The Demon King Overrun by Heroes Novel - Chapter 55

Chapter 55
## Chapter 55: The Missing Spire

The firmament was a spotless blue.

Daphner let out a heavy breath, his eyes fixed on the snow-dusted peaks that had been his only scenery for the past month.

It was freezing.

He exhaled a plume of frost and stepped forward with practiced grace. The untouched powder remained pristine and undisturbed even in his wake.

‘I’ve had enough. I am never setting foot in Erjest again.’

The roar of a Prison Drake rumbled from a distance.

The entire mountain range seemed to vibrate from the constant territorial disputes of the local monstrosities.

Between the biting cold, the density of beasts, and the wretched climate, his patience had worn thin.

He felt a pang of regret for accepting this contract just for the massive bounty. He should have been more suspicious when someone like Hillun Kagil failed to return with results.

‘Only this sector remains.’

He had systematically searched nearly every corner of the mountains.

The task had been grueling, even for a man of Daphner’s caliber.

He was forced to maintain a state of heightened awareness at all times, and getting supplies up here was a logistical nightmare. Furthermore, Erjest was home to horrors that could give even a legendary hero pause.

‘Particularly that demonkin.’

The creature had managed to deceive even his refined senses.

The memory alone sent a shiver down Daphner’s spine that had nothing to do with the temperature.

‘Luckily, it wasn’t particularly swift. But since it has the potential to appear without warning, I can’t afford to lower my guard.’

As miserable as the encounter had been, it confirmed his suspicions. There was undoubtedly a demonic tower hidden in this region.

‘One more week. I’ll locate it within seven days and vanish.’

Once finished, he wouldn’t even look in the direction of Erjest for the rest of his life.

—

On the floor of the Demon King, Berge reclined upon his throne of jade. With a thought, he triggered the tower’s inherent power.

A shimmering holographic projection of the exterior terrain flickered into existence.

“Our guest has arrived.”

Gordon’s commentary was unnecessary; the figure moving cautiously toward the valley basin was plain to see.

“Daphner Philia.”

The same individual from their previous encounter.

⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙
Demonic Energy Points: [82459pt] -> [82439pt] -> [82419pt]
The reserves were draining at a rapid clip. It seemed the collective malice and focus previously directed at Berge had shifted toward the news of Drakson’s demise and the rise of a fresh Demon King. The accumulation of points was far lower than he had projected.

At this pace, his resources would be depleted in roughly an hour.

“I have witnessed the power of the tower’s concealment myself, however…”

Gordon spoke with a hint of trepidation.

“Are we certain we can bypass the perception of a man like that?”

“There are no certainties.”

The authority granted by the Mana Ghost was of a lower grade, reflecting the current level of the tower. It was sufficient to trick the mediocre, but Berge harbored doubts that it could completely blind Daphner Philia.

“He won’t notice it from a distance, but if he gets too close…”

“That is why Cruto’s contribution is essential.”

Daphner reached a high ridge that offered a panoramic view of the basin. The tower was physically there, but to his eyes, the space appeared empty.

If he would simply turn back now, the problem would be solved—but Daphner began to descend into the valley.

In that heartbeat.

*Kroooaaar!*

The hero stopped in his tracks as a chorus of roars erupted. A massive yeti burst from beneath the snowbank.

*Boom!*

A fist the size of a boulder struck the earth. Dozens of Frost Orcs let out war cries and surged forward.

It was the signal.

Yetis, Prison Drakes, White Wolves, and Twin-Headed Ogres—a literal tide of monsters fell upon the Frost Orc settlement located in the heart of the basin.

It was a meticulously timed distraction.

Following Berge’s instructions, Cruto had moved the entire tribe to this location, luring the wild beasts to attack at the exact moment Daphner arrived.

The chaos of the battle served as a perfect physical barrier, preventing the hero from wandering too close to the tower’s hidden coordinates.

“Placing the tower within the basin was a wise decision.”

