Make Dark Fantasy Great Again

Chapter 238 [Title: Oh guys, come to think of it] Content: What happens if I leave my base empty for a long time? I've been pushing through quests continuously after a long break and something feels off. When I thought about it, I've been neglecting my base. Should it be fine? I did manage the base pretty well before leaving though. -: It's the same whether you're there or not anyway -[Author]: Phew lol -: Why phew? -[Author]: You said it's the same even without me -: I meant that enemies will still attack and events will still occur the same way even without you there? -[Author]: Damn it -: Phew lol finally getting the reaction I wanted -: Are you a demon? -: Why are you being so mean to a newbie -: Just quit the game -: That was angelic -: If you're helping him quit this trash game, you're really a true senior -[Author]: No you bastards, you assholes My base is fucked, what am I supposed to do about it -: Did we abandon the base = X Did we invade the base = X Why are we bastards and assholes? The bastard is you who neglected the base, and the ones you should fight are those who invaded your base, right? -: Really logical -: Fate18: Logical hater -: How is that hate? He just stated facts in detail -: Fate28: Fact assault -: What do you mean what to do lol just restart -: Fate38: Just restart -: What's the condition of your base Is it red status? If it's red, I do have some useful tips -[Author]: No no, fortunately it hasn't gone to red yet It's orange status -: Oh then yeah, figure it out yourself -[Author]: What the hell Tell me those useful tips for red status, can't I use them for orange status too? -: Just restart That's what I was going to say -: That's really a pro tip -: It is a tip you can use for orange status -[Author]: Just all of you fuck off I'll figure it out myself -: Orange status means it's just starting to get fucked If you go back right away you can still salvage it -[Author]: I can't right now though The quest is almost finished -: Good thinking just neglect it until it goes red and quit the game -: Oh oh, he got pissed from talking back -: Fate48: Angry hero -: But why is he a hero? He's helping him which prevents him from quitting the game, so he's the villain? -: Fate58: Turns out to be a bastard -: Fate is kind of cool -: Fate68: Middle finger -[Author]: I was wrong, sir Looking at other comments really opened my eyes. But really, is there no answer other than going back to the base? Then I'd have to abandon all the quest progress I've made so far -: As mentioned above Whether the player is there or not, events and invasions occur the same way, so unless the base is very well managed, damage is inevitable. That's why it's right not to go far until the base is stabilized. Where is your base located and where are you currently? -[Author]: Base is in Bondaless Current location is Illatdein -: Oh then you might be able to continue the quest? -[Author]: Really? -: Yeah, you can't get back in time anyway Just start a new base -[Author]: Fucking hell *** That day, the incomprehensible natural magic aptitude that Risir had displayed. That fragment of talent. It had given the Green Magic Tower Master and the Elf Ancestor great doubt. At the same time, it aroused no less curiosity. -For a human who is an outsider to nature magic to be so recognized by the First Green Mage... Just what did the will of the First Green Mage see in you? Eventually, the Green Magic Tower was engulfed in great commotion. Using that incident as an opportunity, the Tower Master stepped forward to become a human's personal tutor. Having served as Tower Master for over a hundred years, with fewer than five disciples taken in— That Green Magic Tower Master. Afterwards, Risir's stay in Illatdein began in earnest. While training in nature magic under Lunadien's teachings— Days spent waiting for the Teal Palace to conclude matters related to the treatment of the World Tree spirit. Thus, two weeks had passed since Risir began staying in Illatdein. "Miss Ratsil. From the Teal Palace— has Lord Karoer still made no contact?" "That would be the case!? It's only been two weeks!" "...Only two weeks?" "Yes! It's a major matter discussing the World Tree and its spirit!?" "Ah, that's true. I thought that since you're all elves, your sense of time might be somewhat different from mine." "Oh~ what a fuss! Just because we elves live a little longer than humans doesn't mean, just, just!!! A day feels like an hour!" "Haha, I suppose that would be the case?" "So, wouldn't another six months be sufficient?" "?" "Hahaha! Joke! Joke!" "Uhaha, how amusing." "Not six months, three months should be