Chapter 7 - The Power of Money

"... He asked whether I'd buy his demonic energy?"

Drakson was so astonished that he failed to notice the meat falling out of his mouth.

"Yes."

Casey picked up the fallen piece and tossed it into the trash, then wiped his mouth with a napkin.

"Are you certain? That he contacted us?"

"I am."

"He's really selling demonic energy?"

"Yes."

"In exchange for what?"

"He mentioned human money."

"That's all? Is he truly insane?"

Demonic energy converted into numerical values through human emotions and life force differed from the demonic energy of the Demon Realm. Its direct connection to life force made it purer and more refined.

It was the only key capable of unlocking the shackles of Demon Kings, whose every aspect was suppressed by dimensional interference. It also offered a way to break through limits that had barred their progress for ages.

That was why every demon fought tooth and nail to enter the Demon King Military Academy and become a Demon King. Never in history had a Demon King sold the demonic energy they had collected to someone else.

And for nothing more than human-made "money" that could only be used in Arain?

All emotions, like all life, were finite.

However fierce the rage.

However searing the sorrow.

Even despair so deep it made one wish for death.

In time, all would wear away and fade. Emotions directed at Demon Kings were naturally no exception. The demonic energy collected dwindled day by day.

That was why Demon Kings had to keep abducting new princes and princesses or intervene in the human world to stir up trouble.

Arain's abundance of heroes demanded particular caution, making demonic energy harder to gather there than in other dimensions.

That made this offer especially suspicious.

"Berge has requested a long-term arrangement. He said he wants to keep exchanging the demonic energy generated from Hilderan's anger."

"Do you think there will be much?"

"Hilderan is one of the foremost powers in the south. Moreover, its people hold the Crown Princess in tremendous esteem. If we receive their anger and sorrow over the long term..."

"It would be immense."

The Guide was right after all. No matter how he had insulted it or what else he had done, this was the result of abducting the best possible princess in accordance with its teachings.

"What on earth is he plotting?"

"Perhaps he's simply insane."

If a Demon King who cursed the Guide while following it more faithfully than anyone, then sold his demonic energy, wasn't insane, who was?

"Perhaps."

Drakson rested his chin on his hand, lost in thought. But he soon reached a decision.

"Accept it, no matter what."

Whatever dirty trick lay behind it.

However uneasy it made him.

"I'd be a fool not to take this."

It was a sweet temptation he simply could not refuse.

* * *

"... Good heavens. Selling demonic energy for mere human money."

Drakson and Casey were not alone in thinking that.

The dark elf who had personally proposed the sale on his Demon King's behalf could not understand it either.

Why did demons risk their lives to cross dimensions alongside a Demon King?

Loyalty and trust in their king played a part, as did the desire to distinguish themselves, but demonic energy was also a major factor. They sought energy purer and of higher quality than that found in the Demon Realm.

"If you need money, didn't our superiors provide some when we first descended?"

"I spent it all getting to Hilderan and back. Teleportation circles are damned expensive."

They had not been given much to begin with, since little importance was placed on the Middle Realm's money. And the journey had taken him from one end of the continent to the other and back.

"Of course demonic energy matters. But only if we're still alive to use it."

"Hmm."

Having heard a rough account of how the situation was unfolding, Gordon conceded that point.

"Then you're saying human money will give us a way out?"

"Yes."

"How can it accomplish what demonic energy cannot?"

"I'll buy one."

An elf.

And then...

"Have them stand in for me."

* * *

Demon Kings and heroes.

Demon Kings and kingdoms.

As they grew accustomed to one another, the age of unconditional hostility had passed. But this was only a transitional period. Demon Kings remained invaders.

Naturally, the peoples of the dimension hated and despised demons.

Thus, no matter how much money Berge offered to hire humans, there was no chance they would obey him.

They would report that a mad Demon King had descended instead.

Which meant...

"I need a front."

To become a proper mastermind behind the scenes.

Someone who would sow chaos in the human world on his behalf while he roared at the world as a Demon King.

Someone who would follow him faithfully and never betray him.

'It'll take the heroes longer to get here than I expected. I'll use that time to set everything up.'

Heroes thirsted for fame, so they did not conceal their movements.

Naturally, whenever a hero set out from somewhere, the entire continent buzzed with the news. It was as foolish as the Demon King's Guide, yet such behavior worked in Arain.

Because the Guide was even stupider.

