Chapter 66 - Vivian and Berge

The call came on a sunny afternoon.

『Hello.』

Her complexion was somewhat haggard as she waved, with none of her former confidence to be seen. Something must have happened.

『I'd like to meet for a moment. May I come to your tower?』

What was she after? Berge considered it for a moment.

『May I not?』

When he gave no answer, she murmured anxiously. He felt no particular pity. With a succubus queen, even that display was very likely an act.

"Vivian Blunt."

『Yes, Berge Deias.』

"What do you want to say? Were we ever close enough to talk in private and visit each other's towers?"

『We aren't, but don't you think that could change depending on what we do from now on?』

"You sound a little less insolent."

『Ha. I never imagined I'd hear that from some brat who finished the military academy only a year ago.』

『Youngsters these days have gone soft, haven't they? Back in my day...』

"I have no interest in your stories about the past. Get to the point."

After a moment's hesitation, she spoke.

『I wonder whether you knew.』

"Tell me exactly what you mean."

『The Heroes' Guild.』

『The dimension I conquered had only around a hundred heroes at most. A guild? There was no way anything like that could exist.』

"Ha ha."

A hollow laugh escaped her. Her wavering eyes spoke for her feelings. Her bewilderment and dismay were no act.

"Every Demon King who has descended upon Arain knows about it."

Even those who didn't would eventually find out.

『So I was the only one who didn't know. Just me. I was the only fucking idiot. Wasn't I?』

"What exactly are you trying to say?"

『I told you! I want to meet and talk!』

Her shrill shout hurt his ears. He barely suppressed the urge to cut the connection.

Whatever her failings, she was still a Demon King. Whether he liked her or not, she was a Demon King.

Returning to the past had taught Berge how important his relationships with the other Demon Kings were. If they had any use at all, if they could help him in any way, maintaining those relationships was the right choice. Arain was a place he couldn't be certain of conquering even with every means at his disposal.

Especially since...

'Vivian Blunt is very likely Alkain's dog.'

Grand Duke Alkain had doubts about Drakson's death. If he were plotting something, he would most likely do it through Vivian Blunt.

'Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.'

It was an adage that circulated among humans. Berge liked it.

"Then I'll come to your tower."

『I think the other way around would be better.』

"Don't try such transparent tricks. If you refuse, I have no reason to entertain you any further."

『Fine. I'll leave the door open.』

* * *

The moment he passed through space, the hot sun blazed down on him. Wind brushed his face, carrying a strong tang of salt.

'The sea.'

Come to think of it, Vivian's tower was said to be in the Seratin Islands, in the sea west of the continent.

"Welcome."

The five-story tower opened. Its interior was lavish. He sensed so many presences that it hardly seemed like the tower of a Demon King who had just descended.

'Succubi, incubi, and all kinds of demonic creatures.'

Was this only to be expected of a Demon King who had conquered an entire dimension? Regardless of their strength, there were dozens of demons and thousands of demonic creatures.

'Well, I used to be the same...'

He recalled a past that had yet to happen in this life. He had graduated at the top of the Demon King Military Academy and received enormous support. Demons from the Demon Training Academy had scrambled to serve under him, and he had been supplied with demonic energy points and demonic creatures.

Vivian Blunt now looked exactly like Berge had when he first descended before his regression—except that, rather than being a top graduate, she was loaded with the privileges she had earned by conquering a dimension.

As he indulged in that touch of nostalgia, he reached the fifth floor.

"Welcome, dear."

As befitted the Demon King's Floor, the fifth floor was incomparably more splendid than the others. In some respects, it even surpassed Jason's tower.

Yet, in contrast to its decorations, there were no demons or demonic creatures. Only Vivian, seated on her throne, awaited Berge in the vast space.

"My neck hurts."

"You really have no respect for your seniors. Whatever else you may think, I'm a Demon King who has conquered another dimension."

Grumbling, she came down from her throne and sat at a round table prepared in advance. Red wine and several snacks had been laid out.

"Wine would be better than tea, wouldn't it?"

