The Demon King Overrun by Heroes Novel - Chapter 101

Chapter 101
Chapter: 101

Chapter Title: Chernian Margrave

—

“I really don’t believe it’s appropriate to shove someone’s head into a snowbank.”

Ernyan let out a dissatisfied grumble.

“Abandoning a person in this frozen wasteland isn’t exactly appropriate either.”

* If you’re so unhappy, why don’t you just walk away right now?
* Start screaming at the top of your lungs that you’re out here!

“If I did that, they’d find me instantly.”

* Exactly, and then you’d be saved and sent straight back to the kingdom.

“That isn’t going to happen.”

Ernyan shook her head in disagreement. She suspected she would eventually have to return to the kingdom one day.

However, it wouldn’t be today. Nor anytime in the near future. Unless some monumental event forced her hand, she might never go back at all.

* So you’re staying put?

“For the time being. If I depart now, it would create a difficult situation for the Demon King.”

With the assistance of Niruuniel, she had burrowed herself deep beneath the layers of snow. By masking her presence to the absolute limit, she had fortunately managed to stay hidden from the imperial troops.

* You realize you can’t live under the snow forever.

“I’ll wait until there’s some distance between us, and then I’ll make my move.”

* Hmph.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

* You are far too composed for a girl who has been tossed aside.
* Has it not crossed your mind that the Demon King might have simply discarded you?
* Perhaps he no longer has a use for you.

“I doubt that’s the reality of it.”

It might have sounded like she was inflating her own ego, but Ernyan knew she had become a vital asset to the Demon King. As long as she avoided any catastrophic failures, she felt certain he wouldn’t be the one to sever their ties first.

* I am well aware of what people call that brand of unshakable confidence.

“It’s a symbiotic arrangement where both parties gain what they require from the other.”

* No, that’s not what I meant. Not some cold, formal phrase like that.

“Is it trust?”

* It’s love!

Ernyan slapped her palm against her forehead in exasperation.

* A total, absolute love that crosses over national borders, different races, alternate dimensions, and even the lines between friends and foes!

“I am asking you nicely to please just return to the spirit realm.”

* How many hours do you honestly think you’d survive under this snow without my protection?

“…I could probably last several days, even without your intervention.”

Spirit sorcerers were far from being completely helpless.

* But you wouldn’t be able to navigate out of this tundra so easily!
* It is as senseless as a person turning away a water spirit’s help while drowning in the middle of the ocean.

“…Regardless, I’m going to monitor the environment and move out after twenty-four hours have passed.”

* And what then?

“I’ll find a place to lay low within the borders of the empire.”

They had already coordinated a location where they would reunite.

* But what if the Demon King fails to show up?

“Be quiet. You’ve already made that point.”

Ernyan began chewing on a piece of dried meat as she settled in to wait.

◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
At the same time Ernyan was hiding herself in the drifts, Berge was holding up the limp form of the unconscious Hillun Kagil.

“You take charge of this.”

“Understood, sir.”

Clop clop clop—

Soldiers of the empire, mounted on horses of pure white, began to draw near.

‘What was the name of this specific breed again…?’

These snowy chargers were a special lineage cultivated by the empire. They weren’t just standard horses; they were magically enhanced creatures capable of maintaining their stamina and speed even in deep snow—at least, that was the rumor.

They tended to falter in high temperatures or on jagged slopes, but on the frozen, level plains of the tundra, they were unmatched.

“Do you have any information on that individual?”

“Nothing specific…”

“You’re useless.”

Things would have been far simpler if Ernyan were present.

By this point, the thundering of hooves had arrived. A man, flanked by a personal guard of knights, approached them.

The Chernian Margrave.

The high-ranking noble tasked with defending the imperial frontier against the monsters of the tundra maintained an air of refinement even in this savage wilderness.

His chestnut hair was slicked back perfectly, and his facial hair was groomed with precision. Despite his polished appearance, his piercing stare and overwhelming aura were those of a seasoned, legendary warrior.

He looked over Granada at the front, then shifted his gaze to Berge and Hillun.

“Is that an elf?”

“My greetings, Lord Chernian Margrave. I am Granada, representing the Red Hawk Raid Team.”

