My Axe Will Crack Your Skull
Volbov wanted to stop Luize but failed. His only remaining option was to contact the homeland and report the current situation.
"You just let that happen?!"
"I'm sorry."
"If they won't listen, make them listen! Even if the demon kings are keeping a low profile, walking into their territory of your own accord is a whole different story! You don't know what might happen!"
"...I'm sorry."
"If His Majesty finds out... If anything happens to the princess..."
The minister on the other side of the crystal orb clutched his forehead. The king's obsessive love for his late-born daughter was infamous.
"...It's not your fault. This is all karmic retribution for His Majesty spoiling her rotten."
"Buy a few more days. I'll send support somehow and pull some strings."
"Will Ormus just sit idly by?"
"All they want is equipment and money. Their haggling is just posturing for more. The finance minister will chew me out like I'm about to die, but what can we do? With the princess on the line, we have to ensure her safe return, no matter the cost."
"...I'll do what I can."
"Yes, please make it happen, somehow."
But the minister's hopes did not come to pass.
"Wait a few more days? What if that damn Roger vanishes completely in the meantime? Make some sense!"
Under the spoiled princess's strong-arming, the hundred troops marched straight into the demon king's territory.
Ormus Kingdom.
This kingdom, where half the land was swallowed by jungle, was utterly impoverished.
The soil was barren, the population sparse.
Monsters bursting from the jungle every other day made security unstable.
Ormus survived through plunder.
Their numbers were few, but life was a constant struggle, forcing them to grow strong.
They raided each other and foreign lands. Since most of their territory was worthless barren waste, many nations protested but rarely attacked outright.
But Ormus's increasingly bold raiders eventually poked the Jespain Empire in the eye, pushing the kingdom to the brink of destruction.
After that, they turned to trade. They sold jungle beasts and monster byproducts across the continent, and official plundering was banned.
"Luize Berft is heading into the demon king's territory?"
But it was merely a stopgap. With income plummeting, Ormus was always hungry, their greed unquenched.
Berft's proposal was like a refreshing rain to the parched.
Dwarf-forged gear could be used by Ormus warriors or sold abroad for a fortune.
"This is an unexpected jackpot."
That was why. Ormus wanted even more gear, and the princess hadn't gotten her way.
They pressured her using the grace period as an excuse to squeeze out more, but who knew she'd charge straight into the demon king's domain.
"Princess Luize has made a poor choice. She might even get kidnapped by the demon king."
Ormus and the Beast Demon King shared an unspoken symbiosis.
No formal agreement, but Ormus acknowledged his territory, and the demon king stayed within it.
Thanks to that, Ormus profited handsomely from the money heroes brought while seeking the demon king's tower, without major losses.
Thus, Ormus wished to preserve this fragile peace. But if the dwarf princess was in danger, that changed things.
"If we don't help, that savage, brutal Beast Demon King will subject her to all sorts of humiliations. Right?"
"Well said, Your Highness."
"The jungle is treacherous if you don't know the paths—you might never return. We must send a rescue party immediately."
His retainers nodded one by one.
"And Berft Kingdom won't forget the ones who saved their princess."
"Out of conscience, of course!"
"Even if we rescue her, for her safety, shouldn't she stay with us?"
"Exactly. We can't save her just to let her fall into danger again."
Ormus's second prince rose from his seat.
"Assemble the knights and gather troops at once. We'll rescue the princess first, and I'll handle the rest with Father directly."
"Understood!"
Led by the second prince, two hundred Ormus troops charged toward Merkon Mountain.
Kwail was a bear beastkin.
One of the demons under Drakson, he commanded hordes of magical beasts.
Sniff sniff—
Kwail's nose twitched. His keen beastly senses scanned the surrounding scents.
"Smells like humans and dwarves."
"Not just dwarves?"
"Mixed with earth, moisture, and beast scents. Jungle folk—Ormus stench."
"Why would they...?"
"Doesn't matter."
Kwail bared his fangs.
"My orders from His Majesty were to let no one enter Merkon Mountain. Ormus humans, dwarves—it makes no difference."
Though he said that, Kwail pulled out his crystal orb. Loyal and straightforward as he was, he wouldn't blindly misinterpret his lord's will.
