Make Dark Fantasy Great Again

Chapter 262 The Saint and the fairy were experiencing an unexpected moment of mutual understanding. Those people—the ordinary folk who had watched their Hero Party and cried out about miracles. Had their feelings been like this too? When looking at the Hero Party dismissively brushing off such things as not being miracles at all, had they also felt this way? "Ah, yes. I don't really understand the principle, but demons seem to be particularly vulnerable to my aura." Risir summarized the series of events in that way. That situation where he rolled up a serpent as massive as a pillar supporting the heavens like wrapping thread and tucked it into his pocket. That situation where he fumbled around briefly in place and then sealed away a high-status demon! No. Was it even right to call that sealing in the first place? "Then that demon now... will it continue to be in that state from now on?" The Saint and fairy's fingers pointed simultaneously toward one spot. Risir's palm. The small snake there—that demon that had experienced 'something' and been neutralized. "Well... actually, I'm also quite concerned about that part. I can't guarantee how long this state will last either." Risir showed anxiety in his expression. But why was that? The fairy and Saint couldn't empathize with the anxiety he felt at all. -Pyaaaat! Piyaaaat! Even while Risir was speaking, that cute little baby snake was busy nuzzling its face against Risir's thumb. Pleasant sounds kept escaping along with its flickering tongue. It looked quite happy indeed. Could that baby snake really be called the 'Coiling Shadow'? Could it be called the demon that still harbored malice and tried to cause chaos even after its negativity was replaced with divinity? Absolutely not at present. Then what about the future? Though the possibilities contained in the future are infinite, even so, they couldn't imagine that demon returning to its original form. At this point, the Saint and fairy were certain. The Coiling Shadow. Or the Purified Darkness. It had finally met true destruction this time. Along with the incomprehensible and immortal properties that had protected it- "Is this right...? Is it okay for things to be this way...?" Tara grabbed her head and cried out in confusion. The past days when she had opposed all manner of demons as a Saint flashed by like scenes from her life. Demons. How many hardships had she endured to face those incomprehensible beings. How many sacrifices had she made to drive away those immortal beings. The confrontation with demons. That achievement occupied a considerable portion of the pride that resided within the hero. But look at that man. Look at that snake. "What have I been doing all this time for..." "Tara!!!" The Saint, despite having recently regained vitality along with her aura, collapsed powerlessly in place. The fairy, who had been bickering with the Saint, cried out and embraced her. "Tsk..." Risir felt pointless guilt. It had become a familiar occurrence by now. -Pyaaaat!!! It was summer. *** Fortunately, Risir didn't have to apologize by saying 'Sorry for sealing the demon.' Tara had suddenly regained her composure. "Ehehe... Ehahahahahaha!!! Kyahahahahaaat!!!" Quite excessively. -Ah!!! Master!!! That wench has gone from Saint to madwoman!!! It seems proper to be wary!!! "Now, Dangaleon— please watch your words to the Saint...!" Even while saying that, Risir unconsciously stepped backward. "T-Tara...? What, what is it— did she also get cursed or something!?" Her appearance was enough to startle even her companion. "Ha, hahaha!!! Hahahahaha!!!!!" Clutching her stomach, she expelled all her breath in laughter. The Saint's laughter continued for quite a long time. "Haa-" As she caught her breath at the end and wiped her eyes, it almost looked as if she had burst into tears. Her face looked truly relieved. Confirming that the Saint's condition seemed less insane(?) than expected, Risir cautiously approached her. -Master!!! Just in case, use the Power of Purification on that madwoman...! "Oh my, Dangaleon, please watch your words—" Risir barely overcame the urge to adopt Dangaleon's opinion and spoke. "Lady Tara, are you all right...?" "...Ah." "Yes?" "Of course I'm not all right!!! I feel like my entire world has been negated!!!" "Huk...!" The Saint vented her frustration. While wearing a very pleasant smile. "Really... what is this! If this is how it is, then what becomes of all the people who struggled and sacrificed trying to seal demons until now!!!" "No, well, what... I'm sorry...?" Risir apologized