The Demon King Overrun by Heroes Novel - Chapter 36

Chapter 36
## Chapter 36: Locating the Dwarf

Every shred of data within the spire is transmitted to its ruler, spanning from the most mundane occurrences to the most vital developments.

On the fourth floor, a peculiar event had transpired.

“How irritating.”

A fountain of untainted mana had suddenly surged within the Demon King’s Tower, a place normally saturated with dark energy. This foreign essence rubbed against the senses like a jagged blade.

“It was a success.”

“All thanks to your help.”

*Crash—*

“Cough…!”

Kaede sprayed crimson from her lips as she collapsed to the floor.

“You have grown in power.”

“I managed to draw in some of that mana while performing the spirit summoning,” Ernyan noted with an air of indifference, not even sparing a glance for the fallen Kaede. Berge scanned the surroundings; the fourth floor had undergone a transformation.

“Inform her that if this continues, she will be sent directly to the subterranean cells.”

“Why not deliver the threat yourself?”

“Aside from the moment I first seized her, she hasn’t looked me in the eye once.”

He had tolerated her antics thus far because she was a steady source of demonic energy points, but his leniency was reaching its limit.

*She has endured this long. She is becoming far too daring.*

He suspected it was because Ernyan, the first captive he took after his regression, had been so compliant. He had expected Kaede to follow suit and had given her ample room.

That grace period was now over.

“That spirit, then.”

Looming behind Ernyan was an entity he had never encountered. It was a woman whose radiance and presence far eclipsed any spirit that had previously inhabited the fourth floor.

— A pleasure to meet you, Demon King.

— I am Nairuniel, the high spirit of water.

She reached out her hand in a gesture of greeting.

“……”

The idea of a spirit being cordial toward a Demon King was absurd. Suspicion immediately took root.

“What is your true motive?”

— Do not misunderstand. I harbor no love for demons.

— However, you and Ernyan…

“That is quite enough, Lady Nairuniel.”

Ernyan reached out and clamped a hand over Nairuniel’s mouth. The high spirit began to struggle, her protests muffled into unintelligible sounds.

“…What is this display?”

“Lady Nairuniel is a bit too fond of her own voice.”

— No, I— mmmph!

Observing their interaction, which felt suspiciously like a rehearsed performance, a sudden thought occurred to him. The tower functioned by converting mana into demonic energy.

“Since this is the first time a spirit has set foot in this tower, I wouldn’t know.”

Spirits were essentially manifested mana.

“Does it simply transform into a dark spirit in this environment?”

— You believe this pittance of demonic energy could taint me? What an insult!

“Whatever you say.”

— To insult me and then dismiss me! Offer an apology!

— What sort of being do you take me for!

“My apologies, truly,” Ernyan said, bowing her head repeatedly. Berge merely snorted and turned to leave the fourth floor.

—

The appearance of the high water spirit Nairuniel served as a wake-up call for Berge regarding his own stagnation.

He had no shortage of justifications.

He had acquired the elf Granada and scattered him across the land, seized the dwarf hero, obstructed Hero Hillun Kagil, took the 9th princess, and had been orchestrating a grander scheme. Since arriving in Aren, Berge’s life had been a whirlwind of activity.

But those were merely rationalizations. In the end, a Demon King’s ultimate currency was his own strength.

Yet, Berge had barely exerted himself to enhance his personal power. His attempts were half-hearted—limited to swallowing a few elixirs or utilizing a fraction of his demonic energy points to loosen his restrictions.

*At my current level, even a fool like Ugar could potentially best me.*

He might even face defeat within the walls of his own fortress. The Demon Realm was a different story, but here, the weight of the world’s interference on Ugar was far less than what he personally bore.

This was precisely why Ugar, Drakson, and those other idiots thought they could challenge him. They mistook his current state for his full potential.

Berge had died once and chosen a new path, but his fundamental nature remained. He worshipped power, favored overwhelming strength, and was merciless in removing his enemies.

This was why he could no longer tolerate the existence of those two other Demon Kings.

“……”

The issue was that a clear path to rapid improvement wasn’t immediately obvious.

“…I suppose I should head out for a while.”

He suppressed the violent fighting spirit rising within him. He would check on the Frost Orcs and participate in a hunt. Keeping his combat instincts sharp was a necessity.

Berge strode out of his office.

—

The Erjest Mountains were a gargantuan expanse.

Its sheer scale was magnified by the fact that it was a sprawling range rather than a single mountain. The creatures that dwelt there were innumerable, and those that thrived in such a brutal climate possessed terrifying strength.

It was a forbidden territory that humanity could never hope to tame. It was a crucible for the survival of monsters.

For Berge, it served as a formidable wall against hero parties and a cage that kept princesses from fleeing.

