This Demon Kidnaps Princesses for Revenge on Human Heroes! Manhwa Recap

The demon king Burj stood frozen, unable to comprehend the sight before him. His pitch black flames, the very power he had boasted of for centuries, failed to leave even a scratch on the hero. The hero's sword had pierced straight through his supposedly indestructible scales and lodged deep within his chest. The demon king stared in disbelief, unable to process what had happened. To him, superiority was a fact of Existence. He was the prodigy who entered the demon king academy at the highest rank. Graduated as a model student and devoted his life to mastering the demon king

standard, the sacred doctrine crafted by the first emperor. He followed every rule with absolute precision. He constructed a tower, kidnapped princesses, and raised heroes exactly as the standard instructed. He genuinely believed that feeding on the anguish and fury of Trained heroes would elevate him to unimaginable heights. Killing them too early was wasteful. Heroes needed time to ripen. The stronger the hero, the richer the feast. And so he adhered faithfully to the doctrine, convinced that world domination was inevitable. After absorbing hatred and sorrow from countless victims, he had risen to unmatched power. Yet now sprawled in

the dirt and drenched in his own blood, he screamed in confusion, unable to Understand why his end had come in such a humiliating way. His eyes trembled with shock at the senseless defeat. The hero gazed down at him with contempt. He ridiculed the demon king and all demons as identical fools. Beings who created their own downfall, yet acted surprised when it arrived. When the demon king roared in protest, the hero revealed a truth sharper than any blade. Kidnapping a famous princess was nothing more than a widely accepted signal that the demon King had begun his

activities. It was practically an invitation for heroes to mobilize. Mocking him, the hero explained how absurd it would be to kidnap the human king instead. Such an act would plunge the kingdom into civil war, turning humans against one another rather than the demons. Their rage would scatter, their hatred would fade, and the demon king would gain no power from it. That approach completely contradicted the very standard the demon King worshiped. Then came another blow wrapped in sarcastic gratitude. If heroes did not challenge demons first, the demons themselves conveniently sent monsters to villages, providing heroes with

the training they needed. The tower's first floor was always filled with weaklings, perfect for easy experience and skill polishing. The demon king recalled with bitter regret how he had let heroes survive halfway through the tower, believing he was Honoring the sacred teachings by allowing them to grow stronger. He had never realized he was simply raising them for their own benefit. The hero yanked his blade free, tearing another scream from the demon king's throat. Then came the final revelation when a tower became outdated. When the challenge grew stale, the hero simply killed the demon king. A

new king, a new tower, and the cycle began again. The entire structure had been nothing more Than a hunting ground crafted for heroes. Laughter erupted from the other heroes as they mocked him. They thanked him for raising them, calling him not a demon king, but their godfather, the one who had nurtured them into greatness. Standing over their defeated enemy, they bragged openly about the loot they would collect and the levels they had gained, treating his tower as nothing more than a training field. The demon king murmured the word godfather, stunned Beyond reason. his life's work,

his grand tower, had been reduced to a beginner's farm for adventurers. Though the hero acknowledged that many challengers had perished inside, he dismissed their deaths as trivial sacrifices, stepping stones that added to his own fame. As the hero prepared to finish him, the demon king's fury erupted. Humiliation burned hotter than any flame he could wield. He refused to accept this end. With a desperate roar, He unleashed his final power, declaring himself the true demon king as immense energy swirled violently around him. But before that power could reach its peak, the hero severed his head in

one clean strike. Even so, in his final fading consciousness, the demon king glared at the heroes, vowing revenge with an intensity that chilled the air. The hero, shamelessly greedy, warned his comrades not to damage the head. He wanted the horns intact. Then he noticed It. The strange flickering sparks rising from the demon king's corpse. Realization struck too late. The demon king was pouring the final remnants of his life into one last act. The hero shouted for everyone to run. A monstrous surge of energy detonated from the body, shaking the world as the heroes screamed in

terror. Everything vanished in a blinding explosion. In those final moments, the demon king understood the bitter truth. The standard he had Worshiped was a lie, a tool the heroes had used to manipulate and mock the demons. With his last breath, he wished for one more chance, a chance to tear apart that standard and feed it to goblins as revenge. Then, through the darkness, a voice echoed a name, Burjadus. His eyes snapped open. Confusion flooded his mind as voices echoed through a grand hall, urging him to step forward, urging him to realize that the name being

called belonged to Him. Burjidus stood frozen, stunned by the surreal moment unfolding before his eyes. Another student nudged him to hurry to the stage, but before he could move, the academy principal sharply rebuked him for daydreaming on the most important day of his life. After all, Burjas was hailed as the academyy's brightest prodigy. His gaze fell upon the crimson badge awaiting him, the emblem of graduation from the Demon King Academy. In that instant, he understood The impossible truth. He had returned 15 years into the past to the day of his own graduation ceremony. As the

graduates were summoned one by one, Burj Deas did not yet understand why he had been sent back, but instinctively he recognized the value of this second chance. A professor approached and informed him that as the top ranking student, he was expected to recite the sacred oath on behalf of all newly appointed demon kings. Before him stood The glowing commandments of the demon king standard. Ancient laws that dictated the duties of every demon king. Construct a tower. Kidnap royalty. Orchestrate chaos while scattering clues. Nurture heroes until their emotions were ripe for harvest. Fill the lower floors

with weaklings to gradually raise difficulty. Burj Deos stared at those commandments with pure disgust. These were the same rules he had once memorized until he could recite them Half asleep. The same doctrines he had followed with religious precision. And yet, in truth, they were nothing more than chains. Chains that had led him straight to ruin. They had shaped him into a puppet for heroes, a disposable tool in their endless cycle. Standing amidst the graduation ceremony, Burj Deas questioned the meaning of swearing obedience to laws he now knew would only end in humiliation and death. Rage

surged within him at the thought of Repeating the same fate. When the official summoned him forward to recite the sacred oath, Berzadeas shattered every expectation. He refused publicly. A wave of confusion swept through the hall. Students and instructors alike stared at him as though he had lost his sanity. Yet Burjs did not stop there. He openly declared that he would never swear loyalty to such foolish rules. He denounced the demon king standard as idiotic, outdated, and fundamentally Flawed. Gasps erupted across the chamber. Terror and shock painted every face. In that instant, the academy celebrated genius

transformed into the greatest madman of the era in their eyes. The Archduke of the Demon Realm, Arcane Blimp, slammed his fist down in fury. Enraged by such blasphemy against the sacred standards, the Archduke threatened immediate execution. Yet, he hesitated. Forced to acknowledge Burj Deas' exceptional talent. Instead of Death, he offered a final choice. Burj des could withdraw his words and apologize publicly or accept punishment through deployment to Aine, the graveyard of demon kings. Fearful murmurss rippled through the hall. Achon was infamous, a dimension where demon kings perished in droves. Some demons hissed in outrage, demanding

execution instead of mercy. The Archduke warned again, emphasizing that Achon had claimed countless lives. Burj Das cut Him off without hesitation. He demanded immediate deployment. He declared that he would prove to the world that the so-called sacred standards were nothing but nonsense. The archduke stared at him in disbelief. Losing all patience, Arcane Blaram roared his command. Bersa Desaias was to be transferred at once. Every privilege granted to top ranked demon kings was revoked. No escorts, no servants, no protection. A portal opened. Burj Doya was banished with a Single decree. He was forbidden to return until

his conquest was complete. As he fell through the swirling darkness, Burjadus accepted the chaos he had invited. He had expected nothing less. During those tumbling moments, a crucial truth resurfaced. Aren was the same place where the heroes who killed him in his previous life resided. In that former life, he himself had chosen Aren, blinded by pride, believing the strongest demon king must conquer the Harshest dimension. That arrogance had led to his death. The heroes there had exploited his rigid obedience to the standard, and crushed him mercilessly. This time would be different. When he landed upon

the frozen wastelands of the Urgus Mountains on the northern continent, icy winds tearing at his unfurled wings, Burja swore silently that history would not repeat itself. This time, he would be the one exploiting the hero's rules. Meanwhile, Before the ceremony had concluded, Gordon Durich was preparing meticulously as the academyy's top ranked demon and first in his class. Gordon Dyrich had earned the rare honor of serving the strongest demon king of the year. Tradition dictated that the highest ranked demons served the highest ranked king. That privilege fueled envy among the rest. To Gordon Dyurk, demon kings

were fearsome existences, yet none compared to Beerjadas. He believed him To be a miracle, a once- in a millennium prodigy, a descendant of demonic dragons whose deeds would reshape history. Graduating in the same year felt like destiny. He envisioned conquering dimensions at Burgjas's side. Statues built in their honor. Burgjas the great king and Gordon Dyk his loyal right hand. Those dreams shattered instantly when Burjus denounced the sacred standards. Gordon Dyurk had nearly stopped breathing from shock. His idol Despised the very foundation of demon society. His beliefs collapsed. His world turned upside down. The scene shifted

to the remote depths of the earst mountains. Gordon Direct trudged through the snow, burdened by heavy supplies. His expression filled with confusion and despair. He struggled to comprehend how everything had fallen apart so quickly. Burj Diza noticed his arrival with brief surprise. He had been explicitly informed that no assistant Would be assigned to him. Yet Gordon Dyurk still stood before him. Recognizing the young demon, Burjas greeted him calmly. Gordon Dyurk, overwhelmed, demanded an explanation. He questioned why Burgjas had acted so recklessly at the graduation ceremony. He reminded himself that the public defiance had resulted in

their exile to Aaron. He believed his life was now in danger because of that single moment. Burjas responded with deliberate calm, Feigning ignorance. Gordon Dyk's frustration erupted. Panic overtook him as he realized the severity of their situation. Burj Dejas observed his reaction silently. Before the regression, Gordon Dyurk had been composed, confident, and unwavering. He had once claimed that together they could overcome anything, even Aaron itself. Burjadias acknowledged that Gordon's panic was understandable. The circumstances were vastly different this Time. Revealing the truth of time reversal would only make Gordon view him as delusional. Eventually, Gordon Dyurk

regained control and apologized for his outburst. Accepting reality, he returned to the only foundation he trusted, the demon king standard. He reminded himself of the first rule. A demon king must construct a tower. However, the standards emphasized accessibility. Towers were meant to be built in locations easily reached by heroes, not Hidden in perilous mountain ranges filled with deadly beasts. From Gordon Direct's perspective, relocation was necessary. Burj Deas rejected the idea immediately. His resolve was absolute. The tower would be built here. He removed the tower seed from its case and pressed it firmly into the frozen

ground. The moment he did, Gordon Dyurk felt panic surge through him once again. To Gordon, Burjas's actions were nothing short of heresy, rejecting demon pride, Trampling upon everything a demon king was meant to uphold. The sacred demon king standard was not merely a doctrine to demons. It was instinct, tradition, and identity carved into their very existence. Burj, however, remained cold and unmoved. Internally, he reminded himself that he had never sworn loyalty to those obsolete laws. Deep down, he understood Gordon's reaction. For demons, denying the standard felt unnatural. Rejecting it outright was Almost impossible unless one

had already experienced something as absolute as death itself. Burj drew a blade and slashed his palm. Dark blood spilled onto the tower seed. Without words, he commanded Gordon to observe closely. Through his actions alone, Burj conveyed his conviction. The demon kings standards were nothing more than useless debris, especially here in Aaron. The seed absorbed the blood and erupted with a brilliant crimson beam. A massive Magic circle ignited beneath the snow, spreading outward in intricate patterns. As the tower began its identification process, it recognized its master, Burjas of the Black Flame Demonic Dragon Clan. While the

summoning continued, Burj silently revealed the truth Gordon had never been meant to know. Across history, humans had destroyed countless demon king towers. Through those conquests, they had unraveled the inner mechanics of the standards themselves. Humanity had twisted the doctrine into a system that manipulated demon kings, turning them into caretakers of hero growth. That was the reason demon kings perished endlessly in Arin. Inwardly, Burj mocked the doctrine. In his mind, it deserved a new name, not the demon king standard, the hero standard. The summoning completed. A colossal tower erupted from the frozen earth, rising high into

the storm-filled sky. Snow and ice scattered as the structure Stabilized. Both demons stood in silence, staring at it. When they entered, the truth became even clearer. The first floor was completely empty. Gordon felt disbelief tighten his chest. Ordinary towers were filled with traps, monsters, and structured layouts. This one was stripped bare as if it had been issued to a demon king who had been deprived of all privileges. The emptiness persisted. Second floor, third, fourth. When they reached the Fifth floor, the level meant to house the demon king's chamber. It too was barren. The tower was

already complete. Gordon forced himself to refocus. Even if the first rule had been violated, the second could not be ignored. The standard demanded the capture of royalty, ideally someone close to the throne to harvest the strongest emotional energy. Once permitted to advise, Gordon spread out a map. The closest kingdom to the Urggus Mountains Was Corus, and abducting its royal heir would have been the most efficient strategy. Burga acknowledged the suggestion without resistance. However, internally, he already had a very specific princess in mind. Gordon's enthusiasm reignited. He imagined accompanying his king on the mission, but Burstas

instructed him to remain behind. Through his tone and composure, Burga made it clear. A demon kings residence should never be left Unattended. Gordon accepted the reasoning with visible relief. In his mind, this proved that Burj had regained his senses and that the chaos at the graduation ceremony had merely been stress. Still, Gordon wondered who the target princess would be. Burj delivered the answer through action alone. He departed for the Hilderin Kingdom, the southernmost nation of the continent, located nearly on the opposite side of the world from their tower. Burj flew Through the frozen night until

a massive royal castle appeared beneath him. Inside one of the highest windows stood a young woman alone. Her long blonde hair shimmerred softly beneath lantern light. From a single glance, Burj identified her. Princess Elena, the 13th Princess of Hilderin, the least influential, the most overlooked. Burj shattered the window lock and stepped into her chamber. The princess stared at him, astonished, but strangely composed, As if unsure whether the figure before her was real. Through cold presence alone, Burj made his purpose clear. Instead of screaming or collapsing in fear, Princess laughed faintly. She questioned whether he was

truly capable of handling her. The boldness of her reaction surprised him. For a brief moment, Burja wondered whether demon kings had become nothing more than jokes to humans. Internally, he reaffirmed the truth. A demon king could easily handle Someone of her status. Unexpectedly, Princess offered her surrender without resistance. Her calm unsettled him. Burj examined her carefully, searching for deception. Yet, she dismissed the idea herself, reasoning that a princess was always at risk of abduction, and that she could not possibly have prepared for an event she had no forewarning of. Her logic was sound. Still, unease

lingered. Without further hesitation, she extended her hand in silent agreement. Bersi Lifted her effortlessly and took flight, carrying her through the freezing night back toward the tower in the Urgus Mountains. Upon landing, Gordon rushed out, excitement and anxiety clashing across his expression. Burjier ordered that the princess be placed on the fourth floor, not imprisoned. Internally, he reasoned that her complete lack of resistance warranted leniency. Gordon complied, though his confusion deepened. Later, Princess sat Alone in the empty chamber, stone walls, no luxuries, no servants. She acknowledged silently that she had indeed been kidnapped. Yet, a subtle

