Make Dark Fantasy Great Again

"No matter how much I think about it, something doesn't add up!" These were the first words Ratsil suddenly blurted out the moment she returned to the expedition after going on reconnaissance with the Observers. "Ratsil? Did you see something?" The junior Observers who had gone on reconnaissance with her showed curiosity in their eyes. Certainly, they remembered there being no particular noteworthy incidents during the reconnaissance process. But did Ratsil see something different? Had her sharp eye caught a sense of unease that they themselves hadn't felt!? "As I thought, I should have gone along instead of Alenza!" "Ah." So that was what this was about. Yet again, at that. "Good work." "You too." The reconnaissance team members finished greeting each other in their familiar manner, then disbanded while leaving Ratsil behind. Only Ratsil, who had been the reconnaissance team leader, remained looking at Karoer. Karoer envied them. She sighed and closed her book. "The significance of organizing this separate unit is to shorten the expedition's schedule. Considering that, do you think there's a better composition than those two?" "Alenza is still young!" "But she's a dragon." "If an unexpected situation arises, it might be difficult to handle!" "Risir is with her." Kyah! Ratsil fell backward as if she had been struck by a blunt weapon. She had sharpened her logic throughout the reconnaissance for this very moment, but the cruel weight of reality struck her as she was dismissed with just two sentences: 'But she's a dragon' and 'Risir is with her.' "More than anything, Ratsil. You just want to sightsee the city, don't you?" "...What if we arrive and Risir has already almost completely resolved the incident, so we have to leave the city right away!?" "That would be a good thing." "Ah! You're right! It would be a good thing! But what I mean is-...waaaah! I wanted to sightsee the human city together with Risir!!!" Ratsil threw herself face-down on the ground like a tragic heroine. The expedition procession continued forward without paying attention. A moment later. When Ratsil, whose movements were quite nimble despite her state, quickly trotted along to catch up, Lunadien, who was sitting beside Karoer, smiled and spoke. "I should tell you not to worry too much, Ratsil. Since it's a matter related to a Magic Sword, at least the situation you mentioned won't happen." "...Well, I suppose that's true?" Ratsil also expressed agreement with Lunadien's words, perhaps having just spoken without thinking it through first. Including the dragon's followers who had newly joined the existing expedition, the Illatdein expedition was now receiving all the attention of the surrounding region. Obviously not merely because of impressions like "wow, elves"- But rather because of their military force. A military force capable of easily conquering a small city in passing. The expression "creating unease" couldn't have been more fitting. It was preliminary work for such an expedition to enter the city through the main gate and exit through the rear gate. "Since it's quite a political matter, even that man won't be able to resolve it instantly like handling miscellaneous tasks." Lunadien closed her book and earnestly joined Karoer and Ratsil's conversation. "Once the expedition arrives at the city, the procession will inevitably have to wait outside the city. Until the personnel we've additionally dispatched help Risir completely resolve the problem. I think it'll probably take at least about a week." "A, a week!?" "Human cities rarely unite as one. They're always in a state of wanting to devour each other. To persuade all of them and gather their opinions will inevitably take quite a lot of time. Even that is based on the premise that we succeed in tracking the Magic Sword and capture the hearts of the city's rulers." "Two days if we go around the city... a week to pass through the city... Are you trying to look at the expedition broadly and set a precedent?" "That's right. If the story spreads that 'that suspicious elf expedition is actually a kind guest of human cities,' then situations like now where we have to endure all sorts of inconveniences to prove our innocence will clearly decrease." For example. Rather than enduring inconvenience throughout the entire expedition, let's concentrate and endure the inconvenience right now at the beginning. It was the afternoon of the second day since Risir had headed to Tormund. The Illatdein expedition arrived late at Tormund. The expedition tried to set up camp in a field far from the city to avoid causing a disturbance among the pedestrians coming and going through the main gate. And it was when they were about to select personnel who would join with Risir to shorten the expedition's camping period. "Lady Karoer! A group carrying Tormund's flag is approaching! They're presumed to be the Guard Corps!" "Oh. The humans. They're quite proactive?" Lunadien put self-deprecation into her joke. She thought that the reason they came immediately