The Demon King Overrun by Heroes Novel - Chapter 124

Chapter 124
## Chapter 124: The Fabricated Truth

Hillun Kagil was struggling to process the chaotic state of the empire.

Following the frantic admission of a black mage, the reality of Berge’s existence had been laid bare, sending the empire into a vengeful frenzy. The commencement of a hero’s journey was now a certainty, and Hillun found himself obligated to take part.

Yet, a dilemma plagued him.

‘Where should my allegiance lie?’

Should he stand with the Demon King or the empire?

When assessing the odds dispassionately, the empire seemed the obvious victor.

‘The entry level of the Demon King’s Tower is packed with artillery. Hundreds of pieces.’

Those weapons, the masterwork of Roger—one of the legendary smiths of the dwarven realm—held a terrifying and consistent destructive capability.

Even so, they were merely stationary armaments. While they would surely inflict massive damage initially, the empire’s persistence would eventually find a path through.

‘The princesses and the elven folk might be shaken at the start…’

But after the preliminary terror, they would adapt. That was the hallmark of human survival.

‘They can’t funnel a full military force inside, but judging the empire solely by its troop numbers is a fatal error.’

Their reach was vast, their population immense. From those roots grew endless logistics, wealth, geniuses, knights, and sorcerers. Compared to the assets Berge commanded, the empire held every strategic advantage.

‘The empire is going to win. There is no doubt.’

He felt no uncertainty on that point.

And yet, he could not simply defect to the imperial side.

The reason was the artifact lodged within his skull. It was a gift that had once preserved his life in the frozen wastes, but now it served as a horrific tether.

‘If I turn on him…’

The memory of Byrif’s end haunted him: the man coughing up gore as his head detonated, his physical form turning to ash, and his spirit destined for an eternity of agony under Berge’s thumb.

‘He won’t fall without a fight. A clumsy betrayal would be a death sentence.’

Hillun resolved to follow the Demon King’s instructions for the time being. Luckily, those commands mirrored the expectations of a hero. At least for now.

“The crusade won’t begin immediately.”

The empire had publicly celebrated the defeat of the black mage who had been nesting in Hapstrine. However, they remained silent regarding the Blazing Demon King who had been pulling the strings.

They were intentionally suppressing that detail.

“It’s a point of national pride; they won’t speak until they are certain.”

Consequently, the empire’s immediate priority was pinpointing the tower’s coordinates.

“They are sending diplomats to the northern realms to request aid.”

“Korzen, Horton, and Dormunt?”

“Precisely. Hortonwork sits closest to Erjest, but the Erjest range is a colossal barrier touching three different borders.”

Hortonwork was situated near the highest point of the range, which was why Hillun Kagil had used it as his starting point.

“But since the Demon King’s Tower wasn’t at the peak, they must scour the remaining territory.”

The mountains also bled into the Kingdom of Dormunt, but that area was less infested with monsters and had more manageable terrain. Thus, the empire suspected the tower was hidden in the harsher regions bordering Korzen and Horton.

“Will finding it be simple?”

“Hardly.”

If it were a simple task, Erjest wouldn’t be categorized as a forbidden zone. The presence of a Demon King only heightened the difficulty.

“Are they not working with the neighboring countries?”

“Do you think those nations will truly help?”

“The three kingdoms near the range are terrified as more incidents linked to the Blazing Demon King occur.”

Martin took a slow sip of his tea.

“We cannot afford another blunder. We will trap them slowly and methodically.”

They had already seen failures with Hillun Kagil’s initial mission and the disappearance of Rabinia Akan from the Akan Kingdom. The Jespain Empire was incensed, but they weren’t going to let rage dictate their strategy.

Locating the tower was a marathon, not a sprint.

But their fury was merely dormant. The second they found a target, the empire would mobilize its full might to annihilate the Demon King.

“Is there any way I can assist?”

“Eventually, you may act on your own, but for the search phase, we are combining our assets.”

“Is even the search being managed by the princes?”

“Everything from the discovery to the execution of the Demon King is a trial—that is the Emperor’s command.”

“Why such a complex process…?”

“The Emperor’s motives are his own. Regardless, you won’t lack for resources.”

That provided some comfort. Regardless of the princes’ status or their families’ power, the Emperor’s influence was peerless.

“As for me…”

Martin put his cup down.

“I intend to lead a search party myself.”

“…You, personally?”

