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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 21
Chapter Title: Demon King's Tower
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"Hortonwork welcomes the heroes!"
"Long live Hillun Kargil!"
As they passed through the fortress gates, the people cheered.
Granada exhaled a puff of white breath. The emotions were fresh and new.
'Finally... back.'
Hortonwork.
The place where he first met the Demon King.
The place where he was bought by the Demon King and decided to become his subordinate.
It had been a long time. The hero's journey, which had lasted nearly half a year, felt endless.
But it wasn't meaningless time.
Long live Hillun Kargil!
Long live Warton Kollo!
Granada!
The fact that his name was subtly called out among the renowned heroes proved it.
"Lord Granada. What are you doing? Let's go in."
Hillun, who had grown quite close over the past few months, gently patted his shoulder.
"Yes."
Led by Hillun and Granada, the 500-strong hero party finally set foot in Hortonwork.
100 heroes and 400 nobles, knights, or mercenaries.
Contrary to the Demon King's thoughts, despite minor disturbances, no one deserted, so the party's size didn't shrink. Naturally, the hero's march proceeded without hiccups.
Hillun Kargil's reputation made it possible.
He gathered the knights and soothed the fleeing mercenaries to bring them this far.
Granada thought the Demon King had underestimated Hillun.
"Kuh, it's been a while here too."
"See? The rumors were true. There really was a Demon King in the Erjest Mountains. But someone wanted to stay here because they didn't believe it."
"Shut up. I was drunk then."
"Idiot."
"Wanna shut up? Or die?"
The Red Hawk Mercenaries, back at their familiar post, chuckled familiarly. The hero march members received the lord's welcome and unpacked in one corner of the lord's castle.
"As the lord responsible for Hortonwork, it is my honor to be part of this historic page in defeating evil and upholding justice!"
The banquet began with the lord's greeting. He sat at the head table with famous heroes like Hillun Kargil and Warton Kollo.
"Our destination is finally within reach. We've come this far without major incidents. The Demon King, terrified by our might, hasn't mounted any significant response and cowers in fear."
"However, we must not let our guard down. He is the Demon King, the audacious fiend who kidnapped the princess."
"I hope we can all laugh together when the Demon King subjugation is over. For the peace of the continent!"
"For peace!"
"Long live the heroes!"
At the lord's request, Hillun raised a toast, and the members cheered. Their morale was sky-high.
Faith in the hero Hillun.
A hero's march free of monsters or demonkin so far.
Information that the newly descended rookie Demon King used fire magic.
The perfect combination of these four elements filled the entire hero party with confidence of certain victory.
Granada found the atmosphere awkward.
'Isn't this almost the complete opposite?'
At first, it seemed to be going according to the Demon King's will. But Hillun was a more capable hero than he expected. He produced the exact opposite result.
'Can it be stopped?'
Granada seriously pondered if he should betray them now.
It had been just over two months since he joined the hero march. And the last image of the tower he remembered was the princess standing alone in an empty clearing.
'No. No need to worry. If it succeeds, that's good.'
He hadn't become the Demon King's subordinate by choice.
If the Demon King died, the chains binding him would break.
"..."
Still, he couldn't help the reluctance in a corner of his heart. Feeling stifled, he stepped out to the terrace and infused mana into the crystal orb.
Fortunately, there was a response.
"We've arrived at Hortonwork. After a short rest, we'll head up the mountain soon."
『I see.』
A nonchalant voice returned, devoid of any sense of crisis.
『Once you start climbing, you risk being discovered, so you can stop contacting me.』
"Should I continue assisting the heroes to the best of my ability?"
『Previous orders remain in effect until you reach the tower and I give new ones directly.』
『Perfect timing. Let me tell you what to watch out for.』
『Be careful of the snow when climbing the mountain.』
『Don't let your guard down at night.』
『And finally, when opening the tower door, absolutely stay away and brace for impact.』
"...Yes? What does that mean?"
