“I know nothing about it.”
Berge had expected the other Demon Kings to contact him once word spread that the tower had not been found. That was why he had agonized over his answer. What should he say? How could he satisfy them without revealing a single piece of information about his own affairs?
He had put his head together with Gordon, Kaede, Elena, and even Lavinia and Vivian, but no such answer existed. That was what the tower’s disappearance meant: something unfamiliar to humans, but even more unfamiliar to Demon Kings.
And Berge had absolutely no intention of sharing it with them.
‘Especially not Jason.’
His relationship with Jason had not been bad at first. Jason had lent Berge money, and the two had joined hands. Although Jason had noticed Berge’s involvement in Drakson’s death and issued a warning, he had also offered the sweet prospect of war between the alliance and the Empire.
That had made one thing clear to Berge: Jason was painting some larger picture, and he did not want it ruined. Vivian had helped him understand more.
‘If he can choose to stand by and let Vivian die, or prevent it...’
That meant he had some influence over the Heroes’ Guild or a nation with considerable power on the continent.
‘The Heroes’ Guild, the Empire, or Akan.’
It was probably one of those three. Only two nations currently possessed that much power.
‘And perhaps he’s been involved in the deaths of Demon Kings.’
Outwardly, he proclaimed the Harmony of Towers and called for unity and cooperation among Demon Kings. Yet that meant he could eliminate even another Demon King at any time if they strayed from the picture he had painted. In a sense, of course, that made him a perfectly ordinary demon. But it was hardly something to accept as natural when you were the one on the receiving end.
Seen in that light, the fact that only one Demon King’s seat had repeatedly changed hands over the past century seemed suspicious. Perhaps Jason had deliberately eliminated those who would not cooperate with him, before they could ruin his picture. That left Berge with only one possible answer.
“My tower is exactly where it was originally. If there was no tower there, that must mean they went to the wrong place.”
“Do you honestly think that makes sense?” the enormous titan roared.
“I’m the one who doesn’t understand the question. What exactly are you suggesting? That I somehow made my tower disappear?”
“I know Hillen Cargill rescued the Kingdom of Hilderan’s Crown Princess. Do you think it makes sense that the imperial expedition couldn’t find what his party found? They had the same recording orb!”
“You’re the one spouting nonsense. Why should I have to make excuses for those fools being too stupid to find it?”
“... I’m asking what you did with the tower! Was it destroyed by Hillen Cargill?”
“Isn’t that simply what you’re hoping for? If it were, I certainly wouldn’t be sitting here humoring your delusions.”
Ugar fell silent. When a tower was destroyed, immense dimensional interference bore down on its Demon King’s body and soul, even if they survived. Being unable to receive demonic energy in that state meant death.
“So you’re saying you don’t know the reason, Lord Berge?”
Jason, who had been sitting quietly in the host’s seat and listening, spoke for the first time.
“Correct. Nor do I understand why I should have to explain myself over this.”
“My apologies. That is certainly understandable from your perspective. It was so unexpected that Lord Ugar appears to have been taken aback as well.”
“And you weren’t?”
“I always trust you, Lord Berge. If that is what you say, then that must be how it is.”
“How many times have we even met?”
“There is something else I would like to ask instead.”
“...?”
“A few months ago, a princess and craftsmen from the Kingdom of Berft were abducted. Are you aware of that?”
“Is there anyone who isn’t?”
“The Kingdom of Berft declared it the work of a Demon King and named Lady Vivian as the culprit.”
Berge gave a small nod. Jason continued.
“Afterward, her tower disappeared, and Lady Vivian is presumed to have passed away.”
“An unfortunate affair. But repeating the same mistake after already suffering the bitter taste of failure once is Vivian’s own problem.”
“Of course. If it truly was Lady Vivian who abducted the princess and the craftsmen.”
Jason pushed up his monocle. Reina, who had been listening quietly, furrowed her brow.
“Jason Cockmundo. What do you mean by that?”
“Before Lady Vivian died, she contacted me. She said she was certainly not the culprit, and that she had been wronged.”
“Anyone can say that.”
“Even when they swear upon the great first Demon Emperor and the Guide?”
“...”
Reina closed her mouth, unable to say anything.
“What are you trying to say?”
“The dwarven kingdom’s claim that it discovered demonic energy is probably not a lie.”
“So the culprit must be a Demon King, but it isn’t Vivian—which means it’s one of us?”
And you suspect me, at that.
“Am I wrong?”
“You are. I am merely saying this because I do not believe Lady Vivian would lie under an oath sworn upon the first Demon Emperor and the Guide. If she truly did not do it, wouldn’t that be a terrible injustice? I simply believe we should at least clear the grievance of her departed spirit.”
Oh, please.
Berge snorted.
“Since when have you cared about Vivian?”
“I always care about everyone.”
“Vivian contacted me as well. She asked for my help, offering to become my servant. She also said she’d asked you for help first, but you refused.”
“I had circumstances of my own. My inability to help her then is a lasting regret. Had I known she would meet such an end, I should have helped her by any means necessary.”
“She contacted me too. And I dismissed it as nonsense and refused. I don’t think it’s right to persecute Jason over that.”
“Ugar Belbek, when did I ask you?”
“Whether you ask or not, it’s my choice to answer,” Ugar growled.
“You’ve become quite the faithful dog.”
“What did you say?”
“How sad. I do not understand why we must be so hostile to one another. All I want is to clear Lady Vivian’s grievance.”
Jason intervened between them.
“Lord Berge. Though we have not developed a particularly close friendship, I believe we have maintained a reasonably good relationship from the beginning until now.”
“Let’s say we have.”
At least on the surface, that was true.
“Yet I cannot understand why you suddenly feel so distant. I believed I had always shown you my sincerity.”