"Don't ask after you've already prepared it."

"I'm asking because I can give you tea if you want it."

"I'll pass."

Vivian uncorked the wine. A cheerful pop was followed by a faint, sweet aroma.

"What do you want to say?"

"Such a hurry. Can't you relax a little?"

"You sounded as though you were about to die over the communication orb. Being on your own turf seems to have restored some of your nerve."

"... Honestly."

She held out the wine bottle. When he slid his clear glass toward her, she filled it halfway with red liquid.

"I invited you because I have something to ask."

"Something to ask?"

"About your activities."

She extended her glass as if proposing a toast, but Berge snorted and tipped his own glass to drink. Vivian sighed and brought hers to her lips.

"After all the succubi in the Kingdom of Dormund were exposed, I looked into your activities a little."

"And your impression?"

"I was surprised."

After Jason Cockmundo's warning, she had been unable to believe it. There were 3,198 heroes? No such dimension existed. No such dimension should exist.

She had only conquered one dimension, but she had dealings with quite a few Demon Kings. She had never encountered a place with more than five hundred heroes, however numerous they were.

That was only natural. Heroes were those chosen by a dimension. They could reasonably be called mercenaries a dimension selected to protect itself. And a dimension's power was by no means infinite.

But by the time she realized Jason had told the truth, and that something was wrong with Arain, it was already too late. Officially, once dispatched to a dimension, one could return only as a dead body or after conquering the dimension completely.

In the end, she could only settle for the next-best option. Survive somehow. Even if she couldn't dream of conquering the dimension right away, she mustn't die.

It was only natural that Berge would catch her attention.

"You've achieved remarkable results despite being here for only a year."

Not content with kidnapping Hilderan's Crown Princess and an imperial princess of Jespine, he had recently kidnapped yet another princess of Hilderan.

Kidnapping princesses was nothing unusual. But Vivian now understood how dangerous it was in Arain to kidnap not merely a princess, but the crown princess.

"And yet you're alive, and you don't look as though you'll die anytime soon. Even though you've caused more trouble than I have."

"So?"

"I was curious. How you manage it, what you're thinking, and what your plans are."

"And you think I'll tell you?"

"... Honestly, I didn't expect you to tell me readily. But that's how desperate I am."

He understood. Whether or not it would develop into an actual hero's journey, Dormund was still in turmoil because of Vivian. Combined with that figure of 3,198, it must be making her fear for her life.

"And you already know, don't you? That it's too late for you to copy me."

"You mean hiding the tower."

Vivian gave an awkward smile.

"That goes against the proper way of doing things."

"If you're going to be that hidebound, there's no point even having this conversation."

"Is there really no other way? I don't think it makes sense that you repelled a hero's journey with that alone."

"Even if there is, I have no reason to tell you."

"I heard you like money."

She pulled a heap of money pouches from her storage dimension. How had she acquired it so soon?

"They were caught, but the people the succubi approached were nobles. We emptied their vaults."

"Four hundred and eleven gold altogether," she murmured.

"I wouldn't call it an enormous sum, but I don't think it's small, either. Surely it's worth at least one other piece of advice."

"It certainly isn't a small amount."

It was enough to buy close to a hundred elf slaves. If she was offering it, there was no need to refuse.

'What would be good?'

Something that sounded like advice without really being advice.

"You've chosen a good location."

"Unlike yours, it's already been exposed."

"It's an island. They have to come by sea, don't they?"

"That's right."

"Buy marine demonic creatures and release them, or take marine monsters as your servants."

"You're telling me to intercept the heroes at sea?"

"It won't be perfect. But it will be easier than facing them after they land. Humans are land creatures, after all."

"Hmm. That's rather conventional for advice."

"So what?"

Before Vivian could say anything more, Berge snatched up the money pouches.

"I spoke, and you listened. Our transaction is complete."

"What a forceful man. I don't dislike men like that."

Vivian laughed nonchalantly. Her flirtatious gaze and gestures made Berge scowl.

