Make Dark Fantasy Great Again

"If such a great being exists, would it also be possible for him to hold a Sacred Sword and Magic Sword in both hands and remake the world?" The Watchers quoted the orb's statement with the intention of mocking that fanatic. They wanted to vent on her the troubled feelings they had from the Orb of Greed spouting nonsensical babble. The fanatic's reaction was intense. "That's right! You are ready to serve Him! Or perhaps, have you already heard sermons from other Priests!?" Akirin's eyes lit up at the amazing possibility the Watchers had shown. These people might be ready to accept and serve Him! "No, wait-" They had openly mocked her to dampen the fanatic's spirits, but instead she was delighted and excited!? The Watchers pulled their heads back in dismay. Unlike her innocent appearance, she seemed to be quite a madwoman. However. The Watchers were not the type to be outdone by a single fanatic. Didn't even the high Priests of the Religious Order have to break a cold sweat when dealing with themselves, who were seasoned high nobles? "Yes, and after creating a new world with the Sacred Sword and Magic Sword in both hands, he'll listen to the names of his followers with a dragon!" "That's incredible!" "Could anyone dare not worship after witnessing such majesty before their very eyes!?" "Oh... if only I too could gain faithful belief along with that wondrous experience...!!!" The Watchers once again quoted the orb's statement. They expressed wonder with exaggerated tones and gestures. Naturally, it was to mock the fanatic. No matter how much of a fanatic blinded by madness, she wouldn't be able to maintain her dignity if mocked so openly! "..." As expected. The fanatic's expression hardened. The Watchers pressed High Priest Akirin without a trace of guilt. She looked innocent and suitable for manipulation, but what kind of insane fanatic was this? The Watchers unhesitatingly vented the negative emotions they felt from the series of situations onto the fanatic. "Is, is it really true...?" Soon the fanatic asked with a trembling voice. The Watchers thought the tiresome fanatic would finally collapse, so they tried to deliver the final blow- "Really, are you certain you haven't heard sermon words from other Priests!?" The serious expression was from surprise. The trembling voice was due to excited anticipation. Akirin looked at the Watchers and almost breathed heavily through her nose. To put it crudely, it was the look of a superior gazing at a promising novice. "I can't believe it... the form of faith and idol that you possess... it really is, how should I put it... it seems to exist just to accept that great Being!" "W-wait-" High Priest Akirin approached the Watchers with a face overwhelmed with emotion. The Watchers felt chills. It felt as if it wasn't a priestess, but a monster hiding its identity licking its lips while looking at them. At this point, they even felt fear. Just how much madness was hidden beneath that innocent face? "Please, would you continue to tell me? The form of faith and idol that you desire. The form of miracle that you wish to witness." "Damn it, enough!!! Wielding Sacred Sword and Magic Sword with both hands to remake the world, dragging dragons around to listen to believers' stories- what, what's next!? Are you planning to restore the original Magic Sword body and wield it!?" "...!" Akirin covered her mouth with both hands. The Watchers desperately hoped. Please run out crying. "Ah..." A sigh of emotion leaked through the gaps between those slender fingers. "Fate. How wondrous this is... Perhaps. The meeting between myself and you all was predestined from the time I met Him..." Akirin extended her hand to the Watchers. "Would you follow me? You might witness the ideal you dream of." "Damn it! Get out of here right now!" "Ah. I see. It's not time yet." The fanatic nodded as if she understood. "Then, I shall eagerly await that time. Indeed, what kind of reaction you will show when you first encounter Him." The fanatic smiled excitedly. To the Watchers, it looked like the smile of a madman plotting schemes. But it was different. It was a purely innocent smile, excited at the thought of sharing joy and happiness. Perhaps like the face of someone watching nearby as another person reads the climactic section of their favorite book? "Please, may I be with you at that fateful moment." Thus, High Priest Akirin left the place in an excited state like a child. "Good Lord..." The Watchers could only feel terrible madness in that pure appearance. ** "Now I understand..." The encounter with High Priest Akirin. That intense meeting left the Watchers with more than just madness. "This-" After parting with Akirin. The Watchers immediately picked up the Orb of Greed that had fallen to the floor and