Chapter 16
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 16
Chapter Title: Audience
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After changing into fine clothes in the changing room, I arrived hand in hand with Sylvia at a massive door. A gigantic iron gate, like something out of the gates of hell, stood majestically at the end of a long corridor.
I swallowed hard as I looked up at the massive iron door. Beyond this door lay the domain of the master of the demon realm—the boss of this parallel world—the Demon King.
Click-clack—
Sylvia, who had been guiding us, stopped in front of the huge door and spoke to me and everyone gathered there as if issuing a warning.
"Please keep this in mind. From this point on, be careful with every word and action. If you commit any irreverent or rash behavior in Her Highness's presence, I cannot take responsibility for what follows. You will wail in agony in the eternal hells, suffering nearly infinite torment."
"...."
From Sylvia's words, it seemed that messing around in front of the Demon King didn't just mean death—it meant dying in excruciating pain. Or perhaps suffering eternally.
I shook my head vigorously, lost in all sorts of frightening imaginings. Sylvia added reassuringly to those trembling in fear.
"But fear not. Her Highness cherishes those with talent, beautiful bodies, and noble souls. Even if you're an ordinary person with no special strengths, she won't hold that against you. As long as you avoid particularly rude behavior, there will be no cause for concern."
I nodded, and Sylvia scanned the resolute expressions of the others before placing her hand on the iron door.
"Very well. Let us enter."
Clank—
As she gave the door a slight push, it slid open smoothly to either side like an automatic door. With it came a flood of brilliant light pouring from within.
Whoosh—
I raised a hand to shield my eyes from the dazzling light. Soon, my vision adjusted, and the scene of the audience chamber came into view.
This lavish, enormous audience hall, lined with massive marble pillars like a temple, was a space beyond words—a world unto itself.
Chandeliers hanging from the ceiling sparkled like bright sunlight, and the red carpet on the floor resembled the glow of a setting sun. But no one's gaze lingered on the opulent hall.
People stood with mouths agape, staring up high. Like them, I too lifted my eyes to the throne atop the lofty stairs, as if entranced by something.
"...."
There sat a woman, leaning languidly against the armrest of the throne with a bored, expressionless face. She exuded an indescribable elegance. She had presence, dignity.
She seemed like an unreachable, distant being, inspiring fear as well. Like standing before nature's grandeur, feeling infinitely small. Terrifying. Scary. But...
'She's beautiful.'
I gaped blankly. Above all, she was stunningly beautiful. Every woman I'd met in this demon castle was lovely, but her beauty was unparalleled. She seemed less a Demon King and more a goddess of beauty.
For some reason, even from that distant throne, I could see her crystal clear, as if she were right in front of me.
Her long red hair cascading over her shoulders was like blooming roses, her indifferent eyes surveying all like sharp falcon's gaze. Deep, beautiful crimson-black irises contrasted with her snow-white, flawless skin. A sculpted, sharp nose. All harmonized into a work of art.
Her black uniform and leather boots evoked nobility or perhaps an admiral's attire. Beneath that tight uniform hid a magnificent figure. No doubt, toned muscles like sculpture coexisted with feminine softness.
Beauty incarnate in face and form, effortless grace and poise. Demon King Erzebet. She radiated the full aura and bearing of a ruler.
"..."
I stared up at her blankly, unaware my face had flushed. For a fleeting moment, I dared imagine what it would be like to be subjected to lewd acts by such a beauty.
The usual male fantasy of embracing and conquering the ultimate woman? Unthinkable, impossible to even conceive. As if such a premise were forbidden from the start.
Only strange visions arose: craving her dominion and love, pledging eternal submission.
As I tensed my hips and groin slightly, indulging in the lewd thoughts just a bit longer—
"Irreverent."
A voice like thunder yet a whisper on the wind echoed loftily through the audience hall. I jolted in shock, freezing in place.
"!"
Irreverent? Had she read my mind? Telepathy? I'd heard some hunters had similar abilities, so it wasn't impossible. And she was the ruler of the demon realm, after all.
I glanced stealthily upward at the Demon King. Our eyes seemed to meet, and I quickly looked away. As I swallowed nervously, gauging her mood—
"Irreverent. All of you, bow your heads."
