Chapter 154

Chapter 154
No.

Under no circumstances.

While it had never been stated in plain terms, every individual who had observed Berge Dayas and Ernyan Hildean from within the Demon King’s Tower shared a singular conviction.

An inexplicable atmosphere lingered between the two.

One might question how such a connection could manifest between a dark lord and a captive royal, but in Hillun’s eyes, neither Berge Dayas nor Ernyan Hildean fit the traditional roles of Demon King or princess. They existed entirely outside the bounds of common logic.

What sort of Demon King would even consider recruiting a princess as a subordinate? And what sort of princess would gleefully accept such a position, rising to become one of the Four Heavenly Kings?

It was a partnership that required two willing participants to function.

‘And the suggestion is for me to wed Ernyan Hildean?’

The Demon King would be consumed by fury.

Ernyan Hildean would be equally enraged.

‘I despise mortals who lay claim to what belongs to me.’

‘I feel the same, my liege. The audacity of him believing he is worthy to stand at my side. Should I execute him?’

‘Let us rip him apart and toss his remains to the beasts.’

‘A marvelous plan.’

He could vividly envision the Demon King and the princess wearing bright expressions as they systematically broke him down.

More importantly, Hillun himself wanted nothing to do with the arrangement. Regardless of her status as an heir, he possessed zero romantic interest in that… that terrifying princess.

Observing the shift in Hillun’s demeanor, the monarch’s expression grew stern.

“I gather my suggestion does not please you.”

“I-it is not exactly that. It is merely…”

“Merely what?”

“Should we not, at the very least, inquire about the opinions of Her Highness the Crown Princess?”

“That is unnecessary. Your consent is the only factor that carries weight.”

If it were otherwise…

“Are you refusing the match?”

“I simply do not have the necessary merits.”

“If the champion who struck down two Demon Kings lacks merit, then is my child destined to remain solitary and unwed?”

“That decision belongs to Her Highness, not to me.”

“I see.”

The king made a sharp sound of disapproval.

Even a ruler could not easily intimidate a man like Hillun Kagil.

This situation was distinct from the rescue of the previous Ernyan. In that instance, the realm had a clear moral standing. This time, there was none.

Luckily, Hillun had provided himself a bit of a defensive opening. That would have to be enough for the moment.

“I trust you will stand by your words and take responsibility.”

“Naturally.”

Feeling a wave of relief, Hillun gave a firm nod.

He was positive of one thing. Ernyan would never permit this to happen.

—

Within the Berft Kingdom, the sovereign of the dwarves, residing in his subterranean capital, struggled to suppress his mounting rage.

He shredded the intelligence report into tiny pieces.

“Is there truly no sign of them anywhere?!”

The abducted master smiths and Louise Berft were missing. The dwarves pointed the finger at the Lust Demon King.

She was the solitary Demon King who would have any requirement for skilled craftsmen. Her resentment toward Louise Berft was well-documented.

Because of this, the Berft Kingdom had orchestrated a grand heroic mission to liberate the princess and the artisans.

They had dispatched diplomats to every kingdom seeking assistance, offering high-quality dwarf-made equipment in return. They funneled immense wealth into the Hero Guild.

The nations of Hildean, Hessen, and Akan had all promised their support. The Hero Guild had even sent the talented Wharton Colro as a replacement for Daphne Philiain.

The plan was progressing perfectly.

The Pirate Archipelago was a dangerous region, but the combined naval power of Akan and Hessen made the fall of the Lust Demon King seem certain.

Then, without warning, the fortress collapsed.

It should have been a moment of celebration. Yet, they found no reason to cheer.

Not a single clue remained among the debris.

Not the forty-nine smiths.

Not Louise Berft.

Not a single piece of their equipment or even a trace of their presence.

It defied belief.

Typically, when a Demon King perishes, the stronghold falls apart, and those trapped inside are liberated.

The surviving minions flee, and captives emerge from the dungeons.

That was the natural order. It should have occurred in this case as well.

“Where on earth could they have vanished to?!”

But it had not happened.

“Sire, it is possible the brigands of the Seratin Isles have seized them.”

“Kidnapped a second time?”

“The fortress was situated in pirate-controlled waters. Their desire for our craftsmen is a known fact.”

The scouting party sent to locate the princess had already taken casualties from pirate skirmishes.

“But could even pirates spirit Louise away without leaving a single trail?”

“Nothing else makes logical sense. If they had attempted to reach the mainland from Seratin on their own, we would see reports from Akan, Dormurt, or Hessen. Fifty dwarves cannot travel without being noticed.”

The alternative was that they never left the islands.

The king let out a pained sound. Everyone in the room shared the same suspicion, though they were loath to voice it.

If the pirates had them, a rescue was almost impossible.

The marauders of Seratin were like a plague that even the great powers of Akan and Dormurt could not wipe out.

No matter how many dwarf-forged weapons were offered, what nation would willingly enter that chaotic mess?

Engaging in hit-and-run tactics within that terrain was like trying to pull weeds that simply grew back stronger.

“…Is there still no response from the Golden Moon Merchant Group?”

“They maintain that they acquired the item through a third party. However, they refuse to disclose the source.”

“Apply more force to the Iasin Kingdom.”

“Understood.”

It was suspicious. Far too suspicious.

However, they could not exert too much pressure without risking a diplomatic conflict with Iasin. No one truly believed they would kidnap the dwarves and the princess.

