Make Dark Fantasy Great Again

"Go and take the main body? Where is that...-" Risir said while looking at the Magic Sword. "Can you guide me there?" -Of course... "You cannot!" Delron and the others around who had been watching their conversation shouted in unison. As members of the Sword Sheath of Pofendal, they knew how wicked and cunning Magic Swords were. They regard life as nothing more than an object to be manipulated carelessly. Moreover, they had been continuing the war against Magic Swords in recent times. The power of Magic Swords that trampled on human dignity and emotions without care and exploited them. The schemes that employed such power. They thought while recalling a series of memories. Was there anything as dangerous as listening to a Magic Sword's words? "Lord Risir! You must not listen to the Magic Sword's words! It's clear that it's trying to pull some trick!" Risir hesitated at Delron's statement. 'Is. Is that so?' That would be natural. Even Magic Sword: Curse, who had taken the form of a woman, fell into confusion. The atmosphere of the place, which had reached its climax, fell into a deadlock once again due to the beast's unexpected behavior. Risir and Curse. They each took a step away from each other. At a point where the opponent possessed power that warranted caution, the Magic Sword's intervention would obviously act as a decisive variable. Before long. A clicking sound like a signal flare redeveloped the atmosphere of the place. Curse straightened her posture and simultaneously stepped forward. That direction was not toward Risir. It was Bolton. Risir's thoughts accelerated. Within that, his senses became extremely sharp. Curse's actions felt slow, and he fell into thought in the time thus given. What reason did Curse have for targeting Bolton in this situation? -It's obvious. It's because Bolton is the central figure as the head of the group. Curse intends to eliminate Bolton to make the situation messy. Give up an avatar and eliminate the leader. It's an exchange that can never be a loss. The experience accumulated through repeated battles until now said so. And- -If you obviously aim for the head, the arms and legs will naturally react in surprise. When surrounded by idiots willing to sacrifice their lives for their leader, is there any better way to shake them up than targeting their leader? The teachings learned from the Killer Spirit said so. Risir felt as if Clana's voice overlapped with that thought and let out a small laugh. His body was already moving. "Pr-protect Lord Bolton!!!" Panic and confusion. It was the result brought about by Curse's actions. Those who had surrounded Curse with trained movements befitting members of the Sword Sheath threw themselves forward without hesitation when Curse showed movements that seemed to target Bolton. The resolve to not fear death if it meant protecting their leader. Moreover, it was an action backed by the rational thought that if the Magic Sword was in avatar form, they could readily resolve to mutually destroy each other. Only those at a distant position with their backs to the door aimed for Curse's rear as a secondary option. In other words, the formation had collapsed. "No- Guk!" "Kuaaak!" Groans burst forth in succession. The source was a group of four who had been aiming for Curse's rear. Curse had suddenly turned around and subdued them just like that. Sword strike. The wrist holding the sword flew through the air, causing the defenseless bodies to be sent flying sideways. It happened in an instant. To the eyes of others, it looked as if Curse had moved her body a few times in place and the formation collapsed, with four people falling down. Curse's thoughts and actions were thoroughly ahead of their perception. That much left her with time to spare. Curse's body compressed like a spring. All that remained was for her body to burst out through the window and disappear. The scene that should follow would naturally be a shattering window. Clang! However. Instead of shattering glass, the metallic sound of steel clashing against steel. Instead of sharp glass fragments, freshly sparked sparks. What they now saw was two swordsmen in the midst of sword strikes exchanged in an instant. "...!" Curse succeeded in instinctively responding, but failed to completely hide her bewilderment. "How-" Swift response. It was more than that. The opponent had already been waiting for Curse in a state where everything was foreseen, like a hand snatching a gold coin flying in an obvious trajectory. "It seems we're quite compatible." The man laughed playfully. Curse couldn't believe that was a smile created by a Hero. Curse skillfully corrected her stance. The clashing sword didn't retreat but pressed forward. 