Chapter 107 : A Being Called God
Chapter 107: A Being Called God
“God?”
God, of all things.
At the utterly absurd sound, Berje Deias could not even manage a hollow laugh.
“Do the humans of Arein believe in something like that?”
But Hillan was serious.
『Rumors were circulating among the nobles. They would not have spread without reason.』
“Are there really people who believe in gods?”
『There were no people in Arein who worshipped gods.』
There was magic, and there was aura. There was mana, and there were spirits. What those who believed in gods called miracles required not prayer, but effort and talent.
No one could prove the existence of gods. There was no divine power called the power of the gods, either.
In Arein, gods had naturally been weeded out.
『However, there were those who regarded someone who was not a god as a god and worshipped them.』
『I mean a ‘human’ who called himself a god.』
“That humans would dare to call themselves gods was laughable enough, but the fact that idiots existed who believed it was even more surprising.”
That he had been defeated and killed by trash like that, too.
“Who was it?”
『A hero who killed two Demon Kings.』
“Don’t tell me you were that insane. Did you lose your mind after Reina Sordein got to you?”
『...To be precise, a hero from about five hundred years ago.』
Arein had devoured dozens of Demon Kings over a full thousand years. While heroes who killed two Demon Kings were rare, they were not nonexistent.
The current Hero Hillan Cargill was one such case, and if one looked back over a millennium, there had been about three.
『Daniel Deirus.』
『About five hundred years ago, he killed two Demon Kings and obtained tremendous power. There was no one in the world stronger than him, and he gradually grew arrogant. He believed himself greater than kings, greater than emperors.』
“The kingdoms and empires wouldn’t have left him alone.”
『Circumstances were favourable to him. At the time, the continent was engulfed in war. The flames that began with the empire’s territorial expansion spread across the entire continent, and the number of those suffering increased.』
When humans were in hardship, they sought something to rely on.
But it was not the state. To the people of that era, the state was an evil that practiced exploitation, oppression, and forced conscription.
『At that time, Daniel Deirus appeared. He helped people and built his reputation. Those who followed him gradually increased.』
『By the time the embers of decades-long wars had died down, it was said to have grown beyond control.』
“And then?”
『But in the end, he was nothing more than a single hero, and the kings and emperors did not tolerate him.』
『They pinned all manner of crimes on him and branded him a turncoat who had sided with the Demon Kings.』
“Interesting.”
『As the atmosphere for war began to rise once more, he wiped out the entire allied pursuit force that had come to capture him and made a declaration.』
『That he would kill a third Demon King and make his greatness known.』
『And if he returned after killing a Demon King, they were to worship him—someone who had never appeared before and would never appear again.』
“Did the kings allow that?”
『He set a condition. That he would climb the tower ‘alone.’』
A hero could never climb the tower alone and kill a Demon King.
That was because there was a limit to the individual martial power of a hero.
At the very least, that truth had not changed five hundred years ago, nor had it changed now.
“And the result?”
『The Demon King’s Tower collapsed.』
“He succeeded?”
『But all traces of Daniel Deirus also disappeared.』
“Mutual destruction.”
『Most people thought he had died. But those followers who believed in and followed him were different.』
『They claimed that he had killed the third Demon King, finally obtained divine authority, and ascended. That as time passed, he would descend into the world again and save them.』
By the time the story reached that point, Berje Deias could not help but burst into loud laughter.
“Killing three Demon Kings makes you a god?”
Then the Demon Emperor should have already become an unrivalled god.
The archdukes would have been the same.
“So in the end, there are idiots who still can’t forget a hero who died five hundred years ago.”
『That would be the summary.』
『Their fanaticism went beyond bounds and caused many disturbances. There were several suppression campaigns, and since the last one a hundred and ten years ago, it was thought that none remained.』
“I understand for now. I’ll keep it in mind.”
『Yes.』
“And what about the frontier count?”
『Not bad. At the very least, if it benefits both sides, the possibility of joining hands has increased.』
“That really isn’t bad.”
