Make Dark Fantasy Great Again

Chapter 119 Risir looked down the hallway. At this hour when the day had completely darkened. The figure standing in front of his room. A familiar face. However, he almost failed to recognize her for a moment. Her atmosphere had changed quite drastically. "Lord Risir." Dray’s representative- It was Macy, whom Risir remembered as the 'spectacled young lady.' (E/N: Was that her name?) Her businesslike atmosphere remained unchanged. However, if before it had been a businesslike attitude when dealing with outsiders- Now it was a businesslike attitude when dealing with distinguished guests. Profound courtesy permeated that rigid demeanor. -Finally those bastards are bowing their heavy heads and showing proper respect to my lord!!! Risir smiled bitterly inwardly at Dangaleon's voice. Setting aside that expression, it seemed certain that his standing with Dray and Palag had risen dramatically. "I apologize for visiting so suddenly at this late hour without prior notice." "Not at all. Please, raise your head. Since it's important business for me as well, you must have visited so urgently. Would you like to come in?" When Risir gestured toward the room, Macy slowly shook her head. "No. I cannot impose any further. I will simply deliver my message and take my leave." When Risir agreed, Macy immediately got to the point. "Tomorrow afternoon, there will be a gathering hosted by Trading Company Head Gus at the mansion." The banquet had ended successfully, but Great Trading Company Head Gus's mansion was still bustling with outsiders. Some banquet attendees had remained at the mansion at Gus's invitation to deepen their friendships with each other, and new guests were arriving to forge relationships with these people. People drawing people. It was essentially an extension of Gus's purpose in hosting the banquet, and could be called its true significance. Currently, throughout Gus's mansion, secret conversations that couldn't be shared at the banquet were taking place. Each one was not the gossip commonly exchanged in social circles, but serious discussions about business and relationships. For instance, the outsiders lingering in the mansion were not mere banquet attendees but Gus’s “true guests.” Tomorrow's gathering hosted by Trading Company Head Gus was an important occasion where such real guests would attend to deepen their relationships. "The two gentlemen hope that Lord Risir will attend that gathering." "Me?" Risir asked back in bewilderment. Having grasped the current trends of the mansion through his conversation with Fienne at dinner, Risir knew what kind of nature the gathering Macy mentioned would have. Unlike the banquet which was relatively free and had the character of a 'party'— That gathering was a meeting with the character of a restrictive and secretive 'club.' Moreover, most of the guests currently staying at the mansion were outsiders. Merchants and powerbrokers from other regions whom Gus had invited to extend his reach and expand his business. 'What could I do there? Huh? Risir, what could you do there?' As Risir was just beginning to establish himself even in his base of Bondaless, he couldn't help but feel such doubts. At the banquet where many Bondaless city nobles attended, quite a few had shown reactions of 'Huh? Risir? Could it be?' But if he attended that club, ten out of ten would definitely show reactions of 'Risir? Who might that be?' 'I can't even expect Rona's support there.' Risir's such doubts were clearly visible on his expression. As if she had expected this, Macy immediately brought out the words she had prepared. "The matter is, the two gentlemen wish to commend Lord Risir's achievements through a public venue." "Ah." Risir nodded, finally understanding. 'So, they'll give me face and establish my reputation in a gathering of important people—is that it?' It was a tremendous proposal. And rightly so, since they say they'll give him face and establish his reputation— It was virtually the same as guaranteeing his identity in the name of a Great Noble and Archmage before major figures. Risir suddenly recalled the conversation he had shared with Fienne at yesterday's dinner. *** -Among those currently staying at the mansion, here are people worth remembering. -First, Romitis, the Next Head of Palan Family, a prestigious magical house, who visited after hearing news of Palag. You said you wanted to witness 7th Rank magic, didn't you? If you get the chance, try bringing it up with him. Romitis recently reached the 7th Rank realm, so you might gain much from observing him. -And Brien, a wandering swordsman who visited after hearing news of Dray. She's quite famous in the Continental Center. A 7th Rank swordsman with several