"......"
A long silence. Drakson didn't answer easily. Kwail waited patiently for orders.
"...Scare them off just enough."
Fury laced the words, but forcibly restrained.
"...Is that alright?"
"Don't provoke me. I'm the angriest one here."
Kwail shut his mouth at the deep growl.
"I want to slaughter them all. Rip off limbs, tear out hearts, chew them up."
"They invade my territory and treat me like a pushover. Daring to see Lord Drakson as some neighborhood mutt!"
Yet he had to endure.
The future was predictable.
Kill Luize, the root of this mess?
Berft's king doted on his late-born daughter excessively. Her death would send Berft into a frenzy.
The events of two hundred years ago might repeat.
So, for now, he had to hold back.
"But it won't be much longer. If this works out..."
"...the situation will change."
Drakson tamped down his rage tightly.
"Ormus too. Now's not the time to fight them."
"Then I'll pretend to skirmish and lure them elsewhere."
"Good. Be especially careful with Princess Luize. She absolutely cannot die."
The connection cut. Drakson ground his teeth to splinters and swallowed.
"Are you alright?"
"Soon."
Drakson shattered the wolf skull he'd been stroking. The wolf perished without a whimper.
"If we get that from Merkon Mountain, everything resolves. Just a bit more patience."
"It won't solve everything."
"At least it'll give us more options than now."
Drakson tore the wolf's hide with his bare hands. Only then did his fury somewhat subside.
"Where the hell is that damned Roger hiding?"
Demons and beasts scoured the territory, but no sign of the dwarf.
The jungle was hellish.
Mucky ground, swarming bugs. Beasts darted about, monsters bared feral fangs.
Everything was a problem, and the dwarves struggled to adapt to the unfamiliar jungle.
To Ormus folk, the jungle was home.
Dwarves were slow; Ormus warriors swift.
Thus, the dwarves were nabbed by the scruff at the demon king's territory entrance.
"What the hell is this?"
"First time seeing it firsthand?"
Hundreds of warriors encircled the dwarves. They gripped weapons tight. Mutual wariness and hostility rippled.
"Pleased to meet you, dwarven princess."
The encirclement parted. Amid the rugged Ormus warriors emerged a tall man asserting his presence.
"I'm Ormus Kingdom's second prince, Max Ormus."
His black eyes curved into crescents.
"And?"
"As expected, not very dwarven-looking, per the rumors."
His gaze raked over Luize's body.
"No one's talked to me like that and lived."
"Am I the first?"
"Nah, they're all dead. My axe smashed their skulls."
Luize's grip tightened on her massive battleaxe.
"Scary stuff. Inferiority complex? I like that you're not dwarven."
Max smirked. His tongue licked his lips.
"Take those disgusting eyes off me?"
"Princess."
Volbov restrained Luize.
"I know."
Luize swallowed her rage. Reckless as she was, she wasn't idiot enough to fight an Ormus prince in Ormus territory.
"Move."
"I'd love to oblige, but sadly, I can't."
"You wanna go?"
"You know better than to provoke the demon king recklessly. As Ormus prince, I have the right to stop you."
"I shoveled tons of cash and gear your way as payment for searching Ormus turf. So yeah, I got search rights."
"Didn't include the demon king's turf."
"Oops, it did for me."
Their gazes clashed.
"Move."
Luize repeated.
"If you keep this up, for your safety and Ormus peace, I'll have to intervene."
"You provoking me on purpose?"
"Wouldn't dream of it."
Volbov sought the princess's permission and stepped forward.
"Then we'll head back."
Volbov was almost grateful to Max. Better than getting caught by the demon king, even if Luize was fuming.
But.
"You need our protection. With a spoiled princess's temperament, she might pretend to leave and sneak back in."
"What the fuck, you bastard?"
"How long?"
"Who knows..."
His evasive attitude was blatant enough for anyone but a fool. Volbov gnashed his teeth. Should've stopped Luize somehow.
"Prince Max! Think Benft will sit still? This helps no one!"
"That's your opinion."
"Prince!"
