051. Everyone's Circumstances (2)

The Beast Demon King was dead.

The news began to spread the moment Akan Kingdom's elites vanished completely from Ormus Kingdom's capital.

Ormus Kingdom's official announcement. As agreed, they propped up Rozel Charnt while concealing Akan Kingdom's army.

But no one bought it wholesale.

"The Ormus Knight Order?"

"Weren't their elites already wiped out?"

The hero expedition that had failed once and fallen back was pulled off in the dead of night, like baking bread on lightning. It'd be weirder not to question it.

"Ormus doesn't have the power to slay a Demon King."

"And their army didn't mobilize either."

Someone intervened. And suspicions naturally fell on Akan Kingdom.

It was obvious. Rozel Charnt's ties to Akan weren't officially announced, but anyone in the know knew.

But both kingdoms nailed it shut and played dumb.

Doubts lingered, yet people's curiosity shifted elsewhere.

"Why'd Berft send artifacts to Ormus?"

"Those dwarves with their sky-high pride, giving freebies to a beggar nation on humanitarian grounds? Give me a break!"

"Folks say they spotted Luize Berft in Ormus."

"Heard they flipped an entire city upside down?"

Gazes turned to Berft. And the rumor mill's star knelt there, lips sealed tight.

The royal castle.

The dwarves' castle, built deep underground. No sunlight allowed, but mana lamps cast a soft glow over Luize's face.

Hoo.

The heavy sigh made Luize flinch. She looked up anxiously.

"...I'm sorry."

"...I tried to let most of it slide."

A bitter voice echoed.

"I know what you're thinking, what insecurities you harbor. I've told you time and again I don't see you that way, but you never listened."

"......"

"I tried to grant your every wish. Hoped you'd grow bright as a kingdom's princess. That was my mistake."

Should've been stricter, perhaps.

The man clicked his tongue.

"Your whims cost us a fortune in tribute to Ormus. Kingdom warriors spilled blood for nothing."

Not reproach, just calm statement of facts.

"Satisfied now?"

"...Father."

"Apologize to their families yourself. Give them your wealth. They're the ones who died because of you."

"Yes."

"And confine yourself to quarters."

"...Yes."

She had plenty to say.

Like how they still hadn't caught Roger Friedri.

Or if that Ormus bastard hadn't attacked, it wouldn't have gone this far.

But no excuses. The king knew it all. And it wouldn't erase her fault.

Her obsession with Roger Friedri had gone too far. An undeniable blunder.

"You're dismissed."

"Yes."

Luize slunk away, shoulders slumped.

The king's hand twitched at the sight.

"No, stay put."

"...Doesn't it break your heart? That frail little thing, how hard it must be for her. Just let me say something warm..."

"This was clearly Luize's fault. Separate public from private."

"You heartless wretch. She's your sister."

"Before my sister, she's a criminal who harmed the kingdom. If Your Majesty keeps this up, she'll turn into a spoiled brat running wild."

"Calling your sister a criminal and brat! You monster! Look at those slender arms and legs! She looks ready to collapse—how can you not dote on her?"

"Haa."

The prince rubbed his forehead. Of course, he wanted to hug her too.

How could those skinny limbs swing an axe?

But not this time.

"Your Majesty, dwarf warriors died pointlessly on foreign soil. If she weren't a princess, it'd be execution."

"Execute my sister? You insolent pup! Is that any way to be a brother?!"

"That's not what I meant!"

What a doting fool.

The prince ground his teeth.

"Anyway, stay away from Luize for now. No friendly chats. This is her chance to learn discipline."

"You the king now?"

"If God wills it."

"Go find that bastard."

"Roger Friedri, you mean?"

"Isn't he why Luize fled the kingdom?"

The king growled. Mad fury leaked out. A doting fool for Luize, but still the realm's greatest warrior.

"I'll drag him here before her."

"...Of course."

The prince agreed.

"I'll handle it personally."

"You?"

"Got questions. How could he abandon such a sweet, fragile girl and run?"