'Let's see. Try predicting this too.' The sword technique that had slaughtered Cort was unleashed once again. That Magic Sword's sinister sword technique was absolutely not something that could be discerned at a glance. Curse was confident that even if her opponent had anticipated everything, he wouldn't be able to predict this sword path. That confidence proved correct. Even though Risir had clearly seen Curse slaughter Cort with his own eyes, his understanding of her sword technique was vague. He honestly acknowledged it. When limited to swordsmanship, that Magic Sword was at a realm far superior to his own. That was why. From the beginning, Risir had no intention of facing her as a swordsman. "!!!!!" Curse instantly pulled her head back with all her might. It was truly superhuman perception. However, that body, which was merely an avatar, couldn't keep up with her senses and gave an opening. "Uugh-" Suddenly flaring Black Flames burned one of Curse's eyes. The dying embers that approached the remaining pupil as if it was a pity made Curse fed up. She couldn't understand it. There was no mage in this place. The dragon, who had little real combat experience, was panicking with "Huh? Huh?" in the urgent situation and was barely managing to stand guard beside Bolton. From that distance, it would be impossible to deploy attack magic that targeted vital points so quickly and precisely. There was only one remaining possibility. Curse stared at the man in front of her with her remaining eye. "What did you-" It was a moment when her inhuman nature became prominent. Even in this situation, the woman showed interest in the man's power. The obsession and composure to try to discern that power appeared in her sharp eyes. "It's Magic Swordsmanship." Risir readily answered as if saying 'try it if you can.' "Magic Sword-...!?" That thing is Magic Swordsmanship? It was the first time she'd heard of such a thing. When Curse's attention, momentarily stolen by magic, returned to the sword, that sword was already at the end of its path. Thunk! The exquisitely positioned blade became a blunt weapon and struck the woman's jaw precisely. A head creaking askew. The woman's consciousness was cut off just like that. -Kuuuuuaaaaaak!!! With the Sacred Sword's groan as it writhed in the treachery of Assassination Sword Techniques as the finale, the situation concluded. Click. Having finished all his actions, Risir sheathed his Sacred Sword. "Th-that's the power of a Magic Sword...!!!" Black Flames that unfurled simultaneously with the sword strike, penetrating gaps in perception. The audience who witnessed Magic Swordsmanship before their eyes fell into shock and uttered exclamations of admiration. -What nonsense!!! Jallak nearly had a seizure inside the scabbard. -The Magic Sword did nothing! Everything was a collaboration between Risir and me!!! That Magic Swordsmanship just now was purely Risir's power! Purely Risir's power? But then why is it Magic Swordsmanship? They couldn't understand. -Risir simply deployed magic alongside swordsmanship! But why were they deployed simultaneously? They still couldn't understand. *** "Risir, are you okay!? Are you hurt anywhere!?" Alenza, who came to her senses belatedly, approached him. "S-sorry- for not being able to help at all...!" "Not being able to help at all. Don't say such things." Risir naturally felt the dragon's aura protecting his body and patted the girl's head. "If a young lady calmly twisted an enemy's neck in this situation, wouldn't that be the stranger thing?" "..." Everyone around, including Alenza, was flustered by Risir's behavior. To treat a dragon like a young girl as if it were natural. The sight was so natural that for a moment, they wondered if they were the strange ones. "Lord Risir!!! My goodness!!! To capture that creature alive!!!" Then, Delron came bustling over to Risir excitedly. Who was the one with the Stone Heart? Delron didn't care about his colleagues' gazes. "As expected of Lord Risir!!! Those are the only words that come out!!! Not only did you see through its actions, but you captured a Magic Sword's avatar!?" They too soon nodded their heads and expressed agreement with Delron's attitude. "To toy with that Magic Sword on the palm of your hand. Lord Risir is truly heaven-... uh..." "Haha, I hear that often. That I'm a heaven-sent assassin. It's excessive praise." "..." Is that really praise? Leaving them lost in thought behind. Risir approached the fallen Curse. "Now we just need to interrogate it and find out the Magic Sword's location." "Ah, about that-" "Yes?" Risir turned over Curse's body that was lying on the floor. The unique aura and atmosphere she had been emanating had disappeared without a trace. "It's Magic Sword: Curse's ability. Curse's power makes the target believe they are the Magic Sword itself. As the principal, they come to prioritize the Magic Sword above all else." "What..." Risir was dumbfounded. He had thought that since it was called an avatar, it was a large part separated from the main body. "Then don't tell me, are there