Chapter 169 : Was This Still Not Enough
Chapter 169: Was This Still Not Enough?
“Did you summon me, Your Majesty?”
Hillan carefully lowered his head. The owner of the throne nodded.
“It has been a while, Hillan Cargill.”
“Yes.”
“You must have heard about what happened recently in the Empire, yes?”
“Yes.”
“If the same thing were to happen in your homeland, what do you think would happen?”
“That would depend on where it occurred.”
“If it were the capital?”
“We would be fully capable of stopping it.”
The defensive forces and knight orders guarding the capital were the strongest in the Kingdom. The Royal Knight Order and the Royal Guards were permanently stationed there, and the magic arrays spread throughout the capital were no ordinary ones.
“If it were a mid-sized city?”
“There would be damage, but we could still stop it sufficiently.”
“If it were a small city?”
“If they endured until reinforcements arrived, there would be a chance, but....”
“In the worst case, an entire city could be destroyed. And the monsters would scatter across the Kingdom and cause chaos.”
“Yes.”
“Khehehehe, isn’t it amusing?”
The King burst into laughter.
“That a single Demon King, merely one Demon King, keeps tossing the entire continent around.”
First, the Crown Princess of the Kingdom of Hilderan was abducted.
Next, Hillan Cargill’s hero’s march was stopped, and it became a sensation that the Tower had been hidden.
The Imperial Princess was abducted, and Arkan’s search party was repelled.
Black mages were planted in Hapstrain with dreams of toppling the Empire, and despite a hero’s march that included no less than four Stars, the Tower was still nowhere to be found.
And now, an attack directed at the Empire.
“Don’t you think we’re being tossed around far too much by just one Demon King?”
“Yes.”
“I can no longer overlook this. I truly can’t.”
Demon Kings had coexisted with humans. At the foundation of that coexistence lay the confidence that humans were, ultimately, superior.
But the new Demon King of Dark Flame shattered all of that.
He reminded humans of the fear they had forgotten.
He engraved into them what a Demon King truly was.
“The Empire has sent an envoy.”
“An envoy means...?”
“The formation of a coalition. No, perhaps ‘coalition’ sounds too grand. But it is the most fitting word.”
The King muttered to himself before continuing.
“They propose that, solely for the purpose of killing the Demon King of Dark Flame, we join hands temporarily.”
“...!”
Such events were unfolding in every kingdom across the continent.
* * *
“Is it really all right?”
『It is fine.』
“The Empire has sent envoys across the entire continent. It’s being splashed across the newspapers every day as breaking news, and anger toward the Demon King is surging everywhere.”
Naturally, the primary target of that fury was the Demon King of Dark Flame, Berje Deias.
『Their anger will head toward Ergest. But I am no longer there.』
“That’s a relief, if so, but....”
『What will Hilderan do?』
“We’ve decided, for now, to participate.”
Regardless of Ernan not wanting to become hostile toward the Demon King, the people, the nobles, and the King all wished to escape an unknown fear.
No one wanted to live while harboring the possibility that monsters could rain down from the sky someday.
『It would be better not to participate. But if it cannot be helped, reduce your forces as much as possible.』
“...Are you confident?”
『Yes.』
No matter how strong Berje was, he could not be confident of victory. But at the very least, he was confident he would not be defeated.
He was even confident he could deal them a crushing defeat once.
If that happened, Demonic Points on an entirely different scale than before would gather.
『I have one request.』
“Please tell me.”
『Public opinion about me must be quite bad right now, yes?』
“If you were here, you’d have been swarmed and killed as a public enemy on the spot.”
『Can you disperse that toward the other Demon Kings?』
“You want to disperse the attacks aimed at you?”
『Yes.』
“That won’t be too difficult.”
The one who caused the monster drop incident was the Demon King of Dark Flame. Naturally, most of the anger was directed at him.
However, they did not view this as a problem of only the Demon King of Dark Flame.
They were all Demon Kings. If one Demon King caused trouble, the other four would inevitably have to share the burden.
“There are quite a few people insisting that the other Demon Kings should be subjugated as well, even if they’re not as bad as you, Demon King.”
That sentiment had only grown stronger due to the recent incident where the Lust Demon King abducted the Berfht Princess and craftsmen (as it was reported).
The rampage of Demon Kings was unsettling humans. Berje had delivered the decisive blow to that psychology.
Demon Kings were weeds. Even if they were subjugated, they would descend again, never truly disappearing.
Over the past hundred years, humans had learned that appropriate compromise, rather than endlessly replacing Demon Kings, preserved peace more effectively.
Even so, calls to kill all Demon Kings arose because the shock of this incident was that great.
It was about killing them all first to firmly reestablish discipline. They wanted proof that humans were still superior, and the psychological stability that came with it.
『No, there’s no need to spread it to everyone. I don’t even want that.』
Ugar would not have cared, but Berje did not want the damage caused by him to fall upon Reina.
