The Demon King Overrun by Heroes Novel - Chapter 35

Chapter 35
## Chapter: 35

### Chapter Title: Queen of the Chessboard

—

In regions far removed from the reach of the Jespain Empire or their political sway.

A territory defined by eternal snowfall, where the predators of the frozen wastes reigned supreme.

In this harsh environment, fractured tribes of barbarians fought a grueling daily battle for existence.

The world once referred to this place simply as the Barbarians’ Land. However, after a certain Demon King raised a monolith and claimed the territory as her stronghold, it earned a new name: the Tower of Extreme Cold.

“I’ve been informed that you took a loan from Jason.”

Berge moved through the structure, accompanied by Reina herself.

The Tower of Extreme Cold stood eleven stories high, constructed entirely of enchanted ice. The ambient frost radiating from the walls was aggressive, threatening to freeze flesh and settle deep within the marrow of any visitor.

‘If the temperature is this punishing for someone of my caliber, a lesser being would have perished from exposure before even reaching the entrance.’

The journey to this location had been anything but simple. Between the biting cold and the hostile local monsters and barbarians, it was a gauntlet.

Still, it lacked the sheer verticality and high-density monster population of Berge’s own mountain fortress.

‘Ice Skeletons guarding the entrance. Frost Orcs on the second level, followed by Frost Knights and Snowflower Wolves on the third.’

The difficulty curve was standard: manageable at the base, becoming progressively lethal as one ascended. It was a textbook, traditional layout.

“…Are you going to ignore me?”

“…What?”

Berge snapped back to reality under the weight of her sharp tone. Reina was observing him with a focused intensity.

Behind her, her subordinates were casting looks at him that burned with an almost literal heat.

“What were you saying?”

“Your mind was clearly elsewhere.”

“I was simply admiring the craftsmanship of your tower. It’s impressive.”

“…I suppose that’s fair. I dedicated a significant amount of effort to its construction.”

A faint, almost imperceptible smile touched her lips.

“So, regarding my question?”

“I heard you secured funds from Jason.”

“Did he tell you that himself?”

“He mentioned it wasn’t a confidential matter.”

It might not have been a secret, but it felt like Jason had broadcasted the information intentionally. It was a way of making the debt public, ensuring there was no way to back out of the arrangement.

“It’s true. I borrowed 100,000 gold.”

“…Human currency holds no value to me, but I recognize that is a massive sum. How did Jason even possess such wealth?”

“He claimed it was his life savings, though I find that hard to believe.”

“And what was the collateral?”

“Magic points.”

“Good heavens.”

Reina’s eyes widened in surprise.

“How many points are we talking about?”

“The equivalent value of a Balrog.”

“Five million. That is a steep price to pay, especially given your current status.”

“Which is why the repayment is structured over time.”

In his life before the regression, Berge had commanded a legion of over ten Balrogs, but five million points was still a significant investment.

Points were easy to accumulate early on by capturing high-profile targets like princesses, but human sentiment was a finite resource that eventually ran dry.

However, considering the power 100,000 gold yielded in the mortal realm, it was a highly efficient trade.

“Let’s keep the details of this transaction private.”

“Of course. Now, to the reason you’re here. How were you aware that a hero quest was being organized with this location as the objective?”

“Is the source of my information relevant?”

“It is. Because you and Drakson provided me with the exact same warning at nearly the same moment.”

Berge stopped in his tracks. Reina and her entourage halted with him.

“Drakson gave you the same information?”

“Yes. He told me a hero quest was imminent and that my tower was the target. He advised me to prepare. His message was identical to yours.”

Hillun Kagil had previously mentioned that the Hero Guild was split on whether to target Drakson or Reina.

Yet Drakson had acted as if the decision were already finalized. Hillun had suggested Reina was the more likely target, but there was a vast difference between a rumor and a certainty.

‘That snake…’

Drakson Dolph was far more deeply entrenched in human affairs than Berge had anticipated.

And yet he had the audacity to criticize Berge for “disrespecting tradition”?

‘What a hypocrite.’

It wasn’t clear if Drakson was a direct partner of the Hero Guild, a silent investor, or if he simply had an extensive spy network.

However, Hillun had noted that several Demon Kings had “arrangements” with the Guild. If it were merely a matter of spies, Hillun likely wouldn’t have used such specific phrasing.

“I can rationalize Drakson knowing; he’s been building his network for a long time. But you? You’re a mystery.”

“I’m afraid I can’t disclose my methods.”

A Demon King couldn’t exactly brag about turning a legendary hero into a servant and using them as a double agent.

Reina studied Berge, their eyes meeting in a silent standoff.

“…Fine. It would be out of character for you to be transparent. I shouldn’t have expected an answer.”