fed it their hair. -It's a grand desire. You want to take firm control of Bondaless with this opportunity... The Orb of Greed accurately matched the form and size of the desires they possessed. What this meant was obvious. "The Orb of Greed wasn't the problem." The targets they had carefully selected to try to win over the expedition. The problem wasn't with the Orb of Greed but with them. "Then..." "Yes. They truly consider those twisted desires to be 'modest'." "In other words... they truly believe those absurd things will actually happen..." The Watchers carefully moved their lips while recalling their twisted desires. -To be able to witness with these two eyes the spectacle of the world being remade when the Magic Sword and Sacred Sword collide! "He truly believes he will be able to witness with his own eyes the spectacle of the world being remade when the Magic Sword and Sacred Sword collide." -I want to tell my story to a dragon... "He truly believes he will be able to tell his story to a dragon." "And..." The Watchers' words paused for a moment. The last desire to recall was decidedly shocking even among those twisted desires. -It's a modest desire... Ah! I want to quickly restore the Magic Sword's original body!!! I want to see the Hero wielding the completely restored Magic Sword!!! "They truly believes they will restore the Magic Sword's original body and the Hero will wield it." "...Gerson had said. That the Hero possesses a Magic Sword as if it were nothing-" "Lady Melida? What are you trying to say?" The Watchers looked at their superior with cautious gazes. "Perhaps- part of the expedition might be under the Magic Sword's control. If that's the case, it would explain the abnormalities we see in them." Sword Sheath of Pofendal. Ares Knight Order. Steel Fire Guild. How did those outstanding figures become madmen dreaming foolish dreams? It was something no one could know. But if there was the influence of a Magic Sword, everything would be explained. Watcher Melida's statement was convincing as it connected with the series of situations. "The Magic Sword might be seeking to achieve resurrection through the expedition." Melida offered her conclusion. The Watchers let out sighs. "Our purpose was merely to solidify our influence within Bondaless through the expedition, wasn't it? But-" "Good Lord, how did we get entangled in such a matter!" "We can't even gauge where to start or what to do." "Lady Melida. Isn't this... stirring up a hornet's nest? What on earth are we supposed to do in this situation?" Those seasoned nobles were almost clinging to a single high noble. And that high noble, Melida, indeed did not betray their expectations. "Nothing has changed. We still have a path open to intervene in Bondaless through the expedition." "...How is such a thing possible?" Tap. Melida tapped the desk with her fingertip. "Save the Hero." Thud. "Thereby saving the expedition-" Thud. "And thereby, saving Bondaless. If it comes to that, we should be able to achieve our original purpose." "Save the Hero- you mean, from the Magic Sword?" "It's something we can do if we join forces." One Watcher looked at his guard who was waiting nearby. "..." The guard's expression soured in real time. 'Are you telling me to fight the Hero who's holding a Magic Sword?' "Of course. It's not a risk that we Watchers must bear alone. To wage war with a Magic Sword in order to take Bondaless. There's no putting the cart before the horse like that. If we were to wage war against the Magic Sword by ourselves alone, we would have to prepare for total war." "Good grief. So what exactly are you suggesting we do!?" "As I said again, it's something 'we' can do if we join forces." She spread both hands to show. "Who else besides us is in this camp right now?" "...Bondaless City Council-" "And?" "And? Who else is there?" "There's the expedition." Melida left her seat and headed toward the tent entrance. Flutter! She lifted the tent entrance and pointed to the expedition groups filling various parts of the camp. "No matter how powerful a Magic Sword might be, it won't be able to control that entire massive group. If we reveal the Hero's condition before them, we will have fulfilled our duty." "...Reveal the Hero's condition-" The Watchers exchanged glances with each other. Each of them ruling as power holders in their regions, they had united their intentions for this undertaking. Both mentally and materially. They placed one item on the desk. Memory crystal. As the name suggested, it was an ancient relic that showed a target's memories by tracing them back. "Who would have thought we'd actually use this item..." "And in this manner, too..." The Watchers created secretive smiles. The image of a group saving a Hero in danger and taking credit unfolded before their eyes. *** 'So this was the atmosphere.' Risir was feeling various impressions during the banquet that was in full swing. Unfortunately, the joy of reunion was not among those impressions. The biggest reason was the poor composition. 