Chapter 54 - Warning

“A new Demon King has descended.”

“So soon?”

“Grand Duke Alkain is after something. We should be on our guard.”

Vivian Blunt.

Berge knew little about her. But a new Demon King descending less than a week after Drakson’s death was certainly grounds for suspicion.

“There are some questionable details, but it’s not unheard of for a Demon King to fall to heroes, and this is Arain. There’s nothing His Grace would find particularly strange... Ah.”

There was.

“You mean he’s searching for whoever broke the rules?”

“Probably. It would be safe to consider Vivian an investigator sent on a secret mission by the grand duke.”

“... Won’t we be found out?”

“No. That’s why I destroyed the tower. You need only watch what you say as well. Always be wary of Vivian Blunt.”

“Yes, understood.”

Gordon nodded gravely.

“Oh, that wasn’t what I meant to tell you. The princess of Hilderan opened the front door without any resistance.”

“She opened the door?”

“Yes. I wanted to ask how that could possibly happen.”

“Why did she open it?”

“The imperial princess of Jespine tried to escape the tower. It happened while we were stopping her.”

“Escape, did she?”

He had given her some freedom because of Ernyan’s example, and she still hadn’t learned her lesson.

“Lock her in the underground prison.”

“Yes, understood. But was it your will, my lord?”

“No, it was the tower’s will. The tower accepted her as one of its own. Logger, too.”

“... What? The tower accepted people who aren’t demons? Since when...?”

“Since the day Hillen Cargill invaded.”

More precisely, since the moment Ernyan and Logger had opposed Hillen Cargill and locked him in prison.

[Tower Master - Berge Deias

Deputy Tower Master - Gordon Dairik

Floors - 5]

[Affiliations

Demons - Gordon Dairik

Demonic Creatures - Poil Orcs, Krutu

Monsters - None]

[Floor 1 - Dwarf Hero, Logger

Floor 2 - None

Floor 3 - None

Floor 4 - Princess of Hilderan, Ernyan Hilderan

Floor 5 - Demon King’s Floor]

Berge called up the tower’s information window. The first and fourth floors, which should have been vacant, now had masters.

This had not been his intention.

“I believe the tower recognized them as allies because they opposed a hero.”

“It has such a function...? But you could revoke their status if you wished, couldn’t you?”

“Yes.”

The tower’s will served only to assist the Demon King. Ultimately, every decision was his to make.

“But there’s no need. Does Logger look as though he’s going to escape?”

“... Well.”

Gordon could hardly nod in agreement. He disliked the fact that Logger was a hero, but apart from that, the dwarf had assimilated perfectly. Humiliating as it was, Logger could even be said to have contributed more than Gordon himself, the adjutant.

“Then the princess of Hilderan, too?”

“She’s a test of sorts.”

Nothing about the affair with Ernyan had gone as Berge intended, from beginning to end. He had made a mistake while trying to kidnap the Thirteenth Princess, triggering a hero’s journey and leaving him desperate for any help he could get.

Then he had encountered her excessively cooperative attitude. Since it was helpful, he had said nothing. Indeed, he had let her carry on and even encouraged her.

But was that really the right choice? In a genuine crisis, would a human Crown Princess stand on his side—a Demon King’s side?

Berge did not trust her completely. Humans were not creatures one could trust in the first place.

‘But she’ll think she’s earned my trust.’

Moreover, she had contracted with a high-ranking spirit and acquired some strength of her own. Now, finally, she knew she could leave the tower whenever she chose.

‘She’ll show some sort of reaction.’

Before long, perhaps he would have at least a small clue as to Ernyan Hilderan’s intentions.

* * *

“Mm...”

Kaede opened her eyes. It was dark. A foul smell assailed her nose.

“Ah.”

Her arms and legs were bound. Her aura would not stir.

‘I failed.’

And she had ended up in prison. So there would be no more mercy.

“...”

Perhaps this was better after all. An imperial princess kidnapped and subjected to hardship would do less damage to her honor and the Empire’s than a subordinate of the Demon King.

She smiled bitterly.

CREAK

The underground prison door opened. Kaede squinted at the sudden light.

“Are you all right?”

“... Lady Ernyan?”

A hand reached through the bars, holding a bottle of water.

“Drink.”

“... Thank you. Ah.”

CLANK

The chains stopped Kaede’s hand from reaching the bottle. Ernyan extended her hand farther.

“Lean forward and open your mouth.”

“Yes.”

Cool water poured down, wetting her parched lips.

“Thank you.”

“... I told you not to go.”

“... I didn’t want to become the Demon King’s dog... subordinate. I am a knight of the Empire.”

“I don’t recall the Demon King ever asking you to become his dog.”

“There is no kindness without a reason. If the Demon King treats us well, I believe he wants something in return. You, too, Lady Ernyan...”

Kaede swallowed the rest. “I’m sorry,” she murmured, lowering her head.

“Well, you could see it that way. But I did it because I wanted to.”

“... That makes even less sense to me.”

“Everyone has their own circumstances, don’t they? Just as you ran away because you didn’t want to marry.”