several more of these?" "...That's correct." "And each one possesses this level of power?" "Curse draws out the target's power to the extreme. You could say it makes them not spare their own body?" "..." Risir examined the woman's condition and immediately understood those words. Her aura was in such an overworked state that it wouldn't be strange if she went into overload at any time. It was truly a Magic Sword that wielded humans. "Separately, this woman belongs to the special category among the avatars we've encountered so far. There probably aren't many avatars with this level of power. Probably..." -This is... Curse's vassal... It was an additional statement from the Magic Sword. While everyone was wondering how to react to the Magic Sword's voice. Only Risir responded to those words immediately. "A vassal?" -Yes... those earrings... that hair... it's Curse's taste... she marks her favored vassals in that way... "Then how many more avatars like that are there?" -If her power were at full strength, she could have controlled dozens... But... when our auras connected, I definitely felt it... right now her power is not complete... she hasn't been awake from the seal for long... just like me... "If we recover the Magic Sword's main body, will all those curses be lifted?" -...If it's you, you should be able to do that... "Then this is not the time to be standing around. Beast. Will you guide me to the Magic Sword's location?" -Of course... "Risir!?" "Hm?" At that moment. Alenza shouted. All the others were showing the same attitude as her. "Is it really okay? To trust the Magic Sword...?" From their perspective, not knowing the detailed relationship between the two, it was a reasonable doubt. Recognizing that fact, Risir carefully chose his words. "Yes. We get along well now. Right, Beast?" Risir lifted the dark-colored sword and pressed for an answer. -O-of course... They thought the Magic Sword's voice sounded somewhat peculiar in its tone. But looking at it now, that wasn't the case. That trembling voice. The emotion contained within it was fear. Above all, the Magic Sword was expressing joy at Risir's words. Getting along well with each other. It felt great relief at those words. *** -Wh-why...!!! The back alleys of Tormund. That place was filled with the sobs of a woman full of anguish. (E/N: It's Beast) It was because the location of Curse, guided by the Beast, was getting farther away by the moment. Curse continued with the same choice she had made at the mansion. While the main body escaped, she mobilized the hosts planted throughout Tormund to interfere with Risir's pursuit. Risir, who hadn't fully recovered his condition yet, was placed in a situation where he had to overexert himself. Overload and the accompanying operation of the Magic Sword were unavoidable. -It h-hurts... it hurts...!!! You... you definitely said we get along well... "Oh, of course we do. Right now we're becoming one body and mind doing collaborative work, aren't we? At this level, we're practically like a married couple." -You... do you make your wife suffer like this... "Oh! Golden short hair with earrings, that's it! Vassal! A big one's coming, Beast! Prepare yourself!" -Ah, aah... The beast's plea did not reach Risir. Even in the midst of fierce battle, the woman's sobbing did not cease. *** Clatter. Clatter. Wounds that hadn't fully healed reopened with violent movement- Blood flowed from ears filled with numerous earrings. A woman who had dyed her brown hair to brilliant blonde was running through the streets holding a single sword. It was Magic Sword: Curse. She immediately realized upon seeing enemies who were perfectly pinpointing her location and closing the pursuit net. The Sword Sheath of Pofendal led by the dragon and the Master of Advancement...they were pursuing her while receiving instructions from the beast. "Beast, you crazy thing...! What the hell are you scheming!?" She still couldn't fully understand the situation. If she assumed the beast's betrayal, it would be an extremely clear situation, but she couldn't bring herself to sanely accept that premise. They Magic Swords are fragments originating from a single being. They had an intimate relationship that couldn't be fully expressed even with the word "siblings". But to betray a Magic Sword and side with others? And with the Hero's side at that! 'Surely, you're not really planning to betray me...!?' No. That couldn't be. Curse denied that fact until the very end. There was basis for it. Beast. While she was currently cooperating with humans, that didn't mean she had completely given her existence permission. It was something she clearly felt while confronting them as hosts. The human was handling the beast's body as if it were his own, but that was all. Even if the Magic Sword's body was taken, it was thoroughly controlling its power to protect it. It was as if the beast was hugging its power with all its might to prevent it from being stolen. From this, she could infer that the beast was cooperating with humans not voluntarily but by force. 