Make Dark Fantasy Great Again

"Priestess!?" Worry clouded the faces of the expedition members. "Huh? Why? Huh? How come...? Huh?" It was because the kind and charming priestess Akirin seemed to be in poor condition. "What's wrong?" "I don't know, we're almost at Bondaless and suddenly she's acting like this?" "Does she have some history with Bondaless?" "Huh? Come to think of it, where was the priestesses' destination?" "Huh? Wasn't it Bondaless?" "Whatever it is, I hope it gets resolved well." Not only the male members, but even the female members united in worrying about that charming woman. This showed the reputation of Akirin's priests within the current expedition. "priestess Akirin , are you alright?" Risir carefully approached and examined Akirin's complexion. "Yes? Ah...!" The high-ranking Desire Demon briefly felt self-loathing. Setting aside the circumstances, she discovered herself getting excited by the Hero's sincere concern. A reaction that only slaves captivated by demonic charm would show. To think that she, a master of demonic charm, was showing such a reaction to others!? Humiliation crept up her spine and wounded the high-ranking Desire Demon's pride. Akirin tried to treat him coldly to preserve her wounded pride. —It's none of your business, so please mind your own affairs. That was what Akirin originally intended to say. "It's nothing, so please don't worry about it. Whatever it is, it can't be worse than the fact that I've caused the Hero concern." This was what actually came out of Akirin's mouth. Without realizing it, the high-ranking Desire Demon was acting like a city young lady meeting a famous actor. It was a reaction that went beyond rational favor, showing admiration for his very existence. 'What am I saying!?' Akirin was so shocked she almost slapped her own lips. "Is that so? Then I'm relieved— but if you ever need help, please tell me anytime. Within the scope of my abilities—" What makes you think I need any help? Akirin tried to sneer at him. "What should I do...!!! Your words alone are so gracious that—" This was Akirin's actual behavior. She writhed with gratitude against her own will. She tried to find fault but couldn't find any corner to pick at. The Hero saying he would help within the scope of his abilities. With that, it seemed like any help she might need would be resolved. 'Why am I acting like this!?' Akirin finally realized how serious her condition was. Assigning excessive meaning to every action of the other party and feeling gratitude. At this point, it was no mistake. Her current state matched exactly that of slaves enchanted by demonic charm. She urgently looked around. Her subordinates were acting as priestesses and sharing the space. The high-ranking Desire Demon was enchanted by the other party's 'demonic charm' and couldn't come to her senses. How would the lower-ranking Desire Demons react if they saw such a disgraceful sight— Akirin was already feeling something akin to despair. "Priestess Akirin, are you alright?" Just then, one of the other priests approached. Yoanna. Among the priests (Desire Demons), she had a bold and brazen personality. Crudely speaking, she had grown quite thick-headed. As a Desire Demon with the second-highest status after Akirin, she was clearly the real power among the lower-ranking Desire Demons. A delicate position. A delicate relationship. For instance, she wasn't the type to just let the high-ranking Desire Demon's humiliation pass by. How she would take advantage of this opportunity to challenge her again. Akirin was already about to feel extreme fatigue. —Amazing! "Huh?" The lower-ranking Desire Demon whispered in Akirin's ear. -To so boldly attract the Hero's attention- Akirin wondered if this brazen Desire Demon was mocking her. However, the gaze directed at her from close range was filled with pure respect. The lower-ranking Desire Demons didn't even dare to approach the Hero. In such circumstances, to arouse the Hero's interest with such an exquisite feigned illness!? Truly progressive and bold, indeed befitting the dignity of a high-ranking Desire Demon! The lower-ranking Desire Demons truly believed this. -As expected of Lady Akirin... you do things we can't, so effortlessly... I admire that about you... "..." Had the lower-ranking Desire Demons ever shown this level of respect? As she recalled, even when she had subjugated them with her superior status as a high-ranking Desire Demon, it wasn't to this extent. Even when she had made a Magic Tower Master