Either way
Raymon couldn't understand Lavinia's words.
He desperately insisted they needed to escape immediately, and instead of trying to persuade him further, Lavinia had Cher drag him in front of the Demon King.
"···Y-Your Infernal Majesty!"
"Choose. Will you craft the golem and receive your payment, or···."
"What wealth or glory could possibly make me betray humanity for the Demon King?!"
"It seems you've misunderstood something. The 'payment' I speak of is not wealth or glory."
"···Then what?"
"Your life."
"···Hik."
"I will let you live."
And a short conversation (threat) followed.
"Do it."
"But Your Highness, I can't possibly help the Demon King—!"
"Do it."
"But—"
"Want to die?"
"······."
"Order. Do it."
Once Lavinia Acan added the weight of a direct command, Raymon finally lowered his tail.
Lavinia and Raymon went down together to the demonic workshop on the first floor.
And Raymon was horrified.
"···My god. Why are you here?"
Logar Friedli.
Raymon was stunned to see one of the top three master artisans of the Verft Kingdom standing there.
As a golem artificer, he of course knew Logar—he was the ultimate authority.
"···Ahem."
Receiving genuine respect for the first time since entering the Demon King's Tower, Logar cleared his throat. After a moment of thought, he shamelessly decided to lean into it.
"Is it strange that I'm here?"
"This is the Demon King's Tower!"
"An artisan chooses no place."
"You might choose no place, but you should definitely choose no demons! And you're even a Hero!"
"···Prejudices must be abolished."
"What does that even—"
That wasn't the end of the surprises. Instead of monsters and demons, the Demon King's Tower was filled with magic cannons.
"Don't tell me you made all of these?"
"Yes. And now you will add your golems here as well."
"Dear god···."
Raymon grabbed his head and collapsed. He couldn't believe this horrific reality.
"Have you ever considered that Heroes will be slaughtered by your magic cannons?"
"If I don't, my life disappears long before any Hero dies to them. The same goes for you."
"···That is—"
"I heard you already talked with our lord?"
"···Acan's golem-crafting techniques are the best in the world! This is top-secret!"
"In front of death, no secret remains. Just give up and go with the flow. It'll be easier."
Logar spoke with the serenity of someone enlightened.
"···What exactly do you want me to do?"
Raymon resigned himself.
Fine. If the kingdom's greatest artisan and even a dwarven Hero was serving the Demon King, what could he refuse?
And Raymon also had the Princess's orders. A subject following their sovereign was only natural.
Thus Raymon entered the demonic workshop.
He admired the completely alien landscape—so unlike a human workshop—only for a moment.
"···So what is it you want me to do?"
"You must craft a golem core using demonic energy, not mana."
"···A golem core using demonic energy? That's impossible!"
"Do it."
"Your Highness! This isn't a matter of will or effort. Fundamentally, it's—!"
"Do it. Already. Payment."
"······."
***
After kidnapping Lavinia Acan and the golem artificer, Berze paid closer attention to Hortonwork.
The actions of Kain and Acan's group were the most important factor.
But fortunately, the world sided with Berze.
『A recall order was issued, and they withdrew this morning.』
『It seems Lavinia Acan's usual behavior worked in our favor.』
In the past, Lavinia Acan had a history of slipping out of the palace for her own desires and roaming around as she pleased.
She'd gone alone into monster-infested wilderness and was even recently found in the Beast Tower.
So they concluded this was the same.
Lavinia Acan's escapade.
They did not request aid from the Hero Guild, nor did they go around declaring that the Demon King had kidnapped the princess.
They simply withdrew quietly.
"Then bring the elves. Be careful not to draw attention."
『Yes, I will.』
Of course, he still couldn't relax entirely. Human hearts were fickle—now they saw it as an escapade, but they might twist it into a Demon King's abduction for the kingdom's honor.
Caution was always required.
『So you're finally answering.』
The comm-crystal Granada had disappeared from was now replaced by Hillen Cargill.
"I've heard the rough outline."
『What would you have me do?』
"You seem like you're eager to step forward."
『To be honest, yes. Yessica Horton is a beloved princess of the Horton Kingdom.』
『I'd rather not miss any chance to build a good relationship with her.』
"Yessica Horton, huh."
Indeed, she was an outstanding Hero and a well-loved princess. Some even said that if she didn't get along with the king, it wouldn't be surprising for him to cast her out—she was that much more esteemed than her brother.
'Hmm.'
Berze considered it.
For Hillen Cargill's sake—and for Reina Sordein's sake—he should stop him.
Before regression, the White Falcon and Gillian Aint had seized the Frost Tower and used it like a personal ranch.
Wouldn't Gillian Aint have asked Yessica Horton for help back then?
