The NTR Hero Knelt Before the Demon King – Chapter 70

A few days after the grand feast celebrating the victory.

In the office located at the center of the Demon King’s Castle, the Demon King was diligently working on affairs, as always.

Tasks included restoring the regained territories and sending people there, as well as checking the troops in preparation for any potential future wars while minimizing the burdens on national power caused by the sheer presence of an army.

At that moment, the mountain of work that piled up was keeping her overwhelmingly busy.

Thus, even though she was the ruler of a victorious nation, she was spending her days busier than ever, beyond even the state of war.

‘In a way, this can be seen as the duty of a winner… but still, it’s not easy. The workload is heavy enough to be a burden…’

Honestly, the Demon King was more suited to wielding a sword than a quill.

Such times were undoubtedly stressful for her.

While it was work she had to do, she didn’t particularly want to do it…

Leading a life akin to a student studying for exams.

At that moment,

noticing the weary expression on the Demon King’s face, her friend and subordinate, Beelzebub, offered a faint, bittersweet smile as she spoke.

“Are you alright, Your Majesty? You seem to be overworking yourself with affairs lately.”

“Lying would be an understatement. But isn’t this also an unavoidable duty for those in power? There are many citizens to take care of and vast territories to govern. Even if it’s tough, I have no choice but to endure.”

“Indeed… Your concern for the citizens is truly admirable, Your Majesty. I feel very fortunate to have a ruler like you during such times.”

“You flatter me. I have no intention of being praised for simply doing what I must… On another note, Beelzebub.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

In the next moment, a strange expression began to emerge on the Demon King’s face.

Beelzebub instinctively began to show a shadow of confusion on her face… As she saw her, the Demon King spoke in a calm voice.

“Regarding that thing coming up soon… how’s the Narcil Selection shaping up?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. It seems that quite a few people are expressing their intention to participate, considering it’s been a while since the last tournament. Even among the Demon Generals and the Elite Guard, there are those without a history of victories who wish to join.”

“I see… even among the Generals and the Elite Guard… then… what about that person?”

“Pardon?”

In an instant, the Demon King asked her question with a slightly different tone.

Realizing she didn’t fully understand the question at that moment, Beelzebub looked puzzled, but the Demon King continued with clear intent.

“I mean that person. My lover… is the Hero participating as well?”

“Ah… yes, that is what the report said.”

“Fufu. I see, indeed…”

With that remark, the Demon King began to wear an enigmatic smile.

Seeing this, Beelzebub started to feel an unsettling premonition about something unusual about to happen.

And…

“Um… Beelzebub? As I recall, the conditions for participation in the Narcil Selection were that anyone could join as long as they hadn’t won and become Narcil, right?”

“Yes… that is indeed the case… but why all of a sudden…?”

“Haha…”

The Demon King chuckled lightly at Beelzebub’s words.

Watching her, Beelzebub’s voice became filled with deep anxiety as a grim realization struck her.

“Y-Your Majesty? You’re not thinking of doing what I’m imagining, are you?!”

“Fufufu.”

“Seriously, Your Majesty!”

Beelzebub spoke in a stiffened voice, just watching the Demon King who could only smile.

*

News of the Narcil Selection spread throughout the Demon Kingdom.

In relation to this, the Demon Kingdom was swept into an atmosphere of enthusiastic excitement akin to what one might feel ahead of a World Cup in the real world.

“I hear this tournament is on an entirely different scale, huh?”

“They say the prize money for the winner is more than double the usual amount.”

“Surely, it’s to commemorate the victory. Furthermore, it hasn’t been held until now due to the war.”

In fact, the Narcil Selection was set to be an event announcing the revival of the Demon Kingdom, which had been suffering due to ongoing conflicts.

As a result, the capital of the Demon Kingdom, Jerusalem, was already seeing warriors from various regions gathering in droves, preparing for the grand tournament, while merchants began appearing en masse to get ready for the event.

Demon merchants selling various street foods, weapons, and souvenirs, as well as those buying and selling their goods.

And…

Caught up in the festive atmosphere of the Demon Kingdom, I couldn’t help but feel as excited as everyone else.

If a university festival happens within the confines of a school, the Narcil Selection felt like the entire city was soaked in a festival vibe.

Comparing scales was simply impossible, and the excitement was already boiling over, despite the tournament not yet having officially begun.

“I’ve heard the stories, but it’s really incredible. This is the first time I’m experiencing a festival of this size.”

“Well… considering this is officially one of the biggest events organized by the state, it’s only to be expected.”

Eliza, slightly stiff yet filled with pride in her voice, commented on my words.

As a member of the Elite Guard, assigned with her subordinates to oversee the progress of the festival, she requested my company since I had nothing to do for the time being, which I accepted, given my lack of tasks.

Thus, I set out with Eliza and her head officer to conduct a field inspection through the streets.

However,

if I am to be honest, I was much more interested in the festival atmosphere than my current task.

The reason I accepted Eliza’s suggestion was to look around related to that.

After all, roaming alone amid all the gathered demons could get rather awkward, so it was best to move officially with a government insignia during such times.

‘If only I could just wander around with our Demon King instead of this… but that would probably have to wait until the tournament truly begins.’

Spending time with the busy Demon King, swamped by work, was currently out of the question.

Feeling a bit regretful about this fact, I began to search around for suitable spots to stroll around with the Demon King.

At that moment, seeing Eliza unusually high-strung due to the festive mood, I couldn’t help but think she had a rather unexpected side to her.

*

Successfully dragging in the Hero under a proper pretense, Eliza couldn’t help but let a shy smile bloom on her face due to the fluttering feelings in her heart.

‘Ah… I can spend time with the Hero like this… I’m so glad!’

Although the surrounding chaos from her subordinates made it hard for her to focus, and she couldn’t neglect her duties either, Eliza felt delighted simply by being with the Hero without fearing someone else taking her place.

‘Thank goodness the Hero accepted my suggestion. Doesn’t that mean the Hero’s heart isn’t entirely with Mama yet?’

Of course, it could also be interpreted that he might be trying to build rapport with what could potentially be his future daughter, but for now, Eliza was forcefully blocking that interpretation from her thoughts.

At this moment, what she needed wasn’t her father. But someone who could become the father of her child.

With that thought in mind, Eliza subtly leaned closer to the Hero, trying to soak in as much of his warmth as she could when—

“Ms. Eliza, I think we’ve gone about halfway, so how about we take a break?”

“Ah… um… should we?”

For a moment, Eliza felt slightly interrupted by her subordinate’s words, but soon she turned that unpleasant feeling into something positive.

‘A break… yes, that isn’t bad. Sharing a meal with the Hero would also be a good opportunity.’

With that thought, Eliza accepted her subordinate’s suggestion.

Immediately after, she turned to the Hero next to her, trying to ask as casually as possible.

“Well then, let’s take a break. It’s about mealtime anyway. Let’s grab something to eat.”

“Yes, that sounds good.”

The Hero agreed to Eliza’s words readily.

In response, she cheered inwardly, starting to look around for a suitable spot nearby.

At that moment…

“Huh? That guy is…?”

In the next moment, a familiar face suddenly caught her eye.

Along with that, Beelzebub, standing beside her, also reacted instantly.

“That person… without a doubt.”

The next moment, the familiar figure entering their sight was none other than…

A member of the Elite Guard Four Kings, clad in shining golden armor right in the middle of the street.

It was Nyadan!