Traveling from one end of the continent to the other would also take considerable time.

Ultimately, it was a race against time. Would I find a front and hire humans to obstruct the heroes' journey first, or would the heroes arrive before that?

While he pondered, he reached his destination before he knew it.

Horton, a kingdom a stone's throw from the Erjest Mountains. And its fortress city, Hortonwork.

A northern kingdom with vast territory but a sparse population owing to its barren land.

The city formed the defensive line protecting the kingdom's northernmost reaches.

"Halt! Who goes there?"

"A mercenary returning from a job."

Berge raised the pelt of a yeti he had killed and skinned on the way. A moment later, the thick city gates opened.

"You've got some nerve, roaming the mountains alone."

"Did you kill that yeti by yourself?"

"Yes."

"Haven't seen your face before."

"You talk as though you know every mercenary in the fortress."

Greed briefly flickered in the soldiers' eyes, but they questioned him no further. Countless mercenaries came and went from Hortonwork, given the nature of the city.

But that was all. That was the full extent of Berge's knowledge of Hortonwork.

In his previous life, he had made no particular effort to learn about humans.

The one thing he knew for certain was...

'There's a slave market here.'

Slavery flourished in Arain.

As humans came to dominate most of the continent, wars with other races were constant, and captured nonhumans were turned into slaves.

With time, the wars between races ended, and fellow humans largely filled that void. Yet nonhuman slaves were still traded in secret.

"Hmm. How was I supposed to go about this?"

One Demon King had said that the underworld operated much like demon society.

The strong ruled. Power took precedence over everything, and with enough of it, there was nothing one could not obtain there.

And the slave market and the underworld were inextricably linked.

"Beat them up a little, and they'll spill everything."

While he was at it, he could ask how Hilderan was responding.

Berge set off with light steps.

* * *

BUUURP...

Bark, a mercenary, let out a long belch. The fizz from the beer he had just drunk rose pleasantly in his throat.

"You filthy bastard, stop doing that in my face!"

"It's just a natural urge."

"You get that urge five times a minute?"

"What are you, a rabbit?"

His companions snickered.

It was a good day. Monsters had attacked the fortress, and they had repelled them without any significant losses. His mercenary band had acquired a yeti carcass, yielding a sizable haul of materials.

"Anyway, shouldn't we be leaving here soon?"

"Leave a place this good?"

They had settled in Hortonwork three years earlier. Hearing they could earn big money by risking their lives, they had come prepared to die.

But to their surprise, this place was a gold mine. Monsters appeared practically every day, but the soldiers who had endured their attacks for years handled them flawlessly, allowing the mercenaries to collect materials with little danger.

"Sure, but you've heard the rumor. A new Demon King built a tower in the Erjest Mountains..."

"Oh, that nonsense?"

Bark snorted.

"You clearly don't know much about Demon Kings. They don't build towers anywhere too dangerous. They settle someplace reasonable, where heroes and soldiers can reach them. Besides, they say he kidnapped Hilderan's Crown Princess. Why would a Demon King in Erjest bother? Have you ever seen a Demon King go clear to the other end of the continent to abduct a princess?"

"Then what about the rumor?"

"Someone got it wrong. The Demon King's probably near Hilderan, or at most a kingdom or two away. That's how it usually works."

"I heard the Heroes' Guild is in an uproar. They're refusing because it's the Erjest Mountains, even with a fortune on offer."

"That's all for show. What is the Crown Princess to the Kingdom of Hilderan? An indispensable heir. They'll pay an arm and a leg to have her rescued, so the heroes are playing games to squeeze out a little more. You know how money-crazed those bastards are."

"True enough."

One by one, the mercenaries nodded in agreement.

It happened then.

"That's an interesting story."

A deep voice reached their ears. Before they could do more than start in surprise, one mercenary went flying through the air with a scream.

"Guh!"

He went limp.

"..."

Cognitive dissonance. Bark could not comprehend what had just happened. His response was slow as a result, and that brief opening was enough to put all his companions to sleep.

"I only need one mouth. The one who seems to know the most."

The shadowy figure dusted off his hands. The sight of those cold, pitch-black eyes in the darkness made Bark's knees buckle.

He sobered up instantly.

Instincts honed over a long mercenary career screamed at him. He could never win.

"Don't be afraid. Answer my questions, and there won't be any trouble."

A pale hand patted his shoulder.

