Despite everything that had happened at the training grounds,
the time had finally come for the audience with the king.
The king sat upon his throne, with Minister Mu standing at his side.
A long red carpet stretched straight toward him, and on both sides stood eighteen retainers—including the knight commanders—lined up in silence.
At the appointed time, the great doors to the throne room opened.
Zeke and the Demon King entered.
They walked slowly along the carpet, approaching the throne.
Before the king stood a short staircase of about five steps.
At its base, the two stopped—and knelt.
It was the custom of this kingdom to address the king from that distance.
They had followed the instructions perfectly.
Zeke, the so-called Hero, kneeling was expected.
But even the woman called the Demon King… kneeling before His Majesty—that surprised me.
“You are both still wounded and weary. I apologize for summoning you so soon.”
The king began.
“No, it’s fine,” Zeke replied calmly. “I wanted to learn more about this world as soon as possible… and find a way to return to my own.”
“A way to return…” the king murmured. “We do not know how you came to this land, so we cannot help you with that. However… I do know why you are here.”
“Why?” Zeke tilted his head slightly.
“Long ago, in this world, many races besides humans existed. But there was one evil race that wiped them out one after another.”
The king’s expression darkened as he continued.
“They are called the Dragonkin. In appearance, they are not so different from humans—but they possess bodies as powerful as dragons, and wisdom and magical power akin to that of gods. The strongest race of all.”
His voice grew heavier.
“Believing themselves superior to all others, they deemed themselves the rightful rulers of the world. Any race that refused to submit… was annihilated.”
The room fell silent.
“Twelve hundred years ago, when the world’s population had been reduced to a mere tenth, ten great sages gathered and sealed the Dragonkin away.”
The king clenched his fists.
“But one year ago… that seal was broken.”
A ripple of tension spread through the hall.
“This world is once again under threat. Kingdoms and cities across the globe are falling one by one. Some have already submitted to the Dragonkin. Their power is returning… just as it once was.”
Then—
The king’s eyes lit up.
“And in the midst of that despair—you two appeared!”
His voice rose with emotion.
“I was praying in the Chamber of Prayer for a savior who could defeat the Dragonkin—and then you came! If that is not fate, what is?!”
He leaned forward.
“You were brought here from another world to save this land! Please—lend us your strength!”
He paused briefly, then added:
“I have heard of your incredible power—how you fought Commander Levin and the Order of Earth.”
…
It had been a long time since I had seen the king look so hopeful.
After a moment of silence—
Zeke spoke.
“Your Majesty…”
“Yes? Will you accept?”
The king’s expression was almost childlike with anticipation.
“I’m sorry… but I must refuse.”
That single sentence sent a shockwave of tension through the entire hall.
“W-Why…?” the king asked, his face clouding over.
“I sympathize with your situation,” Zeke said plainly. “But I know nothing about this world. I have nothing here that I wish to protect.”
His gaze remained steady.
“I’m not kind enough to risk my life for a cause I was just thrown into.”
…
So that’s the kind of man he is.
I had assumed that someone called a “Hero” would be a symbol of justice—someone who would help anyone in need.
But Zeke was different.
And yet… his reasoning was completely fair.
To be suddenly summoned to an unfamiliar world, surrounded by strangers, and asked to risk your life for them—
It was far too convenient a request.
“I must refuse as well.”
The Demon King spoke next.
“As a ruler myself, I understand your feelings,” she said calmly. “The desire to save your people… to grasp at any hope, no matter how small.”
Her voice was composed—dignified.
“But I, too, have a duty as a king. I must return to my own land as soon as possible… and reassure my people.”
…
So this is the Demon King?
From Zeke’s story, I had imagined a savage and brutal being.
But the woman before me carried herself with grace and authority.
She had the presence of a true monarch.
“However, Your Majesty—”
Zeke spoke again.
“We don’t know when—or if—we can return to our world. I plan to travel this land and search for a way back.”
He turned slightly.
“And if, along the way, I come to love this world… if I find something worth protecting—then I’ll gladly lend you my strength.”
With that, Zeke and the Demon King turned their backs on the throne and began walking toward the exit.
The king lowered his head, his shoulders trembling.
Their words were reasonable.
But still—
Our king had just been humiliated.
As a knight commander, I could not overlook this.
Even if the opponent was far beyond me.
“Wait!!!”
Before I could speak, a thunderous voice echoed through the hall.
Commander Saran of the Order of Flame.
The strongest knight in the kingdom.
“If you refuse our king’s request,” Saran declared, stepping forward to block the exit, “then you will not be allowed to leave.”
“Please don’t do this,” Zeke said. “We may not be able to help you, but we owe you for treating our wounds and giving us shelter. We do not wish to fight.”
The air shifted.
The way he said it…
—as if he believed he could win.
“Hmph. You speak as though you could defeat me,” Saran replied, drawing his crimson blade and pointing it at Zeke. “You may have beaten Levin… but I am not him.”
In that instant, Zeke’s expression hardened.
The tension snapped tight—
And then—
The doors behind Saran burst open.
A knight rushed into the chamber.
“Your Majesty! Urgent report! The Dragonkin’s forces have entered the lower city! Approximately two hundred enemies—no Dragonkin themselves, but their subordinates and monsters!”
“What?!” the king shouted.
“Levin! Christopher! Take your knights and head to the city at once! Saran—remain here and guard the palace!”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
Following the king’s orders, I immediately gathered my Order of Ice—
and rushed toward the city below.
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