The valley was naturally tucked away in an obscure corner, and the vantage point from above provided such a clear view that most would feel no need to climb down.

As Berge expected, Daphner didn’t retreat immediately. He watched the carnage with a dazed expression. When a stray Prison Drake caught his scent and unleashed its frozen breath, only to be instantly riddled with holes and felled by the hero, it was merely a brief interruption.

Just then, a sound came from the door.

*Knock knock.*

“Enter.”

“…Are you occupied?”

It was Ernyan.

“What do you need?”

“Kaede is conscious.”

“Excellent. She is your responsibility now. If she causes trouble, you share the blame.”

“I have already dissuaded her from any foolishness.”

“You should ensure she doesn’t even contemplate the idea of flight.”

“That is an impossible standard.”

“A Demon King is defined by making the impossible a reality.”

Ernyan’s eyes narrowed in a stubborn glare.

“Why the look? Do I need to remove those eyes for you?”

“…No.”

She looked away quickly, her attention snagged by the central hologram.

“Oh, is 그 Lord Daphner?”

“You recognize him?”

Berge felt a bit foolish as soon as he asked. It was only natural that the crown princess of the Hildran Kingdom would know of him.

“Yes. He once requested that I instruct him in the arts of spirit magic.”

“Spirit magic?”

“He possessed no aptitude. He couldn’t even manage a resonance with a minor spirit.”

“That is a stroke of luck for us.”

Spirits, being manifestations of pure mana, were experts at detecting demonic energy. They were the natural antithesis to Berge’s kind.

The thought of spirits under a hero’s command sniff around his tower was a headache he didn’t need.

“Are you feeling the urge to flee?”

Ernyan remained focused on Daphner’s image.

“If you wish to leave, the opportunity is right there. Open the gates and cry out for rescue. You have the access, and that hero certainly has the strength to take you away.”

It was the simple truth. If Daphner took Ernyan and made a run for it, Berge lacked the immediate power to stop them.

“…Are you truly suggesting you would let me go?”

“Who can say?”

“Would you honestly permit me to walk out that door?”

Hardly.

Berge remained silent. Ernyan’s violet eyes shimmered with a strange light.

“I am a Dark Spirit Sorceress.”

“And you are my subordinate, are you not?”

“More specifically, I am one of the Four Heavenly Kings.”

Berge couldn’t help but let out a dry laugh at her boldness.

“Where did you pick up such a ridiculous title?”

“I have seen it before. Every Demon King is accompanied by legendary retainers.”

What kind of theatrical Demon King was she thinking of?

“From a history text?”

“…Perhaps.”

“A novel, then.”

“…It was a stage play.”

“They actually perform such nonsense?”

“A renowned theater group was once invited to the royal court.”

“The Hildran royalty certainly has strange hobbies.”

“I was only ten years old.”

“And yet the memory stuck with you because it fascinated you?”

“It wasn’t fascination… it was envy. They possessed a freedom I never had.”

Specifically, the ‘Hell Giant’ who would announce the ‘Four Heavenly Kings’ with a boisterous laugh…

Ernyan turned her face away, a slight tint of red coloring her cheeks.

“So you’re treating our current situation as a script? Are you the lead actress?”

“No, it isn’t like that.”

“It doesn’t matter. I don’t care what motive you have for cooperating, just keep doing it.”

There was plenty to be suspicious of, but Berge saw no gain in prying. Her assistance had made capturing Hillun Kagil effortless. Her results earned her some leeway.

“…I won’t leave.”

“I won’t claim to trust you. Our relationship isn’t built on such things.”

Ernyan gave a small nod and pivoted the conversation.

“…It was likely my Father.”

“The one who commissioned him?”

“Lord Daphner has a long-standing relationship with Father. He has handled many tasks for the crown.”

“So it is Hildran’s doing after all.”

After Hillun’s failure, he knew they had tried to retrieve her through more forceful means. When diplomatic hurdles slowed them down, things had gone quiet, and he’d stopped paying attention—but they clearly hadn’t abandoned the hunt.

