101. Chernian Border Count
“I don't think it's right to shove a person's face into the snow.”
Ernan grumbled.
“Leaving someone alone in this freezing place isn't right either.”
– If you don't like it, just leave right now.
– Go shout it out: I'm right here!
“Then I'd get caught.”
– And you'd get rescued and head back to the kingdom.
“That's not happening.”
Ernan shook her head. She had thought someday she'd return to the kingdom.
But not right now. Not anytime soon. Without some special trigger, she might never go back at all.
– So you're not leaving?
“For now. If I leave now, it'd put the Demon King in a tough spot.”
With Nairuniel's help, she'd buried herself deep in the snow. By suppressing her presence as much as possible, she'd luckily avoided detection by the imperial forces.
– But you can't stay here forever.
“I'll put some distance and slip out.”
– Hmm.
“What's with that look?”
– You're way too calm for someone who's been abandoned.
– Ever think the Demon King might've just ditched you?
– Maybe he doesn't need you anymore.
“I don't think so.”
It might sound self-praising, but Ernan had become quite a valuable asset to the Demon King. At least as long as she didn't screw up big time, she was confident he wouldn't discard her first.
– I know what they call that rock-solid faith of yours.
“A symbiotic contract where we each take what we need from one another.”
– Nah, not some stuffy term like that.
“Trust?”
– Love!
Ernan pinched the bridge of her nose.
– Absolute love that transcends borders, races, dimensions, and friend or foe!
“Please just go back to the spirit realm.”
– How long do you think you can last buried in the snow?
“···A few days, even without Nairuniel's help?”
Spirit summoners weren't completely frail.
– But escaping the tundra won't be easy!
– It's as foolish as refusing a water spirit's aid in a flood.
“···Anyway, I'll watch the situation and head out after a day.”
– And then?
“Hide out in imperial territory.”
They'd already discussed where to meet up.
– But what if the Demon King isn't there?
“Shut up. That's what I just said.”
Ernan chewed on her jerky, biding her time.
Around the time Ernan buried herself in the snow, Berge was supporting the fainted Hillun Kargil.
“You handle them.”
“Yes.”
Clop clop clop—
The imperial soldiers on pure white horses drew near.
‘What breed did they say these were...?’
The snow-white steeds were a special breed modified by the empire. Not ordinary horses, they'd undergone magical enhancements to endure and gallop well even on snow.
They showed weaknesses in warmer or uneven terrain, but in this cold, flat tundra without real mountains, they were top-tier.
“Know anything about that guy?”
“Not really...”
“Useless.”
Ernan would've made this easier.
By then, the hoofbeats were right upon them. A figure escorted by knights approached.
Chernian Border Count.
The noble guarding the empire's north from tundra monsters exuded elegance even in the harsh wilds.
His brown hair was slicked back, his mustache neatly trimmed. But his fierce gaze, aura, and gravitas rivaled a battle-hardened veteran hero.
His eyes swept over Granada at the front, then Berge and Hillun in turn.
“An elf?”
“We meet Chernian Border Count. I'm Granada of the Red Hawk Assault Team.”
“You're that famous Hillun Hero's assault team! Glad you survived. Then who's that behind you?”
“It's Hero Hillun. He fainted briefly from prolonged pursuit and a joint assault by high demons.”
“Hero Hillun Kargil, you say?”
The Border Count brightened.
“Yes. That's right.”
“Good thing I mobilized in haste upon hearing of the failure! Now I've saved a hero in peril! Get Hero Hillun on the sled and fetch the healing mages at once!”
Hillun was laid on an injury sled. Three healing mages clustered around, chanting spells nonstop.
At the Border Count's request, Granada and Pale rode alongside him.
“Thank you, Your Excellency. Without your timely aid, we'd all be dead.”
“Isn't that why I came? Hero Hillun may not be an imperial hero, but he's a champion for all humanity. If he'd died at that vile Demon King's hands, mankind would've been plunged into deep grief. I'm glad I could save him.”
He continued.
“Can't say for sure yet. His wounds are severe. But I'll do everything to save him.”
“Thank you.”
“You said your name was Pale?”
“Yes.”
Berge barely switched his near-slip into casual speech to formal. It was an effort, but not lost on the Border Count's knights.
“How dare you!”
“Mind your manners, scum!”
“Enough.”
