Chapter 115 - The Flame Spirit Summoner

"I hear you met my older brothers and sister."

The procession of imperial visitors, beginning with the First Prince and continuing through the Second Prince and First Princess, finally ended late that night with a meeting with the Third Prince.

"Yes. They showed a great deal of interest in me."

"What did you discuss?"

"Probably exactly what you suspect."

"And your answer?"

"I told them I already had a contract with Your Highness and could not accept their offers at present."

"I said I would consider it, but you won't even give me time to do that. I'll have a firm contract prepared."

"Generous terms would make it even better."

"Why me?"

"I'm afraid I don't understand."

"What you wanted was support for a hero's journey to Erjest. And in truth, my other brothers and sister could provide that better than I can."

An ancient ducal house, a wealthy marquis's house, and a marquis's house in relative decline. Unless the emperor entrusted them with state authority, the strength of imperial family members amounted to the strength of their mothers' houses.

Of course, House Aincheil, the Third Empress's family, was hardly lacking. It was a prestigious house with both wealth and power. But everything was relative, and it was true that it fell short of the other two empresses' houses—as did the Third Prince, consequently, compared with the other imperial contenders. That made this strange.

"If you want a connection with the future emperor, you should go to my eldest brother, my second brother, or my sister."

"Then isn't the answer simple? That isn't what I want."

"Then what in the world do you want?"

"I want to defeat the Demon King of Erjest."

"So you don't want to tell me."

"That is all."

Martin regarded him sulkily. The smile in Hillen's eyes was deeply unsettling. But instead of cursing, he weighed his options. Was it better to dismiss Hillen, with his inscrutable ulterior motives, or accept him and prepare for the future?

"Things are taking a curious turn."

He chose the latter. If he chose the former, Hillen would inevitably go to another prince. That was utterly unacceptable.

"His Majesty intends to use this incident as a test."

"He means to test the imperial family's abilities by having them subjugate the dark mages?"

"Precisely."

Hillen barely managed to feign composure. Everything Berge had said was right. Events were unfolding just as he had described.

'How?'

A chill ran over him. At the same time, a loyalty he had never felt before inexplicably welled up.

"And he will permit help from heroes?"

"He considers the ability to recruit heroes, whoever they may be, a talent in its own right."

"So that's why the imperial family came to see me."

"That would be the explanation."

Of the thousands of active heroes, the Stars were unquestionably the best. And even among them, Hillen stood out for having slain two Demon Kings. With him in the imperial capital, it was only natural that they would come calling.

"So I believe I must formally commission you."

"Please, go ahead."

"Will you help me on this expedition? You and your raiding party alike."

"As a matter of fact..."

Hillen paused and slowly crunched on a cookie.

"You know how one sometimes has a hunch? Ever since I first discovered traces of the dark mage, I thought things might turn out this way."

"Did you?"

"Yes. Who will subjugate dark mages if not heroes?"

"Your answer?"

"With sufficient compensation, I see no reason I couldn't."

"And without it?"

"I would have to go to someone who offers better terms."

"I thought you had sided with me."

"You mustn't think of me as a fish already caught in your net. I am swimming freely in the sea."

"What do you want?"

"May I tell you after the expedition is over?"

"That's frightening."

"It will certainly be nothing beyond Your Highness's means."

"Very well. You approached me first in goodwill and even brought me Kaede's necklace. Surely I can wait that long."

The hero and the prince shook hands.

* * *

Money and fame were always the right choice. Fame would follow naturally once this affair was resolved, so the best course was to ask for money—a vast investment in the Golden Moon Trading Company. But Hillen couldn't do that. He thought it unwise to create a direct link to the Third Prince.

'However I look at it, the Third Prince has little chance of becoming emperor.'

Hillen Cargill had agreed to help the Third Prince on the Demon King's orders, but frankly, he was skeptical that the prince would become emperor.

True to his nature as a ruthless conqueror who had ascended the throne by killing all his blood relatives, the current emperor forced the same ordeal upon his children. Complete nonintervention. Survival of the fittest. The imperial family had to grow strong to survive, and the weak had to side with the strong. That process had whittled the contenders down to four: the First Prince, Second Prince, First Princess, and Third Prince.

The emperor preached survival of the fittest but did not directly grant his children power. They had to persuade nobles and build factions through their own efforts. Under such circumstances, their backers—the empresses' houses—played the greatest role.

The First Empress's ducal House Osrian. The Second Empress's marquisate, House Bolderbof. And the Third Empress's marquisate, House Aincheil. House Aincheil was the weakest, and that disparity was reflected in the support the other nobles offered.

'If your backing is lousy, you at least need superior ability and talent of your own...'

