Chapter 217 - Subjugation

The bitter taste of failure had wounded their pride and reawakened the fear they had forgotten. That was why the coalition had sharpened its blades before, and before that as well—to reclaim the initiative before it slipped from their grasp.

The Empire’s abrupt withdrawal had caused confusion, but that only made it all the more necessary to give their utmost. The tens of thousands of elite troops who had lost their levitation ships on the hero’s journey without achieving anything of note gathered again. Even more troops joined them.

One hundred thousand.

An army fully one hundred thousand strong assembled before the lake.

It was far too many to subjugate a single Demon King, especially Lies, whose tower required no searching to find, unlike Hellfire’s. But the kingdoms were blind to everything except restoring their shattered pride. The greater their numbers and strength, the less they worried about failure, so they spared no effort.

Yet it was not all good. Too many captains could steer a ship up a mountain. Humans struggled to become the leader whenever they formed a group. How much worse would it be in a coalition army made up of dozens of kingdoms?

When the tiger was absent, the fox was king. With the Empire gone, Akan was the strongest. Akan had contributed the most forces, including powerful fighters, and enjoyed the most support from other nations. In a sense, it was only natural that Akan should take command.

But this time, there was a variable.

Ernyan Hilderan, Crown Princess of the Kingdom of Hilderan and contractor of a spirit king.

Her authority and power alone already dwarfed those of everyone present. Moreover, her help was essential to attacking the tower on the lake. No one could readily speak up.

While everyone watched one another, Ernyan slowly spoke.

“I have no interest in becoming commander-in-chief.”

“Truly, Your Highness?”

Some of the nobles brightened.

“Truly.”

Power, honor, nation.

Ernyan had never cared for such things, and that remained true. At the same time, however, she believed she needed to acquire power, build her reputation, and make her country prosperous and strong. And that was by no means for her father’s sake.

‘For my lord.’

And for the people of the continent.

She believed Berge’s conquest of the continent was certain to succeed. Countless lives would probably be lost in the process, and she did not want that. Of course, one person close to her mattered more than thousands of strangers. But that did not mean she would stand by and watch meaningless deaths. If they could be avoided, they should be avoided; if they could be prevented, they should be prevented.

That was why she had to gain complete control over Hilderan. She had to raise its standing still further, so Hilderan could become the catalyst that broke the continent’s will to resist.

But becoming commander-in-chief was not the only way to do that. It was merely one path. This battlefield was a lake. There were countless opportunities for her to distinguish herself, so she had no need to cling to the empty title of commander. All the more so when taking the lead would keep her away from the battlefield, occupied with directing the army.

“Is that so?”

Duke Olten of Akan nodded calmly. An agreement had already been reached: he would become commander-in-chief, and Hilderan would receive a substantial share of the credit.

“Then, with Her Highness Ernyan Hilderan withdrawing her candidacy, we will put the remaining candidates to a vote.”

There were twelve commanders representing the kingdoms, along with the newly elected Guildmaster of the Heroes’ Guild. Thirteen votes in all were cast.

Duke Olten became commander-in-chief.

“I will accept your congratulations later. For now, let me explain our plans.”

At his signal, a large map was spread out. It depicted Lake Grasical, its surroundings, and the island at its center.

“Within the next three days, all remaining troops and vessels will arrive here, at Torn Harbor.”

Hundreds of warships and transports would carry the hundred thousand troops. Once they arrived, the campaign would begin after a brief period of preparations.

“Two things are paramount: reaching the central island where the tower stands safely, and landing safely to attack the tower.”

“There is a strong likelihood that demonic creatures released by the Demon King of Lies lurk in the lake. Therefore...”

The meeting delved deeper into the details.

* * *

SPLAAASH

A massive ship cut through the water. At the bow of the vessel crowded with heroes, Ernyan spread her arms.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m enjoying myself.”

“What are you enjoying?”

Ernyan smiled as Berge, disguised as Pale, questioned her.

“Everything. The breeze feels wonderful, the water is lovely, and the lake is beautiful. It would be even better if you held me from behind, my lord.”

“There are too many eyes watching.”

“It’s fascinating.”

“What is?”

“That I’m here with you, my lord, on a ship carrying hundreds of heroes on a hero’s journey?”

Naturally. The Guild had packed all the heroes participating in this journey onto one ship, and every last one was Berge’s servant.

“This hero’s journey will succeed, won’t it?”

“I cannot guarantee it.”