“... That’s...”

“I ran away because I hated the palace, the royal family, and my father. To be precise, I was kidnapped, then decided I didn’t want to go back.”

“... I still don’t understand.”

Ernyan Hilderan’s name was known far beyond Hilderan. Her talent ranked among the finest on the entire continent, and she was the kingdom’s heir in both name and fact.

Young and beautiful as well, she had no shortage of people seeking ties with her, both within Hilderan and abroad.

“Your future is brilliant. Hilderan has many princes and princesses, but none of them can compare to you. Becoming the kingdom’s sovereign is your destined future. To throw that away and become the Demon King’s subordinate...”

“Have you never thought that was strange?”

“...?”

“Hilderan has twenty-seven princes and thirty-five princesses. More than any other royal family on the continent. Yet apart from me, not a single prince or princess is well known.”

“... What do you mean? Doesn’t Hilderan have twelve princes and sixteen princesses?”

“Oh, officially, yes.”

“I thought you would know, being an imperial princess, but apparently not.”

Ernyan stood.

“... Wait. Please explain a little more.”

“Ask when you return to the Empire someday. The emperor probably knows.”

“...”

Kaede could not tell her that she and her father were not close enough for her to ask him such a question personally.

“I’ll keep visiting. There’s no one else, so the Demon King told me to look after you, Lady Kaede.”

“... Even so...”

“Even so?”

“I understand that you have your reasons. But if this becomes known, it will greatly dishonor the kingdom and its royal family. Does that not matter to you?”

“Isn’t that a strange thing for an imperial princess who ran away to avoid marriage to say?”

“...”

Kaede flushed.

“I’m joking.”

Ernyan smiled playfully.

“Besides, I don’t see it that way. In a world where even heroes and Demon Kings work together, what’s so extraordinary about a princess cooperating with a Demon King?”

“...”

“I think you’d be better off cooperating with him and finding a way to benefit the Empire.”

“There couldn’t possibly be a way to...”

“It’s just a thought. Better than being locked in prison, isn’t it?”

“Well, I’ll be going. I’ll leave the water here.” Ernyan left.

* * *

“I hear you’ve been buying elf slaves.”

“Yes.”

Aman Katrash bowed his head. The head of Golden Moon flipped through the documents.

“A commission from Lord Granada, then.”

“Yes. He said he wanted to buy slaves from slave markets across the continent. Hero Hillen instructed us to help Lord Granada unconditionally, so I’ve given it top priority.”

“How is that man Jetoson?”

Jetoson had knocked on the trading company’s door one day. Aman had stopped them from turning him away because of his shabby appearance.

“His practical skills are his greatest strength.”

“You mean he’s a smooth talker.”

The company head clicked his tongue.

“No matter how I look at him, he’s a swindler with nothing but a silver tongue. Must we really take someone like that into the company?”

He could not forget his first impression of Jetoson.

[“Oh, are you really the company head? You look so young, I thought you were the heir. Haha.”]

[“I think the Golden Moon Trading Company is truly remarkable. The fact that you’ve kept it going despite past failures speaks volumes about the hard work of your members.”]

[“Clearly, if you’ve attracted such a large investment, your prospects...”]

His remarks began and ended with flattery. Anyone could see he was a swindler. Instinctive aversion had made the company head want to fire him, but he could not once he learned that Hillen Cargill had chosen him.

“Why on earth would a successful hero employ a swindler like that?”

“He’s doing quite well.”

“Sigh. I can see the greed in his eyes. Ambition isn’t a bad thing in a merchant, but his is excessive.”

“He’s working with Lord Granada, who is an elf, so it should be all right.”

“Hmph. Let’s hope so.”

The company head handed him a newspaper.

“What is this?”

“Read it. Fresh news published this morning.”

【Group of a Dozen or So Succubi Discovered in Argenta Region... Serious Public Security Failings in Kingdom of Dormund... Citizens Appalled.】

【Count Argenta: “Intolerable... Demons Must Be Taught Their Place...”】

【Demons Infiltrate Human Society for First Time in Nearly a Century—Is the New Demon King Responsible?】

【New Demon King Succeeding Beast Demon King Believed to Have Built Tower in Seratin Islands...】

【Dormund’s Fifth Prince Kidnapped by Demon King...】

【“Was Roselle Charnt’s Impulsive Action Not Impulsive After All?”】

【Hero Gillian Aint and White Eagle Raiding Party Head for Tower of Bitter Cold...】

The articles formed a crowded jumble.

“... Succubi.”

“Buy military supplies.”

“Do you intend to participate?”

“Few ventures are as profitable as a hero’s journey. We couldn’t afford it before, but that’s no longer the case, is it?”

“Do you think there will be a hero’s journey?”

“It doesn’t matter if there isn’t.”

Recently, hero’s journeys had followed one after another: against the Demon King in Erjest, and against the Beast’s Tower.

The reason was that the Demon Kings were behaving differently than before. They had kidnapped a kingdom’s heir and killed the first and second in line to another kingdom’s throne. Now they were even trying to manipulate nobles through succubi.

