Grand Duke Alkain flew into a rage, threatening to revoke Vivian’s right to trade with the Demon Realm. Vivian retorted that the old man could do as he pleased.

And with that, she was abandoned completely.

“Now I really have no one left to turn to. You’ll take responsibility for me, won’t you, my lord?”

“Stop giving me a headache and go.”

After sending Vivian away, Berge sank into thought. Grand Duke Alkain had not even contacted him. That meant he had drawn a firm line between them.

There really was no going back now.

“... How infuriating.”

He had suspected it, but was he truly barred from returning to the Demon Realm?

‘No, that remains to be seen.’

Demon King was not the final rank. They had only been given that name to strike greater terror into the inhabitants of lower dimensions. Originally, they were vanguard commanders.

Above the Demon Kings stood the grand dukes, and above them, the emperor who ruled the Demon Realm.

‘My goal was always to become the Demon Emperor.’

The highest position in the Demon Realm.

In the Demon Realm, strength reigned supreme. Demons bowed before power. Demon Kings, grand dukes, and even the Demon Emperor were no different. The strong became emperor.

All he needed to do, then, was grow stronger. Strong enough to smash through every obstacle Grand Duke Alkain put in his path, and chew up and swallow the other grand dukes and even the Demon Emperor.

‘And I...’

He was already stronger than he had been before his regression, despite having removed less dimensional interference.

Absorbing the Phoenix and the dragon had increased his innate strength as their powers mingled with his demonic energy. Merging the towers had also made removing interference more efficient.

An already mighty and magnificent demonic dragon had gained even greater wings.

“... They do say demonic dragons tend to get lost in their own little worlds. Clearly, it’s true.”

“Shut up.”

Only then did he remember Gordon was there.

“But how do you intend to treat the First Prince?”

“That is for Kaede to handle.”

“I thought you would take some action yourself, my lord.”

“Why?”

“Because he is the First Prince.”

“...”

Though his reasons differed somewhat from what Gordon had in mind, Berge had been tremendously excited when he first decided to abduct the First Prince.

How could he not have been? The First Prince held a special significance for him. Abducting him had marked the beginning of Berge’s downfall. He had been the key that hastened Berge’s own destruction.

Sometimes, faint memories returned of the First Prince before the regression, bellowing that Berge would regret it, that a mere Demon King did not know his place.

Yet once he actually abducted him, he felt little of anything. Someone else now excited him far more than the First Prince did.

The Demon King of Lies, Jason Cockmundo.

‘Come to think of it, the First Prince never actually did anything.’

He had merely been abducted. It was the emperor and Jason who had manipulated everything behind the scenes and driven Berge into a corner.

Perhaps that was why, when he finally faced the First Prince again, he felt so little that it surprised even him. His only excitement came from finding himself in the same situation once more—and knowing that this time, he could seize control and wield it himself.

For now, Jason’s next move and the upheaval in the Empire mattered more than the First Prince.

“Speaking of which, where is Kaede?”

“She went down to the underground prison.”

“... I wonder how their sibling reunion will go.”

“Would you care to watch?”

“Shall I?”

It was not that he was particularly curious. It would simply be a disaster if Kaede got carried away and killed his prisoner.

He only wanted to prevent any unforeseen accidents...

“My lord.”

“What?”

“A call has come in.”

“I know.”

The faint chill told him immediately where it was coming from.

“Today really is a busy day.”

He settled back onto the throne just as he had been about to rise.

『I am told a hero’s journey is being planned against me.』

It was a message he could not possibly take lightly.

* * *

At the entrance to the underground prison, Kaede rested her hand on the cold metal door and took a deep breath.

It had been a long time since she had seen her older brother. But no one could call their relationship good, even as a joke.

Ever since childhood, Rufus had divided the world into those who were useful to him and those who were not. To him, Martin Jespine was a rival threatening the imperial throne that rightfully belonged to him, and Kaede was a thorn in his side for supporting that rival.

They had barely interacted as children. But when she began distinguishing herself as a knight, he reached his sinister hand toward her.

[“Become my sword. Serve me.”]

One attempt to win her over. One refusal. Then came the underhanded attacks.

She had been poisoned while out on subjugation missions. She had also found herself unexpectedly separated from her knights and facing monsters alone.

There had been many other incidents. The more she distinguished herself and earned glory as a knight, the more frequent they became. She had won the support of quite a few knights, and all that support was flowing straight to Martin.

Of course, not every attempt on her life could be attributed to Rufus alone. But she was certain he was responsible for the greatest share.

‘Killing him...’

It would not be right. Would that not make her just like him? Besides, she had told her lord she would not do it.

Out of habit, she reached inside her clothes and felt the chocolates the Demon King had given her. As their sweetness filled her mouth, she grew a little calmer.

CREAK

She opened the door. Damp air and a musty smell greeted her.

The darkness did nothing to obstruct her vision. She descended a hundred or so steps and saw dozens of barred cells. At the far end was the prison’s only imperial prince.

