Chapter 64 : It Wasn’t a Bad Thing
Chapter 64: It Wasn’t a Bad Thing
A senior officer of the Hero Guild, Farni, knocked on the door.
“Come in.”
He opened the door. The Elder, whose face was full of wrinkles but whose eyes remained sharp, pushed his documents aside.
“You called for me?”
“You will assist Hillan Cargill.”
“So Hillan Cargill is finally coming to the headquarters?”
“Yes. He killed a Demon King, so calling him is only proper.”
“He is a hero who disobeyed the guild’s orders and acted on his own. Do you intend to give someone like that credit?”
“That is not important. Whether we like it or not, Hillan Cargill had already killed two Demon Kings and absorbed their power. Sooner or later, he will become the greatest hero.”
“But…”
“If there is no suitable reward for someone who hunted two Demon Kings, who would ever attempt to subjugate one as a hero?”
“That may be true, but there is a vast difference between the guild inviting him and him demanding it directly, isn’t there?”
“It may look a bit disgraceful, but isn’t it better than letting people think the guild was swayed by the Kingdom of Arkan?”
If they wished to bury Arkan and let the Hero Guild rise as the main actor, they had to coordinate their words. Unlike Rozel Charnte, who accepted the situation smoothly after getting what she wanted, Hillan Cargill had promised cooperation with the Hero Guild and demanded compensation in return.
“Ngh.”
Farni swallowed a groan.
“And it is not as if we are summoning him solely because he has the qualifications. We were planning to make use of him soon anyway.”
“What plan do you have in mind?”
“There were those who wanted Rozel Charnte and Hillan Cargill punished harshly to the end and for the matter to be made public.”
“That was Elder Carlo and those who follow him.”
“And there were others who opposed excessively, foaming at the mouth.”
“Elder Mathias and his faction.”
“Behind them stand Zespine and Arkan.”
The reason the empire insisted on making the matter bigger and public was simple.
“They want to damage the guild’s reputation. Arkan only opposed because Rozel Charnte was involved with them; if it were any other kingdom, they would have reacted the same as Zespine.”
“The guild won’t be shaken by something so trivial.”
“I think so as well. The guild has lasted for hundreds of years and has been solidly built. Something like this won’t leave even a scratch. But they know that too.”
Whether a scratch formed or not didn’t matter. They would strike whenever they saw an opening.
Even the sturdiest tree would fall if struck with an axe repeatedly. They were building up justifications one by one, laying the groundwork to reclaim the leadership the guild had taken from the nations.
“It will only get worse from here. Even the smallest incident will have them shouting that the guild is incompetent. In fact, considering everything, haven’t we endured quite a lot already?”
Those greedy emperors and kings had tolerated a supranational organization standing above them for hundreds of years.
“It is greed. When the Demon Kings’ power was strong, they left everything to us, but now that humans have the upper hand, they want to place us under their control again.”
“We are no different. In the end, no one wants to lose power.”
Anyway.
“We strayed off topic. Hillan Cargill will serve as a very fine piece.”
“You intend to use him to keep the two elders and the factions aligned with the two nations in check.”
“Correct. Although Hilderan is a great power comparable to those two nations, its influence within the Hero Guild is severely lacking.”
Hilderan’s focus for generations had been its return to being the empire.
They had not completely ignored the Hero Guild within that direction, but it had never been their main priority.
Compared to Arkan and Zespine, who blatantly sought to expand their influence within the Hero Guild, Hilderan’s presence was negligible.
“On top of that, just before beginning his hero’s march toward the Ergest Mountains, Hillan Cargill cut ties with all his patrons. Though he returned to Hilderan afterward, he won’t be able to fully restore his former relationships.”
“All the more fitting a person. However, he is still a hero who killed two Demon Kings. If we are not careful, he could become an even greater threat.”
“That is why you must keep him under control.”
“I understand.”
“It will be difficult, but until the Guildmaster returns, make sure the factions keep each other in check.”
“I will try.”
“Trying is not enough. You must do it well.”
The Elder rose from his seat.
“He is here.”
Knock, knock—
A servant tapped on the door.
“Elder, Hero Hillan Cargill has arrived.”
* * *
‘I can repay everything.’
After climbing the Gold-Steel Tower and rescuing Ellena Hilderan, he checked his points.
[3124512pt]
The Demonic Points that had gathered while he stepped away exceeded his expectations.
Even after subtracting the 2.5 million he owed Jason Kokemundo, about six hundred thousand still remained.
Why?
There was no need to question it.
‘Ellena Hilderan.’
Because he had kidnapped her.
Because he had spoiled the moment when everyone rejoiced over her safe return.