despite setting up camp in such a distant place could only be to express complaints. "To think that I would end up having to read the faces of humans." The dragon's followers who had been watching the situation from the side observed the atmosphere carefully. For elves to lower their position while accommodating humans. Even from their perspective as humans, it was quite an unfamiliar situation. Weren't humans objects of contempt to elves? "...Heh." Just then. Lunadien formed a pleasant smile as if she had remembered something. That smile spread rapidly among the elves. The elves looked at each other and felt a strange emotion. Some believed that the reason elves loved nature was due to the influence of the World Tree, their parent. Was that perhaps why? Risir. When they thought of that human, they found themselves feeling pleasant even in such a situation. "Let us greet them courteously." Following Karoer's instructions, they courteously greeted the Guard Corps, who would obviously regard the elves as unwelcome guests. "Th, thank you for the warm welcome-" A strange atmosphere flowed through the place. The elves will obviously look down on us. The Guard Corps had also been thinking the same thing. Someone at the scene even thought such a thing. That it was a monumental moment. Humans and elves. Those who kept their distance from each other for various reasons made contact based on mutual respect. "First, let me explain for what reason our Illatdein expedition has established itself here." "Ah, that's fine. We already know about that part." "Hm?" The first step for the elf expedition to pass through human lands. Karoer, who had been feeling heavy-hearted about the anticipated difficulties, felt uneasy about the Guard Corps' reaction. "Regarding you all, we already know from what the Hero told us." "...Hero?" The elves fell into thought for a moment. Had a Hero perhaps stopped by during this brief time to mediate? "Yes. The Hero of Advancement, Lord Risir." "Ah." The elves nodded as if they had just now realized. That's right. He also held the title of Hero. Mother of World Tree, Guardian Spirit- They had been temporarily in a state of forgetfulness due to being exposed to too much intense stimulation recently. How the name "Hero" was treated among humans. Of course, questions remained. Not everything gets resolved just by saying 'I'm a Hero~'. No matter how much a Hero vouched for them, no human would willingly open the main gates to a group of elves with this much military force. Then. The elves recalled the Sword Sheath of Pofendal that Risir had followed. The ruling power of the city Tormund. The cooperation in Magic Sword tracking that they had requested. 'Ah. I see.' The elves nodded, saying they understood. They realized how Risir had opened their hearts and the main gate wide. 'He must have given them assurance that with the main force's cooperation, they could proceed with Magic Sword tracking more smoothly.' The elves had already become accustomed to that person, but indeed they couldn't help but be amazed once again. Even though they had expectations, he handled things more skillfully and expertly than those expectations. They thought. Perhaps. Risir's true power might lie not in his incomprehensible abilities but in his remarkable affinity. "The Hero of Advancement recovered a Magic Sword with the help of another Magic Sword, and in the process, the criminal organization that was eating away at the city was destroyed." "As expected- wait. What did he do?" "Therefore, Tormund welcomes Hero Risir and the Illatdein expedition to which he belongs with open arms." The elves thought. What affinity is it? Ability is indeed the most important thing after all. *** Me. Too many things have happened. It's really exhausting. This was Risir's answer to the elves' questions. Upon arriving at the mansion with the Guard Corps' ceremonial escort, they were able to meet Risir, who was lying in bed taking a rest. He seemed to be paying the price for running wild. "...So, the Magic Sword was plotting rebellion while eroding the city's underworld together with corrupt powerbrokers-" Magic Sword: Curse had been gradually eroding the city with the intention of using Tormund as a foothold for its comeback. It had already made the underworld powerbrokers who controlled the city's back alleys into its hosts and vassals. "But that force was destroyed in the process of you running wild?" "Tsk, that's how it turned out." "Wow... Risir. The story you're telling us right now is incredibly- how should I put it? You know, like the kind of story a bard would tell?" It was a poetic and euphemistic way of expressing 'complete nonsense.' What did she mean by 'somehow I caught the Magic Sword, and somehow I also got rid of the city's tumors'? Even storytellers who base their tales on exaggeration and distortion would raise their voices and argue about plausibility and realism if they heard such a story. However, the author called reality is sometimes worse than a hack writer. "To tell the truth, I didn't do