sufficient!" "?" "Huh? What? Is the perception really different? Isn't three months just a blink of an eye? Honestly, I'm already pushing it by saying it so short." "If, if it's alright, could I write a letter to Lord Karoer?" This happened on the day when Risir had 'only' stayed in Illatdein for two weeks. *** Acting City Councilor Fienne. She was now feeling the absence of a certain man particularly keenly. It wasn't for the emotional reason of 'someone I could meet anytime I wanted has left for a distant place where I can't do so.' "What on earth is going on... As soon as this man left his post, it feels like incidents and accidents haven't stopped..." Until recently, Fienne had thought Bondaless was quite a peaceful city. Geographically, it wouldn't be strange for all kinds of criminals and riffraff from the continent to flow in, yet no notable incidents or accidents occurred. However. Now Fienne had changed her thinking. Perhaps the peace that Bondaless seemed to have was merely an illusion due to the presence of 'that man.' It had been about two weeks since Risir left his post for some reason. It was exactly the same period when specific incidents began occurring consecutively in Bondaless. The pure white girl rubbed her brow and unconsciously muttered. "If only that man were here..." Then with an 'Ah!' she came to her senses and shook her head. Get a grip, Fienne. You can't rely too much on that man. I'm also nominally an Acting City Councilor, aren't I? 'Since I'm the deputy of that man who is the Acting City Councilor, I'm essentially the Acting City Councilor's deputy— but anyway.' As a legitimate city authority figure and head of the guard corps (deputy of the deputy of Gadum, the former head of the guard corps)— She couldn't rely on that man for everything. Especially if it was related to her own duties! The reaction she wanted to elicit from that man wasn't 'As expected, there's no one but me, right?' but rather, 'As expected, there's no one but Fienne!' In truth, either would have been fine, but it was a matter related to pride— For Fienne, who was a Progenitor before being an Acting City Councilor, matters related to pride could be said to be of utmost importance. Fienne resolved once again. She would solve this problem entirely with her own power. And when that man returned, she would report this matter— And she would definitely elicit the reaction 'As expected, there's no one but Fienne!' "Phew..." Thus another sigh escaped. Having overflowing spirit was truly admirable, but— There was currently no suitable solution. "No matter how I look at it, it doesn't seem like an ordinary disease..." The specific incident currently occurring consecutively in Bondaless. It was an epidemic of a disease whose identity couldn't be determined. A disease or phenomenon that blackened the extremities of limbs and altered one's aura. Fienne regarded this disease as the work of someone with a specific purpose. "So, Fienne, you want to say that? That this is something someone deliberately planned?" The androgynous beauty sitting nearby asked. It was Rona, who had taken on the position of Fienne's secretary, feeling that just being 'The Saint' was somewhat insufficient. "There are too many suspicious points." "What points?" "Mainly, the fact that the affected targets are concentrated among the city's power holders. Isn't this familiar to you too?" "Familiar to me?" "You, Rona, also gained fame by healing the diseases of the city's noble ladies." "...Fienne, if someone heard that, they'd think I spread the disease." "Oh my, wasn't it? I thought it was like that and admired you in various ways." "Should I... apologize for disappointing you? Anyway, I understand what Fienne wants to say. Soon enough, such a fellow will appear, right? Just in time to heal the diseases of the city's power holders and seize power—" "Exactly. On that note, how goes it, Saint? What about what you mentioned before?" Rona smiled bitterly. "Should I say it's the perfect proof that I'm not the one who spread this disease?" "A disease that even your power cannot heal?" Fienne's elegant expression was colored with shock. Rona's healing abilities, which improved day by day, had reached a level worthy of the name Saint by now. "If there's nothing even your power can do..." The pure white girl. Her snow-white face was colored with an even deeper shadow. "Fienne, don't worry too much. No matter what, there couldn't be no way to heal that disease, right?" "...That's not what I'm worried about." "Then what?" "If, as I suspect, there's someone spreading such a disease— such power for their own purpose, how much power would that person possess?" "..." The