No answer came. The communication cut off unilaterally.
"Wait, what..."
"What are you doing alone?"
At that moment, Hillun came out to the terrace with a bottle of liquor. Granada quickly hid the crystal orb.
"Just getting some fresh air. What about you, Lord Hillun?"
"I left the lord to the other heroes and stepped out for a bit."
Sure enough, the lord was surrounded by other heroes.
"Care for a drink? It's fruit wine that elves supposedly like."
"Just one."
He couldn't refuse Hillun's offer and accepted the glass. The aroma was good.
"What's worrying you?"
The hero sipped his drink. "Kuh, good stuff," he exclaimed in admiration.
"That obvious?"
"Yes. Are you tense now that the Demon King's tower is close?"
In a way, yes.
"Can we succeed in subjugating the Demon King?"
"Who knows. Others believe in me, but subjugating a Demon King is never guaranteed. Demon Kings are always strong, and towers are hell."
"But didn't you kill the Demon King of Lust? Compared to him, a newly descended one should be..."
"If it were that straightforward, all the Demon Kings in Arrein would be gone by now."
Hillun shrugged.
"Still..."
A cryptic smile played on his lips.
"I think we'll definitely succeed if you help, Lord Granada."
"I'm just a mere elf."
"Playing modest again. Excluding me and a few heroes, no one is more renowned than you."
"That's because I step up first when monsters swarm..."
"Exactly. There are a few stronger than you, but your fame is incomparable now. It's the difference between practicing justice and being able to."
"As expected of an elf's virtue," he muttered softly.
"So."
The hero placed his hands on both of Granada's shoulders. He stared intently, eyes wide.
"I'll lead, so support me from the side."
"...Understood."
Granada tried to ignore the odd sense of discomfort.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
From the southernmost Hildeラン to the northernmost Hortonwork.
The hero party, after the long journey, took a week to rest.
Hillun gathered the leadership and reviewed the plan.
"Mobility and stealth are paramount. The Erjest Mountains teem with monsters. Avoiding their attention minimizes casualties, prevents getting lost in snow, and saves time."
"We'll easily spot the tower from the summit. Demon Kings typically build them in the most visible spots."
"Probably on the highest peak."
"It's a snowy mountain, so progress will be slow. Plan for at least a week."
"That means more supplies."
"They say it has fire attributes, so fire resistance gear too."
"Winter gear for the snow, so baggage doubles."
They restocked in Hortonwork and did final checks. And finally.
"Let's move out!"
The hero party charged toward the climax of the march.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
The entrance to Erjest isn't too steep.
Gentle slopes. Relatively flat ground and dense trees welcome visitors.
But as time passes and altitude rises, white snow appears. Slopes steepen, trees vanish.
And the mountain's residents don't welcome the intruders.
Kroooaaar!
"Yeti!"
"Five yetis on the right flank! About 300 meters away!"
Yetis, unseen elsewhere, popped out every few hours.
"Twinhead ogre!"
"Damn it, scatter! Clumping up means we all die!"
Massive monsters bared sharp fangs.
Even one is a disaster, but they couldn't break the hero party.
Slash!
Hillun's sword danced gracefully. A flash drew lines of death.
Yeti heads fell.
The ogre's heart burst.
Orcs perished.
Unlike his affable mask, his strikes were swift and sure.
"As expected of a hero!"
"Long live Hillun Kargil!"
Stimulated by his feats, heroes surged forward. No matter how formidable Erjest's monsters, they couldn't stop them.
Strong monsters and harsh terrain were mere nuisances.
Then different monsters appeared.
"Puer orcs?"
"But the one in the middle looks different..."
Knight and mercenaries voiced doubts at the dozens of shadows on higher ground.
"It's a mana beast!"
One 1.5 times larger than other orcs, with horns on its head.
Heroes, sensitive to magi, identified it instantly.