“It is a privilege to stand before you.”

Krutu, the leader of the Red Frost Tribe, lowered his head in respect. The tribe, now situated on a peak near the tower, had expanded significantly. Upon Berge’s arrival, the entire tribe knelt as one to show their loyalty.

“Your numbers have grown.”

“We consolidated three separate tribes. This was only possible through the strength you granted us, Demon King.”

Three tribes had merged, yet the total population had only doubled. Berge could easily imagine the bloodshed required to achieve that. Very few monsters would willingly submit to another’s rule.

Especially those with demon roots. Even the Frost Orcs had once bared their teeth at him.

“Your coat has thinned out quite a bit.”

“The shedding began after we accepted your blessing, Demon King. And yet, we no longer feel the bite of the cold.”

Frost Orcs had originally developed thick fur and hides to endure the frost. With demonic energy now fortifying their systems, the fur was becoming redundant.

“There is no need to make excuses for going bald.”

Losing it all the way to the scalp was a rather harsh look.

“…Please, use this mount.”

Krutu quickly pivoted the conversation. He led forward a massive frost wolf, exceeding three meters in length. Its blue coat, shot through with silver threads, was striking.

*Whine—*

*Tremble—*

“Is this yours?”

“Yes, but it has suddenly become unruly…”

“It’s a natural reaction.”

Frost wolves were highly perceptive. It could feel the presence of the Demon King and was paralyzed by fear. Usually, such a gap in power would force submission, but Berge and frost wolves represented opposing elemental forces.

“Quiet down. Unless you wish to be incinerated.”

*Whine—*

No amount of instinctual aversion could overcome the terror of imminent death. With its fur slightly scorched, the wolf became still. Berge climbed onto its back, and the Red Frost warriors surged forward together.

As if by command, the sky began to dump snow.

After a long trek, they spotted a frozen drake moving sluggishly in the distance. Its golden eyes shifted from the Frost Orcs to Berge. The moment its gaze landed on him, its aggression vanished, and it attempted to move away.

That lack of hostility was merely instinct being held in check by his demonic aura. If he showed even a hint of aggression, its predatory nature would return.

“We shall demonstrate our strength for you.”

“Are you that certain?”

“With the power you have bestowed, Demon King, there is nothing we cannot achieve.”

Berge knew better. He had only given them an elixir tainted with demonic energy to wake their dormant primal instincts. It was a small spark. A frozen drake was an apex predator in the Erjest ecosystem.

Even Berge wouldn’t find it trivial to kill, and it was capable of slaughtering dozens of Frost Orcs single-handedly. Nevertheless, Berge gave a nod of approval.

“The Demon King has given the word! Attack!”

*Roar—!*

Krutu led the charge. The frost wolves gave voice to their howls. The frozen drake snapped its jaws.

*Whoosh—*

A blast of pure white frost erupted from its mouth, turning the snow to solid ice. Krutu dodged the breath by a hair’s breadth, pulling hard on his wolf’s mane. The wolf vaulted into the air, sprinting up the drake’s massive arm. The beast thrashed, but Krutu maintained his balance with exceptional skill.

Pure dark energy enveloped his crude weapon.

*Clang—*

The drake’s armor-like scales held firm. The blade simply shattered.

However, the strike wasn’t wasted. It created a microscopic opening. While the sword failed to impale, it managed to mar the scales.

“Your persistence is noteworthy.”

Many Frost Orcs were tossed aside by the drake’s movements, but Krutu was the standout. He shoved his bare hand into the small crack and held on tight. He used his fangs to tear at the flesh. He grabbed weapons from his fallen kin to widen the gash.

The struggle was prolonged. Dozens of Orcs perished in the snow. But in the end, the Red Frost Tribe stood victorious. Krutu let out a triumphant roar as he destroyed the creature’s eye. He scaled the dying drake and ripped the heart from its chest.

A monster heart of that caliber was a natural elixir. It lacked the purity of high-grade herbs, but it was potent.

“We dedicate this victory to the Demon King! Glory to the Demon King!”

“Glory to the Demon King!”

“Glory to the Demon King!”

Krutu knelt in the bloodied snow, offering the heart. Feeling the throb of mana within it, Berge was reminded of a memory from his previous life.

*If I recall correctly, it was around this time that Drakson…*

Drakson had claimed something similar, which led to his massive power surge. Before he regressed, that was the one advantage Drakson had that Berge truly coveted.

“Let us return. I will grant this to you.”

“I… I am unworthy! Thank you!”

Krutu pressed his forehead into the ground. Berge turned his wolf around and began the journey back.

—

Louise Berft, the second princess of the dwarf kingdom, was reaching the end of her rope.

