The NTR Hero Knelt Before the Demon King – Chapter 68

Elias held Ellen Savior in his arms while two other figures watched the scene.

As I observed them, an automatic thought popped into my head: it would be best for me to quietly step away from here.

‘I don’t know the exact details, but… this atmosphere is definitely not one I should intrude upon.’

In the case of Amelda, who had become a Dark Elf, she was currently a possession of Eliza and clearly belonged to her family.

Rebecca’s situation was a bit ambiguous, but considering she had been sticking around more often lately, she was probably a friend as well.

In front of such people, it would be inappropriate for me to concern myself too deeply with Eliza nestled in her mother’s arms, so I felt a strange sense of discomfort as I quietly backed away from there.

In the last moment, Eliza’s gaze seemed somewhat unusual as it fell upon me, but it wasn’t something I needed to dwell on.

Thus, I left the group of Eliza behind and quietly moved back to the banquet hall.

I figured I could finish the meal that had been interrupted by a conversation with the Demon King.

At that moment…

“Oooh, there you are, Hero! I was just looking for you!”

Suddenly, a muscular man approached me with an awkward yet endearing demeanor, wrapping an arm around me.

I smiled in response to Samson’s actions and replied, “I just stepped out for some fresh air. I’m not really accustomed to this kind of pre-meal gathering. Besides, I’m still fundamentally human after all.”

“Haha, no need to feel pressured, Hero! Honestly, what does it matter? We are comrades who have bled together in battle, fellow generals of the Demon Kingdom, so just relax!”

“Haha, well… thank you for saying that.”

“Well then, let’s raise a toast! Isn’t it a wonderful day? Let’s get thoroughly drunk tonight!”

“Understood. I’ll join you for a drink then.”

Following Samson’s encouragement, I lifted the cup before me and downed it in one go.

The refreshing yet sweet flavor hit me right after.

I could clearly recognize that what I was swallowing was not just ordinary liquor, but a fine brew that had been carefully crafted and aged.

“Ahh… this drink is delightful.”

“Truly, drinking feels so refreshing! Here! Have another! This is high-quality alcohol we captured from the Racial Alliance Army.”

As he said this, a golden drink was poured into my cup.

Picking up that fine spirit reminiscent of high-end liquor, I took a swift gulp.

For someone like me, who had quite an appreciation for good spirits in the world, the ability to indulge in such fine drinks was a delightful experience in itself.

At that moment, enjoying the sweet victory in my cup alongside Samson…

My eyes suddenly caught sight of the Demon King seated on the throne, endlessly receiving guests.

‘In this situation, it’s likely that the one sitting there is the Demon King herself? It seems she’s having a particularly hard time… unable to enjoy this gathering, just sitting there greeting everyone…’

Upon reflection, it wasn’t merely the politics at play. It was almost natural for her to disguise herself and appoint a stand-in given her personal fatigue and the necessity for her time.

Watching the Demon King, who appeared increasingly weary as she greeted many demons, I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of sympathy.

‘To be unable to enjoy herself in such a banquet and having to sit there, being a ruler is indeed no easy task…’

With that thought, I resolved to do my utmost so that if she was in disguise as Esther, at least during this time, she could have a happy experience.

In the present, I was undeniably her lover.

Bringing happiness to her as a partner was something I felt was my duty, and I steeled my resolve regarding this matter.

Just then, when I tilted my cup again…

“Hmm…”

“Hmm?”

“Oh, you’ve come!”

A demon general sat opposite us, making a peculiar sound.

Clad in silver-white armor covering their entire body, their face was hidden by a helmet, making it impossible to see their features.

However, shortly after, Samson seemed to recognize them and smiled warmly, while they exhibited a slightly tired reaction before continuing to speak.

“It was exhausting… indeed, I’m still not used to the duties of guarding.”

The demon in silver-white armor spoke with a voice imbued with genuine fatigue, and I noticed that her voice sounded quite feminine—perhaps because she had turned off the voice modulation.

“You’re too serious about work. If you keep putting all your strength into every moment, you won’t last long.”

“I’m just taking it seriously. By the way, who’s this human over here?”

After Samson answered her question, she turned to look at me, puzzled.

In response, Samson smiled and explained, “You must have heard the news? This friend is the Hero Ellen, who has accomplished remarkable feats in this war. I benefited greatly from him during the last conflict.”

“A Hero? I see… I can certainly feel a remarkable power emanating from you.”

She spoke to me with a slightly peculiar tone but clear seriousness.

Then, she slowly began to remove her helmet to introduce herself properly.

But in that moment…

“!!?”

“Nice to meet you, Hero. My name is Samuel. I’m one of the Demon Race Generals. I look forward to working together with you.”

As she looked at me and spoke with a slightly unusual tone, it was then that I felt a heavy shock upon seeing her face.

‘This… this face is… what in the world…?’

*

The Demon Race Generals had only existed as concepts until now, with no appearances in the original work apart from Elias.

I could vaguely infer their appearances through illustrations for the game, but it was clear that no official settings existed.

Yet in this moment…

Seeing this general named Samuel, I automatically deduced one fact.

Despite her not appearing in the original, it was apparent that some form of setting existed regarding her.

Moreover… it was a setting that had been created without any anticipation of a situation like this.

In front of me, the general Samuel, unclothed of her helmet, gazed back at me.

With translucent skin and striking long light pink twin tails, she had a petite and graceful figure. From the side, she could very well be considered a beauty.

However…

The moment I saw her face, I couldn’t help but feel a complicated mix of emotions entirely unrelated to such allure.

And rightly so…

At that moment, the face of the girl chugging down her drink in front of me was…

‘No way. How can a person’s face be… an emoji…?’

At that moment, if I were to describe her face, it looked exactly like ●△●.

Literally, it resembled facial features crudely plastered on as an emoji.

Although the surrounding demons seemed completely unconcerned about this and felt no sense of awkwardness, for me, her face sparked a nuanced confusion.

‘It seems they just hastily made up a setting since she doesn’t appear, but come on, how can a human face look like ●△●?’

With that, I once again vividly felt the reality of this world being based on a game, and with a forced smile, I spoke to her.

“Nice to meet you, General Samuel. I’m the Hero Ellen Savior. Though I’m human, I look forward to working with you.”

“Yes, I’ve heard much about you. I understand you took down Rob and Antioch, and even caught the entire alliance on a fishing trip! That’s quite the accomplishment.”

“Ah… yes. Thank you.”

She was offering sincere compliments, yet with the face she had, her words made it hard for me to focus, leaving me slightly awkward.

At that moment, Samson, who was sitting beside me, let out a hearty laugh in response to my reaction.

“Haha! Hero, you don’t need to be so shy! Of course, I understand how delightful it is to be praised by the most beautiful demon, but it’s not necessary for you to be so flustered!”

“Ah…”

In an instant, Samson’s comment shook my aesthetic standards.

However, Samuel calmly sipped from her cup and replied in a composed voice.

“Don’t say that. I’ve merely been lucky enough to win a contest. There’s no need to make such a fuss over it.”

With a humbly opinionated tone, Samuel spoke. While she seemed to not care about such things, the fact that someone with an emoji face was considered an official beauty left me with a slight suspicion about the demons’ aesthetic sense.

At that moment…

“Well, it’s good that you’re here, Samuel. I have something I’d like to discuss now that you’re present.”

“Hmm?”

“What is it?”

In the next moment, Samson cleared his head of the slight drunkenness and began to speak seriously.

Instinctively, I sensed that he was about to say something important.