TAP, TAP

Kaede made no effort to conceal her presence. Her footsteps filled the silent prison, waking its occupants one by one.

Rufus Jespine was no exception.

“... Kaede?”

Even in the darkness, he recognized his younger sister. She made no attempt to hide who she was.

“It’s been a long time, Brother.”

“... Is that really you, Kaede?”

“If you mean Kaede Jespine, then yes.”

CLANG!

The chains clattered. Rufus’s face abruptly came close to the bars.

“Then hurry and release me.”

“What do you mean?”

“I heard you are one of the Demon King’s Four Heavenly Kings. Is that true?”

“It is.”

“I didn’t believe it at first. You follow the code of chivalry so faithfully, even by the Empire’s standards. How could you become the Demon King’s lackey?”

He had pondered it over and over, then arrived at his own conclusion.

“You had no choice if you wanted to survive, did you? The Demon King threatened you, leaving you no other option? You’re waiting for a chance to strike when his guard is down.”

“... That is true, but...”

It certainly had been true at first. But if asked whether she still followed the Demon King simply to survive, Kaede would shake her head.

The change surprised even her, but it was real. Slowly, like getting soaked in a light drizzle, she had found a sense of security in the tower. Rufus, however, understood none of that.

“There’s no need for that. Nothing could hurt the Demon King more than freeing me and escaping together! Release me, and let’s flee together! We’ll return to the Empire and take our revenge!”

Rufus had done his best to reach a conclusion he could accept and steer it toward the best possible outcome. Now, a strange unease crept over him.

He was the only one talking excitedly. Kaede merely looked down at him calmly, without a word. Her gaze was bitterly cold, laced with contempt and mockery.

He had never seen his sister look at him that way before.

“... You?”

“You seem to be mistaken about something, Brother.”

“What do you mean?”

“I will neither release you nor escape the tower with you.”

“You mean you can’t do it right now? Then...”

“Not now, not tomorrow, not for the rest of my life. It will never happen.”

“... Why?”

Rufus swallowed hard. The unease he had tried so desperately to ignore prickled at the back of his neck.

Surely not.

“Because I am one of the Four Heavenly Kings.”

“You’re only submitting because you have no choice if you want to live!”

“At first, I was.”

“And now you aren’t? Have you truly cast aside your pride and dignity as a member of the imperial family to become the Demon King’s dog?”

“Am I not allowed to?”

“What?”

“Brother, you’re making an ugly spectacle of yourself.”

Kaede knelt to meet his eyes. Reaching through the bars, she gently stroked Rufus’s cheek.

“To think you would ask for help now from the sister you tried to kill more than a dozen times. If you have any pride, shouldn’t you face reality with your head held high? Isn’t that the pride and dignity you speak of?”

“... You really have become the Demon King’s dog. You’ve betrayed humanity.”

Rufus ground his teeth.

“At least I haven’t betrayed you. We were never on the same side to begin with.”

“The Empire will not let you get away with this. Once I get out of here, you will never use the Jespine name again!”

“‘Once you get out,’ you say.”

“What?”

“Why do you think you’ll be able to leave, Brother?” Kaede whispered.

“You will spend the rest of your life in this prison. Trapped in the darkness, unable to return to the Empire. No matter how desperately you yearn for it, the moment you desire will never come.”

“The heroes will find the tower and kill the Demon King. You cling to him and grow arrogant over a fleeting advantage.”

“No.” Kaede shook her head.

“This is no fleeting advantage. The heroes will not find the tower. Naturally, they won’t be able to kill my lord either, and you will never leave this prison. What do you think will happen to the Empire then?”

“With you gone, Brother Floyan, Sister Marlene, and Brother Martin will all be delighted.”

“The succession will revolve around those three, leaving no place for you. Ah, by then, I think I might be able to ask my lord to release you.”

“Once the next emperor has been chosen and there is no place left for you anywhere, that is. Will you be able to meekly accept that you no longer have a place?”

“You bitch...!”

“If you don’t want that, there is only one way. Pray.”

“Pray, pray, and pray again. Pray that the heroes find the tower and rescue you. If you pray for a thousand years or so, perhaps one of them might happen to come.”

CLANG!

CLANG!

The chains thrashed. Raw fury poured out at Kaede.

“You bitch! You’re not Kaede—you’re a succubus in disguise! Kaede would never do this!”

“Is that what you want to believe?”

“How dare the likes of you...!”

“I wanted to see you like this, Brother. Though now that I have, you’re merely ugly. It’s less impressive than I expected.”

Kaede rose again and turned away, leaving her utterly disgraceful brother behind.

His shouting continued without pause behind her. Contrary to her claim that it was unimpressive, she had never felt more satisfied.

“...”

Kaede touched her mouth, appalled to find its corners curling upward.

As an honorable knight, she had never mocked or ridiculed anyone before.

“... A succubus.”

For a knight, it was nothing short of an insult.

She knew she had changed considerably since entering the tower. She also knew not all those changes had been for the better.

