Chapter 34 - Nairuniel, the Water Spirit

WHOOSH

SWISH

Sword light scattered through the air. Sharp flashes of aura struck the wall, yet left it completely unscathed.

Ernyan quietly watched, crunching on cookies she had baked as she observed the sweat dripping from Kaede. Several days had passed since she began sharing her quarters with the imperial princess, and the woman's training had become a familiar part of her routine.

"Is that the Jespine Empire's swordsmanship?"

"It is a secret art passed down only to direct descendants of the imperial family."

The fact that she had learned it was not itself a secret.

"But were you waiting for me to finish training?"

"Yes. I have something to do, and you dancing around with your sword beside me would get in the way."

Kaede frowned. Calling the empire's secret sword art a sword dance!

She disliked the crown princess's habit of tossing out such flippant remarks. Her inscrutable, knowing gaze was equally irritating.

Still, she endured it. For now, they were the only two humans—and princesses—in the Demon King's tower. In a way, it was almost funny that they equaled the number of demons in the tower, including the Demon King himself.

"What are you planning to do?"

She was not particularly curious. It was simply the natural next step in the conversation.

"I'm going to contract a spirit."

"Here?"

"Yes. Is there a problem?"

There were plenty of problems. The Demon King's tower had little mana and overflowed with demonic energy. As far as Kaede could see, it was the worst possible place to contract a spirit.

But instead of arguing, she kept her mouth shut. They had not known each other long, but she already sensed that pursuing the question would not earn her a pleasant answer.

"May I watch?"

"For a spirit summoner, contracting a spirit requires more privacy than anything else. Surely you know that."

"Didn't you watch me train?"

"You didn't object."

There was little she could say to that.

"Still, I won't stop you as long as you don't interfere."

"I am an honorable knight of the empire. I would never do anything so shameless."

"You ambushed the Demon King, though."

"... A Demon King is different."

"Then why are you blushing?"

"..."

Kaede fell silent. She had already learned firsthand that once Ernyan drew her into an argument, she could not win.

Ernyan slowly began drawing a magic circle.

Spirits liked pure mana. The Demon King's tower held extremely little mana, and even that was murky, making it the worst possible environment for summoning spirits. Yet there was something they liked even more than pure mana: the blood of someone with a strong affinity for spirits.

Ernyan's blood—she who was reputed to have the greatest spirit affinity on the entire continent.

Add Seniel powder, an aid for summoning spirits, and the environment no longer mattered. The premium-grade powder the Demon King had bought was particularly good, both in quality and quantity.

Ernyan stood still and poured out all the Seniel powder in a soft cascade. The powder fell according to the laws of nature, then rose in defiance of gravity, swirling around her and dancing with the spirits.

A blade of wind cut its mistress's finger. Crimson drops mingled naturally with the powder.

HUMMMM

Mana surged around Ernyan. The powder and blood combined and began to resonate.

"... Ugh."

Kaede retreated several steps.

"ÐЩđЙł Дщкы??..."

Words in a language Kaede could not understand flowed from Ernyan's lips.

At last, space split open. Mana so pure that it seemed impossible within a Demon King's tower spilled forth.

The energy of the Spirit Realm. Being able to sense such pure energy was nothing short of a rare stroke of fortune. Kaede hurriedly began circulating her aura using her training method.

But she soon stepped back.

An immense presence.

It was a woman—utterly beautiful, utterly mysterious, and utterly graceful.

The tremendous drain on her mana left Ernyan gasping. Yet she fought to remain standing and extended her hand.

"I beseech you in my name, Ernyan Hilderan.

"With you, great guardian deity of water, I wish to forge a pact joining blood to blood and soul to soul."

Merely maintaining the summoning and speaking made blood run from Ernyan's nose and down her chin. Yet the falling blood only added strength to the summoning circle.

Translucent eyes like glass met hers.

- I grant your request.

- In accordance with the primordial covenant, I, Nairuniel, high-ranking spirit of water, shall accept the human Ernyan Hilderan as my soul's companion.

A brilliant flash erupted. The spirit's translucent body dissolved into tens of thousands of water droplets. They seeped throughout Ernyan's body, engraving a mark upon her soul.

The rift closed. The magic circle vanished. The mana disappeared without a trace.

"Hah, hah...!"

Drenched in sweat, Ernyan collapsed from exhaustion. Yet an irrepressible smile filled her face.

"Nairuniel."

Mana stirred, though the amount was negligible compared with the summoning ritual for the contract. Nairuniel appeared once more.

- I'm finally out!

She cried out with sunny delight, a stark contrast to her demeanor moments before.

- You know what? All the other spirits rejected you. I was the only one who took your hand.

"... What?"

- Well, of course! Nobody expected a human to summon a high-ranking spirit inside a Demon King's tower.

- Besides, spirits dislike demons. But despite being kidnapped, you've been awfully cooperative with the Demon King, haven't you?

- Your reputation among the spirits isn't very good.

"... I see."

Ernyan murmured softly. She had more or less suspected as much.

- They're fools. That's what makes it good!

"... I don't understand."