major achievements. This person wouldn't be a bad subject for witnessing 7th Rank either—but I won't recommend her. From what I hear, she's quite a materialistic person—I don't know what she might demand in return. Never give her an excuse to stand above you. -Finally, Corsia from the Silver Pouch Merchant Association. The Silver Pouch Merchant Association operates with its base in the Continental Center, so its scale is enormous. Even Golden Barley would have to acknowledge them. Corsia is someone who receives great trust from the executives of such a Silver Pouch Merchant Association. Establishing a good relationship would be helpful in many ways—but I won't recommend it. No. I'll oppose it. There are more than one or two bad rumors trailing behind this woman. Nothing has been definitively proven yet, but if you properly shake her down, you could probably weave cloth from the dust that comes out. If she approaches you, keep your distance without question. -That's right. Each one operates in the Continental Center, making them considerable big shots. Where did such people come flocking from? What else could it be? They were nearby and rushed over after hearing stories of the Talent Scout and Frozen Breath. The opportunity to meet those two isn't common even for them. -Yes. I know. You'll naturally be grateful. But since I heard half of this from Rona, save half that gratitude and pass it on to that child when you see Rona later. *** Having organized his thoughts through Fienne's story, Risir nodded with an intrigued expression. Those attending tomorrow's gathering. Normally, they would be big shots he could barely attempt to speak with only after receiving a position from the City Council and properly establishing his standing. To have his mark recognized by such people in the name of a Great Noble and Archmage. He couldn't even imagine how many opportunities and paths would open because of it. Risir had to acknowledge it. Palag and Dray's proposal was certainly attractive. "Furthermore, the two gentlemen hope to have separate time with Lord Risir after the gathering. So I ask, would your schedule permit it?" Moreover, that seemed to be only part of their sincerity, not the whole. -That act of playing the wounded, admirable young man in the underground chamber must have worked properly. For those bastards to give so freely from their position. At Clana's words, Risir inwardly nodded. They were a Great Noble and Archmage no less. At that level, they would normally worry about their own reputation and calculate this and that, but in their current proposal, no such calculating intent could be felt at all. They were so sincere it was almost burdensome. At this level, he had no choice but to accept. "I understand." When Risir answered, a brief look of pleasure crossed Macy's face. When Risir responded with a bright smile, she cleared her throat awkwardly. "Lord Risir's positive and generous response. I will certainly convey it to the two gentlemen." Afterward, Macy stated the time and place of the gathering before leaving. Risir confirmed her figure disappearing before entering his room. 'Now what?' The original plan was to spend the night refining 'Enhancement.' Though he felt limited in pioneering by himself in a situation where he had reached his limits, there was no other sharp solution. 'But if it turns out this way, the story changes.' Palag. He had approached faster than expected, and favorably. That Archmage who could provide overflowing teachings. 'But would he give purely magical teachings to me, who isn't even his disciple?' Risir fell into contemplation. Mages were extremely closed-off people, and the magical techniques they handled had the same nature. 7th Rank magical knowledge. It was high-dimensional knowledge not easily shared even among members of the same school. Would such knowledge be shared with him, an outsider and complete stranger? "Ah, I don't know. He owes me several debts, so he'll do it. If he doesn't, would that be human? That would be demonic." -My lord!!! We demons are not such ungrateful beings! "Right, right." Risir relaxed and laid his body on the bed. 