Of course, now that things had come this far, it was unavoidable—but it had to be minimized.
“Then how?”
『Push everything onto Jason—onto False.』
“False?”
『Manipulate public opinion. Through the newspapers humans favor.』
『Things like saying that behind the Demon King of Dark Flame stands the False Demon King. Or that after the Harmony of the Towers, the Demon King of Dark Flame began to run rampant. Or asking how a Demon King who descended less than two years ago could possibly hurl hundreds of high-grade monsters into the Empire.』
“I understand what you mean. As expected, Demon Kings don’t exactly get along with each other.”
『All living beings are the same in that regard.』
“Ah, and if we mix in some statements from Sir Hillan or Lord Granada, it would seem even more credible.”
『Hillan?』
“The assault unit led by Sir Hillan personally rescued me, didn’t it? At that time, we could emphasize once more that I was on the lower floors, like with the Frost Demon King or the Gold-Steel Demon King, and frame it as ‘those kinds of Demon Kings don’t act rashly.’”
『An agitation I find very pleasing.』
“Then that settles one favor, right?”
『...What did you say?』
“I used up everything I had just to apply to be your partner, Demon King. Unless you plan on continuing to send partner applications.”
『....』
Berje cut off the communication.
“...He’s quite shy.”
As Ernan spoke, a faint blush colored her cheeks.
* Was this still not enough?
* Still not enough?
The water spirit peered its face through the scrying orb.
“Lady Nairuniel, are you aware that your face is an extremely burdensome one?”
Her scolding did not reach the water spirit, already lost in flights of imagination.
* Don’t deny reality! This is real!
* Between the Demon King and the Crown Princess...!
* I knew my eyes weren’t wrong!
* You rotten dried-fish-eyed spirits! You said it was my delusion? This is reality, you bastards!
“....”
Leaving behind Nairuniel roaring at the sky with clenched fists, Ernan went outside.
* * *
Berje hurried to the Golden Moon Merchant Company.
The main headquarters of the company had lost its former vitality.
The guards at the main gate lacked energy, and the interior, once always bustling, was eerily quiet.
“...Sir Pale.”
Aman, with dark circles reaching down to his mouth, greeted him with a wretched expression.
“It’s a complete mess.”
“...Yes. Most of the investment funds were withdrawn, so not only did we lose our cash reserves, but we also shut down most of our ongoing businesses. The craftsmen were taken right before our eyes by those Black Toad bastards, too....”
Aman continued to ramble. With bad news pouring out endlessly, it was almost surprising that the Golden Moon Merchant Company was even maintaining its name.
“It’s partly because Hilderan and Sir Hillan haven’t withdrawn their investments yet, but most importantly, it’s because of this.”
Aman handed over a letter. It bore the seal of an eagle with two pairs of wings.
“What is this?”
“An official letter from the Aincheil Marquis House.”
The contents were simple. They claimed to know all about the suspicions surrounding the Black Toad Merchant Company and wished to pay the price on their behalf and invest.
“Well done.”
“As expected, did you step in, Demon King?”
“Yes. I moved Martin.”
“Martin as in...the Third Imperial Prince? My goodness, is the Third Prince also one of your subordinates?”
“Don’t jump to conclusions. It’s nothing like that. It was merely a transaction.”
“...Even so.”
The idea of the Third Prince following a Demon King left Aman’s mouth agape, unable to close easily.
“I don’t see Hillan and Ernan as being inferior to that man.”
“Th, that’s true, of course, but the name value of the Empire is still....”
Having seen Hillan and Ernan for so long, Aman had grown desensitized.
“Anyway, then it’s more or less resolved.”
“Yes. Once the investment funds come in, things will pick back up. We can restart the businesses we put on hold, and with the wings of the Third Prince attached, even more so...!”
“Then is there nothing left in the company?”
“Ah, no, that’s not the case. Most merchants stayed, and we preserved most of the goods and materials in the warehouses. We were in a situation where we’d have had to sell them off at dirt-cheap prices, but fortunately, the investment from the Aincheil Marquis House came in just in time....”
“I see...?”
A faint smile curved Berje’s lips. Sensing something ominous, Aman rubbed the back of his neck.
It felt bad.
“Um, Sir Pale...?”
“Let’s go.”
“Yes? Go where....”
“The warehouse.”
The main warehouse of the Golden Moon Merchant Company was large. Before the conflict with the Black Toad Merchant Company, the company had been steadily growing.
The large warehouses, expanded multiple times, numbered well over several dozen.
And more than half of them were filled with massive amounts of resources.
“Did the Golden Moon originally deal in things like this?”
“In order to fulfill your request, Demon King, we established connections with certain suppliers. Since we’d be continuously supplied with mana cannons and operating workshops anyway, we thought we’d need them in the long run and maintained steady trade.”
