The Demon King Overrun by Heroes Novel - Chapter 82

Chapter 82
## Chapter 82: Even the Demon King is a King

“I am truly charmed. I never actually anticipated getting the chance to sit across from such a renowned individual, even though I had expressed interest.”

The prince offered a bright, welcoming expression.

“Renowned, am I?”

“There was a specific incident involving a mana discharge during an investigation by Lord Rozel. Every sorcerer within the tower perceived its flawlessness and immediately began searching for its source.”

Word had traveled fast.

“My sibling was particularly captivated by it. She petitioned Lord Rozel repeatedly for details, but he remained tight-lipped.”

“Elf essence.”

Lavinia, who had remained a silent observer until then, gestured toward the chest of Granada.

“Blazing.”

“Precisely. My sister mentioned she could detect a hint of that same resonance within you, Sir Granada. That is actually what triggered my recollection—the fact that you and a companion named Pale had been present in Tarta.”

‘So that was the meaning behind her behavior when we first met…’

Blazing in that context, then.

‘Is it possible a fragment of the Demon King’s authority remains within me, however small?’

It made sense; he had resided with the Demon King while in his Pale persona. He had frequently fallen into deep trances at his side, aligning his own energy flow within that vortex of absolute purity.

Yet, it was merely refined mana—nothing permanent—so it should have faded away.

‘A lingering residue must have stayed behind.’

For her to identify it suggested that Lavinia’s sensitivity to mana was nothing short of extraordinary.

‘Is this the reason for her sudden warmth?’

It was a mere suspicion, but it felt accurate.

“It is a pleasure. I am Pale.”

“…Incredible.”

That suspicion transformed into certainty as he saw the look in Lavinia’s eyes while she observed Berge, whose internal energy had stirred due to the Phoenix’s mark.

—

“Maintain your decorum in the presence of His Highness!”

The soldier snapped. Berge knit his brows at the thinly veiled antagonism.

‘What did I even do wrong?’

He had arrived as requested and followed the guards. When the introductions were made, he had simply stated his politeness.

‘I didn’t account for this friction.’

Both before his reversal and after, he had encountered numerous sovereigns. However, he had never once concerned himself with the protocols of their courts.

Because he was the Demon King.

But in this moment, he wasn’t functioning as the Demon King Berge—he was the mortal, Pale.

When interacting with high-ranking nobility, one was expected to show the requisite deference, even if they weren’t his own masters.

“……”

The issue was how visceral his disgust felt at the notion.

‘Me, using formal honorifics for some adolescent human barely out of his youth?’

Absolutely not. The pride of the Demon King would never permit such a thing.

“You are the one who should be showing me deference, you ignorant guard.”

“What was that?”

He moved before the knight could even process the insult.

*Krunch—*

“Gahk…!”

“You wretch!”

The soldier swung in the air, legs kicking uselessly as Berge tightened his hold on the man’s throat. The surrounding guards cried out, drawing their blades in unison.

A storm of multicolored combat auras surged toward him. Simultaneously, a wave of mana erupted from Berge, generating a powerful repelling force.

It didn’t send them flying or inflict lethal harm, but it served its purpose.

“Cease this.”

Cain lifted a hand. The guards paused, uncertain.

“Who are you, exactly?”

“Someone who requires the same level of dignity I afford others.”

“Of royal blood?”

Berge offered no reply. He simply locked eyes with Cain, unblinking.

A heavy quiet settled over the group. The tension became palpable.

“Blazing.”

Lavinia moved between the two men. She beamed up at Berge with a look of pure wonder.

“Pardon?”

“Very blazing.”

“Blazing, you say?”

“Eternal flame. Right here.”

She pressed a finger against his midsection—precisely where his secondary heart lay dormant, housing the Phoenix’s power.

“Stunning.”

“Y-Your Highness!”

“Step back!”

The guards were in a state of high alert. Cain let out a dry, weary chuckle.

However, her intervention had managed to dissipate the worst of the aggression.

“I must apologize for the lack of restraint shown by my subordinate. Could you find it in yourself to show leniency to this fool who is already half-conscious?”

“Very well.”

The ashen-faced soldier collapsed to the dirt, gasping for air. His comrades hoisted him up and retreated.

“To invite you here and then permit such disrespect without understanding your station, Sir Pale—that is my own oversight. My apologies.”

“I accept.”

“Please, let us move inside.”

A modest arrangement was prepared in a secluded courtyard. The two royals, Berge, and Granada took their places.

“Since you seem hesitant to disclose which realm you hail from, I shall respect your privacy. Many of high birth have their reasons for anonymity.”

“I appreciate that. And I regret my own lack of formality.”

“Think nothing of it.”

At that moment, an attendant arrived with tea and light fare. Cain sampled the drink before speaking again.

“To begin, I am grateful you took the time to meet with me. I reached out on a whim after Sir Granada mentioned your bond, but I didn’t think you would agree so easily.”

“Establishing a rapport with the leadership of the Akan Kingdom is hardly a disadvantage for me.”

“A fair point.”

Cain’s gaze flickered with interest.

He had deduced two things: Pale was not a naive wanderer, and he was willing to cooperate if it served his underlying objectives.

“My desire to meet you stemmed from the mana I sensed.”

“So I’ve been told. The energy you provided to Duke Rozel Charente became a topic of obsession within the Mage Tower?”

“Mana of such clarity—I have never encountered its equal, save perhaps among the spirits. Initially, I suspected a fire spirit was involved. I was stunned when Lord Rozel informed me it came from a person.”

Cain wasn’t a practitioner of the arts, but such pure energy was a prize for more than just mages.

“I am intensely curious about the source of such power, though I imagine asking would be an intrusion?”

“It would be.”

“Haha, a fair warning.”

