Chapter 16: The Audience
After changing into elegant clothes in the dressing room, I arrived at the massive doors holding Sylvia's hand. At the end of the long corridor stood an imposing iron gate that looked like the gates of hell itself.
I gulped as I stared up at the enormous iron doors. Beyond these doors lies the domain of the ruler of the demon realm, the boss of this parallel world – the Demon King.
Click-
Sylvia, who had been guiding us, stopped in front of the massive doors and warned everyone gathered here with a cautionary tone.
"Please keep this in mind. From here on, watch your every word and action carefully. If you show any disrespect or reckless behavior in Her Majesty's presence, I cannot guarantee what follows. You'll be screaming in nearly infinite agony in the eternal depths of hell."
"…"
Hearing Sylvia's words, it seems disrespecting the Demon King doesn't just result in death, but an extremely painful one. Or perhaps eternal suffering.
As I imagined various terrifying scenarios, I shook my head vigorously. Sylvia added reassuringly to those trembling in fear:
"But do not be afraid. Her Majesty values those with talent, those with beautiful bodies, and those with noble souls. Even if you're an ordinary person with no particular strengths, that alone isn't an issue. As long as you don't act particularly disrespectful, there's nothing to worry about."
When I nodded, Sylvia examined the determined expressions of the others before placing her hand on the iron doors.
"Very well then. Let us enter."
Clank-
As she gently pushed, the massive iron doors opened smoothly to either side like automatic doors. Bright light poured out from within as they opened.
Flash-
I raised my hand to shield my eyes from the blinding light. Soon my eyes adjusted to the brightness and I could take in the audience chamber.
This grand and magnificent chamber with its massive marble columns arranged like a temple was a world unto itself, impossible to properly describe in words.
The sparkling chandelier hanging from the ceiling shone like radiant sunlight, while the red carpet on the floor resembled the glow of a setting sun. However, everyone's gaze was fixed not on the splendid chamber.
People stood with mouths agape, staring up high. Like them, I too raised my gaze as if entranced, looking up at the throne atop those tall steps.
"…"
There sat a woman, leaning casually against the throne's armrest with an expressionless face that suggested boredom. She exuded an indescribable dignity. She had presence, and commanded authority.
She seemed like an unreachable, distant existence, inspiring fear as well. Like how humans feel infinitely small before nature's grandeur. It's scary. I'm scared. And yet…
'She's beautiful.'
I gaped mindlessly. Above all else, she was truly beautiful. While every woman I'd met in this demon castle was gorgeous, her beauty was truly in a class of its own. Rather than Demon King, she seemed more suited to be called a goddess of beauty.
For some reason, despite her being seated on that distant throne, I could see her as clearly as if she were right in front of me.
Her long red hair flowing over her shoulders was like a blooming rose garden, and her detached eyes observing all creation were sharp like a hawk's. That deep, beautiful dark red gaze contrasted with smooth white skin. Above it, a straight, sharp nose bridge. All these features came together harmoniously like a work of art.
The black uniform and leather boots she wore resembled both noble attire and an admiral's military uniform. The magnificent figure hidden beneath that tight uniform. Though I couldn't be sure, it likely contained both sculpted, firm muscles and feminine softness.
Goddess-like beauty and figure, along with naturally flowing elegance and dignity. Demon King Elizabeth. She truly radiated the bearing and dignity of a ruler.
"…"
I stared up at her mindlessly, not realizing I was blushing. For a brief moment, I dared imagine what it would be like to be subjected to lewd acts by such a beautiful woman.
The typical male fantasy of embracing and conquering an ultimate woman didn't even cross my mind. It was as if such assumptions weren't permitted from the start.
Only strange fantasies of craving her domination and love, and swearing eternal submission naturally came to mind.
As I was about to continue those lewd thoughts while slightly tensing my buttocks and dick, it happened.
"How disrespectful."
A voice like rolling thunder yet gentle as a whisper echoed majestically through the audience chamber. I froze in place, startled.
"!"
Disrespectful? Did she read my mind? Telepathy? I'd heard some hunters had similar abilities, so it wasn't completely far-fetched. She was the ruler of the demon realm after all.
I carefully glanced up at the Demon King. When our eyes seemed to meet for an instant, I quickly looked away. As I gulped and watched the Demon King's reactions, it happened.
"How disrespectful. Everyone bow your heads."
Just then, a demon woman guarding near the throne commanded us. As if our mindless staring at the Demon King had been disrespectful.
