094. Male Luize Berft
The tower absorbed all negative emotions, life force, and blood within its domain, converting them into magic points.
Even outside its domain, the same held true if there was a clear target and purpose: the Demon King.
But human emotions weren't always directed at Demon Kings or demons.
Humans loved spewing their rage and old grudges at one another, rather than at demons.
They screamed curses and put them into action.
War.
For more territory.
For resources.
For honor.
They tore at each other's throats and plunged knives into each other's hearts.
Yet those emotions and life forces were utterly hollow. Humans couldn't use them, so they scattered pointlessly into the void.
Past Mahwangs had lamented this waste and created portable mini-towers. In places rife with negative emotions, they could capture those feelings and, upon returning to the main tower, allow it to absorb them once more.
Berge had planted such mini-towers in various spots. Buried deep underground, they wouldn't be discovered easily.
'The Phillerium War.'
The war had erupted upon the discovery of massive mana stone mines buried in the Phillerium Mountains, which served as a natural border between two nations.
Mana stones were an indispensable resource on the continent, and greed for them knew no borders.
This war had happened in his previous life too. But since Berge hadn't been directly involved, he'd nearly forgotten about it.
'Though it was supposed to start two years from now.'
Yet it was happening already.
That meant Jason's intervention. Perhaps it had been part of his plan from the start.
It didn't matter much. What mattered was the massive influx of magic points the war would bring.
"It's done. I planted them deep with spirits, so unless a meteor hits and flips everything over, no one will find them."
Ernan Hildean, masked, rose from the shadows like a specter. Ten elves stood behind her. A dwarf was at her side.
"Good work."
"Yes."
Ernan smiled brightly.
"But what brings you here?"
"You know where this is, right?"
"The Phillerium Mountains."
"Exactly. Massive mana stone deposits lie buried underground here."
"...Pardon?"
"Mana stones...!"
Roger Friedri's eyes sparkled.
"I don't know the exact amount, but it's a lot."
"Then... this is bad."
Ernan grasped the situation instantly.
"The Empire and the Southern Alliance will clash."
Natural mana stones overwhelmingly surpassed artificial ones in purity and quality. They were vital as currency and strategic assets.
"This isn't anyone's territory. So anyone can claim it as theirs."
The Phillerium Mountains weren't just a natural border because of their rugged terrain.
No one wanted them, teeming as they were with monsters.
But once word spread of the massive mana stone deposits, attitudes would shift in no time.
"They don't know about the mana stone mines here yet."
Of course, they would soon. Jason would make sure of it.
"And we're here."
"So...?"
"Yeah. You get why I brought you all now, right?"
Mana stones weren't particularly useful to Demon Kings in general. Unlike elixirs, they couldn't be consumed, and there were no real ways to utilize them.
Selling them for money was another story, but that was rare—Berge and Jason were exceptions in valuing coin.
And Berge needed a massive haul of mana stones, money or not.
"We'll loot them before those bastards find out and start their war."
"Loyalty! Utter loyalty!"
A dwarf whose eyes had already rolled back in greed roared.
Finding mana stone mines buried underground in a vast mountain range crawling with monsters wasn't easy.
But with Berge present, monsters couldn't approach.
With Ernan there, spirits could scout for mana.
It might turn out easier than expected.
"Found it."
Ernan opened her eyes. The mid-tier earth spirit perched on her head did the same.
It had taken exactly two days.
"...It's insane. No end in sight?"
"That's why we're here."
"Ooh...! How much exactly...?"
"Well, the mana stones start at 20 meters underground. And even after digging another 30 meters down, they're still packed full."
"Demon King."
"What? Don't get all dramatic for no reason."
"What do you think of making a 10-meter mana cannon? With that much, it'd have plenty of power."
"At that point, it's not a cannon anymore, is it?"
It'd be a continent-splitting monstrosity.
"But giant cannons are everyone's dream, right?"
"Think about that crap later. We need to mine mana stones now."
"Yes, of course! I'll work till my bones break!"
The elves began the work.
Their summoned earth spirits started digging. After burrowing deep, a massive natural cavern revealed itself underground.
An underground river flowed through its center.
"The mana stones are below here. We can start mining from this point."
"Not bad."
He'd worried about prying eyes if they mined from the surface, but this cavern eliminated that concern.
"Seal the hole we came through. Leave no trace."
"Yes."
The faint sunlight seeping in was completely blocked. Roger pulled magic lanterns from his subspace pouch, illuminating the darkness.
He set up drilling machines and distributed pickaxes to the elves.
"Where do we dig?"
The best mining technique used earth spirits, but near mana stones—which absorbed ambient mana—spirits couldn't perform at full strength.
They had no choice but manual labor. That was why Berge had dragged Roger and the elves along.
Kwarrr rumble—
The drilling machine Roger had crafted roared deafeningly as it bored into the earth.
"Ooh, I can feel it."
Once the mana stone aura became detectable, he set the drill aside and gently tapped the ground with his pickaxe.
