41-56

Chapter 56: The Terrifying Demon’s Discipline 

From the basement out of the mansion, racing through the streets, then up to a rooftop. 

Hecate dashed through the city at speeds no one would think possible for someone carrying a grown man on her back. 

Everything I saw while clinging to her became nothing but trailing afterimages. 

Unable to adjust to the speed and frozen stiff, I didn’t realize she’d finally stopped until Hecate gently set me down and asked, 

“Are you alright?” 

“...It doesn’t feel great.” 

It was like getting off a roller coaster nauseous and unsteady. 

Seeing this, Hecate, a bit apologetically, tried to reassure me. 

“I’m sorry. If I’d left you at the scene, people could have said you colluded with me, and that would have made things difficult for you as well… So I thought it best if it looked like I forcibly took you away.” 

It was true the soldiers had rushed in, suspecting Hecate of being a rebel spy. 

Of course, anyone around her, like me, would be a suspect, too. If she wanted to protect me, making it look like I was taken against my will was the smartest move. 

Of course, depending on my choice, I could have joined her resistance then and there... 

“...Hey, it’s not easy to say this after everything we’ve done, but…” 

In the end, I couldn’t muster up the courage. Feeling guilty, I gave her the answer she didn’t want. 

“I don’t think I can go with you.” 

“...” 

Hecate stared at me in silence. 

Her gaze intimidated me, but there was no way I could take back what I’d just said. 

“Um, the truth is… I’m not actually from this city. I came from another place.” 

Without even time to plan my words, I found myself spilling the whole story. 

“It’s like I just fell into this place out of nowhere… so I stumbled into this city, got treated as an illegal intruder, then caught the lord’s eye and ended up fighting in the arena.” 

Whether that was just an excuse, or a plea for her to understand, I wasn’t even sure. 

“It’s true things started out rough... but not everything was bad. As long as I did what I was told, even someone like me who had nothing was given a lot.” 

But, more than that, I wanted to clear up her misunderstanding. 

If she pitied me for being a helpless victim, then every action she took next would be based on a flawed premise. 

If what she was after was real justice, she shouldn’t have to live with regrets for a choice made on false grounds. 

And most importantly… 

“The knights I’ve been with… they didn’t abuse me or anything. Honestly, getting together with them was something I wanted, too.” 

I couldn’t stand having my relationships with those women seen in a negative light. 

Just as they’d cared for me, I’d come to care for them too. Maintaining a good relationship with them was the most important thing for me right now. 

“So… I mean…” 

So for someone like me, just living that way was enough. Changing the country or anything like that was just too big a hurdle. 

I was about to say as much, when Hecate laid her fingertip gently on my lips and spoke in a bittersweet voice. 

“I see. You’re a gentle and considerate man.” 

“Hecate…” 

“I understand. No matter how much the lord mistreats you, changing the world is too heavy a burden for a man like you. As a woman meant to protect men like you, I completely understand how you feel.” 

Instead of reproaching me for disappointing words, she showed me only empathy and caring. 

“I’d like nothing more than to drag you along by force…” 

Her hand gripped my face briefly, but only for a moment eventually, even that hope faded and she pulled away with a sigh. 

“But now that my infiltration’s blown, there’s no way I could keep protecting you.” 

Yes, she didn’t blame me. 

She just felt helpless, defeated by her own limitations and the tough reality. 

“Wait, hang on.” 

As she turned to leave, I grabbed her hand, speaking anxiously. 

“I’ll help you until you get out of the city. The soldiers might hesitate to attack if they see I’m with you as a man, I’d make a good hostage, and that could at least protect you from attacks.” 

“That’s…” 

“So let me take some responsibility. For taking your first time…” 

You gave up something so important as a woman to me. 

Letting you go just because I can’t be with you would weigh too much on my conscience I had to help, even if it was only a little. 

“That’s an odd thing to say.” 

Surprised by my words, Hecate’s eyes went wide, then soon she gave a wry smile. 

“A man taking responsibility for a woman’s first time… Normally, a woman’s virginity isn’t thought of as such a big deal.” 

Damn, I guess that’s how things are in this world. My thinking comes off as weird. 

Chuckling awkwardly to myself, I noticed she was guiding my hand to her chest. 

“H-hold on…” 

“This is strange.” 

She pressed my hand to her chest, right over her rising heart. 

Even in battle or while forming the resistance, my heart never raced this much… Even if it was just acting, calling you ‘Master’ reminded me of serving the Demon King.” 

After sharing her feelings that way, she began to whisper her true heart. 

“And when I slept with you… even if it was just formal, in that moment calling you ‘Master’ made my heart feel like it was about to burst.” 

Thump, thump. 

I could hear a heartbeat. 

I wasn’t sure if it was hers or mine. 

“Maybe it’s my instincts as a demon. Maybe, like with the Demon King, I instinctively longed for a man to lead me…” 

For a moment, time seemed to stop as we stared into each other’s eyes… And then, with a soft voice, she confessed her wish. 

“If I could spend just a little more time with you, maybe I’d finally understand what I’m really feeling.” 

She didn’t want things to end here. 

If she was allowed, she wanted to be with me just a little longer. 

 KABOOM!! 

Before I could answer, a building’s rooftop nearby exploded, debris flying everywhere and instantly ramping up the danger. 