At her words, myself and the others who had been holding our heads high quickly bowed.
'Th-thank goodness.'
Though I still had doubts, I felt relieved. Thanks to that armored demon woman, we could smoothly move past the situation.
Once we all bowed our heads, Sylvia finally gave her report to the Demon King.
"Your Majesty. This is the regular monthly report. We discovered a total of 17 individuals born with special destinies from various cities including Palishion, and safely escorted them here. None possessed the Star's Destiny."
The Demon King silently nodded at Sylvia's report. Special destinies? Star's Destiny? Unfamiliar proper nouns flowed out but I couldn't understand them yet.
"Well then, let us inspect the tributes."
When Sylvia finished her report, she and the other maids withdrew like the receding tide, leaving us behind.
And so only 16 young men including myself were left awkwardly standing on the red carpet. In the silence, we stood rooted in place as the Demon King's gaze fell upon us.
She looked us over indifferently before stopping her gaze on me.
"!"
I pretended to be distracted, carefully avoiding her entrancing eyes. It definitely wasn't because I felt guilty about earlier…
When I averted my gaze, I heard what sounded like a snicker from up high. Then the Demon King addressed Sylvia.
"You've brought an interesting item, Sylvia."
The Demon King adjusted her half-reclining posture and her eyes gleamed with interest. That's when it happened.
Whoosh-
Suddenly my vision was dyed red and my body felt like it was being swept away, pulled into something.
"!"
When I blinked for a moment, that strange phenomenon had vanished as if nothing had happened. Instead, the many people gathered in this vast audience chamber had disappeared.
'Wh-what? Where did everyone go?'
I frantically looked around for Sylvia, the other maids, and guards who had suddenly vanished, but the audience chamber was empty. Only I stood alone in the space filled with silence.
No. Actually, it seemed there was one other person.
Feeling an intense presence from far away, I gulped and quietly raised my gaze upward.
"…"
A woman sitting on the throne high atop those steps, looking down at me. Demon King Elizabeth. She slightly raised the corner of her mouth and spoke to me.
"Heh. Why so startled? Isn't this what you wanted?"
With those words, Elizabeth stood from her seat and placed her feet on the ground.
Thud-
Simultaneously.
"!"
She was suddenly standing right in front of me. She had folded space to rush over, appearing before me in an instant. I stared up blankly at Elizabeth right in front of my face.
Looking down at me with an expression full of confidence and dignity. Her shadow cast over me with bright light shining beyond made her appear like a goddess descending.
"A private audience with me, that is."
She tilted her head slightly, moving her lips seductively.
I felt my heart racing as I fixed my gaze on her beautiful face. While she had been beautiful from afar, seeing her up close gave a whole new impression.
I seemed thoroughly enchanted by her otherworldly beauty.
'Why am I acting like this…'
To me, Elizabeth commanded.
"Bow your head. I have not granted you permission to look upon my noble visage."
There was power in her voice. Though it held no force or compulsion, I lowered my head of my own accord upon hearing Elizabeth's words. For whatever reason, following her command felt like what I should do right now. As I slowly bowed my head, her orders continued.
"Kneel. That is the proper way to address me."
Next, I bent down and slowly dropped to one knee. As I bowed, my gaze naturally fell to Elizabeth's feet. Shining leather boots stepping on the red carpet. The laces on those boots were perfectly arranged, as if reflecting Elizabeth's personality.
As I kept staring at those polished boots with my head bowed, for some reason I felt the urge to touch them with my hands or lick them with my tongue. An urge I'd never felt before.
However, feeling her gaze on the back of my head, I quietly clenched my fists and suppressed the urge.
'Hold back… hold back… One wrong move and I'm dead…'
Gulp-
Recalling Sylvia's words from earlier, I desperately held back that urge while secretly swallowing. But my gaze couldn't leave her feet, and my breathing gradually grew ragged as heat spread through my body.
For whatever reason, my body was starting to get aroused. Whether it was the Demon King's power or the bath from earlier, I wasn't sure.
"Hah… hah…"
As I panted slightly, Elizabeth's piercing gaze and words rained down.
"How cute. Very well. If you wish, you may lick them."
Slide-
She slightly extended her foot forward, bringing her boot close to my mouth.
"!"
I flinched like a puppy being offered a treat. She's giving permission to lick? Is she a goddess rather than a Demon King? As I thought this, her words came again.
"However, if you fail to satisfy me… I shall deliver an appropriate punishment."