The Demon King Overrun by Heroes Novel - Chapter 111

Chapter 111
## Chapter 111: The 3rd Prince and Hillun

Establishing a link with the nobility is a daunting task.

The prestige of the imperial bloodline within the empire is beyond common comprehension, and as a result, their sense of superiority is unshakable.

They do not grant audiences to every passing petitioner, nor is the average citizen capable of gaining entry to their inner sanctum.

However, the reputation of a legendary figure like Hillun Kagil shifts the landscape entirely.

“Hillun Kagil?”

Martin Jespain, the Third Prince of the Jespain Empire, tilted his head in confusion at the unexpected news.

“Are you telling me that Hillun Kagil has arrived seeking an audience?”

“That is correct, Your Highness.”

“To what end?”

“Well…”

“No, hold on.”

Martin shook his head, lost in contemplation.

Cultivating a relationship with Hillun Kagil was an opportunity anyone would covet. Yet, the current circumstances were far from ideal.

The empire was currently consumed by intense, shadow-cloaked rivalries among the imperial siblings, a den of predators waiting for the slightest moment of vulnerability to strike.

This was particularly true for the Third Prince, whose power base was more precarious than those of his brothers and sisters; every move he made was fraught with peril.

Even a meeting that appeared harmless—if it involved a warrior of Hillun Kagil’s stature—would provide Argan of the Hero Guild with all the ammunition required to ignite a scandal.

“Send him away.”

“But, Your Highness.”

“What is it now?”

“He insisted I hand this over to you.”

It was a modest box made of wood.

*Click.*

The container was devoid of any protective enchantments. Nestled inside was a solitary, delicate necklace, draped simply across the lining.

“…!”

For Martin Jespain, this was an heirloom he could not possibly ignore.

“…Escort him to the drawing room immediately.”

“At once, sir!”

The knight hurried off to fulfill the command.

“How could you have this…”

Martin delicately picked up the aged necklace. A ghost of warmth seemed to pulse from the cold metal against his palm.

‘Kaede.’

Why was your jewelry—something that ought to be trapped within the Demon King’s Tower—in this place?

Martin whispered his sister’s name under his breath.

—

True to its status as the premier metropolis of the continent, the imperial seat of power was immense.

The palace situated within the central fortress was no less imposing.

The decor was lavish, and the security was impenetrable. Berge and Hillun traversed a lengthy hallway, followed closely by a knight whose eyes radiated mistrust.

After crossing through a magnificent courtyard, they eventually reached the secluded palace of the Third Prince.

“Greetings. His Highness is expecting you.”

The guard stationed at the entrance of the reception chamber welcomed them, though his expression remained sharp.

“I hold you in high regard. I acknowledge your feats. However, if you think to disrespect His Highness with your pride, I promise the consequences will be severe.”

Hillun’s face remained stoic despite the harsh warning.

“Is this the standard of hospitality the empire offers to its heroes?”

“His Highness had no desire to grant you this meeting. By rights, he shouldn’t have. But you forced his hand, utilizing that mysterious necklace as leverage. Is my frustration as his loyal subject not warranted?”

“Did the Third Prince instruct you to chatter incessantly? You are quite bold.”

Berge let out a quiet laugh. The guard’s features twisted in rage, and the surrounding knights let out low growls.

“How dare you!”

“Do you wish for death?”

“Pale.”

Hillun stepped forward, shielding Berge. At that moment, a command echoed from inside the room.

“Permit them entry.”

“…But, Your Highness.”

“They are my invited guests.”

“…Consider this a stroke of luck. Be mindful of His Highness’s compassion.”

The soldiers stepped back. The doors swung wide.

Past the extravagant ornaments and high-quality timber furniture stood the prince.

His golden mane, a symbol of the empire’s prosperity, was thick and vibrant.

His emerald-colored eyes, fixed upon Berge and Hillun, were set deep within his face. His powerful frame radiated a commanding aura.

‘He looks just like her.’

The family resemblance to Kaede Jespain was undeniable.

“Take a seat.”

“Thank you.”

The pair sat across from him. The servant departed, and the heavy doors latched shut.

“You are known as Hillun, and you are Pale.”

“That is so.”

“The scholars of Akan claim that their sorcerers are obsessed with energy as refined as yours. It appears those claims were accurate.”

“I appreciate the compliment.”

The Prince chose not to address the slight edge of disrespect in the tone. Instead, his focus shifted to Hillun.

“I had no intention of seeing you. Are you aware of the reason?”

“I have a general understanding.”

