Chapter 147
There was a saying that all of Acan’s wealth flowed into the royal family and the Mage Tower.
That was how essential the Mage Tower was—one of the pillars that could never be removed from Acan.
Power naturally became wealth. And for mages, wealth was merely a tool—fuel for conducting more experiments.
The Mage Tower earned money through donations from affiliated nobles, mage training, state subsidies, sales of magical artifacts, and providing protection to merchant guilds.
And most of that money went right back into purchasing magical materials and spellbooks.
In other words—
The Mage Tower was a treasure vault stacked with enormous quantities of magical materials.
Even merchant guilds specializing in magical reagents could not compare to the sheer amount held by the Tower.
No matter how rare or precious something was, the Mage Tower had everything.
But the Tower did not sell those materials for money—it kept them for its own use.
“However, if the item in question is valuable enough, wouldn’t it become a different story?”
Jetoson calmly sipped his tea as he sat facing the Tower’s Deputy Tower Master.
‘Lucky me. I didn’t think I’d get to meet such a major figure this quickly.’
It was a coincidence. Jetoson had informed them he possessed an item that would make all the Mage Tower’s eyes glow, and the Deputy Tower Master happened to notice him while passing by.
The man was intrigued by Jetoson’s bold claim, and thus this meeting was arranged.
“Ahem.”
The Deputy Tower Master cleared his throat.
“So—shouldn’t you show me the item now?”
“Ah, of course. I assure you, you will not be disappointed. If I were to give you a hint, I’d say it’s a byproduct.”
“A byproduct?”
“Yes. But the value of a byproduct, of course, depends entirely on whose it comes from.”
Just as an orc’s hide could never compare to an ogre’s.
“Indeed. Now you’ve made me far too curious.”
The Deputy Tower Master stroked his thin, bony chin.
“How remarkable must it be for the Mage Tower to be so secretive about it? Am I safe in assuming you will not disappoint me?”
Under the sharp gaze, Jetoson nodded.
“Of course.”
“The Golden Moon Guild—and its merchant Jetoson. I will remember that.”
The Deputy Tower Master glanced at the list Jetoson had filled out when entering the Tower.
“I hope that memory remains pleasant until the end.”
Jetoson swallowed dryly.
He had taken a gamble—but in truth, he wasn’t entirely confident.
The horn sent from the guild looked extraordinary. But he lacked the magical knowledge to judge its true value.
After all, his job had never been to find hidden treasures or identify priceless artifacts—his business was taking worthless things, making them look valuable, and selling them at outrageous prices.
‘I’ll have to trust Vice Guildmaster Aman.’
He prayed that the item in the letter truly was what it claimed to be.
And that the sinister-looking mage before him would recognize its value and be moved to tears.
“Haha, of course. I’ve delayed too long. Let me show you.”
Click—
The wooden box opened.
Dense demonic energy began to seep out slowly.
“This is…?”
The Deputy Tower Master’s expression shifted strangely.
“I’m sure you know that even byproducts have grades. Above monsters are demonic beasts, above demonic beasts are demons, and above demons are Demon Kings. Of course, there are strong monsters who surpass demons, and strong demonic beasts who surpass lesser demons, so it’s not always simple classification—”
“······.”
“But no one denies this simple truth: demonic beasts are usually stronger than monsters, demons are usually stronger than demonic beasts, and so their byproducts are superior as well.”
“So what exactly is this?”
“Especially demons—each is an individually powerful entity—”
“I said what is it! Do you want me to grab it and run to my research lab right now?!”
His voice rattled the air. Jetoson blinked, startled, but inwardly he grinned.
The trembling in the Deputy Tower Master’s eyes, the roughness of his breath—those alone confirmed it was genuine.
“Among demons, there are the highest—high-class demons···”
“A byproduct of a high-class demon?”
“No.”
“What?”
“This comes from a demon above even the high-class ones.”
“Above high-class…? You can’t mean—?”
“Yes.”
Jetoson nodded.
“It is a Demon King’s horn.”
“······!”
Click—
Jetoson closed the box again. The dense demonic energy vanished instantly.
“Ah…!”
