The Culprit Is…
Hillen Cargill was no longer a man who could simply move as he pleased.
Such was the position of an Argane.
Branch heads were responsible for their respective branches.
And an Argane was the one who managed the heroes under the guild headquarters.
"You may already know the broad outline, but I will explain everything in detail."
Parni Dernium, assigned as Hillen's adjutant the moment he became an Argane, explained his duties.
"Yes."
"The heroes who form the guild are divided into two major categories."
Those who directly hunt monsters, subjugate demons, and climb the Demon King's Towers—the Blades.
And those who do not directly perform hero activities but are scattered across the land, collecting information and tracking demonkin—the Shadows.
The Argane were the ones who managed both the Blades and the Shadows.
"As for the Blades, there is actually not much to manage."
Most heroes fall under the Blades, and few of them wish to be strictly controlled by the guild.
"Therefore, unless it pertains to hero missions, you do not need to concern yourself with the other heroes. Those Hillen-nim must pay attention to are the direct heroes who pledged themselves to the guild."
Those who chose control and authority over freedom, receiving support to walk a faster, higher path.
"Each of the eleven Arganes is assigned thirty heroes."
At first glance, it might seem few. But these were carefully-selected elites—and combined, they totaled 330.
And the heroes who belonged to the guild were not limited to combatants alone.
"The Shadows are heroes who do not fight. Regardless of whether they previously cooperated with the guild or not, they are all formally part of the guild headquarters."
This numbered roughly one thousand.
"The guild utilizes them mostly as informants."
To locate demonkin and track monsters.
It was thanks to these Shadows that the succubi in Dormunt were discovered.
They were the bedrock that allowed the Hero Guild to maintain its reputation as the greatest adversary of the Demon Kings.
"And these Shadows are divided into eleven divisions, each under the control of an Argane."
"Whom will I be assigned?"
"Bair Fornian-nim oversaw the Shadows of Hilderan."
"...I have a question. Is this just my imagination?"
"It is not. It is indeed the Grand Elder's consideration. The Grand Elder wishes to maintain a good relationship with you, Hillen-nim."
Well, look at that.
Hillen gave a faint, meaningful smile.
There is no kindness without reason. Every favor demands a price.
He felt some discomfort, yet he expressed gratitude.
"And lastly, there are those who are not heroes yet are affiliated with the guild."
Some were mercenaries. Some knights. Some nobles. Some merchants.
Spread like a spiderweb, they were the ones who increased the guild's reach and made it an organization not bound to any single nation.
"Managing them officially is the branch head's role, but these days, the boundaries have faded."
Heroes are managed by Arganes.
Non-heroes are managed by branch heads.
That was the guild's original structure. But since branch heroes were effectively managed by branch heads anyway, the distinction mattered less now—mostly only between headquarters and branches.
Afterward, Hillen met the 30 members of his assigned 5th Assault Unit, as well as the Shadows under his command.
"We greet Argane Hillen Cargill-nim."
"..."
Some showed goodwill. Others hostility. Being wedged into guild power struggles was always irritating, but he was adapting—barely.
That was when Gordon contacted him.
"Parni."
"Yes."
"What is the Hero Guild's relationship with the Verft Kingdom?"
"It is cordial, though no formal treaties exist. After all, when seeking quality equipment from the dwarves, it is we who must always make the requests."
"What if we were to secure an official agreement with the Verft Kingdom—one favorable to the guild? Would everyone welcome it?"
"Of course. That is obvious."
"What if the one to achieve this were the Grand Elder himself?"
Parni immediately understood.
"Is it possible?"
"I cannot be certain… but I have found a starting thread."
Hillen's words were relayed directly to the Grand Elder.
The Grand Elder regarded the ambition of the new Argane with interest.
"He claims he can produce what no one has ever achieved."
"It did not sound like empty boasting."
"He is a hero who slew two Demon Kings. Now that he is climbing ever higher, he would not damage his reputation with reckless lies. What is the source of his confidence?"
"He said it was something gained during his hero career. But he would not reveal what it was."
That was not unusual. Many renowned heroes held secrets and hidden techniques they never shared.
But using those secrets to advance guild objectives made it a different matter entirely.
"The other elders will tear into this. They already dislike his sudden inclusion."
Naturally—few welcomed Hillen Cargill's abrupt arrival.
Even so, the Grand Elder nodded.
"Very well. I will push this through by my authority. Tell Hillen to remember this clearly: I am taking a loss to send him—so he had better not disappoint me."
The message returned to Hillen.
'I was rash.'
To fulfill the Demon King's request as fast as possible, he had been too bold. He should have approached slowly, persuaded the elders one by one, and reduced the risk.
Instead, the Grand Elder crushed all opposition using his authority—and now a heavy, solemn pressure fell upon Hillen.
'I must succeed. I absolutely must succeed.'
He needed to secure the treaty. He needed to produce results.
And that was why—
Even though Hillen planned to observe the situation carefully—
Even though he intended to calculate his steps—
He struck the princess head-on right from the beginning.
Because no matter what, he had to seize the initiative in this psychological battle.
***
"What nonsense is that?"
Louise praised herself for not immediately punching him. Forcing a stiff smile, she denied it—and recalled the moment she killed Max Ormus.
Dwarves surrounded her, along with Ormus's bastards. Demonkin invaded, and monsters crashed in from all sides.
A fierce battle ensued. The dwarves led by Louise suffered heavy injuries but returned alive.
Then, to prevent survivors from spreading word, they blocked all routes and slaughtered every last one of Ormus's dogs who tried to flee.
'There were no survivors.'
There were no mercenaries or heroes nearby either.
The Ormus Kingdom had remained silent to this day—that was the strongest proof of all.
