193. Cherry-Flavored Candy
"I can't understand it. The hero expedition is currently under my command."
Gathering heroes, coordinating with every nation.
Normally, mercenaries would be involved, but subjugating the Flame Demon King was the continent's long-cherished wish, and the kingdoms cooperated willingly.
And the overall commander of that expedition was Hillon Kargil. Backed fervently by the Hero Guild Master, the guilds, Hildean Kingdom, and the empire's third prince.
Yet a hero expedition was being prepared without his knowledge? One that knew the exact location of Berge's tower, no less?
『They've probably cut you out of it.』
"This is Hillon Kargil speaking."
『Jason Cockmond has ties to the empire and the Hero Guild. The first prince and Balaf Disrod are prime examples, but that weasel wouldn't dig just one burrow.』
That was too complacent a thought.
『And now that things have come this far, he'll suspect you're connected to me somehow.』
『He just lacks solid proof to be certain.』
"So I'm bait, then?"
Most of Berge's intel came through Hillon Kargil. Hillon had figured he'd been handed the heavy duty of commanding the hero expedition to divert attention while the real strike force prepared in secret to hit the tower.
And it was actually a solid strategy.
If the pirates hadn't come looking for Vivian.
If they hadn't encountered that storm on the way and been pushed back to the continent, missing the naval forces.
If they hadn't learned about the dwarven kingdom's buoyancy ships.
He would've been utterly screwed.
"But isn't that just speculation?"
『Speculation we can't rule out entirely.』
"I'll look into it."
『No, don't do anything. Just play dumb and keep doing what you're doing.』
"Setting a trap?"
『Sitting back and taking it isn't my style. You're clueless about all this.』
"Me too?"
Ernan Hildean poked her head in abruptly.
『Why are you two together?』
"Because of the hero expedition preparations. We need to coordinate with multiple kingdoms, and Hildean sent Your Highness in person."
『I see. Of course. This must never leak outside, Ernan.』
"Got it. But should I buy some cherry-flavored candy and send it over?"
『Huh? What're you talking about all of a sudden?』
"Cherry-flavored candy. You need it, right?"
『······.』
Berge swallowed dryly.
The Dragon Lord's senses were tingling ominously.
Who was it? Elena? Kaede?
No, wait.
'Why am I getting cold feet?'
She was just asking.
He'd only taken Reina Sordain as a subordinate out of necessity.
There was no reason to feel guilty.
'No, but why do I even need to act confident?'
Just play it cool.
"Demon King?"
『···I don't need it.』
"I heard the Lord of Frost likes cherry-flavored candy. You promised it as payment for becoming your subordinate."
Berge caught the faint smile tugging at Ernan's lips.
"I know a high-end candy shop. For someone so esteemed, shouldn't we get the best?"
『···Fine, handle it.』
"Sure thing."
The connection cut off. Hillon noticed Ernan's sharp gaze fixed on him.
"What?"
"Nothing. Just···."
"Just?"
"I've been thinking you need to stick right by Her Highness the crown princess no matter what."
He couldn't picture Berge failing. And when Berge conquered the dimension.
No matter what.
Even if Berge dragged every nation to ruin.
Hildean would be safe. He was certain of it.
"···What's that supposed to mean all of a sudden?"
- What do you mean what! You and Berge··· mmpf···!
Ernan shoved the emerging Nairuniel back inside forcibly.
"No deeper meaning. As Your Highness's loyal knight, I'm just doing my duty to the best of my ability."
"···That conversation we just had is secret. Got it?"
"A knight's lips are sealed."
- Spirits have sealed lips too! So don't worry··· mmph mmph!
Ernan sighed and left the room.
"···Is the Demon King taming the princess, or is the princess taming the Demon King?"
Hillon shook his head after a moment's thought.
"Trying to understand the incomprehensible is giving me a headache."
He briefly offered condolences to the foolish king who still believed he could link him with Ernan.
"My lord."
Tornyel Borgisa, the Hero Guild's grand elder, asked.
"Why don't you step in personally?"
"You want me to?"
"Yes. If you did, the Flame Demon King would lose his life in an instant."
Tornyel was the only "person" who knew the Hero Guild Master's true face.
What life he'd lived, what power he held.
That's why he had unshakable faith. If the Guild Master acted, it would all be over.
"You could end this chaos, gain even greater honor, and strengthen the guild and your power. I just don't understand why you won't."
"You really think everything would be solved if I just stepped in?"
"Of course."
"Wrong."
The Guild Master crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair.
"Humans crave heroes. They always yearn, desire, and admire them."
"Yes, you're already a hero, Guild Master. The guild's symbol, humanity's hope. Taking down the Flame Demon King would make you an even greater one."
"But humans have a line they draw for the heroes they want."