Just then, a demon race woman guarding near the throne commanded us. As if staring blankly at the Demon King was the irreverence.
At her words, I and the others who had held our heads high hastily bowed.
'Wha... I survived.'
Still harboring doubts, I felt relieved nonetheless. Thanks to that armored demon woman, we'd muddled through.
As we all bowed, Sylvia finally reported to the Demon King.
"Your Highness. This is the monthly report. We discovered a total of 17 individuals with special destinies from cities including Pallision, and have safely escorted them here. None bore the Star's Destiny."
The Demon King nodded silently at Sylvia's report. Special destinies? Star's Destiny? Unfamiliar terms, but I had no way to know more right then.
"Then, please inspect the offerings."
With her report done, Sylvia and the maids withdrew like an ebbing tide, leaving us behind.
And so, on the red carpet stood just me and 16 other boys, awkwardly rooted in place. In the silence, we endured the Demon King's gaze.
She scanned us indifferently before her eyes settled on me.
"!"
I averted my gaze from her mesmerizing eyes, pretending to look elsewhere. Definitely not because I felt guilty about earlier...
As I looked away, a soft chuckle came from on high. Then the Demon King spoke to Sylvia.
"You've brought an amusing item, Sylvia."
The Demon King straightened from her half-reclined pose, her eyes gleaming with interest. At that moment—
Whoosh—
Suddenly, my vision tinted red, and I felt swept away by something, drawn in.
"!"
A blink later, the odd sensation vanished as if nothing had happened. But now, the vast audience hall was empty—all the people gone.
'Wha... what? Where'd everyone go?'
I frantically looked around for Sylvia, the other maids, the guards—but the hall was deserted. Only silence filled the space, with me standing alone.
No. Actually, there was one other.
The intense aura from afar made me swallow hard, then quietly lift my gaze upward.
"..."
Atop the high stairs on the throne sat a woman looking down at me. Demon King Erzebet. She smirked faintly and spoke to me.
"Heh. Why so startled? Isn't this the situation you desired?"
With those words, Erzebet rose and stepped down to the floor.
Thud—
At the same time.
"!"
She was suddenly right before me. She'd folded space and closed the distance in an instant. I stared blankly up at Erzebet so close.
Her face full of conviction and confidence gazed down at me. Her shadow over me, the brilliant light beyond—it was like witnessing a goddess's descent.
"A private audience with me."
She moved her luscious lips seductively, tilting her head slightly.
My heart raced as I fixed my gaze on her beautiful face. Stunning from afar, but up close, the impact was anew.
Her otherworldly beauty had me utterly captivated.
'Why am I like this...'
To me in that state, Erzebet commanded.
"Bow your head. I never permitted the likes of you to gaze upon my visage."
Her voice carried power. No coercion, yet I bowed of my own accord. It felt like obeying her command was what I must do now. As I slowly lowered my head, her order continued.
"Kneel. That is the proper way to face me."
Then, I bent forward, slowly dropping to one knee. My gaze naturally fell to Erzebet's feet. Her gleaming leather boots on the red carpet. The laces perfectly arranged, mirroring her personality.
Staring at those shining boots with head bowed, an urge welled up to touch them with my hands—or lick them with my tongue. A desire I'd never felt before.
But the gaze on my nape made me clench my fists, suppressing it quietly.
'Hold it... hold it... Mess up and I'm dead...'
Gulp—
Recalling Sylvia's words earlier, I swallowed secretly with grim determination. But my eyes stayed fixed on her feet, my breathing quickening, heat rising through my body.
For some reason, my body was heating up. The Demon King's power? Or the bathwater from before? I couldn't tell.
"Haa... haa..."
As my breaths grew ragged, Erzebet's piercing gaze and words poured down.
"What a cute one. Very well. If you desire it, lick."
Swish—
She extended her foot slightly forward, bringing her boot near my lips.
"!"
I flinched like a dog offered a treat. She'd permitted it? Demon King or goddess? As I thought that, her words came again.
"However, if you fail to satisfy me... I shall mete out fitting punishment."