The Deputy Tower Master, who had been leaning in so close he nearly hit the box with his nose, let out a desperate gasp.
“Once—just one more time—let me see it!”
“Ah, that’s difficult···.”
“What do you mean difficult!? I beg you!”
“Very well. Since it’s you, Deputy Tower Master—I will make an exception.”
The box opened once more. Demonic energy pulsed outward.
The Deputy Tower Master devoured it with his gaze. As he tried to use magic to examine it further, Jetoson shut the box.
“Tsk, it’s a precious item. What if you damaged it?”
“I’ll buy it—whatever it costs—just open it again!”
“You want this?”
“Are you seriously asking me that?!”
“But as you know, it’s incredibly rare…”
“That’s exactly why I’m buying it!”
“Ah, but the price is rather…”
“Are you ignoring the Mage Tower’s wealth?! We have more money than we can spend!”
Ordinarily, the one with money was the one in power—but in the Mage Tower, the one with rare materials held power.
In this moment, the positions of master and servant had reversed.
“Then name the price you think is appropriate.”
Jetoson crossed his legs and leaned back casually.
“How much were you prepared to pay?”
***
While Berze was extorting Vivian’s horn, a grand welcoming ceremony was being held in Hilderan.
Ernan Hilderan and Hillen Cargill.
The crown princess who had been kidnapped and returned, and the great Hero who rescued her—both of the Kingdom of Hilderan.
The royal city’s gates were thrown wide open. From the outer ramparts to the royal palace, soldiers stood lined in formation, creating a path for the princess and the hero.
Behind them, crowds swarmed like a hive and roared with jubilation.
Long live the Princess!
Long live the great Hero, Hillen Cargill!
We’re so glad you’re safe!
Long live!
Even in broad daylight, fireworks burst overhead, and the sound of the military band filled the capital.
The entire royal city trembled with festive energy—and understandably so.
Though some claimed that the kidnapping of a royal was unavoidable, the truth was that most people felt a kingdom was being mocked when its royalty was abducted.
The kingdom must be weak to lose its royalty. A Demon King must have targeted them because they were easy prey.
And Hilderan had lost two princesses.
One of them had been kidnapped again immediately after being rescued.
It was a deep wound for Hilderan’s people.
So Ernan Hilderan’s safe return meant more than words could express.
“Hello, everyone. Thanks to all of you, I was able to escape that villainous Demon King’s tower and return safely. Thank you.”
Riding a spirit high into the air, Ernan’s voice echoed across the capital, and the crowd’s cheers grew even louder.
“You’re putting on quite the show.”
“I want to make absolutely sure everyone knows I’ve returned.”
“Who exactly are you trying to convince?”
“Hmm… perhaps an older brother coveting the empty place left by his sister?”
“Isn’t it usually the opposite?”
“Hilderan is strictly merit-based.”
“I like that.”
The two of them soon entered the royal palace.
***
The grand welcoming ceremony continued inside the palace.
The splendid royal audience hall, filled with countless nobles—and the king himself upon the throne.
Ernan slowly stepped along the carpet.
She felt all their eyes upon her.
‘Baron Ancus, Viscount Berian, Count Corin···.’
She felt the gazes of numerous nobles. Those who met her eyes flinched.
She swept across the gathered royalty next.
‘Olrek, Polina, Titania, Olga···.’
And Oberest Hilderan.
Their eyes met—the royal blood who stood closest to the throne.
Ernan’s lips curled upward. Completely opposite of Oberest, whose face hardened.
Passing even them, she finally stood before the sovereign of the kingdom.
Slowly, yet with dignity, she bowed her head.
“Crown Princess Ernan Hilderan of the Kingdom of Hilderan has returned safely, Your Majesty.”
“Welcome home. Come here—let me hold you, my daughter.”
The king spread his arms. Ernan stepped forward carefully and embraced him.
“How was it? Quite the heavy price for a small moment of mischief, wasn’t it?”
At the king’s whisper, Ernan smiled subtly.
“You knew?”
“You’re my daughter. Even if it was a Demon King, no newly descended fool could kidnap you without leaving a single trace behind—unless you intentionally offered no resistance.”
Unless she had wanted to be taken.
“···I can’t win against you, Father.”
