The Demon King Overrun by Heroes Novel - Chapter 72

Chapter 72
## Chapter 72: Fleeting Dream

Rozel was in the middle of blending her arcane solutions.

A tiny spark popped with a muffled sound.

Franz observed the process and questioned,

“Is that safe?”

“Magic is never without its hazards.”

She placed the vial, now glowing a deep crimson, to the side and reached for her secondary components.

“Have you been following the news?”

“What news?”

“Her Highness has departed once more.”

Rozel’s hand faltered for a brief second.

“To which princess are you referring?”

“You know exactly who.”

“Our young royal certainly stays dedicated to her public duties. It hasn’t been long since her rescue from the Tower of Beasts.”

She channeled her mana. A sudden rush of air preceded the eruption of flames.

“Where has she headed this time?”

“The Erjest Mountains.”

“Does she intend to map every inch of the Demon King’s territory? I’m shocked the Demon Kings even tolerate her presence.”

“It isn’t exactly a matter of them giving permission.”

“The bit about her trading gold with beasts was peak comedy. A supposed Demon King, no less. But you aren’t suggesting I go retrieve her, are you?”

“His Majesty signed off on it this time. She is accompanied by the royal mages and knights.”

Rozel turned her head sharply, caught off guard.

“What is the motive?”

“They realized they can’t break Her Highness’s resolve, so they’ve decided to weaponize it instead.”

“Ah.”

A soft laugh escaped her.

“So they are gambling on whether our princess can locate the tower?”

“Precisely. But is that wise?”

“My solution! You’ve ruined it by talking my ear off!”

Rozel blew on the mixture with urgency. Her mana-infused breath clamped down on the fire that had begun to bleed over the edges.

“So, what is the intended use for that?”

“That is the very thing I am investigating.”

Two massive spheres drifted above Franz’s fingertips.

They were storage crystals, radiating a gorgeous scarlet light and a subtle warmth, their hues shifting in response to the mana density within.

They held the mana belonging to Pale.

“This is the second most refined mana I have ever encountered.”

“I assume the first is the obvious candidate?”

“Spirits.”

That realization made the data even more staggering. How could a mortal’s mana mirror that of a spirit—a being made of pure mana?

“I did some digging out of professional interest and stumbled upon ancient records. They mention ‘lifeforms’ possessing mana signatures nearly identical to spirits.”

Rozel brushed her fingers against the storage crystal. A slight tremor ran through her at the sensation of heat bleeding through the glass.

She drew out a single droplet and let it fall into her reagent. The resulting inferno was significantly more intense than when she used her own energy.

“What lifeform are we talking about?”

“A familiar.”

“The familiars I’m familiar with are just beefed-up monsters.”

“Not all of them are so lowly. There are dragons as well.”

“Dragons haven’t been seen outside of two-thousand-year-old manuscripts.”

“This is true.”

“Are you honestly suggesting Pale is a dragon?”

“Have you lost your mind?”

She had weighed the familiar theory, but dragons were a leap too far.

“Dragons are simply the ultimate tier of familiars—that doesn’t mean all familiars are dragons.”

“Like I said…”

“I understand. I’ve never seen a familiar of this caliber either. And I’m not literally labeling Pale as one.”

She was merely seeking a point of comparison, and that was the closest match.

“What do you plan to do with the sample?”

“The possibilities are more limited than I anticipated.”

“In the end, it’s just mana.”

“That’s the core issue. Observing his combat style, he functions more like a sorcerer than a brawler. His heart must be a mana heart. I’d love to carve it out and inspect it personally.”

“That comment.”

“What about it?”

“It is highly problematic. Please don’t say such things where people can hear you.”

“Do you take me for some sort of heartless despot?”

Rozel clicked her tongue, drew out more mana, and absorbed it into her own system to test the reaction.

“It remains extraordinary no matter the angle.”

She whispered the words with her eyes shut.

“What is so impressive?”

“It integrates with my own mana perfectly, with zero friction. The volume is low, so the effect is fleeting, but…”

Whoosh.

She formed the somatic seal for a fireball. The motion felt identical to the thousands of times she had performed it. Yet, the resulting sphere of fire was completely transformed in both magnitude and essence.

“I truly wish I could dissect him.”

“There you go again…”

“How do I refine my own mana to this level?”

No.

“How can I make this mine?”

A hunger far deeper than the desire for a Demon King’s remains took hold of her soul.

—

“Yes, it will be quite a challenge for the time being.”

『I suspected as much. Conclude your business there and return. Under no circumstances is Louise to be taken.』

“Understood.”

The magical link faded. Hillun, who had been observing the exchange, spoke up.