Bark nodded furiously.

"I-I'll do anything if you spare me...!"

"Shh."

A pale finger stopped his mouth.

"My hearing is perfectly fine."

"Y-yes."

"That story about the Demon King was interesting."

Bark silently cursed the companion who had brought up the Demon King. If he survived, he swore he would smack the bastard across the back of the head.

"Is it true the Demon King is in Erjest?"

"That's the rumor. But not many people believe it. Demon Kings don't build towers in places people can't reach at all."

Indeed.

A smile formed on the man's lips.

"And the heroes haven't been hired?"

"They say they're refusing the commission because it's Erjest. They claim it's too dangerous, but honestly, I think they're just playing games to get more money."

"Even though the Crown Princess has been abducted?"

"That makes no difference. There's no scum in this world as greedy as those hero bastards. I'm certain of it. Haven't there always been rumors that the Heroes' Guild and the Demon Kings are in bed together?"

"Is that so?"

The man seemed satisfied, and Bark sighed in relief.

"One more thing. I've spent hours roaming the back alleys. But I couldn't find it."

He had not specified what he was looking for.

"Does this city have no underworld?"

"Uh, no."

Fortunately, this was another subject Bark knew about.

"Hortonwork always has a legion stationed here, so law and order are good. There are plenty of tough mercenaries too, leaving no room for an underworld to develop."

"I see."

A wasted effort, then.

The man clicked his tongue.

"Then you'll have to guide me."

"Pardon?"

"Where's the slave market?"

"The slave market is near the east gate..."

"Good thing you know. Take me there."

"... Pardon?"

HIC.

* * *

His prediction had been right.

'Making my nest in the Erjest Mountains was the right choice after all.'

No heroes were stepping forward. He had bought more time than expected.

But with Hilderan charging ahead, foaming at the mouth, it was certain to send a powerful hero eventually. He could not let his guard down.

"This way."

The mercenary led me to an enormous mansion not far from the east gate. I sensed countless people inside.

High walls enclosed it on every side. Within lay a spacious garden dotted with numerous tents.

Inside the tents were magically treated iron cages, and inside those stood slaves in chains.

"So this is the place."

"Yes."

With the mercenary in tow, Berge quickly surveyed the garden. There were dozens of slaves, but none were what he wanted.

They were all human.

"... Are they not to your liking?"

Seeing his face tighten, the mercenary asked cautiously.

"Is this all of them?"

"... For now, yes."

"Meaning there are more."

"Yes. But that area is reserved for premium customers. They don't let just anyone in."

"And if I insist on getting in?"

"... Well..."

SMACK.

Berge tossed him a money pouch. Catching it reflexively, Bark checked its contents and gaped.

"Wh-what's this?"

"If I find a slave I like, it's yours."

"R-really?"

It was a kind of experiment.

Berge knew humans were greedy for money. He had seen them fight and turn against one another over it.

But he wanted to know exactly how far that greed went—whether they could betray humanity for a Demon King, their enemy.

That was why he had beaten them. A thug was not quite a Demon King, but he was curious whether money could make a man treat someone who had knocked out his companions well.

"Put your trust in me, and I'll do my very best!"

The man's eyes shimmered with greed and a sense of purpose.

Success.

'At this level, money is practically what demonic energy is to demons.'

Demons also committed betrayal to obtain the Middle Realm's demonic energy, after all.

* * *

"Put your trust in me, and I'll do my very best!"

'How much is all this worth?'

The pouch was not bulging, but its contents gleamed gold. Not copper coins, not silver, but gold. And not just one coin, either. Two.

An enormous sum, equal to what they would earn by selling the materials from today's yeti. If all he had to do to receive it was act as a guide, of course he would.

Fortunately, Bark had connections. Connections built over his three years in Hortonwork.

"Ah, I really shouldn't."

"Please, do me this favor. We've known each other more than a day or two, haven't we? Besides, he's willing to pay a high price for the merchandise. What's the harm in something that benefits everyone?"

"Ugh, all right."

He slipped a silver coin into the attendant's hand and opened the door leading underground.

They descended a dark staircase the torches could not fully illuminate, emerging into an enormous chamber. Iron cages stood here and there throughout it.

Only five in all.

But Bark was certain the pouch of gold would be his. A smile had appeared on his client's lips.

'What is he looking at?'

He followed the man's gaze.

There stood an elf with snow-white skin.