“Ah, the famous companions of the Hero Hillun! I am pleased to see you made it out. Who is the man you are carrying?”

“This is Hero Hillun. He has lost consciousness due to the stress of the long pursuit and a coordinated strike by high-tier demons.”

“You mean the Hero Hillun Kagil himself?”

The Chernian Margrave’s expression shifted to one of excitement.

“Indeed, it is him.”

“It was a wise decision to mobilize quickly after the reports of the mission’s failure! Now I have the chance to save a hero in his hour of need! Place Hero Hillun on a transport sled and summon the restoration mages immediately!”

Hillun was carefully settled onto a sled meant for the wounded. Three practitioners of healing magic gathered around him, their voices rising in a continuous stream of incantations.

At the Margrave’s request, Granada and Pale rode alongside him.

“You have our gratitude, my lord. If you hadn’t arrived when you did, we surely would have perished.”

“That is exactly why I am here. Hero Hillun may not be a citizen of our empire, but he is a champion for the whole of the human race. Had he fallen to that disgusting Demon King, the world would have been cast into deep shadow. I am relieved I could intervene.”

He went on.

“It is too early to be certain, but his injuries are quite grave. Nevertheless, I will spare no expense to ensure his survival.”

“Thank you.”

“And your name was Pale, correct?”

“That’s right.”

Berge nearly forgot himself, barely managing to keep his tone respectful and formal. It was a significant effort for him, but it wasn’t enough to satisfy the knights who served the Margrave.

“Mind your tongue!”

“Show some respect to your betters, peasant!”

“That is enough.”

Thankfully, the Chernian Margrave raised his hand to quiet his subordinates.

“Why would I mistreat brave warriors who have just put their lives on the line?”

He offered a small smile.

“Pale. I recognize that name. Are you not the one who caused such a stir in the Akan Kingdom?”

“I’m not entirely sure what you’re referring to.”

“An associate of Hero Hillun, a master of pure energy and intense flames. That kind of heat is quite noticeable, even more so in the middle of a frozen tundra.”

“You are informed of even such small details?”

“The empire makes it a point to keep track of even the smallest occurrences.”

“I’m honored.”

“The honor belongs to me. There are only three of you, yet each is quite impressive. It seems the reputation of famous heroes and their associates is well-earned.”

The military unit moved quickly as they spoke.

Occasional monsters attempted to ambush them, but they were instantly shredded into bloody remains across the snow, failing to even slow the group down.

“I would like to extend an invitation to my fortress. Would you be willing to join me?”

Granada cast a quick look at Berge. Berge gave a subtle nod of approval.

He wasn’t particularly fond of the idea, but it would be unwise to snub such a generous offer from the Margrave.

More importantly, they were in his debt—and Hillun Kagil was currently under the protection of the Margrave’s healers.

‘Interesting.’

The Chernian Margrave watched their silent communication with curious eyes.

◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
“I have served as the Margrave of this tundra for several decades, but I have never seen travel through these lands go so smoothly.”

The Chernian Margrave brushed his mustache as the snow began to thin out.

The ease of the journey was a direct result of Hillun Kagil and the Frost Demon King who had been hunting him.

The Margrave had witnessed the sheer volume of monsters that had been hounding Berge, Hillun, and Granada.

“This confirms that the Demon King possesses a high degree of control over the local monsters. We will have to develop a strategy for that.”

But that was a concern for another time.

The rescue force arrived back within the empire’s borders without any casualties.

The inhabitants of the fortress cheered and celebrated his safe homecoming.

“Take this time to recover.”

The Margrave saw to it that Berge and Granada were given rooms, while Hillun Kagil was moved to the medical wing.

Once they were alone, Granada spoke up.

“About Ernyan. Wouldn’t it have been safer for her to stay hidden out there? If she starts moving, she might run into a high-ranking demon…”

“No. She can’t stay there for long. That territory belongs to Reina.”

Even as the Demon King, his authority wasn’t absolute within his own land.

However, the act of summoning a spirit—which is essentially a condensed mass of pure mana—made it only a matter of time before she was found.

“But if she crosses paths with the demons…”

“You saw the situation on the ride back, didn’t you? In her obsession to capture Hillun, Reina overextended her forces. She pulled the majority of the monsters to the north and retreated to the tower the moment she saw the imperial army. For the moment, the tundra is empty of demons and beasts.”

