Chapter 30

Chapter 30
## Chapter 30: Tracking the Fugitive Smith

“Are you Seniel, by any chance?”

“…What is this nonsense?”

“Just a thought.”

Berge paid no mind to Ernyan’s irritated glare.

“I am the Princess of Jespain. It seems I’ll be residing here on the fourth floor with you moving forward.”

“…I—it is a pleasure… to meet you.”

Kaede wondered if “pleasure” was even the appropriate term for such a bizarre situation. Her internal compass of common sense had been shattered during the trek up the peak.

She was plagued by a relentless string of questions: Why had she been seized? Why the mountain climb? How was a tower concealed within a crater? Before she could find an answer, she was already inside the spire.

“…Did you abduct another hero?”

“Princess.”

The first sight to greet her had been a “dwarf hero” on the ground floor, staring intensely at his own palms while tinkering with a mana-driven cannon. Now, she was being welcomed by a “human” spirit practitioner, surrounded by fluttering elementals.

Was this truly the fortress of the Demon King? Was that individual actually the Lord of Shadows?

Yet, the suffocating pressure of his demonic aura was undeniable. Every instinct she possessed as a hero screamed that such power could belong to no one else.

Without further explanation, the Demon King had simply vanished. Kaede found his lack of concern utterly baffling. To be placed on the fourth floor instead of a cell? She had heard rumors of Demon Kings who provided lavish hospitality to royal captives, but she didn’t consider herself a princess of such high political value.

Still, this environment presented an opening. Kaede began to survey the layout of the fourth floor. Ernyan, who had been observing her silently, finally spoke.

“What are you planning?”

“I am looking for a way out. Assist me. As a fellow human, surely you have no desire to remain in this place?”

Kaede was convinced that no human would willingly serve the Demon King. In her eyes, they were the enemy.

“If you wish to depart, then go. Nobody is going to stop you.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Did you encounter a single beast or guardian on your way in? There are no sentries here to bar your exit. Whether or not you can survive the elements outside is a different story entirely.”

“Ah.”

The reality of the situation hit Kaede. They were deep within the Erjest Mountains. Without proper preparation, she stood no chance against the freezing heights and the predators that roamed them. It was a classic move for the Demon King—absolute control masked by a facade of negligence.

“He truly is the Demon King…”

Kaede bit her lip in frustration. She had set out alongside Hillun Kagil to slay the monster, only to become his prisoner. The weight of her failure was agonizing.

“Don’t let it get to you. The master of this tower is actually quite refined, all things considered.”

“A kidnapper has no right to be called refined.”

“Fair enough. But he doesn’t throw royalty into damp pits. He grants us the run of the fourth floor.”

Ernyan made a casual gesture. Responding to her command, an earth spirit shifted the floor to create a partition.

“Your quarters are there. There is no set schedule for dining; if you feel famished, simply retrieve a meal from that aperture.”

“I understand.”

Kaede decided to play along for the time being. There was an old saying that one could survive even an ogre’s lair if they kept their wits about them. The Demon King was far more dangerous than an ogre, but if she waited long enough, a flaw in his defense would eventually appear.

In a strange way, this might even be an improvement over her previous life. She thought back to why she had followed Hillun in the first place and felt a twinge of bitterness.

“What is the story with the dwarf hero on the first floor, though?”

It was baffling. A demonic tower should be filled with monsters, yet she had seen nothing but anomalies.

“He is exactly what he looks like: a dwarf hero.”

“No, I mean—”

“I don’t have all the answers. I am a captive here myself.”

“…A captive?”

Kaede had assumed Ernyan was a collaborator—a warden meant to keep an eye on her. After all, the woman seemed to have total freedom on this level.

“Oh, did I forget to mention? Let me introduce myself properly.”

Ernyan gave a polite, regal bow.

“I am Ernyan Hilderan, the Crown Princess of the Hilderan Kingdom. Much like yourself…”

I was taken.

“……”

Kaede began to wonder if a succubus was playing tricks on her mind under the Demon King’s orders.

—

### The Hero’s Return

“I didn’t expect to return to this stage so soon.”

Hillun Kagil adjusted his clothing, checking his reflection to ensure every button was perfect.

“Are you ready?”

“I am, though my nerves are getting the better of me.”

“Ha! You’re likely the most seasoned hero in the world when it comes to these events.”

“The news isn’t exactly celebratory this time.”

“How is any of this your fault? The new Demon King is simply a freak of nature. If anything, your report has put the world on guard. There’s a silver lining in everything, right?”