"No, that's closer to demonkin. Demonkin controlling puer orcs!"
"No mana beasts until now, and they send demonkin first."
The first demonkin appearance tensed the heroes. Hillun charged first. Some followed.
Granada joined too.
'Demonkin must be summoned by the Demon King. Should I pretend to fight and let it escape?'
No, that would raise suspicion. He said give best effort, so best effort it is.
Then, their eyes met.
'Smiling...?'
Granada saw the demonkin's lips curl faintly.
"Smiling?"
"That bastard."
Hillun and the heroes too.
That instant.
Bwoooo!
The demonkin blew a massive horn trumpet.
'Trap?'
In the moment of unease.
Kaboom!
An unknown explosion roared.
And.
Rumble rumble rumble!
"Uh uh..."
"R-Run!"
An avalanche began.
Amid the white wave crashing down, Granada thought.
'Fuck, how do you watch the snow like this!'
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Cough cough!
Granada spat out snow from his mouth and barely escaped.
"Is everyone alright?"
"Y-Yes..."
Fortunately, the avalanche wasn't as massive as feared, and the party members weren't weak. Casualties were lighter than expected.
But.
"Damn, using an avalanche with demonkin?"
"What kind of bullshit is this."
First setback after smooth sailing. Morale dipped inevitably.
'Crazy bastard. Wiping them out with me here?'
Not entirely casualty-free. Weak mercenaries especially; the entire Red Hawk Mercenary Corps vanished.
'They shouldn't be wiped by this much...'
As Granada felt both unease and anger, Hillun gathered survivors and laughed in dismay.
"Never imagined the first attack like this."
"...What now?"
"Regroup first, camp somewhere sheltered from snow, wait for any more survivors. Casualties aren't huge, but better to rest than push immediately."
Hillun calmly managed the situation. But the avalanche was just the start.
"Assault!"
"Puer orcs herding yetis!"
"Block them!"
"You bastards!"
Mountain sun sets early. They set camp, but before completion, dusk brought guests.
Monsters' stench and raging beasts attacked. Sudden ambush on mentally fatigued party.
Hillun, Granada, and heroes repelled relatively easily, but no one denied morale chipping away.
A day, two days passed like that.
Unlike original plan, progress slowed. Puer orcs struck whenever they relaxed.
"These damn bastards!"
"Let's just fight fair!"
Heroes vented frustration, but chasing nighttime herders was suicide.
"Are these really orcs?"
"Why so cunning?"
Party members grew exhausted.
"This Demon King is truly insidious."
"We can't play his game. Even with sacrifices, forced march."
"Agreed."
With venomous resolve, they advanced rapidly. Less sleep, jerky while walking.
Their murderous march deterred puer orc assaults. Other monsters too.
Fortunate, but harsh march increased stragglers. By summit, less than half remained.
But bigger problem.
"...No tower?"
"No tower in sight!"
All Demon King towers were in obvious spots, places you'd assume.
It was natural, became truth over centuries.
Cracks in that truth panicked heroes.
A day, two at summit. Cold and assaults grew casualties daily.
Finally, deserters.
"I can't anymore. This Demon King is too different. Won't waste time and lives on an unknown tower."
"It's close. Not highest peak, but somewhere on summit."
"How many more sacrifices to find it? This is Erjest. Survive first. No thanks to pointless death. Better prepare thoroughly for next time."
"No. Failing now makes next worse."
"Better than total wipeout."
Warton Kollo, second to Hillun in fame, opposed him.
Problem: his words stimulated exhausted, frustrated members.
"I'm leaving! Follow me down!"
Over half the party followed.
Morale plummeted exponentially.
"..."
"I'll stay with you."
"Lord Granada... I will, absolutely kill that Demon King."
Granada first saw affable Hillun grit teeth cursing someone.
But tower search dragged. Casualties mounted, tired deserters continued.
Ironically, when considering abandoning the march, they found it.