smile formed. She admitted to herself that the situation was not entirely unpleasant. On the other floor, Gordon presented a sealed letter. It was an invitation from the Tower of Beasts, welcoming Burgie as the newest demon king. Burga dismissed it internally as a shallow attempt at intimidation. Demon Kings are fundamentally too proud to join hands with anyone else. However, Achon is the unexpected factor that made the demon kings to go against they pride and work together. In the past, Burj had considered other demon kings weak and unworthy of attention. But his second life had taught him

something far more valuable. Information and alliances were never useless. Next day, Burjadus traveled to the tower of beasts, a colossal structure rising from the heart Of a dense, untamed forest. Inside, the beast demon king Draxen sat upon a throne of bone and iron, tearing into raw flesh with feral intensity. Draxen observed Burj with open disdain. To him, this newcomer was nothing more than a reckless upstart, a demon king who dared to ridicule traditions that had endured for ages. Burj stood calmly before the throne, his expression cold and unreadable, silently demanding to know the purpose of

this summons. Draxen Laughed cruy and revealed the reason soon enough. Archduke Arcane Blaram had issued an order. Burj's actions were to be monitored closely. At the mention of the Archduke, contempt surfaced within Burga. Internally, he dismissed Arcane as a tiresome ancient parasite, one whose satisfaction could never be earned. The shift in Burg's demeanor enraged Draxen. To humiliate him, the beast king flung a bloody chunk of meat onto the stone floor and demanded that Burgger lick it clean as an apology. He claimed that such an act might earn forgiveness. Burj did not move. Instead, he questioned

whether Draxen truly understood why this meeting had taken place. Draxen responded arrogantly, declaring that Burj had committed blasphemy by mocking the sacred demon king customs. Before Draxen could continue, Burj reminded him of an inconvenient truth. Those same traditions strictly forbade demon kings From killing one another. With a single step, Burji struck the floor. The impact cracked solid stone, sending a shock wave through the hall. The display caused Draxen to recoil instinctively. A suffocating pressure flooded the chamber. Only then did Draxen realize his mistake. He had severely underestimated the new demon king. Scrambling to regain control,

Draxen invoked the name of the Archduke once more. He reminded Burga that he was Required to submit proof of a successful royal abduction. failure to do so would result in the loss of his status as demon king. Burgers dismissed the threat with chilling calm. He revealed that he had already abducted a princess and that she suited his preferences remarkably well. The ambiguous statement left Draxon speechless. Unable to determine whether Burj was bluffing or stating a terrifying truth, Burj returned to his tower in the Urgus Mountains. Gordon Dyurk praised his master for displaying the dignity of

a true demon king. Convinced that Burj had asserted dominance flawlessly. Burjier, however, downplayed the encounter. He reasoned that Draxen would not dare escalate the conflict so soon, though caution remained necessary. Other demon kings posed a threat, especially if they united. Burj ordered Gordon to check on the princess and evaluate how she could be used moving forward. Despite his Confidence, unease lingered. Rejecting tradition carried consequences greater than he had anticipated. Yet, even so, Burga knew he would make the same choice again. He would rather die than submit to the rules that had destroyed his previous life.

This time he would rebuild from the ground up with caution, not arrogance. He had chosen to abduct a low-ranking princess deliberately, expecting only a modest gain in demonic energy. It was the safer path. Then he Checked his accumulated points. Bersa froze. The total had surpassed third. The number made no sense. Before he could process the anomaly, a magical notification echoed through the tower. A transmission formed in the air, originating from the tower of beasts. Draxen appeared on the screen. This time his tone carried an unsettling blend of mockery and courtesy. He congratulated Burj on becoming

a demon king and claimed he wished to offer a goodwill Gift. He even acknowledged that surviving in Iran was no small feat. Burj immediately sensed something was wrong. At that moment, Gordon burst into the chamber, his face drained of color. Something had occurred on the fourth floor. They hurried upward. What awaited them defied all expectation. The once barren frozen chamber had transformed into a lush garden. Flowers bloomed across the stone floor. Warm light filtered through the air. Butterflies Drifted lazily among the vines. The tower was undergoing naturalization. An event so rare it bordered on myth.

At the center of the garden stood the princess, surrounded by elemental spirits of wind, earth, flame, and water. Burgj understood instantly. Only someone who had mastered all four elements could create such a phenomenon. And only one such individual existed on the continent. Burg confronted her with the truth. She was not the 13th Princess. The woman smiled, amused, and noted that she had expected him to mistake her for someone insignificant. When pressed, she revealed her true identity. She was Princess Ern, the first princess of the Hilderin Kingdom. News of the abduction spread across Hilderan like wildfire.

The kings fury shook the palace. He ordered every hero, every elite knight, and the entire national army to mobilize. The demon king responsible was to be annihilated. Back in the tower, Princess Ern reminded Burgie of the question she had posed earlier, whether he was truly capable of handling someone like her. She explained that her overwhelming elemental affinity had been the reason for her test. Burj acknowledged inwardly that he had sensed her power, but not its full magnitude. He wondered how such energy had been concealed. Ern revealed the answer, an ancient royal ring, an heirloom capable

of suppressing vast amounts of mana. She Then asked whether Burg intended to return her now that her identity was known. Burj rejected the idea immediately. Releasing her would turn him into a laughingstock. No kingdom feared a demon king who surrendered his hostage. Without fear, demonic energy could not be harvested. At that instant, the system detected a massive surge of rage directed at him from afar. His demonic energy skyrocketed beyond 19,000 points. Burjon understood at once. The Hilderon kingdom had identified him. Whether she was the 13th princess or the first no longer mattered. Princess Ern would

remain his hostage. Within the throne room of Hilderon, panic and rage erupted simultaneously. The king demanded immediate action, his fury shaking the hall. Yet his advisers hesitated. No one could identify which demon king was responsible, nor where the tower was located. As reports trickled in, the king's anger reached Its peak. He bered his advisers for their incompetence, accusing them of allowing history to repeat itself. One trembling adviser recalled the fate of the demon king of lust, who had been executed by heroes after abducting a neighboring prince. The adviser could not comprehend why another demon king

would dare commit the same provocation. The room fell into uneasy silence. Something about this abduction felt different. This had to be the work of a Newly risen demon king, one unfamiliar with precedent or consequences. Moments later, a soldier arrived with urgent intelligence. Traces of large-scale teleportation magic had been detected moving northward toward the Urggus Mountains. Shock rippled through the council. Within the demon king's tower, Gordon Dyurk expressed deep concern. He feared that once the Hilderan army mobilized, the tower would be overwhelmed. Burjas, however, remained Composed. He had calculated everything. The road to the Urgust mountains

passed through dangerous lands, crawling with monsters. Dozens of sovereign nations lay between Hilderan and the tower. None would allow a foreign army to cross their borders without igniting continental war. That left Hilderan with only one option, heroes. The king reluctantly accepted reality and ordered immediate contact with the hero guild, but panic erupted there as well. The Moment the destination was revealed, rejection followed instantly. The Arin region was infamous. A death zone saturated with catastrophic monsters. No hero valued gold more than survival. Burj had predicted this outcome perfectly. Heroes motivated by profit would never step into

Aren. That was precisely why he had built his tower there. Gordon stood in silent astonishment. His master's understanding of Achon, his rejection of demon king Traditions, and his flawless predictions made it feel as though Beerj had lived through this future before. Back in Hilderin, the king roared in disbelief when he learned that not a single hero accepted the mission. He questioned how they could call themselves heroes while refusing to save a princess. Heroes operating near Aan were fundamentally different. They were driven purely by profit, not ideals, and refused missions that threatened survival. Inside the Tower,

Bersa calmly examined the system store. The available options were disappointing. Low-tier soldiers such as skeletal warriors required enormous demonic energy. Tower enhancements offered only weakened effects at staggering costs. Building a reliable army would demand time and an overwhelming amount of points, Burj leaned back on his throne. Although his demonic energy continued rising due to the chaos in Helderan, it remained Insufficient to withstand a full-scale hero assault. The dread of his previous life resurfaced. He remembered how easily demon kings were overwhelmed when relying solely on outdated traditions. This time he would not repeat that mistake. Burj

issued a decisive order. Gordon was instructed to contact Draxen immediately. Burj intended to exchange demonic energy for human currency. Gordon froze in disbelief. Demonic energy was the lifeblood of deankind. It Strengthened towers, expanded armies, and elevated kings beyond mortality. Trading it for human gold felt like absolute sacrilege. Burgj remained unmoved. He understood reality. With his current demonic energy, he could not stop heroes. But with human money, he could manipulate humans themselves. The scene shifted to Holton, a fortress city near the earest mountains. Disguised as a wandering mercenary, Burj approached the gates alone. The guards halted

him Immediately, stunned that anyone would dare approach the Urgust region solo. Burge offered no explanation. He tossed a single gold coin forward. The guards froze, greed flashing in their eyes. A subtle gesture implied sharing the reward. The gates opened instantly. Inside the city, Burgess surveyed the unfamiliar streets. Lacking regional knowledge, he decided a local guide was necessary. His destination became clear. At the Crimson Falcon Mercenary Guild, Mercenaries lounged lazily, drinking and boasting about past exploits. They described the region as a paradise where monsters fought each other while mercenaries collected spoils. Afterward, their conversation drifted to

rumors. They mocked claims of a new demon king in the mountains, dismissing them as nonsense. Demon kings, they argued, always built towers in accessible lands, not monster ridden wastelands. They also scoffed at the story of the Hilderin Princess's kidnapping, insisting no demon king would cross the entire continent for such recklessness. The group eventually concluded the entire situation was a fabricated scam designed to drain money from frightened kingdoms. At that moment, Burjada appeared silently behind them. Understanding dawned instantly. These mercenaries were exactly what he needed. He demanded that only one guide remain while the rest leave.

Steel answered instead. Weapons Were drawn. Burj was labeled an intruder and the guild erupted into violence. The battle ended almost immediately. Burga moved with inhuman precision. Attacks were deflected effortlessly. A mercenary attempted a surprise strike with a massive hammer only for Burga to stop it bare-handed. The weapon trembled. So did its wielder. Crossbows surrounded him. Burj seized the hammer wielder and hurled him into the others, scattering bodies across the floor. Cries of pain Echoed as mercenaries collapsed one after another. Outside the guild hall, civilians watched in silent, unable to comprehend how they fight all day

without even showing fatigue. Inside the guild hall, bodies lay scattered across the floor. Only the leader remained standing, trembling as he watched his comrades fall one after another like leaves caught in a violent storm. Burgers approached him slowly, his presence alone crushing the air. The Leader understood instantly. Cooperation was the only path to survival. Without resistance, he revealed the location of the city's slave market. Burja followed him to a grand estate protected by reinforced iron gates. Inside, rows of chained humans stood under flickering torch light, iron restraints clinking softly with every movement. The leader nervously

gauged Burg's reaction, unsure whether the selection displeased him. Burgers dismissed the concern and tossed The man a heavy pouch of gold. Fear vanished instantly, devoured by greed. Eager to please, the leader guided Burga deeper underground into restricted corridors where light barely reached. As they descended, Burga observed how easily the man regained composure after witnessing his entire guild's destruction. The reason became clear. Humans and demons were no different. One chased money, the other chased energy. Both were slaves to desire. They reached The deepest chamber where captives of rare races were imprisoned. This was where the most

valuable slaves were kept. Bersia had already decided. He did not seek humans. He sought someone intelligent, loyal, and capable of infiltration. Someone who could move among heroes unnoticed and poison them with misinformation. His gaze settled on a silent elf chained among the captives. Dignity stripped yet unbroken. Elsewhere in the Hilderin Royal Palace, the famed Hero Hillen Cargle arrived at last, his presence restored hope to the court. The king welcomed him desperately, believing salvation had finally come. Hillen pledged himself to the rescue of Princess Ern and to the destruction of the demon king responsible. Morale surged

throughout the kingdom. Far to the north, Burj finalized his choice. He claimed the elf and forced the mercenary leader to pay the price himself. Any protest died the moment Burg's gaze Locked onto him. Only the slave merchant was allowed to remain. The merchant warned that elves often became feral under bondage, but Burj dismissed the concern without hesitation. He approached the elf, observing the humiliation carved into his posture. A proud race reduced to merchandise. The elf sensed the demonic aura instantly and reacted with hostility. Burj offered him something far greater than freedom, revenge. The elf hesitated.

He Distrusted demons as deeply as humans. Yet Burgja proposed a contract. 50 years of service in exchange for freedom and protection. To an elf, 50 years was little more than a fleeting chapter. Still, the elf refused. As a guardian of the world tree, he could not align himself with demons without risking the balance of the world itself. Trust was impossible. Burj understood. So he made a decision that shocked even himself. He swore upon the demon king standards that He would never harm the world tree. For demons, such an oath carried absolute weight. It was equal

to an elf swearing upon the world tree itself. In return, Burgers demanded loyalty. The elf Granada of the Maple Tribe agreed on one condition. He demanded to meet the demon king who supposedly commanded Burgie. Burj revealed the truth. He was the demon king. Granada reacted with disbelief and mockery. A demon king personally purchasing a slave defied all Logic. He challenged Burgers's claim, declaring he would offer 100 years of loyalty if proven wrong. The proof came instantly. Granada was transported directly to the fifth floor of Burj's tower. The reality struck him like lightning. The tower lacked

traps. The lower floors were empty. Even the fourth floor contained only a natural ecosystem rather than defensive monsters. To Granada, it looked like a fortress destined for annihilation. Then Burjier Released his presence, but demonic pressure flooded the space, suffocating an absolute Granada nearly collapsed as the truth dawned on him. This was no ordinary demon. This was a true king. The Urgus Mountains were infested with catastrophe beasts. Yet none had attacked Burj. Their silence meant fear. Granada accepted reality and swore a century of service beneath the sacred name of the world tree. Hidden within his oath,

however, remained a quiet hope That he might one day take vengeance upon humanity. That hope was shattered immediately. Burj's first command was simple. Granada was ordered to prepare dinner. The elf stood frozen in disbelief. Reduced from guardian of the world tree to cutting vegetables in a demon king's kitchen. His confusion only deepened when Princess Ern joined him cheerfully, offering her help as though this bizarre tower were a home rather than a prison. Granada could not Comprehend what kind of demon King Burj Deas truly was. Later, they gathered in the dining hall around a long stone

table filled with freshly prepared dishes. Granada hesitated before finally asking about the girl's identity. Burja Deos calmly explained that she was Ernon Hilderin, the first princess of the southern kingdom of Hilderin. The words struck Granada like lightning. A demon king abducting the crown princess of a powerful nation was not provocation. It Was suicide. His face drained of color as he repeated his earlier warnings, insisting that the tower, in its current state, could never withstand the heroes that would inevitably come. Burja dismissed the concern without hesitation and ordered him to sit. He added casually that Granada's

