The Demon King Overrun by Heroes Novel - Chapter 70

Chapter 70
Chapter: 70

Chapter Title: The Culprit is Right Here

—

Hillun Kagil was no longer a free agent who could wander at a whim.

The weight of the Argan title made such liberty impossible.

The heads of each sector were required to take accountability for their respective jurisdictions.

In his case, Argan was the designation for the individual overseeing the heroes stationed at the central hub.

“You likely have a general grasp of the situation, but I should provide a comprehensive briefing.”

Parni Dernium, who had been appointed as Hillun’s primary assistant upon his promotion to Argan, outlined the scope of his new life.

“Please do.”

“The individuals comprising our guild essentially split into two major classifications.”

On one side were the blades—those who went into the field to cull monsters, put down magical predators, and scale the Demon King’s spire.

On the other were the observers—those who avoided direct combat, instead traversing the continent to harvest secrets and identify demonic threats.

The Argan were the administrators responsible for directing both the blades and these observers.

“To be frank, the blades don’t require much hand-holding.”

The vast majority of heroes were combatants. Among that group, very few had any desire to be micromanaged by the guild hierarchy.

“Unless it involves formal guild operations, you won’t need to fret over independent heroes. Your primary concern, Hillun-nim, will be the inner circle—those who have formally bound themselves to the guild’s service.”

These were the warriors who traded their autonomy for resources and prestige, looking for a faster climb to the top.

“Each of the eleven Argan is tasked with the command of thirty such heroes.”

While thirty might sound modest at a glance, one had to remember these were the absolute pinnacle of the hero class, making for a terrifying force of 330 elites in total.

Furthermore, not everyone in the organization was a frontline fighter.

“’Observers’ is the label for heroes who don’t prioritize battle. Regardless of whether they are cooperative, they are legally tied to the central headquarters.”

That group numbered roughly a thousand.

“The organization utilizes the bulk of them as a massive intelligence network.”

Their purpose was to monitor demon movements and locate magical beasts.

The discovery of the succubi in Dormunt had been a direct result of their diligence.

They were the foundation of the guild’s status as the ultimate adversary of the Demon King.

“They are partitioned into eleven units, each answering to an Argan.”

“And which unit has been placed under my wing?”

“Vaire Fornian previously managed the observers of Hildean.”

“…Just a moment, am I hearing that correctly?”

“You are. It is a gesture of goodwill from the Grand Elder. He is eager to maintain a positive rapport with you, Hillun-nim.”

Well, how about that?

Hillun allowed a faint, knowing grin to surface.

Kindness rarely came without a hidden invoice. Every gift had a future cost attached.

A small seed of suspicion took root, yet he voiced his appreciation regardless.

“Lastly, there are the associates who aren’t actually heroes.”

This group included high-end mercenaries, knights, members of the nobility, and wealthy traders.

They functioned like a sprawling web, serving as the primary reason the Hero Guild had become such a massive, border-crossing entity.

“On paper, the local branch directors manage them, but those boundaries have become quite porous lately.”

Heroes reported to Argan.

Non-heroes reported to branch directors.

That was the blueprint of the guild’s hierarchy. But since branch heroes answered to their local directors anyway, the distinction was mostly academic.

It was essentially just a divide between the central hub and the regional offices.

Following the briefing, Hillun was introduced to the thirty members of his 5th Assault Team along with their assigned observers.

“Greetings to Argan Hillun Kagil.”

“……”

The reception was mixed; some looked on with admiration, while others radiated clear resentment. Just as he was beginning to navigate these internal politics and settle in—headaches and all—

A communication arrived from Gordon.

“Parni-nim.”

“Yes?”

“What is the current standing between the Hero Guild and the Berft Kingdom?”

“We are on friendly terms, though there is no formal treaty. The needy are always the ones to ask for favors, and since those dwarves produce the finest equipment in existence, we are perpetually the needy party.”

“So, if Berft were to agree to a contract that favored the guild, it would be considered a major victory?”

“Without question.”

“And if the Grand Elder were the one credited with securing it?”

Parni immediately caught the drift.

“Are you suggesting you can facilitate this?”

“I can’t make a flat promise, but I have a significant opening.”