After grunting effort for a while, a gleaming purple ore emerged.
"Ooh...! So clear and pure. The purity must be incredibly high."
That was the moment.
"Get down!"
Berge shot to his feet.
Roger slammed his head to the ground. Rock shards flew into his mouth. The drill split apart, and scorching heat bloomed overhead.
Kwaaaang—
A small explosion erupted. The dwarf's body tumbled across the floor, unable to withstand the shock. Water sprayed over Roger.
When he cautiously opened his eyes, a water barrier shielded him.
He saw the masked Ernan and Berge, red hair whipping, their backs turned to him.
"Who are you?"
Berge stepped forward. Crimson flames flickered around him.
"And who the hell are you bastards?"
A growling voice echoed from the tunnel connected to the cavern.
Kakakaka—
The sound of metal dragging across the ground rang out.
"Who dares covet what's mine?"
"Yours?"
"What you're trying to mine."
A massive figure emerged. Muscles covered his 2-meter frame, dragging an equally enormous greatsword that matched his height.
"That's mine."
The brute muttered.
"Yours? Do buried ores have owners?"
"Finder's keepers. And I found it first."
"Proof?"
"My memory is proof enough."
The greatsword leveled at them.
"Back off quietly, and I'll spare your lives."
Killing intent poured from him.
Ernan stood behind Berge.
The elves drew their weapons behind her.
Berge recognized the man's face.
In his previous life, he hadn't cared much about humans. But even the arrogant him knew the iconic heroes—the ones who'd climbed his tower most often and clashed with him repeatedly.
This man was one of them.
Like Jessica Horton, he was a hero, a Star, and royalty.
The Southern Alliance. Crown Prince of Barkat Kingdom, self-proclaimed leader of the coalition of dozens of small nations.
Pablo Barkat.
'Why is this guy here?'
Stars were strong by nature, but the issue was his status as prince.
Of a small kingdom, yet not quite small.
The crown prince of a kingdom claiming overlordship of the alliance.
He was the spiritual pillar and de facto leader of the Southern Alliance.
Clashing with him wasn't wise. Why was he here? Arrogantly claiming ownership of the mana stones?
'No idea.'
He didn't know the reason.
Back then, Berge hadn't known the exact path that exposed the mana mines or sparked the war between Empire and Alliance.
Nor how Jason had orchestrated it.
What mattered was that this brute was a male Luize Berft—and he'd aimed his greatsword at Berge.
"Shall I kill him?"
Ernan whispered softly.
"...You know who he is?"
"Crown Prince of Barkat Kingdom. I've met him."
"And you want to kill him?"
"No witnesses, no problem. Murder and cover-up—no evidence."
"You hate him that much?"
"He visited my kingdom as an envoy once. Not a great memory."
"Keep your mask secure."
"Yes."
"Elves too."
"Yes."
At least everyone, including Berge, wore masks.
His alias as Phail, powered by Phoenix mana, had grown important now.
'He won't back down easily.'
He couldn't either. Mana stone mines were a crucial strategic resource.
Moreover, Pablo moving personally meant he had solid confidence. A few words wouldn't send him packing.
So.
'Capture him.'
Knock him out and dump him somewhere. As long as he didn't die.
Fortunately, he was alone. If Berge were alone, it'd be trouble—but Ernan was at his side.
Not a hero, but a princess whose talent rivaled—or surpassed—Stars.
"We need to knock him out."
"A arm or two broken okay?"
"That much. But your identity can't be exposed. Nor should it lead to any clues later."
"No high-tier spirits, then."
Spirit summoners were rare; those wielding high-tier spirits, rarer still. They were practically a summoner's signature.
"Signal the elves too."
"Yes."
"What are you whispering about?!"
"If we give up and leave, will you let us go?"
Berge took a step forward.
"Hmm, we'll see."
Perhaps due to his compliant demeanor, Pablo muttered with slightly dulled vigilance.
"If you let us, we'll go."
"No."
He shook his head.
"Can't let scum who know about the mana vein walk free."
"Then?"
"I'll take responsibility for you. Just one month. Stay put for a month."
"You spout nonsense so earnestly."
"What?"
As Pablo retorted, Berge tensed his legs. The distance had already closed sufficiently.
Crimson flames erupted like an explosion, devouring all in their path as they surged forward.
Pablo raised his greatsword.
"Foolish choice."
The flames parted. Orange aura blazed high, slicing through the fire and thrusting straight at its caster's chest.
Kwarrr—
The earth quaked beneath Pablo's feet. His sword tip wavered. It slowed.
A scarlet flash narrowly grazed Berge's hair before vanishing. Just as it retracted, Berge snatched the blade.
Pajijijik—
Aura and flame clashed, devouring each other. His palm split open. Dizziness gripped him from the searing pain; Berge gritted his teeth.
In that instant, Pablo froze. Elves' arrows flew. Various spirit magics tore through the air.
Explosions bloomed. Amid shattered earth, crumbling rocks, and billowing dust, he dropped his sword.