Not that the Third Prince was poor material. Quite the opposite—he clearly possessed the innate qualities of an emperor. The problem was that the other three contenders did too. In particular, the First Prince's talent was said to eclipse that of the other princes. With both superior talent and a stronger faction, it was only natural that he led the race.

"What did the Third Prince say?"

Berge greeted Hillen when he returned to their lodgings.

"Have you been waiting all this time?"

"I was curious."

"How on earth did you know?"

"You left out the object."

"How did you know the emperor would tie this to the imperial succession?"

"It's simple. The emperor drives his children to the edge of a cliff, expecting them to grow strong on their own. That's how he took the throne himself. Isn't it natural for such a man to see a crisis like this as a testing ground where his children's talents can blossom?"

"That is by no means natural."

"Well, true enough."

Berge wouldn't have known either if he hadn't regressed.

"So what was your answer?"

"I haven't told you what we discussed yet."

"Your asking how I knew he'd make it a testing ground means that's how things are proceeding, doesn't it? Then the Third Prince must have tried to win you over. You're too valuable to discard just because you're a little suspicious. Especially after you brought him a keepsake of his beloved sister."

"Wasn't Princess Kaede still alive?"

"It's a figure of speech."

"I agreed to side with the Third Prince."

"Good."

"I sincerely hope you're right again this time, Pale."

"About what?"

"Didn't you say His Highness the Third Prince could become emperor?"

"Did I?"

"Pale."

"You weren't listening properly. I said perhaps he might stand a chance."

Hillen bit his lip.

"I rejected the First Prince's offer and made an enemy of him. The same goes for the Second Prince and First Princess. You saw it yourself."

"I did."

"If the Third Prince doesn't become emperor, I'm completely finished in the Empire."

"You have Hilderan."

"Pale."

"And Akan, too. Don't get the wrong idea."

I am the one who saved you and brought you this far.

"I did so because I am your master."

Not your servant.

"Have I treated you so well that you've suddenly lost all sense of your place?"

"... The Empire is the most powerful nation on the continent. Making an enemy of it is hardly a wise choice."

Berge took a long stride toward him, bringing their faces close. Hillen flinched, but Berge stopped just before his nose.

"That," he whispered softly, "is why I intend to break it."

His scarlet eyes gleamed.

"So just obey. You won't lose anything by following me."

Hillen trembled at the madness concealed deep within him.

* * *

Time passed. Some of the other imperial family members, besides the First Prince, Second Prince, and First Princess, also visited Hillen. A few took an interest in Berge, but most focused on Hillen. A hero who had killed two Demon Kings seemed far more valuable than Berge and his slightly unusual, pure mana. Besides, Berge had been introduced as Hillen's subordinate in the first place. Every one of them tried to entice Hillen into their service.

"The Seventh Princess, was it? An imperial princess trying to seduce you in rags worse than wearing nothing at all. The Empire really is in its last days."

"Isn't that what makes it the Empire? It means they're willing to do anything for the throne."

"It's nothing but the desperate thrashing of a worm that doesn't know its place."

"She certainly seemed far too lacking for a member of the imperial family."

That must be why she would abandon even her imperial pride and resort to such things.

"At any rate, things are moving along."

Berge opened the newspaper delivered that morning.

【His Majesty the Emperor Announces the Subjugation of Habstrain's Dark Mages...】

【Gratitude for the Mercy of Our Great Emperor, Who Cherishes His People...】

【Imperial Family to Lead the Subjugation of Dark Mages Personally and Set an Example. True Noblesse Oblige in Action...!】

【Their Highnesses Prince Rufus Jespine, Prince Floyan Jespine, Princess Marlene Jespine, and Prince Martin Jespine Obey His Majesty's Command...】

【Other Imperial Family Members to Assist the Four and Practice Noblesse Oblige...】

Perhaps because the emperor was directly involved, the articles were nothing but praise. Still, their underlying meaning was easy to understand.

"The emperor has ordered an expedition?"

"Yes. His Highness the Third Prince told me. His Majesty has said he will support any imperial family members who wish to participate."

"And four have announced that they will."

"Those are only the four principal contenders. The imperial relatives who follow them will join as well."

"Who follows the Third Prince?"

"The Eighth Prince."

"Dead."

"The Ninth Princess."

"In my tower."

"And lastly, the Sixth Prince, Trista Jespine."

"What does he do?"

Berge knew little about him. By the time he abducted the Crown Prince, that man was no longer among the living.

"Are you aware that imperial family members are required to learn either swordsmanship or magic, unless they have no talent whatsoever?"

"More or less. I also know Kaede is the finest swordsman among them."

"Yes. Of the two, the Sixth Prince learned magic."