“And yet you compelled me to do so. I assume that implies a matter of extreme significance?”

“I believe the token I provided serves as a sufficient explanation.”

“That depends entirely on what it represents.”

Martin pulled out the necklace. He then reached into his collar and produced an identical piece of jewelry from around his own neck.

“These were gifts from our mother to Kaede and myself. No one else in existence owns such a thing.”

“I see.”

“So, how did you come to possess it?”

How.

“In what manner did you acquire this?”

“I will provide the details. That is the reason I have come to you, Your Highness.”

“The story had better be plausible. It must satisfy my doubts. And I demand nothing but the absolute truth.”

“Naturally. This necklace was given to me by Kaede Jespain herself.”

“…!”

Martin’s expression shifted violently.

“I told you to make your story believable.”

“I am doing exactly that.”

“I am well aware of your history. After Kaede was taken, you traveled to the Erjest Mountains, did you not?”

“I stated that I received it from her. I never claimed that I was the one who took it from her hand.”

“Go on.”

“Are you familiar with the events in Hortonwork from a few months back?”

“Where Akan sent Ravina Akan to hunt for the Demon King’s Tower?”

“During that expedition, I arranged for Granada, the second-in-command of the Red Hawk Raid Unit and an elf, to accompany them.”

“Are you suggesting that he was the one who located Kaede? When the entire Akan contingent failed to find even the tower?”

“No. They did not locate the tower, and consequently, they did not find Kaede either.”

However.

“Kaede sought out Granada.”

“…You are spinning fairy tales to a member of the royal family in the heart of his empire. Do you believe your standing with Argan in the Hero Guild provides you immunity?”

Martin’s temper flared.

A millennium had passed since the first Demon King arrived and the kidnappings of royalty began.

Throughout those thousand years, there had been countless abductions and subsequent rescue missions. But never once had a captured royal managed to break their chains and flee the tower through their own strength.

“Simply because it is unprecedented does not mean it is impossible. Are you aware? The Demon King’s Tower cannot be unsealed from the inside without the power of a hero. And Kaede is a hero.”

“The treatment of royal captives varies by Demon King. But one factor remains constant: they are restrained to prevent any hope of flight. I know my sister. She is a capable warrior and a hero, but she does not possess the overwhelming power required to shatter those magical bindings by herself.”

Hillun Kagil.

Martin hissed the name.

“Has the praise of the Hero Guild made you arrogant? How dare you speak so lightly of an imperial! Guards!”

At his shout, the knights stormed into the room.

“Your Highness! What has happened?”

They unsheathed their blades, pointing them directly at Hillun and Berge. Berge clicked his tongue, feeling the surge of murderous intent aimed at him.

Hillun noted that Berge had not yet lost his composure and continued his argument.

“I swear to you, I am telling the truth. Your Highness, consider this: Akan’s search for the tower was an authentic, massive undertaking. They utilized mages, warriors, constructs, and biological weapons.”

“What of it?”

“By contrast, consider the Demon King of Blazing Flames. His legend has grown because of my previous failure and the capture of the princesses from Hildean and Jespain, but he was only summoned a little over a year ago. Every Demon King faces strict constraints in the early stages of their summoning.”

Martin remained silent. Hillun pressed his point.

“The Demon King of Blazing Flames cannot be all-powerful yet. To repel the forces of Akan, he reportedly deployed waves of monsters. You are aware that a Demon King’s familiars are not infinite in number.”

“So you expect me to believe Kaede found a gap in the defenses while they were preoccupied? While the Demon King was still present?”

“The dungeon where prisoners are kept is in the sub-levels. The Demon King resides at the very peak.”

“And she simply slipped away through a weak point?”

“That is my firm belief.”

*Puhahaha!*

Martin burst into laughter. It was a loud, mocking sound. Then, he stopped instantly. A crushing pressure settled over Hillun.

“Are you making a fool of me?”

“I admit the probability seems low. But I ask you to look at the facts rationally.”

“Rationally?”

“I failed to find the location. The Kingdom of Akan failed as well. Yet, I have Princess Kaede’s necklace in my possession. If my explanation is false, how else could this be possible?”

It was impossible.

Martin struggled to find a rebuttal. Hillun’s logic was sound, even if his instinct felt uneasy.

“Then where has my sister gone?”

“Since I was not there personally, I cannot give a definitive location. However, according to Granada’s report, while they were climbing Erjest, he saw a frantic woman in the distance but was prevented from investigating by a monster raid.”

“And this necklace was discovered at that precise location?”

“Precisely.”