Fortunately, the Border Count raised a hand to silence them.
“Would I harass great warriors who risked their lives?”
He smiled.
“Pale, eh. I've heard the name. You're the one who turned Akan Kingdom upside down?”
“Not sure what you mean.”
“Connected to Hero Hillun, wielding pure mana and scorching heat. In this tundra, that heat stands out even more.”
“You know even those trifles?”
“The empire takes interest in even the small things.”
“Honored.”
“The honor's mine. Just three of you, and all remarkable. No wonder the heroes and their teams have such renown.”
The troops pressed on swiftly amid the talk.
Monsters occasionally lunging were reduced to bloody chunks and scattered across the snow without a fight.
“I'd like to invite you to my castle. Would you accept?”
Granada glanced at Berge. Berge gave a small nod.
He didn't like it, but ignoring the Border Count's gracious request wasn't right.
Especially since they'd received his help—and Hillun Kargil was still under it.
‘Ho.’
The Border Count caught the scene with intrigued eyes.
“I've been posted to the tundra as Border Count for decades, but this is the first time travel's been this smooth coming and going.”
The Border Count fiddled with his mustache amid the slowing snowflakes.
It was thanks to Hillun Kargil. Thanks to the Frost Demon King hunting him.
The Border Count had seen the thousands of monsters pressuring Berge, Hillun, and Granada.
‘Means the Demon King controls monsters to some degree. Need countermeasures.’
But not right now.
The expeditionary force returned to the empire unscathed.
The fortress folk cheered his safe return.
“Rest up first.”
The Border Count arranged lodging for Berge and Granada, sending Hillun Kargil to the infirmary.
Alone now, Granada asked.
“About Ernan. Wouldn't it be better if she stays hidden there? Wandering might run her into a high demon...”
“Wrong. She can't stay long. That's Reina's territory.”
Demon Kings weren't absolute in their domains.
But summoning spirits—pure mana incarnate—made detection a matter of time.
“But if she meets a demon...”
“You saw on the way? To catch Hillun, Reina overextended. She pulled most monsters north, clashed with the empire, and fled to her tower. At least for now, no demons or beasts in the tundra.”
“True...”
“And even if she runs into some, she can escape. She's a high spirit summoner.”
“Understood.”
“Why do you think the Border Count's so friendly?”
No favors without reason.
If the Border Count offered goodwill so readily, he wanted something in return.
And that was probably.
“Hillun Kargil.”
“My thought too.”
Hillun Kargil. Star hero who slew two Demon Kings, with room to grow greater.
Who'd refuse ties to him? Especially after the Border Count saved his life.
“Hillun won't die. Wounds aplenty, but nothing life-threatening.”
He'd lost blood, but fainting stemmed mainly from mental strain, mana depletion, and physical exhaustion.
That meant Hillun had grown enough to defend himself amid the peril—and with good food and rest, full recovery was certain.
“But without him, we'd be dead for sure.”
“Think he'll boast about it?”
“Not the type to flaunt.”
From battlefield to empire—a days-long trek. Not much talk, but enough to gauge the man.
“Would've been better if he did.”
“A naive fool like that couldn't guard the north trouble-free for over a decade.”
“True. Oh, the Red Hawk mercenaries?”
“No word since fleeing the tower. Planning to check the mercenary guild soon. If alive, they'll be there.”
Mid-conversation, a servant knocked.
“His Excellency invites you both to dinner. If it's alright...”
“We'll go.”
“We're going.”
“Come in.”
The table held more than just the Border Count.
“Gillian?”
Gillian Aint, missing his right arm, gave an awkward smile.
“Granada. Good to see you.”
“You alright?”
“As you see. Spared my life, so cheap price.”
“Sit.”
Berge and Granada took seats. The Border Count clapped lightly; servants brought food.
Light soup, salad, perfectly grilled steak. The Count sliced his meat calmly.
“Hero Gillian.”
“Yes, Your Excellency.”
“I heard everything while you were treated.”
“Yes.”
“Deeply disappointed.”
Gillian flinched.
“Five tribes crushed. Many dead.”
“My apologies. No excuses, even with ten mouths.”
“If I'd known, I wouldn't have permitted it.”
‘Permitted?’
Berge perked his ears.
That meant the Border Count was involved.
‘Makes sense, thinking about it...’
Even with barbarian autonomy, they couldn't fully escape imperial control.