shadow that had colored Fienne's face spread to Rona as well. "Could that person's identity be a Dark Mage?" These words expressed Rona's greatest concern. The pure white girl and the noble young man pondered those words for a while. "..." "..." As they did so, faint laughter suddenly escaped from both their lips. "Why are you laughing?" "No, I suddenly thought of that guy. I thought that if it were him, he'd probably show the eccentricity of smiling brightly at the mention of a Dark Mage—" Fienne nodded. "I had briefly forgotten because of that man. Dark Mages. How tiresome and terrible beings they are..." Thus, as the pure white girl and the noble young man were reminiscing about a certain man, "M-Miss Fienne...!" A Bondaless Guard Corps member rushed urgently into the room. "A-additional patients have appeared!" "...And?" Fienne, reading an unusual sign from the guard's attitude, asked back. Dray Ye Mastien. That was the Great Noble's name mentioned from the guard's mouth. "T-the additional patient is none other than the Talent Scout!" "..." Good heavens. They touched the legitimate son of a Great Noble family? Rona and Fienne were shocked. If there truly was a mastermind behind this incident— That person would certainly be more insane than they could imagine. "Miss Fienne!!!" At that moment, another guard member rushed urgently into the room. "Good heavens. Are you really doing this!? Another patient appeared besides the Talent Scout!? Who is it this time!?" "What!? L-Lord Dray has contracted that disease...?" "Argh...! I get it, so tell me, who else is it?" "What? Ah! That, what I need to report isn't that— it grew again! That unidentified tree!" "..." Fienne felt a headache and rubbed her brow. It was another incident that occurred after 'that man' left his post. Right now. Plants including grass and trees were sprouting like bamboo shoots after rain throughout Bondaless. As if they had suddenly received nature's blessing. Of course. There was no way nature's blessing would suddenly descend upon this city where all kinds of Dark Mages and criminals gathered. If anything, nature's judgment would descend. Therefore, people regarded it as yet another incident. "Rona..." "Yeah, that's right. Fienne. I'm listening." "I'm asking just in case... if that man were here, would these incidents have been resolved immediately?" "...What was the most recent incident that guy handled first then reported later? -Oh right, I almost forgot. I caught two Cultist High Priests and the demon they served. They were the masterminds behind the nightmare incident." The pure white girl and the noble young man recalled that man's voice and made disgusted faces. "Let's move for now. Let's check on Lord Dray's condition and seek Frozen Breath's advice." *** "...What is all this?" This was the first impression that Fienne and Rona felt when visiting Gus's Mansion. "Fienne, I can't remember well— was this mansion originally like this?" Right now. Throughout Bondaless, a strange phenomenon was occurring where plants were suddenly growing (at tremendous speed). To the two of them, Gus's Mansion looked as if it were the source of that strange phenomenon. Not only were plants growing throughout the mansion grounds, but they were even covering the walls and roof of the luxurious building. "Gus's Mansion was indeed the first place reported to have trees growing..." "G-Gus— no, why did Frozen Breath just stay still without taking measures?" The reason was soon revealed. "Something seemed like it might be related to Risir, so I left it alone." "...!" Rona and Fienne were startled. To think such a groundless statement would come from someone of Archmage level!? "B-but— isn't that man in a different place right now!?" "That's right." "Then how—" "Hmm. You two haven't heard that far, I see? Risir. He's currently learning nature magic under a tremendous Archmage." "What!? An Archmage!?" Risir is currently staying with an acquaintance of his teacher. So don't worry. That was the news about Risir that the two had heard from Meltas. But suddenly he's learning nature magic under an Archmage? "No, that's not what's surprising. So, what does that man learning nature magic have to do with this mansion being covered in plants—" Rona and Fienne tried to question the connection between the two. Following very reasonable thinking. But. The mouths of the two people who were voicing doubts suddenly stopped. Risir learning nature magic. His habitat suddenly covered in plants. They ended up sensing a correlation between the two. "S-surely— this city suddenly becoming naturalized— is it because Risir is learning nature magic!?" "Hmm. To reach