I Took the Demon King as My Wife

Under the fierce killing intent pressing down on her body, Eilena’s shoulders heaved greatly.

Hans glared at her with an intensity that suggested he might draw his sword again at any moment.

He hadn’t made her a proposal.

This was closer to a threat, an intimidation, rather than a proposal.

“In short… you’re telling me to either marry you or die, to choose between the two…”

Eilena spoke to him as bravely as possible while barely steadying her trembling voice.

“It probably won’t end with just your death.”

“Ha, now you’re openly threatening me.”

“It’s not a threat, just telling you the reality. Has anything I’ve said so far been wrong?”

No, nothing had been wrong.

Rather, he had told her the cold reality without a single falsehood to be found.

But that made it all the more unpalatable.

The thought of the Sovereign of the Green-Fingered becoming the wife of a mere human was laughable to the world.

It was clear she would become a mockery among humans, and the pointing fingers of her disappointed kin would be an inescapable fate.

If it were up to her feelings alone, she would rather take her own life than marry.
But there were too many red threads tied around her neck for that.

If she died now, the suffering and hardship her people would endure afterward would be immeasurable.

From the beginning, there had been only one choice—to take his hand.

‘Demon King Eilena, admit your defeat gracefully.’

That’s why he had deliberately inflicted defeat on her first.

By making her taste a humiliating defeat, he had completely eliminated any grounds for refusal.

‘Damn it….’

She had been taught that a ruler should value honor more than life.

Ironically, in the current situation, giving up everything and submitting to him was the most honorable thing to do.

No, at least it was the only way to save everyone.

‘For my people….’

Even now, news of successive defeats was coming from the western front.

Some areas had already been occupied, and many of her kind were suffering at this very moment.

If she sacrificed herself alone to save everyone, that would be enough.

This too was maintaining a ruler’s honor, and rightfully could be called a sacrifice for her kind.

“That proposal…”

As someone born for everyone.

“I accept it…”

There was nothing she couldn’t do.

“……”

Having heard Eilena’s answer, Hans stared at her intently.

“Are you certain?”

“…Yes.”

“Your expression doesn’t seem very willing.”

How could it be willing?

After making her taste a humiliating defeat to eliminate even the slightest possibility of refusal.

His attitude now, speaking as if doing her a favor, was utterly disgusting.

But this too was something she couldn’t show.

She already knew his strength through her own body’s experience.

She had also fully realized through their conversation that he was someone whose inner thoughts couldn’t be read at all.

If that was the case, there was only one attitude for her to take.

“…That’s not true. Actually, I was also hoping for peace. However, considering our relationship until now… how could I easily accept your proposal? That’s why I hesitated briefly.”

All she had to do was hide her true feelings thoroughly and do her best to match his rhythm.

It was infuriating, but killing her emotions… it was a familiar task, so it wasn’t particularly difficult.

“…Hmm, I see.”

At Eilena’s response, Hans didn’t question her further, whether he believed her words or not.

Instead, he rummaged through his pocket and took something out, then spoke to her.

“Hand.”

“…Hm?”

“Please extend your hand.”

“Why suddenly the hand…”

Seeing Eilena hesitate, Hans showed her what he was holding.

“What… is this?”

“As you can see, a ring.”

A luxurious pair of rings, each embedded with small red and blue jewels.
The seductively shining jewels seemed to be a type of magic stone that emitted light by itself.

“……”

Eilena momentarily lost herself in that ethereal and enchanting light.

Hans grabbed her arm and pulled it onto the table.

Then he picked up the red ring and gently slipped it onto the ring finger of her right hand.

“What is this… ugh…!”

Barely having time to be surprised by his unhesitating movements, immense pain traveled through her hand where the ring was placed.

This sensation, like her flesh was burning—an incredible heat that wrapped around her entire body, penetrating to the bone.

“Kugh…! Uu, uup…!”

Her heart pounded as if it would burst, and her insides boiled. Eilena covered her mouth and dry-heaved.

‘W-what is this…!’

Just as she realized something was wrong, the pain that had instantly consumed her body subsided.

Soon after, her fluctuating blood flow returned to normal. The heat that had risen sharply gradually dispersed from her body.