The prevailing theory was that a hero was behind it—someone of such high standing that the Golden Moon felt compelled to maintain total secrecy.

“Is there any possibility Hillun Kagil had a hand in this?”

“Unlikely. He was busy within Hildean’s social circles during that period. Besides, why would he conceal his involvement if it were him?”

“True, that makes sense.”

Ultimately, the identity of the person who slew the Lust Demon King and took the trophy was secondary.

The princess and the smiths were still missing even after the tower’s destruction.

“It must be the pirates, then.”

“We should erase every last one of them from existence.”

“I agree. They must be taught the penalty for laying hands on a dwarf.”

The officials began to voice their fury one after another.

“Those were the finest masters of the royal forge. If the crown cannot safeguard them, who can rely on us?!”

“The honor of the dwarves has been trampled. We cannot restore our dignity without bringing them home.”

“Your Majesty, if we show mercy, the humans will lose all respect for us.”

“Exterminate the pirates!”

“Exterminate the pirates!”

The councilors bowed their heads in a display of resolve.

Their intensity forced the king to respond.

“I desire the same. But the Pirate Archipelago is their home turf—it has never been truly conquered.”

“We do not need to wipe them out entirely at first. We only need a gesture to force them to the negotiating table.”

“To strike fear into them? By utilizing our specialty?”

“Precisely. Are there not others who desire the end of the pirates even more than we do?”

He referred to the Dormurt Kingdom, the Akan Kingdom, and the Hessen Kingdom.

“We shall offer magic artillery and the service of our artisans. Hundreds—perhaps thousands—of cannons. We will send our smiths to upgrade their fleets. A level of military support never seen before.”

Only such an offer could tempt a nation to dive into the nightmare of a pirate war.

“Are we prepared to risk leaking the secrets of our magic cannons and weaponry?”

“It is a necessary gamble. Technology can be rediscovered over time. But lost honor and trust? Those are much harder to reclaim.”

“…You speak the truth.”

The king shut his eyes, contemplating. His advisors were correct, though perhaps guided too much by passion.

Even if the kingdom’s pride was on the line, a war in those islands was a bottomless pit.

The pirates had survived countless attempts at eradication. A total victory was impossible unless they were forced to surrender. Otherwise, it would be an endless struggle.

The fate of the princess and the smiths would only become more uncertain.

‘If she is gone…’

He feared for his own sanity.

That small, precious girl…

It might be safer not to provoke the pirates for her sake. But as a ruler, he could not allow personal feelings to dictate policy.

“…I agree. However, restrict this to a single nation—or perhaps present it as a technological exchange.”

Humans were often driven by the idea that if they couldn’t possess something, no one should.

Too many continental powers would be jealous if Berft’s weapons only went to Akan.

The Empire in particular would be a problem. Their interference could threaten Berft. They needed a solid defense.

“Dispatch our representatives to the neighboring lands. Dormurt, Hessen, and Akan.”

“As you command.”

“Pay particular attention to Akan. Seek any information regarding the Demon King’s horn. They claim the Golden Merchant Group is the source, but Akan is likely playing a role.”

“Understood.”

“Draft the terms with absolute care. The kingdom must not suffer any disadvantage.”

“We will do our best, Sire.”

Two days later, the Berft Kingdom’s envoys began their journey to the three nations.

—

“The hour has arrived at last!”

Balraf Disrod, the commander of the hero alliance, stood upon the raised stage.

Looking down at the five hundred warriors assembled below, he began to speak with measured gravity.

“The Demon King of Flames is unlike any foe we have faced. He established his fortress in the treacherous reaches of the Erjest Mountains to frustrate our search, isolating us from the outside rather than locking us within.”

“Our efforts to locate that tower have cost us dearly, including our esteemed champion, Daphne Philiain.”

“He represented a new, dangerous category of Demon King.”

His tone was steady, devoid of empty theatrics. Yet, this only served to ignite the spirits of his followers.

“Ernyan Hildean. The kidnapped Crown Princess of Hildean.”

“Kaede Jespain. The kidnapped 9th Princess of the Empire.”

“Elena Hildean. The kidnapped 13th Princess of Hildean.”

“No Demon King had ever dared to abduct royalty so high in the line of succession. We established that as a line never to be crossed. Yet the Demon King of Flames disregarded it entirely.”

“He has insulted a thousand years of our history, laughing at us while he plagues the continent from his hidden lair!”

And we…

“Were forced to stand by! We could not find his stronghold; we remained ignorant of its position!”

But that ends today.

“Through the sacrifice of Daphne Philiain, the location is known! The coward who hides his home will now face his sentence—the time is here!”

Schwing—

Balraf Disrod unsheathed his weapon. The flawless metal sparkled under the sun.

“We shall!”

“Slay the monstrous Demon King who mocked humanity and scarred our lands—demonstrating that righteousness still prevails!”

The crowd let out a thunderous roar.

“Forward!”

With that, Leader Balraf Disrod led his force of 512 heroes—including lieutenants Gillian Aint and Aina Diaphrin, and the rising talent Wharton Colro—into the field.

It was a gathering of power without precedent: an army composed entirely of heroes, featuring several four-star elites.

This was the Empire’s desperate oath to bring an end to the Demon King of Flames.

—

“My Lord! It is finally done!”

Amidst the blinding white snow of the high peaks.

A dwarf was jumping with excitement, letting out a jubilant shout.