anything. It was all possible because the Magic Sword cooperated." "..." If he made the Magic Sword take the lead in tracking another Magic Sword, wasn't that doing everything in itself? Their mouths were itching to speak. How long had they been apart that it felt like Risir's threshold had dropped in the meantime? "Actually. There's a separate reason why Lord Risir was hailed as a hero and received the unified support of the city's powerbrokers." Then. Bolton stepped forward and spoke. They explained the real story of how the City Council came to unanimously welcome the elf expedition. "It's what they saw and came to realize." "Saw, what do you mean?" "The overwhelming aura of a Magic Swordsman wielding a Sacred Sword while running wild-" "...Ah." Thank heavens he was holding a Sacred Sword. That's how those involved in the incident described Risir's appearance at the time. Wearing ominous dark armor while wielding ominous Black Fire. The imposing presence of a Magic Swordsman single-handedly charging into the back alleys and overturning them could be described as nightmarish without exaggeration. If the sword in his hand hadn't been a Sacred Sword whose divinity could be felt even from a distance- By now, Tormund would have been trembling in fear of the Magic Swordsman. Risir, who saved the city, would have become the source of that terror. "When news of Cort's death reached them along with eyewitness accounts of the Magic Swordsman, they had no choice." Those who had followed Cort and plotted unrest within the city immediately pledged loyalty to Bolton as if they had never done otherwise. Out of fear that the Magic Swordsman might come looking for them! "I became a Hero to the good, and an object of fear to the evil. Hahaha." Risir laughed as he summarized the situation. Bolton and the other members of the Sword Sheath of Pofendal carefully averted their eyes. So the good people were afraid too? There was no need to deliver the harsh truth while the hero was pleased. "Let me say once more using this opportunity. The Gannon Family expresses gratitude to the hero and his companions on behalf of Tormund. We promise to actively provide all conveniences and assistance the expedition requires." Bolton promised not only to help with the expedition's preparations but also to guarantee the expedition's credibility to surrounding cities in Tormund's name. They were already spreading tales of the hero's exploits through members of the Sword Sheath located in other regions. "Excellent." Karoer and the other elves forgot that Bolton was even human and expressed pure admiration for his skillful handling of affairs. Tormund, which praised Risir's heroic aspects to an almost burdensome degree. The elves initially thought they had been charmed by the name "hero," but the reality was different. Bolton well understood the weight that the name "hero" carried. And also the fact that by borrowing that hero's reputation, it was possible to reduce public hostility toward the expedition- "With this, people will learn that the Illatdein expedition includes the hero who saved the city. They still won't completely trust the expedition, but at least they won't completely distrust it like before." Bolton carefully watched the elves' reactions even as he spoke. This way, one hero- In other words, a mere human would come to represent the elf expedition, and he worried whether this might offend the proud elves. "We express our gratitude for your thoughtful consideration." It was needless worry. Karoer and the other elves didn't mind in the least. No. Beyond not minding, they were actually pleased. Risir. They were pleased that this human would represent their expedition. "..." Bolton and Delron looked at Risir sitting on the bed. Perhaps. Was there something else besides being the owner of the Sacred Sword and Magic Sword? That alone couldn't explain the elves' attitude, could it? Their mouths were itching to ask, but they decided to put that question aside for now. They were afraid that asking might bring back another answer they couldn't handle. Afterwards, the expedition agreed to stay in the city for the day to prepare and then depart the next day. Karoer was very satisfied. "Then, let's conclude this topic here-" Bolton looked at Risir intently. "Lord Risir. This is about the Magic Sword." Magic Sword: Curse. That Magic Sword, based on black iron like Magic Sword: Beast, had an ominous purple glow. Risir picked up Curse and showed it to them. "What is the current state of the Magic Sword...?" Bolton asked carefully. Not as a powerbroker of Tormund, but as the head of the Sword Sheath. According to the Sword Sheath's code of conduct, Magic Swords had to be thoroughly isolated and monitored with multiple security measures and barriers. To entrust that Magic Sword to an individual...Under normal circumstances, it would never be allowed. "Right now the Magic Sword is-" Risir looked at it once and said. "It's exhausted and has lost consciousness." "..." It's in a stable state. There's no problem. Bolton, who had been