Eilena, breathing heavily, finally regained her senses and asked:

“W-what is this?!”

“Let’s call it an engagement ring.”

“What?!”

“Well, that’s what it appears to be on the surface. In reality, it’s a magical tool that seals the wearer’s power.”

“Ha, what…?”

Despite Eilena’s highly agitated state, Hans maintained his indifferent attitude.

Eilena immediately tried with all her might to remove the ring.

But the ring, already deeply rooted in her finger, only caused her more pain the more she tried to remove it.

“Kuk…!”

“It’s better not to struggle needlessly. Only the person who placed it on the wearer’s hand can remove it.”

“Y-you…! So the reconciliation was all a lie…!”

Eilena slammed the table as if she would destroy it and stood up angrily.

Her crimson eyes flashed with indignation, revealing her sharp fangs. She looked ready to lunge at him.

Hans slowly raised his head and silently observed her.

Then he placed the remaining ring in front of her and slightly extended his right hand.

“What…!”

“I told you, it’s an engagement ring. Have you ever seen a couple where only one wears an engagement ring?”

“W-what? No… that…?”

At his words, Eilena was momentarily stunned as if struck on the head.

Gradually calming her excitement, she slowly regained her composure.

Her still fiercely open eyes moved quickly, alternately looking at the ring and his extended hand.

“……”

She slowly lowered her arm and silently picked up the ring he had handed her.

The ring emitting a deep blue light, unlike her own—this was undoubtedly a magical tool embedded with a genuine magic stone.

Eilena glanced sideways and glared at Hans.

‘Why on earth…’

If this was the same as what had been placed on her… there was no reason for him to wear it.

‘Why…?’

Why was he saying such things? Did he really intend to seal his own power as well?

The more Eilena conversed with him, the harder it became to understand his actions.

He was unlike any being she had ever encountered, be it demon or human.

She simply couldn’t grasp his thoughts or discern even a fraction of his true intentions.

Finally, after contemplating, Eilena, half in doubt, slowly placed the ring on Hans’s right hand.

“Urgh…!”

As the ring completely reached the end of his ring finger, it began to take root in his hand, emitting a blue light.

Hans clutched his wrist and expressed pain. His face, which had remained motionless until now, began to contort.

“Kuhak…!”

He spat out dry saliva and repeatedly dry-heaved.

It was a similar reaction to her own moments ago.

“W-what is this… did you really give me the same thing you received…?”

“…Krup …y-yes.”

Hans answered, barely holding his trembling right hand.

Seeing him like this, Eilena couldn’t hide her confusion and asked:

“Why on earth…”

“How… many times… do I have to say it… engagement ring… of course… they’re the same….”

He barely answered through gritted teeth in pain.

“Huh….”

Eilena looked at him with bewildered eyes.

She increasingly felt like she was becoming the fool.

The two, having exchanged tokens of engagement, left the room.

“Then, let’s head to the royal capital right away.”

“Ah, um….”

As soon as they left the room, Hans took out a teleportation scroll from his pocket.

However, seeing Eilena hesitating as if uncertain about something, he stopped unfolding the scroll.

“What is it?”

When he asked in a casual tone, Eilena spoke with difficulty.

“Um… earlier… you mentioned there were ears listening…”

“Listening ears?”

“P-perhaps… are they alive?”

“What…”

Hans briefly recollected, observing her extremely tense attitude. Soon he understood what she wanted to convey.

“Ah… well, yes. I controlled my strength somewhat, so they should still be breathing. …Probably.”

“Ah….”

Probably….

After giving this somewhat unsettling answer, Hans unfolded the scroll again.

Then Eilena slightly grabbed the end of his cloak, stopping him once more.

“Why do you keep doing this?”

“Ah… um, before we go, could we check on the condition of my subordinates a little…?”

“What…?”

At Eilena’s words, Hans, who had been showing a slightly irritated tone, immediately frowned deeply and glared at her intensely.

Once again, a blue light circled his eyes, and a threatening killing intent emanated from his back.

Eilena, startled, waved her hands.

“N-no! I’m wrong! I just want to check their condition! It’s absolutely not for any other purpose or to retaliate against you!”

“……”

Although Eilena hastily made excuses, Hans merely looked at her with a cold gaze, his lips tightly closed.