It stood to reason. No kingdom would simply shrug off the loss of a talented crown princess.

“…The list of problems keeps growing.”

The elven expansion, the investigation into Ralph Schmidt, and now the royal hunt from Hildran.

He had brought these complications upon himself.

He sank into thought. Meanwhile, Daphner circled the perimeter of the basin one last time before finally retreating.

Exactly seven minutes later, the tower’s energy reserves hit their limit, and the concealment faded.

It had been a matter of moments.

—

“A failure? You found nothing?”

“I searched every possible location. There is no sign of a tower.”

“Are you suggesting the Demon King’s base isn’t in Erjest at all?”

“I encountered demonkin there.”

“Then it must exist. Is this a result of your lack of effort?”

“Erjest is a wasteland populated by beasts that defy human logic. Even with my skills, I cannot survey every square inch of such a hellscape.”

“How dare you speak to me—!”

“Allow me to be blunt—if I cannot find it, no one can. I say this without ego: there is no tracker alive who surpasses me.”

“Hah…”

The official let out a frustrated sigh. Daphner didn’t blink.

“His Majesty placed his full confidence in you.”

“I am aware. I abandoned my other obligations to come here at the King’s request. But I cannot perform miracles.”

“…Damn it. How am I supposed to present this to the King? He asks for updates every single day.”

“Perhaps it is time to involve the Hero Guild? Even with their previous failure, the kidnapping of a princess should force their hand.”

“You’ve been isolated in those mountains, so you’re out of the loop. The Demon Kings used succubi to subvert the nobility in Dormunt—the secret got out, and the guild is currently in a state of total chaos.”

“There are still Demon Kings using such outdated methods?”

“The Beast Demon King was recently slain. A new one took the throne shortly after. They refer to her as the Succubus Queen.”

“Has she hidden her tower as well?”

“Her spire was located on an isle in the Seratin Archipelago. It’s dangerous, certainly, but it wasn’t impossible to find or infiltrate like yours.”

“That is at least some good news.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure. The Demon Kings are changing their tactics. The fragile peace we’ve known is beginning to fracture.”

Since the era of the False Demon King, open conflict between their kind and humanity had been on the decline.

With the rise of the Beast, Frost, and Vajra kings, hostilities had nearly ceased, with the exception of the Bomb Demon King.

“Now we are back to two active threats. And one of them remains a complete mystery.”

“The advantage still lies with us.”

The early years were uncertain, but now the continent of Aren is firmly under human control.

“Two attempts by heroes failed. We cannot allow the image of the hero to be tarnished further—you understand that, right? Parties and groups are one thing, but individuals…”

“But the last attempt was successful.”

“That was a fluke, and it wasn’t a Guild-sanctioned operation. That’s exactly why everyone is so upset. And there is something else you likely missed.”

The man paused, lowering his voice.

“His Majesty sent the Navy Knights to apprehend Hillun Kagil.”

“…This is the first I’ve heard of it.”

“You were in the Empire at the time, and we kept the matter quiet.”

“So that’s why the relationship between the kingdom and the guild is so strained.”

“It’s a complete mess.”

Daphner rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

“Where are Wharton Kollo and Hillun Kagil currently?”

“What are you thinking?”

“Given my history with Hildran, I can’t simply walk away from this task with nothing.”

“They didn’t find the tower either.”

“True, but perhaps their movements will provide a clue I missed.”

“A reasonable theory. Proceed with that. It gives me a story to tell His Majesty to keep him calm.”

“Understood.”

“Wharton Kollo is in Hessen, while Hillun Kagil is in Traparta. They are awaiting a guild tribunal along with Rosel Charnt.”

“I’ll be on my way, then.”

Daphner vanished in an instant. The room fell silent, the air still.

Left alone, the man raised his glass.

“A tower that even Daphner Philia can’t track down.”

He let out a low, dark chuckle.

“Your Majesty, it appears the heavens have smiled upon me, not you.”

The wine had never tasted better.