I was a Nerfed Hero in Another World

Fortunately, something happened before the sword reached Merleen's chest. Lilith twirled around and defended the knight using her Excalibur into motion. It was the most picturesque scene I had ever seen in my life, thanks to the dark fragments scattering in mid-air.

Lilith rarely used her Excalibur into motion. She usually used her dark magic and other demonic powers to combat any problems she faced, regardless of the situation. But now that the enemies had upgraded, Lilith had no other choice but to brandish her sword. 

And since that sword was an otherworldly weapon, those four knights stood no chance against her, even if they tried. 

As soon as Lilith bursted the defences of those knights, the soldiers backed off a few steps away from us. Their eyes widened, knowing that they stood no match against her. Even if I was the soldier facing off against Lilith, I would have careened my way out of this place. 

How could a mere soldier deal damage against a demonic girl wielding an overpowered sword?

But after thinking about that thought, my brain knew that I just jinxed myself. Despite the fear rummaging inside the soldiers, they continued firing their magic in our direction. The knights also resumed leaping in front of us, attempting to strike our chest with their blades. 

This fight could go on forever, since our strength complemented the enemy. But one man refused to witness the entire scene unfold before his eyes. And that cold gaze was enough to sent a shiver down our spines. 

King Arthur lifted his finger, forcing everyone to stop on their tracks for the second time. 

King Arthur must have known that this was a useless fight inside the citadel. And even if we clashed our swords until one of us fell down, the entire kingdom would fall into shambles.

"How about we make you a deal. You and me in a duel without any magic. If you win, you leave this room unscathed. If I win, the two of you will go to my dungeon," King Arthur uttered, as he brandished his blade in front of us.

"If I win, take the treaty and form an alliance with the demon," Lilith interposed. "If you don't, the deal's over. I don't care how many soldiers, mages, knights, or enemies I will face. As long as I bring peace in this war, I won't stop fighting you."

"Looks like we have some competition. Okay, Princess Lilith. Show me what you got. No magic or any enhancement. Just pure skill. Whoever wins this duel will do what the losers says, including the guests beside you."

As soon as King Arthur mentioned those words, his orbs glided at our figures. He flashed us with a grin, as he pointed his sword at my figure.

"I wanted to fight you, but you lack strength and experience using the sword. Even though you stole my name, you don't have any qualities of a warrior or a king," King Arthur exclaimed, as he averted his gaze from my figure.

"No! Just me! This battle is just you and me! But you can chase my teammates around if I lose….Which I won't," Lilith commanded, which King Arthur eventually accepted. 

After mocking me with King Arthur's words, Lilith asked if she could have some spare time to prepare to talk with the rest of us. Fortunately, King Arthur gave Lilith permission and waited as soon as she was ready.

"You have five minutes tell what you want on that corner where nobody could hear you. Even though we're both enemies, I still value your privacy as monsters inside my house," King Arthur said, as he motioned his fingers.

Our team marched our way towards the corner just as King Arthur had instructed. We only had five minutes to converse whatever Lilith had in mind before the knights could seize us out. 

Before we could start our meeting, Lilith asked Merleen if she could conjure a light wall around us. Lilith added some dark magic on that layer, reinforcing it with her own magic. The knights who witnessed our figures pointed their figures at us and marched in our direction. But King Arthur hindered them, telling the soldiers that we didn't want anyone to hear our conversation.

And truthfully enough, these barriers were enough to absorb the sound waves from the inside. No matter what happens, our voices won't reach the outside.

Without wasting any more seconds, Lilith finally sparked the conversation, "Since I laid out my promise with King Arthur, I want you guys to escape after the battle. I know that I could win this fight, but we're talking about King Arthur. He's the strongest man in the world. I have fought countless enemies in the past, but I have never seen such a congested arcane and robust aura ever in my lifetime. This may be the most difficult battle I may ever face throughout my time. And if I lose, please leave without me. Alert my father that the humans pulled off their treaty. As soon as that happens, please be safe, Arthur."

I shook my head and retorted, "Are you out of your mind? Of course you will win! And even if you don't we will all fight our way out together!"

All our members had the same thoughts and nodded to my words. Even though Meliodas and Fenrir had second doubts trusting a demon, those two wanted Lilith alive. Well, after everything they heard from the banquet we had, that pair wanted Lilith to lead the charge. She was the only demon who wanted to stop the war from occurring for any further.

"NO!" Lilith shouted, as she returned my gaze. "I can't do that, Arthur. I cannot lie to them or to myself. All I could do is to accept my loss if I lose this battle. I do not know why they want me alive, but I have to prepare for the worst. Arthur, there's a slim chance that I will win this duel. But I want you guys to be strong since you're the only one I could trust right now….And you guys were the only ones who listened to my goal when everyone else shut me down. In addition, I don't want to lose any of you while fighting our way towards the exit. King Arthru could kill all of us if he tried, but didn't. He's mocking our strengths and didn't participate in any battle. I'm afraid that he could wipe us out before some of us could escape here alive."

I couldn't believe what kind of life Lilith had to go through while bringing that optimistic goal. She was the only demon I knew that fought for freedom for the two factions. 

After our countless debates with Lilith, I finally surrendered this argument. I couldn't win against Lilith, since there was nothing we could do to stop King Arthur. 

And it was like Lilith had mentioned. King Arthur didn't take part in the clash earlier and just ordered his lackeys to fight for him. Sir Lancelot too just watched at the backlines, observing our every movement. Luckily, despite our circumstances, there was still one who believed we had the right statement. And that was Sir Lancelot, a knight of the round table.

"Unfortunately, your time is over, Lilith. You have to let go of this barrier and fight me in a duel. Or else I will kill all of you," warned King Arthur, as he snapped his fingers.

Lilith and the rest of us glared at his figure, while expecting what would happen next. But since King Arthur already exhausted all our options, our team had to obey his command.

Lilith and Merleen undid all the shields surrounding us. As soon as the barriers disappeared, Lilith marched at the centre and revealed her sword. Those knights guided us to the side, which was the best seat in this room. They made sure that we won't escape this place and watch until the end. 

Even though nobody heard us, the knights latched us inside the room with their stares and weapons.

"Arthur….I'm scared…..Is Lilith going to lose? Is she going to be with us soon?" Merleen asked, while gazing at me with puppy eyes.

I gave Merleen a firm nod and answered, "Yeah. She will be with us. Don't worry. We won't leave Lilith behind. She's our friend after all."

Merleen saw through my lies but acted as if I said the truth. Our team also arrived on the seats provided by the knights, which we could use to watch the fight.

The stakes favoured our goals. If we win, King Arthur would accept our treaty, regardless of any situation in hand. But if we lose, we lose everything, including our lives.

As soon as the two contestants met in the centre, King Arthur mumbled a few words. "The duel is simple. Whoever defeats, kills, or even makes the other one surrnder wins the match. We will only use our swords in battle, not fist fights. We could use our limbs as our extension of this fight. And most importantly, no talking. I hate illusions coming from demons. I don't get it."