“And not a single person from Akan spotted her?”

“The vision of an elf is far superior to that of a human.”

“This whole narrative seems far too convenient.”

“Sometimes reality is far more unbelievable than a play.”

“Fascinating.”

No, it wasn’t.

Martin fought the urge to execute the hero where he stood.

The story was suspicious, but the jewelry was undeniably real. The necklace was the only proof that mattered.

“In the end, the situation remains the same. I have recovered a necklace. Your claim of receiving it from Kaede’s hand is a fabrication.”

“The result is the same. Granada saw her with his own eyes. And this is not a hollow gain.”

“…?”

“That specific location. If Kaede Jespain is truly the one who dropped it, isn’t her last known position the most vital clue we have to finding the tower’s entrance?”

“…!”

After a heavy silence, Martin finally spoke.

“What is your price?”

“I seek your cooperation.”

“In what regard?”

“In the mission to save Princess Kaede.”

“Why should I entrust Kaede’s safety to you?”

“Because then you will be inclined to assist me. Ever since my quest ended in failure, I have been driven by a single purpose.”

Hillun allowed a calculated rage to leak into his voice. The surrounding knights flinched at the intensity.

“To locate and demolish that tower. To save the two princesses of Hildean. And to bring back your sister, Princess Kaede Jespain.”

“Even if our reasons differ, our destination is the same. We can walk this path together.”

Please.

“Help me bring down the Tower of Blazing Flames.”

Hillun bowed, his voice trembling with emotion. Martin closed his eyes, feeling the weight of the sincerity coming from the hero.

And then there was Berge.

‘I was the one who told him to do this, but it’s still infuriating.’

He was barely containing a boiling urge to kill.

He desperately wanted to burn the back of Hillun’s head to a crisp.

—

Gaining an audience with the prince is a challenge.

But to remain by his side, guiding his actions and earning the right to influence his decisions, is even more difficult.

A legitimate excuse was required.

Berge and Hillun had debated the matter and settled on a strategy.

Since their fates were already entwined through the matter of Kaede, they would use her as the bridge once more.

“Are you certain you want to go through with this?”

“They are going to hunt for my tower regardless of what we do. It is better if I am the one leading them toward it.”

It fit perfectly with Hillun’s narrative of seeking righteous retribution.

It also played on the deep familial bond between Kaede and Martin.

While some information about the tower might be compromised, it didn’t bother them. The dangers of Erjest and the presence of the Frost Orcs allowed them to set traps long before anyone reached the tower itself.

“…How can I place my trust in you after your previous defeat?”

Martin finally spoke after a long period of reflection.

Berge and Hillun knew they had made a breakthrough.

“I may have failed once, but most heroes have never even seen the enemy. I have explored Erjest longer than anyone and have actually secured a lead, however minor.”

“I am told you have the backing of Hildean?”

“Is more support not a benefit?”

“You are ambitious.”

“I recognize your hesitation, but Akan met with failure as well. One can never be over-prepared for this task.”

“…Show them to their quarters.”

“Your Highness?”

“Immediately.”

“Yes, sir!”

“This way!”

The knights returned their swords to their scabbards and gestured for the pair to move.

However, neither Hillun nor Berge stood up.

Martin’s expression darkened.

“What is the meaning of this?”

“I am aware of the weight on your shoulders, Your Highness. I understand the current climate of the empire.”

“Mind your words. Regardless of your fame as Hillun Kagil, the politics of this empire are not your concern.”

“This is advice intended for your success. We traveled through Hastrain on our journey here.”

“The Hastrain Gorge?”

“It is rumored to be the site where five Demon King towers appeared. Out of curiosity, I looked into it. I discovered something quite interesting.”

“What are you implying?”

“I did not perform a full reconnaissance, so I cannot give you a complete report.”

However.

“Acquire artifacts that deal with dimensional instability or heroes. It will strengthen your claim to power.”

“…What?”

“We will take our leave now, Your Highness. Send for us when you have made your choice.”

Berge and Hillun exited the room.

“Do you have any theories?”

“Hastrain is the site where five Demon Kings emerged. The lingering demonic corruption is thick there.”

“He specifically mentioned heroes and dimensional instability.”

“Creatures mutated by demonic energy are a common sight. It is likely just that.”

“If it were a minor matter, he wouldn’t have brought it to me.”

“Hmm.”

If it were any other hero, he would have ignored it. But this was Hillun Kagil.

“Send a team to investigate quietly.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“I will make my final decision later.”

“Understood.”

The knight offered a deep bow.