Suspicions that the Demon Kings were plotting something were stirring the nations, the Heroes’ Guild, and the Mercenaries’ Guilds into action.

“War is profitable. Even the prospect of war is profitable. Take charge of this yourself.”

“Yes. May I take the newspaper?”

“As you please.”

Aman left the company head’s office. He returned to his room and spent a long time reading the newspaper carefully before taking out a communication orb.

『Yes, Lord Gordon. It’s me. By any chance...』

* * *

At that same moment, someone else was examining the newspaper, just as Aman was.

“Why did you do it?”

Jason set the newspaper aside and brought a piece of expertly cooked rare steak to his mouth.

“Do what?”

“Didn’t I tell you? Be careful, and don’t send demons outside.”

“Did you call me here over that little thing?”

Vivian savored her crimson wine.

“I asked you a question, Lady Vivian.”

“I simply made a little test while kidnapping the prince. A small extra.”

“A test of what?”

“What sort of dimension Arain is. But I didn’t expect to be caught so quickly. It seems I was unlucky.”

A hero had happened to pass by at precisely that moment.

“You think it was bad luck?”

“I expected it to last at least a few months.”

“I’m sorry, but luck has nothing to do with it. You could send them a hundred times, and the result would be the same.”

STAB

His fork pierced the meat.

“The same?”

“His Grace has gone too far. Sending an empty-headed slut like this.”

“What...? What did you just say?”

Vivian’s eyes froze at the sudden change in tone and atmosphere. Jason tapped his head.

“Forgive my rudeness. I mean that if you had any brains, you would never have come to this godforsaken dimension, whatever His Grace offered you.”

Why Drakson, Reina, Ugar, and Berge were all first-time Demon Kings.

“Everyone knows, yet a Demon King who supposedly conquered an entire dimension doesn’t. Surely you can understand my momentary loss of composure?”

“What did you just say?”

“How many heroes were there in the dimension you conquered, Lady Vivian?”

“I asked what you just said!”

“I asked how many heroes were in the dimension you conquered, you bitch. Lady Vivian. Please do not make me lose my manners again.”

HIC

Vivian closed her mouth. Killing intent that seemed to crawl toward her like a snake sent goosebumps over her entire body.

“Seventy... or so.”

“Then do you know how many heroes there are in Arain?”

“... They say there are many, so there must be a lot. Two hundred? Three hundred?”

“You truly know nothing.”

Jason gave a hollow laugh.

“It may be customary not to disclose the exact figure, since so many refuse assignments to Arain, but I never imagined you were this ignorant.”

His lips twisted upward.

“I understand. Had you known anything about Arain, you would never have agreed to come here, so they must have chosen a brainless Demon King like you. Swollen with conceit after conquering one paltry dimension.”

“...”

Despite his blatant insults, Vivian said nothing. She could not.

“Please open your ears and engrave this deep into your head this time. And repent, again and again, for what an idiotic thing you’ve done.”

He whispered softly.

“3,198.”

“... What?”

“As of a month ago, 3,198 heroes were officially registered with the Heroes’ Guild.”

“... You’re lying.”

Vivian struggled to right her glass. But half its contents were already gone.

“Does it sound like a lie?”

Jason calmly picked up his knife.

“You mean it isn’t?”

“Why would I make such a joke? With a demon like you? I am not a demon with that much time to spare.”

SLICE, SLICE

The meat was cut, but his knife did not stop.

“The succubi you sent were not discovered by coincidence or through bad luck. That is simply everyday life in Arain.”

SCRAPE

The plate split.

“There are so many heroes that Demon Kings cannot operate freely.”

“Demon Kings must watch their step around heroes and humans.”

“And that is why even seasoned Demon Kings refuse to come here.”

Jason’s cutting grew rougher.

“That is everyday life.”

“That’s impossible... No matter how many heroes there are, there has to be a limit!”

“If there were a limit, Arain would have fallen into the Demon Realm’s hands long ago.”

“No, no. It can’t be!”

Vivian denied reality.

“What cannot be tolerated is your idiotic behavior, sending succubi out with your pathetic confidence and ruining everything.”

“Lord Berge Deias can do that. We told him nothing, so he can run wild like an ordinary Demon King. But you could not. Didn’t I tell you? Stay quiet. Wait, without making a sound.”

CRUNCH

The dining table split.

“If you knew what havoc your succubi were causing, even prostrating yourself before me and begging forgiveness this instant would not be enough.”

Only when the steak and plate fell to the floor along with the fine hardwood did his knife stop.

“But I will not demand that.”

Jason released an agitated breath and steadied his breathing.

“I don’t care what you do. I have no interest in who you are or what you have achieved.”

He took out a napkin and wiped the sauce from his hand.

“But no more.”

“Please do not cross the line I have drawn. Please do not overturn the game I have arranged.”

He adjusted his monocle. His icy gaze fixed on Vivian.

“This is not a request. It is a warning.”

Please.

Make a wise choice.