“I suppose that’s true…”

“And even if she is spotted, she has the skills to get away. She is a top-tier spirit sorcerer, after all.”

“I understand.”

“What do you think the Margrave is after with all this hospitality?”

There was no such thing as kindness without a motive.

If the Chernian Margrave was being this helpful, he expected something in return.

And that something was almost certainly…

“Hillun Kagil.”

“My thoughts exactly.”

Hillun Kagil. The rising star who had already defeated two Demon Kings and possessed limitless potential.

Who wouldn’t want to be in his good graces? Especially after being the one to save his life.

“Hillun isn’t going to die. He has a lot of injuries, but nothing that will kill him.”

He had suffered significant blood loss, but his unconscious state was mostly due to mental exhaustion, mana burnout, and physical fatigue.

That suggested Hillun’s capabilities had improved—he had managed to defend himself well despite the overwhelming odds. With proper nourishment and sleep, a complete recovery was inevitable.

“Still, without his help, we would have been done for.”

“Do you think he’s the type to go around bragging about it?”

“He doesn’t strike me as that kind of person.”

The trip from the front lines back to the empire had taken several days. There hadn’t been much conversation, but it was enough to get a read on the Margrave.

“It would actually be easier if he were that simple.”

“A naive person wouldn’t have been able to hold the northern border for ten years without a single major incident.”

“True. What about the Red Hawk mercenaries?”

“No news since they scattered from the tower. I plan to check in with the mercenary guild soon. If they survived, they’ll turn up there.”

Their discussion was interrupted by a knock from a servant.

“His Excellency requests your presence for dinner. If you are available…”

“We will attend.”

“We’re on our way.”

◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
“Please, come in.”

The dining table was occupied by more than just the Chernian Margrave.

“Gillian?”

Gillian, who was now missing his right arm, offered a strained smile.

“Granada. It’s good to see you again.”

“Are you holding up okay?”

“As well as can be expected. I kept my life, so I’m calling it a win.”

“Take a seat.”

Berge and Granada sat down. The Margrave signaled with a clap, and the servants began serving the meal.

A light soup, a fresh salad, and a perfectly cooked steak. The Margrave began eating with a calm demeanor before speaking.

“Hero Gillian.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“I have been informed of the details while you were receiving medical attention.”

“Yes.”

“I am profoundly disappointed.”

Gillian gave a visible flinch.

“Five separate tribes have been annihilated. The death toll is staggering.”

“I am truly sorry. I have no justification for what happened; no amount of apologizing could make up for it.”

“Had I been aware of the risks, I never would have given my consent.”

‘His consent?’

Berge’s attention sharpened at that phrase.

That implied the Margrave had been a part of the planning.

‘It makes sense, when I think about it…’

No matter how much freedom the barbarians claimed to have, they could never fully distance themselves from the empire’s oversight.

“I believed your strategy was viable. You originally suggested Princess Jessica, but she was unavailable due to her own issues, and Hillun Kagil was with you. So, in your opinion, why did it fail?”

“The Demon King’s counter-attack was far beyond what I had anticipated.”

“I heard the reports. The gates of the tower were thrown open, and a flood of demons and beasts emerged?”

“Thousands of monsters moved to surround us as well.”

“Yes, that was an unexpected development.”

The Frost Demon King had stayed confined within the tower for years. Her sudden offensive had resulted in massive casualties.

“Are you aware? Survivors are starting to filter back in.”

“Is that so…?”

“It suggests the Demon King decided to show a degree of mercy. The losses are actually lower than they could have been. Well, except for the barbarian tribes that were completely wiped out, of course.”

The Chernian Margrave gave a pleasant smile.

He had every reason to be happy; the Demon King was essentially asking for a truce after being the one who was attacked.

“Therefore, I will reciprocate that gesture.”

“So…”

“There will be no second attempt. There is no capacity for one anyway. You will oversee the barbarian tribes as we agreed. Ensure there are no further losses. And ensure there is no thought of uprising against the empire.”

“Yes, sir.”

“The steak is particularly good this evening. Be sure to tell the chef I enjoyed it.”

“Yes, sir.”

