The Demon King Overrun by Heroes Novel - Chapter 140

Chapter 140
Chapter 140: Currents Encompassing the Spire (2)

The arrangements to receive Hillun Kagil and the sovereignty of Hildran were finalized.

Yet, this marked a commencement rather than a conclusion. The true labor lay ahead: the monumental task of establishing a bridge for the tower and the myriad logistics required for such an undertaking.

“…Demon King, what on earth are you suggesting?”

Roger, the heroic dwarf, blinked in rapid succession. His voice wavered as he struggled to process the reality of the words.

“Did my ears deceive me?”

“Your hearing is perfectly fine,” the Demon King replied.

“I see.”

Roger collapsed onto the floor, his legs giving out. Since only he and the Demon King occupied the chamber, no one moved to assist him back to his feet.

“This is impossible!”

“Is it?”

“Selling my mana cannons—the creations I treat as my own offspring? How could you even contemplate such a thing?”

“If this spire falls, there won’t be any mana cannons left to fuss over, Roger.”

“Fine! Even if I concede a hundred times over, I can grasp the necessity of a sale. Using those funds to secure the bridge materials? I can accept that. However!”

He could only be pushed so far.

“To intentionally sabotage the quality of my finest work with my own hands? That is a personal insult of the highest order!”

“Pay attention.”

“I refuse, regardless of your reasoning. If they must be sold, sell them as the masterpieces they are!”

“Very well. I shall honor your stance.”

Berge considered a forceful reprimand but reconsidered. Anger wouldn’t yield the results he needed from the stubborn dwarf.

“Truly?”

“On the condition that you accept the fallout that follows.”

“Fallout?”

“Let us imagine we put these mana cannons on the market in their current state.”

“Yes.”

“Any observer will identify them as dwarven craft. Your talent is undeniable.”

“Naturally. They are light-years ahead of the crude toys humans assemble.”

Roger straightened his back, his chest swelling with professional pride.

“And other dwarves will recognize the handiwork as well.”

“Indeed. My techniques are enough to leave my kin speechless.”

“Which means, inevitably, intelligence will reach the 2nd Princess of the Berft Kingdom.”

“…Wait, what?”

“It is quite simple. The dwarves have labeled mana cannons as strategic assets and strictly prohibited their export. You are aware of this, I presume?”

“I… I am.”

“If dwarven-grade weaponry begins flooding human trade markets in bulk, how do you suspect the royalty will react?”

An investigation would be immediate and thorough.

And after a relentless pursuit of the truth, the blame would eventually find its target.

“…It will lead directly to you. Roger Friedri, the one who ignored the princess’s mandates, vanished, and has been hiding ever since.”

Roger gulped audibly.

He could practically see it: Louise Berft bursting through the doors with a ferocious cry, gripping a massive battle-axe meant for his head.

“Currently, you are safe within the Demon King’s walls. But the moment you set foot outside…”

“The Demon King is absolutely correct!”

“No, stay your hand. I respect your principles as a craftsman, provided you are willing to face the consequences.”

“No, no! Your Majesty is wise! These cannons are far too sophisticated for human hands! Reducing their efficiency to a human standard is only logical and appropriate!”

“You needn’t change your mind for my sake. My decision was already made.”

“Demon King, I beg of you!”

Roger lunged forward, grabbing the hem of Berge’s trousers. The Demon King grimaced as he looked down at the dwarf, who was now a mess of frantic tears and desperation.

“Listen closely, Roger Friedri.”

“Yes, Sire!”

“I am your sovereign.”

You are my subordinate.

“Therefore, when I give an order, you obey. Do you understand?”

“With my life!”

Roger bowed until his forehead touched the stone and hurried away.

“Another obstacle cleared.”

The hurdles standing in the way of the massive relocation project were being dismantled, one by one.

—

“It is quite an occasion. The hero credited with locating the Tower of Flame has requested a private audience with me.”

Tea was served by the attending maids.

“It was my brother who cautioned against acting too quickly.”