"Exactly!"

"If unwarranted, he'll pay."

"Right!"

King and prince cursed Roger Friedri.

"Achoo. Ugh, cold. Door open?"

Roger, remodeling the Demon King's tower first floor, donned a thick coat.

Hillon Kargil quietly closed his eyes and breathed.

The Beast Tower's fall spawned continent-shaking rumors, but he stayed a step removed from the epicenter.

Most pointed to Rozel Charnt and Akan Kingdom behind her.

Berft's Luize played a part too.

Precarious.

Killing demons or beasts converts their magic into dimensional power, absorbed by heroes.

Not mere training—heroes grow that way.

Thus, heroes crave more beasts, demons, Demon Kings slain.

But excess brings ruin. Hillon felt it keenly.

Two powers dwelled in his body.

One in his mana heart.

The other in his aura hall.

The first from slaying the Lust Demon King; the second from beheading Drakson.

Lucky he was a magic swordsman.

Like humans' unique energies, Demon Kings varied. Similar yet distinct, they settled separately but uncontrollably—like bombs ready to blow.

The Lust Demon King's magic nears mana. The Beast's is aura.

A matter of affinity.

If I can truly make them mine...

Might rewrite history as the greatest hero.

Even escape the Demon King's curse.

No immediate fix for his mental restraints, but higher realms might unlock it.

"Hoo."

Hillon stowed mana and aura, opening his eyes. A knock came, as if waiting.

"Come in."

No surprise—the presence wasn't hidden. Rozel Charnt entered.

She scowled, displeased.

"Hand it over."

"Hand over what?"

Rozel tossed a paper.

"...Reward? What?"

Suddenly, he recalled the deal to join the hero team.

Mana.

Pure as spirits. Berge extracted it all for Rozel, promising more post-expedition.

But I...

Got nothing?

Hillon realized.

This damn Demon King, too stingy to pay up, dumped it all on him and bolted.

"Must be a misunderstanding..."

"Hand. It. Over."

"...I got nothing."

"Don't test my patience."

Rozel smiled. Hillon shivered.

"...I really got nothing."

"So I wrote that note myself? Kidnapped that Fail bastard to frame you?"

"Not what I meant."

"One thing you say to me: 'Here you go.' One thing you do: Give me the mana storage orb."

...Gulp.

Chill rising, Hillon swallowed dryly.

"Been swamped with cleanup lately, couldn't focus. Yeah, slipped my mind. Barely squeezed this time out—guild meeting soon."

Sorting papers for the meeting, a maid rushed in.

"Fail's gone?"

The overdue reward hit late.

Mana. Purest flame mana.

"But his room was empty."

No warmth, no items, no reward.

Just a note.

"You know? That note saved this mansion."

She barely reined exploding rage.

Losing a Crimson Flame recruit pissed her off, but she'd collect first.

"And you claim ignorance?"

Nothing received?

"I hate liars most. But worse? Thieves who take what's mine."

Rrrrr—

Rozel did nothing. But mana reacted to her fury, shaking the mansion's furnishings.

"Calm down first. I'll contact Fail and—"

"Calm? Words are cheap. Put the goods in front of me, then talk convincingly."

Hillon yanked out a crystal orb, pouring mana frantically.

Pick up, pick up, pick up, please!

Five minutes.

"......"

"Die!"

That day, half the Crimson Flame Assault Team's mansion burned.

And Fail earned notoriety with the Crimson Flames.

"...Drakson dead?"

The man, deep in late-night sleep, let out a hollow laugh.

No way.

"...How?"

The board was set. Plenty wished Demon Kings dead, but many more wanted a "reasonably cooperative" one alive.

He was the latter.

Demon Kings were useful evils.

Made ruling easier, perfect scapegoats.

"Hero Guild didn't move."

"As it should."

After all they'd pocketed.

"Ormus official word: Crimson Flame Assault Team and full effort felled the Demon King."

"Nonsense."

