065. Do I Really Have to Become the Dark Knight?
Traparta Alliance, Principality of Karmenia. Its capital, Carnia.
There stood a colossal tower rising thirty stories high.
Taller than any other building, more majestic even than the principality leader's official residence.
Its very form was a symbol of the heroes who confronted Demon Kings.
The thirty floors proclaimed that heroes stood greater than any Demon King.
The Hero Guild headquarters—it was the pride and honor of all heroes.
Entering its center had long been Hillun Kargil's dream.
Before becoming a hero, he had yearned to be one.
After becoming one, he had always aspired to seize power at the guild's core.
For the sake of power.
For the sake of honor.
The reason it had to be the Hero Guild was simple.
Not even the kings of great nations.
Not even that mighty emperor.
They were untouchable outlaws whom none dared challenge. Even emperors and kings sometimes had to swallow their regrets before heroes.
When he was very young, he had witnessed a kingdom's great noble bowing his head to a Star hero of the time.
And to this day, that image had never faded from Hillun's mind. The vividly etched memory became the driving force that moved him.
Finally, I've made it here.
Though he had arrived only by becoming the Demon King's subordinate, the result remained unchanged.
Someday, he would break free of the Demon King's chains and soar. All these current efforts would shine even more brilliantly then.
He steadied his breathing, calming his pounding heart.
"To think I'd live to set foot here..."
"Are we really forming a raid party?"
"We took down the Beast Tower and the Diamond Tower—what's stopping us now? Hero Hillun Kargil is with us!"
"But we're just mercenaries getting paid..."
"Our lord desires it. The gold will keep flowing."
"Still, it's a bit dangerous..."
"Well, with your skills, I doubt you'd die no matter where we threw you."
"Ahem, thank you for the praise."
"Was that praise?"
"Everyone, please maintain some dignity."
Of all people, why these guys...
Humans are social creatures. Even heroes couldn't change that fact.
No matter how renowned one was upon entering headquarters, without a support base, one could accomplish nothing.
Thus, Hillun Kargil had decided to bring not just himself, but his close aides as well. Officially, alongside the mercenary band known as the Red Hawk raid party.
They weren't entirely trustworthy, but they were better than nothing.
"Granada."
"Yeah?"
"This is a public place."
"...Why do you say that?"
"I entrust you with managing the Red Hawk raid members. Please ensure they don't blemish my reputation."
"Ah, yes, yes. Of course. Everyone, shut your mouths."
At Granada's words, the Red Hawks fell silent.
The Hero Guild was the grandest and most imposing building in Carnia. It held more symbolic weight than the empire's palace and transcended all.
Thus, the people of Carnia took great pride in having the Hero Guild headquarters in their city. The guild was always the center of attention.
And so, they felt the gazes gathering one by one.
They realized that if there was an eye of the storm right now, it was them.
"Who are they? Never seen them before."
"Hillun. Hillun Kargil."
"The Demon King Slayer?"
"Then those behind him are the raid party organized by Hillun Kargil?"
"Probably."
"To behold in my lifetime a great hero who slew two Demon Kings."
"Long live Hillun Kargil!"
Hillun Kargil had never visited Carnia before, but to the people living in the city of heroes, he had become immensely famous.
The roar of cheers acclaiming me.
This was it. He relished this adulation and attention.
I can't afford to ruin my first impression in the city of heroes with anything unsightly.
Hillun Kargil barely suppressed the smile tugging at his lips.
But there was no need to stifle this atmosphere entirely.
Crowds gathered to see him, and the throng parted naturally, forming a path.
"The Hero Guild is this way!"
The citizens voluntarily guided them to the guild. And at last, they arrived before the massive tower.
Creeeak—
The doors of the tower—grander than any Demon King tower Hillun had ever seen—slowly opened.
Dozens of staff members emerged to greet them.
"Welcome to the Tower of Heroes."
"Great hero, I am honored to meet Tornyel Borgis in person. To think you'd come out to greet us—it's the glory of my house for generations!"
"You know me?"
"Is there a hero who doesn't know the Grand Elder who slew the Famine Demon King?"
"It's a hazy memory from long ago. I'm just an old man waiting out my days in the back room."
"Who could speak of Tornyel like that?"
"I'm delighted that a great hero who will etch his name in history knows this old man."
"You overpraise me."