“I am currently behind my siblings in standing, so I must provide a greater result. Those who are thirsty must dig the well.”

“That is extremely risky.”

“I expect it to be.”

“I understand your urgency to save Princess Kaede, but…”

“Do you really think I’m entering Erjest solely for Kaede? Is that your honest assessment?”

Martin’s expression grew somber.

“…Is it not?”

“It is a factor, certainly.”

It was a major motivation, but it wasn’t the only one.

“How many royals of the direct bloodline do you think exist who have zero craving for the crown?”

Perhaps a few—those paralyzed by the internal strife of the family. But not the four princes, and certainly not Martin. Despite his weaker faction, his hunger for power was equal to any of his brothers.

“When the hero’s quest is officially announced, the public will watch. Imagine the prestige if it is revealed that a prince personally discovered the enemy’s lair.”

He didn’t necessarily pity Hillun, but the facts were cold.

“Both you and the representative of Akan failed, didn’t you?”

Martin showed no empathy. Hillun could only nod in agreement.

In the court of public opinion, Akan’s failure carried more weight. The history between Jespain and Akan was one of war and constant political friction. The mutual animosity was deep-seated.

Spreading the word that an imperial prince succeeded where Akan stumbled would provide a massive surge in popularity. Such public favor was something even the high nobility couldn’t ignore.

“This is why your participation is vital.”

“You want me to accompany you in the search?”

“Don’t you wish to redeem your reputation?”

“I do.”

“Then we are in agreement.”

There was no room for a “no.”

“I won’t back out.”

Martin gripped Hillun’s hand firmly, and Hillun could only offer a strained, awkward grin.

—

“So, the search is their first move.”

『That is correct.』

Berge tapped his fingers rhythmically on the desk as he processed Hillun’s intelligence.

‘As long as Hillun Kagil keeps his mouth shut about our location, we have a window.’

And after seeing Byrif’s instantaneous death, Hillun wouldn’t talk—unless he felt so betrayed by Berge that he chose suicide.

‘What is the best play?’

He saw the logic in Gordon’s perspective, but he was still conflicted. He could engage in skirmishes to thin out the search parties, or he could simply remain a ghost.

‘I have the Mana Ghost. Could I repeat the strategy I used with the Daphne Philias?’

He was hesitant. The success with the Daphne Philias had relied heavily on chance, and he had recently exhausted his magic points on lifting interference, leaving him with little capital.

“What do we know about the search party’s makeup?”

『Specifics aren’t out yet. But given the alliances with the border kingdoms, it will likely be a joint effort between Dormunt, Korzen, and Horton.』

The kingdoms likely wouldn’t decline. Humans were driven by a desire for dominance; their peace with Demon Kings was built on the arrogance of their own strength. But Berge had replaced that confidence with fear by remaining hidden.

If the empire led the charge…

No nation would want to be left behind.

‘Dormunt, being closer to Akan than the empire, might be hesitant.’

But they wouldn’t refuse outright. Three nations marching under the imperial banner.

‘This could actually…’

Lead them straight to the tower.

His tapping grew faster as his anxiety spiked.

‘I have to act.’

After a moment of contemplation, Berge reached a conclusion.

“You are going to be part of this search, aren’t you?”

『Yes. Alongside the 3rd Prince.』

“Give me every scrap of information—their numbers, their route, their timing. Everything. And above all else, ensure the 3rd Prince stays alive.”

『Surely you don’t mean…?』

“Anyone who steps into the Demon King’s territory must be ready to lose their life.”

『That’s a mistake! High casualties will only make the empire more desperate to destroy you!』

“They aren’t going to stop anyway. Staying hidden isn’t a long-term solution.”

The moment he targeted the royal family, the die was cast. They wouldn’t stop until they had a victory. That victory required the recovery of the princesses—but if the tower was found, the situation would escalate, drawing the attention of other Demon Kings.

He had to prevent that. He would never release the princesses. He had to ensure the tower was never found, or that no one returned to tell of it.

Berge chose the path of total obscurity. He would ensure they never found him.

“I’ll make sure these humans remember why Erjest is a place of no return.”

『…If things go wrong, my life is…』

“Stay loyal, and you will live.”

『I understand. My thanks.』

The link went dead. Berge exited the tower immediately to find two hundred Frost Orcs waiting.

“We honor the Demon King.”

Kruto and his warriors bowed low.