'Time to normalize my biological rhythm.' Abandoning his previous plan to stay up all night, he immediately fell asleep to avoid being late for tomorrow's gathering. *** Merchant Corsia, belonging to the Silver Pouch Merchant Association. She had been conducting business in a small city near Bondaless, but abandoned her work and rushed to Bondaless in one breath. To meet the legendary figures who had appeared at Gus's mansion, the Talent Scout and Frozen Breath? Yes. Normally that would have been the case. The moment they gained even a little of their favor, tremendous opportunities would be given. However. What moved Corsia this time was not such pure merchant instinct. Third Arm. There was a demand from that criminal organization which had bestowed countless favors to put Corsia in her current position. That demand was simple. Revenge. They wanted the person named Risir who had ruined their business to pay an appropriate price. They said it was absolutely necessary for resuming business in Bondaless in the future. Thus Corsia arrived in Bondaless, and opportunity came quickly. The duel between Moria, Palag's disciple, and Risir. The incident that had captivated everyone in the banquet hall that day. That incident was now being discussed among the mansion's people with a quite different feeling since the banquet had ended. "Come to think of it, what happened to Moria after the duel? When I saw her then, her condition seemed strange." "Actually, I was curious about that too, so I asked Mr. Gus about it." "What did he say?" "He wouldn't tell me the detailed circumstances, but for some reason Lord Dray and Lord Palag dragged Moria to the underground chamber and have her confined." "Confined... that's not ordinary—" "I heard there's talk that she's a Dark Mage who hid her age and identity?" "Good heavens. How did such ominous talk come about?" "Lord Romitis said so." "The Next Head of Palan Family?" "Yes. He said that Moria's magical ability was absolutely not at a level that could be explained by 5th Rank. Though limited, she briefly showed aspects of 7th Rank? Moreover, suspicious changes occurred in her body during the duel—" "Damn. I'm a layman when it comes to magic, so couldn't you explain it simply?" "Look, who was Moria deceiving while pretending to be a genius mage? None other than Frozen Breath, Lord Palag, the former Tower Master of the Blue Magic Tower. Would it be possible for any ordinary mage to deceive him?" "Right. Impossible." "Therefore, Lord Romitis reached one conclusion. If Moria hid her identity and power and deceived Lord Palag, her true realm would be at least mid-7th Rank or higher." "...Wait." "What is it?" "Then what does that make Risir, the young mage who defeated that Moria?" "Actually, there's quite a commotion about that person right now." The mansion had many eyes. Those eyes watched Risir being called by Dray and Palag and entering the underground chamber. And they watched him emerge from the underground chamber with an uncomfortable expression. That fact spread throughout the mansion in an instant. Corsia didn't miss that opportunity. "Lord Romitis. What do you think of the talent that mage Moria displayed?" "Ridiculous. To display that level of magical ability with 5th Rank realm. The mysteries of Idealization are power that even I find difficult to handle— If that talent were real, it would be genius that leaves a name in history." "...Then— Risir. What do you think of what that fellow showed?" "That part, I'd rather ask about myself. Brien. What do you think of the 'single strike' with which he ended the duel? Since I'm a layman when it comes to swords—" Romitis, as head of Palan and a high-ranking mage. Brien, as a renowned wandering swordsman and high-ranking swordsman. Corsia called the two aside separately and encouraged their suspicions. "Whew. No matter what I say, the shock I felt won't be fully conveyed. That strike. Even if I had been the duel opponent, I wouldn't have been able to react." "... You?" "I've seen countless swordsmen. Among them were assassins too. That strike he unleashed was at a level that made even the name of assassination techniques seem ridiculous. Just what kind of monster created such swordsmanship—" "...But he should be a mage—" "Right. That's exactly the core of the story we're having now. Shall I change the question? Lord Romitis. What do you think of that person called Risir?" "..." Those 7th Rank swordsman and mage expounded on how unrealistic the abilities Risir had shown were. Based on their claims, Corsia spread suspicion to others as well. Thus. The mansion's guests reached the same conclusion as a certain Archmage and Great Noble. They concluded that Risir was an even more suspicious figure than Moria, and believed that Dray and Palag must have reached the same conclusion. "Good flow..." Corsia wore a triumphant smile. All that remained was to induce Dray and Palag to voice their suspicions about Risir's existence at the upcoming gathering. Suspicions spoken by the mouths of a Great Noble and Archmage in a public setting. The moment that spread to Bondaless, his position would become precarious. Even the achievements made in the process of eliminating Bondaless's hotbeds of crime and corruption would be tainted with noise. It was exactly the situation Third Arm desperately wanted. If this matter