Chapter 156

Chapter 156
## Chapter 156: Whereabouts of the Tower

It was.

Colossal.

And breathtaking.

*Kigigiggeek—*

Emitting strange, rhythmic mechanical grinding, the structure surged with power—not typical mana, but thick demonic energy.

Magic circuits pulsed with light as the frigid metal began to glow cherry-red. Billowing steam, hot enough to sear flesh and blind the eyes, hissed out in every direction.

*Kigigiggeek—*

The massive supports extended. The titanic frame, measuring dozens of meters in height and appearing too heavy to ever move, began a slow, deliberate ascent into the air.

“I-it’s moving! It actually worked!”

“N-not yet! Stay focused! It has only just awakened. You wouldn’t call a newborn a master of the hunt before it can even crawl, would you?”

“Even if it stalls now, this is a marvel! A golem of such massive proportions! I can hardly believe my own hands forged this!”

“Watch your tongue. I did ninety-nine percent of the heavy lifting. You contributed perhaps 0.0001 percent.”

“What? You arrogant blowhard!”

“What? You clumsy, stiff-shouldered hack who can’t even strike an anvil straight!”

The bickering of the dwarves was quickly drowned out by a thunderous, resonating roar.

—!

—!

The limbs shifted. The gargantuan, leaden mass lurched forward, planting one massive foot and then the other with agonizing slowness.

One stride, two strides, three strides.

The arguing dwarves fell into a stunned silence. Bearing witness to a miracle they would likely never behold again, tears of profound pride filled their eyes.

“…Oh.”

“…Exquisite.”

“To think my craft helped bring this to life.”

“I suffered twenty-three nosebleeds during the build, but I wouldn’t trade a single drop of blood back…”

“This is all a testament to my genius! We constructed it perfectly according to my designs!”

The vast cavern that had housed the tower’s massive form seemed to shrink in an instant. The structure covered fifty meters before coming to a halt. With a bone-shaking thud, the frame settled back onto the earth.

Then, the main portal hissed open. The Demon King stepped out.

“Everyone, get on board.”

Today marked their departure from this sanctuary.

—

—!

—!

The tower was in motion.

It left massive gouges in the earth and created a deafening ruckus, but the predatory beasts drawn by the tremors took one look at the tower’s terrifying presence and fled, cowering with their tails tucked.

Berge reclined on the throne at the apex, observing the procession. The walls, which remained transparent only from the interior, provided a sweeping view of the frozen landscape.

“So, what is our destination?”

Vivian leaned casually against the arm of the throne. Berge pushed her aside with a look of irritation, but she remained firmly in place.

“…I have already identified a location.”

Berge activated a glowing hologram and pointed to a specific coordinate.

It was roughly 80 kilometers away. A hidden basin shielded by jagged peaks—the ideal terrain to conceal the tower’s presence.

“Why not just descend the mountain entirely?”

“That isn’t an option.”

The tower’s scale was its greatest asset, but also its most glaring vulnerability.

“Fair point. But what about the path we’re leaving behind us?”

“I’ve already given Cruto his instructions. The Frost Orcs are tasked with erasing our trail.”

The tower’s immense weight left unmistakable scars on the land. The Frost Orcs would see those marks vanished.

“Wouldn’t it be wiser to push even further into the northern wastes? The deeper we go, the harder it is for the humans to track us. Plus, the monsters are far more lethal. This area looks promising.”

Vivian leaned in to examine the hologram, tapping a specific region.

“We cannot go there.”

“And why not?”

“Something exists there that must not be disturbed.”

“What could possibly be so fearsome that even the Demon King won’t touch it?”

“Weren’t you the one who got framed for interfering with Luize Berfurt and ended up bound to my service?”

“You were the one who set me up!”

“I did no such thing.”

Vivian’s eyes narrowed in a sulk.

“Oh, is that so?”

Her expression made it clear she wanted to argue but knew it was futile. Berge let out a dismissive snort and looked away.

“What is it, then?”

