<169. Even This Isn't Enough?>
“You called for me, Your Majesty?”
Hillun bowed his head cautiously. The throne's occupant nodded.
“It's been a while, Hillun Kargil.”
“Yes.”
“You've heard about what happened in the Empire recently, haven't you?”
“What do you think would happen if something like that occurred in our own kingdom?”
“It would depend on the location.”
“The capital?”
“We could hold it off without issue.”
The defensive forces and knight orders guarding the capital were the kingdom's strongest. The Royal Knights and Guard Knights were stationed there permanently, and the magic formations covering the entire city were no joke.
“A mid-sized city?”
“There'd be some damage, but we could manage.”
“A small town?”
“If they could hold out until reinforcements arrived, it might be possible... but...”
“In the worst case, an entire town could be wiped out. The monsters would scatter across the kingdom, wreaking havoc everywhere.”
“Yes.”
“Kuhhahaha, isn't it amusing?”
The king burst into laughter.
“Just one Demon King—a single puny Demon King—shaking the entire continent up and down like this.”
First, he'd kidnapped Hildean Kingdom's crown princess.
Then, he'd thwarted Hillun Kargil's hero expedition and hidden his tower, making headlines.
He'd snatched the Empire's princess and repelled Akan's search party.
He'd planted a black mage in Hamstline Gorge, dreaming of toppling the Empire, and even with a hero party including four Stars, the tower remained nowhere to be found.
And now, an assault on the Empire itself.
“Don't you think we're being jerked around too much by just one Demon King?”
“Yes.”
“I can't overlook it anymore. I just can't.”
Demon Kings had coexisted with humans. That foundation rested on the confidence that humans held the upper hand.
But this new Demon King of Flame had shattered it all.
He'd reawakened the forgotten emotion of fear in humans.
He'd imprinted what a Demon King—what their true nature—really was.
“The Empire has sent envoys.”
“Envoys...?”
“Formation of a united army. Or maybe 'united army' sounds too grandiose. But it's the most fitting term.”
The king muttered to himself before answering again.
“They proposed a temporary alliance solely to kill the Demon King of Flame.”
“...!”
“Are you sure this is okay?”
『It's fine.』
“The Empire has sent envoys across the continent. It's front-page news every day, and anger against the Demon King is boiling over everywhere.”
Naturally, their top target was the Demon King of Flame, Berge Dayas.
『Their rage will head to the Erjest Mountains. But I'm no longer there.』
“That's a relief, then... but...”
『What about Hildean?』
“We've tentatively decided to join.”
Regardless of Ernan's wish to avoid antagonizing the Demon King, the people, nobles, and king all wanted freedom from this unknown terror.
No one wanted to live with the possibility of monsters raining from the sky someday.
『You shouldn't join. If you must, commit as little force as possible.』
“...Are you that confident?”
『Yes.』
No matter how strong Berge was, he couldn't guarantee victory. But he was certain he wouldn't lose.
And he was sure he could inflict a crushing defeat on them at least once.
If so, he'd amass Magic Points on an entirely different level from before.
『I have a favor to ask.』
“Go ahead.”
『Public opinion on me must be pretty bad right now, right?』
“If you were here, you'd be lynched on the spot.”
『Can you spread that around to the other Demon Kings?』
“You want to divert attacks aimed at you?”
『Exactly.』
“That shouldn't be too hard.”
The monster drop incident was pinned on the Demon King of Flame. Most of the fury was directed at him.
But people didn't see it as just his doing alone.
They were all Demon Kings. If one caused trouble, the other four would have to deal with the fallout too.
“There are plenty saying the others need subjugating too, since they're no better.”
Especially after the recent Lust Demon King kidnapping Berft's princess and craftsmen (or so it was reported).
The Demon Kings' antics were unsettling humans. Berge had delivered the finishing blow.
Demon Kings were pests. Even if subjugated, they'd descend again—never truly gone.
Over the past century, humans had learned that compromises preserved peace better than constantly changing Demon Kings.
