Then I'll recognize Yukino as the lord of the castle.
Okay, Shoma. Shoma-san.

　Yukino moved to the center of the magic circle.
　I'll activate the Dragon Emperor skill, 'Dragon Vein'.
　Close your eyes and feel the magic flowing through the earth...
　There's a dragon vein underneath... yes, it runs through here.
　It seems that this tower was a system to siphon the magic power flowing through the ground up to the top floor and extend the magic circle farther.
　After the first dragon emperor died, the dragon vein became useless and the wards disappeared.
　So this tower became desolate and infested with demons.

Let's begin. Yukino.
Wait, please.
What's wrong?
We need a name for the castle.
Can't we just use ......?
No, it's important. The first fort I ever owned had a very common name.
Is that so?
Yes, it is. It's called 'Gakeuejo,' just like that.
It can't be helped because we didn't have time.

　At that time, the Rikaku Kyodan and the kidnapped villagers were nearby.
　I didn't want to expose myself too much, so I rushed to restore the wards.

But we have time this time, don't we?
Not much time.

　Go, go, go!　Go, go, go!


"WOOOOOOOOO!
"Gah gah gah gah gah gah gah gah gah gah gah gah!

　More and more!　Gagga gagga gagga!







　The demons gathered on the lower floors are pounding on the entrance to the top floor.
　I'm not sure what to do, but I'm sure it's a good idea.

On the other hand, if the demons get out, we'll be in trouble.
"Okay, Shoma-san. Please hurry up and think of a name for the castle.
All right.
Okay, Shoma. Hurry up and think of a cool name for the castle.
Why did you say that again?
It's just my imagination.
Well, let's call it "Zanma Castle.
It's just a slight variation on "The Tower of Zanma"!
Isn't that cool?
Isn't it cool?" "It's cool, but ...... it's kind of... It's a little ...... hard to put into words, but ...... it just doesn't ...... fit or resonate with my soul. It doesn't resonate with my soul. ......

　I know.
　I've experienced that kind of feeling when I was a child.
　I just don't have the time right now.
　Yukino needs to be convinced by this.

Let's go with "Zanjinshajo.
One more word.
Let's go with "Zanjinsha Majo.
Let's go with that!

　Is it okay?
　I'm sure ...... is fine. Yukino, you're in the middle of the magic circle, your eyes are shining.


　Go for it!　I'll be back!　I'll be back!
I'm not sure what to make of that.
　Gogogollaaaa!　Go-go-go!　Gogagagagagan!


　The shaking of the walls and the ice barrier is getting worse.
　Let's hurry.

In the name of the Deformed High King, I hereby appoint you Lord of the Zanjinsha Castle. You can use the magical power that lies dormant in this land. Use it to protect those who believe in you. Awaken the Dragon Vein!
"Aah!

　I'm not sure what to do.
　The magic circle on the floor will light up.

I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not, but it's a good idea.　I swear to fight as the lord of the demon castle that cuts through the lifeblood of the gods!

　And then particles of light flooded out of the magic circle.







"──────────────?

　What?　I heard something that sounded like a scream.


　After a while, ...... became quiet.
　I wonder what happened to the demons down there.

"Mr. Shoma. What's the status of this castle?
"It's fine. Yukino is now the master of the castle. And special effects have been added.


"The King's territory, the Zanjinma Castle.

　Lord of the castle: Yukino-Cloudy-Dragonchild
　Relationship: Brotherhood (Mana-deshi)
　Warding effect: reduced falling speed
　Additional effect: 10% increase in magic power
　Linkage: None.


"............ 'Manadashi'?
"Did you say something?　Shoma-san.
It looks like you're the new master of the castle.
I see. I'm glad.

　Yukino was convinced.
　That was close.
　If they find out that my status shows 'apprentice', they'll know that I'm Yukino's 'true master' - the 'Organic Dragon King'.
　If they find out that Yukino's longing has turned into an office worker in Alaska, it will ruin her dream. I want to keep the Organic Dragon King - the painful, painful, painful heart - intact.

"Looks like there's no dragon chain.

　The "Chain" status is set to "None".
　Maybe there's no ray of light when you look outside.

Is it really impossible to connect the castle to the frontier?
We're far enough away from the other castles, here.
Besides, I'm going to deactivate this magic circle later.
Is it because of the trouble you'd get into if your territory was in the Kitor territory?
It's too far from home and too hard to maintain.
It can't be helped, can it?
It can't be helped.

　I might be able to negotiate with Princess Sylvia, though.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find something that works for you.

Yukino. Dismantle the wall.
"Yes, my king. My king.

　Yukino waved her finger, and the Ice Barrier that was lying on the floor disappeared.

"Hey!

　I'm not sure what to do.
　I had originally enchanted it and put it in the King's Vessel. It seems that the ability to use the Dragon Vein has awakened his self-consciousness.

Let's take a look downstairs for now. Go back!　"Come back! Soldiers of Will!
"Heyyyy!

I put the Soldier of Will in the King's cup and Yukino and I descended to the fourth level of the tower.





It's so tidy.
I'm not sure what to do.

　It seems that all the demons in the tower were on the fourth level. They must have noticed the intruders and come up at once. But then they were hit by the light of the warding and disappeared.
　All that's left is a very large, eyeballed monster.