Wouldn't she have asked another Hero for aid under the excuse of circumstances?
No.
'The one who stepped in then was···.'
Daphner Philiaine.
Daphner hadn't led a raid party nor held a faction, but even alone, she performed admirably.
And the result?
Defeat. She underestimated Reina Sordein and caused trouble, then couldn't withstand Reina's fury after Jayson stepped in to help her.
'The chances of failure are high this time too.'
Even if Hillen Cargill joined instead of Daphner Philiaine, the same would happen. Hillen was still incomplete.
Berze predicted failure.
The ultimate victor would be Reina Sordein. Therefore, for Hillen's reputation, stopping him was correct.
However.
'But is that really the best choice?'
He imagined what would happen if Hillen Cargill failed.
A Hero was like a berserk gladiator.
With each victory, their fame and authority grew—but a single defeat could cost them everything.
If Hillen Cargill hadn't killed the Lust Demon King and secured his future, he would already have fallen out of Arain's ranks, since he couldn't even find Berze's Tower.
There were countless Heroes who could replace him.
'But Hillen Cargill is different from the others.'
A Hero who absorbed two Demon Kings—there's no way he's like the ordinary ones.
Even though he failed to find a tower in Ergest and was branded a fool, he didn't lose his place among the stars because he killed the Lust Demon King.
So one more failure wouldn't cause any major trouble. Of course, he'd be criticized, but that was his burden to bear.
'This bastard really has gotten more arrogant lately.'
After killing Drakson and becoming an Argane, he had grown full of himself.
It was time to break his nose at least once and remind him of his place. Who was master and who was servant.
"No."
Still, for now, Berze held him back.
"Reina Sordein is far stronger than you imagine. The losses outweigh the gains."
Knowing full well that such a warning wouldn't be enough to crush Hillen's resolve—Berze wanted him to insist even harder, so that when his wings finally snapped, his humiliation would be even greater.
『···But.』
"You still want to do it?"
『There won't be another chance to make Yessica Horton owe me a favor.』
"Then go."
『Is that truly all right?』
Hillen blinked.
"You said you wanted to, didn't you?"
『But I didn't expect you to allow it this easily. Are your relations with the Frost Tower similar to those with the Beast Demon King?』
『Or perhaps there's something else···.』
This is why perceptive people are irritating.
"If you think it's suspicious, are you not going to go? Let me be clear: I haven't directly done anything."
『But that means something is going on, doesn't it?』
"You'll find out soon enough. Whether you push through and become the great Hero you desire, or a pathetic failure—that depends on you."
A brief silence followed. But Hillen soon nodded.
『···Understood.』
『I am Hillen Cargill. I will succeed.』
"I'll hope so."
『Thank you. Then I'll take my leave.』
Hillen bowed deeply. The connection cut off.
"Thank me? If anything, I should thank you."
A faint smile curled at Berze's lips.
He quickly adjusted the comm-crystal.
"Reina Sordein. I have information that will be very useful to you."
It wasn't mere personal spite that made him want Hillen to fail.
When weighing failure and success, failure was more likely. But Berze wanted to gain something even from failure.
'If I can use this chance to make Reina owe me a favor…?'
And if Hillen succeeded instead, well—that would also be profitable in its own way.
'At Hillen's current level, unless he climbs to the very top of the Tower and faces Reina directly, he won't die.'
Either way—
In the end, the one who laughs will be Berze.
***
"Isn't it true that the Demon King actually loves keeping things traditional more than anyone?"
When they reached the 5th floor, Gordon wore a sulky expression.
"What nonsense is that?"
"I mean—You've kidnapped another princess in the middle of all this chaos. Aren't you always saying there should be no problems?"
"It's not like there aren't any, but there are barely any."
"···What does that mean?"
"Officially, Lavinia Acan wasn't kidnapped. She simply left her group of her own accord."
"······."
How in the world does that turn into that?
The princess left her group on her own?
In Ergest?
Is the princess insane?
Gordon had many things he wanted to ask—but he condensed all of it into a single sentence.
"···You picked up another strange princess."
"If she weren't strange, she wouldn't cooperate with the Demon King."
"···That's… fair."
It was surprisingly convincing.
"Lavinia Acan and the golem artificer will help Logar to create the golems. They're said to be the most knowledgeable humans when it comes to demonic power, so they'll find an answer."
"I see. Then Acan has completely withdrawn?"
"Yes."
"That's a relief."
Gordon let out a sigh of relief.
Berze had been moving around busily, and more and more people were gathering in the Tower.
But even so, the only real additions were the cannons on the first floor and the strange princesses. Gordon couldn't bring himself to trust them.
"A moment ago, the Golden Moon Merchant Guild contacted us."
"What for?"
