-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: Spy
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"Join Hillun Kargil's hero party as a mercenary."
"Do your utmost to help him and build your reputation."
"Is this really an order from the Demon King?"
"It's from the Demon King. Watch your manners."
"No, whether it's Demon King or Demon King-sama, this is weird, isn't it? Is there any Demon King in the world who tells someone to help a hero?"
"How would a worm like you comprehend His profound intentions?"
"And you know them so well?"
"Shut up and obey the order quietly."
Granada chuckled at the low growl.
"Well, what choice does a slave have? Fine. But at this rate, I might end up cutting off the Demon King's head myself. Too faithful to the orders, you see."
"As expected of you white-skinned folk. You only come to your senses after death."
"And you black-skinned folk are no fun."
The two elves locked eyes across the crystal orb. A strange tension hung in the air. Gordon turned away first.
"How could the Demon King-sama pick a thug like that... Tch."
He snorted lightly and cut off the connection. Granada scratched the bridge of his nose.
"What the hell is he scheming?"
Join the hero party that's supposed to subjugate me?
Granada gauged the gap between himself and the Demon King.
During the battle in the tower, his body hadn't been normal after years of enslavement. It was sickly, his skills rusted—he'd been no better than a cripple.
But now?
Not perfect yet, but he could take down five of his former self at once.
And yet.
"I can't get a read on him."
A newly descended Demon King, yet so overwhelmingly strong. And that peculiarity of his.
"No need for me to worry about it."
Strong or weak, he'd sworn on the World Tree. He'd serve for a century unless the Demon King died.
For an elf, it wasn't a short time, but he had no regrets. Better to serve the Demon King and kill humans than live pathetically as their slave.
Especially that damn bastard.
The hunter who captured him and sold him to the slave traders.
Gritting his teeth, Granada snapped out of it and left the secret room. He smacked the backs of the heads of his mercenaries, including Bark, who was drowning in booze.
"Ow! What the hell, Captain?!"
"Orders from the boss."
"Finally?!"
"Yeah. We're joining the hero party."
"Hillun Kargil?"
"The Hero of Hildeラン?"
"Ah, so that's why you've been commissioning the intel guild about heroes? To team up?"
"Yeah, something like that."
Not really, but it was a decent fit. Maybe that was the Demon King's intention.
"But if it's Hillun Kargil's party, there'll be too much competition."
The fame of having already beheaded the Demon King wasn't for just anyone. With success guaranteed, more hyenas would swarm to snatch the scraps.
"That's why we gotta hurry."
To become the biggest hyena among them.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"...What is this?"
Gordon, who had descended after relaying the Demon King's orders to Granada, halted at the sight of the fourth floor.
"You've come?"
The princess greeted him with a bright smile.
"I decorated it like a landscape the spirits would love. What do you think?"
"A landscape they'd love..."
Yes, the spirits would probably love a scene like this.
"Is this a river?"
"I wanted to make it bigger, like a real river, but my abilities were lacking, so a valley was the limit."
Water spirits frolicked in a winding stream cutting through part of the fourth floor.
"And this tree..."
An earth spirit dangled lazily from a branch, sleeping.
Fire spirits danced around a bonfire, and the stagnant air in the sealed tower was stirred by wind spirits.
She handles all four elements, they said. It's true.
"Forest over here, grassland there. Refreshing, isn't it?"
"Very refreshing."
Too refreshing. A gentle breeze tickled Gordon's hair.
It was an ecosystem in itself.
Creating a natural ecosystem in the Demon King's tower.
Though small-scale, the princess was no ordinary person.
"I could've decorated the whole fourth floor right away, but not yet. Is it because the mana is thin?"
"You've done remarkably well for that."
Of course. The Demon King's tower overflowed with magi, making mana faint.
Exerting this much power despite that deserved praise. If she weren't a kidnapped princess. And if it weren't in the tower of his master, the Demon King.
I want to smash it all.
If not for the Demon King's orders, he would have. Forced the spirits back, thrown the princess in the underground dungeon.
I must ensure no hero ever reaches the third floor or above.
Gordon felt a sense of duty. This disgrace to the tower's dignity must never be seen by other humans.
Why is he so good to a mere human princess?
He understood Arelin was different from other dimensions. So some conveniences were fine. But this was beyond "some."
"Oh, by the way, did the Demon King say anything about going to find more spirit herbs?"
"That's for the Demon King to decide."
"Ah, yes. Sorry."
The princess bowed her head. So Gordon didn't see her expression.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
It was twisted.
He couldn't deny it anymore.
A brilliant artisan, yet he'd kidnapped a hero.
Watching the dwarf's ass ahead stirred murderous intent.
Not the one who killed him or mocked him atop the tower, but still a hero.
They all deserved limbs torn off and necks crushed.
Artisans could be replaced. Rumors of the kidnapping might spread among dwarves, but it wasn't impossible.