But…
'There were no surviving humans. But surviving demonkin…'
There were. Quite a few.
'During the Tower expedition… the demonkin of the Beast King?'
If he truly knew the truth—then that was the only possibility.
'It's just speculation.'
No way would the Demon King casually share such details with a hero who came to kill him.
"The thought you're having right now—it's probably correct."
But the moment she met his eyes, seeing that knowing look, she realized her "speculation" was anything but.
"How do you know what I was thinking?"
Her voice sharpened instinctively at the dark omen creeping up her spine.
"I cannot know precisely what the Princess is thinking. But based on the circumstances, I can infer enough."
"Hah. You say amusing things."
Louise swallowed her rising anger and anxiety. Showing awkwardness would be foolish.
"Go on, then. Speak. But if this is nothing more than mockery, you will be punished for daring to insult a royal of this kingdom."
"Do you know? A short while ago, I climbed the Beast Tower with Lord Rozel Charnt."
Of course she knew.
"Continue."
"While climbing the tower, we defeated the monsters and demonkin guarding each floor—higher and higher. That was when we encountered an upper demon named Quail. A bear beastman."
Bear beastman…
Right after Louise smashed Max's skull and the battle with Ormus's dogs erupted, monsters joined the fray.
At that time, the demonkin rushing at the front—was a bear beastman. The chilling demonic energy around him had made her suspect he was an upper demon.
"And then?"
"Are you not curious what that bear beastman said?"
"Why should I care what some demonkin said?"
"Well, of course. A mighty princess such as yourself need not concern yourself with the words of a mere demonkin."
Then in that case—
Crrrk—
Hillen rose from his seat.
"I'll take my leave, then."
"Stop."
"You have more to say, Your Highness?"
He tilted his head with an innocent expression, which only irritated Louise further.
"You really think you can just walk out of here alive after this?"
"I'm not sure what you mean."
Ah, right.
Hillen rummaged in his dimensional pouch and pulled something out. A sword. Radiating dimensional interference, marked with Logar Friedri's signature cloud engraving.
"I was supposed to give you this. Nearly forgot."
"You—!"
Louise snatched the sword. Drew it in one smooth motion and leveled it at Hillen's throat.
"Do you want to die?"
"Do you believe you can kill me?"
Slowly—very slowly—
Hillen turned his head.
The razor-sharp blade forged by Logar glided into his skin. A bead of red blood bloomed.
Yet Hillen smiled calmly.
"You think I can't?"
"If you can, then are you prepared for the consequences?"
"I am the Princess of Verft."
"I am an Argane of the Hero Guild—and a Star-ranked hero. Shameful as it may be, I also have Hilderan's support."
"You're threatening me now, aren't you?"
"I am merely stating the truth."
Hillen's voice grew softer.
"You, Princess… have no choice."
"I do. I could kill you right now and be branded a crazy bitch—why not?"
"That wouldn't be pleasant for either of us."
"At least I wouldn't have to see your annoying face again."
"If this meeting collapses, I'll simply return to the Hero Guild. And then I'll share what the bear beastman told me—because it was far too suspicious."
"You dare—"
"And that's not all. Since Your Highness's sword cut my neck, I would truthfully have to report that I was attacked. Perhaps in the past it wouldn't matter, but I now have an Argane's honor to uphold."
"What do you want?"
"I want a treaty between the Hero Guild and the Verft Kingdom. So that the guild may receive your kingdom's high-quality equipment."
"So that's it. These Hero Guild bastards…"
"That is my first request."
"Hah…!"
Louise growled.
"How greedy can you get? You already know how generous it is just to receive Verft equipment."
"I believe the 'information' I brought has value equal to that. And this matter is not for me, nor for the guild—but for Your Highness."
"Frauds always say they're doing it for someone else. So the hero who killed two Demon Kings is a fraud now?"
"If Your Highness refuses to listen, I will leave."
"You have proof?"
"If you believe an artifact that recorded the scene—because I was shocked—then yes."
"Destroy it."
"I will—if my conditions are accepted."
"One day, I'll snap your neck."
"Well… at least that's better than having my skull crushed with an axe like Max, isn't it?"
"Talk. Let's hear just how big of a bullshit story you think you can spin."
"My next request: allow me to remain as a guest beside Your Highness for the time being."
"What nonsense is that?"
Hillen fell silent for a moment.
He had bluffed until now, but on the way here he had thought long and hard.
He could gain what he wanted through threats. But could he stay near the princess after blackmailing her? Would a reckless, violent woman like her ever keep close a man who threatened her?
If she didn't expel him from the kingdom on the spot, that would already be a miracle.
Thus Hillen made a decision.
"The Demon King is targeting you, Princess."
He decided to be honest—just a little.
"That Demon King is the one who taught me the taste of failure."
He told the truth—and mixed in lies.
"The Demon King who built the tower in Ergest."
"...!"
***
『Is something wrong?』
"...No, my ear suddenly feels itchy."
Berze scratched his ear with his pinky.
"So what did she decide?"
『I planned to step in myself, but Vivian refused.』
"The Dwarf Kingdom won't be easy."
Especially since Vivian still bore dimensional interference almost in its purest form.
『A Demon King must take responsibility for their own words. I believe she knows at least something about the Dwarf Kingdom.』
『If not… then she is simply foolish.』
"There's hostility in your tone."
『I do not care for those vulgar succubi.』
Reina elegantly brushed her hair aside and scoffed.
『Anyway, I'll contact you again once things proceed.』
"Alright."
Flick—she vanished from the crystal sphere. Berze's reflection remained in the dimming glow.
"Hillen Cargill had better do well…"
If it were Reina, at least she was reasonable and useful. But Vivian?
He'd rather she wreck everything openly.
A cold smile crossed his lips.
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