Hillun wondered if that was actually true. Regardless, nobody suspected he was now a servant of the dark lord. The public was simply relieved their hero had survived.

That was the narrative he and the Demon King had crafted. A failure that wasn’t blamed on the hero’s incompetence, but on the terrifying nature of a new enemy. It preserved his reputation while setting him up for an even greater comeback.

“Shall we proceed?”

He smoothed his sleeves one last time and walked forward, flanked by his secretary.

*What is that Demon King actually thinking?*

*How does he intend to utilize me?*

*Does he expect me to assassinate my peers?*

He doubted it was that simple. Hillun knew his own worth; he wasn’t a disposable asset to be thrown away on a whim. He tried to stay optimistic. While Berge was unusual, the history of the last few centuries was full of eccentric Demon Kings. Despite their arrival, the world of Aren had never truly fallen. In fact, people had learned to profit from them.

The world was vast. There were countless heroes and nations. If the continent could be toppled by a single betrayal, it would have been destroyed ages ago.

*And besides, I have ninety thousand gold.*

The Demon King had been remarkably generous. With the hundred thousand gold in his possession, even after clearing his ten-thousand-gold debt, he was wealthy beyond measure. Most of that sum would be funneled into the Golden Moon Merchant Guild as soon as Aman Katrash secured his inheritance. That capital would revitalize the struggling organization. With Hillun’s endorsement, the guild could become a powerhouse, serving as both a front for the Demon King and a shield for Hillun himself.

Money was the only thing Hillun trusted—aside from the Demon King. And he knew exactly how to make it talk.

The doors to the great hall swung open.

“He’s arrived!”

“It truly is Hillun Kagil!”

A sea of reporters turned their focus toward him. Hillun basked in the spotlight as he approached the lectern. The rhythmic clicking and bright flashes of enchanted cameras filled the room.

“Greetings. I am Hillun Kagil. To be honest, I am conflicted about standing before you today. I will first detail the events of the mountain ascent. We will have time for questions afterward.”

The hall went silent. Hillun began his tale, weaving in just the right amount of drama.

“We tracked the tower. My only goal was the princess’s rescue. But the Demon King was a master of deception.”

“The tower was nowhere to be found. Instead, we were met with lethal cold, blinding snow, and beasts of unprecedented strength.”

“I heard my companions’ cries. I saw them fall. I fought to save every life I could. For weeks, I pushed through that cursed terrain so their deaths would not be in vain.”

He played the crowd like an instrument—rational at times, heartbreaking at others. When a single tear escaped his eye, he knew he had them. The reporters were moved to pity. He was no longer a failed warrior; he was a tragic figure who had been outmatched by a monster’s cruelty.

“Now, I will take questions.”

At that moment, the doors at the back of the hall creaked open. People who had been stationed outside rushed in to whisper to the journalists. A sudden wave of murmurs drowned out the silence.

*What’s happening?*

*Is there breaking news?*

Hillun felt a cold knot of dread in his stomach. A reporter shot his hand up.

“Yes, go ahead.”

“In light of your failed mission, what is your reaction to the news that the Demon King has now abducted the Princess of Jespain? Do you feel responsible for this, knowing it might have been prevented had you succeeded?”

“……?”

Hillun froze. What on earth was he talking about?

—

### The Emperor’s Fury

The disappearance of Kaede Jespain, the 9th Princess, was revealed through a stroke of terrible luck. The Demon King’s release of mana had been so potent it had physically rattled the city of Hortonwork.

“That energy is staggering!”

“If it’s this close…”

“It’s the new master of Erjest. He must be retaliating for the hero’s invasion.”

The city went into lockdown. When guards eventually reached the outskirts, they found a group of unconscious mercenaries. Assuming it was a demon attack, they provided medical aid—until one man bolted upright.

“The Princess!” he screamed.

It was a minor slip-up, but because the Demon King was involved, the story caught fire instantly. The rumors evolved by the hour: Demonic energy in the city; a massive battle at the gates; the Demon King himself appearing to snatch a victim; the ‘mercenaries’ were actually royal knights in disguise.

The pieces fell into place. The surviving knights denied everything and fled the city, which only fueled the fire. Some skeptics argued that a Demon King wouldn’t be bold enough to strike right after a hero’s raid, but the timing was too perfect to ignore.

“That new Demon King must be a madman!”

“He’s taken a daughter of the Jespain Empire!”

Despite the uproar, the Jespain Empire itself remained eerily quiet.

