070. The Culprit is Right Here
Hillun Kargil's body was no longer his to command freely.
Such was the position of Argan.
The branch leaders had to oversee their branches.
And Argan was in charge of managing the headquarters' heroes.
"You have a rough idea, but allow me to explain in detail."
Farni Dernium, assigned as Hillun's adjutant upon his promotion to Argan, laid out the duties.
"Yes."
"The heroes forming the guild fall into two broad categories."
The swords—those who directly hunted monsters, exterminated demonic beasts, and climbed Demon Kings' towers.
And the shadows—those who didn't engage in direct hero activities but scattered across regions to gather intelligence and scout for demons.
Argans were the ones managing these swords and shadows.
"The swords don't really need much management."
Most heroes belonged to the swords category. And among them, few wished to be under the guild's control.
"So unless it's official hero business, you don't need to concern yourself with other heroes. The ones you should focus on, Hillun-nim, are the direct subordinates who've pledged themselves to the guild."
Those who chose control and power over freedom, receiving support in exchange for walking a faster path.
"Each of the 11 Argans is assigned 30 heroes."
It might seem few at first glance. But one mustn't overlook that these were elite heroes among heroes, totaling a whopping 330 when combined.
And not all guild-affiliated heroes were combat swords.
"Shadows is the term for non-combatants who are still heroes. They're mandatorily attached to guild headquarters, whether they cooperate or not."
That came to about a thousand.
"The guild uses most of them as informants."
To track demons and search for demonic beasts.
It was their efforts that exposed the succubi in Dormunt.
They formed the foundation that earned the Hero Guild its reputation as the Demon Kings' greatest foe.
"And they're divided into 11 divisions, each under an Argan's command."
"Who am I in charge of?"
"Vire Fornian-nim handled Hildean's shadows."
"...I have one question. Am I mistaken?"
"No. It's the Grand Elder's consideration. He wishes to maintain good relations with you, Hillun-nim."
Ha, would you look at that?
Hillun let a subtle smile play on his lips.
There was no such thing as kindness without reason. Every favor came with a price.
It felt awkward, but he expressed his gratitude.
"Finally, there are those affiliated with the guild but not heroes."
Some were mercenaries, others knights, nobles, or merchants.
These web-like extensions had bulked up the Hero Guild and made it an organization unbound to any single nation—they were the primary contributors.
"Officially managing them falls to the branch leaders, but boundaries have blurred lately."
Heroes to Argans.
Non-heroes to branch leaders.
That was the original Hero Guild structure. But branch heroes under branch leaders held little significance.
It was merely a distinction between headquarters and branches.
Afterward, Hillun met his assigned 5th Assault Squad of 30 heroes and the shadows.
"We meet Hillun Kargil Argan-nim."
"......"
Some showed goodwill, others hostility. Just as he was navigating the guild's internal power struggles and adapting,
Gordon's contact came through.
"Farni-nim."
"Yes."
"What's the relationship like between the Hero Guild and Berft Kingdom?"
"Mutually favorable, but no formal pact. The side in need always asks first—and when it comes to dwarves crafting top-quality gear, we're always the needy ones."
"If we struck a deal with Berft Kingdom and brought benefits to the guild, everyone would be pleased?"
"Obviously."
"What if the Grand Elder were the one to pull it off?"
Farni grasped the implication.
"Can you make it happen?"
"No guarantees, but I've found a lead."
Hillun's words were relayed straight to the Grand Elder.
And the Grand Elder viewed this new Argan's boldness with interest.
"Claiming results no one else has achieved, eh?"
"Didn't seem like empty talk."
"A hero who's slain two Demon Kings. On the rise to ever higher places, he wouldn't tarnish his own honor with baseless bluster. What's the basis for his confidence?"
"Seems he gained something from his hero days, but he said he couldn't reveal it."
That wasn't particularly odd. Famous heroes all had their secret techniques or know-how they kept hidden—who had just one or two?
But using that secret for guild business changed things.
"Perfect fodder for the other elders to sink their teeth into."
Few welcomed Hillun Kargil's sudden entry. It was natural.
Still, the Grand Elder consented.
"Push it through with my authority. Tell Hillun to keep it in mind—I'm sending him despite the costs, so he better take responsibility and not disappoint me."
Those words were passed back to Hillun.
I was too hasty.
In his eagerness to fulfill the Demon King's request quickly, he'd overplayed his hand. He should have approached more cautiously, gradually persuading the other elders to minimize risks—but he hadn't.
The Grand Elder's authority crushed all opposition, drawing heavier, more scrutiny-filled gazes upon him.
I have to succeed. No matter what.
He absolutely had to secure the pact and steer it toward profit.
That was why.
Why Hillun Kargil, who had planned to gauge the situation and weigh his options,
went straight for the princess from the start.
Because no matter what, he needed to seize the initiative in their nerve war with her.
"What nonsense is this?"
Luize praised herself for not swinging a fist right away. She forced an awkward smile and denied it. At the same time, she recalled the situation when she'd killed Max Ormus.
The area had been crawling with dwarves and Ormus bastards. Demons had invaded, followed by demonic beasts charging from all sides.
A fierce battle ensued, and the dwarves under Luize's lead took heavy losses but returned safely.
And to guard against any witnesses, they'd sealed the passes and slaughtered every fleeing Ormus bastard.
