< 054. Warning >
“A new Demon King has descended.”
“Already?”
“Alkain the Archduke must be scheming something. Best to stay on guard.”
Vivian Blunt.
Berge knew little about her. But the fact that a new Demon King had descended in less than a week after Drakson's death was more than enough reason for suspicion.
“It's suspicious, sure, but Demon Kings do get taken down by heroes sometimes. This is Alein, after all. There's nothing in particular that Alkain the Archduke would find odd about... ah...”
There was.
“They're searching for those who violate the canon?”
“Likely. You can safely assume Vivian's an inspector sent on the Archduke's secret orders.”
“...We won't get caught?”
“We won't. That's why I wrecked it. Just keep your mouth shut like always. And watch out for Vivian Blunt at all times.”
“Understood, sir.”
Gordon nodded gravely.
“Oh, right—that wasn't what I meant to bring up. The Hildean princess opened the front gates without any resistance.”
“She opened the gates?”
“Yes. Care to explain what happened?”
“Why'd she open the gates?”
“Jespain's imperial princess tried to escape the tower. It happened while we were stopping her.”
“Escape, huh.”
After letting her roam free thanks to Ernan's precedent, the girl still hadn't learned her lesson.
“Throw her in the underground dungeon.”
“Understood. But is this your will, my lord?”
“No, it's the tower's. The tower accepted her as one of its own. Roger too.”
“...Pardon? The tower accepted non-demons? Since when...?”
“Since the day Hillun Kargil stormed in.”
To be precise, from the moment Ernan and Roger had opposed Hillun Kargil and thrown him in the dungeon.
Tower Lord - Berge Dayas
Sub-Tower Lord - Gordon Dirik
Floors - 5
Affiliates
Demons - Gordon Dirik
Beasts - Frost Orcs, Krutoo
Monsters - None
1st Floor - Dwarf Hero, Roger
2nd Floor - None
3rd Floor - None
4th Floor - Hildean Princess, Ernan Hildean
5th Floor - Demon King's Floor
He summoned the tower's info window.
The 1st and 4th floors, which should have been vacant, now had occupants.
This wasn't something Berge had intended.
“I think the tower recognized them as allies because they opposed the hero.”
“It has that kind of function...? But couldn't you revoke their status?”
“I could.”
The tower's will only assisted the Demon King. In the end, all decisions rested with the Demon King.
“But there's no need. Does Roger look like he's gonna bolt to you?”
“...Well.”
Gordon couldn't nod easily.
He didn't like that Roger was a hero, but setting that aside, the dwarf had assimilated perfectly.
As humiliating as it was to admit, the dwarf had racked up more achievements than Gordon himself, the adjutant.
“What about the Hildean princess, then?”
“It's a test of sorts.”
Nothing about Ernan had gone as he'd wanted from start to finish.
He'd botched kidnapping the 13th princess, accidentally triggering her hero potential, and had been desperate enough to borrow even a cat's paw.
Then he'd encountered her excessively cooperative attitude.
It had been helpful, so he'd stayed silent. He'd even stood by and encouraged her.
But was that truly right? Would the humans' “queenly princess” truly side with him, a Demon King, in a real crisis?
Berge didn't fully trust her. Humans weren't trustworthy creatures to begin with.
'But she'll think she's earned my trust.'
She'd even contracted an upper spirit, gaining some real power.
And now she knew she could leave the tower anytime she wanted, if she chose.
'She'll show some reaction.'
Maybe soon, some small clue would emerge.
About Ernan Hildean's true intentions.
“Mm.”
Kaede opened her eyes. It was dark. A foul smell assaulted her nose.
“Ah.”
Her arms and legs were bound. Her aura wouldn't respond.
'Failed.'
And now she was locked in a dungeon. So, no more mercy after all.
“......”
Maybe this was for the best.
Being the Demon King's subordinate would tarnish her honor and the empire's far more than being a kidnapped imperial princess who'd endured hardships.
She gave a wry smile.
Creeeak—
The underground dungeon door opened. Sudden light made Kaede squint.
“Are you all right?”
“...Lady Ernan?”
A hand slipped through the bars, holding a bottle of water.
“Drink.”
“...Thank you. Ah.”
Clank—
The chains blocked her hand toward the bottle.
Ernan reached further in.
“Lean forward and just open your mouth.”
