Chapter 62 - Hillen Cargill and Hilderan

“His Majesty the King wishes to see you, hero.”

The moment had finally come.

Late that night, the king’s envoy came to see Hillen Cargill, who was staying in a detached palace within the royal grounds.

Hillen changed into a neat suit and put on a tie. The maids offered to help, but he declined.

“I’ll do it myself.”

He straightened his clothes in the mirror.

‘A little later than I expected.’

Around noon that day, he had entered the capital and taken part in a triumphal ceremony. Upon arriving at the royal palace, he had been assigned a detached palace, where countless nobles came to visit him.

Yet the king, who should have been the first to meet Hillen, had remained silent.

Hillen took that to mean he wanted a quiet, private audience. And now the visitor had arrived.

He followed the knight into the royal castle. No one stood guard outside the king’s office.

“You may go in.”

“Thank you.”

The door opened. The lights were off, and the full moon’s light filtered in through the window.

“Welcome.”

SPLASH

Clear white wine filled an empty glass. A sweet fragrance drifted softly through the room.

“Greetings, Your Majesty.”

“Sit.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Have a drink.”

The king held out his glass.

CLINK

Their glasses touched.

“Anturua Pornin, I see.”

“The 1311 vintage. Yes, you always did know your liquor.”

The king chuckled, leaning back to gaze up at the full moon outside.

“I never thought you would return to Hilderan so readily. And with the unexpected gift of Elena, at that.”

“I hope you were pleased.”

“I was. Even if I weren’t, I would have to say I was. Aren’t you the great hero who rescued a kidnapped princess?”

There was a barb in his words.

“I apologize for what happened before. As you know, I made a mistake because I cherish Ernyan so dearly.”

“I’ve already forgotten it.”

“Good.”

CLINK

They shared another drink.

“Let me ask you one thing.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Did you truly fail to find the tower?”

The king turned his head. His gaze was calm, but the anger within seethed like an active volcano.

“I could not find it.”

“I’ll ask again.”

“I could not find it.”

“Again.”

“I could not find it.”

The glass in the king’s hand shattered. Clear white wine trickled down his hand, soaking the papers on the desk. Broken shards fell onto the carpet.

“Again,” the king growled.

Hillen shook his head.

“That will not make me tell you I found something I could not find.”

“Hahahahaha!”

The king laughed. Waves of mana shook the office.

Hillen watched without so much as blinking.

“I know.”

The laughter stopped abruptly.

“Dafner came to see you, I hear?”

“Yes.”

“What did he ask, and what did you tell him?”

“He asked about the hero’s journey, so I told him exactly what happened in the Erjest Mountains.”

“Dafner said he could not find it either. I suppose that means no one can find it for now.”

The king wiped the wine from his hand and took out a fresh glass.

“But I don’t believe you will remain unable to find it.”

“Is that so?”

“What could be beyond a great hero who took the Beast’s head after slaying the Demon King of Lust?”

“Thank you for your high opinion of me.”

“So...”

Someday.

“Someday, you must rescue Ernyan.”

“I will do my utmost.”

“Yes, that will do. No one in Hilderan will turn against you.”

The king clapped his hands. The knight who had escorted Hillen opened the door a crack.

“Call a maid to clean this up.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The knight departed.

“I’ve made an ugly spectacle of myself. Think of it as a father’s concern for his daughter.”

“Yes, I understand.”

“Oh, and I hear your sponsorship dried up after you killed the Demon King of Lust...”

“Fortunately, I have found a new sponsor.”

“Then I shall have to take a share in that as well.”

“May I refuse?”

“No.”

“Then I will gladly accept.”

“Off you go. I’d like to get a little drunk alone.”

He had been dismissed.

“He’s changed.”

Hadn’t they said he had taken the Beast Demon King’s head as well?

Indeed, even his bearing was different. And what lay ahead was more promising still.

“Since the Demon Kings first descended, there have been other heroes who hunted down two or more of them.”

And every one of those heroes had left a name in history.

“Wasn’t there once a custom of marrying heroes who rescued royalty to the very royals they had saved...?”

