053. The New Demon King
When a Demon King dies, another descends to take their place.
In that way, the quota of five is always filled for each dimension.
But the process was never quick.
Especially since no one but Berge would volunteer for the worst dimension, Alein.
In that sense, there were more than a few odd things about this latest Demon King descent.
Alkain Archduke’s influence, no doubt.
Drakson Dolph’s sudden death must have been completely unexpected for him.
He’d even declared right before dying that he’d scour the tower’s records, so it wasn’t strange for him to harbor suspicions and take action.
They won’t know I was involved.
With the tower collapsed, there was no evidence left.
That was enough.
“Welcome. We’ve been waiting.”
Guided by Aina Diaphrin, the False Demon King’s adjutant, he arrived at the summit. The other Demon Kings were already seated.
The False one, Frost, Diamond... and.
Berge’s gaze fixed on one spot. The seat where Drakson Dolph should have been.
Pink hair cascading down to her waist swayed gently.
Her snow-white skin gleamed like fine jade, accentuated by her skimpy black outfit that highlighted her curves.
A tail swished behind her hips, and small wings fluttered above her shoulders.
“So you’re the famous Berge Dayas.”
Their eyes met.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Vivian Blunt, Queen of the Crimson Moon Clan.”
A provocative smile curved her lips, her heavy eye makeup drawing natural crescent moons.
“...Berge Dayas.”
Berge sat without further reply. With that brief greeting, the formal meeting began.
“Now that everyone’s here, let’s start. As you all know, Drakson Dolph fell just before dawn. Akan Kingdom elites joined in secret, along with heroes Rozel Charnt, Hillon Kargil, and Ralph Shmitz.”
How did he know?
Jason Cockmondo had the full breakdown of that covert hero operation.
Does he have a spy in the hero party? Or connections in Akan’s upper ranks?
Either way, Jason was no pushover. The silver lining was that he didn’t know about Berge.
“...Ralph Shmitz?”
Ugar’s eyes widened.
“That bastard dared to take down Drakson...!”
“Please calm down. Tragic as it is, that’s not the priority right now. Even with Ralph Shmitz, the Drakson I knew wouldn’t fall to that.”
“They must’ve used dirty tricks! Humans couldn’t kill Drakson without them!”
“This lady agrees. Regardless of how little I liked him, Drakson’s power wasn’t to be trifled with.”
Ugar and Reina nodded in agreement with Jason. Berge gave a small nod without a word.
“But humans have always played dirty. They’ll do anything to win, and Drakson was used to their tricks. That’s no excuse.”
“I’m not here to make excuses.”
Jason adjusted his monocle and scanned the room.
“What my connections revealed: Akan Kingdom stepped in. Three heroes faced the Demon King. That’s it.”
Much was missing.
“Does anyone here have ties to Akan Kingdom?”
Silence. As expected.
Reina Sordain had zero interest in human squabbles, Ugar Belbek lacked the subtlety for spies, and Berge, freshly descended just over a year ago, had even less to say.
“...Alein, Alein... this place really is entertaining.”
Vivian chimed in abruptly.
“Demon King meetings like this, banding together to probe one death.”
“As I said, Alein differs from other dimensions.”
“I know. That’s why I’m sitting tight. Surprising, but not against canon.”
Demon Kings’ individualism made such gatherings rare, but they weren’t forbidden.
“More than that, I’m...”
Her blood-red eyes turned to Berge.
“...curious about him.”
A soft hmph tickled his ears.
“The famous Berge Dayas.”
Vivian rose and perched on Berge’s desk, leaning in with a bewitching smile.
“What are you doing?”
“Just curious.”
“Curious?”
“What kind of demon shakes up Ma-gye like that?”
“Your impression?”
She licked her lips.
“Handsome enough. I like it.”
She extended her other hand.
“Let’s get along.”
“Get lost.”
“...Huh?”
Smack—
Berge slapped her hand away.
“Don’t touch me without permission.”
“Feisty, aren’t you?”
“Push it twice, and I’ll burn that pretty hair to ash.”
“Isn’t that my line? Stubborn, they said... you’re fun.”
But wasn’t it?
“Too rigid, and you get sloppy. I’ve seen plenty.”
“Conquered other dimensions, have we?”
“Brightest resume here, I’d wager.”
Interest flickered in her eyes, but she soon turned away.
“Oops. Think I’ve made an enemy.”
“Enough chit-chat. Jason, that all?”
“Anything else to share?”
“Drakson mentioned a high demon invading his domain before dying. This lady wants to believe it wasn’t you.”
“I’ll say it clearly: it wasn’t. Nor anyone here, I think. That’s why I didn’t mention it.”
Their gazes clashed.
“Then we’re done. This lady will take her leave.”
Reina rose first. Ugar and Berge followed.