such a conclusion immediately. Miss Fienne. Your condition is quite serious too." The Archmage looked at the pure white girl with pity while nodding his head. "Separately, that is the most reasonable conclusion at this point." "...Do you happen to know where that man's room is?" "Of course I know. But why suddenly ask that?" "I have a feeling that man's room would be in chaos. Most of all— I have a feeling that in that chaos, there would be answers to all these incidents." "Oh, ohh...!" Palag admired the groundless speculation mentioned by the pure white young lady. As expected of Risir's acquaintance. This young lady's understanding is also considerable!? "Certainly, that makes sense! Let's go right now!" *** 'What's with that woman?' This was the first impression that Fienne and Rona felt when they arrived in front of Risir's room following Palag. A woman was coming out of Risir's room. She was a tall woman with navy blue bobbed hair that suited her well. 'Wait, I think I've seen her somewhere?' Thus, as the two were recalling memories about the woman, "Clana? Are you on your way to visit Risir's room?" Palag spoke to the woman. The woman, Clana, responded with a bright smile. "Ah! Yes! Since Risir is away for a while, I thought I should manage his room in the meantime!" It was indeed an admirable way of thinking, but for some reason it rubbed the two women the wrong way. Who are you anyway? Given the situation, the two decided to put aside that question (complaint) for now. "Huh? Wait—" Fienne left the surprised Clana behind and entered the room. Then Rona and Palag urgently followed behind her. "...Ha." Faint laughter burst out from all three people simultaneously. A young tree that clearly emanated extraordinary energy was firmly positioned right in the middle of Risir's room. -R-Risir!!! Is it Risir!? Ah, no it's not... There was also a sword that clearly emanated extraordinary energy, but that wasn't their concern at the moment. They immediately approached the tree and observed it. Soon. Fienne muttered. "Lord Palag. Should we perhaps bring Lord Dray here?" "What kind of random suggestion is that? Let's try it right now!" A moment later. "T-this place is...?" The Talent Scout Dray, who had fallen unconscious from the disease, came to his senses. It was the result of making contact between him and the energy of the young sapling that had grown in Risir's room. With the confused Dray behind them, the three people fell into confusion. "I hoped it wouldn't be, but..." They muttered in bewilderment while looking at the tree. "This tree... what exactly is its identity?" *** (E/N: You know, I kind of underestimated that hellish game in a way. To think 2 week of absence and Bondaless would fall into such a situation despite all the powerhouses in it) At the same time. Risir had just finished practicing nature magic at the place Lunadien had prepared for him in one corner of the Green Magic Tower. Next, he intended to head to the altar of the Elf Ancestors located in the basement of the Green Magic Tower. Nature's embrace. It was to confirm his aptitude once more in that place. Even before learning nature magic, he had already encountered the form of nature called the 'Tree of the End.' The Green Mages considered contact with that Tree of the End to be the path to reaching the 'ultimate' of nature magic. However. What if that wasn't the end. What if there was something else beyond that? That was the reason Lunadien was actively teaching nature magic to Risir. They harbored both expectations and worries about Risir. With the thought that he might encounter something beyond the Tree of the End. Thus, it was the moment when Risir had finished preparing to head to the altar. "Mr. Risir!" "Hmm?" Risir's room prepared in the Green Magic Tower. Observer Ratsil had come there. "Lord Karoer has responded to your letter!" "Oh! Finally!!!" Risir postponed his visit to the altar and headed to the Teal Palace. *** Risir arrived at the Teal Palace. There he was facing a situation quite different from what he had expected. "So... you're saying you planted the World Tree's seed here?" "That's right." Risir looked at the patch of earth that Karoer and the other High Elves were pointing to. The earth, which looked very fertile at first glance, was completely flat. So much so that one couldn't imagine it was the place where that World Tree seed, which had been growing with tremendous vigor, was planted. "I'm worried about the World Tree's condition. Do you have any idea what might be happening?" "..." No way. Surely not. It couldn't be. Risir struggled desperately to shake off all the possibilities rising in his mind.