067. Be Careful
Below the Guild Master, the true leadership of the Hero Guild was divided into three main branches.
The Council of Five Elders, comprising the five elders.
The branch leaders who managed the guild's external branches.
And the Argans, who determined the overall direction of the guild.
Becoming an Argan meant Hillun Kargil was finally one step closer to the power he had always coveted.
And it wasn't just internal guild power. Countless influential figures desperate for the guild's aid would now flock to an Argan.
'Meaning I can play a bigger game.'
But it wasn't all gains.
There were exactly eleven Argans, a number fixed to honor the eleven heroes who had slain the first Demon King to descend upon Alein.
That constant number meant appointing a new Argan required stripping the position from someone else.
No matter the reason, no one would look kindly upon Hillun Kargil for taking their seat.
And then.
'Vire Fornian.'
Hillun Kargil already knew who that was.
Until recently an Argan, now demoted to just another guild executive.
'Word is he's from Elder Carlo Schweiger's faction.'
There had been a four-day gap between entering headquarters and today's reward ceremony. Through everyone who approached him—whether friendly or hostile—Hillun had pieced together the guild's ecosystem.
Factions divided by elders, apparently.
That explained why Carlo Schweiger, the elder seated directly in front of him, wasn't looking pleased.
Matthias Ollman, on the other hand, brimmed with goodwill.
'They growl at each other, huh?'
How could he exploit this? Hillun's mind began spinning at full speed.
"I'm sorry."
The Jespain Empire's princess bowed her head.
Compared to her previous haughty demeanor, she looked far more disheveled and humbled.
He'd had some expectations, but this level of submission was unexpected.
"How'd you convince her?"
"Can I just say it here?"
He nodded, and Ernan Hildean, who'd been watching from behind, spoke up.
"I told her it's better to beg for forgiveness than waste away in a cell day by day. The empire seems to have abandoned her, so she should find a way to survive."
"And?"
"I said serving the Demon King might bring benefits through a 'deal.'"
"A deal?"
"I used my own case as an example."
"I see. Got it."
That explained why her eyes still held a spark of life, despite her words.
He turned his gaze. As it landed on her, Kaede flinched.
"We both know we don't trust each other, so no point in deception. Better to lay it all out—give what I can give, take what you can take. Speak. What do you want?"
"I want to leave the tower."
"Denied."
"I want out of the cell."
"And?"
"Like with Lady Ernan, before she tried to escape—guarantee my freedom."
"In exchange, what do I get? What can you offer?"
"There's one more thing."
"Out with it."
"I heard you make deals."
"That's always on the table if you bring terms that satisfy me. That's not the issue here."
"Yes. Then..."
Kaede hesitated briefly before speaking.
"...I heard you want the Four Heavenly Kings. I'll become your Dark Knight."
"...Want? Me?"
"......"
"......"
"...Why?"
Ernan, catching his eye, smiled awkwardly and looked away.
"...Fine, whatever."
"Like Lady Ernan, I'll wear the mask and serve you for five years."
"You think you won't get rescued in at least five years."
"......"
Her intentions were transparent.
Still, it wasn't a bad deal.
Berge didn't believe the tower's location would stay hidden forever, even for five years.
No matter how hard they tried, secrets couldn't be kept indefinitely. If everything went perfectly, there wouldn't have been so many Demon Kings slain in Alein.
Humans would find a way, no matter what. He was certain of it. Five years. The heroes would come, without fail.
If Kaede Jespain proved her worth even once in that time, it'd be enough.
Berge wasn't giving her anything substantial anyway.
But he couldn't accept without conditions. Unlike Ernan, Kaede had already caused trouble once. Berge wasn't that magnanimous.
Especially with a hero.
"There's Armani's Orb. Eat it."
"What happens if I do?"
"It lodges in your mind and prevents betrayal. Serve five years as Dark Knight, or go back to your cell."
"I'm a hero."
"It's different from black mage or black knight contracts. As long as you don't resist when you swallow it, no issues."
Caught off guard by the choice, Kaede faltered. Did she think betraying a Demon King would be easy?
As she wavered, Berge dangled a carrot.
"Survive five years unscathed, and I'll remove the orb and release you."
"Really?"
"I swear on the sacred Demon King's Canon, revered by the great Mahwang and all Demon Kings."
"Mahwang and the Canon..."
Kaede was a hero too. She knew exactly how Demon Kings and demons viewed the Mahwang.
A god. Or perhaps more.
Greater than her loyalty to the emperor she served or the knightly honor she upheld.
"Yes. I'll do it."
Kaede bowed her head.
"Now two of the Four Heavenly Kings..."
- No matter how I think about it, that play was weird.
Ernan clenched her small fist tightly.
After accepting Kaede and making her swallow Armani's Orb, Berge's first order was training.
Kaede was different from Ernan.
With the five-year limit and the orb, she was effectively his limb now.
And Berge had no use for weak limbs. Parading a princess or noblewoman threw heroes off balance. The stronger she was, the greater the effect.
