Chapter 101 - Margrave Chernian

“I don't think it's right to shove someone's face into the snow,” Ernyan grumbled. “Or to leave someone all alone in a place this cold.”

- If you don't like it, you can come out right now.

- Go on, shout, “I'm here!”

“Then they'll discover me.”

- And rescue you and take you back to your kingdom.

“That won't do.”

Ernyan shook her head. She did think she ought to return to her kingdom someday. But not now. Not anytime soon, either. Without some particular reason, perhaps she really would never go back.

- So you're not coming out?

“Not for now. If I come out now, it will put my lord in a difficult position.”

With Nairuniel's help, she had hidden deep beneath the snow. She suppressed her presence as much as possible and, fortunately, escaped the imperial army's notice.

- But you can't stay here forever.

“I'll put some distance between us before coming out.”

- Hmm.

“What's that look for?”

- You're awfully relaxed for someone who's been abandoned.

- Hasn't it occurred to you that the Demon King might simply be leaving you behind?

- He doesn't need you anymore.

“I don't think that's the case.”

It might sound like she was praising herself, but Ernyan had become someone quite useful to the Demon King. She was certain he would not abandon her first, at least unless she did something seriously wrong.

- I know what you call faith that steadfast.

“A bilateral contractual relationship in which each party obtains what they need from the other.”

- No. Not some dry, conventional phrase like that.

“Trust?”

- Love!

Ernyan pressed a hand to her forehead.

- Absolute love that transcends borders, races, dimensions, and even friend and foe!

“Please go back to the Spirit Realm.”

- How long do you think you could last in the snow then?

“... I can manage a few days without your help, Nairuniel, you know?”

Being a spirit summoner didn't mean her body was completely frail.

- But you wouldn't get out of the snowfields easily!

- There's nothing more foolish than refusing a water spirit's help in a place overflowing with water.

“... Anyway, I'll see how things go, wait a day, and then leave.”

- And then?

“I'll hide in imperial territory.”

They had already discussed where to meet.

- But what if the Demon King isn't there?

“Be quiet. You just said that.”

Ernyan chewed on some jerky and waited for the right time.

* * *

As Ernyan buried herself in the snow, Berge supported the unconscious Hillen Cargill.

“You deal with them.”

“Yes.”

CLOP, CLOP.

The imperial troops approached on snow-white horses.

'I think someone told me what breed they were...'

The pure-white horses were a breed specially modified by the Empire. They were no ordinary horses; magical alterations supposedly allowed them to endure and run fairly well even on snow, if he remembered correctly.

Conversely, they struggled in warmer regions or on uneven terrain, but he had heard they were the best mounts for cold snowfields without any significant mountains.

“Do you know anything about that man?”

“I'm not really sure myself...”

“Useless.”

This would have been easier with Ernyan here.

Meanwhile, the sound of hooves drew close. A man escorted by knights approached them.

Margrave Chernian.

The nobleman who defended the Empire's north from the monsters of the snowfields carried an air of refinement even in this harsh wilderness.

His brown hair was swept back, and his mustache gleamed. Yet his fierce eyes, imposing presence, and gravitas rivaled those of a seasoned warrior who had weathered countless battles.

His gaze swept over Granada at the front, then Berge and Hillen in turn.

“An elf?”

“An honor to meet you, Your Grace, Margrave Chernian. I am Granada of the Red Hawk raiding party.”

“So you belong to the famous hero Hillen's raiding party! Thank goodness you're alive. Then the man behind you is...?”

“That is Sir Hillen. He has temporarily lost consciousness after a prolonged pursuit and a coordinated attack by high-ranking demons.”

“You mean the hero Hillen Cargill?”

Margrave Chernian brightened.

“Yes, that is correct.”

“I'm glad I mobilized immediately upon hearing of the defeat! It has allowed us to save a hero in peril! Get Sir Hillen aboard and summon the healing mages at once!”