They'd failed intact; post-two-thousand-elite loss? Even stray dogs wouldn't buy it.

"Who?"

"Likely Akan Kingdom."

"Traces?"

"None. That's why Akan."

Only magic kingdom Akan or Jespain Empire could send Demon King-slaying force overnight and vanish traceless.

"Why?"

"Rozel Charnt's front and center."

"Akan."

The man tsked.

"Hero Guild?"

"Word just in."

"Fetch it."

Butler brought the comm orb. Mana poured, a face appeared.

He cut greetings, straight to business.

"Report Hero Guild status."

『The elders and executives have been summoned.』

"Mood?"

『Consensus: Akan's the culprit.』

People thought alike.

"These arrogant fools..."

『Problem: Can't punish harshly.』

『Slaying a Demon King is a hero's duty fulfilled.』

Crime for Rozel allies? Ignoring guild standby for solo action—at best.

Likely buried under Demon King-slaying merit.

"So?"

『Pardon?』

"No issue. No punishment. That's it?"

『......』

"That's your limit. Understood."

『...I'll make it happen!』

"......"

『Defying guild orders is grave. Rozel wrecked major plans, caused huge losses! And her sins aren't one or two!』

"Other elders won't see it that way."

『They will. I'll make them!』

"Thought minor, but needs that much? Grave indeed."

『Yes.』

"Do your utmost."

『Of course.』

"Good luck."

『Yes!』

Connection cut.

"Arrogant lot. Spoiled them rotten."

"Guild master's no pushover."

"Just a group head. Contact the council. Probe their thoughts."

The man's smile faded.

A long outing, but not fruitless.

Drakson dead, tower collapsed.

No evidence Berge was there.

Want to see Archduke Alkain's face.

What expression at the news?

Twisted rage, ideally. Berge wasn't one to take hits lying down.

Crunch.

He stepped ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠midway up the ever-snowy Erjest Mountains.

Still too weak now.

Drakson fight taught much.

Past and present self differed. Heroes could kill him anytime.

That grated like something stuck in his throat.

This life, focus on being humans' shadowy puppetmaster. But decapitated by a surprise hero?

All achievements meaningless.

Power's the core.

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

Overlooked basics chasing grand visions.

Debts force it—hunt Erjest's elixirs again.

Or kidnap another princess. Widespread hate and curses meant more magic points.

Back to the tower to think...

Berge halted. Head turned.

Pristine snow. Distant monster howls. Nothing visible.

Nothing.

Thud.

Berge killed his presence. Opponent's vanished too.

Well now?

Stealth master. Fully blended with nature, presence nullified. Like Berge.

Evading my senses?

Tower not far, even at mountain base.

Berge's hair turned red.

Wait began. One hour, two. Half-day, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠full day.

Rustle.

Man emerged through snow.

Gone?

No nearby presence. No instinctive demon repulsion.

High demon at least. Confirmed.

Black hair, black eyes. Intense magic—not average.

Observed from afar, yet eyes met. That chill defied words.

Confirmed: demon path through here.

Might finish the commission sooner than thought.

He stretched, brushing snow from clothes.

Then, unseen repulsion spiked.

"Hero."

"...When'd you—?"

"Asking when? Shall I answer?"

Black flames answered instead. Man rolled desperately.

Drew on empty bowstring. Mana arrows curved gracefully from void.

Five in succession. Demon faltered.

"Same old tricks."

Arrows bounced. He thrust dagger through flames.

Extended aura split fire. Smoke bomb burst.

Processed haze briefly blocked Demon King's view. Man vanished.

"......"

Berge let the fading presence go.

Couldn't catch anyway.

Among heroes, the fleetest squirrel.

First sighting across lives. Stealth rivaling Demon Kings, speed surpassing—no common hero.

"Hero, Daphne Philian."

Known as heroes' info broker.

"Someone's awfully curious about my tower's spot."

About time for probes.

Jespain or Hildean.

Most likely one of the princess-kidnap countries.