The young man and the elder embraced.
"I look forward to working with you. The guild always welcomes talents like you."
"The pleasure is mine."
Smooth talker. Not to be underestimated. I must be cautious.
Old man, your scheming to use me is plain as day. Well, not unexpected.
"Hahaha."
"Hahaha."
Their laughter toward each other deepened.
The cheers from the onlookers were the icing on the cake.
"Yes, confirmed. You've really paid it all."
Jason responded toward the crystal orb.
A total debt of five million magic points. The equivalent of one hundred thousand gold.
It had all been settled.
Honestly, compared to the value humans placed on money, it wasn't much. But since magic points held even greater worth, he felt no loss.
And if possible, he hoped they wouldn't repay it so quickly.
"As expected, the chief's reputation is well-earned."
Berge was making bold moves without hesitation.
Kidnapping Hildean Kingdom's crown princess, Jespain Empire's princess, and another Hildean princess.
Executing that sequence wasn't difficult. But surviving afterward spoke volumes of his ability.
Even if it boiled down to just hiding the tower—a tactic that worked seamlessly in other dimensions, flouting the sacred canon like it was nothing. How many Demon Kings could do that?
None. Not a single one.
Others called Berge a mad fool, but Jason saw differently.
Perhaps Berge had researched Alein more thoroughly than anyone and was pursuing the correct solutions better than anyone.
But how? How did he know Alein was like this?
Unless they were among the powerful elite, but Berge Dayas was a fresh graduate from the Demon King Academy.
How could he know about Alein?
He didn't have any notable faction behind him, either.
No matter how Jason pondered, it made no sense.
『Flattery.』
"Far from it. No Demon King has earned five million points in just one year."
『Is that so?』
"Correction: None in Alein. That's why I'm growing fonder of you, Berge."
『Even so, I know little. This is my first dimension.』
"Yes, I know Alein is your first, Berge."
Which made it all the more suspicious.
I suppose I'll have to accept some bleeding here.
Jason resolved to contact Ma-gye after a very long time. He had avoided it unless absolutely necessary, unable to spare even a little magic points.
Conveniently, two and a half million points had just come in.
『Then I'll disconnect.』
"Ah, one moment please."
『Something else?』
"May I ask one thing?"
『What?』
"Your plans going forward."
『Why should one Demon King care about another's movements?』
"Not in other dimensions, but this is Alein."
No matter how hard Jason tried, if Berge kept causing chaos endlessly, it would be a problem.
『You want me to stay quiet?』
"I won't deny it."
『Well, no plans for the time being. Debt's paid; I'll focus on strengthening the tower.』
"Thank you. Ah, by the way, do you know it's been a year since you descended here?"
『I know.』
"Then you must know the time for Tower Harmony has already passed."
Tower Harmony occurred once a year, regularly. But the hero hunts sparked by Berge, and Drakson's death, had caused ongoing chaos, so it had been momentarily forgotten.
『I'll participate. When and where is it this time?』
"In two weeks..."
Jason paused briefly, gauging the mood.
"How about at your tower, Berge? It's been a year since you built it—wouldn't hurt to show it off once."
For a very brief moment, there was no reply.
『Declined.』
Click—
The connection cut off.
"...Haha."
Jason let out a hollow laugh.
"...Really."
His laughter deepened.
"So many interesting ones this time. These Demon Kings."
He adjusted his monocle.
"Doing a weapons business?"
『Yes. If I may be so bold, with you, the deceased Beast Demon King, and the newly appeared Lust Demon King, war clouds are gathering.』
『Prices for war equipment across the continent are skyrocketing.』
Hildean, stripped of two princesses.
Dormund, where the Lust Demon King had schemed.
Ormus, which had lost its elites in the beast wars.
The Diamond Demon King's sudden reckless royal kidnappings had poured oil on the flames.
All butterfly effects from Berge.
『Of course, depending on you and the other Demon Kings' actions, war gear prices will surge. If it's not rude, may I inquire a bit about your plans?』
"I see. Knowing our moves would let you buy low and sell high at the right time."
『Exactly.』
Berge fell into brief thought.
Ugar showed no particular further activity. Just kidnapping minor royals, nothing more.
Reina would be the same as before. No major actions.
The problems were the other two. Jason Cockmond, inscrutable before and now. And Vivian Blunt, who hadn't appeared in his previous life.