Hillun’s proposal was relayed word-for-word to the Grand Elder.

The old man viewed the sheer audacity of his newest Argan with a mixture of suspicion and curiosity.

“He claims he can achieve what has eluded everyone else, does he?”

“He didn’t sound like he was exaggerating.”

“He is a hero who has toppled two Demon Kings. A man rising that fast wouldn’t gamble his reputation on a lie. What is the source of this certainty?”

“I suspect it’s a connection from his wandering days. He’s keeping the details close to his chest.”

That wasn’t unusual. Renowned heroes guarded their private contacts and methods like treasures.

However, using those private assets for the guild’s advancement changed the dynamic entirely.

“The other elders will be looking for any excuse to tear him down.”

Hillun Kagil’s sudden promotion hadn’t exactly been popular. That was to be expected.

Despite the risks, the Grand Elder gave his approval.

“I will use my personal influence to push this through. Make sure Hillun understands the stakes. I am putting my own reputation on the line here, so he must deliver results and not embarrass me.”

The warning was sent straight back to Hillun.

He had moved too quickly.

In his rush to satisfy the Demon King’s request as fast as possible, he had overextended. He should have played the long game, slowly winning over the other elders to minimize his exposure.

Instead, the Grand Elder’s brute-force support had silenced the opposition but placed a massive target on Hillun’s back.

Failure was not an option.

He had to finalize the treaty and ensure it was lucrative.

That was the catalyst.

That was why Hillun Kagil—who had originally intended to move cautiously and study the landscape—

Decided to confront the princess directly from the start.

Because regardless of the consequences, he needed to gain the psychological edge in their confrontation.

◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
“What kind of insanity are you spouting?”

Louise was impressed with her own restraint for not striking him then and there. She forced an awkward, dismissive smile onto her face. Simultaneously, her thoughts raced back to the moment she had finished off Max Ormus.

The site had been crawling with dwarves and Max’s loyalists. Demons had crashed the scene, followed by a tide of magical beasts from all sides.

It had been a chaotic slaughter. The dwarves under her command had suffered, but they had made it home.

To ensure no loose ends, they had blocked the mountain passes and hunted down every single one of Max’s retreating soldiers.

No one was left alive.

Not a single mercenary or rival hero had been in the area.

The total silence from the Ormus Kingdom ever since was all the proof she needed.

However.

While no humans survived… plenty of demons had escaped.

A great many, actually.

During his time as a hero, could he have spoken to the beast demons?

If he genuinely knew the truth and wasn’t just fishing, that was the only possible link.

But it was just a suspicion.

Surely the Demon King wouldn’t waste time sharing petty murder gossip with the very hero trying to kill her.

“That is precisely what you are pondering right now, isn’t it?”

The moment their gazes met—his eyes shining with a terrifying sense of certainty—her suspicion turned into a cold reality.

“How could you possibly know what I’m thinking?”

A heavy sense of alarm bled into her voice.

“I can’t read your mind with total accuracy, Your Highness. But given the variables, I can make a very informed deduction.”

“Hah, how impressive.”

Louise fought to suppress her rising anger and panic. Showing weakness now would be a fatal mistake.

“Speak plainly, then. But if you’re just playing games, you’ll regret the day you insulted the royal bloodline.”

“Are you aware? Not long ago, I ascended the Beast Tower alongside Rozel Charnt.”

As if she hadn’t heard.

“Continue.”

“We battled through the tower’s inhabitants, climbing higher and higher. Near the top, we encountered a high-ranking demon named Quail. A bear beastkin.”

A bear beastkin…

Just after she had crushed Max’s skull and fought off his subordinates, the beasts had swarmed in.

The one leading that pack? A bear-like beastkin, radiating a demonic aura that marked him as an upper-tier threat.

“And?”

“Aren’t you even a little curious about what that bear had to say?”

“Why would I care about the rambling of a monster?”

“A fair point. The nonsense of a demon shouldn’t concern a noble princess.”

In that case, I…

Creak—

Hillun stood up from his chair.

“I shall take my leave.”

“Wait.”

“Is there more?”

He tilted his head with a look of feigned innocence that made her blood boil.