primary role in the tower was cooking and that he was exceptionally good at it. Nan smiled gently at the elf's stunned expression. Granada, however, felt his thoughts Spiraling. Nothing about this tower followed logic. Nothing about this demon king followed the standards. Eventually, Granada asked whether Burgji intended for him to fight the heroes directly. Burj replied calmly that if heroes ever reached the fourth floor, the battle would already be lost. Crossing the Urgus mountains alone required strength far beyond that of ordinary heroes. Then Beerj revealed Granada's true purpose. He intended to use him as a spy

to sew Disorder within the human world. Before that, however, Burj insisted on testing Granada's combat ability. Granada was stunned. He could not comprehend how an elf was expected to fight a demon king inside his own tower. Burja laid out the conditions. He would fight with one hand and without using demonic energy. If Granada managed to defeat him, the contract would be shortened by 50 years. Granada accepted immediately, his eyes burning with determination. He resolved To unleash everything he had. The duel began the instant Burgji signaled. Granada moved like a streak of green light, swift, fluid,

and precise. Burj observed him with genuine interest. Years of enslavement had barely dulled the elf's reflexes. His footwork was unmistakably elven, balanced, elegant, deeply attuned to mana. Burja wondered whether Granada had absorbed ambient mana from the naturalized fourth floor, or whether his innate physical gifts had Survived captivity. Elemental bolts lashed through the air as Granada attacked relentlessly. His movements declaring that he was no ordinary elf. Enchanted roots erupted from the ground, coiling around Bersia's ankle. Granada saw his chance. He surged forward, aiming to reclaim 50 years of freedom in a single strike. Then the air

changed. A crushing presence erupted. Not demonic energy, but raw physical power. Granada froze mid-motion. Only then did he truly Remember who stood before him. Burj reassured him calmly that he would not break his promise. He would not use demonic energy. He would not kill him. But the match would end. Granada tried to stop, panic flooding his mind, but it was too late. With a single controlled punch, Burj shattered the roots and sent Granada flying across the chamber, ending the duel instantly. The scene shifted to Holton Walk, home of the Crimson Falcon Mercenary Guild. This Time,

the mercenaries welcomed Burj with nervous enthusiasm, treating him like a visiting noble rather than an intruder. Their leader bowed deeply and offered the guild services for an entire year. Burj tossed a heavy pouch of gold onto the table. Coins clinkedked loudly. Cheers erupted as the mercenaries swore loyalty without hesitation, though their leader quietly considered replacing them with a more competent unit in the future. Burgie then ordered them to Accept Granada as part of their group. stating that from now on commands would be relayed through him. The mercenaries hesitated until Granada stepped forward, his face still

bruised from the duel, their hesitation vanished instantly. Seeing his battered state, they welcomed him with sympathetic camaraderie. Sensing a shared suffering, Burj observed silently. Though unimpressive at first glance, these mercenaries were seasoned survivors of the Urgus Mountains, people not easily replaced. One fact remained critical. Only one hero had accepted Hildrrens desperate commission. Hillen Cargill, the hero who had slain the demon king of lust. A formidable opponent, Burj issued their first order. They were to investigate Hillen Cargill thoroughly. The mercenaries saluted with surprising discipline. Back in the tower, Burj turned his attention inward. He had gambled

everything by selling nearly all Of his demonic energy for human currency, a choice no sane demon king would make. Now, the only way to grow stronger lay elsewhere. He recalled the existence of spirit blossom flowers. Rare mono crystals formed in untouched ancient lands where mono storms raged and humanity feared to tread. The earest mountains were such a place. Though weaker than demonic energy, soul flowers could enhance both physical and magical power. To Burj, they were hidden Treasures waiting to be claimed. Gordon immediately voiced concern. Searching for spirit blossoms in the Urgust mountains was like hunting

a needle in a living, murderous wilderness. Burj acknowledged the danger calmly. Finding them would be difficult. Without a powerful mana detector, the search could take years. For him, monsters alone were not a concern. Before Burj could continue his discussion with Gordon, a gentle knock echoed through the chamber. Princess Ern and Hilderin peaked inside with a bright, carefree face. Perchtop her head was a small blue slime, wobbling happily like gelatin. Both Burj and Gordon posed for a brief moment as an idea struck them hard. Without hesitation, she darted back into the hallway with Bersaw, laughing as

wind spirits swirled playfully around her. For someone who had been kidnapped, she appeared to be enjoying herself far too much. She admitted that she had been Bored lately and reminded Beer of the promise he had made earlier to let her decorate the fourth floor however she wished. Burj blinked in surprise. She had already done exactly that. What had once been a barren stone level had transformed into a lush natural sanctuary, overflowing with greenery, flowing mana, and elemental harmony. It felt less like a demon king's tower and more like a secluded paradise. Burj found himself wondering

how far her Enthusiasm would go and how strange it was that a princess was joyfully reshaping a demon king's domain as if it were her personal garden. Ernon smiled shily and admitted she had not expected to be allowed such freedom. She claimed she had simply wanted to check on him. Before she could say anything more, Burj suddenly lifted her into his arms. She gasped in surprise. Without warning, he launched himself into the sky. Her startled cry quickly turned into Laughter as the clouds rushed past them. Her eyes widened in awe, she admitted softly that she

had not seen any of this on the night of her abduction. Now floating above the world, she could finally see how breathtaking it truly was. As the sun rose, painting the sky in golden crimson, she whispered in wonder at the sheer vastness of the world. A quiet ache stirred in her chest. Memories of palace life surfaced. Endless etiquette lessons, rigid Political lectures, relentless magical training. Day after day, her life had repeated in perfect monotony. She had believed she would spend her entire existence watching the world from afar, never touching it. She confessed that she might

be the only person in her kingdom who had ever flown above the Urgus mountains. Burj paid little attention to her sentiment. His focus returned to the task at hand. He reminded her of the mission she had been Assigned. Ernan pouted briefly and asked that he at least call her by her name if they were to remain together for a long time. Burj agreed, but not without reminding her of her position. He warned that he could always throw her into the underground prison if she refused to cooperate. Startled, Ernan apologized immediately and summoned her wind and

water spirits. The spirits scattered across the mountain range, searching for traces of mana. Burj trusted their Senses far more than his own. Suddenly, Ern cried out. She had sensed something. Burj descended instantly toward the location. Upon landing, he saw several hulking monsters gathered around a rare glowing flower. They had reached it first. He muttered that it seemed they had unexpected guests. Burga explained calmly that these were not ordinary monsters, but creatures of demonic origin, descendants of demons who had abandoned the demon realm centuries ago. He commanded them to obey the authority of a demon king

and leave the flower untouched. The monsters erupted in laughter. They declared that they obeyed no demon and recognized no king. Bersa chuckled darkly. Gordon had been right, expecting reason from monsters had been foolish. He resolved to incinerate them all. The beasts charged with savage howls, claws and fangs gleaming with murderous intent. Flames roared as Burj answered their assault. Screams of Burning flesh echoed through the frozen air. One monster spotted Ernon and shouted for the others to strike the weakest target first. The entire horde surged toward her like an avalanche. Before any could reach her, a

blazing inferno erupted from Bersa's hands, reducing them to ash instantly. The battlefield fell silent. Charred and frozen corpses littered the snow. Virgil alone remained standing. Amid the destruction, Ern spotted a radiant Crimson blossom buried beneath the ice. Its aura shimmerred with pure water and ice mana, captivating her instantly. Burj warned her not to grow greedy. He promised she would receive one if she managed to find more. Her eyes sparkled with renewed enthusiasm. But despite searching relentlessly with her spirits until exhaustion overtook her, no second flower appeared. They returned to the tower. As Burgger rested, he

reflected on Ernon's true value. As the first Princess of Hilderin, she possessed far more potential than he had initially realized. He had once thought kidnapping her was a mistake. Now he saw opportunity. At that moment, Gordon rushed in with urgent news. Granada had sent a rapid transmission. Hill and Cargill, accompanied by 32 additional heroes, had departed the capital. However, instead of heading directly toward the Urgus Mountains, they had chosen the traditional hero route, Forming a party, completing village quests, and steadily strengthening themselves. Gordon presented several counter strategies. Bersa did not even look at them. He

tossed the documents aside. He declared that no monsters or traps would be sent to obstruct the heroes. Gordon was stunned. Burj explained that half measures only made heroes stronger. Weak obstacles were nothing but training tools. Instead, he ordered Gordon to instruct Granada and The mercenary squad to accompany the heroes, establishing trust rather than hostility. Gordon could only stare in disbelief. Burgger then announced his next move. He would reinforce the tower, but not through monsters. He would require a dwarf. Gordon protested immediately. An elf, a human princess, and now a dwarf inside a demon king's tower

would turn them into a joke within the demon realm. Bersa dismissed the concern. He did not need the dwarf Himself, only what dwarves created. His strategy was simple. Heroes always expected the first floor to be weak, filled with low-level monsters. They would never expect heavy cannons, dozens of them. As Gordon processed the absurdity of the plan, he blinked. Suddenly, the Burgge's throne was empty. "He gone!" Gordon shouted in disbelief, convinced the demon king had gone off to kidnap someone else. After a long journey, Burj Deas finally arrived at The great dwarven city of Wolfner. Massive

stone buildings carved directly into the mountain walls loomed overhead. The moment Burj stepped inside, fragments of distant memories stirred within him. He had fought dwarves countless times in his previous life. Yet, this was his first time setting foot in their homeland. Without hesitation, he entered a nearby shop and placed several gold coins on the counter. Calmly, he asked the dwarf Merchant where the most renowned blacksmith in Wolfner could be found. The merchant's eyes lit up at the sight of the gold. With an amused grin, he remarked that for a human, Burga clearly understood the language

of business. Burgger replied indifferently that he had simply heard dwarves loved money just as much as heroes. The merchant burst into laughter and gave him clear directions. Deeper within the city lay a massive central shaft. According to the Merchant, Wolfner operated a two-step security system. Identification checks followed by transport to designated underground levels. Burga ignored all of it. Instead of waiting, he leapt straight down into the shaft, landing effortlessly on the lowest level. He remembered the final instruction clearly. When you reach the deepest floor, look for the innermost chamber. Burge pushed open a heavy iron

door. Inside, a dwarf with a powerful build Worked rhythmically at a forge, hammer striking molten metal with flawless precision. This was Loger Friedrich, the legendary blacksmith of Wolfner. Even at a glance, Burga could tell that Logger's craftsmanship was exceptional. Every movement flowed naturally. Each strike infused with refined technique. Burga extended his hand, prepared to seize the dwarf instantly. At that exact moment, Logger's hammer struck the metal again, and an explosion of fire erupted Outward, flooding the room. Logger had sensed Burg's demonic aura. In the same breath, the dwarf leapt high, swinging his massive hammer down

with full force. The weapon stopped against Burj's bare hand. With a cold gaze, Burjier asked whether Loger was a hero. Loer introduced himself proudly as Loger Friedrich, a blacksmith who had inherited heroic power. Enraged, he demanded to know how a demon had entered dwarven territory, and swore that Burj Would not leave Wolfner alive. Burj smiled faintly and remarked that someone so weak spoke far too much. Grabbing Logger by the neck, he corrected him calmly. He was not merely a demon. He was the demon king. Logger's hammer slipped from his grasp and crashed onto the floor.

At that moment, two dwarven guards burst into the workshop, apologizing for the disturbance and asking about the explosion, but the room was empty. Logger Friedrich had Vanished. High above Wolfner, Burgie sat casually at top a rooftop, gripping Logger by the collar. Below them, alarm bells rang violently as the entire city erupted into chaos. News spread rapidly that Logger Friedrich had been abducted. Bersa warned him calmly that if he made too much noise, he would be killed. Trembling, Loger asked if Bersa had come to abduct the dwarven princess. Bersa dismissed the idea and instead questioned him

about something else. Wolfner's hidden underground escape tunnels constructed for emergencies. Logger's face went pale. He became convinced the demon king truly intended to target the princess. Fear overwhelmed him as he realized how far things had escalated, dangling helplessly from Burgger's grip. He trembled as the demon king made his threat clear. If Loger refused to cooperate, then the dwarven princess would be taken in his place. Tears welled in Logger's eyes. He cursed Burgger as a vile creature. Yet inside he knew he was cornered. Burgger leaned closer and whispered that if Logger cooperated, his safety would be

guaranteed. Sworn upon the demon king's standard, Logger froze. Such an oath was absolute. No demon king would dare violate it. When Loger opened his eyes again, his expression had changed, forcing an awkward smile, he agreed to guide Burgers through the dwarf's secret underground passages. Back inside the Abandoned workshop, heavily armed dwarven soldiers gathered in fury. Behind them stood Princess Louise Warfed. She had arrived expecting her weapon to be completed, only to find her blacksmith gone. A soldier reported cautiously that all evidence pointed to Logger Friedrich being kidnapped. Princess Louisa's snapped, demanding how a hero could

possibly be abducted. Another soldier muttered that while Loger was technically a hero, he was Still primarily a blacksmith. She silenced them instantly with a glare. Princess Louise ordered an immediate search, threatening severe punishment if they returned empty-handed. The soldiers saluted and rushed out as the city of Wolfner descended further into chaos. Deep beneath Wolfner, Logger Friedrich guided Burga through a cramped underground tunnel carved by his hands many ages ago. The passage was so narrow that Logger had to crawl ahead while Burgja followed directly behind. The confined space and the unavoidable view ahead steadily worsened the

demon king's mood. Burjier voiced his irritation coldly, questioning how long he was expected to endure such an undignified situation. Logger apologized repeatedly, explaining that dwarven escape tunnels were intentionally designed this way to prevent intruders from advancing quickly. He reassured Burjier that they were close to the exit. At last, they Emerged beyond the fortified city of Wolfner. As soon as they reached open ground, Loger straightened up and nervously announced that his role was finished. Before Logger could turn away, Burg's presence shifted. A dense oppressive aura spread outward. Logger froze in place. Burgger remarked calmly that the

dwarf was being far too loud for someone in his position. Panic flooded Logger's face as he reminded Burgger of the oath sworn earlier upon The demon king's standard, the promise of safety in exchange for cooperation. Urger responded with a faint smile and questioned what meaningless standard Logger was referring to. He claimed indifference towards such rules. Tears welled in Logger's eyes as disbelief overtook him. He cried out internally at what kind of demon king could disregard even a sacred oath. Bruja extended a hand crackling with power and calmly considered what to do with him. Loger Collapsed

to his knees, trembling. Desperation took over. He begged for mercy, insisting that he was extremely valuable. He claimed no dwarf could rival his metallurgy and swore he could forge any weapon the demon king desired. Burja questioned him again, asking whether a hero like him was truly willing to serve a demon king. Loger nodded frantically. He offered himself as a secret subordinate, even as a spy within Wolfner. He insisted he could act As a hidden blade whenever Burgger required it. When Burgger asked whether he was willing to swear allegiance, Loger immediately praised the demon king and