If the incident hadn’t occurred, most of it would have gone to workshops or been processed and sold elsewhere.
“That’s fortunate.”
“Yes?”
“I’ll be taking all of this.”
“Yes? No, wait just a moment. You can’t!”
“And why not?”
“It’s obvious that you can’t arbitrarily seize the company’s assets!”
“When did I ever care about that? And I’ll continue supplying mana cannons. I even brought several with me today.”
“No, that’s not the issue. The Aincheil Marquis House reviewed the ledgers as part of their investment. If the goods suddenly disappear, it will definitely cause problems....”
“That’s why I’m taking them now.”
“Pardon?”
“From now on, the Aincheil Marquis House’s scrutiny will only deepen. Isn’t that so?”
“That’s correct.”
“It’ll become difficult for me to freely take things from my own company.”
“...Yes.”
“So I’m taking them now. Before their reach becomes certain.”
“...Uh.”
Aman stared blankly.
“B, but if you take them now, I’ll get into trouble....”
“That’s—”
Boom—
Fifty mana cannons piled up inside the empty warehouse.
‘When did those appear?’
This warehouse had been full of steel just moments ago.
“Something for you to deal with. Use these and smooth things over.”
“S, Sir Pale!”
Ignoring Aman’s wail, Berje headed to the next warehouse.
* * *
Pure white snow poured down.
“We’ll camp in that cave today.”
Balraf Dislode led the hero party into the cave. The interior was fairly spacious and warm.
The hero party naturally lit fires and set up camp.
“Sir Balraf.”
Watton Colo handed him a piece of jerky.
“Thank you.”
For jerky, its tender texture was not bad.
“Um....”
“Speak.”
“...Will we really be able to find the Demon King’s Tower?”
“Are you anxious?”
“It’s almost been two months already. Whether the Tower is really here....”
“The Tower exists. It’s just that he pulled some trick we haven’t seen through.”
“But isn’t that even stranger, then?”
“I’m not omnipotent.”
“But....”
“I understand the fatigue. We’re human, after all. But before we are human, we are heroes. If we give up so easily just because we can’t find the Demon King’s Tower, who will subjugate the Demon King?”
“....”
At that moment, a faint vibration was felt from Balraf Dislode’s chest.
“Excuse me for a moment.”
“Yes.”
He walked deeper into the cave. It was deeper and wider than expected. Only after walking far enough that the heroes could no longer sense him did he take out the communication device.
“What is it?”
『A problem has arisen. Berje Deias has attacked the Empire.』
“The Empire?”
Balraf let out a hollow laugh.
“This is absurd. Truly an arrogant bastard. Does he have the leisure to do something else with me right in front of him?”
『A coalition will be formed. Would it not be better to return for now and cooperate with them?』
“Return?”
Again?
Balraf’s face twisted.
“I cannot accept two failures. Until I see meaningful results, I will not return.”
『You must not let pride ruin things. The Demon King of Dark Flame is different from the other Demon Kings.』
“Do not give me orders, Jason Kokemundo. We are partners of cooperation, nothing more.”
『It is not an order. The situation has changed, so I am saying this.』
“The situation is the same. In the end, all we have to do is cut off that bastard’s head.”
『This is not something to be done emotionally....』
Balraf Dislode unilaterally cut off the communication.
He slowly turned his head.
Something writhed in the darkness.
A golden body rose into the air.
* It seems the communication is over.
A voice that resonated through the body.
It was the voice of a born predator. The crushing pressure weighing down his entire being was the innate authority of an arrogant and noble lifeform.
* Are you a hero?
“And if I am?”
Balraf answered calmly.
Krrrrrrrr.
A massive reverberation shook the cave.
* A mere insect dares to intrude upon this body’s dwelling and still act so insolent.
* Is this your last will?
“...I came looking for the Demon King’s Tower, and I find all sorts of strange things instead.”
* ...Have you lost your mind from shock?
“Perfect timing.”
Balraf’s lips curled upward. Thick killing intent surged forth. There was no fear on his face.
“I was in a foul mood and needed something to vent on. And right on cue, you shoved your stinking snout in front of me.”
* Insolent human! What nonsense are you spewing now!
The massive body slowly rose. The naturally flowing pressure bore down on Balraf.
It was an arrogant lifeform—one with every right to be arrogant.
The hidden ruler of Ergest.
* I will make you regret your recklessness, insignificant insect.
* You think that just because you gained a bit of dimensional power, you can dare contend with this great body?
“Yes, that’s it. That attitude. I’m in a really shitty mood right now.”
He discarded the sword he was holding and extended his hand toward empty space.
Space split apart.
And a single sword settled into his grasp.
* Th, that is?
“You recognize it.”
Balraf Dislode kicked off the ground. The distance between them closed rapidly.
“I’ll peel each of your scales one by one with the bones of your own kin.”
* You bastard! How dare you!
────!
The sword sprayed blood.