“Was that Lord Berge?”

“It was.”

Having become aware of the eyes on him, he had fully adopted formal honorifics.

“A coalition of elves. You never fail to amaze me.”

“The feeling is mutual.”

“Is this arrangement acceptable from an elf’s point of view?”

“It is certainly better than being sold into chains and dying in squalor.”

“Point taken.”

Granada moved away from the uncomfortable topic.

“Did the negotiations yield results?”

“For the moment. Though it rests on the king’s temperament. The 2nd Princess is the linchpin.”

“I have a feeling it will work out.”

The legendary affection the king and the royal house held for the late-born 2nd Princess was a well-known fact across the lands.

“Don’t be so sure. The King of Berft has never allowed things to spiral out of control regarding Princess Louise before, but he hasn’t been pushed to the brink either.”

Naturally.

“This situation blows past that boundary a hundred times over, so he will likely see the value in cooperation.”

“You really don’t like me, do you?”

“I am operating under the assumption that Princess Louise won’t conceal the arrival of the Demon King.”

However, Louise would not disclose the abduction in the manner Hillun demanded. Even if she did, there was no logical explanation for how they possessed that knowledge.

‘Still, she seemed certain. She must have a plan.’

Surprisingly, he didn’t feel any anxiety about it.

—

Ahem.

The King of Berft made his irritation known.

His youngest daughter was casually snacking on biscuits.

“You permitted Hillun Kagil to use the annex?”

“I did.”

“On what grounds?”

Hillun Kagil had arrived at the fortress in an official capacity as a representative of the Hero Guild.

Being not just an Argon but a rising star who had struck down two Demon Kings, the realm had received them with open arms.

The objectives were varied, but there was no sense in ruining the initial diplomacy.

When Hillun asked for a private meeting with Louise, it seemed reasonable.

He claimed to have leads regarding Roger and wanted to share them in private—what was a father to do? Publicly demanding such information would be inappropriate given Hillun’s status.

But how did that transition into giving him the residence right next to the royal palace?

They had already designated guest rooms.

“He found it to his liking.”

“……”

He regretted asking.

The king clenched his jaw at her blunt response.

“What is so impressive about that fellow?”

“Must I explain it?”

“Naturally! What do you find appealing about him? What sort of manipulation did he use? I want every detail!”

“Why?”

“‘Why’?”

“Father, I am no longer a small child.”

“To me, you will always be…!”

He stopped himself before he called her a child. He knew she detested it.

“…Even so, keeping a total stranger by your side for a full month is irrational. As your father and as the sovereign of Berft, I refuse to allow it.”

“It is a necessity.”

“Why? Tell me you haven’t actually f-fal-len for the boy.”

“I haven’t.”

The king exhaled in pure relief. Louise followed suit, sighing at his dramatics.

“Then what is it?”

“I require his assistance.”

“That is my question—why do you require him specifically?”

She was unable to speak the truth. No one outside of the knights present was aware that she had been the one to slay Max.

“I found myself lacking.”

“Lacking?”

“During that day in Ormus, I was unable to safeguard the knights. Those dwarves died for nothing because of my weakness. I refuse to let history repeat itself.”

“A noble sentiment.”

But he wasn’t finished.

“The kingdom is home to immense talent. There are those far more powerful than Hillun Kagil.”

“But none are a ‘hero’ like Hillun Kagil.”

“It doesn’t necessarily have to be a hero…”

“The demons humiliated me that day.”

“There are heroes who surpass Hillun! Rosel Charnt, for instance…”

“Father.”

“…Yes?”

He wavered under her intense stare.

“Rosel Charnt is a mage.”

“…True, she is. Regardless!”

“One month at the most, Father. I am asking you.”

“……”

“It isn’t the sort of dynamic you are imagining.”

“…Very well.”

Ultimately, the king found himself unable to say no to his daughter.

—

“You.”

His fury, however, had not been entirely quenched.

He was a father who lost to his daughter, but as a monarch, he held authority over a mere Argon of the Hero Guild.

“You’re the one, then?”

“I’m afraid I don’t understand, Your Majesty.”

“I am informed that Louise has installed you in the annex right next to her chambers.”

“That is correct.”

“Despite the fact that I had already provided you with quarters?”

“…Her Highness requested some tutelage.”

“I am aware. My daughter ‘approached you first,’ did she?”

“Yes.”

The king had a sudden urge to strike the smile off the man’s face. The thought of this smooth talker influencing his daughter made his blood simmer.

“Hero Guild Argon Hillun Kagil.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Can a hero of your standing truly afford to linger here for an entire month?”