pledged loyalty. Though deep inside he cursed him. In truth, Logger had no intention of genuine submission. His plan was to survive, escape, and assemble a dwarven pursuit force to hunt Burgie down. He believed sparing him would become Burgie's greatest mistake. Before that thought could fully form, The world twisted. In an instant, Loger found himself standing inside a vast natural park, the fourth floor of Burgers's Tower. Shock left him frozen. He could not comprehend how he had been transported from the outskirts of Wolfner so effortlessly. Nearby, Gordon Dyk panicked at the sight of the dwarf, whispering

that even a dwarven blacksmith counted as a hero. A communication crystal activated moments later, projecting Granada, who froze in Disbelief upon seeing Logger present. Burj dismissed the report casually and ordered it postponed. Soon after, Princess Ernildren approached Logger, asking whether he had come to rescue her. One glance at his terrified expression told her otherwise. Logger finally erupted in confusion, demanding why he was still here when he had been promised mercy. Burjier corrected him calmly. No promise of release had ever been made. He explained that after Logger swore allegiance, he had simply been rendered unconscious and

brought to the tower. Allowing a panicked dwarf to wander free would have been irresponsible. Realization dawned on Logger. His forced smile collapsed into helpless outrage, but his protests ended when Burgers asked whether he was pleased to serve as his subordinate. Logger, eyes watering and face contorted, forced a cheerful response, and claimed he was delighted. Burgie Then issued Logger's first command. Logger asked fearfully what task awaited him. Burgers stated that Logger was to install a large number of cannons on the first floor of the tower, weapons designed specifically to annihilate approaching heroes. Elsewhere, Granada reported through

a holographic link that rumors were spreading rapidly among hero parties. The new demon king was believed to wield black flames, prompting heroes to equip fireresistant gear. Another Rumor claimed the demon king had not deployed demonic beasts because he was afraid and his silence was being interpreted as weakness. Burj reacted without visible emotion. He remarked that the heroes had not yet lost their killing intent. Whether driven by glory or profit, none of them would gain anything from this journey. Before ending the transmission, he ordered Granada to continue monitoring the heroes closely. Back inside the tower, Burj

instructed Logger Friedrich to construct fire cannons on the first floor, but imposed one strict rule. Mana stones were forbidden. Logger panicked, arguing that such weapons would be ineffective without mana stones. Burj cut him off sharply, stating that solving the problem was Logger's responsibility. Heroes possessed extraordinary mana perception, and any man-based trap would be detected instantly. That was precisely why mana Stones could not be used. When Loger attempted to protest again, Burja calmly formed a sphere of black magic in his hand. He reminded Loger that he had been brought here because he was considered the greatest

blacksmith. Failure would simply result in replacement. Terrified, Loger revealed an alternative. He claimed to have invented a device capable of completely concealing mana traces. Developing it had taken 3 years and the prototype remained in his Workshop in Wolfner. Burj questioned whether this was another lie. Logger swore desperately that it was true. After a brief silence, Burj chose to believe him, but only with insurance. A purple runed collar was fastened around Logger's neck. Burj explained calmly that the device could sever his head instantly if activated and also distorted perception, preventing others from clearly seeing Logger's face.

Any attempt to remove it would be treated as A choice of death. Understanding the situation fully, Loger collapsed in terror and swore he would never touch the collar. After issuing his orders, Burjas departed alongside Logger Friedrich, traveling across several kingdoms to procure rare supplies and mana compatible materials. The journey lasted nearly a full month. During that time, Burj stored everything they acquired within his spatial pocket, carefully preserving the components Needed for his preparations. Once their task was complete, they returned to Wolfner, the dwarven underground city. Inside the city, a massive boulder suddenly crashed down near

a group of dwarves. At the center of the commotion stood Princess Louise Warfed. Her fury unmistakable, she shouted that a month and a half had already passed, yet the dwarves had still failed to locate Logger. She bered them mercilessly, demanding to know how much longer she Was expected to remain patient. Honly dwarf stepped forward nervously and explained that Logger had excavated countless underground tunnels over the years. Their forces were investigating every passage, but it was highly likely that he had already escaped the city. Louise snapped back immediately, declaring that of course he would flee. It

would have been idiotic for him to remain behind. She stated with absolute certainty that Logger had been Kidnapped. In a sudden outburst, she grabbed the old dwarf by the face and lifted him off the ground, coldly, announcing that she would grant them two weeks. If the kidnapper was not found by then, every one of them would die. Terrified, the old dwarf swore they would succeed. Louise released him and barked orders at the soldiers, commanding them to collapse every tunnel Logger had ever created. The dwarf scrambled to obey. As the soldiers Rushed off, attention returned to

Princess Louise. Her physique was anything but ordinary. Her body radiated overwhelming physical power far beyond what a normal dwarf should possess. Before her rested an unfinished sword, still unshaped. She stared at it bitterly, thinking that the weapon should already have been hers if Loger had not disappeared. Clenching the blade tightly, she muttered that Logger was not allowed to die, not before Completing her weapon. At that moment, one of Logger's secret tunnels opened quietly behind her. Louise sensed movement instantly and spun around. Due to the face distortion interference, she could not recognize the figure who emerged,

but she immediately identified the tunnel itself. Only Logger knew of such passages. She demanded to know whether the man standing before her was Loger. Logger froze, panic overtook him as he barely managed to address her by Title in a trembling voice. Louise cracked her knuckles, rage surging, and barked that the bastard had dared to return alive. Golden vines of aura flared violently around her body as she accused him of hiding because he did not want to forge her weapon. Through tears, Loger denied the accusation, insisting she had misunderstood. That only enraged her further. She reminded

him sharply that she was a princess and accused him of insulting her by claiming she was Mistaken. She declared that from that moment onward, he would be her slave, bound to forge weapons for her for the rest of his life. Golden aura surged around her fist as she prepared to strike, stating that she would punish him first for running away before her punch could land. A violent blast erupted between them. Princess Louise was sent flying backward, crashing into the ground. She recovered instantly, planting one hand down and regaining her Balance with ease. As the dust

settled, Burj Deos stepped forward calmly and ordered Logger to retrieve the equipment immediately. Louise glared at the newcomer, unable to discern his identity due to the interference effect. She demanded to know who he was and why he was helping a dwarf. Burgger replied in a flat, emotionless tone, introducing himself simply as the master of the blacksmith she had been extorting. Louise launched herself into the air, Rage blazing across her face. She shouted that the blacksmith was her slave and would forge her weapon for the rest of his life. The two clashed midair, exchanging blows at

terrifying speed as shock waves tore through the chamber. During the barrage, Burgji spotted an opening and swung his leg toward her neck. To his surprise, Luigi caught the strike midair with one hand. The sheer strength behind her grip made his eyes narrow. Before he could Recover, she countered with a brutal punch, sending him crashing upward into the ceiling. She turned her head slightly and informed Logger that it was now his turn. That was when Burgers reappeared, seizing Louise by the head and slamming her downward. The two exchanged blows at monstrous speed, golden and violet energies

colliding as debris filled the air. Their clash resembled a battle between calamityclass beings rather than mortals. Burj Recognized her clearly. She was Princess Louise Warfed, a monster among dwarves. Though not officially a hero, her strength was exceptional. Even before his regression, she had been among the strongest individuals he knew, far stronger than she currently was. He calculated quickly. If allowed to grow further, she would become a serious threat. Killing her now would be the logical choice. But doing so would require unleashing his full demonic Power. In his weakened state, that was a dangerous gamble. If

her soldiers witnessed his true strength, his identity as the demon king would be exposed. Meanwhile, Loger worked frantically in the background, dismantling a massive structure. During a brief opening, Burga demanded to know whether everything was ready. Logger replied in panic that he was still dismantling the device, a massive mana phantom machine designed to erase and Conceal mana traces. The mechanism was far larger than expected. Burj snarled that if Logger valued his life, he had one minute to finish. From the opposite side, Louise's aura flared violently as she demanded to know who had given them permission

to interfere. Burj glanced toward Loer and stated coldly that if the situation deteriorated further, he would abandon him without hesitation. Pale with terror, Loger swore that he was nearly done. Burge clenched his jaw. He had no idea how much longer he could continue fighting without drawing upon his full demonic reserves. Every passing second pushed him closer to exposure. As both combatants mana collapsed at a terrifying rate, Princess Louise shouted that she did not care where Burj had come from. He would not leave this place alive. She then turned her fury toward Logger Fredrich, threatening to

break his legs so he could never escape again. Burj laughed darkly, remarking that she Sounded more like a demon king than he did. He told her to give up, declaring that he was taking both her blacksmith and all the equipment with him. At that moment, Logger shouted that the dismantling was complete. The instant the machine was disabled, the flow of mana shifted violently. Louise snarled that she would no longer hold back if Logger believed he could simply return and steal what belonged to her. Burgess seized the opening. He drove his foot Straight into Louise's chest,

sending her crashing downward as a violent explosion tore through the chamber. Without hesitation, Burj opened his subspace pocket and ordered Logger to move immediately. Louise rose from the dust, declaring that such attacks were meaningless against her. Her words faltered when she realized that Burj, Loger, and the machine were all gone. Moments later, her soldiers arrived and demanded an explanation. Louise scoffed At them, calling them slow and asking whether they intended to arrive only after she was dead. She ordered them to pursue Logger through the tunnels at once, then stopped. The tunnels had already been collapsed.

Grinding her teeth, Louise understood the truth. Logger never intended to return and forge her weapon. A cold smile spread across her face as wind swept through the ruined chamber. She declared the situation far more interesting than she Had expected and swore that she would personally hunt him down, even if she had to scour the entire continent. When she found him, Loger Friedrich would regret everything he had done. After escaping Wolfner, Burj and Loger transported the Mana Phantom machine to Burj's tower. The moment the massive device was brought inside, Gordon frowned deeply. He had been in

the middle of cleaning and immediately complained, asking what that enormous Object was. Princess Ernon, standing nearby, was equally stunned by its size. Burj answered calmly that it was a magical tool essential for stopping the heroes. Soon after, Logger announced that the installation of the Mana Phantom machine was complete. Burj was visibly surprised. It had been finished far faster than expected, he ordered Logger to activate it, warning him that after all the effort required to acquire and transport the machine, it had better Be worth it. Panicking slightly, Loger assured him that it would work, and immediately

activated the device. At once, the Mana Phantom machine began drawing mana from the surrounding area. Blue energy surged upward, filling the tower with an overwhelming presence. Gordon and Princess Ern stared in shock as the air itself trembled. Suddenly, Burj's system activated. It announced that the tower had recognized the mana phantom machine and that synchronization Required 10,000 points. Burga was startled to learn that the tower possessed a synchronization system, but without hesitation, he chose to pay the cost himself. The system immediately announced that 11,182 points had been consumed and that the mana phantom machine had now

recognized demon king Burgers as its master. At that moment, the machine's power source was completely converted from mana to demonic energy. Before Burj could even Comment, Loger burst out in excitement. He shouted that he had never imagined merging the machine with the tower was possible, let alone changing its power source. He declared it the discovery of the century. Burj was stunned. Even the creator of the machine had not known this outcome was possible. Soon after, Burgers stepped aside and instructed Princess Ern to use her magic. Delighted, she asked whether she could cast any spell she

wished. Burja gave His permission without restriction. Princess Ernan immediately summoned all four elements: fire, water, wind, and earth. The elements swirled violently above the tower. Gordon panicked, yelling that he had just finished cleaning the place. Yet, Bersa noticed something strange. Normally, a spell of that magnitude would be detectable from afar. Now, he could neither see nor sense anything happening inside the tower. There was no mana fluctuation, no Presence at all. Bersa realized that this was the effect of the tower synchronized with the mana phantom machine. Testing it further, he poured demonic energy into the tower

itself. In an instant, the tower vanished. Startled, Burga activated his demonic energy again, and the tower reappeared. He understood then that he could hide the entire tower at will in exchange for demonic energy, though the cost made it impractical for constant use. A faint Smile crossed his face. This power would be extremely useful in the future. Inside the tower, Loger shouted joyfully, barely containing his excitement. Hugging the massive device like a priceless treasure, he begged for permission to examine both the tower and the mana phantom machine in detail. Declaring it a historic discovery unlike anything

ever recorded, Burj granted permission on one condition. If Logger's traps failed to wipe out the heroes on The first floor, that permission would be revoked. Loger swore fervently that he would sweep away the heroes without fail and plunged into his work with renewed fervor. While Loer busied himself, Burj moved to a quieter corner of the tower with Princess Ern. He explained that he wanted her to confront the heroes who managed to reach the fourth floor. Princess Ern blinked in surprise, then tilted her head, asking whether he truly intended for her to Fight the heroes. She

reminded him that she was a princess. Burgers replied calmly that she was also a genius spiritist and someone who had no intention of returning to her royal home. Inwardly, Burj wondered whether assigning her such a role was unreasonable. She was still an innocent princess, someone who did not fully understand how cruel the world could be. But Princess Ern was already lost in thought. Considering how she should Fight, her four elements swirling faintly around her. Seeing her enthusiasm, Burj adjusted his plan. He told her that she would not need to fight seriously. Her role was to

filter the heroes, reveal herself as an enemy, and delay them. If things went well, he would grant her whatever she desired. Princess Erns's eyes lit up. She agreed, but added one condition of her own. She asked Burga to introduce her as a subordinate of the demon king, not as a Human princess. Bersa was momentarily stunned. After a brief pause, he agreed. It was a small demand. Hearing his answer, Ern smiled brightly and teased whether she should seduce the heroes using her looks. Burgers shut the idea down immediately, instructing her to do only what he had

ordered, nothing more. Later, Burgers reviewed the information spread across multiple system windows. With all preparations complete, he calmly evaluated their chances. The mass Cannons installed on the first floor would drastically thin the hero ranks. On the fourth floor, Princess Ernon Hildderon would serve as bait to finish off those who survived. Even so, Burj knew it still was not enough. The invading heroes numbered more than 200. As things stood, even he could not personally slaughter half of them. With a quiet sigh, Burgji summoned the spirit blossom flower, now completely tainted by demonic energy. He stared at

it in Silence. Spirit blossoms corrupted by demonic energy were especially effective against both demons and heroes alike. If this war was to be won, he would need to grow stronger himself, and that meant acquiring more of them. Dura informed Princess Ern that they would search the surrounding area. She reacted with visible excitement and followed him eagerly across the snow fields. After a long search, Princess Ern finally admitted that she could not sense a Single spirit blossom nearby. Burj frowned inwardly. This was already their third attempt. He concluded that perhaps their earlier success had simply been

luck. Princess Ern, however, felt uneasy. It was far too strange that not even one spirit blossom could be found in a region where they should naturally grow. At that moment, a figure stepped into their path. An orc emerged from the snow. Seeing the familiar pale- skinned orc, Burg's demonic energy surged Instinctively. He muttered that he was already tired of dealing with orcs. Yet, instead of attacking, the orc suddenly dropped to one knee, planting his fist against the frozen ground. In a deep, resonant voice, the orc introduced himself as Kutu, chieftain of the Blue Frost tribe.

