<198. No Entry>
Rozel Charnt had shared a wealth of valuable information.
The dwarves had agreed to provide the Buoyancy Ships.
The navies of Akan, Hessen, and Dormut would mobilize, joined by elite forces from each nation.
The hero expedition would launch soon—within a couple of weeks at the earliest, or a month at the latest.
The participating Stars were Balaf Disrod, Rozel Charnt, Aina Diaphrin, Ralph Shmitz, Waton Colro, and even Pablo Barkat—six in total.
“Now I get why they excluded Hillon Kargil. The guild master must have sniffed out that he's in league with the Demon King.”
Those were the last words Rozel Charnt had left behind.
Berge had anticipated as much.
That's why he'd already warned Hillon to prepare for the aftermath once this was over.
The real issue was whether that suspicion stopped at Hillon or extended to Ernan and the Hildean Kingdom.
'It probably stops at Hillon.'
They might suspect ties to a hero, but no way would they imagine he'd joined hands with kidnapped princesses.
Still, certainty was a luxury he couldn't afford. For now, Berge decided to keep it in mind.
'Right now, the priority is how to counter the hero expedition.'
The expedition's broad strokes matched his predictions.
Kingdom navies would transport the massive army, with heroes aboard the Buoyancy Ships leading the charge to the tower.
Rather than new intel, it had solidified his assumptions into certainties—a solid gain.
The plan was already set: Meet the enemy head-on, straightforwardly.
With overwhelming force on his side, there was no need for elaborate schemes to secure victory.
Still, to eliminate variables, they'd lure the foes into traps first, then concentrate all power at the summit.
That would suffice. No matter how many enemies swarmed, only the heroes on the Buoyancy Ships could enter the tower. What could the rest do—fire mana cannons from the deep sea?
The dwarves might craft diving suits, but not in great numbers. Even if mana cannon range reached, no shallow shot could scratch the tower's exterior against deep-sea pressure.
Why else had humans long abandoned destroying towers outright?
“So, the conclusion is...”
“How to capture those Buoyancy Ships?”
Reina muttered.
“Can you really attach those buoyancy stones to the tower?”
“With the tower's authority and the dwarves' skill, absolutely. Just toss in some magic points, and it's done.”
“Impressive. If it's possible, this lady would love to witness it.”
There was no romance in turning the tower into a sky fortress—it was just intriguing, hard to believe, and worth verifying.
“Once the heroes enter the tower, the Buoyancy Ships will be empty. Why not seize them then?”
“Not a bad idea.”
“Terrible idea.”
Luije shot down Kaede's suggestion outright.
“Even if the heroes disembark, dwarves pilot those things. Their king would've ordered them to prioritize the ships' safety—any whiff of trouble, and they'll bolt.”
Ravinia quietly raised her hand.
“Monster.”
“Tame a few sea monsters to hold them?”
Nod.
“You're joking. Those ships pack hundreds of mana cannons. A few sea beasts would turn to paste.”
“You've got Rozel Charnt on our side now—have her sabotage from within?”
“That'd just get our planted agent killed.”
What kind of monster was Balaf Disrod?
“What if I seduce all the dwarves?”
“We have eyes here too, you know.”
“Oh? What's this little dwarf mouthing off about?”
“Proud dwarves don't get sweet-talked by some fallen Demon King turned mid-tier demon.”
“Even without my Demon King status, squashing a runt like you would be child's play.”
“Think my axe cracking your skull would be quicker?”
“Why do you two fight every time you meet?”
“This uppity dwarf bitch keeps picking fights!”
“That lanky demon keeps trying to bewitch dwarves!”
Berge's brow furrowed.
“Is that so?”
“...Not seducing, per se. More like the dwarves appreciating my superior beauty and allure?”
“Don't.”
“...Seduction's instinct for a succubus. Suppressing it is like castrating an incubus...”
“Don't.”
“...Tch.”
“Don't you have those pirates?”
“They're outside the tower—no fun there.”
“Then stay on that island with them.”
“For real?”
“Hide your identity decently... Nah, no need anymore. Just go pirateering.”
“Flee to the tower if things go south?”
“Yeah.”
“Hmm.”
Vivian looked intrigued. Tower life must've felt stifling for her.
Succubi craved seduction, but here they tiptoed around Berge's gaze, unable to act freely.
Being queen to pirates, harming humans, and building infamy suited her better.
“Anyway, back to the main point.”
“What about dwarves crafting restraints? Bind the Buoyancy Ships so they can't move.”
“Doubt ordinary chains would hold.”
“Probably not?”
“Time's short.”
Even dwarves couldn't forge ship-trapping bonds from scratch in time.
“This lady will handle it. The moment they anchor, I'll freeze them solid.”
“Ho.”
A tempting proposal.
Reina would have to step outside, missing the hero fight inside—but losing her wouldn't mean defeat.