Yet calls to kill them all stemmed from the sheer shock of this incident.
Crack down hard first. Prove humans still dominated. Restore psychological stability.
『No, we don't need to spread it to everyone. I don't want that.』
Ugar didn't matter, but Berge didn't want blowback hitting Ernan.
Though inevitable now, he had to minimize it.
“Then what?”
『Pin everything on Jason—the False one.』
“False?”
『Manipulate public opinion. In the newspapers humans love.』
『Like, the False Demon King is behind the Flame Demon King. Or after the recent Tower Harmony, the Flame Demon King went berserk. How could a Demon King summoned less than two years ago hurl hundreds of high-level monsters at the Empire?』
“I get it. Demon Kings aren't all buddy-buddy after all.”
『Every living thing is the same.』
“Oh, mixing in statements from Hillun or Granada would add credibility.”
『Hillun?』
“The assault team led by Hillun rescued me personally, right? Highlight how I was in the lower floors like with the Frost or Diamond Demon Kings, and say those ones don't act rashly.”
『That's some fine incitement. I like it.』
“Then that's one favor down?”
『...What?』
“I used up all my partner requests on you. Unless you keep sending them.”
『......』
Berge cut the connection.
“...So shy.”
Ernan's cheeks flushed faintly as she spoke.
The water spirit peered through the crystal orb.
“Do you know your face is incredibly burdensome right now, Lady Nairuniel?”
Her scolding fell on deaf ears—the spirit was lost in fantasy.
“......”
Ernan left the roaring Nairuniel—fists clenched skyward—behind and headed out.
Berge hurriedly sought out the Golden Moon Merchant Guild.
The main branch had lost its former vitality.
The guards at the gate looked drained, and the once-bustling interior was eerily quiet.
“...Mr. Pail.”
Aman, with dark circles under his eyes down to his chin, greeted him with a woeful face.
“What a mess.”
“...Yes. Most investments were pulled, draining our cash and halting nearly all operations. The craftsmen were snatched right under our noses by those black toad bastards...”
Aman rambled on. The endless bad news made it miraculous the guild was still breathing.
“Hildean and Hillun haven't withdrawn their funds yet, but the real key is this.”
Aman handed over a letter stamped with a double-winged eagle seal.
“This is?”
“An official letter from the Aintscheil Marquis family.”
The contents were straightforward: They knew all about the Black Toad Guild suspicions, would cover the debts, and wanted to invest.
“Perfect.”
“Did you step in, my lord Demon King?”
“Yeah. I moved Martin.”
“Martin... the Third Prince? My god, even the Third Prince is your subordinate?”
“Don't jump to conclusions. It's just a deal.”
“...Even so.”
The Third Prince following a Demon King. Aman's gaping mouth wouldn't close easily.
“I see Hillun and Ernan as no less capable.”
“O-Of course, but the Empire's prestige...”
He'd grown numb to Hillun and Ernan after so long.
“Anyway, sounds like it's mostly sorted.”
“Yes. Once the funds come in, vitality will return. We can restart paused ventures, and with the Third Prince's backing...”
“So nothing left for the guild?”
“N-No, not quite. Most merchants stuck around, and we held onto the warehouse goods and materials. We were about to sell at a loss when the Aintscheil investment saved us...”
“I see...?”
Berge's lips curved slyly. Aman rubbed his nape at the ominous vibe.
“M-Mr. Pail...?”
“Let's go.”
“Go? Where...?”
“The warehouse.”
The Golden Moon's main warehouse was vast. Before the Black Toad feud, the growing guild had expanded multiple times—dozens of huge structures.
Over half brimmed with massive resources.
“Golden Moon dealt in this stuff too?”
“To fulfill your requests, we built ties with familiar contacts. Steady mana cannon supply for workshops meant ongoing needs, so we kept trading.”
Without the scandal, most would have gone to workshops or processed for sale elsewhere.
“Lucky for me.”
“Pardon?”
“I'm taking all this.”