He bowed his head and formally greeted the demon king, declaring that his tribe wished to be accepted as Burg's kin. Behind him, his tribesmen followed suit, kneeling one by One and repeating the same pledge. Burj was caught off guard. He demanded to know why they wished to become his kin. Still kneeling, Kru explained that his tribes ancestors had once been demons who betrayed the demon realm. Because of that ancient sin, they carried the burden of corruption. To atone, he begged Burgger to grant them the honor of serving him. Burgers cut him off sharply, dismissing the

flattering words. He stated bluntly that they Simply wished to grow stronger by becoming kin of the demon king. After all, orcs were far better suited to demonic energy than spirit blossoms ever could be. Kru did not deny it. Instead, he signaled to one of his warriors. The orc stepped forward carrying a sealed box. When it was opened, three spirit blossom flowers were revealed inside. Burj was genuinely shocked. He immediately understood why none could be found in the wild. Crew had come fully Prepared. not only with a rehearsed explanation, but with a calculated offering. For a

pale orc, this level of foresight was unusual. Krewu explained that in order to survive the brutal snow fields, the Blue Frost tribe had learned to value wisdom over brute strength. Burj observed that they had come not merely seeking power, but because they understood the meaning of strength. Lowering his head even further, Krewu silently accepted that judgment. After a Brief pause, Burgess smiled faintly. Summoning his demonic energy, he declared that he would accept only Kru as his kin. A red mist gathered around Kru, enveloping his body. A demonic mark burned itself into his chest as the

contract was sealed. When the transformation ended, Kru had fully evolved into one of the demon king's kin. Burj ordered him to roam the snowfields, expand his tribe, and act according to his will. If they remained Loyal, Burj promised rewards far greater than mere strength. Crouton knelt once more and vowed absolute loyalty. Behind him, the Blue Frost tribe echoed his oath in unison. Sometime later, Bersa was seated upon his throne, silently observing the system interface. Everything was laid out clearly. Outside, the Orc legion formed the first defensive line. On the first floor, Loger Friedrich had completed

the installation of 60 mounted cannons, all Primed for activation. On the fourth floor, Princess Ern waited as the final trap. Every piece was now in place. Burj leaned back slightly, his expression darkening. Inwardly, he welcomed their arrival. The heroes who had humiliated him in his previous life would finally pay for it. The scene shifted. At the foot of Urgust Mountain, Hero Hill and Cargle stood beside Granada and announced that they had finally arrived. Before them stretched the gathered hero Army, ranks upon ranks assembled in full force. That night, at the Holton outpost, the main staging

ground near Mount Ergust. A grand celebration was underway. Long banquet tables filled the hall, piled high with food and drink. At the center of the hall, seated on an elevated platform, was hero Helen Cargill. Beside him sat Granada and the fortress master of Holton. Raising his glass, the fortress master thanked Helen for leading the heroes this far and Declared it an honor to stand on the same page of history as the man destined to slay the demon king. Helen responded politely, expressing his gratitude for the banquet and Holton's support. The fortress master rose again and

asked Helen to address the heroes before the final ascent. The hall fell silent as all eyes turned toward him. Helen slowly stood with a sharp, resolute expression. He declared that the long- awaited expedition had reached its final stage. The demon king, perhaps frightened by the United March of Heroes, had not sent a single monster to intercept them. But that, he warned, only meant they must not lower their guard. Raising his wine glass high, Hillen proclaimed that the day had finally come, the day they would punish the foolish demon king for daring to kidnap Princess Ern

of the kingdom of Hilderin. He demanded to know who they were and who truly ruled this world. The hall erupted. Heroes raised their fists And voices together, shouting for justice, shouting for victory. Seated beside hero Helen, Granada observed the celebration in silence. Inwardly, he acknowledged that everything was unfolding exactly as the demon king had predicted. The number of heroes had neither increased nor decreased. Yet, their confidence had grown dangerously high. Granada glanced toward Hillen. Helens popularity alone had carried the expedition this far. He had secured Merchant sponsorships, stabilized supply routes, and prevented desertters from abandoning

the march when fear took hold. Without him, the expedition would have collapsed long ago. Granada then recalled the last time he had seen the demon king's tower. It had been completely empty. If it remained that way, the demon king would fall. The thought unsettled him. For a fleeting moment, a ridiculous idea crossed his mind, whether he should strike the Heroes down himself from behind. He immediately rejected it. If the subjugation succeeded, he would finally be free. Excusing himself, Granada left the hall and stepped onto the balcony for fresh air. Beneath the night sky, he activated

his communication device and reported quietly that the heroes had arrived at Holton. After a brief resupply, they would begin climbing Mount Ergus the next day. The demon king's response was calm. Once the Heroes left Holton, Granada was no longer required to maintain contact. Instead, he was instructed to observe carefully. He was warned not to lower his guard at night and was given one final cryptic order. When the heroes opened the tower, he was to stay far away from it. The connection ended. Granada stared at the device, confusion and unease tightening in his chest. Before he

could process the warning, Helen appeared, smiling warmly, and Asked why Granada was standing alone. Startled, Granada replied that he merely needed fresh air. Helen handed him a drink, explaining that it was fruit wine favored by elves. Granada accepted it with thanks. Helen studied him briefly and remarked that Granada seemed troubled. After a moment's hesitation, Granada asked quietly whether Helen truly believed they would succeed in subduing the demon king. Helen admitted honestly that he did not know. Subjugating a demon king's tower had never been easy. Not once in history had it gone smoothly. Granada pressed further,

mentioning that Helen had once defeated the demon king of lust and absorbed his power. Compared to that, a newly risen demon king should be easier. Almost casually, he asked how Helen had truly killed the demon king of lust. Helen's expression froze. After a brief pause, he smiled and replied that it had only been possible because of brave Comrades, people like Granada, who always stood at the front, shielding others from monsters. Placing a firm hand on Granada's shoulder, Hillen stated confidently that he would lead the way tomorrow, and Granada would protect his flank. Together, victory was

assured. Granada nodded and agreed to follow the plan. As they returned to the hall, Hillen mentioned that the fortress master wished to hear stories of his past exploits. Granada walked ahead. Behind him, Hillen stopped. His expression shifted completely. With a faint, unsettling smile, Hillen murmured to himself that it was true he had always relied on brave comrades. The next morning, the hero's long-awaited departure began as the massive force marched toward the earest mountains. Crowds gathered along the roads leading out of Holton. People shouted blessings and encouragement, urging the heroes to remain strong and return alive.

Their Voices carried hope, desperation, and the weight of countless lives placed upon the hero's shoulders. Before long, the army reached the Urgust mountain gorge. Two enormous ice cliffs towered on either side, forming a narrow passage leading deeper into the mountains. Frostcoated the stone walls, yet the air remained strangely calm, nothing matching the region's terrifying reputation. Some heroes whispered their surprise. Others admitted they had Expected far harsher conditions. From their perspective, it seemed possible they might reach the demon king's tower without facing major resistance. Confidence spread. Another joked that the rumors of disasterclass monsters had been

exaggerated. Someone remarked that with Hillan leading them, even monsters would hesitate to appear. That confidence shattered instantly. A thick, unfamiliar liquid dripped onto one hero's head. Confused, he touched it and Stared at the purple viscous substance coating his fingers. Une crept over him as he slowly looked upward. Dozens of ghoul monsters clung to the icy cliffs above. Their grotesque bodies crawled along the stone walls. Panic surged through the formation. Before chaos could erupt, Hillen stepped forward and asserted control. He ordered the heroes not to panic and instructed them to protect the comrades beside them. His

calm authority cut through the fear. Under his command, shields were raised, ranks tightened, and mages repositioned toward the rear. At the front of the gorge, a frost giant emerged. The colossal creature advanced slowly, its towering body dwarfing the surrounding cliffs. With every step, the ground trembled, and an oppressive pressure bore down upon the heroes. The sheer presence of the monster made breathing difficult. Hero Hillen Cargill recognized the danger instantly. Without Hesitation, he ordered a full retreat from the gorge. Some heroes faltered, confused, wondering whether Helen intended to face such a monster alone. His actions answered

them before any words could. Helen surged forward. The frost giant reacted immediately, swinging its massive arm downward in an attempt to crush him. At the last possible moment, Helen leapt, landing at top the giant's wrist just as its hands smashed into the cliff wall. Ice and Stone exploded outward in a violent shock wave. Using the giant's arm as a foothold. Helen sprinted upward toward its head. In a single blink, his blade flashed. With terrifying speed and precision, he carved through the frost giant's body. The monster was torn apart before it could even recover. Helen wasted

no time. He urged the heroes to move immediately. They fled the gorge, gasping for breath as they regrouped outside. Behind them, the frost giant's Frozen remains stood like a wall, preventing the ghoul monsters from pursuing any further. As the heroes studied themselves, disbelief rippled through the ranks. Some reflected on the absurdity of surviving dozens of ghouls and a frost giant taller than the cliffs themselves. Others muttered that humans were never meant to tread such a land. Even the demon king's tower, they admitted, had not felt this oppressive. Yet, their casualties were minimal. Many Silently acknowledged

the truth. Without Helen's intervention, the outcome would have been catastrophic. Whispers spread as the heroes looked toward him. They recalled the legend that Hillen had once slain the demon king of lust and absorbed its power. If those stories were true, then perhaps he truly stood on a level comparable to a demon king. Trust in Hillan solidified. As long as they followed him, they believed they would survive. Nearby, Granada stood Silently, still catching his breath. Watching Hillen, a single thought settled heavily in his mind. If it was him, then maybe the demon king could truly be

defeated. As the heroes pressed deeper along the icy cliffs, the brief relief vanished almost immediately. Figures appeared along the ridge ahead. Orcs. One of them raised a crude horn-like instrument and blew into it with tremendous force. The sound rolled across the mountains like thunder, Echoing endlessly through the cliffs. Unease spread through the heroes. Some realized grimly that they had not been given even a moment to rest after the previous battle. Granada identified them at once. These were not ordinary orcs. They were polar orcs, creatures adapted to extreme cold and far more dangerous than their common

kin. Helen sensed something else entirely. From the orcs bodies, he felt the unmistakable presence of demonic energy. That Realization confirmed it. These were not mere monsters. They were subordinates of the demon king. At the forefront stood their leader, Krewu, newly sworn kin of demon king Burgjas. Kru watched the heroes from above with cold, unwavering eyes. The heroes were being welcomed into the earest mountains in the crulest way possible. Hillen judged the orcs as manageable opponents and prepared to cut through them swiftly. But Granada felt something deeply wrong. The horn had not Been blown merely as

a signal. It was a trigger. A memory struck him like lightning. Burj's earlier words, "Watch the show." Only now did the meaning become clear. High above, Ku remained motionless, observing the unfolding chaos with absolute certainty. None of them he believed would reach the tower. Before anyone could react, a deep rumble shook the mountains. A massive wall of snow and ice tore down the mountain slopes, devouring everything in its Path. An avalanche. Granada's mind raced in panic. There was no tactical response to something like this. With desperation flooding his thoughts, he urged the heroes to flee.

Formation shattered instantly. Heroes screamed as they ran for their lives. Some slipped on the ice. Others were nearly swallowed as the rushing snow closed in behind them. Far away inside the demon king's tower, Burj observed everything through his system interface. On the floating windows Before him, the heroes were reduced to scattered figures fleeing in blind terror. Panic, disorder, and despair filled the display. Burj smiled faintly. He welcomed them to his domain. This time, however, he had no intention of merely repelling them. He intended to hunt them down. Inwardly, he reflected that he had already warned

Granada of three crucial things. The first had been simple. Watch the snow while climbing the mountain. When the avalanche finally Ceased, snow blanketed the gorge, burying bodies, equipment, and shattered hopes alike. Survivors struggled to regroup, their voices trembling with fear and disbelief. A grim realization spread among them. The polar orcs had caused the avalanche deliberately. After hastily establishing a temporary camp, Hillen ordered the survivors to search for comrades swept away by the snow. Though his voice remained firm, the strain was unmistakable. Within the Tower, Burgji observed calmly. The second warning soon followed. Never let your

guard down at night. As darkness fell, monsters emerged. Ghouls crawled from the shadows. Orcs advanced in coordinated groups. Fear spread as the heroes understood the truth. This was not chaos. It was a pattern. Avalanche by day. A monster horde by night. Granada clenched his teeth in silent fury, inwardly cursing the demon king. Burj smiled. If this cycle continued, Exhaustion would take root, despair would follow, and eventually the heroes would break. 3 days passed after the heroes entered the Urgus mountains. Their numbers fell at an alarming rate. From 511, only 256 remained. When the survivors finally

reached the highest summit, confusion and anger erupted. The peak was completely empty. There was no tower. Hero Hill and Cargill stood at the front, barely restraining his frustration. A demon king's tower not Being placed somewhere visible defied every rule he had ever known. Such an obvious dominant location should never have been avoided. From behind him, a familiar voice spoke. Wharton, one of Hillan's most trusted subordinates, stepped forward. His expression was grim as he declared that they should retreat. He admitted his regret, but stated plainly that the expedition had already failed. Preserving the remaining lives, he

said, mattered more than pride or Ambition. Hill unclenched his jaw. Anger and doubt surged within him. 6 days after entering the Urgus Mountains, they finally found it. The demon king's tower. It was hidden deep within a massive basin, completely concealed from all vantage points above. By the time the heroes reached it, their numbers had fallen once more. Only 52 remained. Driven by rage, two heroes rushed forward and forced open the tower's gate, convinced that whatever lay inside Would be crushed immediately. The first floor appeared to contain nothing but weak monsters. From his throne, Burjadas calmly

reflected on his final warning to Granada. He had told him to keep his distance when the heroes opened the tower. The moment the gate fully opened, massive structures revealed themselves. Cannons, dozens of them. The heroes froze in shock as overwhelming energy gathered within the barrels, power sufficient to erase everything standing Before them in a single volley. The explosion swallowed the battlefield. When the smoke finally cleared, Burj observed the scene through his system windows and noted inwardly that even such overwhelming firepower had failed to finish Hill and Cargill. On the first floor, Hillan stood alone. Every

one of his subordinates was dead. Their shattered bodies lay scattered near the tower entrance, torn apart by the cannon barrage. Hillen himself remained Standing. Rage boiled within him. Nothing about this tower, the demon king, or the journey itself felt normal. Every expectation he had carried into this battle had been shattered one by one. At that moment, Granada emerged from outside the tower, calling out urgently. Helen turned sharply, asking whether Granada was alive and unharmed. Granada explained that he had barely avoided the blast. Helen studied his breathing and confirmed that he was Fine. Without hesitation, he

declared that they would continue upward. Granada expressed concern, questioning whether the two of them alone could truly face what awaited above. In response, Hillen tightened his grip on his sword as it began to glow with power. With absolute conviction, he declared that he was the hero who had slain the demon king of lust and absorbed its power. To him, a newly born demon king was nothing more than an inferior enemy. With Granada at His side, he claimed they were more than sufficient. Granada agreed outwardly, masking his true thoughts, and said they would proceed together. The

second floor was empty. No monsters, no traps, no resistance. The third floor was the same, only silence. Helen clenched his teeth. A demon king's tower should have been overflowing with monsters. This emptiness felt deeply wrong. Beside him, Granada's expression darkened. If both the second and third floors were empty, Then the true threat had to be waiting above. When they reached the fourth floor, everything changed. Instead of stone corridors, a vast landscape unfolded before them. A forest filled with flowers, cliffs, and open terrain stretched endlessly in all directions. Hill and froze in disbelief. This did not

feel like the inside of a tower at all. He questioned how such an environment could exist within a demon king's domain, and whether they were Truly still inside the tower. Granada admitted that it no longer felt like a tower either. Then a voice echoed through the forest. The heroes had finally arrived. Hillen froze. A figure stepped forward with exaggerated flare. It was Princess Ern. She wore a revealing flashy outfit and struck an overly dramatic pose, clearly attempting to conceal her identity. She introduced herself as one of the four heavenly kings who protected the demon king,