“Do you honestly believe you’re walking out of this room in one piece?”

“I’m not sure I follow.”

Oh, right.

Hillun reached into his storage pouch and retrieved an object. It was a blade, vibrating with dimensional energy and marked with the cloud emblem of Roger Friedri.

“I promised you this. It almost slipped my mind.”

“You’re pushing your luck!”

Louise grabbed the sword, drew it in one fluid motion, and pointed the tip at his throat.

“Do you have a death wish?”

“Do you think you can actually do it?”

Slowly—agonizingly slowly.

Hillun turned his neck.

Roger’s sharp edge bit into his skin, drawing a thin line of red.

Yet his grin remained fixed, perfectly calm.

“You think I won’t?”

“Are you prepared for the consequences?”

“I am the Princess of Berft.”

“And I am an Argan of the Hero Guild—and a celebrated figure. It’s a bit arrogant to say, but I have the backing of Hildean as well.”

“Is that a threat?”

“It’s just the reality of the situation.”

Hillun’s voice dropped to a low whisper.

“Your Highness is out of options.”

“I have one left. I could kill you here and claim I’ve gone mad—how does that sound?”

“It would be quite inconvenient for both of us.”

“At least I wouldn’t have to look at your arrogant face anymore.”

“If this meeting fails, I go back to the guild and report exactly what the bear told me. It’s far too suspicious to keep quiet.”

“You absolute snake…”

“And there’s more. Since you have a sword to my throat, I’ll have to report this ‘unprovoked attack.’ I might have looked the other way before, but my status as an Argan requires me to be diligent.”

“What is your price?”

“A formal alliance between the Hero Guild and Berft. Full access to your high-tier smithing.”

“I knew it. You guild parasites are all the same…”

“That is only the first requirement.”

“Ha…!”

Louise let out a low snarl.

“’Greedy’ doesn’t even begin to describe it. Even getting gear access is nearly impossible—you know that.”

“The information I’ve provided is worth the price. And this isn’t just for me or the guild. This is for your benefit, Princess.”

“Con artists always claim they’re doing you a favor. The great ‘Two-Time Demon King Slayer’ is just a common thug?”

“If you’re done listening, I’m leaving.”

“Where is your proof?”

“An artifact that recorded the entire incriminating scene. Is that sufficient?”

“Destroy it.”

“Agree to my terms first.”

“One day, I am going to kill you myself.”

“Well, at least it’s not an axe to the head like Max got. Is that progress?”

“Shut up. Let’s hear the rest of your demands.”

“Allow me to stay by your side as a ‘special guest’ for a period of time.”

“What on earth—?”

Hillun hesitated for a second.

He had been making this up as he went, but he had considered this part on his way over.

Threats could get him what he wanted. But staying near her? Would this volatile woman really let her blackmailer stick around?

He’d be lucky if she didn’t throw him out of the country immediately.

So Hillun made a choice.

“The Demon King has her eyes on you.”

He decided to be blunt.

“That specific Demon King? The one who gave me my first taste of true defeat.”

Start with the truth, then blend in the deception.

“The one who established the spire in the Erjest Mountains.”

“……!”

◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
『Is something wrong?』

“…No, my ears just started itching for some reason.”

Berge used his pinky to scratch his ear.

“So, what’s the move?”

『I was prepared to handle it personally, but Vivian vetoed the idea.』

“Taking on the dwarf kingdom won’t be easy.”

Especially Vivian—she still held almost her full measure of dimensional power.

『A Demon King must be true to her word. She must have a deep understanding of the dwarves, or at least some insight.』

『Either that, or she’s just incredibly naive.』

“Is that a hint of bitterness I hear?”

『I have no patience for low-class succubi.』

Reina swept her hair back with a look of elegant contempt and let out a huff.

『Regardless, I will alert you when the situation changes.』

“Understood.”

With a soft pop, she vanished from the crystal sphere. Her image dissolved, leaving only Berge’s own reflection staring back from the dark surface of the device.

“Hillun Kagil better not mess this up…”

Reina was logical and practical. Vivian? He would honestly prefer it if she just went in and leveled the place.

A cold, dark smile spread across his face.

[070. The Culprit is Right Here] End