『Yes, it really isn’t bad.』
The Demon King and the hero looked at each other and smiled. Soon after, the communication was cut off.
‘Fanatics, huh.’
They were not exactly gods, but rumours like that were spreading in the southern part of the empire.
‘And there are traces of intervention in the fighting between the alliance and the empire?’
Had Jason Kokemundo used them to ignite a war between the empire and the alliance?
‘I couldn’t find any humans who looked particularly suspicious....’
He did not realize that the butterfly effect of words he had blurted out in a moment of anger was rolling onward.
‘Whatever. It’s eased up enough.’
His thoughts soon returned to the hero who was revered as a god.
‘A hero who “almost” killed three Demon Kings.’
It was not a story that could be ignored.
There was no guarantee that something which had once had the possibility of happening would not happen a second time.
And no matter how much it was his own tower.
Even if the mana bombardment of the first floor and the attacks of the princesses were prioritised.
Still.
‘Could the current me defeat a hero who killed three Demon Kings?’
In the Demon Realm, it would have been a meaningless worry.
He had confidence that he would not lose to anyone. But now, weakened by dimensional interference power, it was different.
Among the other Demon Kings, he could not defeat anyone except Vivian Blunt.
If a few humans who strutted around calling themselves Stars gathered together, he would have to worry about his life.
In the end, it all came back to individual strength.
In the final moment, the one who would remain and clash fiercely with the hero was Berje Deias himself. If he was weak, no matter how much he nurtured other things, it would be meaningless.
‘So the problem wasn’t the balrog.’
For the time being, there was no need to worry about the tower being invaded anyway. On the contrary, there was no telling when Berje would have to wander outside again.
So.
At least until he considered it sufficient.
‘I’ll have to release the interference power.’
[5135110pt]
All Demonic Points.
[0pt]
He poured them into releasing the interference power.
* * *
“...Power.”
Gordon Dyrik, who had been receiving reports from the elves who had safely blended into the Magitech Kingdom of Arkan, clenched his fist.
His personal condition had not changed drastically. However, it felt as though he had been carrying hundreds of weights on his body, and a few of them had fallen off.
‘Could it be?’
Dimensional interference power was released using the power of the tower.
All demons belonging to the tower were affected together.
In other words, releasing dimensional interference power did not apply only to the Demon King individually, but also to all demons and monsters who had become the Demon King’s subordinates.
‘Part of the interference power was released.’
Not all of it, but although it was small compared to the whole, it was by no means insignificant.
At the very least, it was the greatest sense of liberation Gordon had felt since his descent.
It was refreshing enough that a smile nearly came to his face on its own.
‘To think reclaiming what was originally mine could be this enjoyable.’
Dimensional interference power acted on the power of another dimension.
Demons and monsters were affected, but in principle, it was demonic energy.
Dimensional interference power suppressed demonic energy. It was a simple suppression of energy, but the driving force that moved all demons and monsters was ultimately demonic energy. The suppression of demonic energy was directly linked to the suppression of the body as well.
That it had been loosened even slightly meant that the flow of demonic energy had become smoother and the pressure weighing down on the body had lessened.
‘I thought he had no interest in releasing dimensional interference power because he was busy making use of the princesses, elves, and dwarves.’
Whatever the case, the Demon King was also a demon. Demons were a race that did not tolerate weakness.
『Gordon, come to the office.』
At that moment, the Demon King’s summons came.
“You called for me?”
“You felt it, didn’t you?”
“Yes. It feels a bit more similar to how it was in the Demon Realm.”
“From now on, I plan to use all Demonic Points to release the interference power.”
“Is that true? Then the tower—”
“That doesn’t mean I plan to sit back and do nothing. It just means I won’t be able to use Demonic Points.”
“....”
A deep sense of foreboding rose within him. At times like this, things never ended well.
“One thought crossed my mind. How could I inflict greater failure and despair on humans and heroes? How could I prevent them from growing stronger.”
In truth, no matter how weak a monster he deployed, it was impossible to deny that dying still contributed, even slightly, to making heroes stronger.