'Especially with Rozel Charnt as our ally.'
Couldn't order outright betrayal, but faking a poor fight effectively sidelined one.
Four left.
Berge would take Balaf Disrod personally; Kaede on Ralph Shmitz, Ravinia on Aina Diaphrin, Luije on Waton Colro, Vivian on Pablo Barkat.
The self-proclaimed Four Heavenly Kings had surged in power absorbing dragon elixirs, and their gear was top priority—by expedition time, they'd be fully armed.
That was plenty. Enough for the Stars.
'Even if other heroes are tough, we've got dozens of high demons...'
Vivian's succubi were iffy, but Reina's frost demons were reliably strong.
The issue was:
“Reina, can you hold out?”
“What do you mean?”
“Thousands of heroes and elites might enter—two thousand tops. But outside? Hundreds of ships.”
With tens of thousands of troops.
They weren't idiots; they'd come prepared for naval combat.
“Freezing the sea exposes you. You'd draw concentrated fire.”
Even a mighty Demon King like Reina couldn't ignore sheer numbers.
“Plenty of mages too—hundreds casting joint spells. Sure your ice holds? Ships'll thrash to escape.”
“I can endure.”
“Absolutely?”
“I'll make it work.”
Her eyes burned with resolve. But Berge couldn't shake his unease.
He'd brushed off similar doubts before, only for problems to erupt.
“Um.”
Elena raised her hand.
“The key is securing the Buoyancy Ships smoothly while the tower battle rages, right?”
“Yes.”
“In the sea?”
“We'll move the tower, but yeah, ocean depths.”
Deeper waters to hinder their approach—they were heading there now.
“Sea is water.”
“Obviously.”
“Perfect stage for a water spirit, no?”
“...Call in Ernan?”
“She'd come running if you summon her, Lord Demon King.”
“But too dangerous...”
“Word from sis.”
“Word?”
“Contracted a Spirit King.”
“...!”
“Is it true?”
“Absolutely, Lord Demon King. All thanks to the dragon blood you gave me. I'm grateful.”
Ernan, already on alert at the border, bowed deeply.
The overflowing mana in the dragon blood had elevated her further.
Via contract with the water Spirit King, Naias.
“I wanted to tell you myself, but Elena spilled it.”
“Impressive.”
“I'm pretty impressive.”
Ahem—she puffed up proudly.
“So, just checking that?”
“No.”
“Then spill.”
Ernan locked eyes with the Demon King beyond the orb. Her amethyst pupils sparkled vibrantly.
“I need your help.”
“How?”
“While the tower battle rages, bind the Buoyancy Ships in the sea so they can't flee.”
“As who?”
“...As Four Heavenly King, Dark Spirit Summoner.”
“Gladly!”
Ernan beamed.
“But is that a request? Or an order?”
“Difference?”
“Request means payment; order means I obey as Heavenly King.”
“Payment?”
“Chocolate.”
“Chocolate? You gave me...”
“Exactly. I've never gotten any from you.”
“...”
Silence lasted a beat.
“Fine. You'll have it.”
“I like the almond kind.”
“None of yours had almonds, I think...”
“Exactly.”
“...Understood.”
Chocolate to command a Spirit King? Bargain.
Berge rationalized it away.
“I'll contact you soon.”
“Yes.”
The connection cut.
“Hoo.”
Ernan exhaled held breath.
He seemed even cooler now.
A faint blush colored her cheeks.
- Good timing, huh?
- Don't they look cute together now?
- Wanna hug her? Do something?
Nai Runiel poked her face through the dimmed orb.
“Yes.”
- Not denying it anymore?
“I've mastered handling you, Lady Nai Runiel.”
- Handling me?
“Lord Naias.”
Woooong—
A massive presence materialized.
- Uh...
“Mind stepping aside?”
- If you hadn't called, I'd have jumped in first.
The queen of all water spirits manifested in elegant form.
- H-hey, treating spirits like luggage?!
- I've been by your side all this time!
- Can't just toss the old spirit like worn shoes for a new one!
Nai Runiel wailed.
- Quiet. I've heard your lewd delusions corrupting young spirits' minds.
- I'm innocent! Delusions? It's reality!
- That's what you're mad about?
The queen chuckled.
- You're banned from the middle realm for now.
- Nooo! Can't witness this fun anymore—that's too harsh!
- Your reaction confirms it's fitting.
Naias dragged Nai Runiel by the hair back to the spirit realm.
The noisy space fell silent.
“Well then...”
Ernan pulled out her ever-present mask.
A simple masquerade piece, no fancy magic—fit for a ballroom.
Yet the symbol of the Dark Spirit Summoner.
“Time to return to my true calling.”
She flashed a bewitching smile.
Heading back to the tower after so long had her humming unconsciously.