124. False
Hillun Kargil couldn't get his head straight about the empire's situation.
A black mage's desperate shout had exposed Berge's existence, and now the empire was grinding its teeth in rage.
The hero expedition was inevitable, and he was in a position where he had to participate.
But.
Which side should I join?
Demon King or empire?
Objectively judging the odds of victory, it was honestly the empire.
The first floor of the Demon King's tower is lined with mana cannons. Hundreds of them.
Those masterpieces crafted by Roger, one of the top talents even in the dwarf kingdom, had devastating power that was all too certain.
But even so, they were just mana cannons. They'd unleash tremendous might at first, but the empire would find a way to breach them eventually.
The elves and princesses might panic initially, but...
Once that initial shock passed, humans always found a solution. That was their nature.
They can't bring an army in, but you can't judge the empire's power by army size alone.
Vast territories, huge populations. The resources, supplies, wealth, talented individuals, knights, and mages that stemmed from them. Compared to what Berge had, the empire clearly held the advantage.
The empire will win. No doubt about it.
There was no room for uncertainty.
Yet he couldn't easily side with the empire.
It was because of the orb embedded in his head. It had saved his life in the snowy wastes—a grateful artifact then, but the exact opposite now.
If I betray him...
The image of Byrif was seared into his mind: vomiting blood, head exploding, body disintegrating into dust without even a corpse left, soul bound to Berge in eternal torment.
He won't go down easy. Betraying him rashly would be idiotic.
Hillun decided to stay loyal to the Demon King's orders for now. Fortunately, those orders aligned with a hero's duty, at least for the moment.
"The hero expedition won't start right away."
The empire had declared victory in subjugating the black mage parasitizing Hamstline Gorge.
But there was no mention of the Flame Demon King who had manipulated him.
They were deliberately hiding it.
"With the empire's honor and prestige on the line, they need to be certain."
Thus, the empire decided to focus all efforts on locating the tower first.
"They're dispatching envoys to the northern kingdoms for cooperation."
"Korzen, Horton, and Dormunt?"
"Exactly. Hotenwork is the closest city to the Erjest Mountains, but Erjest spans three kingdoms—a massive range."
Hotenwork was also nearest to Erjest's highest peak, which was why Hillun Kargil had set out from there.
"But the tower wasn't there. So they have to search everywhere else."
Dormunt Kingdom had a branch of the Erjest range, but it was milder—fewer monsters, less rugged terrain—compared to the borders touching the other two kingdoms. The empire judged the tower likely in the areas adjacent to Korzen and Horton.
"Will the search be easy?"
"Hardly."
If it were easy, Erjest wouldn't be a forbidden zone. Especially not with a Demon King added to the mix.
"Hence the alliance with foreign nations."
"Will they cooperate?"
"The three kingdoms bordering the mountains are the most anxious as incidents tied to the Flame Demon King pile up."
Martin took a sip of tea.
"No more failures. We bind them slowly, but surely."
From Hillun Kargil's hero expedition to the disappearance of Akan Kingdom's Ravinia Akan.
Two attempts had already failed. The Jespain Empire was furious but wouldn't let emotions ruin things.
Finding the tower would be a long-term plan.
But the anger was merely set aside, not forgotten. The moment they found it, the empire would throw everything at slaying the Demon King.
"Is there no way I can help?"
"Later, you might act separately, but for the search, we're pooling our strength."
"Even that's led by Your Highnesses?"
"From finding the tower to killing the Demon King—everything's a test. That's His Majesty's will."
"Why go to such lengths...?"
"No one knows His Majesty's intentions. But don't worry; support won't be lacking."
That was some relief. No matter how great the princes' authority or their families' influence, the emperor's power was on another level.
"And I..."
Martin set down his teacup.
"Plan to search for the tower myself."
"...Personally?"
"I'm behind my brothers in influence. I have to work harder. The thirsty dig their own wells."
"It's dangerous."
"It is."
"I understand wanting to rescue Princess Kaede, but..."
"You think I'm heading to Erjest just to save Kaede? Is that really what you believe?"
Martin's eyes darkened.
"...Isn't it?"
"Of course that's part of it."
It weighed heavily, true. But it wasn't the only reason.
"How many imperial royals do you think are born direct and have no interest in the throne?"
Maybe some. Especially those terrified by the current palace intrigues.
But not Martin or the other three princes.
Martin especially—seemingly weaker with his scant forces, but his ambition burned just as fiercely.
"Starting a hero expedition means announcing it to the people. If word spreads that a prince found it personally?"
Sorry, but.
"After you and Akan failed?"
Martin showed no remorse. Hillun found himself nodding despite himself.
Even combining Hillun and Akan, the public would emphasize Akan more.
It was better now, but long ago, wars had raged repeatedly. Akan still obstructed Jespain at every turn, curbing their expansion.
Feelings between the peoples were at rock bottom; hostility was out in the open.
Propaganda of a Jespain prince succeeding where Akan failed would win substantial public support.
And nobles couldn't entirely ignore the people's backing—nobles were among them too.
"That's why I need your help."
"You want me to search the tower with you?"
"Don't you want to erase your failure with your own hands?"
"Of course."
"Then it's settled."
Refusal was.
"I refuse."
Martin's grip tightened on Hillun's hand. Hillun forced an awkward smile.
"The search comes first, then."
『Yes, that's right.』
Berge drummed his fingers on the table as he heard Hillun's report.
As long as Hillun Kargil doesn't reveal the tower's location, we have time.
And Hillun, having witnessed Byrif die without warning right before his eyes, wouldn't talk.
As long as the betrayal resentment toward Berge didn't push him to immediate death.
What to do?
He somewhat agreed with Gordon's opinion, but dilemmas lingered.
