066. Vivian and Berge
It was a sunny afternoon when he received the message.
"Hello."
Her face looked somewhat haggard as she waved, lacking the confidence she'd shown before.
Something's happened.
"Mind if we meet? Can I come to your tower?"
What's her angle?
Berge pondered for a moment.
"No?"
When no reply came, she muttered anxiously. He didn't feel particularly sorry for her. As the Succubus Queen, there was a high chance even this was an act.
"Vivian Blunt."
"Yes, Berge Dayas."
"What do you want to say? Were we close enough to chat privately and visit each other's towers?"
"Not yet, but that could change depending on how things go from here, don't you think?"
"Your tone's a bit less arrogant now."
"Ha, who would've thought I'd hear that from a guy who's only been out of the academy for a year."
"You kids these days are something else. Back in my time..."
"I'm not interested in ancient history. Get to the point."
She hesitated for a moment before speaking.
"I was wondering if you knew."
"Knew what exactly?"
"The Hero Guild."
"In the dimension I conquered, there were barely around a hundred heroes at most. A guild? No way something like that exists."
Ha.
A hollow laugh escaped him. Her trembling pupils mirrored her true feelings. The bewilderment and emptiness she felt were no act.
"Every Demon King who's descended on Alein knows about it."
Even if they didn't at first, they'd learn eventually.
"I was the only one who didn't know. Just me. I was the idiot. Right?"
"What are you getting at?"
"I told you! Let's meet and talk!"
Her shrill cry made his ears ring. He barely suppressed the urge to cut the connection.
A Demon King was still a Demon King, even if rotten or unlikable.
Through his regression, Berge had realized how crucial relationships with other Demon Kings were.
If there was even a shred of utility, if it could help him even a little, maintaining ties was the smart move.
Especially since Alein was a world he couldn't conquer with certainty, no matter what means he employed.
Not to mention.
'Vivian Blunt is likely Alkain Daegong's dog.'
Alkain Daegong harbored suspicions about Drakson Dolph's death. If foul play was involved, Vivian Blunt was the prime suspect.
'Keep friends close, enemies closer.'
A human proverb he quite liked.
"In that case, I'll come to your tower."
"I'd prefer you host me instead."
"Don't try obvious tricks. If you refuse, I see no reason to deal with you anymore."
"Fine. I'll leave the door open."
The moment he passed through the spatial gate, the blazing sun beat down. Wind brushed his face, carrying the sharp tang of salt.
'Ocean territory.'
Come to think of it, Vivian's tower was located in the Seratin Archipelago. Out in the western sea from the continent.
"Welcome."
The five-story tower opened. The interior was lavish. Far more lively than one would expect from a freshly descended Demon King.
'Succubi, incubi, and all sorts of monsters.'
A Demon King who'd conquered a dimension, indeed. Regardless of caliber, there were dozens of demons and thousands of monsters.
'Well, back then, I...'
He recalled a past that no longer existed.
Top graduate of Demon King Academy, showered with massive support.
Demons from the breeding schools flocked to him, magic points and monsters were supplied.
Vivian Blunt's current setup was exactly like Berge's right after descending pre-regression.
Not top graduate, but bulked up with rights earned from conquering one dimension.
Lost in a touch of nostalgia, he reached the fifth floor.
"Make yourself at home."
The fifth floor, befitting a Demon King's quarters, was incomparably opulent. In some ways, surpassing even Jason Cockmondo's tower.
But unlike the decor, there were no demons or monsters. In the vast space, only Vivian sat on her throne, greeting him.
"My neck's starting to hurt."
"You really have no respect for your seniors. I'm a Demon King who conquered another dimension, you know."
Grumbling, she descended from the throne and sat at a prepared round table. Red wine and some snacks were laid out.
"Wine over tea, right?"
"Don't ask when you've already prepared it."
"I could switch to tea if you wanted."
"Pass."
Vivian uncorked the wine. A crisp pop released a sweet aroma.
"What do you want?"
"So impatient. Can't we relax a bit?"
"You sounded like you were on death's door over the comm orb, but now that I'm in your turf, you've got some spine."
"...Anyway."
She offered the bottle. Pushed a clear glass his way, filling it halfway with red liquid.
"I called you because I have questions."
"Questions?"
"Your moves."
She raised her glass, signaling a toast, but Berge snorted and tilted his instead. Vivian sighed and brought hers to her lips.
"After my succubi were all exposed in the Dormunt Kingdom, I looked into you a bit."
"Impressions?"
"I was shocked."
After Jason Cockmondo's warning, she hadn't believed it.
3,198 heroes? No such dimension existed. It couldn't.
She'd conquered only one, but networked with plenty of Demon Kings. Never seen a place with over 500 heroes, max.
It made sense.
Heroes were dimension-chosen. Mercenaries selected for self-preservation.
And a dimension's power wasn't infinite.
But when she realized Jason was right, that Alein was wrong, it was too late.
Once officially dispatched, the only ways back were death or full conquest.
So her choice was the next best: survive somehow. No immediate conquest, just don't die.
Naturally, her eyes fell on Berge.
"In under a year, you've achieved astonishing results."