“What do you mean ‘what’? It is simply too dangerous.”

“A beast?”

“Less of a beast and more of a…”

Berge paused, weighing whether to divulge the truth, then gave a casual shrug. There was no harm in telling her. In fact, it served as a necessary warning for everyone to stay away.

“A symbol.”

“A symbol?”

“Precisely. Much like…”

Berge’s eyes drifted toward Kaede, who stood perfectly still behind him. Ravignia’s head turned to follow his gaze.

“Why are you looking at me…?”

“Like the symbol of the empire, or something to that effect.”

“…What?”

“…Excuse me?”

“…Oh?”

Ravignia’s eyes began to dance with curiosity.

—

An elite assembly composed entirely of heroes. A strike force featuring four legendary stars.

No soul possessed the courage to obstruct the full might the empire had spent three months mobilizing.

The hero party moved through imperial territory without delay and crossed the Horton Kingdom. They only allowed themselves a momentary reprieve upon reaching Horton Fort within the Corzen Kingdom.

There were no social galas or greedy negotiations for extra coin that usually slowed down hero parties.

They had the empire’s unlimited resources from the start, and the Emperor’s decree was absolute: eliminate the Incinerating Demon King with maximum haste.

Despite this, the loss of potential side-rewards caused a ripple of quiet frustration among some of the heroes.

However, Balaf Disroad, the party’s commander, silenced the grumbling immediately.

“If anyone is unhappy, you are free to leave. But you will face the consequences of your desertion alone.”

He was the legendary champion already celebrated for the death of a previous Demon King.

While Hillun Kagil had gained fame by killing two, the general consensus remained that no one had yet surpassed Balaf Disroad’s stature.

None dared to challenge his authority.

With imperial backing, the death of the Incinerating Demon King would catapult them to even greater heights—a fact everyone understood perfectly.

The dissenters fell silent, and the expedition increased its pace.

“Welcome.”

They were greeted warmly at Horton Fort but stayed for only two days—just enough time to recover from the physical toll of the journey.

“It is freezing here as well.”

Gillian Aint, the great star commanding the White Eagle Assault Force, exhaled a cloud of frost into the Erjest gales.

Compared to his native tundra, the temperature wasn’t significantly different. Yet, the brutal terrain made the cold feel far more oppressive—that much was certain.

“What is the tundra truly like?”

“It is a desolate, unforgiving place.”

Gillian gave a weary smile. Their plan to harness the Demon King of Extreme Cold to escape the empire’s shadow had crumbled, leaving his people even more beholden to the crown.

That was the reason Gillian was here now. He could not ignore the imperial summons.

“You’ve ventured into Erjest before, haven’t you?”

“This is only my second excursion.”

Wharton Colro, who had previously marched with Hillun Kagil, failed, and subsequently risen as a new star, shared a similarly somber smile.

“Do you really think one gets accustomed to a wasteland like this after only two trips? Do you believe this assembly will succeed, Sir Gillian?”

“Undoubtedly. Five hundred heroes stand with us. And four stars, if I may be so bold. Not even the Demon King’s forefather could survive such a force.”

“I suppose you’re right, but…”

Wharton couldn’t shake a lingering sense of dread, still haunted by the ghosts of his first expedition.

“We never even located the tower last time, and we were constantly hounded by monsters.”

“I am aware. The Incinerating Demon King isn’t going to sit quietly in his fortress waiting for us to arrive, is he?”

“Precisely.”

It wasn’t just Hillun Kagil’s group—Ackan’s scouts and the previous coalition had suffered the same fate.

However.

“The situation has changed.”

The power dynamic was on a completely different level.

“I have no intention of letting my tribesmen die on foreign soil. We will settle this swiftly.”

The star of the north projected absolute confidence.

“More importantly, with that man leading us, any scheme the Demon King tries will be futile.”

Gillian looked toward the back of the knight marching silently at the front.

“You’re right. Once Balaf Disroad commits to a target, he does not know the meaning of retreat.”

Aina offered a bright grin.