"We'll say we did our utmost to block your entry for the princess's safety, but the spoiled one attacked first, forcing our response. Then beasts swarmed, causing chaos. How's that?"
Ting—
He playfully flicked his sword.
"Some sacrifices, but noble for rescuing the princess."
"If you can't kill me, you won't shut my mouth either."
"Not really the point."
The princess's safety in Ormus was what mattered.
Ormus had no real ties to Berft anyway. Gobble massive rewards from this and cut ties—no regrets.
Like a mask slipping, Max's face bloomed into a grin.
"Escort Berft's princess politely. Any obstacles..."
Max exuded killing intent.
"Crush them all. Blame the beasts if you must."
Ormus warriors roared. Blades glinted in sunlight.
"Who'da thought dwarf gear on dwarves."
"Protect the princess!"
The groups clashed. Shouts and screams sent birds fleeing.
"Show these humans the dwarves' mighty spirit!"
Dwarves held firm. The princess was sacred; they'd die for her. Such was their loyalty.
But ultimately outnumbered. Jungle was Ormus's stage, and numbers favored them.
Dwarves fell one by one. Red blood soaked the earth.
"Quite the entertaining spectacle."
Silently.
The uninvited guest appeared then.
"...!"
No footsteps. As if he'd always been there, perched.
Until he spoke, even Max hadn't noticed him. Goosebumps rose.
"...Who the hell are you?"
Max leaped from the rock overlooking the battlefield.
"Prince, we'll handle him."
"Back off. Not your match."
Instinct screamed danger. But Max suppressed the unease.
Killing witnesses to dwarves dying was mandatory.
Yes, had to.
He was among Ormus's elite; sturdy troops here too.
"...Dunno how you got here, but chalk it up to bad luck."
"Luck?"
"No need for a dead man to know."
"So you're the one gonna kill me?"
Max answered with a punch. Jungle-honed body tougher than most weapons. His fist a bludgeon, a lethal tool.
Clang—
Shockwave rattled surroundings.
Intruder and Max each stepped back one.
"...As expected!"
His premonition of a tough foe proved right.
First time since adulthood. An opponent not overwhelmed barehanded.
"Fun."
Unrest vanished; excitement surged. Muscles twitched at worthy rival.
He kicked off again. Aura responded, crimson murder cloaking his fist.
Red arc cleaved space.
Creeeeang—
Strong repulsion. Yet Max advanced a step, piercing the rebound. Slammed down counter-fist.
Intruder retreated one.
"Use your aura."
Max whispered.
"Isn't this your best?"
The novel thrill lingered in his mind long forgotten. He wanted his hard-found rival at full throttle.
And.
"If that's what you want."
The rival accepted.
"I'll oblige."
Instantly—
Something exploded.
Rooooar—
Wriggling something. Thick darkness. Bottomless abyss.
Viscous, ominous, impossibly heavy.
Black wave crashing over him, Max swallowed. Boiling madness chilled. Spine iced.
"...Ma...gi...?"
Demon. Incredibly powerful one.
Boom—
Massive impact spewed blood. Body hurled 10 meters back. Instinctively blocked arm throbbed.
"Let's see you endure more."
Opponent whispered. Soft, but madness dwarfed Max's.
"Gaaargh!"
Organs churned. Body stiffened. Pain piled; blocking was all he could manage, no resistance.
Retreat, retreat. Wanted aid but speechless. No gaps allowable.
Death. Real death.
Like this? When everything was going perfect? To some random demon?
"Is this the beast's will?!"
Max bellowed desperately. Opponent paused briefly.
"You gonna break the unspoken pact between Ormus and the Beast Demon King?!"
"Yeah, I plan to, you fucker."
Answer came from elsewhere.
Crack—
Dizzying pain engulfed Max. Hot blood streamed down his face.
"Ah."
"My axe on your skull."
Slowly turned his eyes. Massive axe cast shadow.
He hadn't realized. His retreats led to the princess who craved his death. Back exposed vulnerably.
"Told you. Anyone mocking me like that ends up dead."
"...You... bitch...!"
His last words.
Thud—
Max collapsed. Pupils lost focus.
"Priiiiiiince!"
Ormus warriors screamed.