The same was true of strong monsters. At first, they would be flustered by the unexpected force, but in the end, they would be defeated someday. That had always been the strategy of humans, unchanged until now.
“Is there a method?”
“All you have to do is make it so they can’t kill anything. More precisely, make it so there’s nothing to kill. No demons, no monsters, not even beasts. Don’t deploy a single one.”
“....”
‘Why not just throw the doors wide open too? Roll out a carpet and tell them to come on in.’
Perhaps it was experience at work—fortunately, the thought did not escape his mouth.
“Your eyes just now looked strange.”
“...N-no. Then what do you plan to place on those empty floors?”
“Obviously, traps. There’s Roger Friedrich, the golem sorcerers, and Lavinia Arkan, who, despite being human, is well-versed in demonic energy. We’ll use them to set traps on the second and third floors.”
Not the ordinary things that could be bought with Demonic Points, but something original and far more vicious.
“For example, first lower the temperature itself to force a disadvantage on humans, then create a maze with no exit. Humans are peculiar—they always follow a path if there is one. Not even knowing there’s no exit, they’ll wander in circles and freeze to death. That should be quite the sight.”
Well, in the end, they would eventually break through a wall and get out.
“But what if we add illusion arrays on top of that, making them recognize each other as enemies? Heroes aside, humans weakened by the cold will suffer quite badly.”
“So that means you want me to....”
“You’ll take the lead in making it. On the second floor.”
“...There are limits to something like cold. Mental magic is the same. Hero parties come equipped as standard with gear that has high magic resistance. Unless you were an incubus and I were also an incubus....”
“Then you make it work.”
“Do you have a good idea?”
“That’s what you’re going to think about starting now.”
“....”
“I’ve only laid out the big picture. Adding flesh to it is your job. If the Demon King does all the work, what use is an adjutant?”
It was so undeniably correct that he could not say anything.
“Even if we develop it further and make it more complete, it will be impossible without the help of Demonic Points or the tower.”
That was because mental-type magic was involved.
“How about finishing it at least up to that prior stage before complaining?”
“...I’ll try.”
“I don’t like effort. I like seeing results.”
“That sounds the same.”
“May I ask one thing?”
“Ask.”
“I agree with Your Majesty’s opinion that heroes should gain nothing. However, protecting the tower is ultimately just one process.”
The Demon King erected the tower and guarded it while stockpiling power.
And when the time came, he conquered dimensions.
That was the strategy of the Demon Realm, of the Demon King.
“But if we do it Your Majesty’s way, they gain nothing—but neither do we.”
“Why do you think there would be nothing?”
“There is something?”
“I will take in the monsters of the mountain range as subordinates.”
“Didn’t you say until now that you wouldn’t do that?”
“If they were ordinary monsters, I had no intention of wasting demonic energy on them. But what if I turned them all into chimeras?”
“...Lavinia Arkan. You’re referring to that princess of Arkan, aren’t you?”
“That’s right.”
Gordon wanted to argue how he could trust something like a human princess, but he could not bring himself to say it.
“...Even among demons well-versed in magic, attaching the tail of a Succubus Queen to a Titan would not be easy.”
“In the first place, there are no demons who take an interest in things like chimera creation.”
Given the nature of demons, who killed and devoured one another to absorb power, there was no need to rely on things like chimeras.
But this place was different. Unlike the Demon Realm, demons and monsters were not overflowing here, so there was no leeway to devour one another.
“When heroes come, I’ll make it so they gain nothing, while gradually taking in the monsters of the mountain range as subordinates and remodeling them into chimeras.”
“If that works out, it certainly is a good method, but....”
“You’re wondering whether the princess will do it?”
“Yes.”
“She says she will.”
“...Are you sure you’re not an incubus rather than a demonic dragon, Demon King?”
“Don’t spout nonsense.”
“No, I mean, if that’s not the case, why is it that heroes, elves, and princesses alike all keep flocking to Your Majesty—”
That was when it happened.