But Berge held back.
Because he was a hero.
Because he'd died exploited by a hero.
Me too...
There was no rule against using heroes.
Wouldn't it be more fun to make him crawl like a dog, use him like trash, and repay the humiliation he endured tenfold—no, a thousandfold?
Thinking that, he barely suppressed his rage.
Opening his eyes, he saw the ass again. Irritation surged.
He'd asked for a secret passage, but was led to this undignified crawlspace on purpose?
Should he smash that ass? He reconsidered; it'd kill him instantly.
"Is this the way to the exit?"
"Y-Yes."
But it led deeper underground. A small mine appeared.
Berge silently smacked the dwarf's head. He screamed.
"There, through there is the exit! It's an old abandoned mine; I dug a new path!"
After one hit, his tone polite. Not bad.
"I'll trust you once more. If it's another lie, it won't be fun."
"It wasn't a lie to begin with..."
"..."
"N-No! But may I ask one question?"
Berge nodded slightly.
"Why kidnap a hero like me?"
"You offered to be captured in the princess's place."
"Even so..."
Heroes and Demon Kings were water and oil. No tales of Demon Kings sparing heroes or vice versa.
There are, but...
That was different.
Not climbing to the top on purpose wasn't sparing the Demon King.
"Stop dawdling and guide me."
"Y-Yes!"
Roger squeezed through a narrow gap.
"You expect me to go in there?"
"It's a secret passage I dug; the entrance is narrow. It widens inside, so just bear with it..."
Crunch—
The entrance partially collapsed. The wall crushing Roger vanished.
"Indeed, not that narrow."
"...If you touch something wrong, the tunnel collapses."
"But it didn't."
"Well, luckily it didn't, but underground, it's always..."
"Makes me wonder if you're stalling on purpose to keep me here."
"N-No, absolutely not! Let's go quick!"
The passage was steep stairs. Roger climbed laboriously on short legs.
What now?
He'd helped the Demon King escape under threat, but the future was unpredictable.
Escape impossible. Would the Demon King spare him over the princess?
"...What will you do with me?"
"Want to live?"
The piercing question made Roger flinch.
He was a hero. An odd one who didn't hunt or subjugate, but still...
A proud hero who wouldn't beg for life before a Demon King...
"...I want to live."
Roger whimpered. If he could discard life like grass, he'd roam battlefields, not workshops. He never wanted to be a hero.
"Hmm."
A cold sensation grazed his neck. Roger collapsed.
"Why should a Demon King like me spare a hero like you?"
"I-I'm useful! My combat skills suck as a hero, but my craftsmanship is great!"
"Just one of many dwarves."
"No! Self-praise, but in the dwarf kingdom, everyone knows Roger! My skills are top among dwarves!"
"Fine, suppose I believe every word."
At the Demon King's affirmation, Roger nodded furiously.
"But a hero like you using that skill for a Demon King like me? You think that makes sense?"
"Why wouldn't it?!"
Roger desperately racked his brain.
"Hero Pallas bought a princess kidnapped by the Demon King of Lies with massive gold."
"The king of Horton Kingdom signed a pact with the Demon King of Lies."
"The Demon King of Diamond swept monsters from Ians Forest on commission from Iasins Kingdom!"
"The Demon King of Frost let twelve heroes who entered his tower leave unharmed!"
He spat out rumors circulating among kingdom leaders and heroes.
"Heroes and Demon Kings cooperating secretly isn't a secret! Why couldn't I work for you?!"
Poke—
His desperate cry was met with laughter.
Invisible behind, but Roger predicted a smirk.
Approval or mocking disdain? Cold sweat dripped in tension.
"Came to kidnap the princess, end up courted by a pint-sized dwarf."
"At least in utility, I'm more useful than most! Make me a spy!"
"I decide that, not you."
"Of course!"
Hmm.
The Demon King stroked his chin briefly.
"Not sure if a runt like you is useful..."
Brief silence. Roger's breathing grew ragged. His body trembled.
"But if you beg and cry this much, I can't refuse mercy. I'm a magnanimous Demon King."
Roger turned and slammed his head on the ground.
"Thank you! Truly! Glory to the great Demon King!"
"Rise."
The Demon King's hand lifted him.
"Please..."
He patted his shoulder with a smile.
"Don't forget that resolve today, little hero."
If he did.
"Your worst fears won't come true."
"Of course! I'll etch today's grace into my bones! Thank you, truly!"
I-I'm alive. Alive...
Legs giving out, Roger collapsed again. He swallowed snot, wiped tears.
Ah, never get involved with the princess again.
The Demon King would use him as a spy, but he'd avoid it otherwise.
And slip away when the Demon King's guard was down.
No more misfortunes like today, no more freak luck of a Demon King freeing a hero.
He vowed firmly, very firmly.
Relief of survival. A faint smile crossed Roger's face.