“I thought your plan solid at first. Mentioned Princess Jessica, she refused due to circumstances, but with Hero Hillun along. Why do you think it failed?”
“The Demon King's response exceeded my expectations.”
“Heard the tower gates opened, demons and beasts poured out?”
“Thousands of monsters formed a siege too.”
“Yes, utterly unforeseen.”
The Frost Demon King had never acted outside her tower before. The sudden move caused heavy casualties.
“You know? Survivors trickling in.”
“That's...”
“Means the Demon King showed mercy. Casualties lighter than expected. Ah, excluding the wiped-out barbarians, of course.”
The Border Count grinned cheerfully.
How could he not rejoice when the Demon King sued for peace after being attacked first?
“So I'll reciprocate.”
“Then...”
“No second chances. No room for more anyway. Manage the barbarian tribes as promised. Ensure no more losses. No rebellion against the empire.”
“Yes.”
“Steak's well-done today. Tell the chef it's delicious.”
“Yes.”
Conversation ended there. Only the clink of knives and plates remained.
“Good meal. Rise.”
Dinner concluded.
The Border Count remained alone in the dining hall.
Knock knock—
“Enter.”
Altman Vicebaron entered. The Count extended his empty glass. The vicebaron poured wine, then sat.
“How was it?”
“As expected. Care for a glass?”
“Thank you.”
The vicebaron took his glass.
“Decent haul. Never thought it'd succeed anyway.”
The Frost Demon King had held the tundra for decades.
Was she weak?
No. She might command forces to sweep the north in a blink.
Yet he'd approved Gillian Aint's plan because she'd been too docile for too long.
“Faced the Frost Demon King for years, but knew next to nothing about her.”
That was why he'd perked up at Gillian's initial proposal.
“A gamble staking his tribe's fate from his view. Obvious failure from mine. But meaningful since not imperial blood.”
Results matched his prediction. Tribes took heavy hits, but they gained much.
“Good the Demon King showed mercy.”
“Knew she would from the start. Decades of temperament don't flip overnight.”
“Still, expectations and reality differ. Demon King whims especially.”
“Whim. Yes, a whim. And our biggest gain from this.”
Thousands of monster troops. Beasts and demons from the tower.
Proof she didn't always hole up in her tower. Greatest achievement.
“A Demon King is a Demon King. Must stay vigilant.”
“Confirming the monster legion's a win too.”
Demon Kings commanding monsters wasn't shocking. But seeing the Frost Demon King's true forces firsthand beat vague guesses.
Couldn't assume thousands was all, but basing minimums thereon would cut future losses from complacency.
“Indeed.”
“Broke the northern tribes' momentum too.”
“Killed Gillian Aint's momentum. Frost Demon King performed exactly as I hoped.”
After Gillian and White Eagle's debut, barbarians rallied around him.
Not fully united, but some invisible bond formed.
Hardly welcome from the Border Count's seat.
Northern tribes had to remain divided buffers, checking each other and sacrificing for the empire.
“This'll keep stray thoughts at bay for a while.”
All per plan. His lips curled up.
“What of Granada and that Pale fellow?”
“Quietly ate and left without a word.”
“Must be puzzled.”
“Probably pondering my intent by now. How's Hillun Kargil?”
“Awake in two days at latest.”
“Good. Checked them out?”
“Yes. Granada returned from tundra recently. Met Pale and a woman, headed back up.”
“And saved Hillun Kargil. The woman?”
“Robed and masked—no face visible.”
“Vanished suddenly.”
“Likely died saving Hillun.”
“Most plausible.”
Buried in the Demon King's tundra? Beyond their common sense.
Besides, his prime interest wasn't some probably-dead woman.
Pale.
The one who upended Akan Kingdom, brimming with impossibly pure mana.
Granada, who'd fled the tundra, returned not with troops but just Pale and one woman to save Hillun.
What did that imply?
“Granada's Red Hawk vice-commander. But he seemed to eye Pale's mood.”
“Pale's the superior?”
“And above all, I couldn't grasp Pale's full measure.”
“That strong?”
The Count nodded silently.
“Report to the capital. Start from Akan Kingdom. Dig into his tracks and identity thoroughly.”
Needed some intel before talking.
“Yes. Your orders.”
The vicebaron bowed.
< 101. Chernian Border Count > End