174. The Place We Must Go
"Faster than expected."
The boisterous send-off ceremony for the allied forces had reached even Berge's ears.
It was astonishing speed.
Just a month and a half or so.
For an army of over 110,000, it was remarkably short.
It meant their rage toward Berge—and their will to subjugate him—was that intense.
"And what a flashy lineup."
Balaf Disrod.
Hillun Kargil.
Rozel Charnt.
Ralph Shmitz.
Gillian Aint.
Aina Diaphrin.
Waton Colro.
Three additional Stars had joined, making seven in total. Unprecedented.
Among them, two names stood out the most.
Balaf Disrod and Hillun Kargil.
No rumors about the red sword had surfaced. But there were many testimonies that Balaf Disrod played a leading role in the dragon hunt.
So, is the wielder of that sword Balaf Disrod? Or did someone else land the fatal blow with the red sword, avoiding attention?
At least Balaf Disrod isn't that damned bastard I knew.
He'd already seen his face once in Hamstline Gorge. Same black eyes and hair, but different face.
Still, he was the most suspicious.
If they find the fake tower, it'll come to light.
If they want to survive, they'll have no choice but to reveal everything they've got.
And Hillun Kargil.
This damned bastard.
I'd told him not to participate.
Of course, he understood.
"I wanted to follow Your Majesty's orders. But with pressure from both the Hero Guild and Hildean's king..."
The guild demanding he fulfill his duties as an Argan.
The king ordering him to aid Hildean's army.
And with every notable hero declaring their participation, Hildean's people naturally expected Hillun Kargil to step up as well.
The three pressures aligned perfectly, forcing him onto the battlefield. He couldn't refuse.
So Berge couldn't say much about it either.
Just...
"Don't enter the tower if you find it. After that, I won't be responsible for your life."
"...That's not entirely up to me, but I'll do my best."
Though 110,000 strong marched out, most were just for searching the tower. To minimize casualties, heroes—who had absolute advantage over demons—would have to step up.
The tower entry would likely be heroes only. Hillun couldn't just bail while they went in.
"Gotta micromanage everything from one to ten. Not a damn kid."
"......"
"The tower's here. Search as far from this spot as possible. Even if you spot it, make sure it takes a long time to reach."
No teleportation circles in the Erjest Mountains. Purely on foot, so this was the best way.
"Understood."
After pointing out the direction for Hillun, Berge left the real tower and headed for the fake one.
Hundreds of monsters roamed the fake tower. A waste to expend them here, but necessary to fool the heroes.
The issue: since it wasn't the real tower, he had to manage them personally. No mana supply from the tower, so they needed actual food or mana fed directly.
"You, here."
"You, over there."
Inside the tower, he spotted Ravinia Akan controlling the monsters. Spotting Berge, her eyes welled up as she rushed over in one bound.
"Me too."
"You wanna research?"
"Unfair."
"The dwarves are having a blast with the dragon corpse, so why should you slack off?"
"Yeah, yeah."
Ravinia nodded vigorously.
"Because you're the only one who can smoothly control the monsters besides me."
Not entirely true.
Gordon, stuck as adjutant, aside—Succubus Queen Vivian was a surer bet.
But Vivian felt unreliable. Not her power, but that flaky personality.
She'd shove 'em in roughly and then pretend ignorance.
And it wasn't just Ravinia controlling monsters in the fake tower. Succubi under Vivian were assisting her on Berge's orders.
"Can't do it myself anyway."
"Why?"
"Too bothersome."
"......"
Her sullen glare screamed insult without words.
Whatever. Why bother when I have capable minions?
Berge shrugged.
"I gave you a dragon corpse as payment. Gotta earn it."
"...Yeah."
Passing the deflated girl, Berge slowly toured the tower.
Only two floors total. Each about 20 meters high, both mazes.
To hold more people longer.
Third floor.
After the second, he stepped onto stairs spiraling around the tower's core. They ended at a solid ceiling.
"Interesting."
What faces would the heroes make reaching here?
Pity he couldn't watch.
Preparations are perfect.
Just clear out Ravinia and the succubi before the alliance finds it, and no one will doubt this is the Demon King's tower.
Looking forward to it.
Hoping it gets found soon.
For the first time, Berge earnestly cheered for the heroes.
Late night, the 110,000-strong army departing the Traparta Alliance began a slow northward march, setting up camp on the plains and falling into deep sleep.
"Mm."
"Mm."
In the tent prepared for Star hero Hillun Kargil. He and Granada exchanged quiet groans.
"The Demon King said that?"
"Yes."
"Then we follow. No matter what."
