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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: Dwarf, Orc, Elf, and Hero
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"How on earth did you do it?"
The dwarf was wriggling his short arms and legs like a freshly caught fish.
His wide-eyed, sparkling gaze was so pure it made one want to crush it.
"The Mana Ghost I made connected to the tower's core! And it transformed like this!"
"Don't dwarves have an attachment to their creations?"
That was why Berge had expected Roger to grumble.
"That's not the point right now. This is a huge breakthrough, isn't it?"
"It spread from the first floor to the entire tower."
"I designed and built it to run on mana as fuel, but some unknown force changed the power source."
"And it suddenly hid the whole tower? I've never even heard of such a thing."
"How on earth did you do it? No, what is this tower?"
Roger unleashed a barrage of words like a machine gun. It was the complete opposite of the sullen, passive demeanor he'd shown since being kidnapped.
"Did you think the Demon King's Tower would be ordinary?"
"Of course not, but this is truly astonishing. I'm dying to know what principle allows it to change like this."
"So?"
"Pardon?"
"So, what are you getting at?"
"Well... if it wouldn't be too much trouble, could I just take a quick peek? A very quick look at the machinery and the tower? No, investigate it?"
His firm insistence, as if refusal wasn't an option, was the brightest gleam in his eyes since being brought to the tower.
'Madness?'
It was the look he'd seen in demonkin obsessed with battle. The goal differed, but the meaning was much the same.
There was nothing new about a dwarf's curiosity toward the mysteries he first encountered.
"Don't you have work to do first?"
Roger flinched.
"The hero is drawing closer. Soonest one month. At latest, three."
According to Granada's report, they were approaching at a steady pace, so barring any major incidents, they'd arrive in two months.
A long time if long, short if short.
"Can you finish it to those specs within that timeframe?"
"I can. No, I will! I stake my honor as a hero on it!"
"Weren't you barely concerned with that in the first place?"
"Then I'll stake anything! So..."
"Fine. Meet the deadline, and you can have what you want. But no damaging the machinery or the tower."
"Of course!"
Roger nodded vigorously. The designs were already complete, and the restriction against using mana had been lifted.
He could make it. No, he would make it.
Madness dwelled in the artisan's eyes.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
'That energy devoured even more Demonic Energy (Magi) than expected and caused changes beyond imagination.'
The tower hadn't pinpointed exactly what it was.
But he had a guess.
'Dimensional Interference.'
The power that weakened invaders.
And strengthened heroes.
The balancing force.
When he first met Roger, he had been forging the princess's weapon.
He was very weak, but his hammer strikes held power. Mana danced under his hammer. Mana dwelled in the weapon.
'I don't know much about it, but people said mana surged whenever I hammered. That's why I devised a way to conceal mana and created the Mana Ghost.'
Hearing the circumstances behind the Mana Ghost's creation confirmed it. Roger lacked power as a hero, but all that interference had transferred into his hammering.
His skill and passion had earned him top fame in the kingdom, but it was undeniable that the hero's power lent a hand.
"This might actually be a good thing..."
He'd been wary because of the hero aspect, but it had turned into an advantage.
"What's good about it!"
Gordon suddenly shouted.
"We need to smash that ridiculous Mana Ghost abomination right now!"
"Why?"
"Why? Isn't it obvious? The Demon King's Tower must stand taller and prouder than any building. It should always boldly assert its presence, showing the dignity of demonkin, of the Demon King. Hiding it? Ridiculous!"
Because that's demonkin-like. Because that's Demon King-like.
But Berge scowled at the obvious statement.
"You know that? Responding to your whining one by one is getting annoying."
"..."
"I understand demonkin pride, but look at the situation. Think we could block those heroes right now without this?"
"...We couldn't."
"Right. I call guys who chant ideals without alternatives idiots. I'd prefer you not make me call you one."
"..."
"If you still oppose, bring a demonkin-worthy plan I can accept."
I'm no fool who rejects the canon just because I hate it rigidly.
Berge whispered.
He hadn't been like this before, so why the sudden idiocy?
Incomprehensible words too.
'Don't make me call you an idiot.'
He already had.
Gordon bit his lip.
"...I'll definitely bring one."
Demonkin pride.
Top aide's self-respect.
Began to burn.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Berge conducted various experiments.
"Closing the doors drastically reduces mana leakage."
He'd thought it was complete blockage at first, but not quite.
Still, its effectiveness in concealing purer spirit mana was unquestionable.
"And stealth."
There are various types of stealth.
Hiding presence entirely.
Fooling vision with illusions.
Blending into nature.
The tower's stealth via Mana Ghost encompassed all three.
Erasing the tower's presence.
Blending into surroundings via illusion, becoming part of it.
Still basic, with some unnaturalness, but as the tower grew and interference on Berge lessened, it would perfect.
"Can't use it recklessly, though."
20 Magi per second was no joke. Unless efficiency improved or dire emergency, unthinkable.
"Oh, right. I had a promise to keep."