"I don't like filthy succubi."

"Such a lofty demon dragon."

"If you're finished, I'll be leaving. Any longer here and I'll die of irritation."

"Wait. I heard you couldn't bring anyone but your adjutant when you descended."

"So?"

"And you don't summon any additional demonic creatures or demons, do you? Jason tells me you convert all the demonic energy points you save that way into money..."

"Apparently a mere Demon King like you can tell that I haven't summoned any demonic creatures or demons, bitch."

"You'd already guessed as much, hadn't you? Finding things out on the sly is one of my specialties, but your eyes seem to be telling me you already know."

"I'll simply ask. Were you involved in Drakson's death?"

"Would you believe me if I said I wasn't?"

"Of course. To be honest, the grand duke suspects you, but I have my doubts. I heard a high-ranking demon infiltrated the tower, and you don't have even ordinary demonic creatures, let alone a high-ranking demon."

"Didn't you come here with orders? Are you allowed to spill everything like that?"

"His Grace kept a great deal about Arain from me as well, so I believe I'm entitled to this much discretion."

"Interesting."

He couldn't tell whether it was a calculated performance or her true feelings.

"It has nothing to do with me."

"Then I'll take that as the truth for now."

"As you please."

"Oh, and..."

Vivian gave him an alluring smile.

"You'd do well to be wary of Jason Cockmundo. What you see isn't all there is to him."

"I'm sure I know that better than you, who only just descended."

Berge opened a passage through space and squeezed himself inside. Vivian watched his back and licked her lips.

"He certainly is suspicious."

Her hand tightened around her wineglass.

"Insolent, too."

"So irritating."

CRASH!

The glass shattered. Bright red wine streamed down her hand.

"Berge Deias."

"Reina Sordein."

"Ugar Belbek."

"Jason Cockmundo."

She recited the names of the four Demon Kings.

"Jason Cockmundo, I do understand your anger."

With 3,198 heroes, it was inevitable. She, too, had spent a while paralyzed by panic.

But that didn't mean she bore him no ill will. She couldn't accept that a threat from a fellow Demon King had made her tremble in fear, however briefly. Her warning to Berge had sprung from that wounded pride.

"At any rate, I must do my job."

The reason she had descended upon Arain: she had to uncover the culprit. If only to escape this goddamned place alive.

Fortunately, a path had opened up.

"Reina Sordein. Just what are you plotting?"

Vivian repeated the name of Bitter Cold, who had contacted her not long ago.

* * *

Those who performed great deeds received recognition. For service to a nation, nobles or the king offered commendation. And heroes belonging to the Guild were officially commended by Guild headquarters.

In a sense, it was only natural for Hillen Cargill, who had slain the Beast Demon King, Drakson Doldorf, to be summoned to Heroes' Guild headquarters.

But a minor clash could have prevented that natural outcome, so Hillen had demanded a Guild-level reward as a condition. Thus, this occasion had come about.

"Hillen Cargill of Hilderan pays his respects to the elders."

The grand assembly hall was packed. The enormous space could easily hold hundreds of people, and more than half of those present were heroes. Every hero residing at Guild headquarters had gathered to see the rapidly rising hero.

"It's an honor to see such a great hero in person."

"He has quite a presence."

"For someone who's killed two Demon Kings, he's a little...?"

Whispered voices reached his ears.

"Hero Hillen Cargill, step forward."

Hillen took one step forward.

An elder unfolded a document. The chief elder himself read its contents aloud.

"Hillen Cargill! For ascending The Beast's Tower, conquering the tower, and slaying the Demon King..."

His achievements were enumerated in detail.

"You are awarded five thousand gold in prize money, ten pieces of magical equipment from the Guild's workshops, and..."

The chief elder paused, meeting Hillen Cargill's eyes.

"You are hereby appointed an Argan."

Named after the first Guildmaster, the title designated officers who handled the Guild's actual affairs—those who determined its course alongside the council of elders.

'I've done it!'

Hillen let out a silent shout of triumph. At last, he had made it this far.