restlessly. At that sight, the Saint belatedly came to her senses. "Ah. No. Don't— apologize. I was just excited for a moment, I absolutely wasn't trying to blame you." "Was that so? It was almost as if the Saint was about to awaken a new cursing Divine Authority?" When the fairy beside her giggled and mocked, the Saint made an 'urk' expression. "...That's right! I was a bit irritable for a moment! That demon! My past days of struggling desperately trying to seal that thing suddenly felt ridiculous!!! And my past days of boasting about performing miracles when nothing had actually changed suddenly felt embarrassing, so I vented a little!!! Why! Got a problem with that!? This much should be allowed, right!? I said, got a problem!!!" Huff! Huff! After becoming like 'Moria Dollin' and pouring out another outburst, the Saint glared at Risir huffily, then burst into laughter with a 'pfft.' "Even more, doing that occasionally restores your aura and raises your status?" "...S-sorry?" "Why are you apologizing?" "It just felt like I should..." "...Right, you thought well. You seem like someone who could afford to be sorry to other people." The Saint's laughter continued. However, that laughter had a distinctly calmer tone than before. "Haa..." And that sight of her catching her breath. Risir and Shuyen belatedly realized. Saint Tara Dollin. How healthily she was expressing her emotions right now. She was a Saint who had ultimately met extinction after infinite sacrifice. All she had gained in that process was the self-consolation that she had done righteous deeds only she could do and achieved noble accomplishments. However. Even that self-consolation had been negated through Risir's demon purification ritual. Instead, what was given to her was a small doubt. The doubt of 'Perhaps my life had no meaning at all?' Understanding the Saint's feelings, Risir felt dizzy. If he had been in the Saint's position, how would he have felt? How would he have acted? Perhaps he would have pointlessly blamed her, asking why she had only appeared now? So Risir was about to speak to console the Saint. To say he was sorry. That he was sorry he couldn't appear before her sooner to help. "Thank you..." "Yes?" However, the Saint's voice came out first. Risir unconsciously asked back. "Thank you, for what..." She grasped Risir's hand and carefully continued speaking. "I'm grateful for everything about you. Through your existence, the will and efforts of the heroes who sought to stand against darkness—and their sacrifices—will be rewarded." "..." Risir was speechless and moved his mouth silently. He had momentarily forgotten due to her friendly and approachable demeanor, but he was reminded again. How grand a will she possessed as a hero. The Saint had not opposed demons for her own honor or prestige. Even the darkness that seemed eternal and absolute would someday be lifted...By the brightest light that exists in this world. The Saint had never once acted for herself. Her purpose was singular. To perform miracles. And thereby prove the existence of the Lord. And thereby spread widely throughout the world the existence of hope that would not be obscured by any darkness. In other words, the salvation of all people. Therefore, the Saint could feel infinite gratitude in the end, even if she might briefly resent Risir's existence. "As long as you exist. All sacrifice and faith will never be in vain." Risir thought. The meaning was too grand for him to understand. But one thing he could clearly know. Tara Dollin. The reason she was called a Saint. -Pyaaaat!!! The baby snake saw the Saint's joyful appearance and made a pleased sound. The demon the Saint had known was no longer there. It was the moment when the Saint who had wished for everyone's salvation was herself saved. *** Risir recalled what the fairy Shuyen had said before. Saint Tara Dollin. That she was a very meticulous person, contrary to appearances. Now Risir fully understood the meaning of those words. "Focus!!! You were thinking of something else again!?" "Yes! I wasn't just concentrating, I was thinking about super intense concentration!!!" "Quiet! Don't talk back!!!" "Yep!" "I told you not to talk back!" "!!!" "Oh my, are you glaring at me now!?" "No! I was answering 'yep' with my eyes! Since you told me not to talk back—" "I told you not to talk back!" "Kugh... This is the First Saint... I can't see any way to conquer her at all..." Earlier, she had opened her heart and expressed gratitude, which must have been quite embarrassing, because whenever she stood before Risir, she simply couldn't leave