Remembering his deal with the princess, Berge opened the tower's storeroom after a long time. The three spirit herbs he'd obtained before lay there dormant.
"...Tch."
Steeped in faint Demonic Energy, tinged purple.
It was intentional, so not bad. But he'd promised Ernyan one, so not ideal now.
'No helping it.'
He'd have to leg it again.
To get full effort from her important role, he had to deliver as promised.
Berge descended to the fourth floor.
"Heading out?"
"Promised spirit herbs, so must keep it. The ones here are mixed with Magi—you can't use them."
Humans could use Magi. Black mages existed, depending on usage. But to spirits, utter poison.
"Great."
Ernyan dressed excitedly. They left the tower with Roger's send-off.
"Different direction this time."
Fortunately, clear skies. Berge sent Ernyan's wind spirit ahead.
One demonkin and one human's footprints marked the snowy path.
"Can I ask one thing?"
"Perfect timing. I was curious about something too."
"You first."
"Why accept my offer?"
"You wanted it."
"True. But I thought no chance."
He'd pondered long. Couldn't understand.
Why the princess accepted. Why discard rescue chance.
"For the spirit herb."
"Rare, but Hilderan crown princess—you've had them."
"But more the better, right?"
"Not enough to antagonize your rescuer hero."
"Ah, too much?"
Ernyan shook her head. Berge stared blankly.
"...If you just hate returning to kingdom, would that convince?"
"Circumstances, huh?"
"Who hasn't?"
"Fair."
"No more questions?"
"Enough."
If there's reason, fine. No need for family details.
Just cooperate as now while hostage.
"Your question?"
"Oh, right. What'll you do if you capture the hero?"
"Worried?"
"He came to save me, after all."
"Can't release."
"I know. What you're doing differs much from other Demon King's Towers."
"Get to point."
"Make Hero Hillun Kargil a subordinate?"
Berge kidnapped her to decorate floors.
Kidnapped dwarf hero for first floor.
So, maybe use Hillun Kargil too? Question arose.
"Why curious?"
"Heard no such Demon King in centuries..."
Ernyan halted mid-sentence.
"Found it."
"Already?"
"But..."
She furrowed her brow.
"Guests already."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Opposite direction from before? Found Iasins surprisingly quick—good.
But prior guests unwelcome.
Especially same unpleasant memory-makers.
Puer Orcs. Larger tribe than before, village centered on Iasins.
Sentries visible between crudely woven wood walls. Eyes met.
"...!"
Orc's pupils dilated. Soon, raucous horn shook village.
"Troublesome."
"Resist?"
"Precedent exists—no law against twice."
Berge lightly extended hand. Flickering black flames incinerated wood walls instantly.
But.
"..."
"Wow..."
No hostility or murderous intent greeted them.
No crude blades or filthy fangs.
"We greet the Demon King!"
"Demon King!"
Awe. Submission.
Dozens of Puer Orcs knelt. Heads bowed, foreheads to ground. Worshipped Berge.
"...What is this?"
At his question, lead Puer Orc raised head.
"We earnestly beg. Please accept us as your kin!"
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"Granada. You and Red Hawk's exploits are impressive."
Minor discord aside, hero procession smooth.
No demonkin or monsters meant scant loot, but highlighted heroes' greatness.
- Demon King cowed by Hillun's might, sent no demonkin.
- Nothing blocks hero procession.
- This one succeeds for sure.
Thus?
Bandits dared not target. Even usual fly-like pests absent.
Only occasional brainless charging monsters.
And in those skirmishes, Red Hawk Mercenary Corps shone brightest.
Thanks to elf Granada's sharp senses detecting monsters first.
Also Demon King's order to build fame via exploits.
Thus, Granada often interacted with hero Hillun Kargil.
"Rare to have an elf like you."
"Is it?"
"Elves are insular—don't easily leave territory even post-treaty."
True for elves. Most subraces too. Instinct against leaving domain, but mainly avoiding human touch stronger.
Granada didn't point it out.
"'Rare' implies you knew one."
"Did. Comrade."
Hillun smiled bitterly.
"Gave life for me. Defeated Demon King of Lust, but..."
"Shouldn't have asked."
Granada apologized to lingering melancholy.
"No, not secret."
Granada caught single teardrop.
"Friend led most in Demon King subjugations. Like other elves. Like you leading mercenaries against monsters. Nostalgia hit. Sorry."
"No. Understandable."
"Thanks. Drink?"
"Yes."
Cups clinked.
Hillun laughed heartily.
"Looking forward to more. Feels I can trust my back to you."
"Overpraise."
Later talk trivial.
"I'll go then."
"Yes, expect more exploits."
"Yes."
Granada exited.
Alone, Hillun's smile vanished like shed mask.
"Right, elves trustworthy. Elves."
Right?
*Smack*
Hillun lightly kissed his ring.