Kidnapping Hildean Kingdom's crown princess, Jespain Empire's princess—not enough, now another Hildean princess.
Kidnapping princesses wasn't odd. But now she knew: in Alein, snatching a crown princess was insanely risky.
"Yet you're alive, not on the brink of death. Despite causing bigger incidents than me."
"So?"
"I was curious. How do you pull it off? What are you thinking? What's your plan?"
"You think I'll tell you?"
"...Honestly, no. But I'm desperate enough."
He got it.
Whether it'd escalate to full hero mobilization was unclear, but Dormunt was still chaos thanks to her.
Overlapping with that 3,198 figure, she must be gripped by death's terror.
"And you already know it's too late for you to copy me."
"Hiding the tower, right?"
Vivian gave an awkward smile.
"That goes against canon."
"If you're gonna spout rigid crap like that, this conversation never starts."
"No other way? I can't believe you repelled heroes with just that."
"Even if there was, why tell you?"
"I heard you like money."
She pulled out a massive pouch from subspace.
How already?
"Sure, we got caught, but the succubi targeted nobles. We raided their vaults."
411 gold, she muttered.
"Not a fortune, but not peanuts. Worth one more tip, I'd say."
"Decent sum, sure."
Enough for nearly a hundred elf slaves. No reason to refuse a gift.
'What to say.'
Something advisory but not too helpful.
"Good location."
"Unlike you, mine's fully exposed."
"It's an island. They can only come by sea."
"True."
"Buy sea monsters and release them, or tame sea beasts as familiars."
"Intercept heroes at sea?"
"Not foolproof. But easier than fighting after they land. Humans are land creatures, after all."
"Hmm, too textbook for real advice."
"Sue me."
Before Vivian could retort, Berge snatched the pouch.
"I spoke, you listened. Deal's done."
"Such a forceful man. I like that."
Vivian chuckled nonchalantly. Her flirtatious gaze and gestures made Berge scowl.
"I don't like filthy succubi."
"Truly a noble dragon."
"If that's all, I'm out. Staying longer might make me puke."
"Wait. I heard you came down without anyone but your adjutant. No summoning monsters or demons either? Jason said you're converting all those magic points to cash..."
"Even a mere Demon King like you figured I haven't summoned any?"
"I guessed. Snooping's my specialty."
Her eyes screamed she already knew.
"Just asking: involved in Drakson's death?"
"Believe me if I say no?"
"Of course. His Grace suspects you, but I have doubts. Heard a high demon intruded, but you lack even basic monsters."
"You got orders, didn't you? Safe to spill everything?"
"His Grace hid plenty about Alein from me, so I have some leeway."
"Interesting."
Was it calculated theater or genuine? Unclear.
"None of my business."
"Got it for now."
"Whatever."
"Oh, and."
Vivian flashed a seductive smile.
"Watch out for Jason Cockmondo. What you see isn't all there is."
"Sure, you fresh descent would know better than me."
Berge opened a spatial rift and slipped through. Vivian licked her lips, staring at his back.
"Suspicious, indeed."
Her grip tightened on the wine glass.
"Arrogant."
"Annoying."
Crash—
The glass shattered. Crimson wine trickled down her hand.
"Berge Dayas."
"Reina Sordain."
"Ugar Belbek."
"Jason Cockmondo."
She murmured the four Demon Kings' names.
"Jason Cockmondo, I get your rage."
3,198 heroes? Understandable. She'd been paralyzed in panic too.
But that didn't erase the grudge.
She couldn't admit trembling in fear, even briefly, from a fellow Demon King's threat.
Her warning to Berge stemmed from that pride.
"Anyway, I have my own work."
Her purpose in descending on Alein: uncover the culprit.
To escape this damned place alive.
Fortunately, a path had opened.
"Reina Sordain. What's her game?"
Vivian repeated the name of the Frost Demon she'd recently contacted.
Those who achieve great feats receive commendations.
For national service, nobles or kings praise them.
And guild-affiliated heroes get official speeches at headquarters.
For Hillun Kargil, slayer of Beast Demon King Drakson Dolph, the summons was natural.
But since that natural event nearly derailed over minor friction, Hillun had demanded guild dimension rewards as condition, making this possible.
"Hildean's Hillun Kargil greets the elders."
The grand hall could seat hundreds, packed tight.
Over half were heroes.
All resident heroes at HQ, gathered to see the rising star.
"Honored to see the great hero in person."
"His aura's no joke."
"For two Demon King kills, he seems a bit..."
Whispers filled the air.
"Hero Hillun Kargil, step forward."
Hillun advanced a step.
An elder unfurled a document. The Grand Elder read aloud.
"Hillun Kargil! Ascended the Beast Tower, conquered it, slew the Demon King..."
His feats were listed in detail.
"To you, 5,000 gold reward, ten pieces of guild forge magic gear, and."
The Grand Elder paused. Eyes met Hillun Kargil's.
"Appointment as Argans."
Named after the founding guildmaster, they were executives handling guild affairs.
Decision-makers alongside the elders.
'Yes!'
Hillun inwardly cheered.
Finally, he'd made it.