“Isn’t he impressive?”

“…He is.”

“Is our newest star actually shy? Most newcomers are usually full of themselves, poking their noses into everyone’s business regardless of standing.”

“N-no, that isn’t it…”

“How charming. So untainted.”

“Th-thank you!”

“I hope you stay that way until the end. A bit of advice: keep your distance from Rosel.”

“Rosel? You mean Lady Rosel Charnt?”

“That woman doesn’t deserve a title. She’s either a complete snake or just plain mad.”

“……”

“Understood? We are bitter rivals who can’t stand the sight of one another.”

“Y-yes…”

“If you want to see a duel between master mages, tell Rosel Charnt exactly what I just said. It’ll be quite the show. Preferably right in front of the Tower of Extreme Cold—maybe the collateral damage will do the Demon King in for us.”

“…Uh.”

Wharton’s mind spun from Gillian’s “guidance.”

*Is this truly what a star is like?*

The idealized image he held began to crack.

He hadn’t expected flawless dignity or god-like grace. But.

*Hillun Kagil was nothing like this.*

Though their paths had diverged at the end, Hillun Kagil had been the perfect embodiment of what Wharton believed a star should be.

He was kind to everyone, perpetually composed, and filled with mercy.

*I will not become like these people.*

Wharton made a silent promise.

*I will be the one to claim the Incinerating Demon King’s head.*

Even with Balaf Disroad present, the glory of the kill was every hero’s ultimate ambition.

The prestige of being a Demon King slayer, the acquisition of the Demon King’s power, and for Wharton, the chance to wash away the stain of his previous failure.

*Even if the Demon King eludes me, I will take down at least one of the Four Heavenly Kings.*

Wharton determined that this campaign would be his moment of ascension, much like Hillun Kagil had risen from the ashes of failure by defeating the Beast Demon King.

—

“Maintain total vigilance!”

“Stay alert for ambushes from the Four Heavenly Kings!”

Balaf Disroad and the heroes identified guerrilla warfare as the primary threat to the party’s progress.

Many previous attempts to locate the Incinerating Tower had been sabotaged by the Demon King’s minions, beasts, and his elite generals.

Avalanches were constant, and monsters always struck when the heroes were most vulnerable.

The Demon King utilized Erjest’s brutal climate with terrifying efficiency.

“The most dangerous of the Four Heavenly Kings to watch for: the Dark Spirit Sorcerer. Suspected to be a high-ranking demon and likely the tower’s primary guardian.”

Details regarding the others were scarce, but the Sorcerer had famously triggered a mountain-wide wall of snow to bury entire search teams.

“If the Four Heavenly Kings appear, each star will engage one individually.”

“Naturally.”

They had exactly four stars to match them.

Hardened by these preparations, they pushed toward the tower’s reported location.

Yet, contrary to their expectations, there was no sign of the Demon King’s resistance.

No swarms of beasts, no sudden avalanches.

They could have reached their goal and considered themselves incredibly lucky.

“What in the world is this?”

“Are we in the wrong location?”

“This is the place! It aligns perfectly with the coordinates from the record orb!”

The area was vacant.

The very spot Daphne Philiain had nearly died to identify, the place where all records swore the tower stood, was occupied by nothing but screaming winds and untouched snow.

“N-no… this can’t be…”

“The tower… is it gone?”

“There’s nothing here!”

The heroes, who had been so certain while following the record orb, descended into a state of panic.

“A structure of that size doesn’t just vanish! Search the perimeter again!”

“It’s useless! Something that massive couldn’t possibly be hidden!”

Even heroes were susceptible to the pressures of reality.

Venturing into the cursed lands of Erjest had kept them on edge; the storms, the lethal terrain, and the constant fear of battle had pushed them to their limits.

Who could simply accept that the journey ended in nothingness, and that they had been deceived?

“This must be an illusion!”

“Did the tower ever truly exist?”

“Daphne Philiain fed us lies!”

Balaf Disroad established a camp within the basin and ordered a period of rest. He then summoned the other stars for a council.

