Chapter 210: The King of Heinkel

Ferda quietly lowered his head and offered a respectful bow.

"I should first apologize regarding your son. I never intended to truly dishonor the dead."

"...You already knew?"

"Yes."

"And yet you left me, his father, with pain that could tear me apart."

"It was necessary."

The duke glared at him with resentment in his eyes.

But the rage he had shown at their first meeting was no longer there.

"I suppose it was necessary. After all, I was the only fool in that entire affair. Let this be the last time we ever speak of it."

"Of course. Please, have a seat."

Duke Yurei took the seat Ferda offered, and Ferda poured him a drink.

The liquor touched his lips for the first time in a long while.

It tasted remarkably sweet.

"So, tell me. Why did you release me?"

"At the moment, the Heinkel Kingdom and the Arken Empire stand on the brink of war. I assume you're already aware of that."

"I've heard about it enough to grow sick of it."

"We would like you to give a speech and request an emergency assembly of the Grand Ducal Council."

"An emergency assembly..."

It was the best possible way to ease the tension that threatened to erupt into war.

Which was precisely why the proposal puzzled him.

"You are still a citizen of the Empire. Why would you wish for such a thing?"

"If I truly cared only as an imperial citizen, Duke Yurei, then the ideal outcome would be your death. The Empire would gain excellent territory."

The duke let out a dry chuckle.

"So there is a traitor within the Empire."

"Call me whatever you like. I am here for the sake of my fiancée."

"Doesn't the Empire's will align with Her Highness Grand Duchess Valdrova's?"

"This war is being pursued because people are taking the name of the Demon Race too lightly. The Demon Race must be eradicated from this continent. If that goal is twisted into an excuse for personal greed, it will only bring even greater chaos."

"...A convincing argument."

Ferda answered clearly.

Duke Yurei looked at him carefully.

There was an unsettling sense of age and experience hidden within those eyes.

"At the very least, you're not the sort who would conspire with that damned Grand Duke."

"Certainly not."

The duke covered his face with one hand as he pondered before speaking again.

"First, I need to send a letter. News must reach the Heinkel Kingdom."

"I'll prepare everything."

Ferda handed him paper and a pen.

Duke Yurei began writing.

He explained that he had escaped safely with the help of the Swallow Mercenary Company.

He deliberately omitted any mention of Ferda.

Leaving such things in writing would only repay kindness with betrayal.

Though he was currently under Ferda's protection, he simply ended the letter by stating that his condition was poor.

"Please send this to the Heinkel Kingdom."

"Understood."

A messenger mounted his horse and galloped away.

Now, all that remained was to wait for a reply.

"Shall we talk for a while, Regent Ferda?"

Duke Yurei said as he poured himself another drink.

"When they learn that you've thrown away such a golden opportunity to expand your territory, the Empire won't remain silent. What do you intend to do about your relationship with them?"

"Milk them for every drop while they're still useful. That's the plan, isn't it?"

"That's quite the shameless thing for a lord to say."

"But doesn't it appeal to you?"

"It does."

He let out a faint laugh and drained his cup.

He tried to smile, but the corners of his mouth refused to rise.

"...William."

Duke Yurei cautiously spoke the name.

"Why are you keeping that man where he is?"

Ferda was genuinely surprised.

He had never imagined the duke would take an interest in William.

"His ability and character are second to no knight... Yet he's still serving as nothing more than the captain of a village's Public Security Force. I can't understand it."

"There were... quite a few complicated circumstances. Even so, I fully acknowledge that he's exceptional. I even tried to recruit him as a knight under Grand Duchess Valdrova's domain."

"And he refused?"

"He did. It was William's own decision."

"And you simply accepted such insolence?"

"Would it be wise to trample on a man's convictions? He's the sort of person who even turned down the Empire's offer of becoming a Guardian Knight."

"He even rejected a knighthood from the Empire?"

"He only agreed on the condition that it be an honorary title. Which is practically the same as refusing."

"..."

A man who didn't even want the position of Guardian Knight...

How exactly was anyone supposed to persuade someone like that?

A complicated expression crossed Duke Yurei's face.

Ferda could only guess that the two of them had spoken before.

"The Empire won't be sending anyone after you anymore. Please rest here for today."

"...Thank you."

After finishing his drink, Duke Yurei fell asleep.

Ferda quietly waited until the following day.

