Chapter 24 : Hillan Cargill’s Whereabouts
Chapter 24: Hillan Cargill’s Whereabouts
Watton’s return. A half-failure.
After that news spread, there was only one thing people wondered about the most.
So where was Hillan Cargill?
“He was still wandering around the Ergest Mountains searching for the Demon King’s Tower.”
Watton gave an answer, but as more time passed with no further news, anxiety began to grow, one by one.
“He must be dead. A failure.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. He was the one who killed the Lust Demon King. There’s no way he’d lose to some newly descended Demon King.”
“Of course, he wouldn’t lose to a ‘Demon King’. But think about it. Are the Ergest Mountains some ordinary range? They’re crawling with monsters. It snows heavily practically every day, and the terrain is infamous for being harsh. He’s supposedly been wandering around there for weeks. Even if he’s a hero… could he survive that?”
No—at that point, even finding the tower would be a problem.
“Could he defeat the Demon King in his current condition?”
Even if newly descended, a Demon King was still a Demon King.
No one could answer that question with certainty.
There was a reason the Ergest Mountains were feared, and a reason Demon Kings were feared.
Hillan was a hero, but ultimately still human. And among the heroes who entered a Demon King’s Tower, no news had ever meant good news.
“He must be dead.”
“Hillan Cargill has failed!”
“The fact he hasn’t returned yet is the proof!”
Ominous feelings spread quickly.
Rumors grew larger and larger, and someone’s pockets grew along with them.
* * *
[125412pt]
“Very good.”
Berje laughed pleasantly as he looked at the rapidly rising Demonic Points.
Humans may not have known it, but the hero’s march had been utterly crushed. Peace had returned to the tower.
Normally, after a war ended, the cleanup was important, but Berje had little to do.
Organizing the interior of the tower was Gordon’s job, while managing the prisoners was entrusted to Granada.
The broken magic cannons and ballistae were for Roger to handle, and the 4th floor was the princess’s responsibility.
For now, it was the time to wait for the prisoners’ spirits to break. As a Demon King, he enjoyed that waiting.
While the hero had been approaching, every day had been quietly nerve-wracking, and ever since his regression, he had not rested even for a moment, so this leisure was precious.
The accumulating points were a bonus.
“An invitation has arrived.”
A guest came then, signaling the end of his leisure.
“An invitation?”
“A message from the Beast Demon King. ‘A week from now, at noon. A banquet will be held at the Tower of Falsehood to celebrate the new Demon King’s descent and victory. You must attend; absence will not be accepted.’”
“He forbids absence? I wonder if he felt even a flicker of shame saying that.”
A banquet.
Unlike other dimensions, the Demon Kings of Arein understood that their positions were not absolute. They knew that they could become the hunted rather than the hunters.
So, to survive—to live—they sought to strengthen their bonds with one another.
That was the banquet, the Harmony of the Towers. A gathering where the five Demon Kings met in one place.
It was held once a year, rotating between the towers. The exception was when a new Demon King descended.
The banquet before regression had not been long after Berje had descended. He had ignored that invitation.
‘Back then, I thought sticking together wasn’t fit for a Demon King.’
But apart from that, receiving an invitation after only a few months was strange.
‘This must be another butterfly effect.’
After insulting the Standard and being branded a troublemaker…
Draxon had opposed him from the start and had deliberately slandered him. Draxon had hoped for Berje’s death.
“But the one who was supposed to die ended up succeeding instead, so now he wants to at least see my face out of curiosity?”
“What will you do?”
“He even sent an invitation, so I should return the courtesy.”
Berje was walking a completely different path from his previous life.
Relationships and events had changed accordingly, and to avoid repeating the same results, his own attitude needed to change as well.
‘I also need to understand more clearly the relationship between the Demon Kings and humans.’
In the past, Berje had formed no particular relationships with humans. He was a conqueror, and they were merely spoils to be won through battle and struggle.
A lone wolf.
He had not interacted with any Demon King.
He had scoffed at humans who proposed negotiations.
He had looked down on all heroes beneath his feet.
And so—
No Demon King had helped him.
When he chose war instead of negotiation, humans formed an alliance.
The heroes had ended up toying with him.
Back then, he had thought that was right. He had taken it for granted.