“Lady Vivian, your plans?”
“I’d like to hear more.”
“Happy to oblige.”
Berge.
Good.
Kaede had fully grasped the tower’s rhythms in mere weeks.
The Demon King rarely returned once he left.
The dark elf holed up in his office all day.
Roger ignored everyone when engrossed in work until smacked upside the head; Ernan Hildean assisted him.
No one guarded the tower. No one watched her.
She’d never seen such a lax tower.
First tower for me, though...
She gathered her armor and sword, then jerky and water, glancing around cautiously.
As quietly as possible.
Why watch the other princess too? Ernan’s behavior so far said caution was wise.
Princess Ernan’s fully on the Demon King’s side.
Brainwashing, maybe.
That fear spurred her escape. No guarantee it stopped at Ernan.
She descended slowly to the third floor.
She didn’t know a tiny wind spirit watched everything.
First floor. Kaede slipped past Roger, lost in mana cannon work, and reached the door unscathed.
No one had spotted her.
So she thought—until Hildean’s princess blocked the way.
The mood wasn’t friendly.
“...So you’re the Demon King’s dog after all?”
“That’s harsh. We’re in the same boat.”
“How did you know?”
Ernan smiled instead of answering. The evasiveness heightened Kaede’s urgency.
“Step aside. I need to leave this tower.”
“You’ll die out there. Can you even escape Erjest Mountains?”
“Doesn’t matter. Better than losing my knight’s honor as his dog.”
“Yet you fled your wedding?”
“...Different story.”
Talks had progressed but not finalized. She’d bolted before that.
She’d wanted to become a hero first—join the party that slew the Demon King, earn recognition as a hero, not a princess.
It backfired into capture. She couldn’t deny the stupidity. So she had to leave—before dragging others down further.
“I understand your situation, Lady Kaede. But I have my reasons too. I can’t let you go.”
Joint responsibility.
Kaede wouldn’t get it, but Ernan didn’t mind tower life.
No—compared to suffocating palace intrigue, it was paradise.
Guaranteed freedom within the tower. She wanted this fragile peace unbroken.
Especially not by someone else’s hand.
Thus, she couldn’t release Kaede.
“I don’t want to hurt you.”
“But you might if pushed.”
“......”
Kaede stood firm. Ernan sighed.
“...Guess it’s time to go back to being a Dark Spirit Summoner.”
“...Dark Spirit Summoner?”
Tension crackled between them.
“Try it if you dare.”
The dark elf shattered it.
How? When?
Kaede startled like a scared cat, whirling her sword defensively.
“Go ahead and try. But the consequences are yours alone. This is why humans... even when treated well...”
Gordon crossed his arms and jerked his chin. Ernan stepped aside. Kaede bolted for the door.
“You didn’t treat her well, did you, Gordon?”
Gordon glared at Ernan. She swiftly changed topics.
“Is this okay?”
“The Demon King’s tower isn’t that sloppy.”
Maybe the odd Demon King made for comfy captivity. The princesses seemed to have forgotten what it was.
“Easy to enter. Not so much to leave.”
“Assault teams seemed pretty freewheeling.”
“...Ahem. Nothing’s perfect.”
Gordon, freshly briefed on Alein, cleared his throat awkwardly.
Damn dimension.
Who’d think heroes treated Demon King towers like hunting grounds?
Follow canon, and it crumbles. He was growing attuned to Berge’s ways.
If not for this wretched dimension...
He’d have conquered elsewhere by the book. Why this one where canon failed?
“Not easy enough for a lone amateur hero to breach.”
Whoosh—
Black flames erupted as her hand touched the door, engulfing Kaede.
“That’s what usually happens.”
Kaede raised aura to shield herself. But the flames, infused with the Demon King’s essence, didn’t die easily.
“Humans need to experience it firsthand to face reality. No more escape dreams now.”
“Should I help?”
“Insolent, but she’s a princess. If she dies, the master will rage.”
“Can’t have that. Joint responsibility...”
Nairuniel sprinkled pure water. Droplets evaporated into shimmering steam.
Skin charred black, Kaede gasped. It burned. But she raised her sword again.
Clang—
Flames surged once more.
As she gritted her teeth to swing repeatedly, Gordon chopped her neck, knocking her out. The fire faded.
“...A hero’s still a hero.”
A small scratch marred the door.
Gordon caressed it gently. Swirling magic points repaired it.
“It doesn’t activate on demons?”
Gordon didn’t answer. Ernan approached curiously.
“Don’t touch it recklessly. You’ll cause—”
Click.
Her pale hand pushed the door open without resistance.
Cold blizzard winds poured through the gap.
“...Huh?”
“...Huh.”
“Why...?”
Silence fell.
“...I’ll close it.”
Heh heh...
Ernan flashed an awkward smile, her pupils shaky.