“True. Had I known the discovery would be so swift, I might have taken the initiative myself. Wouldn’t you agree?”

“It wasn’t exactly swift. While we found it within a reasonable timeframe, the cost in lives and effort was substantial.”

“Daphne Philia did perish, after all. Now, I have something to ask.”

“Of me?”

“Just as you have your inquiries, I have my own.”

“And what might that be?”

“The Four Heavenly Kings. Those demons burdened with that juvenile title.”

“……”

Martin Jespain had encountered two of them: the Dark Knight and the Dark Spirit Sorceress. To his horror, the Dark Knight was none other than his beloved sister, Kaede Jespain.

Though he had been too stunned to process it initially, he now suspected the Four Heavenly Kings were actually the princesses the Demon King had abducted.

‘The Sorceress is likely…’

Ernyan Hildran, the Crown Princess of the Hildran Kingdom.

Her reputation for spirit arts was known across the continent, not just in her homeland.

While he couldn’t fathom how the Demon King had forced them to emanate such dark energy, he couldn’t speak the truth. Doing so would be a betrayal of his own flesh and blood.

“You’ve likely heard the reports,” he said.

“Hearing it from an eyewitness is different.”

“I only crossed paths with the Dark Spirit Sorceress.”

“That’s the part that fascinates me. I’d never heard of this group before. Likely just a bizarre whim of the Flame Demon King. I assume they are high-ranking demons?”

“…Most likely.”

“Describe her. What was she like?”

“In what sense?”

“In every sense.”

“Formidable. With a simple gesture, she buried the entire search party under a deluge of snow. In the chaos of the avalanche and the failing barriers, she unleashed fire that shattered our defenses.”

“So, she commands both ice and flame spirits.”

“Monsters descended on us immediately after. That was the last we saw of her.”

“If she vanished after a single display, perhaps there’s a limit to how much spirit energy a demon can handle. Very well. Now, tell me why you’ve come.”

“You already knew?”

“I can infer. Your doubts after the imperial audience are predictable.”

“What was the Emperor’s decree?”

“That this unprecedented Demon King is a threat that must be eradicated immediately.”

“A logical stance.”

On the surface, at least.

“Ignore the real threat manipulating the empire and focus on the obvious target.”

“Is this my brother’s doing?”

“Indeed.”

“Why?”

“The official reason matches what the Emperor told you.”

“And the hidden reason?”

“I am in the dark,” Floyan admitted with a shrug.

“My brother, Marlene, and Duke Osrian were the primary advocates.”

The nobility aligned with the 1st Prince and 1st Princess followed suit, forming a solid majority.

“No theories?”

“I have my suspicions, just as you do. It’s common knowledge that someone in power is likely in league with the Demon King. We just lack the proof.”

The idea of collusion between the elite and the Demon King was an open secret.

It was a byproduct of the times.

While Demon Kings were once symbols of pure dread, the current era saw humanity holding the upper hand. If a Demon King could be utilized as a tool, many saw no reason to refrain from doing so.

Humanity excelled at exploiting even their enemies for gain.

A species that prioritized wealth, status, and prestige above all else—that was the nature of man.

“Yet, the House of Osrian suffered the most from this turn of events.”

“Perhaps their connection is strong enough to endure the blow.”

“Or maybe this is the Emperor’s design, and my brother is simply playing his part.”

Their eyes met, a silent acknowledgment passing between them.

The truth was, the fight for the throne was rarely a clean struggle between siblings and their backers while the Emperor remained neutral. The Emperor was still a man with his own preferences.

Some children were simply favored more than others.

Even if it wasn’t stated aloud, the royals could feel the bias.

Whether it was a matter of birthright or personality, the result was the same.

The subtle alliance between two rival princes born of different mothers was born of this realization.

The instinct to unite against a common shadow was universal.

“What is your plan, brother?”

“What choice do I have? The Emperor has spoken. We will focus all our strength on bringing down the Flame Demon King.”

“And regarding our situation…”

“I’ll be honest: I’m not confident I could best you in a duel right now. Our personal conflict can wait until the Demon King is dead.”