The discussion ended there. The only noise for the rest of the meal was the sound of cutlery hitting porcelain.

“A fine meal. You may go.”

Dinner was over.

◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
The Chernian Margrave sat alone in the quiet dining room.

Knock knock—

“Enter.”

Altaman the Baronet walked in. The Margrave held out his glass, which was now empty. The baronet filled it with wine before taking a seat himself.

“How did it go?”

“Exactly as I thought it would. Care for a drink?”

“Thank you.”

The baronet accepted the glass.

“A profitable outcome. I never actually believed the mission would succeed.”

The Frost Demon King had ruled the tundra for decades.

Was she lacking in power?

Hardly. She could likely command a force that could wash over the north in an instant.

He had only allowed Gillian Aint’s plan to proceed because she had been passive for such a long time.

“I have been dealing with the Frost Demon King for many years, yet I still know very little about her.”

That was why Gillian Aint’s original proposal had been so appealing.

“From his perspective, it was a gamble involving his tribe’s survival. From mine, it was a guaranteed failure. But it was valuable because it didn’t cost a drop of imperial blood.”

The result was just as he had foreseen. The northern tribes were decimated, but the empire gained a wealth of information.

“It is fortunate the Demon King showed restraint.”

“I suspected she would. A behavior pattern that has lasted decades doesn’t change in a single night.”

“True, but there is always a gap between theory and reality. Especially when dealing with the whims of a Demon King.”

“Whims. Yes, whims. But the most important takeaway from this event…”

The army of thousands of monsters. The creatures and demons that emerged from the tower.

Learning that she wasn’t permanently tethered to the tower was the most significant discovery.

“She is a Demon King to her core. We must remain on high alert.”

“Confirming the existence of her monster legion is a major victory as well.”

The fact that Demon Kings command monsters wasn’t news. However, seeing the actual scale of the Frost Demon King’s forces was much better than guessing.

While they couldn’t assume those thousands were her entire force, using that as a baseline would prevent future disasters born of arrogance.

“Precisely.”

“The pride of the northern tribes has been crushed as well.”

“Gillian Aint has been thoroughly intimidated. The Frost Demon King played her part exactly as I intended.”

When Gillian Aint and the White Eagle Raid Team first appeared, the barbarians had started to unite behind him.

They weren’t a single nation yet, but a dangerous sentiment was beginning to brew.

That was something the Margrave could not allow.

The northern tribes needed to remain a fractured collection of groups, keeping each other in check while serving as a meat shield for the empire.

“This will put an end to any rebellious thoughts for a long time.”

Everything had gone according to plan. A small smirk touched his lips.

“What is your assessment of Granada and that man, Pale?”

“They ate their meal quietly and left without saying a word.”

“They are likely confused.”

“They’re probably trying to figure out what I’m planning. How is Hillun Kagil’s condition?”

“He should be awake within two days at the latest.”

“Excellent. Did you verify the timeline?”

“Yes. Granada came back from the tundra recently. She met with Pale and a woman, and they went back in.”

“And they successfully rescued Hillun Kagil. What about the woman?”

“She wore a robe and a mask—her face was never seen.”

“She disappeared quite suddenly.”

“The most likely scenario is that she died while helping Hillun.”

“That is the most logical conclusion.”

Surviving while buried in the Demon King’s tundra? That was beyond anything they considered possible.

Besides, his main focus wasn’t on a woman who was probably dead.

It was Pale.

The man who had thrown the Akan Kingdom into chaos, who possessed such refined mana.

Granada, who had fled the tundra, had gone back in specifically to find Hillun.

Perhaps they used matching locator items? Finding him so fast wasn’t impossible.

But the fact that Granada—the second-in-command of the Red Hawk—returned with only Pale and one other person? What did that say about their dynamic?

“Granada seemed to be following Pale’s lead. To my eyes, she appeared to be the subordinate.”

“Pale is the one in charge?”

“And more than that, I found it impossible to get a clear read on Pale’s true nature.”

“He is that difficult to gauge?”

The Margrave gave a slow, silent nod.

“Send a report to the capital. Start with the Akan Kingdom. I want a complete investigation into his history and his true identity.”

He needed more information before he decided how to handle him.

“Yes, my lord. I will see to it immediately.”

The baronet bowed and left the room.