into a slave with her demonic charm, it wasn't to this extent. To think such monumental respect would be displayed in the current situation. The high-ranking Desire Demon was so dumbfounded that she even experienced cognitive dissonance. Was briefly attracting the Hero's attention more impressive than the high-ranking Desire Demon's authority? —Please watch over us, we'll work hard too!!! Afterwards. The lower-ranking Desire Demon returned to her place after steeling her resolve. "Everyone, I'm sorry. Still, since you took time for our Akirin, please don't scold us too much? We'll work that much harder! Of course! Just because I work hard doesn't mean the soup that's already boiling will taste better!" The lower-ranking Desire Demon began earnestly helping with the expedition members' meal distribution. Lively laughter erupted everywhere like in a bustling marketplace street at midday. '...What are they planning to work hard at?' Desire Demons. Incarnations of corrupt desire. Akirin's anguish only deepened at the positive and wholesome atmosphere they were creating. 'This, this can't go on...!!!' The high-ranking Desire Demon made a decision. She would escape right now from this demonic realm(?) filled with wholesome air before it was too late! Just as she was about to kick away from her spot and rush out. "Priestess Akirin ?" The Hero smiled and held up a bowl. Akirin had a ladle in her hand. "Ah! Yes! Hero, please eat as much as you like!" Akirin immediately ladled a full portion of soup into the Hero's bowl. And then to the next expedition member. And then to the next expedition member. No matter how busy, one must fulfill all duties! '...Huh?' But what kind of duty was this anyway? She didn't know. Akirin just mechanically smiled and moved her arms. Sweat naturally seeped out from the heat rising from the pot. Akirin tried to wipe the sweat with her arm. But then, the sleeves of the priestly robes suddenly caught her eye. "..." It was nothing more than a disguise Akirin had created to deceive her prey. The priestly robes created for a fake god and fake religion had no meaning whatsoever. If she had to assign meaning to it, it would be nothing more than a piece of cloth suitable for wiping sweat. In that sense, Akirin's action was quite peculiar. She moved her body to roll up the sleeves of her priestly robes, then wiped the sweat with her bare arms. The Desire Demon's sweat-soaked skin glistened. The corners of the high-ranking Desire Demon's mouth curved greatly. "Priestess, isn't this hard work?" "Of course not! It's so rewarding!" It was a bright smile reminiscent of sunlight. *** [The target's influence is too strong!] *** [Target has left the expedition] [Target: Akirin's priests] *** "Priestess Akirin , something's strange with me...!!!" Priestess Akirin felt extreme discomfort at that title. Since they were now gathered separately from the expedition group. "Regina. Right now—" "Yes?" "Aren't we alone together right now?" "Yes, yes!!! That's why I'm telling you!" "...Fine, just tell me what's wrong." Akirin was inwardly surprised as she spoke. Normally she would have been seething at the lower-ranking Desire Demon's pathetic behavior, but strangely she didn't feel irritated. "Oh right. While we're talking, you all should hurry and prepare." "Prepare? Prepare for what?" "Prepare to leave." """Whaaaat~?""" With that short answer, Akirin no longer responded to the priests' whining. Because indulging their whining had led to this situation. At this very moment. Akirin intended to treat them with nothing but coldness and callousness. "So, Regina. What problem has occurred?" She didn't realize. The young priest— No, how gentle her atmosphere was when dealing with the lower-ranking Desire Demon. "I..." The lower-ranking Desire Demon fidgeted with her hands hesitantly. Soon, she opened her mouth with difficulty. "That, that thing appeared..." "That thing?" "Re, Regina!? Don't tell me you're pregnant!?" A priest who had been eavesdropping exclaimed in shock. Whew. A sigh escaped from Akirin's lips. "Pregnant? Will you stop talking nonsense? We're Desire Demons. You know such direct and vulgar acts are impossible. Right, Regina?" "R, right, priestess Akirin !!! Getting pregnant, such an absurd thing could never happen!?" "That's right. So, what exactly is it? What appeared?" "Nipples appeared." Akirin's mind became confused. *** [The target's influence is too strong!] *** It might sound ridiculous to hear, but it was quite a serious matter. Desire