—

*Slap—*

The sound of a hand hitting flesh echoed through the chamber. Blood sprayed, and teeth skidded across the marble floor. The knight took the blow without a word, simply bowing his head lower.

“That is enough.”

The man punishing the knight stopped. He knelt before the jade throne, pressing his face to the ground.

“Are you aware?” the figure on the throne asked softly. The voice was calm, but the underlying coldness made the knights shiver. “Even the commoners are talking. They know a Jespain princess was taken by a demon.”

All because a knight couldn’t keep his mouth shut while recovering. A dry, mocking laugh filled the room.

“I am beginning to wonder if the title ‘knight’ is wasted on you.”

“Execution is our only merit!”

“If you wish for death, I can provide it.”

“……”

“I loathe pests who cause a mess and then try to hide from it.”

“We will recover Her Highness!”

“I should pull your tongue out just to enjoy the silence.” The Emperor clicked his tongue. “Hillun Kagil, a member of the Ten Stars, was defeated. Do you honestly believe trash like you can succeed where he failed? Think before you speak.”

The knights remained silent, praying for a shred of leniency.

“Actor.”

“Yes, Sire.”

“What am I to do with you? You failed as guards, you let the Demon King take her, and then you let the secret out.”

“…Give us the chance, and we will return Her Highness.”

“By what means?”

“……”

The Emperor stood and walked down from his throne, striking Actor across the head. “Did I not tell you to think?”

“Forgive me.”

“Do not act in a way that requires forgiveness. Do not test my limit.”

The Emperor returned to his seat and closed his eyes. After a moment, he spoke again.

“Go to the Kingdom of Ormus. Tell that avaricious old man that his future bride has vanished. Order him to cooperate fully in finding Kaede.”

“Understood.”

“And contact the Hero Guild. They’ve taken enough of my gold; it’s time they earned it.”

“Yes, Sire.”

“Go. This is your final opportunity.”

The knights scrambled out of the room, pledging their lives to the mission. The Emperor watched them leave. There was no need for him to act personally yet. Hillun Kagil hadn’t even found the tower’s location. It was better to let Hilderan and Ormus—who had lost a princess and a concubine, respectively—lead the charge. He would watch from the sidelines.

Besides, Kaede was a princess of little consequence.

“What a nuisance,” he muttered. “She should have just gone to Ormus without a fuss.”

—

### The Kingdom of Magic

Berge had departed the tower once more. He realized the ripples he’d caused were expanding faster than he had anticipated. Jespain’s reaction was predictable, but Berge’s past experiences made him naturally averse to following the status quo.

He couldn’t exactly leave a princess stranded when she was right in front of him. It wasn’t a major problem. His tower was still hidden, which was a massive strategic advantage. Even if someone stumbled upon it, he had the Mana Ghost as a last resort. It was an expensive trump card in terms of demonic energy, but survival took priority. He needed to continue harvesting points. If his reputation as a kidnapper grew, his point accumulation would likely accelerate.

He looked around the city. It had been some time since his last visit. Massive spires reached for the clouds, and the air was thick with the scent of regulated mana. Magic-powered vehicles darted through the sky, and the streets were filled with enchanted gadgets.

He was in Amur, the heart of the Magic Kingdom of Akan.

This wasn’t his first time here. He had once come to abduct an Akan princess, though he had ended up taking a prince by mistake. It was an unpleasant memory. Not a failure, exactly—he had simply judged the situation based on the target’s behavior and surroundings and decided it wasn’t worth the effort.

The past was the past. There were plenty of other kingdoms and princesses to choose from; there was no reason to dwell on Akan. Ideally, he would visit the Magic Tower to get the supplies needed for Seniel powder, as they were the premier source for reagents.

The catch was that high-level mages and heroes were always present at the Magic Tower. While he could mask his aura from mid-tier threats, the masters of Akan would likely see through him. He decided to check the local magic markets instead. The quality would be lower, but it was safer.

Just then, voices caught his attention.

“Is he really here?”

“Without a doubt. Where else would a kingdom fugitive go?”

“A man like that can’t stay away from the forge for long. He’ll be looking for a hammer.”

“Exactly. The best places for smithing supplies are Akan or the Traparta Union. He’ll choose Akan.”

“Because Traparta is too close to his homeland?”

“Yes. The oversight there is too strict. He’ll pick the place where the kingdom’s influence is weakest.”

A loud, booming voice carried over the crowd. People turned to look, but the speakers didn’t care.

Berge exhaled slowly.

It was Luise Berft, the Second Princess of the Dwarf Kingdom of Berft.