Chapter 71 : Necessity
Chapter 71-Unedited: Necessity
Hillan Cargill thought.
How could he convince himself that the Demon King would kidnap Louise?
That the Demon King had told him personally?
That he was on friendly terms with the Demon King?
Utter nonsense no one would buy. If anything, knowing Louise’s temper, she would blow up accusing him of being a spy.
‘I need to create a plausible reason.’
It didn’t have to fit perfectly. He only needed to fool one person—Princess Louise.
“What nonsense is that? The Demon King is going to kidnap me?”
“Yes.”
“On what grounds?”
It wasn’t strange for a Demon King to kidnap a princess. Ever since the Demon King’s descent, it had happened tens, hundreds of times.
But never had the plan to kidnap a princess been known beforehand.
“Do you know that I once went on a hero’s march to kill the Demon King of Ergest?”
“What does that have to do with this nonsense of yours?”
“At that time, I failed. No—since I couldn’t even find the tower, it would be shameful to even call it a failure. I have now somewhat recovered after killing the Beast Demon King, but as a hero, as a Star, it was a wound to my pride.”
Louise tilted her head slightly—a gesture to continue.
“So after that day, I planted people around Ergest.”
“People?”
“Yes. The Demon King is never satisfied with a single princess. I believed he would eventually reappear. That he would kidnap another royal. And at last, we caught something.”
“The 9th Princess of the Zespine Empire?”
“The princess, of course, but the Demon King also touched Hilderan again.”
“I heard. The 13th Princess was kidnapped?”
“That caused an uproar in Hilderan.”
“So you’re saying you tracked the Demon King who kidnapped the princess and found the tower?”
“Unfortunately, not quite.”
Louise’s face, which had shown a faint hint of expectation, twisted instantly.
“Are you playing games with me right now?”
“If you’ll just listen a little longer, you’ll understand why I’m saying this.”
“...Speak.”
“Though we couldn’t find the tower, we did gain something else.”
“Something else?”
“We didn’t find any demons going in, but we did find one coming out—and we learned its destination.”
By that point, anyone with half a brain could guess.
“...Don’t tell me.”
“Yes. This very Berfht Kingdom, and its target is Louise Berfht—Your Highness.”
It was a story full of holes.
Let’s say he had followed the demon and discovered its destination was Berfht.
But why would the target be Louise, of all people?
The reasoning was lacking. But Hillan Cargill filled that gap with his reputation.
“All right, fine. But what’s your basis for saying it’s me specifically?”
“I cannot disclose that part.”
“Are you kidding me?”
“But I can swear on my honor and on my title as Argann that I have no intent to harm you, and that the Demon King will surely target you, Princess.”
“……”
Louise, who had been shouting him down, faltered.
Even if she was the cherished daughter of the Dwarven Kingdom, the man before her was the hero who had slain two Demon Kings, the Argann of the Guild.
If the most celebrated man on the continent staked his honor, it wasn’t something to doubt lightly.
Moreover, a hero’s oath carried power—it was no trivial thing.
As Louise fell into thought, Hillan added one more lie.
“However, I cannot guarantee that it will be the Demon King of Ergest himself.”
“You said the Demon King of Ergest was targeting me less than five minutes ago.”
“True, though he has descended the mountains, the report I received mentioned a succubus. You know, don’t you? That Demon Kings prefer to command demons of their own race.”
“...A succubus? Then the Lust Demon King?”
“You may or may not know, but among the Demon Kings...”
“They have gatherings. I know, I’ve heard.”
“Then perhaps my agent spotted one leaving such a meeting.”
‘That should be enough.’
He wanted nothing more than to let the sword’s edge turn directly toward Berje, but that would be too rash.
A hero’s march did not begin so easily—and the instant it was revealed that the rumor originated from Hillan Cargill, that foreign presence in his mind might do something unpredictable.
The Demon King would die, but so would Hillan. And he had no interest in any “bright future” that existed without him.
