I was a Nerfed Hero in Another World

After their exchange, Lilith motioned her hand. She told us to follow close behind her and never unlatched ourselves in the open crowd. We obeyed his advice and stayed beside her, since we didn't know what we would see inside the kingdom.

As we entered the place, the gate closed behind us. Some guards tried following our tails, but Lilith snarled at them. I also noticed them, thanks to my class and system aiding my situation.

"If I saw your men following me, I would kill you and those demons surrounding you," Lilith snarled, and sent daggers in the demons mimicking our shadows. 

Upon hearing Lilith's warning, those demonic soldiers stopped following us. They returned to their post as the demonic chief had ordered.

"Who was that demon, anyway?" I asked Lilith, as we strolled the plaza. "He seems like a prick who wouldn't give a damn about anyone in the world besides himself."

"You got that right," Lilith replied, and while blowing her bangs blocking her eyes. "That's one of the nobles who loyally supports my father. He's done nothing but get on my father's good side. Despite his arrogant character, that demon was still useful when the situation called for it."

I told Lilith that there were also those kinds of people back in my world too. Lilith widened her eyes upon listening to my stories as we continued walking inside the city.

The demonic kingdom had different features compared to Camelot, Cornwall, and even Albion. Those devilish children played a different game involving magic, fighting against each other in a playful manner. Some villagers carried bags of fresh monsters behind their backs as they entered those shady buildings. 

As we went deeper in the town, the less demons we met. After walking for a few minutes, we came across a plaza and an unfunctional fountain stationed in the middle. The kids continued playing near the waterworks, together with their peers. But instead of admiring the fountain, they used the landmark as their cubicle. Some of the demonic children pissed on the place, while others placed their trash on the water.

The acrid smell coming from those trash surfed through the air, which made us flinch as we passed by the place.

Despite the people walking around, the place was not lively as I had expected it to be. There was nothing worth mentioning besides the demonic children playing on the streets. I voiced what my eyes caught to Lilith, which she happily discussed the story behind it.

"This kingdom had an abundance of resources and treasures we could showcase to others. We live a peaceful life, hunting monsters and mining coals from our caves. But when those humans arrived on our border, they took away everything, including the monsters. The previous rulers tried negotiating with the humans. But the offer turned grim, and it didn't go in our favour. Since we had different ideas, the two factions butt heads and continued clashing against each other. There is also a famine we need to figure out, since it affects both sides."

All those words Lilith narrated spelt the truth. And it was just like in the game.

Humans and demons battled against each other for resources, since it became limited in this world. And the game always portrayed to players that the demons were the ones wreaking havoc against the humans. 

But it was the other way around. The humans started the war and ended up stealing the goods that belonged to the demons. And when the demons refused, Albion waged war against them. The rest became history, considering the flow of this plot from the game.

Some players recognized the narrative as a piece of crap and tried siding with the demons. However, when they did that, the king of Albion forbade them from entering any human kingdom.

Well, at least from what I remembered. I didn't choose my side when that war happened. The humans didn't want me, and the demons had never heard my name. I didn't care what could happen to them, since it won't affect my livelihood. When that happened, I wanted to become a hero. And heroes always slew the bad guy, which was the demons. 

But now that I became a part of this world, I wanted to change my mindset. And since I yearned to be a hero everyone needed, I would side with the demons…However, I still had some limitations about it.

After our lengthy conversation, we finally arrived at a grand gate. Two elite demonic soldiers guarded the front door, each armed with a weapon. As soon as those sentries noticed our presence, they gave Lilith a salute and asked some questions.

"Lilith, it's nice to see you. Why did you bring some humans with you…? Are they your guest?" one soldier asked politely, compared to the ones we met earlier.

Lilith gave them a nod and answered, "Yes they are. I need to bring them to my father. We need to talk about something."

The two guards exchanged looks with each other before gazing at our figures. "You, humans. We prohibit you from revealing your weapons or hurting any demon inside our premises. As soon as we judge you guilty, we will immediately toss you to the dungeon. Until then, you are free to roam around under the supervelance of Lilith Umbra."

These elite guards knew what they were talking about, considering the choice of words they spoke to us. Even though we're humans and guests inside the kingdom, they treated us with respect. If those soldiers were like the trash we met, I would have already whacked their faces against the ground.

I stepped up as a representative and gave the soldiers my reply, "Very well, demons. We respect your offer and hereby accept your terms. Do not worry, sentries. We will harm no one inside this kingdom…We do not plan any war or ill conflict between the demon lord and my team."

After hearing our reply, the two elite guards opened the gate. They placed their fate towards Lilith and believed everything we had said. The five of us entered on the other side, with the gate locking behind us. Those two soldiers also bid us farewell as our team walked on the red carpet towards the castle.

"They're kind demons, Lilith. I expected a bitter welcome for our team," I exclaimed, as we walked on the road.

"Those elite soldiers were previously my guards. There are demons here that believe my vision. They don't want any conflict from humans, especially while facing a crisis. Some of my supporters mentioned that waging war against those humans would just further our losses. But my father and his loyal servants wouldn't believe me," Lilith ranted, as she held the gate's knob.

"The problem isn't you, Lilith. The problem is both your father and the greedy humans. But maybe if we could do something about it, now that you have evidence humans and demons could work together," I remarked, and peaked through the gate. "Come on, Lilith. The show's about to start."

Lilith gave me a nod as she eventually opened the door after ending our conversation. We continued onwards and gazed at the decor inside the castle. Instead of the marbles humans used building the citadel, demons utilized their powers and created sturdy stones. Even my system notified me that the materials the demons used could withstand an average magical attack from countless mages.

The main hallway also had peculiar plants, unique furniture, and paintings with their demonic styles. As we marched onwards, there was another gate blocking our way. Our team met another group of elite guards guarding a door in front of us. If I could guess it right, that place was the thorne room, where the demon lord resided.

"Lilith Umbra, do you wish to speak with the king?" the elite guard asked, while glaring in our direction.

This set of guards didn't have class unlike the ones we met earlier. It was as if the atmosphere changed and would break into an all-out-war. 

But Lilith calmly assessed the situation and answered, "Yes. What does it look like to you? Why would we go all the way here? To stay inside my room and do nothing? Move, or I will make you move."

After hearing those words, the elite guard gritted his teeth while ordering his soldiers to open the gate. The other demonic guards heeded his call and slid the door open, revealing a figure inside. That shape sat on a throne made of skull, bars of gold and silver, which amplified the figure's charisma. As soon as we stepped foot inside, I realised that the man was actually the demon lord.

"The four of you must bend your knees and place your right hand on your chest. Wait for my signal before you could stand again…" Lilith whispered to us, with her eyes remained glued to the throne.

We heeded Lilith's direction and knelt on the ground, with our right hand on our chest.