The moment you cross it, admiration turns to madness. Or jealousy and fear.
"When humans encounter what they can't comprehend, they split into two camps."
Worship it as divine.
Or condemn it as evil.
A hero too overwhelming, uncontrollable, ceases to be a hero. It becomes an unknown terror that could destroy society and humanity at any moment—an absolute evil. It doesn't take long.
"Do you know why I went into seclusion? Because I know human nature too well."
If the Guild Master, already superior to any other hero, reached an untouchable height, could he maintain that fame?
"Jealousy and envy would breed. They'd slander me, try to drag me down."
"Things are different now than back then."
"No, they're not. Human nature doesn't change."
"No one can undermine your authority, Guild Master."
"Aren't there plenty? Royals and nobles from every nation bragging about their divine bloodlines. Sacred blood nobles too."
Those in power reject change and won't tolerate threats to their authority.
That's why they vanished, and the eyes on the Guild Master faded. The guild and continent grew numb with new heroes emerging.
"Balaf Disrod. His rise gave me breathing room."
The more fame and strength Balaf gained, the more he served as a counterweight.
One untouchable hero becomes evil, but heroes who check each other provide psychological balance for humans.
"And there's one who wants me to build even greater fame as Guild Master."
He seemed to have abandoned that goal now, but no room for complacency.
Like anyone would do his bidding.
He muttered softly.
"Pardon? What was that?"
"Nothing, just talking to myself. Anyway, that's why Balaf Disrod must take the Flame Demon King's head."
"Ah, so that's why you're sidelining Hillon Kargil? Because he might strike the Flame before Balaf?"
"No, he's a decoy. A hero with fitting fame makes a big show of preparing an expedition to divert the Demon King's eyes."
And above all.
"He's the Flame Demon King's lackey. Perfect bait."
"···You're saying he's the Demon King's dog?"
The grand elder's face twisted. Murderous intent exploded briefly.
"Don't touch him."
"But···!"
"I told you. He's perfect bait to draw the Demon King's gaze. He'll report everything to Hillon Kargil, lower his guard, then lose his life to the real expedition."
"Then after the expedition ends, we'll drag him in."
"By then, it won't matter much. I leave it to you."
"I'll show that traitor exactly what happens when you betray humanity for the Demon King."
The grand elder bowed.
The Guild Master nodded wearily.
Amusing.
Rozel Charnt thought so.
She extended her fingers one by one.
"Once, twice—no, three times? Four?"
Humans adapt to anything. Success or failure alike.
How many failures was this? Rozel laughed hollowly.
Even after killing the Beast Demon King.
Even after obtaining that pure blood from Fail and achieving progress.
She never foresaw this situation.
Who could've? In less than two short years, demon-human relations on the verge of reversal.
Repeated failures scarred even a grand archmage with seven engravings.
They boiled her vengeful fury and murderous intent.
"I need to get stronger. Stronger, stronger."
Above all, she was tormented by the thirst—she wasn't enough yet, so she had to grow even more.
"The tower's in the ocean. An environment where I can't use my full power."
Sea and fire clashed, but pride wouldn't let her tuck tail and run.
Simple. Get stronger. Strong enough to ignore the sea or any damn environment.
So how?
"···Dragon."
The red dragon with flame power that Balaf Disrod had captured.
Just a tail and wing, but she'd barely begged for those remnants.
She chewed the flesh, drank the blood. Studied bones and scales, advancing a step.
But not enough.
Teetering on the edge of eight engravings. She needed a trigger.
A dragon heart would be ideal, but none existed. Even if it did, no Julie to give it.
"···Blood."
But she'd thought of a decent alternative.
"Mana as pure as a dragon's—purer in some ways."
Fail's mana.
"Where the hell did that bastard disappear to?!"
She'd heard he'd contracted with the fifth prince for regular blood supplies. Yet he vanished suddenly.
The supplied blood was scant. Nowhere near enough to satisfy Rozel.
"KyaAAAAAHHH!"
She screamed. Glass shattered, facilities crumbled.
"···I can't wait anymore. No more."
Find him, no matter what. Drain his blood. Kill the Flame Demon King.
Madness filled her eyes.
"Hillon. Hillon will know."
She'd first met him when he was with Hillon. He'd defended Hillon after a huge blunder failed the Beast Tower subjugation, getting him back on the team—close enough for that.
When meeting the fifth prince, he'd been with Hillon Kargil's strike force vice-commander too.
So Hillon Kargil had the answers.
Rozel hurled herself through the broken window. Vanished into the sky.
"Lady Rozel trashed the lab again!"
"Lady Rozel is gone!"
"Where'd she go this time?!"
The mages arriving late to her lab screamed.
< 193. Cherry-Flavored Candy > End