Claiming to be a dark spirit and the hero's opponent. Despite the absurdity of the situation, her appearance was undeniably charming. Granada stood stunned. Helen, however, narrowed his eyes. He questioned her identity directly, wondering aloud why the supposedly kidnapped princess would appear in such a form. Granada's tension spiked. He realized Helen had recognized her and chose to remain silent, watching carefully. Princess Ern denied being a Princess, insisting that she was a dark spirit. As she spoke, all four elements, fire, water, wind, and earth, rose and hovered ominously around her body. She declared that this was the

power of darkness. Helen immediately understood the implication. This was the highest tier of spirit magic power that only Princess Ernon herself could wield. Such magic could not be used if she were under control. His thoughts spiraled. First the pol orcs, then the avalanche, Then the night ambushes, the tower hidden in a basin, cannons on the first floor, empty second and third floors, and now Princess Ern standing freely before him on the fourth. Helen laughed bitterly, clenching his teeth. He no longer understood what was happening. His fury finally erupted. He demanded to know why the princess

was attacking the heroes who had come to save her. If this was how things were going to be, he declared, then he would destroy Everything in his path. At that moment, a presence manifested behind him. Black flames condensed in the demon king's hand, forming a sphere of pure destruction. Before Hero Hill and Cargill could react, the attack was released. The explosion erupted instantly. Black flames swallowed Hillen completely, devouring him in a torrent of demonic fire. When the flames slowly dispersed, the demon king finally revealed himself. Stepping calmly into View, Burj Deis regarded the scene with

quiet satisfaction. At last, he could see hero Helen Cargle's face clearly. Helen was kneeling on the ground, one knee pressed into the earth. His breathing was heavy, ragged, yet his eyes still burned with defiance. Inwardly, he acknowledged that the demon king had finally shown himself, and cursed the fact that Burga had managed to approach him so effortlessly. The realization cut deeply into his pride. He concluded bitterly that he still lacked strength. As his vision sharpened, Helen noticed Granada standing behind the demon king. In a sudden burst of speed, Helen vanished from his position and reappeared

behind Granada. Without hesitation, he placed a hand on Granada's shoulder. He declared that this was necessary, that combining their strength would solve everything. Granada did not understand what was happening. In the next instant, a Horrifying sensation overtook him. His energy was violently drained from his body. Strength vanished from his limbs. His legs gave out and he collapsed to the ground like an empty shell. At the same time, Hillen rose to his feet. Power surged through him. With renewed vigor, Hillen reflected bitterly that he had already warned Granada. As long as Granada remained by his side,

there would be no problem. This, he believed, was the inevitable outcome. Bersa Understood immediately. Helen revealed it himself, emboldened by his stolen power. With twisted pride, he explained that the ring he wore was a forbidden artifact known as elf eater, a device capable of converting an elf's near infinite vitality directly into mana. As Hillen placed one foot at top Granada's head, he justified his actions inwardly as a necessary sacrifice for the greater good. Granada, barely conscious and completely drained, could only mutter Weakly, condemning Helen as a swindler and a hypocrite. Bej smiled. He found the

hypocrisy almost admirable. With quiet amusement, the demon king thought that he liked how wild, ugly, and lowly Hillen Cargill truly was. Almost casually, Burj wondered whether removing the ring would be enough to reduce Helen back to his former weakness. Helen reacted with disbelief. He laughed arrogantly, convinced that Burgers could never do such a thing. He believed that Even the demon king of lust had failed to remove the ring, and that Bersa would fare no better. Before Hillan could finish laughing, his arm was severed. There was no warning, no sensation, only a sudden weightless absence. Helen

stared in shock as his severed hand, still wearing the ring, fell to the ground. Blood sprayed outward as pain, finally caught up with him. He screamed, desperately trying to comprehend where his hand had gone. Then a figure Appeared behind him. With cold indifference, Gordon remarked that Hillen was still alive, adding that he was rude and excessively nosy for a human. Stepping back, Gordon gave him space. Hllen staggered, instinctively, dropping to one knee. For the first time, terror seeped into his thoughts. Even with a forbidden artifact, even after draining an elf dry, he had been dismantled

with terrifying ease. What he now realized was far worse. This was not Merely a high-ranking demon. Without warning, a hand settled firmly on Helen's shoulder. Helen froze. Burj leaned close, his presence overwhelming, and calmly conveyed that Helen was not going anywhere. Helen turned his head, his expression hollow as realization struck too late. There was no escape. Behind him loomed something monstrous like a massive wolf poised to devour its prey. Black flames erupted. Burj unleashed his full demonic power. His Smile widened as the flames expanded, swallowing the space around them. Helen's thoughts spiraled into disbelief as

he wondered what kind of demon King Burgers truly was. With quiet finality, Burgja decided that it was time for Helen to receive a proper beating. The blow descended. A colossal explosion of black and violet energy erupted from the fourth floor of the tower, visible even from outside. The mountain itself shook violently. When the explosion finally Subsided, Hero Hill and Cargill lay unconscious at the center of the devastated battlefield. His body was scorched, broken, and unmoving. Burj looked down at him calmly, almost impressed. Hillen was still alive. Burj issued his orders immediately. Helen was to be

restrained and thrown into the tower's prison. The remaining heroes who had collapsed outside the gate were to be captured and locked away as well. Nearby, Granada lay completely drained, His body trembling from exhaustion. Burjier approached him and used a spirit blossom flower, restoring Granada's vitality instantly. As Granada regained consciousness, he noticed Burgel offering another spirit blossom to Princess Ern as well. A bitter realization crossed Granada's mind. The demon king had used those precious spirit blossoms on him without hesitation. Moments later, Logger Friedri's projection appeared. Burgie Acknowledged him with a brief nod and praised his work.

He granted Logger permission to dismantle the tower mechanisms that were no longer necessary. Logger responded cheerfully, clearly delighted. Burgie then issued his final instructions, ordering each subordinate to restore and maintain their assigned floors. Without another word, he turned and left. Granada watched him go, stunned. After such a fierce battle, the demon king appeared Completely unharmed, calm, composed, and unshaken. It was exactly what one would expect of a demon king. Beside him, Princess Ern remained silent, her gaze lingering thoughtfully. Granada asked whether something was wrong. She hesitated before answering that it was nothing, only that the

demon king seemed tired. Inside his private chamber, Burj D finally allowed himself to collapse. He slammed his hand against the floor and lay back, breathing heavily. A demon King could never afford to show weakness in front of others. Only here alone could he release the strain. His thoughts drifted to heroill and Cargill. So this was the strength of a 10-star hero. The 10 stars were known as the 10 strongest heroes on the continent. Even though Hillen Cargill was considered the weakest among them, his strength was still terrifying. Burj reflected calmly that he had barely used

any demonic energy points to enhance himself in this Life. If Hillen had faced him in perfect condition, the outcome of the battle would not have been so certain. The victory had not been achieved through brute force alone. Burj had exhausted Hill in first, dragging him through avalanches, night assaults, frost giants, ghouls, and relentless psychological pressure. His rhythm had been shattered. His confidence eroded. Panic had replaced clarity. When Helen's focus finally broke, and his vision Narrowed. That single opening was all Burj needed. Burj had struck with everything he had. Lying there in silence, Burj smiled faintly.

This was a perfect victory, one achieved without relying on the overwhelming standards of a demon king's raw power. It was something he had never accomplished in his previous life. For the first time, he felt certain. Fate had changed. The future could be rewritten. And one day, he would take revenge on every hero who Had killed him in his past life. The scene shifted to a press conference hall. Voices overlapped as questions were hurled toward the podium. Reporters demanded to know whether it was true that the heroes had given up after failing to locate the demon

king's tower. Others asked who would be held responsible for the apparent failure of the hero expedition. Standing firm, Hero Wharton addressed them. He stated clearly that the heroes had not failed Yet. There was still hope. Hero Hill and Cargill, along with several other great heroes, had not abandoned the mission. They were still actively searching for the demon king's tower. His words were delivered with conviction. News of the new demon king spread rapidly across the continent. In a distant royal palace, Princess Ern's father received the report. Upon reading it, he slammed his fist down in fury,

shouting that Hill and Cargill had spoken with such Confidence, yet still failed to rescue his daughter. Elsewhere, the dwarven princess Louise Werf received a similar letter. Her reaction was equally furious, but her anger was directed less at the heroes and more at the situation itself. Her concern lay not with the human princess, but with Logger Friedrich, whose fate remained unknown. Across cities, kingdoms, and guilds, rumors spread, the truth twisted, stories exaggerated. The demon king Became a monster beyond imagination. Hill and Cargill was alternately praised as a savior or condemned as a failure. The world fell

into unease and sorrow. As fear and despair spread, Burj's demonic energy points surged, piling up until they reached 290,000. The scene shifted again, this time to the Heroes Guild headquarters. Hero Wharton stood before a projection of the assembled heroes. Their expressions were grave. They asked him directly whether there Was even the slightest falsehood in what he had told the press. Hero Wharton swore on his name that every word he had spoken was the truth. The heroes discussed the situation among themselves. This was serious. The identity of the new demon king was still unknown and reckless

action could lead to catastrophe. One hero muttered angrily that Hillen Cargill was one of the 10 stars, someone who could not be defeated easily. If Hillen had not yet Returned, then something was truly wrong. A decision was made. They would wait 10 more days. If no news of Hill and Cargill arrived by then, all 4,728 registered heroes on the continent would launch a full-scale assault to eliminate the demon king. The scene shifted once more. Deep within the underground prison of Bersa's tower, chains bound hero Hillen Cargill, restraining both his body and his power. Bersa approached

calmly and asked whether he was awake. He remarked that Helen's recovery speed was exceptional, far faster than expected. Helen opened his eyes and asked why he had been kept alive. If Beerja had spared him, then the demon king must want something. Hillen demanded that Beerja stop wasting time and speak plainly. Burgja smiled. He remarked that it was refreshing to see Helen so willing to talk. Then, without hesitation, Burj ordered him to become his vessel. Hillen froze. Shock flooded His expression as he questioned whether he had heard correctly. Burj casually dropped a heavy bag onto the

stone floor. He explained calmly that the hero's journey was never fueled by ideals alone. It consumed vast amounts of money, food for thousands, weapons, logistics, mercenaries, repairs, and bribes. Normally, merchant conglomerates and noble houses covered those costs, investing heavily in heroes with the expectation of immense returns once the Demon king was defeated. If the hero succeeded, their lives transformed overnight. If they failed, they were buried in debt. Burgger remarked almost amusedly that this time all investments had been concentrated on a single hero. That hero was Hillen Cargill. The realization struck Helen like a blade. Even

if he escaped the tower alive, he would be branded a failed hero. Sponsors would hunt him relentlessly. Debt collectors, nobles, and mercenary Assassins would pursue him for the rest of his life. He would be forced into hiding, stripped of glory, forever running from death. Helen demanded to know how Burj could possibly know this. At that moment, Granada stepped forward and stated plainly that he had told him. Helen erupted in rage, shouting that Granada had betrayed him. Granada shouted back just as fiercely, accusing Hillen of hypocrisy and reminding him that Hillen had scammed him first. He

Revealed that he had been on Burg's side from the very beginning. Burgers intervened calmly. He stated that Helen's failure had nothing to do with weakness. It was simply because there had never been a demon king like Burj Deas before. He added that just as Helen had broken the traditional standards of heroism, humans would eventually adapt and find ways to clear demon king towers if they were allowed to try. Then Burga revealed a purple orb. He explained that If one of humanity's strongest heroes secretly interfered with humanity's plans, then humans would never succeed. Hillen demanded to

know what the orb was. Burj explained calmly that it was a magical surveillance tool. Once inside a body, it latched onto the brain instantly. Through it, Burj could sense intentions, loyalty, and betrayal. With a single gesture, he could destroy the user's brain without warning. To demonstrate, Burj gestured toward an Unconscious hero lying nearby. Bruge added that if the orb failed to assimilate into Helen's body, it would be treated as rejection. In that case, Helen would be killed immediately. Hillen roared in defiance. He declared that a hero of his level was immune to mental interference. The

moment the orb entered his body, it would dissolve, and such a failure would not be his fault. Granada corrected him coldly. A hero, he explained, could lower their mental Defenses by their own will. Burj smiled in agreement. Helen turned on Granada, screaming, demanding to know whether he felt no shame at all. Granada replied without hesitation that Hillen was the one who should feel ashamed. Hillen spat back that Burj was wasting a precious magical tool, insisting that he would never submit to a demon king. Burj did not argue. Without hesitation, he forced the orb into Helen's

mouth and ordered him to swallow. As the orb vanished into His body, Granada remarked calmly that Helen was surprisingly tenacious. He asked Barry what he would have done if Hillen had chosen death instead. Burjier replied evenly that a greedy human who treated comrades as disposable tools for money would never choose self-sacrifice. Such people always clung to life. And so in that moment, Hero Hill and Cargill became the demon king's vessel. Sometime later, Gordon arrived before the throne. He reported that the process was Complete. Hero Hill and Cargill had fully become Bers's vessel. Gordon explained that