But a single failure had turned the obvious into the no-longer-obvious.
‘This time will be different.’
It had to be different. Absolutely.
Using the dwarves and the princess, he had changed the way the tower was run.
Now it was time to change his diplomacy and social relations.
* * *
The Harmony of the Towers.
The Demon Kings of Arein called their banquet by that name.
The first banquet had been held exactly 351 years ago.
Demon Kings had fallen one by one to the waves of heroes, and new Demon Kings had failed to establish themselves properly.
Unable to bear it, one Demon King had suggested they unite like humans, and that first place of exchange had been the Harmony of the Towers.
“Demon Kings wearing their masks and using a sappy word like harmony.”
It was a choice of wording that showed how cornered the Demon Kings of Arein had once been.
“Shall we depart?”
“Yes.”
Only a Demon King and their adjutant were invited to the Harmony of the Towers. Thus, only Gordon could accompany Berje.
[Opening the gate to the Tower of Falsehood.]
[The other side’s approval is required.]
[Approved.]
[100pt will be consumed.]
Gates connecting the towers could be opened and closed according to each Demon King’s will. If even one side refused, or lacked points, it would not open. But no Demon King refused the banquet of harmony.
At least, not in this lifetime.
Zzeojeojeok—
In the grand hall on the 5th floor where the golden throne sat, a section of space split open.
“Let’s go.”
“Yes.”
Berje stepped into the rift.
* * *
“Welcome.”
“We welcome the great Demon King, Berje Deias!”
The gate connecting towers always delivered one to the 1st floor of the destination tower.
Therefore, once he crossed through, Berje stood at the entrance of the tower. Creak—the doors opened.
He stepped onto the crimson carpet.
Brilliant chandeliers lit the interior.
Golden statues, beautiful paintings, and finely crafted ornaments pleased the eye.
Between them—
Dark Elves stood in formation with their swords.
Succubus maids and incubus butlers bowed politely behind them.
“Uh…”
Gordon was startled at the sight that did not seem fitting for that Demon King’s tower. But Berje simply walked along the carpet in silence.
“An honor to meet you for the first time, Lord Berje Deias. I am Aina Sermune, adjutant to Lord Jason.”
At the end of the 1st floor, at the end of the carpet and the formation, a red-haired succubus bowed gracefully at the waist. Polite and elegant. Impeccably dignified.
“This is a special welcome prepared for you, my lord. Do you find it pleasing?”
“Not bad.”
“Then it was worth preparing.”
“I especially like that golden statue. And the well-crafted jewelled ornaments. The work of dwarves?”
“…You are quite a special Demon King, my lord.”
“You should have already heard that.”
“I did hear it, but rumours are just rumours, are they not?”
“They’re the truth. Not a grain of falsehood.”
A faint crack appeared in Aina’s soft expression.
“…I see. The False Demon King awaits you upstairs. Allow me to guide you.”
“What about the other Demon Kings?”
“They have all arrived.”
“I don’t think I’m late.”
“No. The others simply arrived a bit early.”
“They must have had plenty to discuss without me.”
“As a mere adjutant, I would not know about that.”
“One does not call an adjutant ‘mere’. Usually.”
“…….”
Tok, tok—
Silence fell. Only the faint ringing of Aina’s high heels echoed.
The 13th floor. The Tower of Falsehood stood 13 floors tall.
Aina stopped before the doors leading to the grand hall of the 13th floor.
“The Demon Kings are inside. It is not a place for an adjutant, so may I take your adjutant elsewhere?”
He didn’t particularly care, so he nodded. Aina gently knocked on the door. The Dark Elf guarding it called out:
“Demon King Berje Deias has arrived.”
“Let him enter.”
The door opened at the very moment the answer was given.
“Then, I hope you enjoy your time.”
Aina bowed, taking Gordon with her, and disappeared.
The interior was lavish beyond compare.
Compared to this, the 1st floor felt like a mere preview—this was the ultimate display of wealth, dripping with old-fashioned opulence.
The golden throne had been moved far aside, and in the space where it should have been stood a round table carved entirely from a single, semi-transparent diamond.
And around that table—
Four Demon Kings—
welcomed Berje Deias.
“It’s been a while.”
With eyes that showed clear displeasure, the Beast Demon King glared at him.