“That liar, Roger!”

The entire claim had been a fabrication, so of course the object wasn’t there, but since the necklace had been produced as proof, Louise assumed he had hidden it better than she anticipated.

“Princess, we cannot advance any further. Ormus has delivered a final warning.”

No nation permits a foreign army to roam its lands indefinitely. Louise had promised dwarven craftsmanship and coordinated the entry, but there were limits to such hospitality. The dwarves had been so thorough in their search of Tarta and the surrounding areas that they had caused significant friction. The citizens of Ormus were furious.

The King of Ormus could no longer ignore the situation. The ultimatum was clear. Withdraw now, or face war.

“They didn’t say ‘leave this instant,’ did they?”

“It is essentially the same thing.”

“I refuse to give up. Just one more location. Then we depart.”

“We have searched every corner of Tarta. We have scoured the outskirts.”

To her personal guard, Volbof, if the man hadn’t been found by now, he wasn’t going to be found.

“It seems we were tricked.”

“But to what end? And Roger’s necklace was undoubtedly authentic.”

Volbof had no answer for that.

“There is one spot left.”

“There is nowhere left.”

“Think about it. Roger is a coward. He wouldn’t pick a hiding spot that was easy to stumble upon.”

Especially since he knew he was being hunted—he would dig himself into the deepest hole possible.

“Isn’t that location ideal?”

She pointed toward the mountain looming over Tarta.

“That is a volcano. It has been on the verge of erupting for years—everyone avoids it.”

“It makes a lot of noise, but it never actually blows.”

“It could happen at any second.”

“But it hasn’t happened in years, otherwise the people of Tarta wouldn’t stay so close. Think: a terrifying volcano that everyone avoids? It’s the perfect place for Roger to disappear.”

“I disagree. A coward would stay as far away from a volcano as possible.”

“No, my intuition is telling me otherwise.”

“I still refuse.”

“Volbof. I am not asking for your opinion. This is a command.”

“Regardless, that is the territory of the Demon King!”

That was the true complication. Half of Ormus was comprised of tropical rainforest, and Tarta was situated on its border. One of the five Demon Kings had established his tower there, deep within the jungle.

“You are a princess. I beg you to act like one.”

“No, I am not acting as a princess right now.”

Louise ground her teeth.

“I am an executioner. I am here to take Roger’s head. I will break his neck with my own hands.”

“……”

“The dwarven knights stand with me. Even a powerful Demon King wouldn’t dare massacre us all and kidnap a princess without inviting a world war. Do you think my father would sit by? There is a precedent for this—no one is that reckless.”

The dwarf kingdom was vital to many nations. Their technology was a necessity for survival.

“That event was two centuries ago.”

Back then, a foolish Demon King had abducted a dwarven crown prince. The King, consumed by rage, petitioned every nation for help, offering legendary equipment as a bounty. A continent-wide crusade against the Demon Kings followed. That fool was overwhelmed and lost his life.

“Two hundred years is a blink of an eye for a Demon King.”

Louise gathered her equipment.

“Do not fret. We will take a quick look and leave.”

“…As you wish.”

He was powerless to stop her. Volbof could only pray that the Beast Demon King remembered history and would leave the princess alone.

—

“…What are you telling me? Who is going where?”

“Louise Berft.”

“Why is that lunant dwarf woman here?”

*Ptooey—*

Drakson spat out a piece of meat. His mood was soured.

“You are aware she arrived in Ormus with her troops recently.”

“She paid off the King of Ormus to hunt for someone. It’s been all over the news.”

“The search was focused on Tarta.”

“And?”

“They found nothing in Tarta or the surrounding area, so they are now marching toward Mercon Mountain.”

“That insufferable woman!”

*Crack—*

Drakson’s hand crushed the bone he was holding. The thick pressure of his demonic energy made his subordinates shake with fear.

“She can’t find what she’s looking for, so instead of leaving, she decides to trespass on my land!”

“What are your orders?”

“……”

His first instinct was to seize her and tear her limb from limb. But she was dwarven royalty. Harming her without a plan would bring a catastrophe upon his head. Yet, he couldn’t simply allow her to reach the summit of Mercon Mountain.

“We are too close to our goal—I won’t have it ruined. Dispatch the beasts and monsters to stop her. She is not to reach the peak under any circumstances.”

“Understood.”

“And exactly who is she searching for?”

“A dwarf by the name of Roger. She claims he disappeared in Tarta.”

“Find him. Before that woman pushes any further into my domain, find him and throw him at her feet.”

“Yes, my Lord.”

Casey disappeared to carry out the orders.

“Damn it, all this chaos over a single useless dwarf!”

Drakson ground his teeth in fury.