She felt an inexplicable foreboding. It was like opening Pandora's box.

- Because it's a forbidden romance between a kidnapped princess and the Demon King who kidnapped her! A forbidden love that can never be! I love this sort of thing! Eeeeeek!

"... Would you kindly fuck off back to the Spirit Realm?"

'... Hmm.'

Why was it that this noble high-ranking water spirit reminded Kaede of the society matrons in the imperial capital who squealed over young nobles' love affairs?

* * *

『There is going to be a hero's journey.』

Those were Hillen Cargill's first words when his unexpected call came through.

『The failure of my hero's journey has badly damaged the Heroes' Guild's image. Its prestige has fallen, and arguments that the Guild is unnecessary have resurfaced.』

"Unnecessary?"

『Some argue that heroes are important military assets and should be managed by individual nations rather than a mere organization. The Jespine Empire is a prime example.』

So there were issues like that, too.

Berge really had been ignorant in his previous life. He had tried to solve everything through sheer stubbornness and obstinacy. Had he known such interesting human relationships existed, he would have gotten involved and sown discord long ago.

"Can't we divide them?"

『That would be difficult for now. The elders and high-ranking heroes are firmly united around the Guildmaster.』

"'For now' means there are cracks, then."

That was useful to know.

『...』

"Anyway, they're going to attack a Demon King because of that?"

『They intend to restore the Heroes' Guild's lost prestige by rescuing a prince or princess kidnapped by a Demon King.』

"They're going to attack me again?"

『No.』

『Perhaps if I had found your tower, but the Guild's elders dislike pointless sacrifices. They will probably leave you alone for the time being and watch how things develop.』

From Berge's perspective, that was the best possible decision.

"Then who's their target?"

『It will be either Bitter Cold or the Beast.』

Reina Sordein, the Demon King of Bitter Cold.

Drakson Doldorf, the Beast Demon King.

"Why them specifically?"

『Because they can cooperate with them.』

『As you know, certain Demon Kings have connections with the Heroes' Guild.』

He had not known. But he had suspected it.

Before his regression, the very idea of a Demon King joining hands with mere humans—with mere heroes—had never occurred to him. Things were different now.

The strange coexistence of heroes and Demon Kings could only be sustained by mutual need.

『The Heroes' Guild has no intention of fighting any particular Demon King to the bitter end. Both sides will try to obtain a reasonable share of what they want. As they always have.』

『Without Demon Kings, wouldn't the Heroes' Guild lose its reason for existing?』

"A rigged poker game, then. Will those Demon Kings actually cooperate?"

『The Beast Demon King is a cunning villain. Promise him suitable benefits and he will play along. Bitter Cold has no real ties to the Guild, but her disposition actually inspires more trust within the Guild than the greedy Beast does.』

Her disposition?

『Yes. Oh, and I have a proposal regarding this. As for the Demon King of Bitter Cold...』

Hillen Cargill continued his explanation.

"That sounds rather plausible."

『Of course, I cannot guarantee it will work, but it is our best option at present.』

"You certainly have a knack for little schemes."

『It isn't a little scheme...』

Just then, a commotion sounded from beyond the crystal orb. Hillen Cargill's face twisted.

『Something appears to have come up. I will contact you again later.』

"Do that."

The call ended. Then—

RIP

Berge tore up the report Gordon had given him before the call.

"W-what are you doing? I spent days and days racking my brains over that!"

"We don't need it anymore."

"What do you mean? You haven't even read it properly!"

"I read about half. But I've thought of a better plan. Why cling to this one?"

"... I would like to hear it."

"We'll use Hillen Cargill's hero's journey."

"His hero's journey?"

"Some hero's journeys take a route that tours the continent. We'll include the capital of the Kingdom of Akan on this one's itinerary. Plenty of merchants want to join a hero's journey. It's a chance to make a fortune."

"You intend to have Jetoson join it?"

"With his greed, he'll join. Without fail. Then, once he's invested his entire fortune in joining the hero's journey, we'll send demonic creatures and make it look as though Reina sent them."

"...?"

"We'll arrange things with Hillen beforehand so he relaxes security. Then all we need to do is destroy Jetoson's assets, and nothing more."

Berge smiled.

"Who will that swindler think of once he's penniless?"

Surely the "rich sucker" who had thrown a fortune at someone he had just met and called it wages.

"Though once he's in my hands, it'll be obvious who's really the sucker."

"That truly is...a plan worthy of a Demon King."

Gordon marveled. As expected of the Demon King Military Academy's top graduate. It was better than his own plan.

"It's perfect. That human will have no choice but to dance to your tune, my lord."

With a hero and a Demon King working together, could a mere merchant possibly resist?

His future was already decided.

"Then what are you standing around for? Go work out the details."

"... Yes, I will."

At Berge's gesture, Gordon left in a sulk.

"... Hmm. Is this the first time since the Harmony?"

He cleared his throat and infused the communication orb with demonic energy.

* * *

"... What is the meaning of this?"

Hillen looked outside through a gap in the curtains. The ranks of knights lined up there were anything but friendly.