expecting that level of answer, felt mild dizziness and closed his eyes tightly. Eventually, a smile formed on his lips. The Sword Sheath of Pofendal. They had finally come up with a way to completely and perfectly seal the Magic Sword. "Lord Risir. Please, would you take charge of the Magic Sword?" "Gladly." The purple sword trembled slightly. *** "Ah, now that I think about it- what should we do with this?" "Hueeoook...!!!" Bolton and the other members of the Sword Sheath were shocked. Wondering what else there could be, Risir pulled out [Succession Book: Beloved Confections] from his luggage. "For now, I've been keeping the one I recovered back then." "Hm? You. What kind of book is that? I sense a strange aura-" It's a book, a book. Lunadien, who had been reading a book in the corner, showed interest. "Ah, it's something called a Succession Book-" "...!!!" Lunadien was also shocked. As if asking to pretend it never happened, she slowly backed away with both hands raised. "Cort, that foolish one. To bring something out from the warehouse..." Bolton let out a heavy sigh. He looked at the Succession Book for a moment, then reluctantly extended his hand. "I'll take care of disposing of it properly." "...Seems like it's quite a troublesome matter?" "Yes. Indeed. An opened Succession Book affects its surroundings with its aura- right now, being completely unaffected like Lord Risir is remarkable." "Oh. Then if I return this to you, wouldn't you also be affected, Sir Bolton?" "I suppose so..." "...You're planning to return this Succession Book to its original place- that warehouse, right?" "Lord Risir?" Risir tucked the Succession Book under his arm and said. "Let's go together. I'll carry it." *** "This is that warehouse..." The warehouse, a space for isolating Type 0 Evil Objects. It referred to an entire annex building. "Lord Risir. I repeatedly ask that you follow my instructions entirely while inside." "Understood." "Please never separate from me-" Bolton stood in front of the warehouse door and took out a bundle of keys. "One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, six, five, four-" He closed his eyes and counted the keys in order. When he inserted the fourth key he had selected into the door, the interior of the annex, where not even an inch ahead was visible, greeted them. Just as Bolton was about to enter the warehouse. -You! Let's play riddles with me! "...!" Bolton's body reacted as if electricity had passed through it. A human figure walked out from the darkness. That rag doll with a child's physique had all facial features represented as ears. "Cort-" Bolton said that name in a boiling voice. Whatever he had done in the process of bringing out the Succession Book, the Type 0 Evil Objects had left their places and were wandering around inside the warehouse. He struggled to regain his composure to deal with the situation. The riddle doll. The one that suddenly proposed a riddle game would never back down until the riddle game was decided. "Fine. Give me a problem." Bolton took out the Sword Sheath guidebook he had brought just in case. It also contained the secret method for dealing with the riddle doll. -Not you! You! The riddle doll said to Bolton, who had finished preparing. It pointed its finger with a mouth attached to Risir. "Wait a-" -Interfering means punishment! "...!" Bolton felt his heart sink. Once the riddle doll had designated a target, no third party could interfere with the game anymore. 'How-' Far from being able to directly help with the riddle game, he couldn't even hand the guidebook to Risir. -You! This is your first time playing riddles!? The riddle doll. Its ears tore wide apart, creating laughter. Since meeting the Sword Sheath of Pofendal, it was an evil object that had only continued to suffer defeats until arriving here. It couldn't hide its excitement at meeting a 'fair' play partner for the first time in a long while. "Yes. It's my first time." -Great! Then I'll be especially generous and let you ask the question first! Despite its ridiculous appearance, it was an evil object that held perfect superiority in riddle games through some kind of power. Whatever answer was given, it would definitely get it right. The method to win in the game against it was predetermined. Not asking a riddle question, but taking specific actions to make it fall into self-contradiction! But Risir purely asked a question. "Um... Something that is both Mother of World Tree and human- ah, no. I'll try again." -I'll warn you in advance, that kind of nonsensical question is invalid if you ask it! "What is both a mage and a swordsman, and both a priest and a dark mage?" -That's too easy! The answer is a book! Sure enough, the riddle doll immediately got the answer right. -A book dealing with magic can become a mage's teacher, and a book dealing with doctrine can become a priest's teacher! Books can become anything depending on their contents! So the answer is a book! Bolton felt his vision going dark- "That's wrong. The correct answer is me." -... Risir had won.