‘Now is not the time to betray the Demon King.’
Having said his piece, Hillan quietly watched Louise.
“The Lust Demon King is after me?”
“The Lust Demon King... me?”
“He’s going to kidnap me?”
“Ridiculous!”
Muttering like a madwoman, she abruptly rose to her feet.
“Where are you going?”
“She dares target me? Dares? Does she think I’ll be taken so easily?”
“Your Highness!”
“I must report to Father and inform him of the Demon King’s intrusion!”
“You mustn’t!”
Hillan quickly grabbed her shoulder.
“Let go!?”
“It’s only speculation for now.”
“Speculation?”
“I’m no Demon King—how could I know his true intentions? I’m merely offering the most likely possibility.”
“But you swore your oath because you have some degree of certainty, didn’t you?”
“Yes.”
“Then what’s there to think about! We should report it and heighten the defenses immediately!”
“That won’t stop the Demon King.”
“What?”
“The Demon King’s concealment arts are already renowned. We can’t even be sure we could catch him. And if he senses that something is amiss, he may choose not to kidnap you—for now. Yet you can’t keep heightened defenses forever, can you?”
“...What are you getting at?”
“I will protect you, Princess. So that you are not kidnapped by the Demon King.”
“Why you?”
Her guard, which had slightly lowered, rose again. Seeing the fire in her eyes, Hillan decided to approach with honesty again.
“For honor.”
“Honor?”
“If the Demon King truly comes, and I protect you, that would be the first time, wouldn’t it? That a kidnapping by a Demon King was prevented.”
Hillan didn’t bother hiding his greed. The ambition gleaming in his eyes was the most convincing reason of all.
“...I heard you were endlessly kind and devoted to your people.”
“Being kind doesn’t mean being without desire. In my case, I merely value honor a little more highly.”
“The people of Hilderan would be thrilled to hear that.”
But somehow, she liked that.
“Do they matter? It’s you who matters, Princess. One month—grant me the honor of protecting you for just one month.”
“You’re sure? That the Demon King will come within a month?”
“I’m certain.”
“All right.”
Louise extended her hand.
Squeeze—
Her strong grip pressed down on Hillan’s hand.
“I don’t know what your true motive is for making this deal.”
“But if what you say is true and you protect me—”
“The Hero Guild and the Berfht Kingdom will become closer than ever. Thanks to you, of course.”
Hillan bowed his head.
“Thank you. Ah, once this is over, I’ll also tell you where Roger Friedrich’s weapon came from.”
“Ah.”
Louise ground her teeth.
“That son of a bitch existed, didn’t he?”
* * *
Berje withdrew his hand.
“How is it?”
The expectant gaze was burdensome.
“The mana is decreasing. It will still take time, but since it’s working, you’ll be able to learn magic someday.”
“Thank you!”
The two sisters, who looked much alike, bowed their heads.
“If your mana decreases just a little more, you’ll be able to use the remaining mana to gradually strengthen your body. The mana heart would be better than the aura hole.”
Though born of the same root, aura that had been refined once was harder and rougher. It did not suit Ellena’s frail body, which looked as though it might tear at any moment.
But the real issue lay elsewhere.
Even if Ellena was frail, she was a hero, and heroes could not handle demonic energy.
“Couldn’t I teach her?”
It wasn’t that she lacked spirit sensitivity, but Berje didn’t feel drawn to the idea. Other than Ernan and Nairuniel, spirit sorceresses—and spirits themselves—were not favorable toward demons.
Nairuniel had once mentioned that when Ernan summoned a high-grade spirit, every spirit except her had refused the call.
That was because Ernan had shown even a faint willingness to cooperate with the Demon King, Berje.
Ernan had been lucky to meet an eccentric like Nairuniel, but could Ellena hope for the same?
—That’s true.
—Most spirits don’t understand the beauty that comes from “taboo.”
Nairuniel’s added words gave him confidence in his thought.
