Chapter 71 - Necessity

Hillen Cargill considered his options. How could he convince Louise that a Demon King was going to kidnap her?

Say the Demon King had told him personally? That he was acquainted with a Demon King?

That was bullshit nobody would swallow. Knowing Louise, she would throw a fucking fit and accuse him of being a spy.

'I need a plausible story.'

It did not need to fit together perfectly. He only had to fool one person: Princess Louise.

"What kind of nonsense is that? A Demon King is going to kidnap me?"

"Yes."

"On what grounds?"

There was nothing unusual about a Demon King kidnapping a princess. Since Demon Kings first descended, it had happened dozens, even hundreds of times and more. But never once had a plan to kidnap a princess become known in advance.

"Are you aware that I embarked on a hero's journey to kill the Demon King of Erjest?"

"What does that have to do with your bullshit?"

"I failed. No, I could not even find the tower, so calling it a failure was embarrassing in itself. Killing the Beast Demon King has helped me recover somewhat, but it was a considerable blow to my pride as a hero and a Star."

Louise tilted her head, gesturing for him to go on.

"So after that day, I stationed people around the Erjest Mountains."

"People?"

"Yes. No Demon King is satisfied with a single princess. I thought he would emerge again someday to kidnap another royal. And at last, we caught him in the act."

"The Jespine Empire's Ninth Princess?"

"Not only the imperial princess. He struck Hilderan again as well."

"I heard. The Thirteenth Princess was kidnapped, wasn't she?"

"It threw all of Hilderan into an uproar."

"So you're saying you followed the Demon King who kidnapped the princess and found his tower?"

"Unfortunately, no."

The faint anticipation on Louise's face abruptly twisted into anger.

"Are you playing games with me?"

"If you would hear me out a little longer, you will understand why I am telling you this."

"... Speak."

"Although I did not find the tower, I gained something else."

"Something else?"

"We could not locate the demon going in, but we spotted a demon coming out. We also discovered its destination."

At that point, anyone who was not a fool would have understood.

"... Don't tell me it was..."

"Yes. Here, the Kingdom of Berft. And its target is Louise Berft. You, Your Highness."

* * *

The story had plenty of holes. Suppose he really had followed a demon and learned that its destination was Berft. But how did he know its target was specifically Louise?

The explanation lacked sufficient justification. Hillen Cargill used his reputation to fill that gap.

"Fine, all right. But what makes you so sure it's me?"

"I cannot disclose that part."

"Are you fucking with me?"

"But I can swear on my honor and my office as an Argan. I have no intention whatsoever of harming you, Princess, and the Demon King will certainly target you."

"..."

Louise faltered in the middle of berating him. Cherished princess of the dwarven kingdom though she was, the man before her was a hero who had killed two Demon Kings and an Argan of the Guild. When the most celebrated figure on the continent staked his honor on something, she could hardly dismiss it out of hand.

Moreover, a hero's oath carried power. It was never a trivial matter.

As Louise wrestled with her thoughts, Hillen added another lie.

"However, I cannot guarantee that it is necessarily the Demon King of Erjest."

"It hasn't even been five minutes since you said the Demon King of Erjest was targeting me."

"It did come down from the mountains, but the report I received described a succubus. As you know, Demon Kings prefer to employ demons of their own race."

"... A succubus? Then the Demon King of Carnal Desire?"

"I do not know whether you are aware, but the Demon Kings..."

"Hold gatherings. I know. I've heard about them."

"I suspect my agent spotted it leaving after one of those gatherings."

'That should be enough.'

He would have liked to leave the blade pointed straight at Berge, but that would be far too hasty. A hero's journey could not begin overnight, and the moment Hillen Cargill was identified as the source of the rumor, there was no telling what the foreign object inside his head would do.

The Demon King would die, but so would Hillen. He had absolutely no interest in a bright future for a world without him in it.

'Now is not the time to betray the Demon King.'

Having said his piece, Hillen quietly watched Louise.

"The Demon King of Carnal Desire is targeting me?"

"The Demon King of Carnal Desire? Me?"

"Going to kidnap me?"

"Not a chance!"

After muttering like a crazy bitch, she sprang to her feet.

"Where are you going?"

"How dare she target me? Me? Does she think I'll let her take me without a fight?"

"Princess!"

"I must tell Father about the Demon King's intrusion!"

"You must not!"

Hillen hurriedly caught Louise by the shoulder.

"Let go of me."

"It is still only speculation."

"Speculation?"

"I am not the Demon King. How could I know what she is thinking? I merely made an inference and told you the most likely possibility."

"But you must be fairly certain, or you wouldn't have sworn to it."

"Yes."

"Then what is there to think about? We should report it immediately and tighten security!"

"That will not stop a Demon King."

"What?"

"Demon Kings are renowned for their ability to conceal themselves. There is no guarantee we could detect her, and if she notices anything unusual, she may simply refrain from kidnapping you for now. Surely you cannot keep security heightened forever?"

"... What are you getting at?"

"I will protect you, Princess, and prevent the Demon King from kidnapping you."

"Why would you?"

Her suspicion, which had begun to ease, rose again. Faced with her combative gaze, Hillen decided to be honest once more.

"For glory."

"Glory?"

"If the Demon King truly comes, and I protect you, it would be a first, would it not? Preventing a Demon King from carrying out an abduction."

Hillen deliberately made no effort to hide his greed. The desire gleaming in his eyes provided the most convincing reason of all.

"... I heard you were endlessly kind and devoted to the people."

"Being good does not mean having no ambition. In my case, I simply place some value on glory."

"The people of Hilderan would love to hear that."

Yet somehow, that made her like him.

"Do they matter here? You are what matters, Princess. One month. Would you grant me the honor of protecting you for just one month?"

