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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: selkie
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In the banquet hall where I was supposed to dine with the Demon King,
I felt anxious while waiting for her after completing the procedures, including a personal belongings check at the entrance.
‘I had mentally prepared myself to some extent, but… I still didn’t feel comfortable.’
Since the moment I was captured, I had spent a fair amount of time meeting and talking with the Demon King.
However, even so, meeting someone under the guise of a “date” felt entirely different from the start.
It was a deep feeling unlike the time when my life had hung in the balance… A tension that mixed unease with anticipation and joy engulfed me.
My heart raced,
and I felt a pleasant tickling sensation in my heart. Just thinking about it made a smile creep onto my lips,
and at the same time, it made me realize that this is what happiness feels like.
How would she appear?
What expression would she have? What words would she say?
And… what feelings would she have for me while looking at me?
All of this filled me with anticipation and excitement. The very act of waiting brought me joy.
‘But still… what kind of look would she come in? The black dress I saw before wasn’t bad, but…’
I could tell her figure at a glance, but the exposure level of the black dress wasn’t that high.
While the dress she wore casually was beautiful, I couldn’t help but feel an expectation for something a little more special for a date.
At that moment, as I waited for the Demon King, feeling a mix of excitement…
“Sorry to keep you waiting, Hero.”
“Ah… sorry…!”
The Demon King’s voice came from beside me.
I immediately turned my head toward her, and in the next moment, I was engulfed by a profound shock that left me speechless.
The sight of the Demon King standing before me…
In that instant, the only thought that crossed my mind was:
‘…She’s beautiful.’
There was no clearer word to describe her appearance before me.
An incarnation of beauty.
She was like a being molded from all the beauty in the world.
I wondered if I would ever see such an eerily beautiful existence again in my life. The Demon King wore a dress that blended black and purple with golden embroidery.
Unlike the somewhat modest jet-black dress she wore before, this outfit was both luxurious and elegant, with certain areas…
especially the chest area, being notably deep-cut.
It revealed about 40% of her magnificent size, radiating an irresistible charm while accentuating its beauty.
Moreover, her slim waist, with no visible flab, and the side slit emphasized her attractive hips…
And ultimately… the goddess-like face, a combination of grace and nobility, showcased the completion of her artistic physique through subtle makeup and accessories.
In that moment, I felt an overwhelming sense of bliss, almost to the point of believing I was dreaming, at the sight of her beauty, unmatched by any woman I had seen in my entire life.
“…Is something wrong? Or is it… my appearance strange?”
“! Ah… no…! It’s not strange at all! It’s just… the Demon King is so beautiful that…”
I expressed my feelings sincerely without any filter.
The Demon King showed a slightly surprised expression, then smiled gently and said to me,
“I…is that… so?… Thank you for saying that, Hero.”
As she spoke, she gazed at my face.
Seeing her momentarily flustered expression made my heart race even more.
“Then let’s go in. We’ll spend some time together as you wish.”
“Yes! Your Majesty.”
Feeling a deep thrill from her words, I followed the her inside.
In this moment, I was unaware of the strange tension reflected on her face.
‘For the sake of this country… or perhaps… for me?’
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“Hmm… should I add more rubies?”
“…Excuse me… Belzebuth?”
“Just a moment… It seems that this black pearl brooch is better here…”
In front of me, Belzebuth was meticulously selecting accessories one by one.
It was clear she wasn’t pleased with this dinner with the hero,
and her unexpected attitude made the Demon King ask her with a slightly awkward expression,
“Thank you for your concern. But didn’t you clearly say to be cautious about this dinner with the hero? Then why…”
“No, precisely because of that, I must personally ensure that Your Majesty can display your maximum charm.”
“Eh? Why is that?”
Belzebuth spoke firmly.
As a result, a strong sense of doubt began to cloud the Demon King’s face, and Belzebuth began to explain with a serious tone,
“I thought all morning about how we could gain an advantage from this dinner that the hero has set up with such a dark motive.”
Belzebuth openly expressed her dislike for the hero.
The Demon King thought that the hero might not be such a bad person… but kept that to herself and listened to Belzebuth’s words.
“If we consider the necessity of that person, it would be counterproductive to treat him coldly.
Therefore, I concluded that it would be better to turn his schemes against him, making him emotionally invested in our cause.”
“A leash?”
With her eyes shining sharply, Belzebuth spoke.
In response, a look of curiosity began to fill the Demon King’s face.
Towards her, Belzebuth started to explain the details with a slightly heightened emotion.
“Yes, Your Majesty. Regardless of whether they are human or demon, men are ultimately swayed by a woman’s charm. No matter how cold and calculating the hero is, he will surely be shaken rationally in front of the supreme beauty that you possess.”
“Supreme beauty… I may not look that good…”
“At such a time, sticking to conventional humility can obscure the point and hurt feelings.”
“…Um… I apologize.”
The Demon King blushed slightly at Belzebuth’s firm words.
Continuing, Belzebuth spoke again to the Demon King,
“Anyway, if you can take advantage of the openings you create, you should be able to easily capture his heart and gain the upper hand. As a loyal captive who dedicates absolute loyalty to Your Majesty.”
“The hero’s heart… in my hands…”
The Demon King murmured softly, her voice trembling at that statement.
Seeing her like this, Belzebuth sighed softly and spoke with a bitter tone,
“Honestly, I don’t want to go this far. While I expressed it indirectly, this is practically a beauty trap… using Your Majesty’s charm to reverse the hero’s heart, minimizing risks.”
“…I see. It can be interpreted that way.”
From Belzebuth’s words, the Demon King realized the sincerity behind her actions in this matter.
Although the hero aimed to gain power through the Demon King, this country needed the immense power that the hero possessed even more than his desire.
Then… perhaps the best solution Belzebuth had devised was to seize control of the situation through this scenario.
If the hero wanted to win the Demon King’s heart, the plan was to turn the tables by having the Demon King capture the hero’s heart instead.
However, in any case, it was about using her own master.
Belzebuth looked at the Demon King with a sad expression,
“I truly apologize, Your Majesty. If I had been more capable, I wouldn’t have to trouble you with this… please forgive my inability to think of anything better.”
Belzebuth sincerely apologized to the Demon King.
In response, the Demon King gently stroked the head of her long-time ‘friend’ with a serene smile.
“It’s alright. After all, I, who bear the name of the Demon King, exist for this country and its people. For the sake of national interest, I can do this much.”
“Your Majesty…”
Belzebuth started to show a slightly touched expression at the Demon King’s words.
But now,
at this moment,
the Demon King felt a different sense of guilt than what her loyal servant and friend was feeling.
‘After preparing for this meeting by bathing and dressing up, I feel quite uncomfortable saying this…’
While she spoke about the country, deep down, the Demon King had personal expectations for her dinner with the hero.
Moreover, even though she hadn’t intended it, she felt discomfort about potentially using the hero, who had been abandoned by his companions.
As a ruler who must set aside personal feelings for the sake of national interest, she pondered whether her capabilities were lacking…
The Demon King gazed at her reflection in the mirror, leaving Belzebuth, who was continuing the decoration process, behind.
Just as Belzebuth said, she possessed beauty that was second to none.
Although she herself couldn’t clearly understand what this meant, at least looking at it brought the Demon King a sense of relief.
‘Thank goodness… at least the hero won’t dislike me because of my appearance.’