Hillen was laid on a sled for the wounded. Three healing mages crowded around him, chanting spells without pause.

At Margrave Chernian's request, Granada and Pale rode alongside him.

“Thank you, Your Grace. Without your timely assistance, we would all have died.”

“That is precisely what I came to prevent. Sir Hillen may not be a hero of the Empire, but he is a champion of humanity. Had he died at the hands of that wicked Demon King, humanity would have been plunged into terrible grief. I'm glad we could save him.”

He continued.

“Though we cannot be certain yet. His wounds are extremely grave. Still, I will do whatever it takes to save him.”

“Thank you.”

“Now, did you say your name was Pale?”

“That is correct.”

Berge struggled to replace the blunt, informal answer about to escape his lips with something more civil. He had made an effort, but the knights serving Margrave Chernian did not see it that way.

“How dare you!”

“Show some respect, you!”

“Enough.”

Fortunately, Margrave Chernian raised a hand to stop them.

“We mustn't mistreat great warriors who have fought with their lives on the line.”

He smiled.

“Pale. I've heard of you. Are you the one who turned the Kingdom of Akan upside down?”

“I'm not sure what you mean.”

“A man connected to Sir Hillen, possessed of pure mana and intense heat. Perhaps it's because we're in the snowfields, but that heat is particularly noticeable.”

“You know even such trivial details?”

“The Empire pays attention to the little things as well.”

“What an honor.”

“The honor is mine. There are only three of you, yet all three are remarkable. Clearly there is a reason for the renown of this hero and his expedition.”

Even as they talked, the troops advanced swiftly.

The occasional monsters that charged at them accomplished nothing, collapsing back onto the snowfields as bloody masses.

“I would like to invite you to my castle. Would you accept?”

Granada glanced at Berge to gauge his reaction. Berge gave a small nod.

He wasn't pleased, but it would be wrong to disregard the margrave's gracious invitation. All the more so since they had received his help, and Hillen Cargill was still receiving it.

'Oh?'

Margrave Chernian caught that exchange, interest gleaming in his eyes.

* * *

“I've been venturing into the snowfields for decades as margrave, but never has the journey there and back been as easy as this.”

Margrave Chernian stroked his mustache as the falling snow gradually subsided.

It was because of Hillen Cargill. Because of the Demon King of Bitter Cold's efforts to capture him.

The margrave, too, had seen the army of thousands of monsters pressing Berge, Hillen, and Granada.

“It must mean the Demon King has some degree of control over the monsters. We will need countermeasures.”

But not immediately.

The deployed troops returned to the Empire without significant losses.

The people of the fortress greeted their lord's safe return with cheers.

“Get some rest first.”

The margrave arranged lodgings for Berge and Granada and sent Hillen Cargill to the infirmary.

Once they were alone, Granada asked a question.

“About Ernyan. Wouldn't it be better for her to stay hidden there? If she wanders around and runs into a high-ranking demon...”

“No. She cannot stay long. That is Reina's territory.”

Even a Demon King was not all-powerful within their own domain.

But if she was summoning a spirit, a crystallization of pure mana, discovery was only a matter of time.

“But if she encounters a demon...”

“You saw it on the way here, didn't you? Reina overextended herself to catch Hillen. She moved most of the monsters north, and they presumably fled to the tower after encountering the Empire. At least for the time being, there will be no demons or demonic creatures in the snowfields.”

“That's true...”

“And even if she does encounter them, she should at least be able to escape. She's a high-ranking spirit summoner.”

“I understand.”

“Why do you think the margrave is being so friendly to us?”

There was no such thing as kindness without a reason.

If Margrave Chernian offered his goodwill so readily, he must want something commensurate in return.

And that was probably...

“Because of Hillen Cargill.”

“I think so too.”

Hillen Cargill. A Star who had killed two Demon Kings, a hero with the potential to become even greater.