“…What are your thoughts?”

“I have no explanation. This is unprecedented.”

“If we consider the possibilities?”

“Only two. Either Daphne recorded the wrong location, or she never actually found it.”

“Impossible. Hillun Kagil rescued the crown princess of the Hildean Kingdom from the Incinerating Tower himself.”

That fact had been the foundation of their certainty—the tower’s existence and location were verified truths.

“Then…”

“Daphne was being pursued by one of the Four Heavenly Kings. It would have been difficult to record exact coordinates under that pressure. But it should have been roughly here.”

“The tower must be nearby.”

“It’s the only logical conclusion.”

“Agreed.”

The stars nodded in unison.

Their understanding of the world did not include the concept of a massive tower relocating itself.

The hero party spread out to conduct a thorough search. No one had anticipated having to hunt for the target after reaching the site, but they weren’t without hope.

They were convinced it was hidden in the immediate vicinity.

However, after three grueling days, that hope withered away.

There was no tower, not even a footprint.

Morale plummeted with every passing hour of fruitless searching.

“…Perhaps the Demon King has already been slain? Just like the Lust Demon King.”

“By whom?”

“Hillun Kagil, obviously…”

“Would Hillun Kagil really keep such a feat secret?”

“…No.”

Hillun lived for reputation and glory. There was no reason for him to hide the elimination of a third Demon King.

“The reports from his party members match up. It wasn’t Hillun.”

“Then a third party…”

“No, he is still alive.”

“Excuse me? How can you be so sure…”

“He lives. I am certain of it.”

Feeling the weight of their stares, Balaf Disroad offered a quick explanation.

“Unlike the Lust Demon King, who was caught off-guard repeatedly, the idea of this one being quietly eliminated without a struggle is illogical.”

“That may be true, but…”

“…We will pull back for now.”

There was no rule saying they couldn’t return, but they couldn’t stay here forever.

Even heroes were only human; the despair of the missing tower cast a dark shadow over the group.

And so, the grand hero party that had marched out with such bravado returned with nothing to show for it.

Their failure—something once thought impossible—sent shockwaves across the continent.

—

**📰 Breaking News**

**【Another Hero Expedition Ends in Failure…?】**
**【Hillun Kagil Rescues Princess, But Balaf Disroad’s “Guaranteed” Hunt?】**
**【Hillun Kagil Succeeded, Why Did Balaf Disroad Fail?】**
**【Gillian Aint: ‘The Foundation Was Flawed. No Tower To Be Found.’ Public Outcry…】**
**【Is the Incinerating Demon King Dead? Who Is the Secret Slayer?】**
**【How Did Hillun Kagil Locate the Tower? How Did He Succeed Where Others Failed…?】**
**【Hillun Kagil: ‘The Tower Was Present. I Simply Utilized the Record Orb.’】**
**【Hillun Kagil’s Statements Spark Fury: Can Current Heroes Not Even Follow a Map? Incompetence?】**
**【Hillun Kagil: ‘I Never Made Such A Claim…’】**

—

Balaf ignored the media circus and maintained his silence. He reached out to Hillun through a private channel, away from the eyes of the public.

『The coordinates are accurate. I utilized the data from Lady Daphne’s record orb, found the tower, and liberated Her Highness the princess.』
『It wasn’t just me—every member of the strike team can confirm the location.』
『In fact, I should be asking you: was the tower truly absent?』

Balaf deactivated the communication orb.

In the heavy darkness of his chamber, his eyes burned with a cold fury.

*The Demon King is not dead.*

He’s out there. Information from a trusted source had guaranteed it.

*But is that source actually trustworthy?*

He couldn’t deny they had maintained a functional relationship until now, but…

Balaf quickly powered up another communication device. Once the link was established, he spoke with a low growl to the person on the other side.

“Where is the Incinerating Demon King? You didn’t feed me lies as well, did you?”

『…Was the foundation of our trust so incredibly fragile?』

The figure on the screen adjusted a monocle.

End