Ambushing search parties in open battle was one option, but doing nothing at all might work too.
We have Mana's Phantom. Like with Daphne Philian—could do that again?
He couldn't decide easily. Luck had favored him against Daphne, and he'd recently dumped all saved magic points into interference negation, leaving few now.
"How's the search party structured?"
『They haven't shared details yet. But cooperating with mountain-border kingdoms means likely movements from Dormunt, Korzen, and Horton.』
They probably wouldn't refuse. Humans always craved superiority, their uneasy coexistence with demons rooted in human dominance.
But Berge had sown anxiety by hiding the tower, and humans yearned to quell it.
If the empire sharpened the blade for them.
What nation wouldn't step up?
Dormunt, closer to Akan than the empire, might be passive.
But outright refusal was unlikely.
Three kingdoms under empire lead.
This could really...
Expose the tower.
Anxiety quickened his drumming fingers.
No choice.
Berge decided after deliberation.
"You'll join the search party too, right?"
『Yes. With the Third Prince.』
"Report every detail: composition, schedule, movements—nothing omitted. And no matter what, protect the Third Prince's life."
『You can't mean...?』
"Anyone stepping into a Demon King's domain must be prepared to forfeit their life."
『That's a bad move! The bigger the casualties, the less the empire can back down!』
"They won't back down anyway. Hiding alone won't solve it."
The moment he'd touched the princes, it was set. They wouldn't quit without results.
And meaningful results meant at least rescuing princesses—but exposing Berge's tower would lead to worse via other Demon Kings.
So he had to prevent that. Releasing princesses wasn't an option.
Either keep the tower hidden forever or leave no survivors.
Berge chose the former. By any means, ensure they never found it.
"I'll make your humans truly understand why Erjest is forbidden to you."
『...If it goes well, my life...』
"Won't happen if you don't betray me."
『Understood. Thank you.』
Contact cut off. Berge exited the tower at once. Two hundred Frost Orcs awaited outside.
"We greet the Demon King."
Krutoo and the Frost Orcs bowed in worship.
"Your role is crucial."
"Issue your command."
"Comb the entire mountain. Map every monster colony and territory in the Erjest Mountains."
"All of them?"
"Except the place we discussed."
"Understood."
"I said that, but you don't need every single one. Can't have you dying. But as many as possible."
"Demon King...! We'll stake our lives to fulfill your order!"
Thrilled, Krutoo and the Frost Orcs bowed deeper.
"I said don't die."
"Yes! We'll preserve our lives too!"
"When you find them, don't provoke early. Memorize and report to Gordon."
"Yes."
"Go."
Krutoo and the Frost Orcs mounted Frost Wolves and departed.
Gazing at the wolves' tracks, Berge vowed.
Princesses, elves, chimeras, mana cannons, and Erjest's monsters.
No proper beasts, only Gordon as demon—but their forces weren't weak.
The past year wasn't wasted.
He'd ensure they never found the tower.
No matter what.
『I heard you met Berge Dayas recently.』
"Yes."
『What did you discuss?』
"Must this lady tell you?"
Reina's eyes darkened. Ugar, realizing his slip, hurriedly corrected.
『No, as I said before, Jason isn't the culprit. Neither am I, nor you, so ultimately...』
"So you're saying Berge Dayas is?"
『That's what I think.』
"How absurd, Ugar Belbek."
『What?』
This lady can't trust you. Nor your words. Jason isn't the culprit? Without convincing this lady of your reasons, you just push it unilaterally?"
『No, I saw it! Jason can't be the culprit!』
"You didn't tell this lady. If the evidence was solid, would you hide it?"
Ugar fell silent.
This lady still suspects Jason. Your sole reason he isn't? But dozens why Berge isn't.
『But still...』
"One question. Was what you witnessed an absolute proof Jason Cockmondo couldn't be the culprit?"
Ugar hesitated.
『...If you press that hard...』
"Enough."
『I haven't answered!』
"Your hesitation is the answer."
『Urgh.』
Ugar, at a loss, changed the subject abruptly.
『Oh, right—heard the news?』
"News?"
『Berge caused a huge mess.』
"Out with it."
『A black mage lurking in Hamstline Gorge was exposed.』
"Black mage? They don't work in Alein, you know that."
『Berge's doing. The mage spat his name and died.』
『Empire's in uproar, quietly hunting his tower now, rumor has it.』
『Guess how the empire reacts when they find it?』
『Berge Dayas is done. Daring to touch the empire? Guts swollen with arrogance.』
Ugar sneered. He harbored no goodwill toward Berge anyway.
"Pathetic."
『Right? Even at the academy, he mocked the canon. A fool jumping without knowing the sky's height...』
"Not Berge—you, Ugar Belbek."
『...What?』
"Even the empire—daring to touch humans? You've adapted to Alein too well."
『......』
Ugar shut his mouth under her blatant contempt.
"You heard that from Jason?"
『This I...』
This lady isn't a fool, Ugar Belbek.
『...Yes.』
"Never thought it didn't add up?"
『What?』
"Spilling Berge's name? A mere black mage betraying a Demon King? Expecting this lady to buy that nonsense?"
Black mages' souls belong to their Demon King. Betrayal was impossible from the start—unless courting death.
No—even then.
"A black mage's soul remains bound post-death. No black mage ignores the agony worse than death for betrayal."
Contracting a Demon King made it impossible to miss. The more magic points used, the more time passed, the clearer the binding—and the future.
Thus, no black mage had ever betrayed a Demon King. Or rather, couldn't.
『...That's.』
"True, not entirely impossible."
Reina Sordain formed a hypothesis.
"If that black mage was Jason's, under Jason's orders. This lady thinks that's more likely."
He was.
"A false who revealed nothing true about himself."