was resolved well, she could have her debts to them forgiven. Corsia harbored such expectations as— "Let's go." She headed to a room in Gus's mansion where the gathering would take place. Corsia had also finished laying the groundwork to ensure the topic wouldn't stray during the gathering. She had gathered guests from early morning and continued stories about Risir until the gathering time. Centered around Corsia, a group of people crossed the wide corridor of the great mansion. "Has the treatment of Moria been decided?" “Lord Dray aside, it’s rare for Lord Palag to attend such events. Perhaps it’s to explain the incident’s details to us?” "To be honest, I'm now more curious about the treatment of Risir— rather than Moria. What conclusion might the two gentlemen have reached about him?" Eventually, they arrived at the gathering place. Inside the spacious room, several early arrivals had already filled seats. Such gatherings had the custom that those with lower status arrived first. "..." "..." "..." Thus, the complexions of Corsia's group hardened instantly as they examined the composition of early arrivals. Risir. He was conversing with another guest. Corsia's group exchanged glances with each other before approaching him. "Hmm? Ah!" Risir welcomed them with a gentle smile. "Pleased to meet you. I'm called Risir." He politely extended his hand to Corsia. Corsia only looked at that hand with a cold gaze. The group was also influenced by Corsia's behavior and looked at Risir with cold eyes. This place was clearly a gathering of a different nature from the banquet. A place where powerbrokers fostered friendships with Great Trading Company Head Gus and discussed business. Risir had no qualification to join this gathering. "..." Risir shrugged and withdrew his hand. The person who had been talking with Risir cautiously retreated while reading the atmosphere. The atmosphere of the place moved rapidly to isolate Risir. Corsia inwardly sneered. 'What's this? Don't tell me he thought someone of his level could fit in here? He really doesn't know his place.' Drunk on himself and forgetting his station. It was a mistake young nobles commonly made. Well, it didn't matter. Thanks to this, an opportunity to test him had arisen. "Risir, was it? What brings you here?" "Ah, it's nothing special— I received an invitation." Corsia burst into a chuckle while looking around the room. Then, disapproving gazes returned from various places. It was natural. A gathering where a Great Noble and Archmage would attend no less. It was already urgent enough to secure one's own position. In such a place, would there be a fool who would invite someone else without knowing the subject? Moreover, an unqualified target. "An invitation? You, to this place? Just who is that thoughtless person?" Corsia interrogated him in disbelief. It was then. "Ah!" "You've come—" The door opened and the protagonists of the gathering appeared. Gus. He entered the room together with Dray and Palag. Corsia's group immediately turned away from Risir and tried to approach them to offer greetings. "Ah!" Then, Dray hastily looked around the room and brightened when he saw where Corsia's group was. Corsia recalled the relationship between the Silver Pouch Merchant Association and the Mastien House. One of the grounds that made such affairs possible. The Silver Pouch Merchant Association had maintained good relations with the Mastien House for many years. Therefore, Corsia assumed Dray was naturally welcoming her. She tried to approach Dray and warmly greet him. However, Dray passed by her with vigorous steps. "Risir! Thank you for coming like this!" Thus, he approached Risir who was standing behind the group and firmly grasped his hands. As if that wasn't enough, he embraced him vigorously. "..." "..." "..." It was a friendly attitude that no one else in the place could elicit. Corsia's group fell into confusion at the flow that greatly exceeded expectations. *** Afterward, Corsia's group's misunderstanding(?) was resolved. Dray and Palag explained the full details of the incident to commend Risir's achievements. Thus, it was revealed that Moria was a High Priest of a cult who had hidden her identity. And Risir, who had won against such a Moria? He was just Risir. Brien and Romitis couldn't easily accept it from their positions as magic and swordsmanship experts— What could they do? When Frozen Breath, an Archmage, said so. They could only react with 'Wow, I see. Amazing.' Thus, the gathering proceeded with the feeling of a 'Risir Appreciation Society' under the leadership of the Great Noble and Archmage. Being deceived by a High Priest of a cult and escaping crisis with someone else's help. It was a fact that could damage Frozen