It was a custom that had been abolished as the number of heroes soared and there was no longer any need for it.

But it would not be a bad idea now.

The wine tasted sweet.

* * *

“His Lordship Viscount Brolter enters!”

“His Lordship Baron Pensilven and Baroness Pensilven enter!”

The nobles enter. Lights on the ceiling illuminate the hall. The orchestra skillfully plays a melodious tune, seamlessly mingling with laughter and conversation. Sweet wine and food delight noses and palates.

Amid it all...

“The great hero who defeated the Demon King of Lust and the Beast Demon King, Hillen Cargill, and the deputy leader of the Red Hawk raiding party, the elf Granada, enter!”

The guest of honor had arrived.

The noisy banquet hall fell silent. Every gaze converged on the hero and elf in their immaculate suits and ties.

Hillen Cargill casually brushed back his brown hair. Faint murmurs of “Oh, my” reached his ears.

“What are you doing?”

“The noblemen aren’t the only people who matter at a banquet.”

“So you’re flirting.”

“You should prove quite popular with the ladies yourself. No one dislikes a handsome elf.”

“I’ll pass on that crap.”

“And from now on, please mind how we speak to each other. Officially, I am the leader of the raiding party.”

Hillen accepted a cocktail from a servant. The moment he ate the cherry atop the glass, the silence broke. The nobles began vying for his attention.

“Hero Hillen.”

“I am Baron Merton. Do you remember me?”

“Hero Hillen, might you join us for a chat...?”

Appalled by the crowd that swarmed them in an instant, Granada slipped away. Fortunately, most of the attention was directed at Hillen rather than him.

Cocktail in hand, he found a secluded spot.

“Why are you drinking here all alone?”

A woman sat down beside him.

“You’re the famous Granada, aren’t you? I’m Joy Bruain, of House Bruain, the viscount’s family.”

“I’m Granada.”

“I know. Shall we toast?”

“Certainly.”

“Toast with me.”

A hand suddenly appeared. A blonde woman smiled brightly.

“Who are you?”

“I’m Gaina Deia, of House Deia. My father is the famous Count Deia.”

“And?”

“I just wanted to talk.”

“With me?”

“Who else is here besides you?”

Only then did Granada raise his head and realize he could no longer see the banquet hall. He was surrounded on all sides by noble daughters and ladies.

‘As for simply slipping away...’

It was already too late.

Granada let out a small sigh.

* * *

“Hillen Cargill.”

There were distinctions among nobles, according to their titles. And there were distinctions even among those titles, according to background and power.

Duke Heinz stood at the very pinnacle of that hierarchy.

Born into Hilderan’s highest bloodline, he had earned recognition of his ducal title through his exceptional abilities. Countless nobles gathered beneath his protection, and countless others wished to.

As Duke Heinz approached, the crowd surrounding Hillen Cargill parted.

He exuded noble dignity. Born to rule, he looked down upon everything.

“It has been a long time.”

“Greetings, Your Grace.”

“On behalf of the royal family, I thank you for rescuing Elena.”

“I merely did what I ought to do.”

“What you ought to do... Yes, indeed.”

He smiled.

“Do you all realize what an honor it is to be here?”

Duke Heinz raised his voice, drawing everyone’s attention.

“Hillen Cargill was born in Hilderan and has long served as one of its heroes. There is no one in Hilderan who does not know his name, and many have had dealings with him.”

“You flatter me.”

“Flatter you? I haven’t even begun. And so, some of you take Hillen Cargill lightly. Because he is familiar, because he does not seem so extraordinary at first glance. But Hillen is nothing less than one of the Stars.”

The duke raised Hillen’s arm. The nobles applauded.

“Though he failed, he devoted himself to rescuing our kingdom’s Crown Princess, and he brought back the Thirteenth Princess. What a loyal subject!”

“Indeed!”

“Long live the hero Hillen Cargill!”

“What are you doing?”

The duke ignored Hillen’s whisper.

“And that is not all!

“He took the head of the Demon King of Lust, and even the Beast Demon King knelt before his sword and magic. How could anyone deny his greatness?