Even if you're right under the warding, it won't disappear?
It's a fearsome creature.
The name Zanma's Tower is not so bad.
It is indeed an impregnable tower... no, it should be called the Chaotic Evil Vortex Tower, the Mailstrom Tower.
But that's beside the point.
I've already thought of it, so please don't leave it behind.
Let's kill it while it's still moving.
All right. My king.

　I drew my sword and Yukino began chanting behind me.



"Wait for me...


　The beady-eyed demon moved.

"Yukino, back! "Yes, sir. Shoma-san!

　I pointed my 'enhanced' sword at the giant eyeball.
　That's funny. Demons aren't supposed to move inside the warding.
　And we're right under the magic circle. It's not possible for a demon to move when it's subjected to purification magic at close range. .......

You mean it's that powerful? ......
No. I'm the keeper of the tower.


　The giant eyeball answered.


"Administrator of ......?
"I was created in the time of the Dragon Emperor and I am the keeper of this tower.



　The eyeball looked at me and said.

"Since the magic of the dragon's veins was cut off, I've lost my power and have been asleep. Because I was a lifeless thing, the demons ignored me.
　Of course I've never hurt anyone. If you doubt me, you can beat me at .......

　The beady-eyed demon is slowly making its way around the tower room.
　So the only reason it can move inside the wards is because it's not a demon.

"My king. I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that.
"Do you understand?　It's amazing!

　I'm sure you've heard of it, Shoma.

"Did you hear that, Shoma? He's a good boy!　He's a good boy! He's a good judge of character, knowing how great our king is!　Only an eyeball!
That's a good one.

　As for me, I'm not sure if this eyeball is really an ally or not.

I'm not sure if this eyeball is really an ally, but if he is the heir to the Dragon Emperor, he can see my status.

　The eyeball said.

"Status?

　I disclosed it.


"Artificial Milva.

　A man-made creature created by a wizard in the time of the Dragon Emperor.
　It serves as a guard in towers and dungeons.
　Abilities: fire magic (low level), self-regeneration.


　I see.
　So, just as I have the Soldier of Will, the Dragon Emperor had a similar wizard.
I'm not sure if he used the Naming Breath or some other ability,......, but I don't know right now.

"Milva is your name?
"Milva, that's your name? And now that you've regained your true self, you'll be given a role to play.

　I don't know what to do.
　Even though I've been cleansed and regained my original form, I still want to see what happens.
　Besides, it's impossible to walk around with such a big eyeball...

It's on hold.

　I told the synthetic Milva.

"You'll continue to stand guard in this tower. Up to the third level, you are free to let people in. But you must continue to guard the fourth level. No one is allowed on the fifth level, where the wards are. If people come, scare them away so they don't hurt you.
　I'll leave one of my demons behind just in case. Follow his instructions.

　I took out the Staff of Will from the King's Vessel again.

"Hey!
"I'm sorry, but you'll have to stay here. Don't let that eyeball get out.
"............ Hey, hey, hey.
Next time I'm here, I'd appreciate it if you could tell me what that Milva looks like.
"Hey!

　I'm whispering to the Soldier of Will.
　We're right under the wards. As long as the warding is active, the soldier of will can move semi-permanently. It's also been reinforced, so it should be able to trap the giant eyeball.

"By the way, Milva. I'm sure you'll be able to find something that works for you.
"......

I'm not sure what to do. He seems to be denying it.

I'm just a messenger. I don't know, I can't store long-term memories.
"Too bad.

　I waved my hand and left.
　I took Yukino down the stairs to the lower levels.

I'll come back to see you when I've calmed down. Until then, stay put. Okay?
"Understood.
I'll see you later. Milva the Evil Eye.

　I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one who's a fan of your work.



────────


　After Shoma and the others left...




"I don't remember, but I know what it's like to be a king.
"Hey.
"Oh, I didn't mean to startle you. I'm just a messenger talking to myself.
"...... hey hey hey?
You want to hear it? Yes, kings are supposed to bring people together. Think of the center of a wheel, for example.


"Hey.
Hey, Nuka?　There are many spokes in the center of the wheel. Okay, ......?　I'm trying to tell you something good. Yeah, yeah. The spokes are the rods that extend from the center of the wheel, right?　They don't touch each other, but they're connected to the center. In other words, a king is a link between people.
"Hey, hey.
Oh! Do you understand me?　As far as I'm concerned, you're more than qualified for the job. I trust you to manage my affairs, Karana.
"Hey. "Hey.
"Mmm-hmm. You're a man of your word. I'm honored to be under the king's command as you are. Mmm. So let's talk slowly. ......
"Hey!







────────


"I'm home.
I'm back." "Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.

　General Hulka and his soldiers screamed when they saw us return.

If the two of you have returned safely, then you have defeated all of the demons from the fifth level to the first level!　The goblin lord, the two-headed dog, and the demonic scorpion!
The King of the Frontier, ......, what a man.
The 'King of the Frontier' defeated all the demons, so the tower was purified. ......

　The general and his soldiers are trembling.

The general and his soldiers are trembling. ...... Yukino. ...... Yes, my king.

　Yukino and I nodded at each other...

"Exactly!　The Dragon Emperor's relic was activated by defeating the demon, and the tower was cleansed!

　I decided to go along with the general and the soldier's story.

I decided to go along with the general and his soldiers. And with that, a new power has been added to our ranks. Therefore, I would like to recruit a Hey at the castle.
You said it before. You said you were going to recruit.
Of course, I won't force you to go.

　I told General Hurka.

The castle and the surrounding towns are under his control, aren't they?　I'm sure the castle and surrounding towns are under his control.