing my earnestness, the Demon King slowly nodded in response with a serious expression.

*

The warrior who swore absolute loyalty to the Demon King.

Afterward, the Demon King arranged for him to receive new clothes, meals, and a room to reside in before returning to her own quarters.

And right after that, the Demon King felt an overwhelming fatigue from the preceding battle wash over her as she laid her body on the bed.

“Ha…”

The Demon King, uncharacteristically disheveled.

In that moment, she could feel a sense of discomfort lingering in her heart, despite the successful persuasion of the warrior she had aimed for.

And…

She had no trouble recognizing the reason.

The warrior who accepted her persuasion and pledged loyalty to her.

However…

Watching the expression on the warrior’s face during that moment of humiliation and despair, she couldn’t help but feel a shock.

The warrior’s face showed no hesitation or shame.

What burned brightly within was an undeniable passion and drive, evoking an image of a demon race member earnestly swearing loyalty and expressing joy to her.

If the one making such a pledge had been an ordinary demon race member, the Demon King would not have felt any sense of discomfort.

However… the problem was that the one making that oath was none other than a human…

Moreover, it was the Hero, the one who had been considered a being that must eliminate the demon races and had swung his sword with abandon.

Having lived a life steeped in animosity toward the demon races, he had just, moments before, pledged unwavering loyalty to her without hesitation, displaying no trace of deception.

At the same time, he declared that her enemies…

In other words, the humans were now his enemies from that moment on.

Naturally, the warrior’s declaration could be interpreted positively by the Demon King, who was planning to utilize him as a weapon against the Racial Alliance Army, including the humans.

In this situation, the warrior’s clear stance would undoubtedly be beneficial, if not neutral.

However…

This perspective was purely political.

From the standpoint of the Demon King, who had empathized with the warrior’s painful state after being abandoned by his comrades moments ago, his unwavering attitude transformation was unsettling.

A person with such noble convictions had flipped in an instant.

The iron resolve to protect his country had shattered, and the sword he raised to safeguard thousands of humans was now a weapon to slay them.

Thus, witnessing in real-time the tragic downfall of a human right before her eyes, the Demon King couldn’t help but feel an intricate mix of deep sorrow and the complicated feeling of having to make use of such a warrior.

But…

Despite the internal conflict, at this moment, the Demon King resolved to unwaveringly strengthen her resolve once more.

Regardless of personal emotional disputes, she was the Demon King.

As the ruler of all demon races, she bore the obligation to strive for her nation’s benefit.

Having come this far, she could not let trivial emotions disrupt matters of great importance for her realm.

“The warrior’s heart is painful, but it is unavoidable… Having come this far, I’ll do my best to grant him what he desires. I wonder if this will be even a little bit helpful in healing his broken heart…”

With such thoughts, the Demon King tidied her outfit and expression and began to rise from her seat.

Having made her decision in her heart, she felt the urge to discuss matters with the warrior in greater detail.

She knew it was a bit premature.

However, despite that thought…

She resolved to act in accordance with her wishes.

Uncharacteristically…

*

“…gulp…”

Before me lay a feast of culinary delights.

Looking at the table filled with foods I had never seen in my life, I couldn’t help but swallow my saliva.

“Truly… if this is what it means to be treated as a Demon King, the difference is on another level. Honestly, the only food I had since arriving in this world was the dried-up pieces of bread and moldy jerky…”

I had become aware of the dwindling supplies as I approached the Demon King’s Castle.

Given the situation after a long journey and standing at the threshold of my destination, there was no way food would be plentiful.

For someone like me, a table laden with dishes of unknown origin was more than enough to dazzle my eyes.

“Please, enjoy your meal, and do not hesitate to inform us if you require anything.”

The demon race maids of the castle bowed respectfully as they left.

As soon as they exited, I felt the hunger I had forgotten surge forth and began to focus on my meal.

The rich, sweet flavors flooded my mouth.

Starting with fresh, unfamiliar vegetables to the delightful yet tender meat of beasts I couldn’t identify.

Oddly cooked noodle dishes and desserts that melted in my mouth…

As I experienced this opulent feast, unlike anything I had encountered in both my past life and after becoming this body, I felt all the suffering I had endured up to that point fading away.

“I almost choked halfway through, but I guess I can call this a risky hurdle overcome, right? Great. From now on, I’m going to live to the fullest as a servant of the Demon King, not as some pathetic hero. And if I get a chance, I’ll seek revenge on those scoundrels…”

Just as I began contemplating my future while finishing up my meal, there was a sudden knock on the door.

“Hmm? Yes, come in.”

A knock resonated unexpectedly.

I felt curious as I gazed at the slowly opening door.

And right afterward, a woman with a familiar appearance came into view.

I immediately stood up and bowed my head to show my respect.

“Y-Your Majesty the Demon King. What brings you here?”