"In the valley..."
"This bastard really...!"
About fifty. A tenth of original, they gnashed teeth.
"What now?"
"We came for justice. Even reduced and low morale, can't flee evil before us. That's true hero. Even alone, I'll behead the Demon King."
"Right."
"Cowards."
Chewing deserters, they regained confidence at the mere 5-story tower.
"Newly descended for sure."
"I'll open the door."
"First floor probably weaklings anyway."
Elated heroes opened the door.
That instant.
Flash!
Dazzling light enveloped them.
Massive explosion shook the world.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"Groan..."
Granada gasped for breath.
"You okay?"
Battered Hillun extended a hand. Granada barely stood.
"What was that just now?"
"If my senses are right... mana cannon."
"Mana cannon?"
This madman.
'Mana cannon instead of mana beasts on first floor?'
Even a quirky Demon King who bought and subordinates him was still a Demon King. But mana cannons?
'That's why he said stay away and brace when opening door!'
"Strange. Should've sensed mana buildup for that power."
Especially in Demon King's tower, sparse mana overflowing magi.
"And the others..."
"No deaths... but..."
Hillun trailed off. At the blinding light, he instinctively cast defense magic.
It enveloped the party, saving lives but not fully absorbing shock.
Finger-pointing at unconscious, corpse-like members.
"Sudden ambush, poor response."
"So just us two."
"Yes, unfortunately."
"Now what..."
"Checked inside right away. Five massive mana cannons, then ten ballistae."
"My god."
"Smashed them all, but nothing else inside. No mana beasts, no gunners."
Hillun frowned.
"Still, we must go."
"Better to quit? Just us two..."
"I killed Lust Demon King. Newly descended can't match me."
Hillun's eyes turned resolute.
"Our march received much love and attention. Can't fail to respond, can't abandon evil before us."
However.
He added.
"I really hope you come with me, Lord Granada."
"Not sure if I make a difference."
"What? You're the most trustworthy. Please stay by my side."
At his earnest plea, Granada nodded.
'First floor done, but Demon King prepared more. Hero's state poor, better take him.'
Thus, one elf and hero entered the Demon King's tower.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Hillun bit his lip. The metallic blood taste cleared his mind further.
'Stay calm.'
This hero march couldn't fail.
Must behead Demon King or loot tower for gains.
Used fame to draw crowds. Betraying expectations and trust isn't light, even for a hero.
'The merchant guilds that invested believing in me...'
Fire resistance and cold gear weren't dug from earth.
Months of supplies weren't free.
Secret deals with nobles betting solely on him.
Luxuries demand payment.
Die and be buried, but survive and all become debtors swarming.
Absolutely, this march couldn't fail.
'Right, elf. With the elf...'
Worst averted.
"Let's go."
Composed, Hillun ascended stairs to second floor with Granada.
"Huh...?"
"Hm?"
They found an empty clearing.
"Trap...?"
"Doesn't seem so. Really nothing."
'What is this tower?'
First floor: mana cannons and ballistae instead of mana beasts.
Second: empty. No lifeforms seen yet.
"...Next floor."
After thorough second floor check, Hillun headed to stairs.
Third floor same devastation, then fourth.
'No way empty to fifth?'
Fortunately, unfounded worry.
Wind blew.
Fresh forest scent tickled nose.
Warmth caressed skin.
"...What is this."
Water flowed.
Trees swayed in breeze.
Semitransparent birds and animals flew.
It was an ecosystem. Part of nature.
And amid it, she appeared.
"Welcome to the Demon King's tower, strangers. I am the Fourth Heavenly King serving Demon King-sama, the Dark Spirit Sorceress."
"...Princess?"
"Wrong person. I'm one of Demon King's subordinates."
"Just now you said Fourth Heavenly King..."
"You don't listen well. Time for punishment."
That was.
Bang!
Hillun's final memory.
Chapter: 21 to 273 END
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