086. A Favor
Golem.
An artificial giant crafted using a core and magic circuits. The pinnacle of magitech engineering.
That was the thing Berge had hoped Roger would create for him.
"Th-that's orichalcum!"
Roger shouted.
A subtle brass hue. It was a golem forged from the magic metal, orichalcum.
So tough that only skilled artisans with special techniques could smelt it, and it hardened further when infused with mana—a metal occasionally used for fortress outer walls or top-grade armor.
Five such golems formed the core of their bodies.
"No way they used the stuff whole? Nah, that faint rainbow sheen suggests it's alloyed with other metals or coated... My god, as expected of Akan."
"Looks good."
"Of course it'd look impressive... Ah, I mean, yes, sir!"
Regardless of Roger's awe, the golems faithfully carried out their duties.
They propped up crumbling walls with their own bodies, shielding the humans' camp even amid the avalanching snow.
They could only hold the line, nothing more—but the fact that they managed it at all was what mattered.
"...So that's what they were hiding."
He'd hoped the avalanche would deal serious damage. What a shame.
"Still, it doesn't look like they escaped unscathed."
"Indeed."
As Krutoo said, the hastily erected barriers couldn't fully cover the camp, and snow curving around the walls had infiltrated parts of it.
Of course, calling it "damage" was a stretch. Half the magic tents and formations were gone, but there were no casualties.
"Roger."
"Y-yes, sir?"
"That's what I want. Can you make them?"
"Well... um..."
"Not a ringing endorsement."
"I know a thing or two about magitech myself, but those are masterpieces even expert golem artisans struggle with."
A golem's difficulty scaled with its size.
The larger the golem, the more power it needed to move, the greater the load on its frame—and it still had to balance speed, destructive power, and durability with that massive body.
Achieving all that demanded incredibly advanced magic circles etched into it.
Especially when the body was made of such tricky-to-work orichalcum alloy.
"So, you can't?"
"Not that I can't—give me one expert, and I'll make it happen."
"Expert?"
"Aren't there plenty right there?"
Heh heh. Roger flashed an innocent grin, pointing at the mages controlling the golems.
Has this guy completely forgotten he's a hero?
"...If possible, that golem too. Taking it apart would teach us a ton."
The same mad gleam he'd shown when talking about dismantling the tower.
"We'll do that if we can."
But right now, scavenging battlefield loot came second to breaking through the immediate obstacle.
"What now?"
Krutoo asked.
"With those golems holding the line, any regular monster poking its head out will get obliterated."
"Then?"
"Make 'em all blow up."
The mountains were vast, monsters plentiful. A few deaths wouldn't matter much.
Even if the orcs held them off easily, the endless monster waves would wear down their spirits day after day.
Eventually, some clever way to topple those damn golems might emerge.
"Let's go."
"Yes, sir."
"......"
"Roger."
"Y-yes! Coming!"
The avalanche had planted a seed of caution in Akan.
"Could the Demon King have triggered it on purpose?"
"Never heard of a Demon King like that."
"Just coincidence, then?"
"Can't say for sure. The Erjest Mountains have resisted conquest for ages. We don't know what monsters lurk here or the exact environment. Intentional or not, our job stays the same."
Cain nodded at the Blue Meteor Mage Corps commander's words.
"True. Demon King-made or natural, we still have to stop it."
Akan resumed their advance. But wariness of more avalanches slowed them further.
And their tortoise pace naturally drew the attention of monsters hunting prey.
"Ground hounds!"
Wolf-like monsters over 3 meters long, swarming in packs, struck first.
"Trolls! Hold 'em!"
"Twin-head ogre incoming!"
Familiar foes.
"Crazy, a furred gorgon!"
"Send out the golems!"
"Don't clash head-on!"
Even massive, fur-covered bovine monsters adapted to snowy peaks, normally dwelling in plains or plateaus.
It was like a storm.
"We spot frost orcs now and then, but they're not attacking directly. Feels like they're herding the monsters."
"Guess the Demon King really is commanding those orcs."
Led by five golems and the titan chimera Cherra, Akan repelled the monsters more easily than expected.
But it wasn't perfect—casualties and fatigue accumulated bit by bit.
And in that chaos...
"Lots."
"Useful."
Only Ravinia Akan was thrilled.
"No good."
"Good."
"No good."
"Good."
She rummaged through monster corpses staining the white snow red, claiming hearts, bones, hides, tendons—anything worthwhile—into her subspace.
"Cherra, harder."
Rooooar—
Satisfied with her haul, Ravinia grinned happily.
Her friend, the titan, raised its arms in triumphant roar.
Covered head to toe in monster blood, butchering corpses— no rose-tinted glasses made that look appealing.
"...Forgive the rudeness, but are all Akan's princesses like that?"
"...My sister's a bit unique. But thanks to her, we're finding leads on the Demon King's tower. Good things are good, right?"
Ahem.
Cain awkwardly averted Granada's gaze.
The Hero Guild's banquets were special affairs.
Countless heroes were invited, joined by powerhouses from all nations and races eager to rub elbows with them.
'And I'm the star.'
Sure, the Demon King had a hand in it, but the rest was pure Hillun Kargil achievement.
'No one else could've pulled it off.'
The Demon King was just a tool.
"You've arrived?"
He reached the banquet hall doors after a long corridor. The guarding knights recognized Hillun and brightened.
"An honor to see you, Sir Hillun."
"Thank you."
"To announce your entrance myself..."
"You're too kind. I'm just a humble hero."