"His talent?"

"He has five engravings at twenty-eight."

"A genius, then."

"Like the Eighth Prince, he was born to the Third Concubine. The Third Empress had ties to the Third Concubine, and their children grew close as a result, I'm told."

"So in the end, he hasn't managed to forge any connections beyond his childhood ties. He didn't look particularly incompetent."

"This is an imperial court where their lives hang by a thread. I think he deserves credit for preserving his childhood bonds despite his disadvantaged position."

"A different perspective."

That ended their discussion of the imperial family. Berge asked about something else.

"How much support is the emperor providing?"

"There are no specifics yet, but the Third Prince expects one knightly order, one mage corps, and two hundred troops."

"That's all?"

"He expects everyone will have to gather the rest themselves."

"Just like that bastard of an emperor."

Berge chuckled. In the end, the other contenders with stronger backing would pull even further ahead.

"What about heroes?"

"Apparently, the Empire will not request assistance from the Heroes' Guild itself. However, it won't stop imperial family members from making their own requests."

"Interesting. Very interesting."

In truth, it wasn't fucking interesting at all. Wasn't the Third Prince at too great a disadvantage from the outset? Berge wanted this affair to elevate the prince's standing and make the struggle for succession more evenly matched, so this was far from welcome.

"First, summon Granada and the Red Hawk."

"Yes."

"And you're an Argan of the Guild. Don't you know any heroes?"

"No."

"You go around smiling all day, and you haven't made a single friend?"

Useless bastard.

"But I was traveling between the dwarven kingdom and the snowfields almost as soon as I became an Argan, wasn't I? When would I have had time to build friendships?"

"New life is born even in the midst of war."

"Pardon?"

"I'm telling you not to make excuses for your lack of ability."

"..."

"This is troublesome."

Since this was an imperial affair tied to the succession, outsiders could not participate unless they were heroes. Ultimately, they would need to summon a useful hero...

"I have an idea."

Hillen's eyes lit up.

"What?"

"I may not know anyone, but you do, Pale. There's a hero who would come running with open arms if you made a little effort."

"Effort?"

"If you offered to extract a little mana for her..."

"You want me to make up for your inadequacy with my own abilities? Do you want to die?"

Berge conjured a scarlet flame.

"Why not take the solution that works for everyone?"

Hillen remained composed despite the blazing heat. His shamelessness was astounding. But he wasn't wrong. Right now, they needed to gather as much strength as possible to put the Third Prince at an advantage. Berge extinguished the flame.

"I'll summon her myself. You explain it properly to the Third Prince."

Since she was a hero from Akan, with which the Empire had poor relations, there was ample potential for trouble.

"Yes."

Hillen bowed his head.

* * *

Dafner entered the imperial palace by formal invitation. Passing the ornate walls and gardens, he made his way into an enormous detached palace.

"His Highness is waiting."

"Thank you."

He opened the door.

"Welcome, Lord Dafner."

"It has been some time, Your Highness."

"Thank you for coming so promptly."

"I am a hero, but also a mercenary. How could I refuse when you've promised so much?"

"I like that mercenary streak of yours. As long as you're paid, you'll never betray me."

The Second Prince, Floyan Jespine, let out a rather frivolous chuckle.

"Your messenger explained everything to me. Will there be other heroes besides myself?"

"I'm gathering as many as possible. Aina Diaphrin will also be joining us as a Star."

"She will? That's reassuring."

"This is an opportunity. Whoever takes the dark mage's head will earn Father's trust."

"I won't disappoint you, Your Highness. I'll lead you to his innermost lair faster than anyone else."

"Yes, exactly. That's why I summoned you. You're the finest hunter, after all."

Their conversation continued for quite some time.

"Then I shall take my leave. I'll visit the Heroes' Guild in the capital and try recruiting mercenaries and heroes."

"I'm counting on you."

"Yes."

"I'll show you out."

"Thank you."

Dafner left the Second Prince's detached palace and followed the knight. As he retraced his steps, something caught his senses.

"Hm?"

It was a faint presence, but impossibly hot and pure. Like a spirit.

"Who is over there?"

"That is His Highness the Third Prince's palace."

"His Highness the Third Prince..."

'... Does the Third Prince have a flame spirit summoner in his service?'

But there was a sense of déjà vu that he couldn't explain away as merely a fire spirit.

'What is it?'

Something kept tugging at his awareness. It felt familiar, as though he had sensed it somewhere before. His curiosity stirred, but he soon shook his head. This was the imperial capital, and that was the Third Prince. Even as a Star, he would hardly fare well if he went poking around without permission.

'It's probably just a fire spirit summoner.'

And so he dismissed it as nothing important.