“That’s what I’d like to say. I thought we had a reasonably good relationship, and yet you suspect me.”
“I do not suspect you, Lord Berge. As I have already said, I wish to clear Lady Vivian’s grievance.”
“And?”
“Should an oath upon the first Demon Emperor and the Guide not be answered with an oath of the same kind?”
Berge’s lips twisted. Jason’s smile deepened.
“Are you telling us to swear an oath?”
Reina’s eyes turned cold. An oath upon the first Demon Emperor and the Guide had to arise entirely from one’s own will, not another’s coercion. At least, that was a conviction shared by all demons.
“It is merely a suggestion, not a demand, Lady Reina. And I shall do so myself.”
Jason set down his black tea with milk.
“I, Jason Cockmundo, swear upon the great first Demon Emperor and the Guide that I did not abduct the dwarven princess or the dwarven craftsmen.”
He slowly looked over the other Demon Kings.
“What’s so difficult about that? The same goes for me. I, Ugar Belbek, swear upon the great first Demon Emperor and my sincerity that I did not abduct the dwarven princess or the dwarven craftsmen.”
“... I do not like this.”
Reina’s rebuke was icy, but in the end, she did not resist the prevailing mood. On the surface, at least, it was an act that protected her honor.
“I, Reina Sordein, swear upon the great first Demon Emperor and the Guide that I did not abduct the dwarven princess or the dwarven craftsmen.”
“...”
Only Berge remained. Jason had said he would not force anyone. Yet his gaze was fixed on Berge, as were those of the other two Demon Kings. Silent pressure.
Rather than resist, Berge chose to bow his head for the moment.
“I, Berge Deias, swear upon the first Demon Emperor and the Guide that I did not abduct the dwarven princess or the craftsmen.”
“There we are.”
Jason clapped his hands, changing the mood.
“My thanks to all of you for indulging my unreasonable request.”
He inclined his head slightly.
“Then, in the end, none of the Demon Kings interfered with the dwarven kingdom, but they acted under a misunderstanding.”
And Vivian had died in the process.
“It seems we have been played in their little drama.”
“Insolent wretches. Using Demon Kings as chess pieces.”
“Their arrogance has gone too far.”
Reina brooded over her simmering anger. Ugar fumed. However much weaker they might be in relative terms, they were still Demon Kings—beings of exceptional might. None of them would take being used by inferior races lightly.
“That is why I believe this gathering is important. We, too, must join forces, just as the humans do. I believe this Harmony of Towers, convened thanks to Lord Berge, offers an excellent opportunity.”
“That is...”
“Of course, cooperation may seem unbecoming of Demon Kings in some respects. But if we can do nothing even after being used by humans and suffering disgrace and humiliation, would that not be truly unbecoming of Demon Kings?”
“I agree.”
Ugar promptly raised his fork. When Berge also assented, Reina reluctantly nodded.
And so the Harmony of Towers became a forum for an alliance that would strengthen their cooperation.
* * *
The Harmony of Towers ended. All the Demon Kings returned to their own domains, and Jason opened a fine wine in place of his cold black tea.
“Congratulations on achieving what you desired.”
His adjutant, Aina, filled the empty glass in Jason’s hand with red wine.
“Thank you.”
“You are most welcome.”
More direct cooperation among Demon Kings was the ideal he had envisioned, a means to conquer the world of Arain in a more coordinated fashion. With Demon Kings blinded to reality by their arrogance and individualism, it had been little more than a futile fantasy. But at last, he had produced tangible results.
Vivian’s sacrifice had provided an excellent opportunity. Convening the gathering on the pretext of Berge’s vanished tower had been the best possible choice. And yet...
“Strangely enough, I am not particularly pleased.”
“Is something worrying you?”
“Worrying me...”
A tart yet sweet flavor, mellow and smooth, spread over his tongue. The rich aroma of wine teased his nose.
“I suppose you could say there is one thing. It seems I cannot become friends with Lord Berge after all.”
He had achieved a great deal. But Jason did not consider bringing the Demon Kings together in cooperation his greatest accomplishment. Berge’s answer—his oath—was the greatest result. Though he did not know how Berge had hidden his tower, or why the heroes had failed to find it, he felt he had taken a step closer to understanding the Demon King named Berge Deias.
Jason looked out at the lake beyond the window.
“How fascinating. Truly.”
“What is?”
“Berge Deias swore upon the first Demon Emperor and the Guide that he had not done it.”
And yet...
“I, too, was certain.”
Certain that Berge Deias was the culprit.
“That is...”
“It must be one of two things.”
Either he was wrong, or Berge had lied. And Jason was certain it was the latter. That was why goosebumps rose over him. A thrill ran through his body.
“Lord Berge, what in the world happened to you?”
What could possibly have happened?
“You, who were a more fervent believer in the Guide than anyone while attending the Demon King Military Academy...”
You, who proclaimed the greatness of the first Demon Emperor.
“To think you now regard the first Demon Emperor and the Guide as trash.”
Goosebumps covered his entire body. Overcome by surging emotion, he burst into laughter.
“... My lord?”
“It would seem...”
His laughter stopped abruptly.
“I have been far too quiet.”
I thought you were different from the other Demon Kings, so I regarded you favorably and watched you with greater tolerance. But it seems you were far too different.
In his expressionless face, his adjutant could discern just one emotion: anger.
“If my picture is ruined, the culprit will undoubtedly be Berge Deias.”
“Yes.”
“Crush the Golden Moon Trading Company. Smash it, break it apart, and absorb it outright.”
“Yes.”
“And...”
Jason hurled his glass to the floor. It shattered into fragments. Aina poured wine into a fresh glass.
“Find Lord Berge’s tower.”
Without fail.
“Ensure that the next hero’s journey cannot fail.”
“I shall carry out your command.”