Who would refuse a connection with him? And Margrave Chernian had saved his life.

“Hillen won't die. He had many wounds, but none were life-threatening.”

He had lost a fair amount of blood, but the main reason he had fainted was that he had exhausted his mental strength, mana, and body.

That meant his skills had improved enough to protect himself well even amid such danger, and that he could recover fully with good food and proper rest.

“But he certainly would have died without the margrave.”

“Do you think he'll hold that over us?”

“He didn't seem the sort to do so openly.”

The journey from the battlefield back to the Empire had taken several days. They hadn't spoken all that much, but it had been enough to get some sense of Margrave Chernian.

“It would have been better if he had been open about it.”

“If he were that naive, he couldn't have defended the north for well over a decade without much trouble.”

“I suppose not. Oh, and the Red Hawk mercenaries?”

“I haven't heard from them since we fled from the tower. I intend to visit the Mercenaries' Guild soon. If they're alive, they'll probably be there.”

They had been talking for some time when a servant knocked on the door.

“His Grace has invited you both to dinner. If you would care to...”

“We would be glad to.”

“We'll come.”

* * *

“Welcome.”

Margrave Chernian was not the only person at the table.

“Sir Gillian?”

Gillian, who had lost his right arm, gave an awkward smile.

“Granada. It's good to see you again.”

“Are you all right?”

“As you can see. I kept my life, so I got off lightly.”

“Everyone, sit down.”

Berge and Granada took their seats. Margrave Chernian clapped lightly, and the servants began bringing out the food.

A light soup, salad, and perfectly cooked steaks were served. Count Chernian spoke as he calmly cut his meat.

“Sir Gillian.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

“I heard the whole story while you were receiving treatment.”

“Yes.”

“I'm deeply disappointed.”

Gillian flinched.

“Five tribes have fallen. Many people died.”

“I'm sorry. No words can excuse what I've done.”

“Had I known this would happen, I would never have given my permission.”

'Given his permission?'

Berge listened closely.

That meant the margrave had also been involved in this affair.

'It's obvious when you think about it...'

However much autonomy the barbarians enjoyed, they could never escape imperial control entirely.

“I thought your plan was reasonably sound. At first you mentioned Princess Yesica, and though she declined for reasons of her own, you had Hillen Cargill with you. Why do you think you failed?”

“The Demon King's response exceeded my expectations.”

“So I heard. Demons and demonic creatures opened the tower's doors and rushed out, didn't they?”

“Thousands of monsters also surrounded us.”

“Yes, that was truly unexpected.”

Until now, the Demon King of Bitter Cold had never done anything outside her tower. Her sudden, unpredictable action had caused considerable losses.

“Did you know? Survivors have been arriving one after another.”

“That...”

“It means the Demon King showed mercy. Thanks to that, our losses are smaller than expected. Ah, excluding the annihilated barbarian tribes, of course.”

Margrave Chernian smiled cheerfully.

The Demon King was expressing a desire for peace despite having been attacked first. How could he not be pleased?

“And so I intend to reciprocate.”

“Then...”

“There will be no second attempt. Not that you have the resources for one anymore. Oversee the barbarian tribes as promised. Make sure they suffer no further losses. And see to it that they do not turn against the Empire.”

“Yes.”

“The meat is nicely cooked today. Tell the chef it's delicious.”

“Yes.”

With that, the conversation ended. Only the sounds of meat being cut and dishes clinking filled the room.

“That was a fine meal. Let us rise.”

Dinner was over.

* * *

Margrave Chernian remained alone in the dining room.

KNOCK, KNOCK.

“Come in.”

Baronet Altaman entered. The margrave held out his empty glass. The baronet poured him some wine, then sat down.

“What did you think?”

“Exactly as I expected. Would you care for a glass?”

“Thank you.”

The baronet accepted the wineglass.

“We gained quite a bit. I never expected them to succeed anyway.”