Through the new cloud of smoke came dozens of firebolts, large and small, flying our way… 

“It’s dangerous!” 

Snapping to her senses, Hecate grabbed me and dashed away just as the place we’d been was blown apart. 

From the street below we could hear the shouts of massed soldiers. 

“There’s the rebel!” 

“By order of the lord! Apprehend on sight kill if you must!” 

Whoosh, whoosh. 

Flames erupted from their crossbows, the devices sparking with power. Bolts turned to blazing streaks and crashed all around us. Hecate ran, but soon our path was blocked by the city’s massive outer wall. 

A dead end, with soldiers closing in. Quickly, I signaled to Hecate as I clung to her, “Put me in front as much as you can they’ll hesitate to attack…” 

Boom! Boom! 

Suddenly, explosions shook the wall not far from where we stood. Some of the armored knights began arguing over the attack. 

“You’re crazy! That demon’s got a hostage!” 

In this world, men are supposed to be the vulnerable ones who deserve protection. 

So I’d thought using me as a hostage would keep them from attacking. 

“It doesn’t matter. Fire.” 

But the leading knight’s words were cold as ice. 

“What!?” 

“It’s the lord’s command. A rebel threatening the kingdom must be dealt with at any cost. If someone gets in the way even a man we accept the loss!” 

With an uncompromising voice, she signaled the soldiers to prepare their weapons. 

“All troops, take aim!” 

Flames flared as magic-charged crossbows were raised, all pointed right at me. Faces mingled doubt and hesitation, but showed no sign of backing off. 

Damn that damned lord. I was her darling yesterday, and now she’s fine burning me too? 

“Seems that’s their decision,” Hecate said grimly. 

As I shivered, Hecate marched forward, ignoring all the weapons aimed at us. I tried to stop her, but before I could, a dark aura surged from her body. 

RRRRRRRROAR! 

Mana raged like a storm, cracking roads and buildings around us. 

“What the hell is that?!” 

“Never mind, just shoot!!” 

BOOM BOOM BOOM! 

Flames poured down in waves through the dark night. But none struck Hecate her hand swept out, unleashing a hurricane that swept the attackers away. 

“GYAAAH! That demon !” 

Soldiers screamed, and the lead knight stepped forward, sword drawn and burning with skilled aura. 

He advanced without hesitation, certain he could cut her down. 

CRACK! 

But that thought was pure delusion. 

With a flash of her sharpened hand, she split his sword in two and her next blow crushed his armor, sending him flying. 

“Commander Heres is down!” 

“Damn, that demon’s too strong!” 

Strong. That was the only way to describe the overwhelming force before us. 

Each step chilled the air, her gaze enough to shatter the morale of those facing her. 

“You people…” 

And then that anger focused, turning into malice directed at all the forces gathered there. 

“You people have touched someone you should not have.” 

Crack, crack. 

Her arm muscles bulged, and suddenly she tore a whole building from its foundation and lifted it skyward. 

It was a jaw-dropping display of brute strength. 

Watching from behind, realization struck me late. 

Shit, what kind of woman did I sleep with? 

That monster was just moaning under me minutes ago? 

KABOOM! 

But she’d already lost her composure. 

The building crashed down into the crowd, and as people screamed, someone dashed out, drawing their sword. 

With a slash, the falling building split in two, each half landing beside the mass of soldiers. 

Between the chaos, the protected ones spotted a knight and called out, 

“L-Lady Martina!” 

“It’s Lady Martina of the Three Knights!” 

Martina? 

Wasn’t she on a mission just yesterday? She’s back already? 

“That damned demon…” 

But this isn’t the time to enjoy a reunion. 

The most important thing is that she’s a knight defending this city. 

Worse yet, right now it must look exactly like I’m Hecate’s hostage. 

"That damned demon how dare you not only invade this city but also steal away my man!?" 

KAAANG! 

Waves of sword energy surged forward. Hecate quickly swung both hands, knocking Martina’s attack sideways into the city wall. 

CRASH! 

A huge section of wall collapsed, filling the area with smoke. Martina’s furious voice echoed through the haze. 

“Where are you, you damn demon?! Let Ai go right now!” 

Uh… Martina? 

It’s nice of you to care, but could you maybe not send sword beams flying everywhere? 

I’m kind of scared I might get hit, too. 

“...It seems you’re on good terms with the knights,” Hecate’s voice came from the smoke. 

As soon as I turned toward it, she suddenly pressed her lips to mine. 

Just a simple meeting of lips not the raw, lustful acts of before, but a pure, heartfelt kiss. 

Because it was innocent, it felt shy; through that feeling, I could feel her honest heart. 

“...Master.” 

Hecate whispered, full of emotion. 

“If the chance ever comes, I’ll find you again. So please, stay safe until then.” 

And with a swoosh, she vanished into the smoke. 

By the time the view cleared, her tracks disappeared beyond the collapsed wall, and calm finally returned to the chaotic scene. 

Martina approached as the swordplay ceased. 

“Ai! Are you alright?!” 

“...Yeah, I’m okay.” 

Since the main target had left, the soldiers stopped pointing their weapons at me. 

But even with safety restored, my gaze stayed fixed for a while on the spot where Hecate disappeared. 

…She said we’d meet again someday. 

What did she feel about our relationship that made her say that so earnestly?