So he planned to make Kaede strong.
"Gordon. Train the princess."
"...Me? A human princess?"
"Jetoson slipped right into the Golden Moon Merchant Guild, and you claim no credit? You're not managing the tower either. Roger's on the first floor, second and third are empty, Ernan's got the fourth. Who's the most useless guy here?"
"...Fine. Whatever."
Gordon grumbled.
Kaede, who'd been listening quietly, bristled cautiously.
"I think I can train on my own just fine."
Her pride as an imperial knight rearing its head.
"Yeah?"
But she wouldn't have realized that poked Gordon's pride in return.
"I learned swordsmanship from the empire's finest knights. I'm nearly mastered; no need for new techniques."
"Demon King, may I start the lesson now?"
"Do as you like."
Gordon went down to the first floor, grabbed a sword, and tossed it to Kaede.
"Ten minutes."
He held up ten fingers.
"Survive ten minutes against me, and I won't bother teaching you."
"...Aren't you drawing your sword?"
"Do I need one against you?"
"Don't insult me."
"Earn that after meeting my terms. Succeed, and I'll kneel and apologize."
"One more wager. Survive ten minutes, and I'll remove the orb and free you right now."
That sealed it. Kaede drew her sword instantly.
Golden aura surged along the blade. Gordon's eyes sharpened at its keen edge.
"Impressive. You've got reason for that confidence."
"Get your sword."
"No need."
Kaede's brow twitched.
"You're the one refusing. Don't whine about knightly honor later."
"Of course. Demons have no such thing."
He beckoned with a finger.
"You strike first."
"This is on you. No regrets."
Kaede inhaled sharply and charged. A golden line slashed the air.
Space tore. But Gordon was already gone.
'Behind!'
Kaede spun, leaving deep footprints.
Clang—
Her body shook. Shattered aura fragments scattered.
'Left!'
Before she could recover, chill prickled her. She twisted forcibly; muscles groaned. But she blocked again.
"Good instincts."
Gordon whispered.
'Fast.'
And strong.
No sword needed was no bluff. Fist met blade with a metallic clang. The heavy impact made her sword hand tremble.
'Even drawing on dimensional power...!'
It worked. But the overwhelming gap nullified it all.
Thud—
A brief opening—a black fist slammed her gut. Blood surged up.
Yet she didn't drop the sword. Gritting her teeth, she thrust at Gordon's side.
Slash—
'Hit!'
A faint sensation at her fingertips. And that was—
Thump—
Her last memory.
Ernan carried the unconscious Kaede to the fourth floor.
Alone now, Berge asked.
"Impressions?"
"Instincts are solid. Swordplay's a bit stiff, but fundamentals are there. Human techniques aren't half bad."
"Plenty of Demon Kings died here. Can't underestimate them. Train her well."
"To what level?"
"Your best."
"Is that wise? She's still a hero. She'll turn on us eventually..."
"Who said anything about enemies?"
"You made a five-year promise. Swore on the Mahwang and the Canon... uh... wait?"
Gordon tilted his head.
Berge recalled what he'd done at the Demon King Academy graduation.
Would a guy like that honor a Mahwang-and-Canon oath?
"...You never intended to, did you?"
"I'm a Demon King. Why would I let something slip from my grasp?"
A Demon King keeping promises with humans?
As if.
"Now that's the Demon King I know!"
"What makes me 'me'?"
"Mocking and using humans."
"That's my specialty."
Well, post-regression specialty.
"Oh, almost forgot—thanks to the princess, I was late. Hillun Kargil's become an Argan in the Hero Guild. Named after the founding heroes; top executive level."
"Argan, huh. Pays off to invest."
"As you said, he'll be your dagger in the human world."
A Demon King turning a Hero Guild leader into his subordinate.
Even as his adjutant, Gordon could hardly believe it.
It was that unprecedented.
"Also, message from Frost Demon King Reina Sordain."
"What?"
Reina kept friendly ties with Berge but wasn't one for casual contact without cause.
A message meant something had blown up.
"It's a bit weird, though."
"Spit it out."
"She wants to meet in person. When I asked what to tell you, she said, 'I've found Drakson's killer.'"
"...Found Drakson's killer?"
"Yes."
"That's Hillun Kargil."
"If that's it, she wouldn't contact you."
"Then..."
"Think we've been found out?"
"By Reina Sordain? Jason maybe, but that's paranoia."
Reina Sordain never left the Jespain Empire's northern snowfields. She didn't meddle in human affairs or scheme.
The odds she knew details about distant Ormus were near zero.
"Then..."
"We'll see when we go."
"Something feels off."
"Everything's felt off since descending to Alein."
Berge rose from his throne.
The Frost Demon Tower was as cold as ever.
Reina greeted Berge with a crimson candy in her mouth.
Or... was it a greeting?
"Watch out for Jason."
"...?"
Her first words, delivered through cold, sunken eyes, felt oddly off.
What's with this group?
< 067. Be Careful > End