< 062. Hillon Kargil and Hildean >
"His Majesty the King seeks an audience with the hero."
It had finally come.
Late at night, the king's messenger arrived at the annex in the palace where Hillon Kargil was staying.
Hillon changed into fresh clothes. He donned a neat suit and tied his necktie. The maids offered their help, but he refused.
"I'll handle it myself."
He straightened his appearance in the mirror.
'A bit later than I expected.'
At lunchtime that day, he had entered the capital amid a triumphant parade. Assigned to the annex in the palace, he was visited by countless nobles.
Yet the king, who should have met him first, had remained silent.
Hillon took it as a sign that the king wished for a private audience. And now, the guest had arrived.
He followed the knight into the royal castle, to the king's office. No guards stood at the door.
"You may enter."
"Understood."
The door opened. No lights were on. Moonlight from the full moon filtered through the window.
"Come in."
Clink—
Transparent white wine filled an empty glass. A sweet aroma wafted gently.
"I greet Your Majesty."
"Sit."
"Yes."
"Have a glass."
The king offered his glass. Clink—the glasses touched.
"Anthura Pournin, is it?"
"The 1311 vintage. Indeed, you have a fine palate for wine."
The king chuckled, leaning back and gazing at the full moon outside.
"I never thought you'd return to Hildean so willingly. And bringing a surprise gift like Elena, no less."
"I'm glad it pleases you."
"It does. Even if it didn't, I'd have to say it does. You're the great hero who rescued a kidnapped princess, after all."
There was steel in his words.
"I apologize for what happened before. As you know, I cherished Ernan too much and erred."
"I've already forgotten it."
"Good."
Clink—
Another glass came and went.
"Just one question."
"Yes."
"Did you truly fail to find the tower?"
The king turned his head. His gaze was calm, but the fury simmering beneath boiled like a volcano.
"I couldn't find it."
"I'll ask again."
"I couldn't find it."
"Again."
"I couldn't find it."
The glass in the king's hand shattered. Transparent white wine trickled down his hand.
Papers on the desk grew damp. Shards fell to the carpet.
"Again."
The king growled.
Hillon shook his head.
"Even if you demand it, I can't claim to have found what I didn't."
Kuhahaha—
The king laughed. Mana rippled, shaking the office.
Hillon watched him impassively, without so much as a blink.
"I know."
The laughter stopped abruptly.
"Daphne came to see you, didn't he?"
"Yes."
"What did he ask, and how did you reply?"
"He inquired about my heroics, so I recounted everything that happened in the Erjest Mountains."
"Daphne said he couldn't find it either. Meaning no one can, for now."
The king wiped the wine from his hand and fetched a new glass.
"But I don't believe you'll fail to find it forever."
"Is that so?"
"A great hero who beheaded the Lust Demon King and even the Beast Demon King's head—what task could he not accomplish?"
"Thank you for the high regard."
"Therefore."
Someday.
"Someday, you will rescue Ernan."
"I'll do my utmost."
"Yes, that's all I ask. No one in Hildean will treat you as an enemy."
The king clapped. The knight who had escorted Hillon cracked the door open.
"Summon a maid to clean this up."
"Yes."
The knight vanished.
"Forgive my unseemly display. Think of it as a father's worry for his daughter."
"Of course, I understand."
"Ah, and I hear your sponsorship dried up after slaying the Lust Demon King..."
"Fortunately, I've gained a new patron."
"Then I must add my own stake to it."
"Can I refuse?"
"No."
"Then I'll gladly accept."
"Go now. I wish to drink alone."
The dismissal came.
'He's changed.'
He'd even beheaded the Beast Demon King, hadn't he?
Indeed, the atmosphere was different now. And the future held even greater promise.
"Viscount Brokter enters!"
"Baron Pensilven and his lady enter!"
Nobles filed in.
Chandeliers illuminated the hall.
The orchestra played sweet melodies with practiced grace.
Laughter and murmurs blended naturally.
Sweet wines and delicacies delighted nose and palate.
And amid it all—
"The great hero who vanquished the Lust Demon King and the Beast Demon King, Hero Hillon Kargil, and Elf Granada, vice-captain of the Red Hawk Assault Team, enter!"
The stars of the evening arrived.
The boisterous hall fell silent. All eyes converged on one spot.
On the hero in his neat suit and tie, and the elf.
Hillon Kargil casually brushed back his brown hair. Whispers of "Oh my" rippled subtly.
"What are you doing?"
"Banquets aren't just for nobles."
"Showing off, eh?"
"You'll do well among the ladies too. No one dislikes a handsome elf."
"Pass."
"And from here on, mind your words around each other. Officially, I'm the assault team's captain."
Hillon accepted a cocktail from a servant. The moment he ate the cherry atop his glass, the hush broke. The nobles' attention surged.
"Hero Hillon."
"I'm Baron Merton. Do you remember me?"
"Hero Hillon, join us for a chat..."
The sudden crowd made Granada recoil in disgust. Fortunately, most of the interest targeted Hillon, not him.
He found a secluded corner with his cocktail in hand.
"Why drink alone here?"
A woman sat beside him.
"You're the famous Granada, right? I'm Joy Bourain of Viscount Bourain's house."
"Granada."
"I know. Cheers?"
"Sure."
"With me."
A hand shot out. The blonde woman beamed.