"Wise choice. Otherwise, he won't let us off."
"Obviously."
The Demon King's order not to participate was simple but hard to obey. They'd joined reluctantly, but luckily, he offered a new plan.
"The tower's in the northwest of the mountains."
"How the hell did this Demon King move the tower's position?"
At least it was off to one side now. A relief.
The vast mountains, and after repeated failures, the 110,000 alliance decided to start over from scratch.
Three kingdoms bordering the Erjest Mountains: Hotenwork, Corzen, and Dormut.
Search parties would fan out from each, turning the range upside down.
Problems and casualties in the process? Buried under the greater cause.
"We must be assigned to Hotenwork."
The elite but hastily assembled 110,000 lacked proper organization or assigned directions.
Thus, they'd divide properly at the fork-point kingdom of Iasin.
Both Hillun and Granada hoped to stay farthest from the tower the Demon King mentioned. Hotenwork it was.
"Possible?"
"The alliance splits three ways, each needing a commander."
Assigning to a specific kingdom sows discord. So it goes to heroes. Hillun Kargil had to be one of the three.
"I'll push hard for Hotenwork..."
Then.
Footsteps. Hillun shut his mouth. Presence outside.
"Lord Hillun."
"Who is it?"
"Sent by Lord Balaf. He wishes a private word."
"Now?"
"Yes."
After a moment's thought, Hillun stood.
"I'll go now."
He didn't know why the midnight summons, but he planned to talk with Balaf Disrod anyway.
"Come in."
Guided by an imperial knight, the tent held a lavish feast.
"Sit and join me."
"Thank you."
Hillun sliced the steak at his seat. Dinner was done, but he didn't refuse.
"Not asking why I called?"
After ten minutes of silent eating, Balaf spoke.
"Curious. Will you tell me?"
"Curious, eh."
"About what?"
"You, hero."
Balaf savored his wine.
"They call you the second Balaf Disrod. Or the hero destined for greatness."
"Flattery. With you here, how could I..."
"Spare the false modesty. Not for a hero who subjugated two Demon Kings and absorbed their power."
True enough. No current Star had slain two Demon Kings. Even one was rare.
"Frankly, I suspected you a bit."
"Of what?"
"Of colluding with the Demon King to screw me over."
"...!"
Luckily, Hillun's emotions didn't show.
"What do you mean?"
"You found the Demon King's tower and rescued Hildean's crown princess. I didn't."
"No. I just followed Daphne's records."
"Right, of course. I know. After months scouring that damned range with nothing, it was just frustrated delusion. A hero who killed two Demon Kings colluding? Even a stray dog would laugh."
Balaf laughed heartily.
"Sorry. Emotions got the better of me."
"I understand."
"Thanks for that."
Silence fell. Balaf took a bite of steak and spoke again.
"Where will you go?"
"Hard to follow."
"You know the alliance splits three ways. Commanders go to heroes. Two will be you and me; the last is uncertain."
Heroes officially unaffiliated, but unofficially not. Kingdoms would push friendly heroes as commanders.
Unless seen as superior to Balaf or Hillun.
"Anywhere's fine for me."
"Sure. Nothing blocks you. But no preference?"
"Then Hotenwork."
"Why?"
"The tower I found was central. If moved, one of the flanks."
"Makes sense. Why Hotenwork over Dormut?"
"Dormut's fine too."
Hmm.
Balaf nodded after thought.
"Then I'll avoid Hotenwork."
"No need to..."
"Just fondness for a junior hero."
"...Thank you."
"Finish eating. My chef's excellent."
As promised, the feast was delicious. Swallowed amid the odd vibe, unsure if through nose or mouth.
"See you tomorrow."
"Farewell."
Hillun left the tent.
"For now, his prediction holds."
'Hillun Kargil is linked to Berge Dayas. Ally or mere collaborator, he knows the tower's location.'
'Hillun Kargil colluding with the Demon King? Evidence?'
'No clear proof for you. But have I ever fed you bad info?'
'No.'
'Ask Hillun Kargil which sector he wants. He'll pick east or west, excluding center. Opposite is the tower.'
'To avoid the cooperating Demon King. But could be reverse? To erase collusion rumors, he might lead the charge.'
'Berge Dayas would know. He'd point the opposite way. Same result.'
'Hmm, got it.'
Balaf tapped the table.
"Hillun Kargil picks Hotenwork. The east."
He unrolled the map.
"I'll take Dormut."
He stabbed Erjest's west fork.
"Wait, Flame Demon King. No second failure."
I'll behead you and salvage my honor.
Viscous killing intent beaded at his lips.
< 174. The Place We Must Go > End