Wooooong—
The vibration arose from within Berje Deias’s chest.
A faint chill made the heat-filled office just a little cooler.
“...Is it Demon King Reina Sordein?”
“Step aside where you won’t be seen.”
“Yes.”
Berje infused demonic energy.
“What brings you here?”
『So this is your office.』
Without any particular greeting, Reina examined the scene visible beyond the communicator.
“That’s right.”
『This time.』
“What did you say?”
At the coldness in her tone, Berje was slightly taken aback. Still, he forced himself to maintain a calm expression.
“What do you mean?”
『You.』
“Yes.”
『Do you have nothing to say to this one?』
“Something to say?”
『This one formed an alliance with you.』
『And this one believes that trust is important between allies.』
『No matter how individualistic demons may be, that fact does not change. If you intended to act alone, then you should have rejected this one’s proposal from the start.』
Berje tapped his fingers against the table.
His thoughts spun at full speed.
‘What is it? What’s the problem?’
The hint lay within her words.
The office. This time. Alliance. And trust.
‘...I got caught?’
Because he went to the snowy plains and brought back Hillan Cargill?
His heart dropped.
His eyes met Reina Sordein’s beyond the communicator. Her pupils were colder and sharper than anything else. A faint anger could be felt, as if she were staring at an enemy right in front of her.
‘No. That’s not it.’
If she had found out that he interfered with her affairs by saving Hillan Cargill, or that he had trespassed into a Demon King’s domain, she would not be speaking like this.
This felt more like she was giving him one more chance.
‘Then.’
He had indeed been caught. But it was not about entering a Demon King’s domain.
‘The communicator.’
He had communicated with her in the snowy plains. It had been on the outskirts, but he had lied and said it was Ergest. And fortunately, that place had not been Reina’s territory.
Then what should he do now?
“...I’m sorry.”
『For what?』
“When we communicated, it wasn’t Ergest.”
『The snowy plains.』
“Yes. But it wasn’t your territory. That’s why I didn’t say anything. Even if it wasn’t your domain, it still wasn’t a good thing. I wasn’t trying to deceive you and do something behind your back.”
『To secure monsters?』
“Yes.”
Without even properly processing what Reina was saying, he nodded reflexively.
『...So it really was the snowy plains.』
“...What?”
What did she just say?
‘Don’t tell me....’
Did he just fall for a leading question like an idiot?
‘You idiot...!’
It was a foolish mistake born of guilty nerves. Berje Deias’s complexion turned pale.
Worryingly, Reina Sordein did not reply right away.
‘What on earth have you been doing out there!’
From the corner, Gordon silently screamed.
Time passed. One second felt like an hour.
『That’s a relief.』
“A relief?”
『...Honestly, I was wondering what I should do if you kept lying to the end.』
『Once trust is broken, it cannot be mended.』
All the more so because they were demons.
『But you didn’t do that. I consider that fortunate.』
‘...Did I pass?’
He let out a breath of relief. It felt like he had gone to heaven and hell in a single moment.
『I will invite you.』
“All of a sudden?”
『The reason you came to the snowy plains. I will give you what you desired.』
With that, the communication was cut off.
“...?”
“...?”
Berje and Gordon tilted their heads at each other.
“Was Hillan Cargill captured by Demon King Reina?”
“How would I know? Or you?”
What on earth was that about?
Berje first checked on Hillan’s safety.
Fortunately, he was unharmed.
* * *
“...I will apologize for what happened before.”
Reina Sordein remained silent. After hesitating, Berje spoke first.
“Even if it wasn’t your domain, coming near without saying anything was clearly my mistake.”
No reply came back. The atmosphere grew even colder. With the chill of the snowy plains added in, the back of his neck felt icy.
‘Damn it.’
He needed to smooth things over somehow, but no good idea came to mind.
Then, Reina opened a drawer, took out a piece of candy, and held it out to him. He accepted it and casually tucked it into his clothes.
“That part doesn’t particularly matter.”
“It doesn’t matter?”