Jason won't move.
The conversation they'd just had was the clearest proof. That left Vivian.
Honestly, he couldn't predict what an idiot who caused a massive incident right upon descending would do.
But one thing he was certain of.
Even if she caused a bigger mess, it would end there. Jason wouldn't stay idle.
"Excluding Vivian Blunt—the Lust one—there won't be major issues. Unless humans start wars among themselves or some accident erupts, I don't think the war gear boom will last long."
『Thank you. That's very helpful.』
"Keep sending regular reports, and contact if you need more info or anything else."
『Yes. Ah, and we've bought 21 elves under the trading company's name so far. What should we do with them?』
"Elves, huh."
Right, the elves.
"Granada?"
『He went to Hero Guild HQ with Hero Hillun Kargil. I haven't received further orders since.』
"Tricky."
Granada needed to help Hillun form the raid party. But he was the only one fit to manage elves.
If only Granada could split into Gra and Nada.
Unlikely.
To make use of elves, two options: Hide my existence completely, or bind them to me with the World Tree's Oath.
Berge preferred the latter outright. Hiding would eventually be exposed. And when it was, elves would become bombs.
"Keep buying elves steadily for now. When Granada returns from HQ, have him bring them to Hotenwork."
『Understood.』
The connection ended.
Suddenly, a scene flashed in Berge's mind.
The Dark Spirit Sorceress ruling the fourth floor, flanked by her Dark Elf guards...
Slap—
Berge turned his head. Unsatisfied, he slapped the other side too.
"...I'm going mad too."
To recall such a childish name.
Berge hadn't forgotten his original purpose in buying elves.
And most importantly, the tower's well-being.
Bring them into the tower, make them swear the oath. Half to the fourth floor, half to the raid party.
The elves' fate was decided.
In the underground prison of what humans called the Flame Demon Tower.
"...I understand."
The sole prisoner there, Kaede Jespain, nodded.
"What do you understand?"
"Lady Ernan is right. I'll do as Lady Ernan says."
"You've made your decision?"
"Yes."
Ernan's persuasion hadn't been long, but her words had each one stabbed at Kaede's heart.
The empire had abandoned her, so no need for loyalty.
As long as she wasn't caught, it wouldn't tarnish the empire's honor.
Even elves and the great hero Hillun Kargil served a Demon King. No reason she couldn't.
The Demon King had granted her request. She had paid the price, but she too could bargain for her future.
Even now, she was growing weaker by the moment.
Kaede didn't agree with every word from Ernan. But if the empire wasn't actively trying to rescue her, rotting in this prison gained her nothing.
Why had Kaede hated political marriage?
Because it meant becoming the old Ormus king's concubine—doing nothing, achieving nothing, a doll's life.
She wanted to be the empire's greatest knight, charging across the continent.
She didn't want to rot away imprisoned.
Instead, that time could be...
Swinging her sword one more time.
Gathering aura through meditation.
Bowing her head if needed, to build strength.
A better choice for the future...
It would be.
For the day she escaped after gaining power.
To become a better knight, a hero.
"I'll use the Demon King."
"Do it. He'll use you too. Same for me."
Ernan's amethyst eyes gleamed.
"...But one thing."
"Yes?"
"Do I really have to become the Dark Knight?"
"Why?"
"It's a bit childish..."
Kaede's face flushed. She lacked the confidence to shout, "I am the Dark Knight!" from her own mouth.
"If you hate it, no need. But not sure how the Demon King will take it."
"...I'll do it."
"Good thinking. Stay put. I'll go inform the Demon King."
"Yes."
"Won't be boring then. I'll leave Lady Nairuniel with you."
Ernan summoned the water spirit and vanished.
The spirit blinked its large eyes, pitying Kaede.
- Poor thing. How bored you've been in this prison?
"I'm fine."
- No need to comfort yourself like that. How about chatting with me to ease your weary heart?
"Sure."
- Great. I'll give topics—pick one. Forbidden love between Demon King and princess, Demon King and hero, Demon King and knight.
"...What are those ridiculous options?"
- What else? Your story.
"......"
Nairuniel didn't avert her intrigued gaze.
A princess overflowing with knightly pride, and a hero to boot.
To Nairuniel, Kaede Jespain was a bundle of fascinating material.