"Sneaky ambush from masked thieves. Figures—I shouldn't expect manners from scum like you."
He positioned himself before Ernan, swinging a fist massive as a northern barbarian's.
Kwaang!
A hastily raised earthen wall shattered. His sturdy legs crushed the ice on the floor, propelling his body forward again.
A wind spirit lifted Ernan. Pablo pursued.
Elven arrows couldn't match their speed.
The gap closed rapidly. His aura bared its ferocity.
Jjeeeong—
Ernan's body jolted.
Berge hurled the cooled aura blade aside. He kicked off the ground, flames propelling him in a straight line.
Kwaang—
Before the beastly fist could strike the princess again, flames enveloped it.
"Eyes on me when I'm in front of you."
He threw a punch. Aimed at the chest, but met by an identical fist.
Shockwaves shook their bodies. Shattered aura and flames scattered wildly.
The cavern trembled, but neither hid their hostility. They punched simultaneously.
Once.
Twice.
Dozens of times.
Fists collided. Aura gnawed at flames, flames at aura. They spewed everything to destroy.
Shockwaves rattled the cavern itself.
Elves screamed, retreating.
Amid the frenzy, the princess intervened.
Wind spirit blades, flame-clad, shot forth.
His gaze shifted in the swirling heatwave. That opening allowed the Demon King's fist.
Kwaang—
The prince's body slammed deep into the earth. But when dust cleared from the crater, he was gone.
"You insolent bitch...!"
The wounded beast lunged for the princess's throat.
Raw killing intent oozed savagely. Rampaging aura loomed gigantic. Speed from honed muscles overwhelmed.
Ernan couldn't prepare. Couldn't flee.
The sword Berge had thrown was back in its owner's hand.
The crude greatsword sharpened further with aura, thrusting straight for the princess's heart.
Ernan swallowed hard.
Death's aura encroached. Crushing pressure blocked escape.
Berge was too far; elves useless.
Thus, she chose.
Bobble bubble—
Water droplets formed, blocking sword from princess, aura from chest.
────!
The cavern shook once more.
Pablo gnashed his teeth. Massive rebound halted his body.
- You insolent bastard, pointing a sword at who?
A translucent figure materialized behind the princess.
"High-tier spirit?"
Water droplets swelled. Streams coiled serpent-like around his body; a water barrier barred sword from Ernan.
"Die!"
He cleaved the wall but couldn't fully advance—the blade halted just before the woman's chest. He poured strength anew.
Kwaduduk—the wall shuddered.
But that brief gap was enough for the Demon King to arrive.
"You first."
Kwaaaang—
The unguarded occiput shattered. The forward-tumbling prince buried deeper.
Berge stomped his back dozens of times, ensuring the job was done.
Then he approached the slumped princess.
"You okay?"
"...Yes."
Ernan exhaled raggedly. The sword hadn't touched her chest directly. But it ached. A thin trickle of blood ran from her mouth.
"Doesn't look it."
"I'm fine. Just chest hurts, like bugs gnawing my whole body? Pushed a bit too hard."
Her mana heart screamed, mana roads torn—overload. No time to hesitate against a Star hero.
"Head back to the tower and take an elixir."
"Are you okay, Demon King?"
"Not dying, at least."
Berge wiped blood from his mouth.
Anything but fatal. Battling a Star with unfamiliar mana was like this.
Without Ernan and the elves, Pablo wouldn't be the one down—it'd be him.
"Good. But I ended up summoning Nairuniel. Sorry. You said not to get caught."
"It's fine. Better than you dying."
"...Pardon?"
Ernan's question went unheard by the Demon King.
"Tie him up."
"I have something perfect! Those handcuffs Phail told me to modify last time!"
"...Not bad, but why carry that around?"
"You said they were worthless trash that couldn't restrain Hillun—told me to mod them! Perfect chance. See if they hold a Star!"
"Why carry them, then?"
"Figured they'd come in handy someday. And here we are."
Roger grinned slyly as he cuffed the unconscious Pablo. Elves asked earth spirits to bury everything but his head.
'Lucky.'
Berge sighed in relief.
When that blade reached Ernan's heart, his own had dropped.
Ernan absolutely could not die.
She was a princess. With Hildean Kingdom's future uncertain—and no desire for all-out war—her death was unacceptable.
She could be a lifeline if needed.
'Injured, but not serious.'
Rest and recovery at the tower would heal her.
'Now then.'
Berge looked down at the prince, head alone protruding. In a split second, he decided his fate.
More efficiently—as a chess piece to escalate the board.
He called Ernan.
"You really gonna do that?"
"Can you pull it off?"
"Not confident in acting, but I'll try."
"Good."
"But wouldn't we fight anyway?"
"Judgment in calm versus rage is different."
"Ah."
Right on cue, Pablo's eyebrows twitched—he was stirring.
"Awake, Southern Ant Prince?"
"...Empire's dog?"
< 094. Male Luize Berft > End