The next morning, the messenger returned.

The handwriting belonged to none other than King Sigmund Heinkel himself.

The letter contained only a single sentence.

-I shall personally come to welcome my old friend.

***

Ferda and Duke Yurei arrived on a plain within the territory of the Heinkel Kingdom.

It was their designated meeting place.

"This brings back memories."

Duke Yurei gazed across the plain as nostalgia filled his voice.

"Sigmund Heinkel... Back then, we were so young that I simply called him Zig. We used to play on this very plain, pretending to be knights."

"That explains why he's coming personally."

"It's hardly a kingly decision, but I understand it. His Majesty and I have been together since childhood. We've known each other for nearly forty years, shared every celebration and every funeral. He's more than a friend—he's my brother."

Bitterness filled the duke's expression.

"And yet... knowing such a friend was captured in enemy territory weighed heavily on me."

"..."

"I was so consumed by emotion that I failed to see the bigger picture. Looking back, I can only despise my own foolishness."

"Would anyone have acted differently?"

Emotion stirred desire.

And desire clouded judgment.

By the time the sun stood high overhead, something appeared in Duke Yurei's sight.

Beyond the distant hill, banners rose into view.

There was no mistaking the emblem.

It was the crest of the Heinkel Kingdom.

The moment he recognized it, Duke Yurei felt tears welling in his eyes.

Dozens of elite knights lined the ridge in perfect formation, displaying the kingdom's magnificent military might.

As the lead rider moved aside, a middle-aged man wearing a golden crown emerged at the center.

"Perry! My old friend!"

King Sigmund Heinkel dismounted from his white horse and ran toward Duke Yurei.

The duke also climbed down and walked forward.

Ferda followed several steps behind, quietly observing the king.

So that's Sigmund Heinkel.

Ferda understood immediately.

He was not a man who looked suited to be king.

The face rushing toward them belonged to nothing more than a kind-hearted middle-aged gentleman.

Perhaps because of that...

Ferda instinctively felt uneasy.

Suppressing the joy overflowing within him, Duke Yurei bowed respectfully.

"Your Majesty... I cannot express how happy I am to see you again."

"The feeling is mutual! The moment I saw your handwriting, I made preparations immediately!"

"I'm sorry for making you rush out to meet me."

"My dear friend returned alive. How could I possibly remain seated and wait? But... who is this man?"

His eyes turned toward Ferda, whose presence made the emotional reunion slightly awkward.

"This is Regent Ferda."

"Ferda...? The one you mentioned...?"

Sigmund looked completely unable to understand why Ferda would be here.

Ferda merely bowed quietly while Duke Yurei briefly explained everything.

"Without the Regent's help, I could never have dreamed of escaping."

"Ah, I see. Then he is your benefactor. Come, let us return to the castle. We should hold a banquet."

"There isn't time."

Duke Yurei's voice became urgent.

"As you expected, the Empire is trying to manufacture a justification for war."

"Yes, I've heard."

"Now that I've escaped, we must prepare our counterattack. Please summon every noble in the kingdom so we may discuss our response."

"Ah... that matter."

King Heinkel's tone suddenly turned strangely cold.

Though it was only a few syllables, Ferda instinctively began condensing his mana.

"You needn't concern yourself too deeply with that."

"...Your Majesty? What do you mean?"

At that moment, Duke Yurei realized something.

Something was terribly wrong.

"Yurei... We have no intention of avoiding this war."

"...What?"

"I said we will not avoid it."

He couldn't understand.

King Heinkel had always feared and hated the horrors of war.

The pacifist king was now speaking of marching willingly into battle.

Without even blinking, King Heinkel continued,

"The Empire wants war with us. The other kingdoms are equally eager to tear us apart. While you were gone... I had much time to think."

"If that means you'll embrace war... then we're all doomed, Your Majesty. I beg you to reconsider—"

"Do not worry, Yurei. I possess power now."

"...Power?"

"The power to protect this kingdom."

He slowly raised one hand.

"...Ah...!"

A flame blossomed in his palm.

A man who had never possessed even the slightest affinity for magic was now casting spells with effortless mastery.

But that wasn't the real problem.

The flames he produced devoured all surrounding light.

A black fire that defied the natural order.

King Heinkel smiled.

"Look... Isn't this flame magnificent?"

But Duke Yurei merely trembled.