Because he had kidnapped the younger sibling after Ernan Hilderan.
Everything overlapped into one chain of events. Fuel had been thrown on the trigger that had been burning little by little.
‘And then…’
Even Hillan Cargill’s speech.
His speech had given direction to the rage of Hilderan’s people. And anger expressed in a state of guaranteed safety was nothing but sweet demonic energy to a Demon King.
The rapidly rising points even now proved it.
A smile naturally curved across his lips.
Knock, knock—
“Enter.”
Ernan stepped inside. She bowed her head.
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For saving Ellena.”
“There is no reason for you to thank me. I kidnapped the princess as a Demon King, and we made a deal.”
“Even if you may think so, I don’t. She was the one person, together with my mother, who became a refuge for me in the royal palace.”
“Only in words, isn’t that right?”
“Uh… I think I paid some price for it.”
“Value is relative. If your sister and a bit of money are equal to you, then you may go.”
It wasn’t “a bit” at all—money was a hundred, a thousand times more precious from Berje’s perspective.
But there was no need to say that out loud. Over the past few days, he had seen clearly just how dearly Ernan treasured her younger sister.
“…You really are like a Demon King.”
“Thank you for the compliment.”
“What do you want?”
“Kaede Zespine.”
“The imperial princess?”
“Persuade her.”
“For what purpose?”
“So she can become my sword.”
“Don’t tell me you also need a Dark Knight…”
“Stop that childish play you and your sister like so much.”
“…You really do like humans.”
“Do I?”
“Hero Hillan, Lord Granada… well, he is an elf, but still. Me, and even the Red Hawk mercenaries.”
“I consider you a different case.”
“…Anyway.”
Hmm.
Thinking about it, there were indeed many humans. Naturally so—his aim was to infiltrate human society.
‘If the princess becomes one of my hands and feet, I can throw the heroes searching for the tower off guard yet again.’
Still, he held no great expectations. Ernan was an exception, and people like Ernan Hilderan or Ellena Hilderan were unique cases.
This was just one of many attempts he tossed out.
If it worked, great. If not, so be it.
“…Alright. I’ll try. Is that sufficient for you?”
“Yes.”
“I will personally make her into a Dark Knight.”
“That’s fine, but I’d prefer you remove the part about her being a Dark Knight.”
“Huh, why?”
“I don’t think Kaede would like it.”
“…She wouldn’t?”
“She wouldn’t.”
“But Spirit Sorceress of Darkness is fine, right?”
“If I had been there that day, I would have cracked open the heads of those actors to see what they were thinking.”
“…I’ll try anyway.”
“Good.”
She disappeared.
Berje closed his eyes again.
“I suppose the days of struggling for points have finally ended.”
It was time to fill the empty floors.
‘Carelessness, the unexpected.’
That was Berje Deias’s objective. Not to populate the tower with nothing but overwhelmingly strong monsters and demons, but to force humans into confusion.
The mana cannon on the first floor had served exactly that purpose, and the second floor would follow the same principle.
‘Shattering the heroes’ idea of what is “standard.”’
That was the best method.
And the tower’s most classic standard was—
“The first floor has weak monsters, and the higher you go, the stronger they become.”
Berje smiled.
“I suppose I’ll wait until 5 million.”
If a Balrog jumped out starting from the second floor, the heroes would be thrilled to death.
* * *
Kaede Zespine.
The 9th Imperial Princess of the Zespine Empire opened her eyes inside a cold prison cell.
‘How many days has it been?’
It had been dark every single day, so she had no sense of time. She could only feel that the days were piling up, getting longer and longer.
‘When will the heroes…’
She knew well enough that there wasn’t much hope.
She was wasting away—worn down by the silent emptiness, the stale darkness, and the meager meals.
Day by day, she grew more exhausted.
She realised now just how grateful she should have been for the Demon King’s consideration.
‘Even so…’
She did not think she had done anything wrong.
She was a hero and a knight before she was a princess. Rather than becoming the Demon King’s dog and disgracing the empire and her own honour, it was better to be a dignified prisoner.
“Are you awake?”
“…How long have you been there?”
She swallowed her breath as purple eyes wavered within the darkness.
“Since a little while ago.”
“Why didn’t you wake me?”
“No reason. That’s beef stew, by the way. The meat is good, so it tastes pretty nice.”
Right beside Kaede, a warm bowl of meat stew was releasing gentle steam.
“…You seem to be in a good mood.”
“Me?”
“You’re smiling brightly.”
“I always smile.”
That was true—but something was subtly different. She couldn’t pinpoint what it was, but she could feel it.
“He kidnapped my sister.”