Hillen was now burdened with an overwhelming debt, 100,000 gold. With such a financial obligation hanging over him, Helen's actions would be severely restricted. Any movement outside Burg's control would be nearly impossible. However, Gordon raised another concern. He reported that the gold Burgers had previously exchanged for demonic energy points amounted to Only around 2,000 gold. Even that sum was comparable to the annual budget of a small nation. Carefully, Gordon asked how Burj planned to acquire more. Burj merely smiled. He remarked that the timing was perfect, adding that he would soon be receiving a message. Gordon did

not understand. Burgers clarified that he was referring to an annual gathering held among demon kings, the unison of towers. It was a summit where demon kings convened once a year. Burj Reflected inwardly that in his previous life, he had never attended such an event. At the time, he had found the idea of demon kings banding together repulsive and pointless. Now his perspective had changed. The other demon kings had survived in Aren for countless years. Over that time, they must have accumulated enormous reserves of gold, relics, and treasures. Wealth far beyond imagination. Gordon stiffened. He realized

what Burj was planning. Burj Intended to convert demonic energy into money and then extract that money from the other demon kings themselves. Outwardly, Gordon remained calm. In the past, he would have objected. But after confronting the heroes head-on, Gordon finally understood the truth. If Bersa had followed the traditional demon king standard, they would never have survived. At that moment, a transmission arrived. Gordon straightened and reported that an official investigation Related to the unison of towers had arrived. Burj's smile widened. He rose from his throne and spoke calmly. It was time to swindle his senior demon

kings. Next day, the scene shifted to the tower of the demon king of lies. On the 13th floor, the unison of towers was underway. As all demon kings of Arin had gathered, Burj Deas, demon king of the flame race, a demonic dragon, entered the chamber with a faint grin. He remarked lightly that he hoped he was Not late and observed that everyone had arrived rather early. He wondered aloud whether there had truly been so much to discuss without him. Among those present stood Draxen, the demon king of the beastmen race, a werewolf watching Burj with

undisguised hostility. Nearby, Raina Soldin, the demon king of winter, a frost demon, spoke calmly, noting that Burgers was the one everyone had been talking about. A heavy presence stirred. Ugger Belvc, the demon king of Indestructibility from the Titan race, snorted in disdain. He remarked that the arrogant one who had insulted the demon king's standards had finally arrived. At the center of the chamber sat Jason Cochman, known as the demon king of lies, a being of unknown race. With an amused smile, he warmly welcomed Burgji. Burgji returned the greeting with a mocking smile, labeling the gathering

pathetic. He commented sarcastically on their so-called harmony and questioned Whether demon kings truly felt no shame in forming alliances. Inwardly, however, Burj acknowledged the truth. This was the correct path for Ain. Ugar suddenly erupted in fury. He cursed Burj openly, demanding to know what a newcomer like him could possibly understand about Aren. Burj reflected calmly that provoking someone even slightly made it easy to read their thoughts. This one at least harbored no intention other than killing him. Ugger leaned forward, his Rage intensifying as he threatened to kill Bersa outright if that was what he desired.

Burjier met his authority without flinching and calmly told him to try if he could. As the two demon kings locked eyes, killing intent flooding the chamber. Jason intervened with a single clap of his hands. Both their murderous auras vanished as if they had never existed. Jason reminded them gently that the purpose of this gathering was cooperation, not pointless conflict, and Insisted that no one waste the precious time of others. Burj noticed something immediately. The killing intent had disappeared instantly. It was not magic. He wondered whether it was Jason's innate ability or the power of the

tower itself. The sensation reminded him faintly of the man of phantom machine within his own tower. Burji agreed to proceed. Jason thanked him for his cooperation. Still, Burgers reminded himself not to jump to conclusions Without evidence. He resolved not to lower his guard. With a pleased smile, Jason announced the official start of the unison of towers, declaring that everyone was free to speak openly. Burja remarked casually that the meeting itself was not particularly impressive. Silence followed. Then Draxen leaned forward. His rage finally boiled over as he demanded to know where Hero Hill and Cargill was.

Bruj fell silent for a brief moment. Then at last he began to Speak. He started telling them about Hero Hill and Cargill. The scene then abruptly shifted to the lower floors of the tower of lies. The aids of the demon kings had gathered surrounding Gordon. One of the aids belonging to Jason asked quietly whether Hillen Cargill was already dead. Gordon, visibly overwhelmed, answered carefully. He stated that Hillen Cargle had never even entered Burgers's Tower and was most likely still wandering somewhere around The Urgust mountains. The aid of Ugar immediately rejected that explanation. From his perspective,

Hillen Cargill should have been supported the tower from afar at the very least. Gordon calmly replied that this was not the case here. Another aid pressed further, questioning whether the rumors surrounding demon king Burj were truly real. As question after question poured in, Gordon recalled Berser's earlier instructions. Burgers had told him that If the other aids asked about Hill and Cargle, he was to claim ignorance. Since the demon kings might attempt to use Hillen as a spy, secrecy was paramount. Now Gordon realized that Burgger had been right. Fully committing to his role, Gordon raised his

voice and complained loudly. He claimed that Demon King Burj was nothing more than a stubborn brat who never listened to anyone. He added that if he looked away for even a moment, Burj would surely get Himself into trouble again. Strangely, Gordon felt an unexpected sense of satisfaction saying those words. As the other aids reacted with knowing expressions, Gordon came to an unexpected realization, he understood that what he truly needed was not strategy or power, but emotional support. Back on the 13th floor, Ugar still did not believe Burj's explanation. With barely restrained fury, the Titan demon

king demanded to Know whether Burj was truly saying that Hill and Cargill never even reached his tower simply because Burj had not placed it at the mountains peak. He accused Burj of mocking him outright. Internally, Burj thought that he was free to construct his tower wherever he pleased. Jason stepped in smoothly, his tone deceptively calm. He remarked that if Burj's claim was true, then the heroes were still aiming for Burj's tower. Yet, despite that, Burj had left It seemingly undefended and come to the unison instead. Jason's voice subtly sharpened as he reminded Burj that as

someone who had graduated at the top of his class at the academy, he should know better. A demon king who loses their tower meets a truly dreadful end. Burj showed no visible reaction. He merely responded that Jason need not concern himself with the state of his tower as he was protecting it in his own way. Inwardly, Burj found the demon king of Lies deeply irritating. Jason's expression brightened instantly. He replied that if Burj said so, then he would not pry any further. From the side, Draxen spoke up, questioning whether Burj truly believed that the Archduke

of Arcane would allow such recklessness. Burj dismissed the concern outright, thinking that he had no interest in what that old relic thought. Internally, Burgger assessed the situation carefully. If he lied, there Was no way for them to verify it. Even if his words made them suspicious, that was still preferable to being exposed. He reminded himself of the true reason he had come here to obtain 100,000 gold coins. As the discussion continued, Burgja observed rather than participated. It quickly became clear that even among demon kings, there existed a strict hierarchy. Without a doubt, the demon king

of lies stood near the very top. Urg continued listening Closely, gathering information and quietly identifying which demon kings were short on demonic energy points. It was then that Raina Seldine suddenly turned her gaze toward him as if she wanted to say something. Burj noticed and for the first time since entering the hall, he felt a faint chill. Sometime later, Raina Seldine stood alone on a balcony overlooking the forest below the Tower of Les. Burj Deas quietly stepped onto the balcony and Asked what it was she had wanted to say earlier. Rea replied that ever since

she had first heard rumors about him, she had wanted to speak with him alone without the noise of the others. She admitted that she agreed with some of Burjas's ideas, Burja was momentarily taken aback. Inwardly, he wondered if Reena had said the same thing before the regression. Rea quickly clarified that Burj should not misunderstand her intentions. She explained that she did Not hate the demon king standards the way he did. In fact, she lived by them. However, she believed that demon kings needed to be more flexible, especially within the Irra region. That was why she

had sought him out. She reasoned that speaking with him privately would be far more productive than attempting to reason with what she bluntly referred to as idiots. Burgess smiled faintly and asked what she thought of him now. Rea answered honestly that he was not bad at All and that he even looked better than she had expected. Burj thanked her. Rea then handed him a blue orb, explaining that it was a personal transmitter. She told him to contact her anytime he needed advice. As long as Burgger refrained from openly insulting the demon king standards in front

of her, she would cooperate. She added that she had finally found someone she could talk to, and she hoped Beerjo would not disappear too quickly. As she turned to Leave, Burj asked what she thought of the demon king of lies. Raina replied that he was better than those two fools, but admitted that she could not read him at all. With that, she departed. Watching her leave, Burgger reflected that he could not fully trust her yet, but she was an unexpected gain nonetheless. The scene shifted back to Beij's tower. Princess Ern approached Logar Friedrich holding a

plate of freshly baked cookies. She informed him Proudly that she had made them herself. Logar was stunned. He asked how she had managed to bake cookies inside the tower. Ern explained that the demon king had brought her the ingredients and she had used elemental magic to help with the baking. She insisted that Logar try one. Logar thanked her inwardly, thinking that a princess who had never lifted a finger in her life had gone out of her way to bake something for him. He resolved that no matter how bad it Tasted, he would praise it. But

the moment he took a bite, his expression froze. The taste was overwhelming, rich, warm, and infused with energy. Mana surged gently through his body. He had never experienced anything like it before. For a fleeting moment, he thought, "This must be what heaven felt like." Princess Ernan asked what he thought. Logar, unable to restrain himself, admitted that he could not escape, asking what in the world she had Created. With a proud look, Ernon revealed that she had mixed spirit blossom into the dough. She said she was glad he liked it. Logar then asked why she would

use something so precious on him. It finally made sense why the cookies were overflowing with mana. Ern smiled softly and explained that it was a gift. She said they would be seeing each other for a long time, so she wanted them to stay on good terms. She then asked what he thought of Granada, Wondering whether he would enjoy the cookies as well. Logar replied that Granada would probably like them even more than he did. Ern's smile widened as she asked what Logar thought of the demon king, whether Burgj would enjoy them too. The scene shifted

back to the 13th floor of the Tower of Lies. The unison had ended and the demon kings had already departed. Only Jason Cochman, the demon king of lies, remained. Jason gestured for Burgie to sit. Once Burja Took a seat, Jason asked casually whether he would like some tea and suggested that they talk further. Burgers was visibly surprised. He asked why Jason wanted to speak when only the two of them remained. Jason cracked his knuckles. The atmosphere shifted instantly. In a calm but penetrating tone, Jason remarked that he knew Burj Deas was in need of human

currency. Burj froze. He maintained composure, asking what Jason meant by that, but inwardly His mind raced. He wondered how the information had leaked and from where. Jason dismissed Burg's faint ignorance, stating that pretending not to know would be pointless. He revealed that Draxen had already informed him of everything. Leaning in closer, Jason suggested that there was no need to waste time on meaningless mind games. Instead, he proposed that they speak frankly and make a deal. Jason explained that he was willing to provide Burj with Human currency in exchange for demonic energy. Burj asked what Jason's

true intention was. Jason merely smiled and replied that there was no deeper scheme and they are now on the same side and suggested that they should get along from now on. The scene then shifted to Burgers's tower on the first floor. Dozens of heavy bags filled with gold coins were stacked neatly before them. Burga instructed Hill and Cargill to take 100,000 gold coins from the pile. He emphasized that the source of the funds must be completely concealed. Helen stood frozen in shock, unable to believe that Burj had actually obtained such an enormous sum. Inwardly, Burj

remained wary. He reasoned that if Jason were capable of tracking the flow of money and perfectly predicting their actions, then Burj could easily end up becoming nothing more than Jason's puppet. Since he could not yet discern Jason's true intentions, Burj concluded That extreme caution was necessary. Burja then stated that he had converted the remaining heroes into black knights and black mages, binding them as his kin. He ordered Helen to use them to grow wealth under the banner of the newly established Bersa Tower. The transformed heroes stood in disbelief. The realization that they had become the

demon king's underlings filled them with humiliation and despair. Several of them pleaded with Helen to save them. Helen Responded that the fact he had kept some heroes alive meant this situation was not a total failure. He reasoned that with sufficient money he could repay his debts. He even questioned whether this arrangement meant he could continue performing hero work in the future. Hillen then extended his hand toward Bersa, expressing that under the current circumstances, this outcome was not entirely unfavorable for him. He stated that he looked forward to working with Burgers as a business partner. In

that instant, the hope in the Black Knight's eyes shattered. Burg's expression darkened. Fury flared as he seized the Armenia orb. The orb embedded within Hill's mind shattered. Helen collapsed to the ground in agony, clutching his head as he screamed. Burgja coldly reminded him that they were not business partners. He declared that Hillen Cargill was his slave and that Burg was his master. The Black Knights smiled Grimly as Helen tasted the consequences of his arrogance. From the ground, Hillen weakly muttered that he had never imagined Burja would be the type to embrace a master slave dynamic.

Burjier replied that he was not demanding sincere loyalty. He ordered Helen to get moving. At that moment, Princess Ern stepped forward from behind, calling out to Helen. She held a sealed letter and asked if he could deliver it to her younger sister. Upon hearing the name Elena, Helen immediately understood that she was the 13th princess of the Hilderan kingdom. Delivering a letter to her would not be impossible. However, Helen questioned why Princess Ernon was siding with the demon king. Inwardly, he suspected that this decision was one of the reasons he had fallen into his current

predicament. Princess Ernan apologized, explaining that she had no intention of returning to the kingdom at present. She added that a hero of Han Stature surely knew of the royal family's hidden secrets. Helen reflected inwardly. He had heard rumors regarding the secrets of the Hilderan royal family, but he had never confirmed their truth. If those rumors were real, then Princess Ern's actions suddenly became far more understandable. Sometime later, inside Burj's tower, Gordon approached the throne with measured steps. He spoke carefully, saying that he did not mean to trouble Burj, but he wondered whether The hero Hillen

Cargle would truly follow orders as expected. Burj replied calmly that Hillen Cargill was not a despicable man driven purely by greed. He explained that he had not sensed in Hillan the uniquely human crassness, the obsessive fixation on money that Burj often saw in merchants. Burjier continued, stating that while Helen was not particularly noble either, his true desire was easy to read. Hillen did not crave ownership or wealth itself. What He wanted was recognition and popularity. Burj explained that Helen's need to stand out was precisely why he was so proactive in his actions. As long as

he was properly controlled through Armenia's orb, Hillen would become the ideal spy, perhaps the best one they could hope for. Gordon listened in silence, thinking inwardly that the demon king had studied humans to a frightening extent. He realized that if Burgger was moving this far ahead, he Himself could not afford to remain idle. Burj then posed a question to Gordon, asking whether it would not be a sight worth witnessing if a hero acting as the demon king's vessel were to destroy human society from the inside. Gordon answered honestly that such a sight would indeed be

unforgettable. At that moment, a knock echoed through the throne room, startling them both. The door opened and Princess Nan entered, holding a tray of freshly baked cookies. She politely asked whether the demon king would like to try some. Burja picked one up and remarked dryly that she had been coming in and out of the throne room far too comfortably lately. He added that if the cookies tasted bad, he would send her to the underground prison for a month with a proud expression. Princess Ernon replied that he should taste them before judging. Burj took a single

bite, expecting nothing more than an ordinary human Dessert. The next instant, his eyes widened. The flavor sent a shock through his body to the point where his demonic energy trembled violently. Princess Ernon watched closely, clearly expecting the same reaction Logar Frederick had shown earlier. Burj forcibly suppressed his response, maintaining his composure even as his body nearly collapsed from the sensation. He commented coldly that the cookies did not taste bad for something made by a mere human. Princess Ern stared at him in shock, surprised that he had managed to endure it without losing control. Burj then

asked whether she had mixed spirit blossom into the cookies. Princess Ernan smiled brightly and replied that she had known the demon king would notice immediately. Burgers stated that she was merely returning a favor he had once given her. He added that it seemed she was not someone who left debts unpaid. Princess Ern smiled softly and confirmed that this was Indeed true. After that, Hillen and the remaining members of the hero's journey party safely descended the mountain under Crew's escort. Once they arrived at Holton Walk, the heroes wasted no time. Using teleportation magic circles, they immediately

departed for the kingdom of Hildrin. Granada, however, went in a different direction. He headed straight to the Scarlet Hawk mercenary guild headquarters, intending to reestablish discipline among the men. Inside the guild hall, mercenaries lay scattered across the floor, bruised and bloodied, forced to their knees. With fury burning in his eyes, Granada demanded to know whether they had truly fled during the first blizzard, leaving only himself and Hillen Cargill behind. One of the mercenaries, his face swollen from repeated blows, shouted back that they had been sent to the Urgus Mountains, a place where even heroes died.