"Just a regular report. They say weapon prices have risen as much as they can, so they're selling everything. And they're extending their business into—"
"Tell them not to sell."
"Excuse me?"
"The northern barbarians are picking a fight with Reina. Hillen Cargill has decided to join as well. The situation will continue like this for a while."
"Hillen Cargill? Don't tell me you intend for him to kill the Ice Demon King as well…?"
"No. This time it's the opposite. I'm planning to correct Hillen Cargill's increasingly arrogant behavior."
"That is the most satisfying plan you've ever made, My Lord."
Gordon let out a faint smile.
"Ah, may I make one suggestion?"
"Speak."
"Since the Golden Moon Guild has stabilized, and Hillen Cargill as well, how about filling the Tower now?"
"I am filling it."
"Not with princesses! In a Demon King's Tower, fill it like a Demon King!"
"I was planning to soon."
"Truly?"
Gordon's eyes lit up.
"Yes. I'm thinking of placing a monster on the second floor."
"What kind of monster?"
"A Balrog."
"······."
"I wonder what expression the Heroes will wear after surviving the magic cannon barrage, only to meet that."
Yes, that's right.
He had absolutely no intention of maintaining any 'traditional' order at all.
Gordon quietly cursed under his breath.
***
"A new princess has arrived."
"I saw."
Just saw—in passing during training. The massive demon following her around was quite memorable.
'Lavinia Acan.'
He had been so shocked when the Demon King brought her in.
Among the royal families of the Empire and the Kingdoms, there was no one who didn't know her name.
The Acan King's painful weak spot.
And at the same time, the treasure of the Acan Kingdom.
That dual evaluation described her perfectly.
"The Acan Kingdom won't sit still."
The king might perhaps feel relieved, but the Mage Tower would never allow it.
"Are you worried about the Demon King?"
"···Is that what you think?"
Worried about the Demon King? Me?
No, impossible.
If the Demon King died, it would actually be better. She could escape this Tower and avoid staining the Empire's honor.
But still, she gave a small nod.
"I am the Demon King's knight."
A knight's oath is a symbol of honor and trust. If she couldn't protect that oath herself, could she still call herself a knight?
Even if the one she served was the Demon King. Even if it had been half-forced.
She had spoken the oath with her own mouth. For at least five years, she would live as the Demon King's most loyal knight.
"You really are a perfect fit for a Dark Knight."
"···I have something to say about that."
"Yes?"
"The Demon King never said he wanted Four Heavenly Kings···."
"Oh, don't worry about that."
"No, that's not what I—The Four Heav—"
"The Demon King said Lavinia Acan wasn't kidnapped."
"···What does that even mean?"
"He said it wasn't a kidnapping, but voluntary recruitment."
"That's… not impossible, I suppose."
She didn't understand it, but somehow she did.
Lavinia Acan was known to have wanderlust. The last place she'd been found was the Beast Tower.
"What do you think?"
"Pardon?"
"Lavinia Acan is a chimera maker. The greatest chimera maker on the continent."
"I don't understand what you're implying."
"There are four positions in the Four Heavenly Kings. The Dark Spiritist."
Ernan pointed to herself.
"The Dark Knight."
Then to Kaede.
"The Giant of Hell."
And finally, toward the first floor.
"And the Commander of the Legion of Death."
"···You're truly."
"Truly what?"
"Absolutely insane."
More than Louise Verft or Lavinia Acan.
"That's a rude thing to say."
"It's mild compared to the fact that you deceived me."
"I arranged a glorious position for you."
"Nothing glorious about it."
"But you can't deny you're a Dark Knight now, can you?"
"Leaving one out of four positions won't cause any major problems."
"You called yourself the Demon King's knight, didn't you? If you're the Demon King's knight, naturally you're the Dark Knight. Are you planning to betray your own oath?"
"···Haah."
Kaede stood up. She wiped the sweat off roughly and lifted her sword again.
"I need to resume training. Please leave."
"It's rude to do something else in the middle of an important conversation."
"It's not important at all, and you're the one who came during my training."
"Let the small things go."
"Yes, which is why I'm asking you to leave."
She began swinging her sword again.
But Ernan didn't leave. She sat down and watched the blade cut through the air.
"When we went out to kidnap Elena—when Elena arrived at the palace and the banquet was being prepared, there was a brief moment of free time. The Demon King allowed it, so I visited an information broker I know. Ah, of course, I was wearing a hood, so he didn't know I was a princess."
Kaede did not react. But Ernan continued anyway.
"They say the 8th Prince of the Jespine Empire died. I heard he fell off his horse because it went wild... but wasn't he a mid-rank Aura Knight?"
"······!"
Kaede's sword froze mid-swing.
READ MORE CHAPTERS HERE : pokemon-translation-2.myshopify.com