“Certainly, Your Majesty. For a request from Her Highness, I would gladly stay for two.”

Under normal circumstances, that was ridiculous. A month was a vast amount of time to spend simply acting as a princess’s guard.

But considering the prestige and growth potential after a month, he was more than willing to wait.

The king, however, misinterpreted the devotion.

“Do you have intentions toward Louise?”

“…I beg your pardon?”

“I am asking if a famous hero like yourself is loitering for months because you are infatuated with my daughter.”

‘Here we go.’

He had heard the king adored the 2nd Princess to a fault, but to jump to this conclusion?

Seeing the legendary overprotectiveness in person was an interesting experience. He suppressed a dry laugh and kept his face neutral.

“You are mistaken.”

“Mistakes usually have a basis in reality.”

“So you’re saying it isn’t a mistake?”

“It isn’t. It’s a certainty.”

This wasn’t the look a king gave an ambassador. It was the look a father gave a boy sniffing around his daughter.

“…How can I convince you of my sincerity?”

“Turn down Louise’s offer and depart from this kingdom immediately.”

“I cannot do that.”

“You cannot?”

“I am here on official business as an envoy. I cannot return without a result.”

“I will see to it that you get your results.”

The king made a clicking sound with his tongue. It was a nuisance, but better than having the boy hovering over his daughter.

“Her Highness would not be pleased with that outcome.”

“Is that a threat?”

“Far from it. I am merely asking for Your Majesty’s understanding.”

“Hmph.”

The king swallowed his frustration.

He had taken his anger out on Hillun, but it was a battle he couldn’t actually win.

Hillun was a star, an Argon, and he had the valid excuse of Louise’s direct request.

The king could force the issue, but the political and personal blowback would be severe.

Still, his heart as a father wouldn’t settle.

“…Watch yourself. My eyes are always on you.”

“I assure you, such worries are unnecessary.”

“That also bothers me. Are you implying my daughter isn’t attractive?”

“…Of course not. Her Highness is more stunning than anyone.”

“So you DO have designs on her!”

“……”

Hillun was forced to endure another sixty minutes of interrogation before he was finally dismissed.

“Please excuse him. His devotion to Louise is a bit extreme.”

“It’s quite alright.”

The prince of the realm offered some comfort to the mentally exhausted Hillun Kagil.

“But you don’t actually have feelings for Louise, do you?”

“……”

It seemed the king wasn’t the only one obsessed with the 2nd Princess.

—

The proposal from Reina Sordain was both intriguing and highly questionable.

‘What is the motive?’

Alliances and demons usually didn’t mix.

The isolationism of Demon Kings who claimed their own dimensions was legendary. They were competitors in a race for planar conquest.

They didn’t usually sabotaged one another, but they certainly didn’t help.

No teamwork, but no direct malice unless someone stepped on toes.

Because of this, Reina Sordain’s offer of assistance was suspicious.

‘Is Reina Sordain behind this?’

The list of suspects was growing: Berge Dayas, whom Archduke Alcaine told her to watch; then Reina Sordain, Ugar Belbeck, and Jason Cockmoon who had threatened her.

In Vivian’s mind, every Demon King was a potential culprit.

It made sense. The high demon Drakson had mentioned before his demise that only a Demon King could have issued the order.

“Two options.”

Reina wasn’t working in a vacuum. Ugar Belbeck was her partner.

This meant two Demon Kings had formed a pact.

The existence of the Harmony Tower where they gathered was one thing, but two of them joining forces for a single objective?

It was jarring, but it highlighted the severity of the situation.

To put it bluntly, it was the equivalent of one Demon King assassinating another—they would want the suspicion lifted immediately. In that context, a temporary alliance was logical.

“Or…”

One of them was the guilty party, and they were either hiding their tracks or setting someone up.

Vivian suspected the latter.

‘The act of kidnapping the princess herself is a major red flag.’

Simply passing on intel would have worked, but they were being too helpful.

It made her wonder if the kidnapping was a move to control the flow of information.

‘The Archduke is keeping a sharp eye out, so they are playing the role of the cooperative ally to avoid being caught.’

It was a reasonable suspicion.

Because of this, she turned down Reina’s plan for the direct abduction of Louise Berft.

“Who do they think I am? The Demon Kings of Aren are so full of themselves.”

On a night where the moon was smothered by thick clouds, Vivian Blunt unfurled her dark wings.

She glided silently and with great care into the heart of the Berft Kingdom.

‘I hope that little dwarf girl Louise has the proof she promised… Archduke Alcaine, I trust you won’t turn on me after this charade.’

Vivian allowed herself to dream of a sweet return to the demon realm.

[072. Fleeting Dream] End