"..."

"Sir Kultan. I would appreciate it if you gave me reason to keep addressing you as 'Sir.'"

"... My apologies. His Majesty has ordered us to bring you before him."

Kultan, commander of the Blue Sea Knights, bowed his head.

"And if I don't wish to go?"

"We have orders to bring you by force if necessary."

Hillen gave a short laugh.

"On what charge? Surely not failing to defeat the Demon King? Failing to rescue the princess? You must know how ridiculous that is."

This was a dimension accustomed to Demon Kings, a dimension where they no longer held absolute supremacy.

But that did not mean heroes always defeated them. People had merely grown accustomed to them and learned to contain them through better coordination. Demon Kings were not easy prey that could be killed whenever anyone wished.

Many Demon Kings had descended and perished, but far more heroes had died. Countless failures preceded those successes, and even now, heroes failed in droves.

They continued risking their lives as heroes for wealth and honor. Nor could it be said that devotion to their countries and the world played no part.

But if this was the reward for a challenge undertaken at the risk of one's life, who would embark on a hero's journey for that country?

Moreover, according to the official account, Hillen had risked his life roaming the treacherous Erjest Mountains in search of the tower until the very end.

"You know what Her Highness the Crown Princess means to Hilderan, do you not?"

"Apparently I mean nothing to Hilderan?"

"... You are not being charged with a crime. Naturally, that will not happen. You need only tell His Majesty exactly what happened."

"Do you truly believe that?"

"..."

Kultan remained silent.

"I will not go."

"You must."

"The threats you used last time won't work. This isn't Hilderan, and I have right on my side."

If a kingdom's heir was kidnapped, a hero was obliged to accept the request. That was the agreement between the Heroes' Guild and the nations of the continent, and Hillen had had no choice but to comply.

But that did not apply now.

Hillen had merely failed despite doing his best. No kingdom could charge a hero who had risked his life and failed with a crime—not unless evidence emerged that the hero had failed deliberately.

'Come to think of it, that's why I became the Demon King's dog.'

And now this, on top of everything else. Hillen was growing increasingly dissatisfied with Hilderan, his homeland.

"Well?"

Hillen's gaze was no longer friendly.

"Will you try dragging me away by force, as you said?"

Could they?

Inwardly, Kultan shook his head.

This was the hero who had killed the Demon King of Lust. Though he had failed to find the tower, he was a formidable warrior who had survived for weeks in the treacherous Erjest Mountains.

The Blue Sea Knights were one of Hilderan's renowned knight orders, but however Kultan considered it, Hillen Cargill's strength surpassed theirs.

"... I will contact the kingdom."

"Tell His Majesty that if he wishes to see me, he should submit a formal request to the Heroes' Guild. Hilderan may be my homeland, but aren't heroes supposed to belong to no particular nation?"

Of course, that was a transparent fiction, but it was useful in a situation like this.

"Yes."

In the end, Kultan had no choice but to bow his head.

* * *

"Are you awake, my Demon King?"

"Did you all sleep well?"

Reina Sordein awoke to bright sunshine.

She followed her usual routine. Her frost demon maids helped her change, and she enjoyed morning tea with her close aides.

After breakfast, she held a constructive meeting on how to make the tower stronger and more prosperous, then ate lunch. Afterward, she visited every floor, encouraging the demons and demonic creatures and inspecting the tower's facilities.

That was when Drakson contacted her.

"You mean I will be the target of the hero's journey?"

『Yes, exactly. The Heroes' Guild's pride has been wounded because of that blockhead Berge.』

『To cover up a failure, they need an accomplishment to match it.』

"What do you want from me?"

『Nothing in particular. Just do as you always do. Exactly as usual. No more, no less.』

"You want me to play along with this performance."

『I do like how easily you understand me.』

"I will act as usual even without your insistence."

『That's all I need.』

Just then, another crystal orb signaled an incoming call.

"Berge Deias?"

『What?』

"No, nothing. End the call. I'm busy."

『Playing hard to get, are you? Anyway, I'll take that as settled.』

Drakson vanished. Reina hurriedly infused the other communication orb with demonic energy. Berge's face appeared.

"You actually contacted me first. What is it?"

『Reina Sordein. I've heard rumors that the Heroes' Guild's hero's journey is headed for the Tower of Bitter Cold. Are you aware of that?』

"...!"

'How?'

Drakson was understandable. It was an open secret among the Demon Kings that he maintained covert connections with the Heroes' Guild. There was nothing particularly strange about him obtaining information in advance.

But Berge Deias was different. It had been less than a year since he descended. He had only just repelled his first hero's journey, and his ill-chosen words at the graduation ceremony had meant he descended without receiving any benefits.

He had truly started with nothing.

'He thwarted the expedition by hiding well and getting lucky. In Erjest, that isn't entirely impossible. But how did he learn this at almost the same time as Drakson...?'

There was something more to this. She sensed it instinctively.

"How did you learn that?"

『Curious?』

"Obviously!"

『It isn't something to discuss over an orb like this. I'd like to meet in person.』