“So, how was it? You left by your own choice—yet a Demon King isn’t what you imagined, is he?”
“No.”
Ernan nodded slightly.
It certainly hadn’t been what she had assumed or been taught.
“The most dangerous of Demon Kings is the one who lies. The next most dangerous is the newly summoned one.”
“Because you never know what they’ll do in their ignorance?”
“Exactly. This time you were lucky, but there’s no guarantee the next time will be the same. I won’t allow any more mischief. This was the first—and last.”
“I’ll remember that.”
“Good. I trust you. You’ve always done well.”
“Aren’t you going to ask about Elena?”
“If you’ve returned, that is enough.”
“I see.”
She stepped away from the king.
“Today is a joyous day! I declare a festival in celebration of the princess’s safe return!”
With Ernan Hilderan’s return, the capital of Hilderan celebrated for an entire week.
***
“My lord! About the promise you made—”
As soon as Berze finished his communication with Vivian and descended, a dwarf rushed up to him as if waiting.
“The materials are only a fraction. The quantity is vast, and many rare ones are needed, so we haven’t gathered everything yet.”
“I expected as much. I’m not talking about those…”
“You mean the artisans.”
“Yes!”
Logar nodded vigorously.
Berze opened a pocket of subspace. Inside the refitted, empty first floor of the tower lay an enormous pile of materials.
Then a chill spread out.
Thud—Thud—
One after another, pale ice statues emerged. Recognizing the faces of the dwarves, Logar tilted his head.
“My lord, don’t tell me…”
“That’s exactly what you’re thinking.”
“You kidnapped all the royal workshop artisans?!”
Good god!
Logar had expected dwarven artisans—but at most those from small border towns.
But the royal workshop artisans were among the absolute best in the Kingdom of Verft.
It was reassuring, of course—but tragic that they would now become the demon king’s tools because of him.
‘No, wait—it’s not my fault.’
Right, he too had been kidnapped by a Demon King.
He was cooperating to survive—it wasn’t like he had a choice.
Life was more important than anything.
‘They might even like it.’
Dwarven artisans all shared similar traits.
They loved crafting and were thrilled to handle new materials.
New inventions were always welcome.
If they were told they would be building a colossal golem—a tower-sized golem that could move—they would celebrate with raised hands.
‘Yes, I can convince them. And then I’ll use the Demon King’s authority to make myself the leader.’
Outside, the dwarves who had held their hammers for decades might be superior—but this was the tower.
And the tower followed its own rules.
‘Then first I’ll construct a prototype, identify errors, and revise the—’
Logar froze mid-thought.
His head creaked like a broken golem.
“···Um, my lord?”
“What is it?”
“Well, uh…”
No—surely not.
It couldn’t be.
The Demon King wouldn’t have kidnapped her, knowing what would happen if she saw him.
Right? That had to be true. It needed to be true.
“I—my eyes must be mistaken···”
His trembling finger pointed at the ice statue.
“···Right?”
“If what you’re seeing is the princess of the dwarven kingdom, then your eyes are doing an excellent job.”
Thud—his heart dropped.
“···Ah.”
Cognitive collapse. Logar couldn’t comprehend Berze’s words. No, he refused to comprehend them.
But his brain insisted on working too well.
His mind went blank.
Fighting the rising moisture in his eyes, he checked the statue once, twice.
“Wh-why…! You know how Louise Verft sees me!”
“It’s your karma.”
“What?”
How is that my karma?!
The last thread of reason kept him from cursing at the Demon King.
But it couldn’t stop the tears of despair from spilling.
“The secret exit you told me about was connected to the auxiliary palace where Louise Verft was confined. Remarkable, really. Even if I planned it, it would’ve been difficult to make you run into her that perfectly.”
“···Ugh.”
“So clean it up yourself.”
“Uwaaaah···!”
“Well, I’ll at least make sure you don’t die.”
“UwaaAAAAH!”
“Be quiet.”
“My lord! You liar! You’re a fraud! You swear on the First Demon Emperor and the Canon like it’s nothing!”
“Quiet.”
“Mmff—mmff!”
And the last of Logar’s sanity—
Thud—
Snapped cleanly.