“So you’re Berje Deias?”
With a cold gaze and a hint of curiosity—that was the Frost Demon King.
“The infamous troublemaker has arrived.”
Despite his 5-meter frame, the Gold-Steel Demon King ran his mouth with ridiculous frivolity.
“Welcome.”
The False Demon King bowed his head with elegant grace.
Berje took the seat prepared for him. Four pairs of eyes fixed on his expressionless face.
“Glad to meet you.”
With a soft smile on his lips, the False Demon King lifted his monocle.
“Glad to meet you?”
Berje slowly turned his head. Ugar Velbek. The Titan’s enormous eyes stared at him.
“Everyone here is your senior. Show some respect, you stupid fool.”
“Stupid, huh.”
Berje tapped the table.
“I’m the top graduate. What about you?”
“You little—!”
“Is this how you treat guests?”
Berje turned his head—not toward Ugar, but toward the False Demon King.
“I received an invitation and came here, only to have a pig grunt at me from the front. Is that your way of telling me to leave?”
Killing intent exploded.
“…Do you want to die?”
“Ugar, this is a banquet. I would appreciate it if you didn’t taint this sacred place.”
“But—!”
“Ugar.”
At the False Demon King’s mediation, Ugar clicked his tongue and withdrew his killing intent.
“Lord Berje seems more like a Demon King than anyone here.”
“I’ll graciously accept the compliment.”
“Anything more you wish to say? If now, I’ll accept it all.”
Berje silently shook his head.
He wasn’t close enough to exchange friendly greetings, and this was his first time attending the banquet. Not knowing what to do yet, he chose to watch the situation first.
“I see. Of course.”
As if understanding, Jason nodded exaggeratedly.
“It may feel unfamiliar, but this place is for harmony among Demon Kings. To learn more about each other, to share affinities, and to respond to humans more effectively.”
“It’s not merely sappy—it’s disgusting.”
He knew that wasn’t wrong.
In the end, results were what mattered. At the time just before Berje’s regression, he had failed, and Jason and the other Demon Kings had not.
Even if they had not succeeded, they had not failed—that was what mattered.
But agreeing with them immediately would be a mistake. To them, Berje was the fool who had even scorned the Standard, so sudden agreement would only make them suspicious.
“Of course, I believe it’s a natural thought for a Demon King.”
Even under blatant criticism, Jason’s expression didn’t change.
He was always like that—always wearing a smiling mask, always courteous to everyone.
“But the dimension of Arein is not as easy as you think, Lord Berje. As shameful as it is for a Demon King to admit, even Demon Kings must compromise in this world.”
“Compromise and Demon King don't fit in the same sentence.”
“Certainly. But there is no such thing as absolute, is there? Just as Lord Berje criticized the Demon race’s absolute Standard.”
“Are you mocking me?”
“I’m merely saying—that’s how it is.”
Jason shrugged. Berje didn’t bother to push further.
What followed was light conversation.
“Since it’s your first time, I assume you don’t know much about the others. As host, I’ll introduce them.”
The False Demon King began explaining the other three Demon Kings.
“This is Lord Ugar Velbek. Known to humans as the Gold-Steel Demon King, a Titan.”
“Hmph. A name wasted on your ears.”
The giant snorted. The smell was practically rotten, and Berje frowned.
“You should already be familiar with the Beast Demon King. Lord Draxon Doldolf. A lycanthrope.”
“Still as insolent as ever.”
Hostility poured from him as expected.
“And this is Reina…”
Berje let the introduction drift out one ear as he sank into thought.
The Harmony of the Towers.
Judging only from the scene now, the banquet seemed like nothing special. Like a typical human banquet—drinking, enjoying food, and conversing.
That was all.
But was that truly all?
‘The Harmony of the Towers has lasted for a long time. And after it began, fewer Demon Kings died to heroes.’
Would simple camaraderie achieve that? Impossible.
If that were the case, this event wouldn’t have lasted hundreds of years.
If that were the case, every Demon King except himself wouldn’t insist on attending without fail.
“Now that our introductions are done, it’s your turn. Though, honestly, there’s something we’re far more curious about.”
As expected.
“Berje Deias.”
Before Jason even finished his sentence, Ugar snarled.
“Where is Hillan Cargill?”