"No one could call the man who slew two Demon Kings 'humble.'"
The guild herald cleared his throat and bellowed.
"The great hero who vanquished the Beast Demon King and toppled its tower, who crushed the Lust Demon King and rescued Berft's second princess! Enter: Hero Hillun Kargil!"
The doors swung open at the end of the grand announcement. The hall's sweet melody paused. All eyes turned.
Hillun Kargil stepped forward deliberately, savoring the adoring gazes. He accepted a wine glass from a passing attendant.
His eyes scanned the crowd swiftly.
'That's Marquis Avronic of Iasin.'
'Akan's Counts Galion and Guros.'
Count Tomhal of Korzen, Marquis Killian of Horton.
Just counts and marquis—barons and viscounts were even more numerous.
Plus heroes aplenty.
"Pleased to meet you. Perdal Killian."
The first to approach was a middle-aged man with a finely groomed mustache.
A high noble of the northern powerhouse, Horton.
"Hillun Kargil."
They clasped hands.
"Your fame rings in my ears nonstop."
"Was it that impressive?"
"Too modest by half. Slaying two Demon Kings? You're the greatest hero alive."
Not quite yet in raw power, but soon enough.
"Thank you."
Brief exchanges followed.
"Ah, how'd you save Luize Berft? How'd you know about the Lust Demon King's kidnapping?"
"Luck. You know I went to Berft as guild envoy?"
"Makes sense. Still, uncanny luck."
Perdal bellowed a laugh.
"Heard the Lust Demon King's tail got chopped? Shame I missed the sight of it fleeing."
"Nothing special. Just as pathetic as any human, really."
"Kuhaha, Demon Kings have no dignity. Ah, listen to me."
Perdal shook his head.
"I've hogged the star too long. Others'll slap me."
"No need."
"One last intro?"
"Gladly, from you, Marquis."
"Your Highness."
Murmurs rippled. The crowd around Hillun parted.
A woman emerged.
Golden hair to her waist, blue eyes, honed physique.
"First time seeing you in person. Pleased."
Hillun knew who she was, but this was their first meeting.
"Ah, rude on a first encounter."
"No offense. Treat me casually. Hillun Kargil."
"Good. Jessica Horton."
A Star hero, yet knight of Horton Kingdom.
All heroes belonged to the guild. Many had unofficial ties to nations, but official affiliation was forbidden.
She was a rare guild-sanctioned exception.
Horton's royalty, a hero, and White Rose Knights captain: Jessica Horton.
"Honored to meet the hero who felled two Demon Kings."
"The honor's mine, Your Highness of great renown."
Horton bordered the Erjest Mountains—one of three such kingdoms. Monsters descending the peaks tormented them daily; knights fought endless battles.
Jessica Horton stood at the forefront.
A great hero and knight who'd guarded the frozen land for over a decade.
"Heard you signed a treaty for dwarf gear? Impressive feat."
"Too kind. Just buying it with coin."
"Still. Those proud dwarves agreeing to regular guild shipments? Huge. Horton's counting on it."
Guild gear went to heroes first. Though Horton-affiliated, her Star rank gave priority access.
"Ah, not the point..."
She glanced around. Those eyeing Hillun hesitated before her presence.
"Sorry to ask right away, but a private word?"
"An honor to speak alone with Your Highness."
"Sweet talker. To the terrace."
Jessica smiled faintly. Hillun followed to the terrace. Cool night breeze brushed pleasantly.
"Odd for a first meeting, but... heard the rumors about Jespain's northern snowfields?"
"The barbarians' land?"
"And realm of frost."
The Frost Demon King was involved.
Hillun racked his brains. But guild adaptation had consumed him; no time for northern snows.
"What happened there?"
"Something. Big or small, depending. Know Gillian Aint?"
"The Star leading White Eagle."
"Looks like he tried something against the Frost Demon King. Didn't go well; pissed it off, and now monsters and beasts are wiping barbarian tribes."
"...My god."
Hillun thought furiously.
Berge had never mentioned it. Holding back on purpose? Or didn't know?
"You know White Eagle and Gillian hail from northern tribes? The snowfields are a warzone now."
But rage alone couldn't win. Gillian couldn't handle a Demon King's power solo.
"He asked for my help."
Their territories were close; they traded aid often.
"I'd love to, but monsters from the mountains have surged. Can't spare long-term."
"You want me to go to the snowfields in your stead?"
"Not ideal for a stranger, but yes. I ask you."
She nodded.
"He's helped me plenty. My turn to repay. But circumstances suck, so you came to mind."
"...Tricky."
Hillun had much to do at HQ. Freshly made Argon, off to Berft—he couldn't vanish long again.
"I get it. I know how absurd this ask is."
Not that absurd. Heroes fought Demon Kings for the continent.
Anyone could ask Hillun to battle one for the greater good.
"Just think it over. Not empty-handed, either. If you accept, I'll reward you to the max I can. No pressure—if no, say so. No hard feelings."
Hillun nodded slightly.
"Can't answer now. Time to mull it?"
"Take all you need. Thrilled you're even considering. Thought you'd refuse flat-out."
"Want to enjoy the banquet first."
"Ah, kept a busy man too long."
Jessica patted his shoulder.
"Join me back in?"
"Yes."
'Gotta contact the Demon King first.'
Jessica Horton was popular among heroes and commoners alike. Granting her favor, building ties—pure gain, no loss.
'If possible, I don't want to pass it up.'
For Hillun, connections tied to fame and honor were.
Paramount.