“Since you’re already informed, we can move forward. What is your plan of action?”

“What choice do I have? I won’t change my methods. I will defend the tower as I always do.”

She would rely on the traditional setup: deadly creatures and traps layered from the ground floor up, with the final challenge at the peak.

“Placing the kidnapped royalty on various floors like trophies—I suppose that is what defines your tower’s style compared to the rest of us.”

They reached the summit without realizing it. Reina’s private chambers were surprisingly modest.

She took a seat in a soft chair and dismissed her staff with a wave of her hand.

“But, My Lady…”

“We cannot trust this Berge…”

“Interrupting a meeting between Demon Kings is a breach of protocol. Leave us. I won’t repeat myself.”

The demons retreated, their faces tight with frustration.

“Take a seat.”

“Your staff seems quite devoted to you.”

“They are loyal servants who have been by my side since we left the Demon Realm.”

It made sense; Reina Sordain was essentially royalty. She came from the most prestigious lineage of the Frost Demons, a noble from the moment of her creation.

“Would you like one?”

She opened a small container and produced a piece of candy. It was vibrant red and smelled of cherries.

“Sweets?”

“The only human delicacy I find tolerable.”

“No, thank you.”

“Suit yourself.”

*Click.*

Reina returned one to the container and placed the other in her mouth.

“So.”

She leaned her chin on her palm, and the mood shifted. The warmth she displayed toward her subordinates vanished, replaced by a cold, calculating aura.

“Why are you truly here?”

“I’ve told you. The Hero Guild is looking for a victory after failing to stop me or recover the crown princess of Hilderan. You are the path of least resistance.”

“I am not naive, Berge Dayas.”

Her gaze turned icy.

“If that were your only motivation, you wouldn’t have traveled here. A simple message would have sufficed.”

“Like the one Drakson sent?”

“Precisely. But you came in person. We aren’t close enough for you to do me such a favor. I’ve reached a conclusion about your behavior. Does it align with your own?”

“Likely.”

“It’s quite peculiar.”

“What is?”

“My family keeps me updated on everything happening in the Demon Realm. That includes your reputation.”

“And what is the consensus?”

“The valedictorian of the Demon King Academy.”

The highest-ranking graduate in the institution’s history.

“I’m flattered.”

“It wasn’t all positive. They also labeled you the academy’s greatest embarrassment.”

“Just a youthful lapse in judgment.”

“You should own it. Mocking tradition at graduation is a bold move, regardless of the consequences.”

Her words were polite, but her eyes remained skeptical.

“That’s the mystery. Up until that ceremony, you were the perfect specimen of a demon.”

A follower of tradition.

Arrogant.

Contemptuous of others.

The ultimate individualist.

“To be honest, I admired you back then.”

“And now?”

“You lost points for the graduation stunt. If not for Aren, I might have been tempted to challenge you myself.”

“Then I suppose I should be grateful for Aren.”

There was no other reason to change. The traditional path worked in almost every other world, but not this one.

“But for you to come here to assist me? It was unexpected.”

“Demons are capable of evolution. I simply adapted.”

“They say you became a different person after graduation. What caused the shift?”

“Nothing in particular.”

There was, of course, a reason. He had experienced the ultimate proof that the old ways failed: his own death.

“Maybe demons don’t need a grand catalyst to change. But I still see flashes of your old self.”

“Is that so?”

“At the summit, you stood your ground against Drakson. You showed disdain for Ugar and caution toward Jason. You were the classic, arrogant Demon King.”

Drakson had been a thorn in his side since the beginning. Ugar was a relic of a past failure, and Jason was a variable he couldn’t yet solve.

“But you haven’t shown me any hostility.”

“Is that a problem?”

“It’s unusual. And you came all this way to warn me yourself. Typical demons don’t go out of their way for the benefit of others.”

“……”

She wasn’t wrong. But Berge wasn’t a typical demon.

“I’ve been thinking since you arrived. And while it might be bold of me to say, I think I’ve figured it out.”

“What?”

“It’s just a theory. A ‘what if’ scenario.”

A slight flush appeared on Reina’s pale skin.

“Could it be… that you’ve developed feelings for me?”

“……?”

“If that is the case, I must inform you that I have no room for romance until Aren is under my control…”

Has she lost her mind? What is she talking about?

◇◇◇◆◇◇◇

“I get it. My kin always told me I was the most beautiful among us, so it’s only natural you’d be captivated.”

It took significantly longer than Berge expected to dismantle Reina’s delusional “princess complex.”

“So, you’re saying that out of all the Demon Kings, you chose to help me not because of love, but because of… what?”

“I told you, no.”

“Logically, Jason is the better ally. He has the most experience here and the strongest tower. Yet you came to me.”