He argued that ordinary Mercenaries stood no chance there and that survival had left them no choice. Granada snapped that survival did not justify abandoning their captain. Clearly ready to continue the beating. Before he could strike, a voice called out from behind, a young woman stepped into the hall and introduced herself as Kayed, she explained that she was a hero who had been unable to join the hero's journey earlier due to personal circumstances. Despite arriving late, She said she had come all this way hoping to seize her chance and ask Granada to allow her to join

the journey. mercenaries muttered that she was the same woman who had paid off all their bar tabs while Granada was gone. Granada immediately ordered them to be silent. He acknowledged her generosity but explained that the hero's journey was already over. He told her that Hillen and the other heroes had left Holton Walk. Kaid froze in shock and Asked whether that was truly the case. She then requested that Granada explain what had happened. Granada hesitated then agreed, deciding to share only as much as the demon king had permitted him to reveal. By the time evening arrived,

Kada had heard the full account. She struggled to believe that the demon king's tower had not been located at the mountains summit. After a long silence, she stood and said that if that was the case, there was no reason for her to Remain here any longer. She thanked Granada for his time and placed three gold coins on the table, calling them a small token of gratitude. As she turned to leave, one of the mercenaries reached for the coins, remarking that it was obvious she was a rookie hero who did not understand how the world worked

and that she would be lucky not to be stabbed in the back by her own comrades. Granada coldly ordered the mercenary to remove his hand. Outside the guild hall, We noticed something strange. Two figures had appeared behind Kaidi. When Granada saw the full plate armor, his body stiffened. Despite their heavy equipment, he had not heard their footsteps at all. On a deserted street nearby, several armored knights surrounded Kaidi and addressed her formally as your highness. They stated that her fianceé was waiting and insisted that she return at once. Kaid refused, declaring that she wished to

Live as a hero. Granada, having followed quietly, now understood the situation. She was a princess. He thought that matters involving royalty should be resolved by the kingdom itself and prepared to withdraw. Suddenly, a blade pressed against his neck. A soldier demanded to know Granada's identity and accused him of spying. The soldier noted that Granada was using a suspicious magical tool. Granada's heart skipped a beat. Inside, panic surged. If his Connection to the demon king was exposed, everything would collapse. The soldier's anger flared. He accused Granada of being from a foreign kingdom and declared that if

so, he could not be allowed to live. Granada realized that he had walked straight into a deadly situation. As the blade pressed closer to his throat, he wondered desperately what he should do next. As the soldier lunged forward, Granada immediately turned and sprinted ahead, straight Toward the group of knights who had been speaking with Princess Kaidde moments earlier. From behind, the pursuing soldier shouted, his voice sharp with urgency, declaring that the man was an assassin and ordering the others not to let him escape. At once, the surrounding soldiers raised their swords, instinctively moving to shield

Princess Caye. They urged her to fall back while they handled the situation. Granada's mind raced. At that moment, he was the Only elf in all of Holton Walk. If he unleashed his true elven power here, his identity would be exposed instantly. Yet, if he did not use it, there was no guarantee he would survive. The soldiers tightened their formation. Blades pointed toward him, once again, insisting that the princess retreat while they dealt with the threat. Princess Katy, however, stepped forward instead, reminding them that she herself was a hero and not someone who needed Protection. As

one soldier's sword drew dangerously close to Granada's head, he realized he had no choice left. Even if it meant revealing everything, he would have to use his power. But before he could act, a deep, calm voice echoed across the area. The voice remarked that this was the reason Granada had been late. In the next instant, demonic flames erupted. The soldier who had been attacking Granada was engulfed and burned by overwhelming demonic energy. Collapsing in agony, Granada froze in shock. Hovering there calmly was the demon king Burj. Burj remarked casually that Granada's delay had been caused

by pointless slacking. Seeing the demon king appear so suddenly, Granada was both stunned and furious. He demanded whether Burj could even see the situation they were in. Burj responded indifferently, stating that he saw no real problem at all. He added that those wounds were trivial injuries that could Heal easily if Granada simply spat on them. The moment the soldiers heard the demon king, panic spread instantly. They begged Princess Kaidde to fall back and shouted that they would protect her with their lives. Princess Kada, however, told them not to worry about her. She stated that this

was a rare opportunity to defeat a demon king while he stood right beside Granada. Bersa, hearing this, commented with mild surprise that he had not known she was a princess. One Of the soldiers immediately accused him of lying, demanding to know why a demon king would be present if that were not the case. Granada also demanded an explanation, asking Burj why he was here at all. Burj answered calmly that his presence was merely a coincidence. The soldiers reacted with disbelief, questioning whether the demon king could not come up with a better lie than that. Sometime

earlier, Burj had asked Princess Ernon what she wanted. She had Replied that she required senil powder. Burj asked whether she meant the same powder used in spirit contracts and she confirmed it. Burga then explained that centuries ago an elf named Sil had defected to a human king. Under royal command, she developed a supplement that allowed humans to form stable spirit contracts, thus creating Senal powder. He questioned why such a thing was necessary for her given her talent. At that, both Princess Ernon and her Elemental spirits reacted subtly, their expressions shifting. She admitted that the demon

king had overestimated her abilities. She explained that there was barely any mana left within the tower and without senial powder her spirits would not survive. Burga inwardly scoffed at her attempt to downplay things and asked outright whether she intended to form a new contract and whether it would be with a highranking spirit. Princess Ern and her spirits Were clearly caught off guard. After a pause, she admitted that it might be true. Burja concluded inwardly that his assumption had been correct. In his previous life, Princess Ern of Hilderin had formed a contract with a high-ranking spirit

at the age of 27, an event that had thrown the entire continent into chaos due to how rare such a feat was. Yet now she was attempting it 7 years earlier. Burj wondered whether her time living within The tower after leaving the palace had changed her that drastically. At the same time, Princess Ern questioned internally how the demon king had known her intentions so precisely. Burj ultimately decided that as long as it strengthened the tower, he did not care what she did. That was when he thanked her for the cookies and announced that he would

be heading out. In the present moment, Burgie prepared to release his demonic energy. Calm and composed, he Stated that he too had his own circumstances and that this confrontation would end quickly. Princess Cy felt a chill run through her body. She knew this was the end. A violent blast erupted in the deserted alley of Holton Walk. The demon king Burga was certain that all the soldiers had been completely annihilated. However, he was momentarily stunned when he saw Princess Kaid standing before the soldiers. shielding them with her body As a radiant blue aura poured out from

her form. Burgers acknowledged inwardly that a hero remained a hero even in the face of despair. Consumed by fury, Princess Kaida declared that a hero's aura carried the power to annihilate a demon king. She affirmed that heroes were the natural enemies of demon kings and that she did not belong in a suffocating royal palace, but on the battlefield. With that resolve, she unleashed crescent moon slashes toward Burga, the highest ranking sword technique of the Jespine Empire. The Crescent Moon Slash was a legendary sword art that released aura instantly, severing enemies in a single motion. It

was an extremely difficult and honorable technique passed down only to the greatest swordsmen of the Imperial family. Kaid trusted this technique completely. She reflected that as a low-ranking princess, she held little political value. She understood why she Had been sold off to a regional king. The memory of the old man filled her with anger and disgust, and she questioned how such an unjust fate could be forced upon her. That injustice was the reason she had begged the Imperial swordsmanship instructor for training and endured relentless practice day and night. Her goal was to be acknowledged not

as a princess, but as a hero. As her slashes tore through the air, Kaid believed that defeating a demon king Here would finally grant her recognition as a true hero. She believed that such a victory would free her from her father's authority and allow her to decide her own future, including whom she would marry. Clenching her teeth, she poured everything into the attack. Burj reached out calmly and seized the incoming sword aura with his bare hand. With a quiet snap, he shattered it effortlessly, expressing mild approval for the quality of her aura. Princess Kaid was

left in Shock. That attack had been her finishing move. Moments later, Burgess summoned a mass of black flames behind him and asserted that if she truly was a hero, she should be able to survive what came next. Panic gripped Ky as she finally grasped the true terror of a demon king. Burja regarded her with faint amusement, noting that a princess who was also a hero had value beyond a single purpose. Desperation overtook Kaid as she attempted to stop him while Her soldiers rushed forward to shield her. Then a massive explosion erupted, engulfing everything in black

flames. Sometime later, the area was reduced to scorched ruins. Soldiers lay scattered across the ground as nearby civilians gathered. Frightened by the lingering demonic energy, they questioned one another about the source of the explosion and feared that a demon king had appeared in Holton Walk. Upon seeing the injured knights, they hurriedly Called for healers and wondered why soldiers had been stationed there at all. A man questioned a wounded soldier about what had happened. With a weak voice, the soldier explained that her highness had been taken by a demon king before losing consciousness. The revelation left

everyone stunned. Observing the black flames, they speculated that the destruction might have been caused by the demon king of the Urgast mountains. The scene shifted To Burj's tower. Deep within the underground prison, Princess Kite lay unconscious. Princess Ernan curiously wondered whether the unconscious girl's name might be Senial. Burga corrected her, stating that the girl was Princess Kaid Jaspine Empire, the ninth Imperial Princess. He informed Ernan that Kay would be staying on the fourth floor from that point onward and instructed her to tend to Kad's injuries. While watching, Burj considered that if Kad Were raised properly,

she might become useful. Ernan agreed but questioned the reason Burgji had suddenly brought another princess into the tower. Burj explained that he had encountered her along the way and decided to bring her back. He further stated that maintaining demonic energy gain required the periodic kidnapping of princes or princesses. Ernan began to ask about demonic energy points but Burgers stopped himself from explaining further. Realizing there was no reason to share classified information with a prisoner, he dismissed the topic and said he would bring senile powder instead. As he left, Burgji reflected bitterly on his own behavior.

questioning why he had grown comfortable around her simply because he saw her so often. He reminded himself firmly that the princess was nothing more than a prisoner. After that incident, news of the ninth imperial princess of the Jespine Empire being Kidnapped in Holton Walk spread rapidly across the continent. The shock waves reached nobles, guilds, and kingdoms alike. The scene then shifted to the headquarters of the heroes guild. Inside the grand hall, multiple heroes appeared through hologram projections surrounding hero Hill and Cargill. The other heroes pressed him repeatedly, demanding confirmation that every word of his report

was true and that nothing had been concealed. Hero Hillan admitted With visible shame that he had failed to confront the demon king's tower. He declared that he would take full responsibility for his failure. However, the gathered heroes dismissed the idea of blaming him. They reasoned that if heroes were punished for failure during a hero's journey, no one would be willing to step forward in the future. Helen acknowledged their understanding with gratitude. At the same time, the heroes addressed the larger issue. Despite the retreat of the hero's journey, the demon king of the Urgus mountains had

kidnapped the ninth Imperial princess of Jespine. The Jespine Empire was now formerly requesting the launch of another hero's journey. They asked for Helen's opinion as he was the only hero who had ventured into the Urgus Mountains and survived. Helen expressed regret for the princess's fate, admitting that even he had failed to locate the demon king's Tower. He stated that launching another full-scale hero's journey immediately would be reckless. Instead, he believed their priority should be dispatching a small reconnaissance unit to locate the tower first. Once the tower's location was confirmed, subjugation would become significantly easier. He

further reasoned that if the demon king were truly confident in his strength, there would have been no need to hide his tower. The very act of concealment Suggested caution, if not weakness. The other heroes agreed with this assessment. They concluded that a powerful demon king had no reason to hide and that if the enemy relied on secrecy, he might not pose an immediate catastrophic threat. One hero even voiced the belief that the demon king was likely weaker than rumored. Throughout the discussion, the main hero remained silent, listening carefully to every opinion. Finally, his expression Hardened.

Taking Helen Cargill's advice into consideration, he declared that the hero's guild would temporarily postpone any full-scale hero's journey until the tower's location was confirmed. Hillen accepted the decision and withdrew. As he departed, Helen reflected inwardly that this outcome was exactly what the demon king had wanted. By using Hillan's authority, the launch of a hero's journey had been blocked at its source. He had bought Burj time. What happened Next would depend entirely on the demon king. Sometime later, outside the demon king's domain, Gordon Derrick reported everything to Burgers through a hologram projection. He relayed the events

within the hero's guild and summarized Hill's report in detail. Burj acknowledged the information calmly and ordered Gordon to continue monitoring Hillen closely. Internally, Burj felt certain that the heroes would not launch a full assault anytime soon. He reflected that without Hillen Cargill's influence, the situation could have become dangerous. Choosing Hillen as his vessel had been the correct decision. Everything was now falling into place. Helen and Granada were operating outside the tower. And with both of them influencing events, Burgers could effectively delay the launch of another hero's journey. Meanwhile, he continued kidnapping royal bloodlines to steadily

accumulate demonic energy points. If Armani's orb Were used on Princess Kaida, Buldarage believed she could be transformed into genuine combat power. As for Rogar Frederick, the dwarf continued remodeling the tower, reinforcing the first floor and expanding deeper defenses. At the same time, his kinu was spreading their influence throughout the Urgust mountains. Once Princess Ern successfully contracted a high-ranking spirit, no ordinary hero's journey would dare challenge them. The tower would Become overwhelmingly powerful. Only then Burj thought would he finally be able to focus on the outside world and begin his revenge against the heroes who had

killed him in his previous life. With that goal in mind, Burj now stood before Emmer City. To move forward, he needed to obtain Senil powder. Amr was a magical city overflowing with powerful mages and heroes. Burj considered that acquiring the powder without being discovered would be ideal. However, even He understood that this task would be far from