“…Not only Lady Ernan, but another royal family member as well?”
As expected, a vile Demon King…!
Kaede bit her lip.
“I asked him to.”
“…What?”
“The Gold-Steel Demon King kidnapped my sister. I was worried, so I asked the Demon King. I said he should just bring her to me directly.”
“Ah…”
That part she could understand.
Demons—or rather Demon Kings—were untrustworthy beings, but she couldn’t deny that Berje’s treatment was far better than what the other towers were rumoured to be.
“But does that ever happen—bringing back someone kidnapped by another Demon King?”
“He said it doesn’t. So I used a small trick.”
“A trick…?”
“I can’t tell you that part. But thanks to it, I could bring my sister into my own hands. I think that’s why I’m in a good mood.”
“…Should I congratulate you?”
The word “own hands” bothered her. Surely she had misheard.
“The reason I’m telling you this is… there was no one.”
“What do you mean?”
“There wasn’t a single hero who stepped up to save you.”
“…”
“I didn’t hear any rumors either. I even asked Lord Granada, but he said the Zespine Empire isn’t showing much of a reaction. It seems they’re waiting because the tower’s location hasn’t been discovered yet.”
But did you know?
Ernan took a step closer.
“Hero Daphne Phillian came, but she couldn’t find the tower and left.”
“…What exactly are you trying to say?”
“Nothing.”
Ernan’s words stopped there. That moment of silence felt like an hour to Kaede.
“Because it’s pitiful. It might take years—maybe decades. Staying locked in a prison like this all that time wouldn’t be good, would it? You might even be rescued when you’re already a grandmother.”
Wasn’t that why she refused to marry?
“Because you didn’t want to live like a doll beside an old king, doing nothing.”
“…That is not true.”
It was correct.
“…Please refrain from such horrifying talk.”
“Sorry if it upset you. I only asked just in case.”
“Whose side are you on?”
“Neither the Demon King’s side nor humanity’s. Just my own. Right now, I simply feel sorry for you, Kaede.”
“Nonsense. You helped the Demon King and opposed a hero.”
“You can see it that way.”
“Are you saying you didn’t?”
“I’m saying you’re right.”
But that was simply because our interests aligned.
“Just like how you might live a better life cooperating a little with the Demon King rather than being locked in a cell.”
“…That is also nonsense.”
“Well, maybe so.”
Ernan shrugged.
“But I’m curious about one thing.”
“Speak.”
“A knight becomes complete by serving their lord. But do you have a lord, Kaede?”
“…Do not insult me. I am loyal to His Majesty the Emperor and the empire.”
“It seems the Emperor needs Princess Kaede, not Knight Kaede. Isn’t this disobedience to orders?”
“…”
“Oh, I’m not a knight, so I genuinely don’t know.”
She tilted her head.
“Is there a lord anywhere who would let a knight who disobeyed orders walk free?”
I wouldn’t, personally.
“…What are you trying to say.”
“I wonder.”
Ernan blinked innocently.
“I wonder if Kaede has lost her lord.”
“I wonder if a knight who has lost their lord can still be called a knight.”
“I wonder if you’ve already been stripped of your knighthood, since there isn’t even a single attempt to rescue you.”
“That’s all.”
Kaede clenched her fist. Instead of dried saliva, a metallic taste of blood filled her mouth.
“…I cannot tolerate more than this.”
“Did I go too far? I’m sorry.”
“…Why are you doing this to me?”
“Back when I was in the kingdom, I heard many rumours. Some of them were about the empire.”
Ernan shifted the topic.
“They said the imperial family was engaged in an intense, hidden succession struggle. Which side are you on, Kaede? The First Prince? The First Princess? Or your dear older brother, the Third Prince? But the Third Prince’s faction seemed terribly weak.”
“Stop right there.”
“But who knows? Maybe the Demon King could help.”
“That is impossible.”
“Don’t be so certain. Did you know? Hero Hillan Cargill is one of the Demon King’s hands. What do you think would happen if a hero who beheaded two Demon Kings chose to support someone?”
“A hero would never become a Demon King’s pawn…”
“You’ve seen Lord Roger, haven’t you? Was he an ordinary dwarf?”
“…”
“Think carefully. Living long enough to be rescued as a grandmother… or accepting the Demon King’s hand and receiving help.”
Which was the better choice?
“To be honest, the Demon King isn’t purely cruel either, right? You know as well as I do that there are quite a few humans secretly cooperating with him.”
So it isn’t a bad thing.
“I want you to become a Dark Knight.”
Whispering her final words, Ernan vanished.
“…”
Kaede could do nothing. Not even until the food Ernan had left grew cold.