“Yes.”
Cool water dripped in. Her parched lips were moistened.
“Thank you.”
“...That's why I told you not to go.”
“...I didn't want to become the Demon King's dog... minion. I'm an imperial knight.”
“I don't recall the Demon King ordering anyone to become a dog.”
“There's no such thing as kindness without reason. If the Demon King treats us well, he must want something in return. Even you, Lady Ernan...”
Kaede swallowed the rest. “Sorry,” she muttered softly, bowing her head.
“Well, you could think that. I did it because I wanted to.”
“...That makes even less sense.”
“Everyone has their own circumstances, right? Like how you ran away to avoid marriage.”
“...That's.”
“I ran from the palace, the royal family, my father. Well, technically I was kidnapped, but then I didn't want to go back.”
“...I still can't understand.”
Ernan Hildean's name wasn't limited to Hildean.
Her talent was top-tier across the continent, making her the kingdom's rightful heir.
Young and beautiful too, suitors from Hildean and beyond lined up to court her.
“Your future is bright. Hildean has many princes and princesses, but none match you. Becoming the kingdom's pinnacle is your destined path. To throw that away and serve a Demon King...”
“Never occurred to you that was strange?”
“...?”
“Hildean has 27 princes and 35 princesses. The most of any royal family on the continent. But aside from me, not one has a known name.”
“...What? I thought Hildean had 12 princes and 16 princesses.”
“Ah, officially, yes.”
I figured you'd know as an imperial princess, but apparently not.
Ernan stood.
“...Wait. Explain a bit more.”
“Ask when you get back to the empire. The emperor probably knows.”
“......”
Kaede couldn't say they weren't close enough for personal questions like that.
“I'll keep visiting. The Demon King assigned me because no one else is available to look after you.”
“...Even so.”
“Even so?”
“I get you have circumstances. But if this gets out, it'll be a huge scandal for the kingdom and royal family. You don't care?”
“Not something for a runaway anti-marriage princess to say, is it?”
“......”
Kaede flushed.
“Kidding.”
Ernan flashed a playful smile.
“And I don't think that way. Heroes team up with Demon Kings these days—what's so big about a princess cooperating with one?”
“......”
“Better to cooperate with the Demon King and find a path that benefits the empire.”
“As if there's a way...”
“Just saying. Better than rotting in a cell, right?”
Well then, bye. I'll leave the water here. Ernan vanished.
“Heard you're buying elf slaves.”
“Yes.”
Aman Katrashu bowed his head.
The Golden Moon Merchant Guildmaster flipped through documents.
“On Granada's request, I take it.”
“Yes. He wants to buy slaves from slave markets across the continent. Hero Hillun instructed unconditional support for Lord Granada, so we're prioritizing it.”
“What about this Jetoson fellow?”
One day, Jetoson had knocked on the guild's door. In ragged clothes, on the verge of being chased off until Aman intervened.
“His practical skills stand out more than anything.”
“He's just a smooth talker.”
The guildmaster clicked his tongue.
“No matter how I look at it, he's a glib-tongued con artist. Do we really need to take on trash like that?”
He couldn't forget Jetoson's first impression.
'Oh, are you really the guildmaster? You look so young, I thought you were the heir. Haha.'
'The Golden Moon Guild is truly impressive. Maintaining through past failures shows your members' hard work.'
'With major investments coming, your vision must be...'
Flattery from start to finish—pure con man vibes.
His instincts screamed to fire the guy, but Hillun Kargil's personal pick stopped him.
“Why would a hotshot hero drag in a scammer like that?”
“He's doing decently.”
“Sigh. His eyes scream greed. Ambition's fine for a merchant, but overdone...”
“He's with the elf Lord Granada, so it should be fine.”
“Ugh, hope so.”
The guildmaster handed over a newspaper.
“What's this?”
“Read it. Fresh off the press this morning.”
“...Succubi.”
“Procure military supplies.”
“You plan to join in?”
“Few businesses beat hero expeditions for profit. Couldn't before due to lack of funds, but not now.”
“You think a hero expedition will happen?”
“Doesn't matter if it does.”
Hero expeditions had surged lately.
Against the Demon King in Erjest Mountains, against the Beast Tower.
The cause? Demon Kings acting differently than before.
Kidnapping royal heirs, killing top successors.
Now even using succubi to manipulate nobles.