“There’s still time. Let’s think about it a bit more.”
“Yes.”
Leaving the two sisters alone, he went down to the second floor. He felt the heat—the smell of sweat rushed toward him.
Bang—
A human silhouette brushed right past Berje. It hit the wall and coughed harshly, letting out a groan.
“You’re here?”
Gordon, who had just sent Kaede flying, calmly signaled with his eyes. Kaede hurriedly got up.
“Demon King.”
Even though their bond had started as a contract, once her allegiance had been fixed, Kaede had become a most loyal knight.
Strict to principles and discipline.
Not a bad trait, from Berje’s perspective.
“Don’t mind me. Continue.”
“Yes.”
Kaede raised her sword again. She charged swiftly, aiming at his blind spot.
Her blade was fast and concise. At the same time, it was heavy.
Golden aura gleamed as Gordon drew his sword.
Clang—!
The black demonic energy and golden aura gnawed at each other.
The fight that began with light clashes grew faster and heavier.
Slash—
A few strands of Kaede’s hair scattered. Blood trickled down the wound carved into her cheek.
At the same time, the front edge of Gordon’s armor was cut away. At her unexpected resistance, Berje let out an exclamation.
“You’ve improved quite a bit in just a few days?”
“That’s because my teacher is exceptional.”
“Not because you’re weak?”
“Think what you like.”
The fight went on for quite a while longer. Unlike at first, Gordon now pressed the attack while Kaede was barely keeping up with her defenses.
Amid the storm of swinging blades, Kaede looked precarious.
‘And yet, she’s holding up better than expected.’
Objectively speaking, Kaede was quite capable. Perhaps because she had received good instruction from the imperial knights, her basics were solid, and her growth was fast.
And the fact that she was a hero—and the clearly visible killing intent—pleased Berje even more.
“Still, ‘Dark Knight,’ huh…”
It had been a play from over a decade ago, hadn’t it? The name itself was embarrassingly childish.
Especially because its purpose had been to praise the greatness of heroes and humanity while mocking the Demon King.
Then came a dull thud. Kaede’s body was flung into the air.
“For a moment, your sword wavered. What were you thinking about?”
“Apologies.”
Panting, Kaede bowed her head at Gordon’s reprimand. For an instant, her gaze brushed across Berje.
‘...?’
“Dark Knight.”
Flinch—
“Dark Knight?”
She tried to look unfazed, but her reddening face betrayed her.
“Dark Knight, Dark Knight, Dark Knight, Dark Knight.”
“...Please stop.”
“You were the one who said you’d be the Dark Knight.”
“...I was told that’s what you wanted.”
“I don’t like such childish naming sense.”
“Then what?”
“I never said anything, but suddenly someone decided to be the Spirit Sorceress of Darkness.”
“...So I was tricked.”
“Not exactly. Though it’s a bit embarrassing to call a Spirit Sorceress of Darkness and a Dark Knight my subordinates, I can at least respect your preferences.”
“I’d rather you didn’t.”
“Seeing that reaction makes me respect it even more.”
“……”
Kaede bit her lip. Berje turned toward the entrance leading down to the first floor.
“Gordon, make sure the Dark Knight’s training is completed properly.”
“Yes.”
Leaving the trembling Kaede behind, Berje passed through the nearly finished mana cannons and entered the workshop.
He felt the flow of demonic energy. Roger’s back was visible as he manipulated the tainted mana stones.
“How’s it coming along?”
“Ah, you’re here, Demon King?”
Roger scratched his head.
“I’ve been studying it continuously, but demonic energy and mana are just too different—it’s been a bit difficult. This isn’t really my area of expertise.”
“You need a mage, then?”
“If we want to achieve the results you expect more quickly, that would certainly help.”
“A mage, huh.”
Both Roger and Ellena made him realize that he definitely needed at least one.
‘There must be at least one mage among the elf slaves.’
The need to bring the slaves over quickly had grown urgent.