“Every hero who defeated two Demon Kings has left a name in history!”

The cheers grew louder.

“I am truly proud to have been friends with such a man as Hillen Cargill for so long. I am delighted that I have been able to help him all these years, and that he has now come into his own.”

“How cruel of you.”

A faint crack appeared in Hillen’s expression. His muted anger was buried beneath the crowd’s cheers.

“You met my elder brother, I hear?”

Duke Heinz, the only one who had heard him, smiled radiantly.

“Yes.”

“His Majesty is rather unfair, considering you and I are closer. I have no intention of letting you go.”

“You’re quite a tenacious lifeline.”

“Before you take hold, I’m a lifeline. Once you have, you may as well call me a shackle. I’m a greedy man.”

“Well, perhaps it’s because I’ve dealt with greedier people and stronger shackles, but yours seem rather loose.”

“What an amusing thing to say.”

He gave a faint smile.

Just then, a knight hurried in. He leaned close and whispered softly.

“... What? The vaul—”

The duke glanced at Hillen and swallowed the rest of his words.

“I’m sorry, but I believe we must end our conversation here for today.”

“What a shame. I thought we might have a pleasant conversation, Your Grace.”

“Indeed. I shall arrange a private meeting another time.”

“Take care.”

Hillen bowed. The duke left at a brisk pace, his knights following behind.

“What happened?”

“What was that?”

The nobles were taken aback by his abrupt departure, but soon forgot it. After all, Hillen Cargill, a great hero with a dazzling future, stood before them.

“Hero, it has been so long!”

“Lady Isir, it is an honor to see you again.”

“Ahem. Hillen Cargill, you haven’t forgotten me, I trust?”

“Of course not, Your Lordship Marquis Mohir. I am always grateful to you.”

Hillen was engulfed by the crowd once more.

The banquet grew livelier.

* * *

The maid responsible for Hyacinth Palace knocked cautiously at the door.

“Princess, may I come in?”

There was no reply. But Elena spent more time asleep than awake.

She opened the door. A cold breeze brushed her face.

‘Has she left the window open?’

The princess must not be exposed to the cold.

She hurried to close the window, then stopped short.

Elena lay on the bed. A shadowy figure stood looking down at her.

“Wh-who...?”

“I am the Dark Spirit Summoner, one of the Four Heavenly Kings serving my lord, the Demon King.”

The awkwardly altered voice sounded bizarre.

“By order of the great Demon King, I shall abduct Hilderan’s Thirteenth Princess.”

The kidnapper’s eyes flashed in the darkness.

The maid caught her breath.

“A d-demon!”

All she could do was muster every ounce of strength to scream.

Fortunately, her voice reached the knights. Hurried footsteps approached.

“Aaaargh!”

“A demon!”

“Stop it!”

Then the footsteps vanished again amid screams. She felt intense heat.

“Oh, my.”

The Dark Spirit Summoner covered her mouth.

“All the knights who could help you are gone, aren’t they?”

She carefully lifted the sleeping Thirteenth Princess into her arms.

“Y-you can’t take the princess—”

“What remarkable loyalty. Even I find it gratifying.”

Something flew toward her.

THWACK

A slight impact blurred the maid’s vision.

“When you wake from your nap, it will all be over.”

She collapsed.

Ernyan climbed out through the window.

“Sis.”

Elena, who had been pretending to sleep, cautiously opened her eyes.

“Yes?”

“Isn’t that from the play we saw more than ten years ago?”

“... N-no, it isn’t.”

“Yes, it is. I have a good memory.”

Ernyan’s face reddened.

“If you’re the Dark Spirit Summoner, there must be others too, right?”

“... There’s no Commander of the Legion of Death or Giant of Hell.”

“Then what about the Dark Knight?”

“... There’s a candidate.”

“Probably,” she whispered softly.

“... You’re not just crazy. You’re completely insane.”

Following behind them, Berge gave a disbelieving laugh.

Behind them, the flames consuming Hyacinth Palace blazed skyward.

A magical alarm warning of an enemy attack rang throughout the royal palace.