“Your mission is paramount.”

“Give the order.”

“Search every inch of this mountain range. I want a map of every beast colony and every territorial boundary in Erjest.”

“Every single one?”

“Exclude the area we discussed.”

“Understood.”

“I need the data, but do not throw your lives away. Avoid dying. But gather as much as you can.”

“Demon King…! We will give everything to succeed!”

Kruto and the orcs pressed their heads to the ground with even more fervor.

“I told you not to die.”

“Yes! We will return alive!”

“Once you find them, do not attack. Observe, memorize, and report back to Gordon.”

“Yes, Sire.”

“Go.”

The orcs, led by Kruto, mounted their frost wolves and vanished into the cold. Watching them leave, Berge made a silent vow.

‘Princesses, elves, artificial beings, artillery, and the beasts of Erjest.’

He lacked a proper army of magical creatures and only had Gordon as a true demon subordinate, but his power was not negligible. The past year of preparation was his foundation.

He would stop them from finding the tower at any cost.

—

『I’ve heard you had a recent encounter with Berge Dayas.』

“I did.”

『And the nature of your discussion?』

“Is that any of your business?”

Reina’s eyes turned cold. Realizing he had overstepped, Ugar quickly tried to pivot.

『No, like I mentioned before, Jason isn’t the one behind this. It isn’t me, and it isn’t you, so that leaves…』

“So you’re claiming it was Berge Dayas?”

『That is my conclusion.』

“How pathetic, Ugar Belbek.”

『Excuse me?』

“I don’t trust you, and I certainly don’t trust your claims. Jason isn’t the culprit? You expect me to just take your word for it without a single shred of evidence?”

『But I witnessed it! Jason couldn’t have done it!』

“You haven’t shared what you saw. If your proof was so definitive, why keep it secret?”

Ugar fell into a sullen silence.

“My suspicion remains on Jason. Your only defense of him is your own word, but I have a dozen reasons why Berge couldn’t be the one.”

『Even so…』

“One question. Was what you saw an absolute, undeniable proof that Jason is innocent?”

Ugar wavered.

『…If you frame it that way…』

“That’s enough.”

『I haven’t finished my answer.』

“Your hesitation told me everything I need to know.”

『Damn it.』

Stung and unable to argue, Ugar pivoted to a new topic.

『Fine—have you heard the latest?』

“What news?”

『Berge has caused a massive incident.』

“Get to the point.”

『A black mage in Hapstrine Canyon was caught.』

“A black mage? I thought they were powerless in Aren.”

『Berge’s doing. The mage screamed Berge’s name right before he died.』

**Imperial Bulletin: Breaking News**
*Empire in turmoil; secret operations underway to locate Berge’s Tower.*

**Discussion Feed**
— **Guest**
*The second they find that tower, it’s over. You know how the empire operates.*
— **Imperial Citizen**
*Berge Dayas is a dead man. To challenge the empire? He must have a death wish.*

Ugar smirked. He had no love for Berge anyway.

“How sad.”

『Isn’t it? Even back at the academy, he mocked the Standard of the Demon King. A fool who didn’t know his place, acting like he was more than he was…』

“I was referring to you, Ugar Belbek.”

『…What?』

“Even if it’s the empire, saying they ‘dare’ to touch a human? You’ve become a bit too comfortable in Aren.”

『……』

Ugar went quiet under her obvious disdain.

“You got this from Jason, didn’t you?”

『This part I found out myself…』

“I’m not a fool, Ugar.”

『…Fine.』

“Did it not occur to you how nonsensical this is?”

『What?』

“Speaking Berge’s name? A simple black mage selling out a Demon King? You actually find that believable?”

A black mage’s soul is the property of their Demon King. Betrayal is fundamentally impossible unless they welcome a fate worse than death.

Actually, even then, it shouldn’t happen.

“A black mage’s soul is tied to the Demon King even after the body dies. Every mage knows the eternal torture that follows a breach of contract.”

Anyone who deals with a Demon King understands the weight of that bond—the more they tap into demonic power, the tighter the leash becomes.

This is why, historically, no black mage has ever—or could ever—betray their master.

『…Well.』

“It isn’t impossible, though.”

Reina Sordain offered a different theory.

“If that black mage belonged to Jason and was acting on Jason’s orders. That seems much more plausible.”

After all.

“He never told the truth about himself—he was a ‘liar,’ wasn’t he?”