“So even you have moments when you aren’t confident, my lord?”

Or perhaps not. She murmured,

“Come to think of it, you weren’t confident from the very beginning.”

“What?”

“It’s true. Back when you asked me to stop Sir Hillen, you looked quite anxious.”

“...”

He had been anxious. Back then, Berge had only his adjutant Gordon and a single deranged dwarf, Logger. He had lifted almost none of the dimensional interference restricting him, and his own strength was weak. He had been grasping at straws.

“A demonic dragon is always self-assured.”

“Your eyes were wavering quite a bit.”

“My gaze is always resolute.”

“You were fretting over how I would answer, weren’t you?”

“I made the request because I knew you would accept.”

“Really?”

Ernyan narrowed her eyes and leaned her face closer. A sweet scent washed over him.

“Are you wearing perfume?”

“Does that matter?”

“It smells pleasant.”

“Doesn’t it? It’s my favorite. But why are you changing the subject?”

“...”

“Do you know how shocked I was back then? Good heavens, asking a princess to stop a hero.”

“And yet you had no trouble inventing those Four Heavenly Kings.”

“It had more impact than simply going out and saying something. It flustered Sir Hillen, too, so it worked wonderfully.”

“True, the look on Hillen’s face was quite a sight. I thought the world was ending that day.”

The Crown Princess and the Demon King chatted quietly on.

“Did that really happen?”

“It did not.”

“But the Demon King says it did.”

“This is the first I’ve heard of it.”

“What about the dwarf charging at you with a hammer?”

“That is true. He’s the damned bastard who leads the dwarves in the tower now.”

“And your expression was even more entertaining then?”

“I know nothing about that.”

Hillen wanted to cover his ears. His first meeting with Ernyan Hilderan—no, the Dark Spirit Summoner—was a shameful chapter of his past. It had been a bolt from the blue in a life spent faithfully serving humanity and striving to become Guildmaster. If he could go back, he would never have undertaken the hero’s journey to the Tower of Hellfire.

“The Demon King doesn’t seem to lie.”

“He’s very good at it.”

“He is?”

“Be especially wary when he swears on the First Demon Emperor and the Guide. There’s a ninety-nine percent chance he’s lying.”

“Really? I’ll keep that good advice in mind. It comes from none other than our Guildmaster, after all.”

Roselle firmly committed it to memory.

Meanwhile, the conversation between the Demon King and the Crown Princess took a new turn.

“But why didn’t you come to Hilderan? You said you would.”

“... I was busy.”

“Lavinia told me you spent a leisurely time together at the detached palace.”

“I was avoiding the mages pestering me...”

“Was that really all?”

“What else would there be?”

“There’s a strange rumor going around Akan...”

Berge and Ernyan turned their eyes toward the lake at the same time.

“... We’ll have to discuss this later.”

“Hmm. There are quite a few.”

The heroes noticed a moment later and began drawing their weapons one by one, preparing for battle.

“It doesn’t matter how many there are.”

Not while they were on a lake.

Ernyan sensed the currents.

- This place is full of creatures that do not belong here.

The water spirit king shared her senses. The disrupted ecosystem angered the king.

- We will need to sweep them all away and purify it.

The water responded to the king’s anger. Ripples radiating from the ship found the unwelcome visitors betraying their murderous intent.

Ernyan snapped her fingers. A small ripple formed. That was all. But soon, blood welling up from below dyed the lake red. Moments later, the bodies of aquatic monsters floated to the surface, each with a hole between its eyes.

But that was only the beginning.

SPLAAASH

More and more ripples formed in the water. Countless monsters swarmed toward the scent of blood.

“The Demon King of Lies certainly has plenty of monsters.”

“Lots of monsters. More?”

Lavinia, who had been sitting quietly atop Cher, brightened at the sight of the floating monster corpses.

“Not now, Lavinia.”

“Can’t?”

“Later.”

“Okay.”

“Lady Aina.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“I think the waves may become a little rough.”

“I will protect the ship.”

Though utterly outclassed by Ernyan, who had contracted a spirit king, Aina was an exceptionally accomplished archmage of water. With the lake as their battlefield, it was no exaggeration to call her the most reliable defender of the ship at that moment.

Ernyan rose lightly into the air. Aina chanted a spell, and a thick wall of water enclosed the ship.

At the same time—

—!

——!

Ripples disturbed the tranquil lake. A vortex formed, sucking everything in and drawing water high into the sky. The immense bodies of monsters and demonic creatures rose with the torrent.