“It would have mattered if you had lied to the very end. But not now.”
Reina rolled the candy around in her mouth. A sweet cherry scent spread.
“It’s not unusual for a Demon King to seek out monsters. Ergest is a place where snow falls year-round, and the only environment similar to it is the snowy plains. This one understands you. It is displeasing that you didn’t tell the truth from the start, but since you didn’t hide it to the very end, that will suffice.”
“...Thank you.”
Berje let out a sigh of relief. The heart that had nearly stopped began to beat again.
“So, did you secure any monsters you liked?”
“Since I only circled the outskirts to avoid entering your territory, not really....”
“I thought as much. This one said she would give you what you wanted.”
“Don’t tell me?”
“Did you see the monsters outside?”
“I did.”
When he arrived at the entrance of the tower on the first floor, hundreds of monsters had been arranged as if welcoming Berje.
“This one will give all of them to you.”
“...Really? Why all of a sudden?”
The more monsters there were to turn into chimeras, the better. It was an offer he naturally welcomed, but it was far too sudden.
“Because that’s what you want. If you came all the way near this one’s territory, doesn’t that mean you were desperate?”
“That may be true, but....”
“Then that is why this one gives them. As allies, this one believes it is only natural.”
“...In that case, I’ll accept them gratefully.”
“But.”
She added an afterthought.
“You too must give this one something commensurate.”
“That’s not exactly ‘giving’ at that point.”
“This one would like to simply give them to you. However, a one-sided relationship collapses quickly. This one believes that if something goes out, something must come back.”
“I think one-sided arrangements aren’t so bad.”
“That’s an amusing joke.”
Berje fell into thought.
He did need monsters, but there was no real urgency. He could slowly take the monsters of Ergest one by one as subordinates.
There was no need to procure them immediately at the cost of giving Reina something in return.
However, this was a goodwill-filled proposal Reina was making as an ally.
One had to grasp the intent beneath the surface rather than the contents themselves.
‘The monsters were just a pretext.’
She simply wanted to further solidify trust in an alliance that had nearly cracked.
“What do you want?”
“What do you think this one would want?”
“Hard to say....”
Until recently, he could have answered that it was direct assistance.
However, Gillian Aint and the White Eagle Assault Unit had been routed, and the northern tribes had tucked their tails like frightened dogs.
On top of that, the Chernian Frontier Count had resolved to refrain from causing any further disturbances.
‘No, wait.’
Did Reina Sordein know about that?
Berje had learned of the Chernian Frontier Count’s plans through Hillan Cargill.
And he had not gone out of his way to publicize that fact. Given Reina’s nature—having little interest in human affairs—there was a strong possibility she did not know.
“I’ll tell you about the situation in the northern part of the empire.”
“The northern situation?”
“Has the war officially ended yet?”
“That’s a ridiculous thing to say. Since when did humans and we ever end a war through mutual agreement?”
“All the more reason to know how the other side is moving, isn’t it?”
“Through Jason? That wouldn’t be to your credit.”
Berje did not bother correcting her assumption.
“Then is there something else you want?”
“Ugar.”
“Ugar?”
“Not long ago, Ugar contacted this one. And then he said something utterly out of the blue.”
“What did he say?”
“He said Jason was not the culprit. That this one should trust him.”
“What kind of nonsense is that?”
“This one doesn’t know either. Contact was cut off after that. This one wanted to ask again, but given the circumstances, it was set aside for the time being.”
“You want me to look into that?”
“That wouldn’t be particularly difficult, would it? In exchange for several hundred monsters, this one thinks it’s quite cheap.”
“...Fine.”
‘He said it wasn’t Jason?’
What had he seen, and what had he heard, to say something like that?
‘Ugar may be a coward and an idiot, but he doesn’t make things up out of thin air.’
‘It’s not like he found out I was the culprit, right?’
‘Damn it, this feels like walking on a blade.’
“I’ll be counting on you.”
“Alright.”
He grasped the hand Reina extended. Contrary to the chill she exuded, her hand was warm.