“... It’s only with my brother. Only with him.”

Kaede forced the smile from her face. Ernyan certainly had not rubbed off on her.

“... Still, that’s a relief.”

She had not said she would smash her brother’s skull in, after all.

She did not even want to imagine herself doing that.

Kaede decided she ought to cut back a little on sparring with Louise.

* * *

Berge visited the snowfields for the first time in a while. They were even colder than when he had come to obtain the magic storage orbs.

“You have changed quite considerably.”

“A lot has happened.”

“Indeed.”

Reina, who had been quietly savoring her tea, came to the point.

“Your accomplishment was truly astonishing. I hear you slaughtered hundreds of heroes and over ten thousand humans.”

“Yes.”

“My judgment was sound, after all. As was the Demon Realm’s assessment of you as a top graduate of historic caliber. However... you lied to me.”

“What do you mean?”

“You swore upon the great First Demon Emperor and the Guide that you had never abducted the dwarves or the princess.”

An icy chill descended.

Reina had bowed to reality and reluctantly bent the Guide, but she had never gone so far as to violate it. She believed in the First Demon Emperor and the Guide more devoutly than anyone. She held them sacred, as surely as she prized her own nobility and lofty pride.

For a demon, that was only natural.

Thus, to Reina, discovering that an oath sworn upon the First Demon Emperor and the Guide had been a lie was an intolerable insult.

‘Just as I thought.’

Berge swallowed hard. It was not as though he had failed to anticipate this situation. He simply had to follow his plan. Follow his plan.

Now, his tongue was all he could rely on.

“I did swear it. And it was not a lie.”

“There are rumors that you were responsible. And without the dwarves, how could you have used mana bombs?”

“I joined forces with Vivian.”

“... Vivian Blunt is already dead. Are you trying to deceive me with an absurd lie just to escape your present predicament?”

“Who says so? Who says Vivian is dead?”

“Well, her tower...”

“Her tower disappeared. But no one saw Vivian die.”

“I also heard that Vivian’s horn fell into human hands.”

“I planted it. To make them believe Vivian was dead.”

“... What is that supposed to mean?”

“You must remember Vivian begging the other Demon Kings to save her. You refused, but I helped her then. So she could survive.”

“... So you moved her tower?”

“More precisely, I hid it. I believe I already told you how.”

“... And the dwarves?”

“Vivian was indeed responsible. In return for my help, she lent me the dwarves.”

The truth was unnecessary. All he needed was to dress it up plausibly enough for Reina to believe him.

“...”

Reina fell silent. Her obvious deliberation told him it had worked reasonably well.

‘Come to think of it, Grand Duke Alkain apparently hasn’t told Reina either.’

What did that mean?

‘The grounds for sanctioning me are probably the murder of a Demon King. With no conclusive evidence yet, he’s keeping his distance.’

That was entirely plausible for Grand Duke Alkain, who put his own well-being above all else.

‘Then he must have delegated full authority to Jason. And given the circumstances, Jason intends to use the heroes rather than tell the Demon Kings the truth and execute me himself.’

That was actually better for Berge. It meant Reina would not become his enemy just yet.

“So, a hero’s journey is about to begin?” Berge changed the subject.

“Yes.” Reina nodded, still looking unconvinced.

“I know I should not be asking this of you when you are fighting the humans on the foremost front, but I need help.”

“You should be able to repel an ordinary hero’s journey easily enough.”

“I am told Balaf Dislord is leading it.”

“That bastard?”

Berge pressed his lips hard together. The unpleasant memory of fleeing with his tail between his legs returned.

‘He’s suddenly targeting Reina?’

He should be filled with rage and hatred toward Berge, yet he was turning his attention to another Demon King?

‘Why?’

Hundreds of heroes had died because of Berge. An army numbering in the tens of thousands had perished.

The humans needed someone to blame, and naturally, they turned on Balaf, who had led the coalition.

His honor. His prestige. His accomplishments.

All had been driven into the dirt.

Normally, that sense of loss should have turned to fury, making him desperate to kill Berge...

‘Because he thinks I won’t be easy to defeat?’

Berge and Balaf had fought on equal terms. Neither had used his full strength, and there was no telling how much power each had kept hidden, but on the surface, they had been evenly matched.

What if Balaf wanted to make certain of his victory?

‘For a hero, there is no surer means than slaying a Demon King.’

Yes, now he understood.

Balaf had chosen Reina as his target before killing Berge.

“How did you find out?”

“Jason told me, and I investigated separately. It was true.”

“What do you want me to do?”

“Your method.”

“My method?”

“I want you to share the method that kept your tower’s location hidden through repeated hero’s journeys and made everyone believe Vivian was dead. Galling though it is, I cannot defeat them as I am now.”

“I cannot let those who trust and follow me die in vain. I ask this of you.”

“Uh...” Berge faltered.

‘I don’t have any way to hide a tower that could fool even Balaf.’

No, there was one way.

Though it was rather far removed from hiding.

The problem was that Reina would never, ever accept it.