ROOOAR

It was an enormous grinder. Razor-sharp blades of water spun, shredding everything. Amid shrieks, blood mixed with water sprayed in every direction. The water churned. Waves and great surges rolled across the lake.

“It doesn’t matter how many come.”

None of them would get past her.

- Yes. That is precisely the confidence my contractor should have.

- But there are rather a lot of them.

- What a foolish approach. We are hardly lacking in numbers ourselves.

Water mana gathered at the king’s will and split space apart. Through the gaping rift, the king’s followers appeared.

- The king calls!

- Eradicate every demonic creature!

- Finally, we’re out!

High-ranking, mid-ranking, and low-ranking—over a thousand water spirits plunged into the lake.

- Ernyan! I missed you!

All except one.

- There’s a rumor you and the Demon King have gotten even sweeter together! How far have you gone? Lady Naias won’t tell me anything! It’s dirty and underhanded! This is an abuse of power!

- I have a right to watch this play, too! I discovered it first! I was its first audience!

“... Why am I happy to see you after so long, yet not happy at all?”

- Do be understanding. Despite appearances, she is quite a capable high-ranking spirit. Nairuniel, hurry along and command the spirits. Sweep away those lawless demonic creatures.

- Yes. Ernyan, you have to tell me everything when this is over.

Nairuniel finally plunged into the water. The ships sailed down a path cleared in red. At last, an island appeared in the distance, and with it, a towering spire.

“Battle formation!”

The ships, which had arrived without difficulty, formed an encirclement around the island. Nothing was visible yet, but this was a Demon King’s tower. They did not let their guard down.

At that moment—

- ...!

Sensing something amiss, the spirit king lifted water from the lake. Bound together by the king’s mana, it formed a massive shield.

————!

But the hastily formed shield vanished before it could serve its purpose adequately. A black flash shot onward, its power scarcely diminished.

Ernyan summoned her mana, but before she could act, a shadow interposed itself between her and the flash. Black-red flames surged forth.

————!

A tremendous shock wave engulfed the surroundings. The explosion raised waves, followed by a great surge. The ships rocked violently.

“... Interesting.”

Berge shook the lingering impact out of his arm.

“Thank you.”

Ernyan stood beside him.

Far away, they could see the tower and the island. Above it was a demon with black wings spread wide and horns jutting from its head.

No, could that being be limited to the simple description of “demon”?

- That is a Demon King.

The spirit king declared it with certainty.

“It is a Demon King.”

Berge was equally certain.

“But not the Demon King of Lies...”

“It’s the one who descended recently.”

But he had never imagined the bastard would become Jason’s dog. No, he had never imagined Jason would take another Demon King as a servant.

‘Is it because of me?’

Probably. Berge was certain of it.

In the brief moment he spent lost in thought, much had changed. When he looked ahead again, shadows had appeared beside the demonic dragon soaring proudly above them. Monsters. Demonic creatures. Demons.

A legion of countless demonic creatures awaited them.

On the island.

In the lake.

And in the sky.

“Good heavens!”

“Are those all demonic creatures?”

“There are so many!”

The murmurs from the fleets following behind reached Berge’s ears.

“Prepare the mana cannons!”

“Hold formation!”

“Ready for battle!”

Those voices were tinged with fear, but they also carried the resolve to prepare for combat.

“That’s a rather rough welcome.”

“A grand one, too.”

“It looks like they intend to fight us outside.”

“So it seems.”

A tower strengthened its Demon King, and it could not be destroyed from outside. Thus, the standard approach was to receive enemies within. Why, then, had Jason chosen to face an army of one hundred thousand outside?

“What is he scheming?”

Berge did not know the precise reason. But one thing was clear: Jason was brimming with confidence.

“We won’t be able to take this lightly.”

Berge folded his arms.

‘I can’t use my claws or scales.’

After absorbing the dragon heart, Berge’s mana and demonic energy had become completely unified. Whether he used mana or demonic energy, the total amount available was the same. If there was a problem, it was that he could not reveal his true form. Having to conceal his claws and scales was a considerable risk.

“Hillen Cargill.”

He called Hillen over.

“Yes.”

“Hand over your sword.”

“... Pardon?”

“Hand it over.”

“...”

Hillen surrendered the sword made from dragon bone.

“Ernyan.”

“Yes. Leave the opening move to me.”

“No. Don’t touch anything except those that approach this ship.”

“Pardon?”