Chapter 27: The Enlightened Brave

The first reaction—Emil felt some resistance.

After all, ever since the Demon King Ria died, their days hadn’t worsened; in fact, they could be called “thriving”!

No more paying a ten percent business tax.

After the Demon King’s death, humans no longer feared demons, and more and more customers visited the succubus shop.

No longer having to obey the Demon King’s orders, attending those tedious cultural classes, memorizing those complicated script lines.

No longer bound by strict service rules—they could let loose a little, even tease or scold customers…

After the Demon King’s death, life just got better!

Naturally, Emil didn’t want another “Demon King Ria” hanging over her head.

After all, she’d outdone plenty of human peers and knew well that compared to Demon King Ria, the human nobles behind those “peers” were a hundred times harsher and more twisted.

But she also truly wanted the protection of the Hero’s divine power.

So, she collected herself and spoke movingly:

“Lord Hero, weren’t you here to liberate us? Why would you take away our poor freedom…”

The unexpected answer left even the village chief dumbfounded and at a loss.

Only Lia kept her cold smile fixed on Emil.

“I don’t want to enslave you like Demon King Ria. I just want you to work for me.”

Jon explained awkwardly.

“Will you pay us?”

Emil’s eyes lit up.

“Uh… I can.”

“Alright! Then we’re willing to serve you!”

Like a magic trick, Emil pulled a price list from behind her wings.

“What would you like to buy? Intelligence? Mediation? Or tales of your spouse’s escapades?”

Though this direction seemed a bit odd, it still felt on track.

Jon thought for half a second and continued:

“I want you to help mediate—arrange a private meeting between me and General Folco of the Iron Bears.”

“Oh~ I see.”

Emil suddenly understood, reaching out her hand.

“This service costs two thousand gold Kuruns. Thank you for your patronage, Lord Hero.”

“What? That expensive?”

Jon was startled.

“It’s not expensive. You and General Folco—one’s a Hero, one’s a Frontline Main Force commander. This price fits your status.”

Emil didn’t think she was being greedy at all.

According to Demon King Ria’s rules, such “mediation” should mainly be for intelligence gathering, with a lower price.

But for succubi, doing this kind of work was neither enjoyable nor stimulating, yet essential for clients—so why couldn’t they charge more?

“Can’t you make it cheaper?”

Jon’s face turned red.

Now he truly understood just how high-end consumption at a “premium establishment” could be.

“Sorry, Lord Hero, this price was set by Demon King Ria. We can’t break the rules—otherwise, it’d be unfair to other customers.”

Emil pushed all responsibility onto the Demon King.

—Oh, how evil the Demon King was!

Lia rolled her eyes at Emil and silently blew a bubble.

She was already used to taking the blame and was too lazy to get angry.

The negotiation stalled.

As the atmosphere grew silent, suddenly a thunderous crash echoed above them—so loud even the soundproofing magic couldn’t block it.

Moments later, the secret room door burst open.

Ayla rushed in, panicked, her jewelry clinking loudly.

“L-L-Lord Hero! Bad news! The princess brought the Imperial Guards and smashed up the shop! She called us remnants of the Demon King’s army and wants to take us to the Execution Ground for public execution! Y-You have to help us!”

Jon went numb.

The previous trouble hadn’t even been resolved—how did another one pop up?

But at this moment, the village chief suddenly came to his senses.

He smiled and calmly said to Emil:

“Little lady, this has nothing to do with us. Lord Jon is the Hero of humanity, not the Hero of you succubi. Let’s do this—we’ll leave first. The matter of General Folco can be discussed later.”

Emil trembled like a leaf, her face pale.

She hurriedly grabbed the Hero’s sleeve.

“No! No no no! Lord Hero! We’re also lost lambs saved by you! You can’t abandon us!”

Jon tried to say something, but a small hand reached out and covered his mouth, stopping him.

He widened his eyes, catching a sweet, fragrant scent.

At the same time, the village chief smiled.

“But we have no reason to help you, nor any obligation.”

“Right! Lord Hero! Didn’t you just ask if we’re willing to assist you? We’re willing! We’re very willing!”

Emil quickly said.

Ayla stared blankly.

“Emil, what did you just say?”

She finally realized, almost bursting with anger.

She slapped the back of Emil’s head.

“Such a big deal! You didn’t call me! You just refused on your own???”

Emil clutched the back of her head, aggrieved.

“I was only thinking of everyone…”

Ayla had no time for her.

She simply grabbed Emil and forced her to kneel together.

Then, this tall succubus lady bowed her head respectfully.

“Lord Hero, since ancient times, our succubi have suffered deeply, rejected, enslaved, and oppressed by countless races. We have always awaited a wise master like you. As long as you accept us, we will serve you unto death!”

Jon looked at the two kneeling women, his whole body itching with discomfort.

Lia, however, gazed at them, full of complicated emotions.

Once, the Succubus Queen had also knelt like this with her daughters before her…

[Lord Demon King, since ancient times, our succubi have suffered deeply, rejected, enslaved, and oppressed by countless other demon tribes. We have always awaited a wise monarch like you. From this day forth, the Seventh Demon Realm will forever be your shield. We will serve you unto death!]

“Forever” my foot! You didn’t even bother to change the words!

“Stand up. No need to kneel.”

Jon blushed in embarrassment, trying to help them up.

“I just want you to work for me, not to become your master. There’s no need to sacrifice your dignity for me.”

But Ayla stubbornly stayed on her knees.

She bowed her head.

“No, we must kneel. With your arrival, Lord Hero, our sky has cleared.”

The village chief feared Jon would be overwhelmed by their flattery.

He hurried to secure a promise.

“Then the matter of General Folco…?”

“It’s only right.”

Though she wasn’t sure what the issue was, Ayla agreed immediately.

The village chief turned to the Hero and whispered.

“Lord Hero, succubi are fickle. If you want to subdue them, now’s the perfect time to borrow the princess’s Imperial Guards to establish authority… You can handle the Imperial Guards, right?”

“I can, but in terms of military rank, I’m only the Deputy Supreme Commander. The princess is the Commander-in-Chief. Wouldn’t that be defying military orders?”

Jon hesitated.

But perhaps the “Fire Dragon Burns the Granary” plan had broadened his thinking.

Suddenly, he realized: if the princess could use Military Law against him, couldn’t he also use National Law against her?

“From this moment, you are diplomatic envoys of the demon race stationed at the human border. This place is the transfer point for the demon race’s surrendered resources.”

Jon instructed the two.

“Eh? Is…is this okay…?”

Ayla pressed her lips together, forcing herself to look innocent instead of delighted.

“Demon King Ria is dead, the demon realm has surrendered, and I am one of the human signatories to the Surrender Agreement. I can represent the highest authority of the demon realm.”

Jon said calmly.

“But will the princess… accept this?”

Ayla asked cautiously.

“I only need National Law’s recognition, not the princess’s.”

Jon finished, then took off his outer coat, revealing a tight inner shirt over his muscles.

He gently set Lia down, asked the village chief to look after her, and walked upstairs bare-handed.

…The anger that had built up over many days, and his discontent with Margaret’s coldness, made his breathing rough.

He suddenly realized: wasn’t he also seeking this chance to express his frustration to the princess?

He never wanted anyone to kneel.

But the princess always wanted him to kneel.