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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: shyan
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“I have one request.”
“What is it? Speak up.”
The Demon King replied in a seemingly calm voice to the Hero’s words.
At that moment, memories of what Belzebuth had previously shared began to surface in her mind.
The idea of seducing the man before her to make his body and heart completely hers, just as he desired.
Although she wasn’t entirely comfortable with the notion of swaying a man’s heart for her own benefit, the hesitation lingered in her mind, causing her to feel a slight reluctance.
However, having learned through their past encounters how valuable the Hero truly was, the Demon King understood that she must achieve this goal without fail.
With her resolve in place, she prepared to give the Hero what he wanted.
To her, the Hero spoke with a serious tone.
But then…
“Your Majesty, can you swear by the Jordan River that you will answer my questions truthfully?”
“…A question?”
The Hero was asking for something quite different from what she had anticipated.
Instead of expressions of affection, he invoked the name of the Jordan River to signify his demand for truthfulness.
In response, the Demon King felt a deep sense of doubt but nodded in agreement to his request.
“If that is what you desire… I shall do so.”
Though she did not know what questions would come next, she could not refuse after declaring her willingness to comply.
Thus, the Demon King effectively declared that she would not speak falsely in response to the Hero’s inquiries.
“Thank you, Your Majesty. Then… I shall dare to ask you.”
With those words, the Hero looked directly into the Demon King’s eyes.
From the moment he mentioned the Jordan River, a firm resolve emanated from him, and she began to feel a bit tense.
And then,
With seriousness and urgency in his voice, the Hero asked her,
“What do you think of me, standing here before you as Elron Savior?”
“!…”
It was an unexpected question that seemed to shake her inner thoughts profoundly.
Caught off guard, the Demon King hesitated with a stiff expression, unsure of how to respond.
Having sworn by the Jordan River, she could not lie.
The Hero’s behavior—asking such a significant question under such an oath—might have been difficult for her to comprehend at first.
However, the Demon King realized something important.
She understood what this question revealed about the Hero’s true feelings at present.
‘The fact that he asks me this question means… he still bears wounds from his party.’
Once someone has been hurt, they inevitably become fearful of trusting again.
In this sense, the Demon King began to recognize that the Hero felt fear about receiving ‘kindness’ from her at this moment.
He was worried about being abandoned once more.
He feared that the budding trust within him might be crushed again.
This was akin to an abused puppy flinching when someone raises their hand in front of it.
Feeling sympathy for this painful reality, the Demon King experienced compassion for the Hero’s pitiful state as he struggled even to accept pure kindness, and simultaneously recalled her own past self in his demeanor.
Carefully, she started choosing her words for how to respond.
Although there was an element of national interest involved, her empathy toward this unfortunate man was genuine.
If she could offer comforting words filled with that sincerity, it would not contradict the principles sworn upon by the Jordan River.
Thus, with a feeling akin to warmly embracing a baby who feels anxious about receiving love, the Demon King spoke softly to the Hero before her.
“I’m not sure if my expression is accurate… but perhaps I could describe it as follows.”
As she said this, she felt herself blush slightly without realizing it.
Experiencing emotions reminiscent of something from her past,
the Demon King looked at the Hero before her and said,
“I would say you are… a precious person.”
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Before my eyes stood the Demon King, holding my hand.
Seeing her like this filled my heart with an overwhelming desire that sprang from instinct.
The Demon King possessed an unmatched beauty compared to any woman I had ever seen.
In this moment, if I wished it, I might truly be able to possess her.
I could steal her lips and indulge my carnal desires within her.
This had been our previous agreement,
and now that I had fulfilled all conditions of our pact perfectly,
I had every right to make such demands.
However…
Regarding this,
I was able to regain a bit of calmness, stepping back from my excitement due to a significant realization.
At this moment, I felt a tremor at my fingertips.
The Demon King’s hand was trembling slightly, as if she had some reservations.
Though she was trying her best to suppress it, I could sense the hesitation she couldn’t easily hide.
‘Is she… feeling hesitant? The Demon King… in this situation?’
On the surface, one might think this was just a light tremor caused by simple nervousness.
However, feeling this unsettling emotion from her made me realize that I needed to clarify one important fact.
I needed to understand how she truly felt about me.
What were her genuine feelings while holding my hand at this moment?
‘Until now, the Demon King seemed to express affection towards me… but is that really her true intention?’
When a man and woman meet, they get to know each other and build their feelings.
They experience various events along the way and sometimes face difficulties, but ultimately they overcome these challenges.
In the end, they hold each other’s hands and confirm their affection for one another, living happily together under the name of family.
Pure love.
A love that is considered ordinary by the world, embodying the meaning of innocence.
Like clean and simple water, it may seem like a very common way of loving.
But because of that, it is a pursuit worth seeking for its purity.
It is seen as the perfect form of love and represents the kind of love I ultimately want to experience.
However, at this moment, I began to question whether the love I was currently engaging in could truly be considered pure love.
I was confident that my feelings for the Demon King were sincere.
The affection I felt for her was vivid even now.
I would do anything for her; I wanted to see her and share love with her—these feelings could certainly be called love.
But…
Separately from these feelings, I started to feel the need to clarify one thing.
What were her true feelings about our current situation?
How did she perceive this moment?
‘Perhaps the Demon King dislikes me but feels obligated to do this because of her duty as a ruler…’
I understood my strategic value better than anyone else.
If that were the case, even if she felt some reluctance in her heart, she would have no choice but to accept it.
As a result, I began to wonder if the Demon King was merely doing something she disliked out of obligation due to our contract.
‘No matter how much there’s a contract… I can’t force her into something she dislikes because of my own desires.’
This wasn’t just any matter; it involved sharing affection between a man and a woman.
If this proceeded without any affection, it would essentially be akin to rape.
As a result, I decided to ask the Demon King an honest question regarding this matter…
To find out how much she liked me,
I posed a question imbued with the significance of the oath tied to the Jordan River.
And then,
the Demon King blushed slightly as she answered me.
She spoke of me as a “precious person”…
A statement that seemed to alleviate my anxious feelings inside.
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Even as I spoke, there was an awkwardness in my response that made me feel slightly embarrassed.
The Demon King experienced a rush of warmth across her face for an instant, and she struggled to suppress it as she spoke to the Hero before her.
“Um… Is that all you wish to ask? While asking such a question tied to the Jordan River is quite significant, there is still much more I owe you for your great achievements.”
No matter what, simply answering one question wouldn’t suffice for someone who had brought about such historic victories.
Thus, regaining her composure, the Demon King said to the Hero before her,
“Now then, please tell me what you desire. If it’s something I can grant you, I will do so.”
Her voice carried the dignity befitting a ruler.
Upon hearing those words, the Hero began to blush slightly and showed signs of hesitation.
And after a moment,
the Hero finally seemed resolved as he spoke:
“Your Majesty, could we start as… lovers?”
“!…”
HELL YEAH