'Since it's come to this, I should first join with Domination- then combine forces to recover Beast.' Suddenly, Curse's expression twisted. She confirmed that another vassal had been liberated. Risir. It was a vassal she had sent to check his pursuit. With this, the only remaining vassal was the one she cherished most. Only the vassal currently carrying the Magic Sword's main body. Curse was not flustered by this fact. 'He's reached his limit.' Just before the vassal disappeared. Because she had confirmed that the Hero's condition had reached its limit. No matter how incomprehensible the abilities he wielded, if the power to deploy them ran out, it would be meaningless. Now the only variable was Beast's power. "Ha!" A pleasant smile burst from Curse's mouth. Thinking that Beast, having confirmed the Hero's weakness, would rebel if anything, and the possibility of meek cooperation was nonexistent. 'Beast! I've done my part! Now it's your turn!' Through the gradually diminishing state of her hosts, she felt the pursuit net slowly closing in. The Sword Sheath group led by the dragon was close at hand. And on the opposite side was the master of the Sacred Sword with Beast. Which side should she break through? Foolish question. Curse turned her body to the right without delay. Toward the weakened Hero and her sibling! She left the alley and entered the main street. "Ugh! Hey, if you bumped into someone you should apologize- wh, uaaahhh!!!" How long had she been advancing while striking, pushing, and cutting down everything that blocked her path? "Hiiiiek!!!" "Wh-what is that!?" "C-could it be some kind of demon!?" Those reactions were not directed at Curse. Thud! Beyond Curse's path. Something massive that had jumped from a rooftop landed on the ground. It was a dark-colored knight. 'You're trying to block my path in that condition? Are you trying to buy time?' Curse sneered and created a mocking laugh. As she gauged the opponent's condition to break through the encirclement, that was when it happened. "...!" Her previously unhesitating movement came to a halt. "What, what- what the hell is happening!!!" Conversely, the dark knight, who should have been the one halted in movement, advanced without hesitation. The Hero's aura, which should have clearly hit rock bottom, was in a recovered state once again. Beast. It was thanks to her sharing the power she possessed. The Magic Sword had finally stopped resisting and entrusted its existence to its new master. *** Right after the battle with the vassal. Just as Curse had expected, Risir felt his limits. -Ah... it hurts... it hurts so much... please... stop... No matter how much the Magic Sword treated humans like tools, Risir felt guilt as the woman's sobs continued to reach him. "Damn... I'm sorry, Beast. I don't want to do this either." When Risir unconsciously revealed his guilt like that, the beast was quite surprised. This human is showing me this kind of attitude? Wasn't he harboring resentment for trying to dominate him and taking revenge? -Then... wouldn't it be fine to just stop... "I can't do that. We must not let that Magic Sword escape." -If we let it escape... what would happen...? "I'd have to make up for it by any means necessary." Make up for it by any means necessary. To the beast, those words resonated with a completely different meaning. -Ah... no... that can't happen... The withering dark armor regained its radiance once more. The Magic Sword chanted bleakly. *** -I can't forgive... "...What?" Curse was bewildered. That voice coming from the dark armor was definitely the beast's. "You, who are you talking about. Me? Me!?" -To make us suffer like this... "...Yes, that's right!!! That guy! That Hero bastard is making us suffer like this!!!" -No... it's you... "...What?" -You're... the one making us suffer... And that resentment was clearly directed at her. Curse's expression was colored with bewilderment. The dark knight sprang up from his hunched position. The distance between them was narrowed in an instant- The last vassal's body collapsed to the ground. -Damn it, what did you do to Beast...!!! The new Magic Sword in the knight's hand shouted. That voice was filled not with anger but with bewilderment. "I did nothing to it. We just had a conversation. Right, Beast?" -Yes... we did nothing... the one who did wrong is you... The black-haired woman murmured in a voice filled with relief. -Ah, ah...!!! Magic Sword: Curse vibrated slightly. The dark knight also vibrated slightly. -You truly are!!! To freely dominate that Magic Sword's soul as if it were a mere pebble!!! Nothing in this world could be so skillful!!! I learn yet another thing!!! The spirit's(?) praise. In the moment of victory, Risir felt complicated emotions.