The two men shook hands.

‘This wasn’t the outcome I sought…’

The 3rd prince felt the weight of his worries growing heavier.

—

The blade cut through the air.

A golden radiance pulsed outward.

The strike cleaved the atmosphere and vaporized the sweat flying from her brow.

The movement was fluid and elegant, a lethal dance that seemed to reshape the space around her.

“Hah… hah…”

Kaede struggled for air.

The environment of the tower was naturally deficient in the energy needed for her to replenish her aura.

She became exhausted quickly, her reserves draining in an instant. While these were the worst possible conditions for combat, they were perfect for training. The hardship was making her visibly more powerful.

‘What am I supposed to do?’

Despite her focus, intrusive thoughts disrupted her rhythm.

The empire’s forces were approaching.

A campaign designed to end the Demon King.

If she was forced to face them, what would happen?

This wasn’t like her previous encounter with her brother. This time, they would be coming for blood, and her identity would be laid bare.

Her only hope rested on the Demon King’s claim that the tower would move—but the feasibility of such a thing remained a mystery to her.

In her world, towers didn’t simply get up and walk to new locations.

“Take this.”

A pale hand offered a cloth. It was Ernyan.

“Clean yourself up.”

“Thank you.”

“You seem weighed down by something.”

“……”

“Don’t fret. It won’t come to that.”

“You sound so certain.”

“The Demon King doesn’t make idle promises. He never has. If he says the tower is moving, then it is moving. There will be no battle with the empire.”

“But such a thing has never been recorded in history.”

“Did you ever record yourself becoming one of the Four Heavenly Kings?”

“……”

Hardly.

“A dwarf hero arming the entrance with cannons, a princess from Akan filling floors with biological horrors, and Hildran royalty leading elves on the 4th floor. This isn’t a typical Demon King’s tower.”

“…I suppose you’re right.”

“Then have some faith. Besides, there isn’t much you can change right now, Kaede.”

“…True.”

Still, a sense of unease lingered.

“Why are you here, anyway?”

“Just saying my goodbyes. You’re aware I’m departing soon, right?”

“Ah. Returning to Hildran…”

“Yes. It’s actually a bit bittersweet. I wish we could have spent more time together.”

“Bittersweet?”

Kaede found the sentiment baffling. Ernyan wasn’t bound by an artifact or a dark contract like she was. Why would anyone feel regret over leaving this place?

Did she truly prefer this life over her royal status?

“Oh, Kaede, would you like one?”

Kaede’s attention snapped to the small object Ernyan held out.

“Where did you get that?”

“I picked some up the last time I accompanied the Demon King to the outside world. Since I’m leaving, I figured I’d share.”

“Thank you.”

The dark morsel disappeared into Kaede’s mouth. The rich sweetness brought an immediate, genuine smile to her face.

“You enjoy chocolate?”

“It’s the perfect remedy for the exhaustion after a long session.”

For a moment, Kaede looked truly happy. Whether it was the sugar or the simple joy of a rare treat, it was a side of the stern knight-princess that few ever saw.

“That’s a surprise.”

“I’m sorry?”

“Nothing. Want some more?”

“More?”

“Here.”

Ernyan tossed several more pieces her way. While Kaede focused on her snacks, Ernyan made her way up to the 5th floor and knocked on the office door.

“Demon King.”

The door creaked open, and the Demon King looked up.

“Speak.”

“A final word of advice before my departure.”

“Advice?”

“Kaede is quite rigid. You are much the same. It’s likely why there’s still such a wall between you two, even as sovereign and general.”

“…Your point?”

Thud.

Ernyan placed a heavy pouch onto his desk, pulled from her storage.

“…What is this?”

“Chocolate.”

“……?”

“Consider it grease for a rusty machine. It should help smooth the interactions between you and Kaede.”

“……”

It took a long moment for Berge to process what she was implying.

Naturally, that didn’t mean he found the idea any less absurd.

[140. Flows Surrounding the Tower (2)] End