Demons. As incarnations of desire, they thoroughly reign over desire and wield it purely as a weapon. This is possible because they possess immaculate bodies unaffected by normal physiology. For instance, they are asexual. Their bodies are like blank white paper with nothing drawn on them. "Oh! I, I have them too! Nipples!" "I also have something between my legs—" "Stop!" Akirin shouted while feeling dizzy. Hearing her subordinates' first nipple(?) confessions one after another felt like she was going insane. She calmly examined the condition of the lower-ranking Desire Demons. "..." Akirin's eyes widened greatly. "What on earth..." The changes that had occurred in their bodies. She thought it couldn't be, but it really was. The demonic energy they originally possessed had been greatly altered. In other words— they had become human. "I..." "We've... become human...?" "Lady Akirin, what in the world is-" "..." Akirin couldn't answer. For Desire Demons to be reborn as humans. This was the first time even for a high-ranking Desire Demon who had spent long years as a Desire Demon and attained superior status. "I'm human..." They embraced their own bodies with bewildered expressions. "E, everyone calm down first—...!" Akirin tried to calm them down first. They had gone from being immaculate incarnations of desire to vulgar beings swayed by desire. It was a disaster that Desire Demons by nature could never endure. "What should I do... I'm so happy...!" However. Their reaction was quite different from Akirin's expectations. The lower-ranking Desire Demons— No, the priests caressed their own bodies with deep emotion. From their appearance, only pure joy could be felt. "Now, I don't have to worry about the Hero finding out our true identity anymore...!!!" After the shocking performance on the first day. The Desire Demons cleanly abandoned their reckless ambition to make the expedition members into slaves. Whether the Desire Demons' charm had worked, when they withdrew their power, no one remembered the events of that night anymore. Afterwards. They naturally blended into the expedition while presenting themselves as faithful priests— and harbored one anxiety. -What if the Hero realizes our true identity!? Now. That anxiety had been cleanly resolved! "Now we can stand proudly before the expedition members!!!" "Exactly!!!" "This way, I too can, like Priestess Akirin today, to the Hero-..." Like the end of a picnic, the gloomy atmosphere of the place began to regain its liveliness. "Wait! Everyone, stay here!" Akirin, who was suddenly in danger of going from being the group's leader to just an individual, had no intention of accepting that. "Aren't you the least bit strange!? Desire Demons suddenly becoming human?" "Well, isn't it because we were by the Hero's side?" They said it casually while blinking their eyes. It was an extremely irresponsible answer. Akirin resented herself for being unable to come up with a better answer than that irresponsible one. "Then it might not be too late yet! If we leave the expedition even now, we might be able to return to being Desire Demons again!" "..." The priests looked at Akirin intently once, then began exchanging glances with each other. And then they looked at Akirin intently again. Why should we? It was as if such a voice could be heard naturally. Akirin raised both arms and grabbed her hair in frustration. "These hopeless... Fine! Let's say you've safely become human! Then what's next!? What are you planning to do next!?" Akirin scolded the hopeless and thoughtless lower-ranking Desire Demons— No, the lower-ranking priests. "Can't we just keep following the Hero?" "Good heavens. On whose authority!? Is the Hero going to take you all in or something!?" Akirin didn't notice. That she was unconsciously addressing the Hero respectfully. (E/N: I don't know how to portray it in translation. Basically the lower ranking demon have been using respectful language when talking about the Hero all this while, imagine like saying Lord Hero all the time, but Akarin did not, but now she started doing it xD) "That's what we heard?" "What?" "When we listened to the other expedition members, it seems he doesn't particularly refuse followers?" "Really!?" High priestess Akirin was tempted. *** [Target has joined the expedition] [Target: Risir's priests] *** "No, this can't be happening!!!" "My entire day today has completely collapsed... Maybe tomorrow too... And the day after..." "What should I live each day for now!?!" The expedition fell