him alone. Tara's repeated blanket-kicking in bed! Risir had to take the place of that blanket. Separately. The Saint's divine magic instruction, having shaken off all delusions, proceeded very smoothly. "I'd like to show this to the priests of the Religious Order." That was the fairy's reaction to observing the lesson. As the Saint's companion, Shuyen had her own knowledge of divine magic, so she couldn't help but express bewilderment at the lesson's progress. The divine status that Risir had newly gained through a series of events. Combined with the sensory embodiment ability he originally possessed. Risir's divine magic achievement was accomplished at a truly unreasonable speed. "The healing power you learned yesterday. This is its application. When you operate divinity this way, you can restore bodily damage." "..." "Divinity is the manifestation of will. Believe firmly. That you can heal that wound." "...Huh! Did, did it work...!?" "...Good, now let's move on to the next." "What!? Already!?" "Or what, should we keep working on basic healing when you've already mastered it perfectly?" "Your basic healing is now perfect, so it means you can definitely move on to the next level." "Quiet, Shuyen!!! Outsiders should leave!" "Ah, then now— intermediate healing... we're learning how to restore damaged aura!" "No, we're moving on to advanced healing." "What?" "Because what you just demonstrated was intermediate healing." "..." "What's with that expression? That's the expression I want to make?" Since Tara had already become accustomed to such unreasonableness, she could actively adjust the lesson content to match Risir. The embodiment of divinity proceeded without obstruction. Thus, it had been two days past a fortnight since Risir began receiving divine instruction from the First Saint. -Kraaak!!! Risir!!! How can this be!!! I came to my senses at your waist!!! This isn't a dream, is it!?! I was sure I would be abandoned by you when I broke down completely and lost consciousness...!!! "...What kind of person am I inside Jallak's mind?" The battle with the rotten swamp Astrog. In that process, the Sacred Sword of Advancement Jallak, who had lost consciousness, regained his senses. Watching the reunion of the two, Tara nodded and said. "Now it's done. Shall we head back soon?" "What?" Risir felt it was sudden, but- He quickly changed his mind. 'Ah. Come to think of it, everyone might be worried.' He recalled the circumstances of coming here and the companions left behind. 'It's been a fortnight and... about a week now?' Risir suddenly but inevitably recalled his respect for his master. 'This anxiety and guilt... abandonment isn't easy either...!' Having organized his thoughts, Risir spoke to Tara. "Yes. I understand. As you say, Lady Tara, I think it would be best for me to return now." He extended his hand towards Tara. "Lady Tara. Thank you for everything until now. This teaching. This grace. And this connection. I will never forget them. We can meet again, can't we?" Risir's voice was soaked with considerable emotion. Tara looked at such a Risir silently, then tried to say something. "..." But eventually she made an awkward expression and cleared her throat— coughed. "Go on." "..." A brief moment passed. Risir and Shuyen looked at Tara and burst into soft laughter. She clicked her tongue and turned her head away. After that. Risir's preparations for return proceeded smoothly. *** "Oh, Risir." The real world- It was the first sight Risir witnessed upon returning to his room in the Illatdein house where he had been staying. Ratsil. She had been lying peacefully on Risir's bed, then slowly got up and rubbed her eyes as she spoke. "You're back?" Something different from the reaction I expected? As if reading Risir's thoughts, Ratsil said. "Everyone was worried about Risir for the first few days— but eventually they reached that conclusion." "What... conclusion?" "The conclusion that since it's Risir, we don't really need to worry, right?" "Ah..." Risir was confused whether he should feel pleased by their complete faith or feel hurt. Whatever. Meanwhile, Ratsil got up from the bed and said. "By the way, it took quite a while? Should I say it took moderately very long. Thanks to that, I ended up being delayed too, what can I say? But don't worry, I have no intention of resenting Risir! Well then. Shall we start preparing now?" "...Prepare, what do you mean?" "Expedition preparations." "What?" "The Teal Star has sensed the existence of a new World Tree. In some human city." "...!" Risir's eyes widened. Some human city? It couldn't be?