"Are you certain? That the Demon King will come within a month?"

"I am certain."

"Fine."

Louise held out her hand. Her powerful grip squeezed Hillen's hand hard.

"I don't know what you're really after with this bargain. But if what you say is true, and you protect me, the Heroes' Guild and the Kingdom of Berft will become the closest of friends. Thanks to you, of course."

Hillen bowed his head.

"Thank you. Oh, once this is settled, I will also tell you where I obtained Logger Fridri's weapons."

"Ah."

Louise ground her teeth.

"I'd forgotten about that son of a bitch."

* * *

Berge withdrew his hand.

"How is it?"

The eyes brimming with anticipation were rather burdensome.

"Your mana is decreasing. It will still take a long time, but the treatment is working. You will be able to learn magic someday."

"Thank you!"

The two sisters, who looked so alike, bowed their heads.

"Once your mana decreases a little more, you can use what remains to gradually strengthen your body. A mana heart would be better than an aura core."

Although they shared the same origin, aura underwent an additional refinement that made it harder and rougher. It was unsuitable for Elena's frail body, which could tear apart at any moment.

The problem lay elsewhere. Weak as Elena was, she was still a hero, and heroes could not wield demonic energy.

"Couldn't I teach her?"

Elena did have spirit affinity, but the idea did not particularly appeal to Berge. Ernyan and Nairuniel were simply unusual. Spirit summoners—and spirits themselves—were not friendly toward demons.

Nairuniel had personally mentioned that when Ernyan summoned a high-ranking spirit, every spirit other than herself had been reluctant to answer. That was because Ernyan had indicated that she was cooperating with Berge, a Demon King.

Ernyan had been lucky enough to meet an eccentric like Nairuniel, but was there any guarantee Elena would be as fortunate?

- That's true.

- Most spirits do not understand the beauty that comes from the 'forbidden.'

Nairuniel's addition reinforced his conclusion.

"We still have time. I will give it some more thought."

"Yes."

Leaving the sisters behind, he descended to the second floor. He felt the heat, and the smell of sweat hit him in a wave.

CRASH!

A figure flew past right beside Berge, slammed into the wall, and let out a coughing groan.

"You've arrived?"

Gordon, who had sent Kaede flying, calmly acknowledged him with a glance. Kaede hurried to her feet.

"My lord."

Once she had firmly chosen her allegiance, even if only under contract, Kaede had become an utterly loyal knight. Perhaps she was simply a stickler for principles.

From Berge's perspective, that was not a bad thing.

"Don't mind me. Continue."

"Yes."

Kaede raised her sword again. She charged swiftly, striking at a blind spot. Her swordplay was fast and economical, yet heavy. Golden aura shone, and Gordon drew his sword.

CLANG!

Black demonic energy and golden aura ate away at each other. The fight, which had begun with a light clash, gradually grew faster and heavier.

SWISH!

A few strands of Kaede's hair fluttered away. Blood ran from a cut on her cheek. At the same moment, the front of Gordon's clothing was sliced open. Berge exclaimed at her unexpectedly strong performance.

"She's improved quite a bit in just a few days, hasn't she?"

"That is because her instructor is so exceptional."

"Not because you're weak?"

"Think what you like."

The fight continued for some time. Despite her initial boldness, Gordon now took the offensive, while Kaede struggled just to defend herself. Amid the surging waves of blades, she looked precarious in the extreme.

'Still, she's holding out fairly well.'

Viewed objectively, Kaede was quite useful. Perhaps thanks to the excellent instruction she had received from the imperial knights, her fundamentals were solid, and she improved quickly. He liked her all the more for being a hero and for the fierce determination so plain to see.

"Still, a Dark Knight..."

Hadn't they said the play was more than a decade old? No matter how he looked at it, the name was childish. All the more so because the story had been intended to proclaim the greatness of heroes and humanity while mocking Demon Kings.

Just then, a thud sounded. Kaede was flying through the air.

"The tip of your sword wavered for a moment. What is distracting you?"

"I apologize."

Panting, Kaede apologized at Gordon's reprimand. At the same time, her gaze flicked toward Berge for the briefest instant.

'...?'

"Dark Knight."

She flinched.

"Dark Knight?"

This time she appeared unfazed, but she could not hide her reddening face.

"Dark Knight, Dark Knight, Dark Knight, Dark Knight."

"... I would appreciate it if you stopped."

"You were the one who offered to become a Dark Knight."

"... I was told that was what you wanted."

"I don't like such childish names."

"Then?"

"I never said a word, yet someone had gone and become a Dark Spirit Summoner."

"... I was deceived, then."

"Not exactly. It's a little embarrassing to have to call a Dark Spirit Summoner and a Dark Knight my subordinates, but I can respect personal tastes."

"I would prefer that you didn't."

"Seeing your reaction, I find myself developing respect I never had before."

"..."

Kaede bit her lip. Berge headed toward the entrance leading down to the first floor.

"Gordon, make sure you finish the Dark Knight's training properly."

"Yes."

Leaving the trembling Kaede behind, Berge passed the nearly completed mana cannons and entered the workshop. He sensed the flow of demonic energy. Ahead of him, Logger stood with his back turned, manipulating corrupted mana stones.

"How is it coming along?"

"Ah, my lord. You've arrived?"

Logger scratched his head.

"I'm still researching, but demonic energy and mana are so different that I'm having some trouble. This sort of thing isn't really my specialty."

"You need a mage?"

"That would certainly help me produce the results you expect more quickly, my lord."

"A mage."

Between Logger and Elena, he clearly needed at least one.

'There must be at least one mage among the elven slaves.'

He now had a reason to bring the slaves here sooner.