'I thought there would be at least two people, Rona and Fienne, since it's the Bondaless City Council, but Fienne isn't here either.' Of course. Though it was disappointing, he didn't feel hurt. "Rona? Rona???" "Huh? Ah- sorry, I was thinking about something else for a moment." "Lord Rona. If sitting next to the Hero is uncomfortable for you, would it be alright if we sat with the Hero instead?" "I don't know where to put myself with such kind consideration. I'll just accept the sentiment." Seeing Rona sitting beside him yet being preoccupied with watching the Watchers across from them, it was inevitable. The realm of politics, not power. A gathering of power holders from regions near Bondaless who could influence Bondaless both politically and economically. That was exactly what the Watchers were. Risir had time to directly and indirectly feel the tense atmosphere of Bondaless caused by them. A small sigh escaped from the Hero's lips. The thought that this atmosphere would continue for some time even after entering Bondaless made him feel naturally suffocated. When the Watchers tried to approach the expedition, the City Council stepped forward to check them. When the City Council tried to approach the expedition, the Watchers stepped forward to check them. As the banquet continued, that atmosphere repeatedly flowed and was interrupted. "Shall we gradually break up the gathering around this time?" Thus, the banquet seemed to be ending without any particular achievements, leaving only fatigue for each other. -What are you all doing here!? -Stand back! The gathering is still in progress! -Lower your voice! The lords must all have their reasons for being here- -Who are you ordering around right now! It was then that commotion was heard from outside. "What's happening?" Starting with Risir, those who had been seated got up one by one and headed outside. The Watcher group and the Bondaless City Council group that had suddenly burst into the place were confronting each other. "Hero." The high noble at their center, Melida, stepped forward in front of him without hesitation when Risir appeared. "Here, this is a gift we Watchers prepared for the Hero." It was a crystal faceted neatly on all sides. Risir accepted the crystal without hesitation. "Huh?" At that moment. The crystal grasped in Risir's hand began to emit explosive light. That light drew clear traces in the night sky that was beginning to darken. The memory crystal immediately functioned, beginning to project the Hero's memories in visual form. "It's a wondrous treasure that can show the user's memories to others. Please, would you share the Hero's great achievements with us through this? So that we may feel the Hero's honor and pride more closely-" Thus. The most intense memory among the recent experiences of the Hero began to unfold in the night sky. "What!? What's happening!?" "Ah, that's...!!!" Everyone in the camp who had gathered at the place drawn by the commotion watched it. The Watchers exchanged satisfied glances with each other. Soon. Melida muttered resolutely. "Wow..." The Hero's Sacred-Magic Sword Show, currently on hiatus, was being enthusiastically broadcast through the night sky as a medium. *** The camp stirred. Those scattered throughout came together at the place holding their drinks and looked up at the night sky. 'What kind of screening is this?' Only Risir was staring straight ahead. -As expected of Master!!! To subjugate those foolish vermin without getting a speck of dirt on your soles!!! '...Is that it?' Under the night sky, everyone in the camp became united in heart. It was the power of culture(?). *** [Target has left the base!] [Target: Watchers] [Base has been restored!] *** [Target wishes to join the base] [Target: Watchers] *** Fienne was in anguish. She wanted to proudly show off to that man who had returned to the city after a long time, but a huge obstacle was interfering with that. Recently. Fienne was spending each day in increasingly deepening fatigue and worry. And so today. It was a morning that sharpened her mind. Fienne was receiving shocking news from Rona's letter. "They got a promise that the Watchers would completely withdraw from Bondaless? Suddenly?" Swish. "Furthermore, they got a promise that they would become complete supporters of Bondaless? How?" Fienne's eyes, which had been following the letters in the letter, stopped. "Risir performed an incredible show-" Fienne rubbed her eyes. "Risir showed an incredible... show?" She put down the letter and crossed her arms. Her imagination was put to the test. "Show???"