“What? No, wait! You can't!”
“Why not?”
“You can't just seize the guild's assets like that.”
“Since when did I care about rules? I'll keep supplying mana cannons steadily—I brought some now.”
“That's not the issue. The Aintscheils checked the ledgers during investment. If goods vanish suddenly, it'll be trouble...”
“That's why I'm taking them now.”
“Huh?”
“Their scrutiny will intensify soon, right?”
“Yes.”
“Hard to take 'my own' guild's stuff freely then.”
“...Yes.”
“So now, before their grasp tightens.”
“...Ah.”
Aman looked dumbfounded.
“B-But taking it now puts me in hot water...”
“That's on you.”
Thud—
Fifty mana cannons piled in the now-empty warehouse.
When did he...?
It was full of steel moments ago.
“Handle it yourself. Smooth it over with these.”
“Mr. P-Pail!”
Ignoring Aman's wail, Berge headed to the next warehouse.
Fresh white snow poured down.
“We'll camp in that cave today.”
Balaf Disrod led the hero party inside. It was spacious and warm.
The party naturally built a fire and set up camp.
“Balaf.”
Waton Colro offered a strip of jerky.
“Thanks.”
Soft for jerky—not bad.
“Um...”
“Speak.”
“...Can we really find the Demon King's tower?”
“Worried?”
“It's almost two months already. Is it even here...?”
“The tower's there. It's just some trick by that bastard we haven't spotted.”
“But doesn't that make it even more impossible?”
“I'm not omnipotent.”
“But...”
“I get the fatigue. We're human too. But before that, we're heroes. If we give up easily on finding the tower, who subjugates the Demon King?”
“......”
Then, a faint vibration came from Balaf Disrod's pocket.
“Excuse me a moment.”
“Sure.”
He walked deeper into the cave. It was deeper and wider than expected. Only when the heroes' presence faded did he pull out the communication orb.
“What is it?”
『Problem. Berge Dayas attacked the Empire.』
“The Empire?”
Balaf chuckled hollowly.
“Unbelievable. What a cocky prick. He has the leisure for side gigs with me right here?”
『A union will form. Return and coordinate?』
“Go back?”
Again?
Balaf's face twisted.
“Two failures aren't tolerable. I won't return without results.”
『Don't let pride ruin things. The Flame Demon King is different from the others.』
“Don't order me, Jason Cockmondo. We're just allies.”
『Not an order—the situation's changed.』
“Same situation. Cut off that damn bastard's head, done.”
『That's not something to do emotionally...』
Balaf cut the connection unilaterally.
He slowly turned.
Something writhed in the darkness.
A golden body floated in the air.
—Communication over?
A voice rumbled through his body.
It belonged to a born predator. The overwhelming pressure was the innate authority of an utterly arrogant, noble being.
—A hero?
“And if I am?”
Balaf answered calmly.
Kuhhuhuhu.
The massive echo shook the cave.
—For a lowly worm to invade my lair and act so brazen.
—Last words?
“...Came hunting the Demon King's tower and find all sorts of weird shit.”
—...Lost your mind from shock?
“Perfect timing.”
Balaf's lips curled. Thick killing intent rose. No fear in his eyes.
“I was pissed and needed a punching bag. You stuck your stinking snout in just right.”
—Insolent human, what drivel is this!
The massive body slowly rose. Natural intimidation bore down on Balaf.
It was arrogance incarnate—with every right to it.
Erjest's hidden ruler.
—I'll make you regret your bravado, pathetic worm.
—Think a scrap of dimensional power lets you challenge my greatness?
“Yeah, come at me like that. I'm in a foul mood right now.”
He tossed his sword aside. Reached into empty air.
Space tore.
A blade settled into his hand.
—Th-That is?
“You recognize it.”
Balaf kicked off the ground. Distance closed in a flash.
“I'll peel your scales one by one with your kin's bones.”
—You worm! How dare—
────!
The sword sprayed blood.
< 169. Even This Isn't Enough? > End