into grief. The Hero's strongman show(?), which had been going on for the past few days, had gone on a temporary hiatus. The reason was the Hero's 'my show sucks disease'. "I've got the gist of it, but..." In one corner of the camping area. Risir was looking down at the three Magic Swords. "There's no progress..." That power was called Knight of Light. Risir was confident that he had clearly grasped the direction of how to master the Magic Swords. However, taking a step forward was not easy at all. After the first strength show(?), Risir had been continuously stagnant. —My lord... I'm sorry for not being able to help you... Just then. One of the Magic Swords— A frightened voice came from the black-colored sword. Among the three Magic Swords, it was the only beast that was accepting Risir's energy without resistance. Thanks to this, she was able to regain consciousness the fastest among the three Magic Swords. —Your inability to achieve what you intended... must be entirely the fault of us Magic Swords... The beast was already in a state of feigned terror. She believed that the reason Risir couldn't fully master the Magic Swords was due to the uncooperative attitude of the Magic Swords (excluding herself), and that fault lay with her for failing to persuade them as their sibling. —If you reproach us... I will gladly accept it as the representative of the Magic Swords... The black-haired woman steeled her resolve while frightened. She closed her eyes while maintaining a cowering posture. However, no matter how long she waited, the punishment didn't begin. "No. This is entirely due to my inadequacy." —Ahhh... The beast let out an elated voice filled with emotion. —Thank you, my lord... I will never forget this kindness... "..." Risir tilted his head in confusion. Kindness? 'What did I do?' In any case— While he was thinking about it, he picked up the beast. —Ahh... it doesn't hurt... he's being considerate of me... He tried to ignore the distracting voice and focused on the sword body. 'It really wasn't my imagination.' Originally, that ominous black color had a matte appearance that absorbed even darkness itself. That matte black color was now faintly holding a radiance. 'The beast is gradually changing by accepting my energy.' Risir believed that he could even attempt 'becoming a Knight of Light' thanks to that. Conversely, his inability to fully maintain the Knight of Light transformation was probably because the other two Magic Swords were rejecting his energy. "Hmm..." How on earth should he persuade(?) the two Magic Swords? Risir fell into contemplation while looking at those Magic Swords that had not yet regained consciousness. "Risir." It was then that Alenza came to his tent. "Someone from that city came looking for you?" *** At sunset. The Illatdein expedition welcomed a small group approaching with Bondaless flags. "Rona?" The noble young master. It was a welcome face he hadn't seen in a long time. And— "Clana!?" Risir almost jumped up in surprise. This was probably their first meeting since she had completely regained her body. Risir's eyes sparkled as he spoke to her. "Your body seems completely fine now!? Seeing you move around so freely—" "Um— Risir?" "Yeah?" It was Rona's voice calming down the excited Risir. She spoke cautiously while reading the mood. "Well, your swordsmanship master's condition isn't very good right now..." "Her condition isn't good? In what way?" Only then did Risir carefully examine Clana's complexion. As Rona had said. Her appearance was somehow unnatural. The elegant killer who used to wear a sardonic smile was no longer there. Standing there was a woman with a doll-like calm atmosphere. "At first, well... she claimed to be your fiancée with a very bright personality and kept other women away from you, you know?" "What? She kept them away?" "Yeah. She'd ask what their relationship was with her fiancé and give all the women who came to Gus's Mansion to see you a hard time. It was chaos." Rona smiled bitterly while recalling those times. "But then one day she suddenly lost all her memories—" "She lost her memories...?" "..." Clana politely bowed toward Risir. "I apologize. As Lord Rona said, I am in a state where I have lost all my previous memories—" "Then does that mean the one I remembered, the fierce one that history feared to remember and the strongest swordsman in continental history who would never appear again, no longer exists!?" "..." Risir didn't miss it. The slight crack that appeared in that calm mask.