Suspicion that Demon Kings were plotting something had nations, Hero Guilds, and mercenary guilds on edge.
“War makes money. Even the atmosphere of impending war does. Handle it.”
“Yes. Can I take the paper?”
“Do what you want.”
Aman left the guildmaster's office, retreated to his room, and pored over the newspaper before pulling out a communication orb.
At that moment, someone else was checking the newspaper, just like Aman.
“What's wrong?”
Jason set the paper aside and brought a perfectly seared rare steak to his mouth.
“What?”
“Didn't I warn you? Keep demons inside, be careful.”
“You called me here for that?”
Vivian savored her blood-red wine.
“I asked, Lady Vivian.”
“Just checked lightly while kidnapping the prince.”
“Checked what?”
“What kind of place this dimension, Alein, is. Didn't expect to get caught so quick, though. Bad luck, I guess.”
A hero just happened to pass by at that timing.
“You call that bad luck?”
“Thought it'd last months at least.”
“Sorry, but it's not luck. Send them a hundred times, same result.”
Stab—
The fork pierced the meat.
“Same?”
“The Archduke's too much. Sending a brainless slut like that.”
“What did you... say?”
The sudden shift in atmosphere and tone froze Vivian's pupils. Jason tapped his temple.
“Forgive my rudeness. If she'd had any brains, she wouldn't have come to this godforsaken dimension, no matter what the Archduke offered.”
Why Drakson, Reina, Ugar, and Berge were all rookie Demon Kings.
“Everyone knows, yet a Demon King who conquered one dimension doesn't? Can't blame me for losing it briefly.”
“What did you just say?”
“How many heroes were in the dimension you conquered?”
“What did you say?!”
“I asked how many heroes were in the dimension you conquered. Lady Vivian. Please, don't make me forget my manners again.”
Hic—
Vivian shut her mouth.
Chills ran down her spine at the serpent-like killing intent.
“Around seventy.”
“And how many do you think are in Alein?”
“...Lots, I suppose. A hundred? Three hundred?”
“You really know nothing.”
Jason let out a hollow laugh.
“Even if exact numbers aren't shared due to refusals for Alein dispatch, I didn't expect this.”
Jason's lips twisted upward.
“I get it. If you'd known anything about Alein, you never would've come, so the Archduke picked a dimwit like you. Arrogant after one measly dimension.”
“......”
Vivian couldn't retort to the harsh insults. She couldn't.
“Keep your ears open and engrave this deep in that head. Repent endlessly for how idiotic you've been.”
He whispered low.
“3198.”
“...What?”
“Until last month, 3198 heroes officially registered with the Hero Guild.”
“...Lies.”
Vivian steadied her glass with effort. Half the wine was already gone.
“Does it sound like a lie?”
Jason calmly picked up his knife.
“Then it's not?”
“Why would I joke? With a demon like you? I'm not that idle.”
Slice slice—
The meat was cut. But the knife didn't stop.
“Your succubi getting caught wasn't coincidence or bad luck. In Alein, it's everyday.”
Crack—
The plate splintered.
“Too many heroes for Demon Kings to act freely.”
“Demon Kings forced to watch heroes and humans.”
“Even seasoned Demon Kings won't come.”
Jason's cuts grew rougher.
“That's daily life.”
“No way... Even with many heroes, there's a limit!”
“If there was a limit, Alein would've fallen to Ma-gye long ago.”
“No, no. It can't be!”
Vivian denied reality.
“What's not is your idiotic blunder—ruining things with empty bravado by sending succubi.”
“Berge Dayas can afford that. He knows nothing, so he can rampage like a typical Demon King. But you couldn't. Didn't I tell you? Stay quiet. Dead silent, wait.”
Crack—
The table split.
“If you knew the mess your succubi caused, you'd be groveling for forgiveness right now.”
The steak and plate shattered on the premium wood floor before his knife stopped.
“But I won't.”
Jason exhaled raggedly, steadying his breath.
“I don't care what you do. Who you are, your achievements—irrelevant.”
He wiped sauce from his hands with a napkin.
“But no further.”
“Don't cross the line I've drawn. Don't flip the board I've set.”
He adjusted his monocle. His icy gaze fixed on Vivian.
“This isn't a request.”
“It's a warning.”
Please.
Make the wise choice.
< 054. Warning > End