A gaze that vividly reminded her of their clear hierarchical relationship. At this, Eilena immediately lowered her tail.

“Ah… no. I misspoke. I’m sorry. Let’s… let’s depart immediately.”

Eilena dropped her head powerlessly and released the end of his cloak she had been holding.

Her fallen hand touched the hem of her skirt. Ppudeureuk. The stained black dress wrinkled unsightly.

“……”

Hans stared at her intently.

He gathered the killing intent he had emitted and silently observed Eilena, as if lost in thought.

After a moment, he scratched his head and said,

“Let’s go.”

“O-okay….”

Eilena took a weak step forward with her answer.

Then Hans grabbed her moving shoulder and said,

“To your subordinates.”

“Eh…?”

The two returned to the audience hall.

Eilena followed behind Hans, cautiously watching his back.

However, as soon as they arrived at the ruined audience hall, she saw her fallen subordinates everywhere and immediately ran past Hans to them.

She examined the subordinates scattered here and there one by one, checking those who still had breath.

While all were unconscious and seriously injured, they were barely hanging on to life.

“Ugh… urgh.”

“…!”

As she moved with faltering steps, she hurriedly ran to where a groan was coming from among the collapsed debris.

She quickly cleared away the fallen debris.

“Ku, Ku! Are you conscious?! Ku…!”

The one buried under the debris was none other than her trusted servant and one of the Four Heavenly Kings who commanded the Demon King’s army, the Succubus Queen, Ku.

Ku, who was breathing raggedly, barely opened her eyes at Eilena’s urgent voice.

“D-Demon King…”

“D-don’t speak! Your injuries are serious, I’ll heal you now!”

Eilena embraced her heavily wounded subordinate and expressed her distress. She placed her hand on Ku’s abdomen and chanted a healing spell.

“Delphir! Delphir!”

However, no matter how much she shouted the spell until her throat was raw, there was no effect.

Only after countless recitations of the spell, did she notice the ring shining on her hand.

And simultaneously, she saw the abundant blood staining that hand.

“I-I’m sorry, Demon King… because of my inadequacy…”

“D-don’t speak, I said! J-just wait a little… I… I…!”

Eilena looked at Ku, whose consciousness was gradually fading, with an expression that suggested she might cry at any moment.

She trembled her hands and tried her best to think.

‘I need to think… think… think…!’

However, for Eilena, who knew no healing methods other than magic, there was nothing she could do for her dying subordinate.

She could only press on Ku’s abdomen with her slender hands, trying somehow to stop the endlessly flowing blood.

“Just a little… just hold on a little longer… I… I will somehow…”

Her trembling voice gradually lost strength.

Hans, who had been watching from not far away, silently walked towards her.

He took out a small bottle from his pocket and handed it to her.

“W-what is this….”

Eilena looked at the bottle he handed her with reddened eyes.

Her weak, trembling voice was mixed with shallow resentment.

Instead of answering, Hans opened the bottle and poured a little liquid into Ku’s mouth.

Immediately, her irregular breathing began to stabilize, and the profusely flowing blood stopped instantly.

Eilena looked at Hans’s face in surprise.

Hans slowly turned his head and handed her the remaining bottle again.

“It’s a high-grade potion made from a resurrection herb. If you give them just a sip each, everyone here will be fine.”

“I-is that true…!”

“You just saw it.”

Eilena blankly stared at the potion in his hand.

Ku, who had been writhing in pain, changed to sleeping peacefully after just one sip of that small potion.

It was undoubtedly an incredible item.

‘Why on earth….’

Why was he so casually handing over such an incredible item to her… she couldn’t understand his intentions at all.

‘I don’t understand. I don’t get it.’

But such matters didn’t matter right now.

Whatever might happen with this, whatever price he might demand from her later, it didn’t matter.

The fact that she could save everyone with this potion—that was the only important thing.

“Please take care of Ku for a moment…”

“No, wait…!”

Eilena left Ku, now peacefully sleeping, in Hans’s hands and hurriedly ran to her other fallen subordinates.

“No….”

Hans, holding in his arms the opponent he had cut down with his own hands earlier, silently watched Eilena’s retreating figure.