Then, Lavinia, who had been sitting in silence, reached out her hand.

“Energy. Give it.”

She’s truly eccentric.

“For what reason?”

“I desire it.”

“You want it? The answer is no.”

“Rozel got it.”

“Duke Rozel Charente provided an equitable trade for that energy.”

“Me too. We trade.”

“If it is a matter of exchange, I am open to it. What do you have to offer?”

Lavinia paused to think, then reached into her dimensional storage. She pulled out a shimmering crimson scale.

“Drake scale.”

“A Red Drake’s? I have no use for it.”

“A horn?”

“Same answer.”

She rummaged again and produced a pulsating organ.

This princess actually carries these things on her person. Her pockets are no better than her laboratory.

“A Werewolf heart?”

“Yes.”

“What exactly would I do with that?”

“A Chimera?”

“Do not mistake me for one of your subjects.”

“I will construct one.”

“You would build a chimera for me?”

“Yes. Using the horn, the heart, and the scale.”

“A combination of those three.”

That actually grabbed his attention. Not because he craved the creature itself, but because he was curious about the mechanics after Ernyan had discussed their importance.

Especially if the creator was Lavinia Akan, the most talented chimera artisan in existence.

However, agreeing too quickly might look suspicious to the prince. Not many people held chimeras in high regard.

“Sister, most people find chimeras distasteful.”

“Distasteful?”

“Naturally.”

Cain turned back to Berge.

“If those items do not interest you, I can arrange for gold or any other worldly treasure from the capital.”

“A generous offer for a simple gift of mana.”

“Simple? No Akan sorcerer would view it that way.”

“Wealth, then. What kind of sum are we talking about?”

“I cannot say for certain, but as a prince, my resources are significant.”

He found the idea appealing. Increasing his hoard was never a bad move.

“Fine.”

He decided to accept.

“I will take the currency, the treasure, and the chimera.”

The Demon King felt no need to mask his self-interest.

“I am delighted you have agreed.”

“What sort of figure did you have in mind?”

“Whatever you deem appropriate—I will do my best to fulfill it. Perhaps we can settle the specifics at a later time?”

‘Is he planning to extract every bit of value he can?’

Berge gave a short, cynical laugh. It made sense—why would a human prince enter into a bad deal?

“Any amount is fine.”

He was playing the same game.

There was one thought: the power Rozel Charente might gain from his mana.

Why not simply turn her into a complete adversary?

‘If I form an alliance with Akan now?’

If his Pale persona became an ally to the Akan throne.

If he could influence Akan from the inside? His strategic depth would grow immensely.

“Excellent.”

“Be quiet, Lavinia.”

After the princess’s interruption, Berge pivoted the conversation.

“I was informed you are searching for the Demon King’s Tower.”

“Yes. We are making extensive plans due to certain risks. Tell me, would you consider joining our expedition?”

To Cain, Pale’s strength was undeniable. In the treacherous Erjest Mountains, every capable fighter was an asset.

“I’m afraid that is not possible. I am here for other reasons.”

“Ah, I apologize for being presumptuous.”

“What sort of plans are you making, exactly?”

“I must apologize again—if you aren’t part of the team, I cannot disclose that information.”

“That won’t convince me to sign up.”

“Mm, I thought that might tempt you—you’re a difficult man to read.”

The discussion continued for some time. As twilight began to fall, Cain brought the meeting to a close.

“Shall we end our session for now? It would be a pleasure to have you join us for dinner later.”

“I shall attend.”

“Wonderful. Escort our guests to the guest wing.”

Berge and Granada departed, led by the knight.

“Send word to the capital—investigate this royal named Pale. We don’t have a kingdom, so search every lineage.”

“Understood.”

Cain’s expression grew cold and calculating.

—

Berge and Granada reached the privacy of their assigned quarters. Once he was sure they were alone, Granada let out a long sigh of relief.

“I honestly thought my heart would stop from the stress.”

“One would think you were the one doing all the talking.”

“It wasn’t that, but how do you even comprehend what that princess is saying?”

“Is it that difficult? You’re an elf; aren’t you supposed to be gifted with tongues?”

“Hey, that’s a low blow.”

If you asked a hundred humans, ninety-nine would tell you she was incomprehensible.

“You aren’t a human—you’re an elf.”

“…You’ve got me there.”

Granada clicked his tongue and shifted gears.

“Anyway—are you actually of royal descent?”

“Demon Kings are considered sovereigns in their own right.”

“I’ve actually been curious about that. Are Demon Kings truly the royalty of the Demon Realm?”

“No. We are more like front-line commanders. Similar to high-ranking human officers.”

“Then why use the title ‘King’?”

“To instill dread in humanity. ‘Demon King Invades’ sounds far more terrifying than ‘Demon Officer Approaches.'”

“Is that really the only reason?”

“It serves its purpose well enough.”

“I suppose…”

“Besides, humans were the ones who coined the term first. Eons ago, humans in a different realm shrieked ‘Demon King’ in fear—and we simply kept it.”

Not that the title carries the same weight in Aren these days.

“It’s a privilege being your subordinate—you just solved my greatest mystery. So, you aren’t actually a prince either, my lord?”

“Demon Kings represent the absolute pinnacle of our realm. Our strength is equal to that of any mortal monarch.”

Strong enough to wipe that smug look off your face.

“…Can’t you take a joke?”

“We aren’t close enough for idle chatter.”

“…Hmph.”

Granada’s annoyance quickly faded.

“Regardless, what do you make of these ‘preparations’?”

“I have no idea. They aren’t sharing.”

“Are you serious?”

“How would I know the secrets of their high command? I just know that the creatures here attack under the cover of night, so they are likely bracing for that.”

“I see.”

So, they should plan their strike during the daylight hours, then?