"Who?"
"I'm Gaina Dayas of Count Dayas's house. My father is the renowned Count Dayas."
"And?"
"Just wanted to talk."
"To me?"
"Who else is here?"
Only then did Granada look up and realize.
The banquet hall was gone from view. He was surrounded by noble daughters and ladies.
'Slipping out won't work...'
It was too late.
Granada let out a small sigh.
"Hillon Kargil."
Even among nobles, there were ranks. Determined by titles.
And titles had ranks too. By background and power.
Duke Heinz stood at the pinnacle.
Born of Hildean's supreme bloodline, he had earned his ducal seat through exceptional talent. Countless nobles gathered in his shadow—and yearned to.
The crowd around Hillon Kargil parted at Duke Heinz's approach.
He exuded noble dignity.
Born to rule, he looked down on all.
"It's been a while."
"I greet Duke Heinz."
"On behalf of the royals, thank you for saving Elena."
"I merely did what was right."
"What was right... Yes, quite."
He smiled.
"Do you all know how glorious this moment is?"
Duke Heinz bellowed. All eyes turned to him.
"Hillon Kargil was born in Hildean and has long served as its hero. No one here doesn't know him, and many have ties to him."
"You overpraise me."
"Overpraise? We haven't even begun. Some of you might still take him lightly—familiarity breeds contempt, and he doesn't seem so grand at first glance. But heed this: Hillon is a Star."
The duke raised Hillon's arm. Nobles applauded.
"Though he failed, he devoted himself to rescuing the crown princess and saved the 13th princess. What loyalty!"
"Indeed!"
"Hero Hillon Kargil, long live!"
"What are you doing?"
The duke ignored Hillon's whisper.
"And that's not all!"
"He severed the Lust Demon King's head and brought even the Beast Demon King to its knees before his sword and magic—what feat is greater?"
"Heroes who felled two Demon Kings are etched in history!"
The cheers swelled.
"I'm truly proud to call such a Hillon Kargil my old friend. I've supported him from the start, and seeing him shine like this fills me with joy."
"You're incorrigible."
A faint crack appeared in Hillon's expression. His subtle anger drowned in the clamor.
"You met your 'brother,' didn't you?"
Duke Heinz, the only one to catch it, grinned brightly.
"Yes."
"His Majesty oversteps—our bond runs deeper. I have no intention of letting you go."
"Quite the persistent leash."
"A leash before you grab it, shackles after. I'm a greedy man."
"Perhaps. But after facing greedier men and tougher chains, it feels a bit loose."
"Amusing words."
He smiled faintly.
Then, a knight rushed in, whispering urgently in his ear.
"...What? Gold...?"
The duke glanced at Hillon and trailed off.
"Forgive me, but our meeting ends here."
"A pity. I thought we'd have a fine talk."
"Indeed. I'll arrange another time."
"Take care."
Hillon bowed. The duke departed swiftly, knights in tow.
"What was that?"
"What's going on?"
The nobles were briefly puzzled by his abrupt exit but soon forgot.
For the promising great hero, Hillon Kargil, stood before them.
"Hero, long time!"
"Lady Isir of Baron Isir, an honor to see you again."
"Ahem, Hillon Kargil, you haven't forgotten me?"
"Of course not, Marquis Mohir. I'm always grateful to you."
Hillon was once more swept into the throng.
The banquet's mood deepened.
The maid tending Hyacinth Palace knocked cautiously.
"Princess, may I enter?"
No reply. But Elena slept more than she was awake.
She opened the door. A chill breeze brushed her face.
'Did she leave the window open?'
The princess mustn't catch cold.
Rushing to close the window, she froze.
Elena lay on the bed. A shadow loomed over her.
"Wh-who...?"
"One of the Four Heavenly Kings serving the great Demon King, the Dark Spirit Summoner."
The awkwardly modulated voice was eerie.
"By the great Demon King's command, I come to kidnap Hildean's 13th princess."
The kidnapper's eyes gleamed in the dark.
The maid gulped.
"D-Demon!"
It was all she could muster, squeezing out every ounce of voice.
Fortunately, it reached the knights.
Rushing footsteps echoed.
"Gaaah!"
"A demon!"
"Stop it!"
Then screams, and they vanished. Heat surged.
"Oh my."
The Dark Spirit Summoner covered her mouth.
"All the knights who came to help are gone?"
She gently lifted the sleeping 13th princess.
"Y-You can't take the princess...!"
"Such admirable loyalty. It warms my heart."
Something flew at her. Thud. A small impact, and the maid's vision blurred.
"When you wake from your nap, it'll all be over."
She collapsed.
Ernan slipped out the window.
"Sister."
Elena, feigning sleep, cautiously opened her eyes.
"Yeah."
"Isn't that play from over ten years ago?"
"...No, it's not."
"It is. I have a good memory."
Ernan's face flushed.
"If you're the Dark Spirit Summoner, the others must be here too?"
"...No Death Legion Commander or Hell Giant."
"What about the Dark Knight?"
"...We have a candidate."
Probably.
She whispered softly.
'...Not just crazy—thoroughly mad.'
Berge, trailing behind, let out an exasperated chuckle.
Behind them, flames consumed Hyacinth Palace.
Magic alarm bells signaling enemy invasion rang throughout the palace.
< 062. Hillon Kargil and Hildean > End