“It’s not like that!”

Good grief.

Berge suppressed the urge to snap. He couldn’t believe he was stuck in a circular argument with Reina over something so ridiculous.

“I have a history with Drakson, and Ugar is a moron.”

“I can agree with you on Ugar.”

“And Jason is too much of a wildcard to trust. You said so yourself. Who else does that leave?”

“…I see.”

A long silence followed. Reina, now completely flushed, looked down at her desk. The candy she had been eating fell from her mouth.

“…That was an incredibly embarrassing assumption. I apologize.”

“I’m glad we’ve cleared that up. My only goal is to foster a functional relationship between our territories.”

“I am open to cooperation. I accept your proposal.”

Success.

It had been a bizarre and slightly frustrating ordeal, but establishing a rapport with Reina Sordain was a strategic necessity that would pay dividends.

In fact, the first benefit was already at hand.

“Since we’re in agreement, I have one request.”

“A request?”

“You were planning to use some captive princes for the quest, right?”

“That depends on the heroes. I’m planning to place a royal captive on the fifth floor. If they can’t even make it that far, they deserve to fail.”

“In that case, could you ensure the captive is the crown prince of the Asoin Principality?”

“The prince of Asoin… that’s a simple enough adjustment.”

“I appreciate it.”

Berge allowed a small, predatory smile to form.

◇◇◇◆◇◇◇

“This doesn’t feel right.”

Outside the office, Reina’s retainers paced back and forth.

“Leaving our Lady alone with that deviant. There’s no telling what kind of tricks that fool might try.”

“Exactly. He’s the one who mocked the old ways—a known eccentric. Do you think he’ll actually respect the peace treaty between Demon Kings?”

“Our Lady is strong; she won’t be swayed.”

“True, but if her pure heart is corrupted by his nonsense…”

“The thought alone is unbearable.”

They were the ones who had provided Reina with the dossier on Berge Dayas. They knew his history and his reputation for being unpredictable.

“What if he tries to charm her and she actually falls for it…?”

“She is the most beautiful woman in any realm—it’s entirely possible!”

“We cannot allow this!”

Many of these demons had been with Reina since she was a child. Their protective instincts were far beyond what was normal for their kind.

“Silence. She is a veteran Demon King. She isn’t going to be outmaneuvered in her own home by a newcomer.”

Nina, the second-in-command, finally quieted the group.

The office door creaked open. Every head turned.

“Then everything is settled.”

“It was a sudden visit, so I couldn’t host you properly. Next time, I will ensure a more formal welcome.”

“I’ll hold you to that.”

Berge stepped through a portal and vanished. Silence hung in the air for a moment after his departure.

“My Lady, are you alright?”

“Did that scoundrel attempt anything inappropriate?”

The retainers rushed forward, venting their concerns. But Reina’s expression was anything but welcoming.

“…My Lady?”

Before they could react.

“…You all lied to me. You told me that if anyone approached me without a clear reason, it was because they were infatuated with me. Do you have any idea how mortifying that was?”

“Out. All of you. Get out of my sight.”

The group was unceremoniously evicted from the tower.

◇◇◇◆◇◇◇

“The crown prince of the Asoin Principality is waiting on the fifth floor. Whether he survives is entirely in your hands.”

『Understood. It hasn’t been made official yet, but I’ve already been chosen as the expedition leader.』

He had persuaded the council by arguing that since he was responsible for the previous failure, he should be the one to rectify it. Hillun Kagil didn’t mention the massive amount of political maneuvering required to secure the spot.

The competition for this quest was intense, as it was seen as a guaranteed win.

『I owe this opportunity to your guidance, Demon King.』

“I value results, not gratitude.”

『As we discussed, Asoin was a cornerstone of the Traparta Alliance. But after the Extreme Cold Demon King took their heir, the country fell into internal conflict as the other royals fought for power. Their influence has vanished.』

『There is a desperate desire for the prince’s return. Before he was taken, he led a powerful faction. They want their status back.』

“I know your plan: save the prince yourself and create a debt that binds Asoin to you. I just want to know if you can actually do it. Are you capable?”

『I am Hillun Kagil. The answer is yes.』

“Good. Don’t make me regret my investment.”

『I have defeated the Demon King of Lust. I am not going to fail on a fifth floor.』

Berge ended the transmission.

He closed his eyes, visualizing the intricate web he was weaving.

The Hero Guild’s latest quest was a powerful force. It was too big for Berge to stop on his own.

Instead, he chose to steer it using Hillun Kagil.

He would use this event to push Hillun to even greater heights.

Hillun Kagil would become…

“My queen.”

The most powerful piece on the board, navigating the complex landscape of a world-wide conquest.