The Demon King of Bitter Cold had occupied the snowfields for decades.

Could she possibly be weak?

No. She might possess an army capable of sweeping away the entire north in a single stroke.

Even so, he had agreed to Gillian Aint's plan because she had remained docile for so very long.

“I've dealt with the Demon King of Bitter Cold for many years, yet knew almost nothing about her.”

Perhaps that was why he had been delighted when Gillian Aint first proposed the operation.

“To him, it may have been a gamble with his tribes' future at stake, but to me it was a reckless venture with an obvious outcome. Still, a worthwhile venture if it wasn't imperial blood being spilled.”

The outcome had been exactly as he expected. The northern tribes had suffered heavily, but he had gained much in return.

“It's fortunate the Demon King showed mercy.”

“Didn't we expect that from the start? A disposition maintained for decades would hardly change overnight.”

“Still, expectations and reality always differ, don't they? Especially where a Demon King's whims are concerned.”

“Whims. Yes, whims indeed. And also the greatest thing we learned from this affair.”

An army of thousands of monsters. Demons and demonic creatures emerging from the tower.

The greatest achievement was learning that she would not always remain shut away inside her tower.

“A Demon King is a Demon King, after all. We must always remain vigilant.”

“Confirming the existence of the monster army was also a major achievement.”

It was hardly surprising that a Demon King commanded monsters. But seeing the true strength of the Demon King of Bitter Cold's forces was quite different from making a rough estimate.

Of course, they could not be certain that those thousands represented her entire army. But by treating that number as the minimum, they could greatly reduce future losses caused by complacency.

“Indeed.”

“It has also broken the northern tribes' momentum.”

“And crushed Gillian Aint's spirit. The Demon King of Bitter Cold did exactly as much as I wanted.”

Since the emergence of Gillian Aint and the White Eagle Raiding Party, the barbarians had begun to rally around him.

They were not fully united, but something unseen bound them together.

And that was decidedly unwelcome to an imperial margrave.

The northern tribes had to remain a bulwark, nothing more. They had to stay divided, hold one another in check, and sacrifice themselves for the Empire.

“This should keep them from entertaining any other ambitions for a while.”

Everything had gone according to plan. The corners of his mouth lifted.

“What did you think of those men, Granada and Pale?”

“I said nothing to them, so they simply ate quietly and left.”

“They must be quite puzzled.”

“They're probably pondering my intentions right now. How is Hillen Cargill?”

“They say he will awaken within two days at the latest.”

“Good. By the way, have you looked into it?”

“Yes. Granada returned from the snowfields not long ago. Then he met Pale and a woman and headed back into the snowfields.”

“And they found Hillen Cargill and rescued him. What of the woman?”

“She wore robes and a mask, so we were unable to identify her face.”

“She vanished quite suddenly.”

“I suspect she died during the rescue.”

“That would be the most plausible explanation.”

The idea that they had buried her in the snowfields, the Demon King's domain, and left her there lay beyond their common sense.

More importantly, the person who most interested him was not some woman who was almost certainly dead.

Pale.

The man with extraordinarily pure mana who had turned the Kingdom of Akan upside down.

Granada had fled the snowfields, then returned to rescue Hillen.

If they had exchanged artifacts that allowed them to locate one another, it was hardly surprising that they had found Hillen immediately.

But what did it mean that Granada, after fleeing, had returned not with troops, but with only Pale and a single woman?

“Granada is the deputy leader of the Red Hawk raiding party. Yet to my eyes, he seemed to be looking to Pale for approval.”

“You mean Pale is his superior?”

“More importantly, I was unable to discern the full extent of his abilities.”

“He's that powerful?”

The margrave nodded silently.

“Send a report to the capital, and begin with the Kingdom of Akan. Investigate every detail of his movements and identity.”

He needed to know something about the man before speaking with him.

“Yes. I will carry out your orders.”

The baronet bowed his head.