Breath's reputation. However, Palag revealed that fact without concealment. Purely to commend Risir's achievements. When she realized that fact, Corsia's vision went dark. It was the exact opposite of her expectations. Risir was earning their favor, not their suspicion. Would it be possible to make such a person pay the price Third Arm desired? There was nothing to think about. In the first place, antagonizing someone who received the favor of a Great Noble and Archmage to repay debts to a mere criminal organization? As a merchant, Corsia was skilled at calculations. She knew that if she tried to salvage things clumsily here, she would pay an unbearable price. Finally, after much deliberation, she made a decision. Where she should invest her life. “Um, Lord Palag, Lord Dray, I have something to report.” Corsia secretly conveyed some story to the two men. The two looked with cold eyes at the foolish merchant who had served as a criminal's lackey. However, only one thought filled their minds now. Risir. The thought that they must rectify their relationship with him. Therefore, they gave Corsia's confession a response that exceeded what she had hoped for. "Understood. We'll take care of that matter ourselves." Corsia couldn't fully grasp the weight contained in those words— The consequences those words would bring. "Well then, we shall take our leave now." The Risir Appreciation Society concluded after proceeding for about 30 minutes. The Archmage and Great Noble left immediately after commending Risir's achievements and confirming he had exchanged names with others, as if that was their entire reason for attending the gathering. Taking Risir with them. "..." They watched wistfully as the figures departed without lingering regret. *** "Before we begin our conversation in earnest, I must ask this first. Risir. Back then, I said I would grant you one request if you won the duel against Moria. Risir. What favor were you thinking of asking?" Palag. He brought up that topic immediately upon arranging a separate meeting with Dray and Risir. Risir didn't feel it was sudden at all. From the beginning, it had been his only thought since leaving his room today. “I wish to witness Lord Palag’s magic. Please let me observe the intricacies of Idealization.” "Hmm...!" A strange light appeared in Palag's eyes. At the same time, impatience showed on Dray's expression. Risir. He thought Risir was interested in Palag's disciple position. Since the 'disciple candidate' position that Moria had previously occupied was now vacant, it was a reasonable ambition. "To let you witness the mysteries of Idealization... that's not difficult." Palag willingly gestured lightly as if flicking his hand. Following that gesture, a stream of magical energy arose. The 7th Rank realm. It was a realm that most mages could only dream of. The stream of magical energy Palag created was too modest to be called magic containing the core enlightenment that formed that realm. It had to be so, as that stream of magical energy was composed entirely of just the mysteries of Idealization alone. Palag had properly fulfilled Risir's request to witness Idealization. Of course, Palag knew. This wasn't what Risir had wanted. What he had wanted to witness would have been magic that 'Frozen Breath' had crafted through Idealization, containing everything. "You asked to witness the mysteries of Idealization, and this is the result of perfectly fulfilling that request. A stream of magical energy crafted purely through the mysteries of Idealization. How is it? Is this what you wanted? Probably not. Risir. Idealization isn't as grand as you think. It's merely one of the countless elements that constitute magic. Understanding it won't bring dramatic change to you. Therefore, Risir. I'll make you a proposal. If you have aspirations for higher places—" How about properly learning magic under me? Like a grandfather teasing his grandson with candy. It was the moment when Palag was about to make his proposal to Risir with a mischievous yet intriguing expression. "Oh! Is this it!" Risir, who had been carefully observing the stream of magical energy, shouted excitedly. His breathing had become rapid before he knew it. ...Before he knew it, his magical power had reached the 7th Rank realm. "?" Palag noticed the change that had occurred in Risir. Tension filled his thick eyebrows. "Ah." At that reaction, Risir hastily added an explanation. "There's nothing to be surprised about! I just reproduced the magical power surge phenomenon that happened to Moria during the duel!" "?" Reproduced? What did he reproduce? In the first place, how did he reproduce that? Risir's explanation only had the opposite effect. The tension in Palag's eyebrows grew even stronger.