No survivors.
No mercenaries or heroes nearby either.
Ormus Kingdom's silence since was proof positive.
But.
No human survivors... but demon survivors...
There had been. Plenty.
Did the beast demons from my hero days blab?
If he truly knew and was speaking of it, that was the only possibility.
Just speculation.
Why would a Demon King waste breath on such trivia with the hero who'd come to kill him?
"That's probably exactly what you're thinking."
But the moment their eyes met—his gaze knowing everything—she realized her speculation wasn't mere speculation.
"How do you know what I was thinking?"
A thick unease made her tone naturally harsh.
"I can't know Your Highness's exact thoughts. But considering the situation and circumstances, I can make a rough guess."
"Ha, funny talk comin' from you."
Luize barely suppressed her boiling rage and anxiety. Showing unease would be foolish.
"Spit it out then. But if this is just bullshit to mess with me, you'll pay for insulting a royal of a nation."
"Do you happen to know? Not long ago, I climbed the Beast Tower with Rozel Charnt-nim."
As if she wouldn't.
"Keep goin'."
"We beat back the tower's demonic beasts and demons, climbing higher, ever higher. Then we met an upper demon named Kwail. A bear beastkin."
Bear beastkin...
Right after Luize had smashed Max's skull and clashed with the Ormus bastards, the demonic beasts joined in.
The lead demon charging ahead had been a bear beastkin. Its chilling demonic energy screamed upper demon.
"So?"
"Not curious what that bear beastkin said?"
"Why the hell should I care about some demon's yapping?"
"True, no need for the great princess to bother with a mere demon's words."
In that case, I...
Creak—
Hillun rose from his seat.
"I'll take my leave then."
"Hold it."
"More to say?"
He tilted his head innocently. Irritated by that pure expression, Luize snapped back.
"You think you'll walk outta here alive actin' like this?"
"Not sure what you mean."
Oh right.
Hillun rummaged in his subspatial pouch and pulled something out. A sword. It hummed with dimensional interference, engraved with the cloud mark symbolizing Roger Friedri.
"Promised to give you this. Almost forgot."
"That's the last straw!"
Luize snatched the sword, drew it, and aimed at Hillun.
"Wanna die?"
"Can you kill me?"
Slowly. Very slowly.
Hillun turned his head.
Roger's sharp blade sank smoothly into his skin. A red droplet beaded up.
Yet Hillun kept his calm smile.
"Think I can't?"
"Got the guts to handle the fallout?"
"I'm Berft's princess."
"I'm the Hero Guild's Argan and a Star. Shamelessly, I've got Hildean's backing too."
"Threatenin' me right now?"
"Just stating facts."
Hillun's voice lowered.
"Your Highness has no choice."
"I do. Kill you here and become a dog bitch—how 'bout that?"
"Wouldn't be pleasant for either of us."
"Least I wouldn't have to see your annoyin' mug anymore."
"If this falls through, I'll head straight back to the Hero Guild. And spill what the bear beastkin told me. Too suspicious not to."
"You dare..."
"And that's not all. Since Your Highness's sword slashed my throat, I'll report it as an attack. As Argan, my honor demands it—unlike in the past."
"What do you want."
"A pact between the Hero Guild and Berft Kingdom. So we can get your high-quality gear."
"That's it, huh. You Hero Guild vermin...!"
"That's my first demand."
"Ha...!"
Luize growled.
"Greedy much? Even gear supply's too generous—ya know that?"
"I think the 'info' I brought is worth it. And this deal? It's for your sake, not just mine or the guild's."
"Scammers always claim it's for others. A two-Demon-King slayer, a scammer."
"Won't listen? I'm gone."
"Got proof?"
"An artifact recording it—shocked enough? Believe that?"
"Smash it."
"Once my terms are accepted."
"One day, I'll snap your neck."
"Better than axing my head like Max, right?"
"Spit it out. Let's hear how bullshit this is."
"Let me stay by Your Highness's side as a guest for a while."
"What nonsense?"
Hillun fell silent briefly.
He'd gone for it on impulse, but he'd pondered on the way here.
Blackmail could get his demands met. But could he stay by the princess's side? Would this madwoman keep her blackmailer close?
Lucky if she didn't boot him from the kingdom immediately.
So Hillun thought.
"The Demon King is targeting you, princess."
Better to be honest.
"That Demon King—the one who taught me the bitter taste of failure."
Speak truth, then weave in lies.
"The one who built his tower in the Erjest Mountains."
"......!"
『Something wrong?』
"...Nah, ears just itched suddenly."
Berge scratched his ear with his pinky.
"So what'd you decide?"
『This lady was about to step in myself, but Vivian refused.』
"Dwarf kingdom won't be easy."
Especially since Vivian was suffering near-full dimensional interference.
『A Demon King should own their words. She must know the dwarf kingdom to some degree.』
『If not, she's just a fool.』
"Somethin' hostile in your tone?"
『This lady doesn't care for such vulgar succubi.』
Reina elegantly tossed her hair and scoffed.
『Anyway, I'll contact you when things progress.』
"Got it."
Pop. She vanished from the crystal orb. Berge's reflection stared back from the now-dim communication sphere.
"Hope Hillun Kargil pulls it off..."
Reina was reasonable and useful, but Vivian? Better if she just wrecked them outright.
A chilling smile tugged at his lips.