"Your Majesty... No... Zig... Have you... made a contract with a demon?"

"No."

"You always told me demons never make deals that lose them money."

"Then... who gave you such power?"

"The Demon Race."

Duke Yurei staggered violently.

"You... joined hands with the Demon Race?"

"I had no choice."

"But I don't regret it."

"Zig..."

"Because thanks to them..."

The light of reason vanished from his eyes.

"...I finally awakened."

"To the truth that everything in this mortal world is utterly meaningless."

Madness filled the space where sanity had once been.

Duke Yurei came to his senses and reached for the sword at his waist.

It was the ceremonial blade he had carried out of respect.

"Why endure misunderstanding? Why suffer for the sake of a nonexistent afterlife?"

"Zig... Don't say another word."

"The suffering of the past. The suffering of the present. The suffering yet to come. Wouldn't it be wonderful to cast it all aside and live forever within a dream?"

"Please! Don't give me a reason to cut you down!"

"Yurei... my dear friend... I wish you could experience this feeling as well."

"ZIG!"

Duke Yurei drew his sword.

One clean slash.

King Heinkel's head flew from his shoulders.

His body collapsed lifelessly.

Then something unbelievable happened.

"...What...?!"

The man he had just beheaded was no longer King Heinkel.

Instead, he was a man wearing a helmet.

Looking more closely...

It was the helmet of the lead standard-bearer.

Then where was the real rider?

Duke Yurei looked up.

Standing where the standard-bearer had been...was King Heinkel himself.

Holding the banner, he looked down at Duke Yurei with disappointment.

"You still don't understand."

"The others were the same."

"Springfield... Hoshou..."

He slowly raised his hand.

"But once they witnessed what I saw... they realized how foolish they had been."

The knights behind him simultaneously drew their swords.

"I shall open your eyes as well."

His hand fell.

The knights charged.

"Everyone, prepare for battle!"

"Protect Duke Yurei and the Regent!"

Ferda's escort consisted of barely ten men.

Against more than fifty charging knights...

The odds were hopeless.

Yet if that had been the only problem...

It would have been fortunate.

"What... what is that...?"

As the horses thundered closer across the earth...

Their forms began to twist grotesquely.

The knights' skin darkened.

The horses' muscles swelled violently.

Moments later...

Both riders and steeds transformed into dozens of monstrous creatures.

The king's knights had become mounted warriors of the Demon Race.

Ferda calmly assessed their strength.

The transformed knights are Knight-class. Their warhorses are nearly as powerful.

Each mounted demon possessed enough power to effortlessly annihilate an entire infantry battalion.

"Regent Ferda..."

Duke Yurei called his name with a trembling voice.

He looked toward Ferda.

Yet not the slightest trace of panic could be found on his face.

From beginning to end...

Ferda remained perfectly composed.

"There is nothing to worry about."

The reason was simple.

He was always prepared.

"I requested reinforcements five minutes ago."

Five minutes ago?

What good would that do now?

Duke Yurei scanned the plain.

There wasn't even a single ant in sight.

"There's one place you haven't looked."

Ferda pointed upward.

The blue sky.

The blazing sun.

And...

A tiny dot.

The dot gradually turned red.

It rapidly grew larger.

BOOM!

It crashed directly into the middle of the demon horde.

The impact shook the earth beneath Duke Yurei's feet.

Did he... summon a meteor?!

The last Ferda Valdrova he knew had only been a Four-Star Mage.

To summon a meteor required at least a Six-Circle Opener.

But the object that created the massive crater wasn't a meteor.

"...An axe?"

It was a gigantic axe, large enough that only an ogre could wield it.

And that wasn't all.

Another silver comet streaked across the sky.

KWAAAAANG!!

The second comet snatched up the gigantic axe as it landed and continued charging forward.

When Duke Yurei finally saw the newcomer's figure...

He was even more shocked.

The one wielding that enormous axe...

Was a girl with an even smaller frame.

A young girl dressed in a maid outfit.

Yet the pair of horns rising from her head...

And the tail swaying behind her...

Made it obvious she was no ordinary girl.

The ease with which she handled that massive weapon spoke volumes about her combat experience.

Luri Silverwind.

Before becoming a maid...

She had been a Silverwind Dragon Spawn, feared as the Nightmare of the Frost Giants.

She plunged straight into the center of the demon army...

And slammed her axe into the ground.

BOOOOM!