Make Dark Fantasy Great Again

"Risir?" "Yes? Ah-" Risir looked around, feeling embarrassed. The traces of master that he hadn't encountered in a long time. The feelings it brought seemed to be quite special. To fall into other thoughts despite having so many people around. "I'm sorry. What is this in front of all of you-" "Don't worry about it. In the first place, we gathered around you on our own accord." Everyone in the place willingly expressed agreement with Karoer's words. "..." Risir felt his heart swelling with their complete trust. -Indeed, these are the insects carefully selected by Master! They clearly understand their position! 'What do you mean, Dangaleon.' Risir used the spirit's(?) voice that burned away emotion as a signal to pull himself together again. He looked around. Numerous expedition members. People from Gus's mansion. And even city council officials there. Groups of different dispositions and personalities that would normally never have been connected were gathered in one place. The link connecting them all was just one person—himself. Risir keenly felt that responsibility once again. Then, the scene of an office with documents piled up everywhere came to mind. "Ha..." Already feeling dizzy at the prospect. Just the right amount of tension. "Alright." Risir organized his thoughts and stepped forward. *** Risir first entered Gus's mansion with Karoer and Lunadien—two high-ranking elves—to check the World Tree's condition. Palag and other people from Gus's mansion guided them. "No, what is this-" The moment he entered the mansion, Risir couldn't help but be shocked. He had already vaguely expected it after seeing the exterior of Gus's mansion that had become the essence of an eco-friendly structure, but the reality easily exceeded his imagination. Like a structure built inside a giant tree, the mansion's interior had already become one with nature. At this point, it wasn't that the World Tree had grown inside the mansion, but... ...The mansion had grown inside the World Tree? Could there be a greater case of putting the cart before the horse? "In a way, it's natural. No matter how luxurious a grand mansion might be, it can only become infinitely insignificant before the great World Tree-" As Frozen Breath muttered with reverence, the two elves nodded satisfactorily. Risir felt a frustrating tightness in his chest watching those superhumans. No. The entire house has become fertilizer for a really big tree, you know? The house owner is going to have trouble breathing. While they were all exclaiming 'wow World Tree,' Risir alone observed the merchant's complexion. "Mr. Gus! How on earth can this matter-" How should I compensate. That was the story Risir was about to bring up. In any case, it was his fault that the World Tree had barged in and taken up residence on its own. "Ah! Sir Risir! Please do not worry! I may not look it, but am I not a merchant! I have calculated everything~ properly!" "Oh, as expected-" When Gus perceptively joined the topic, the frustration lessened somewhat. Separately, another overwhelming feeling was inevitable- 'How much would it cost to compensate for all this...' Gus's massive mansion with more than four annexes was thoroughly influenced by the World Tree without a single empty spot. So basically, baby World Tree had pointed at the most expensive house in Bondaless and cast 'Mommy, I want that one.' Risir instinctively knew that his spine faced an unprecedented crisis. Perhaps he might have to break his own rule of not seeking material gain from the spoils obtained through his abilities. "Then until when-" Risir carefully asked about Gus's intentions. "Ah! If Sir Risir wishes, I will compensate you right now!" "Huh...!" Risir felt his heart sink for a moment. Because he thought Gus had said to compensate right now. "Huh?" But wait- Looking back, something seems strange. "You said you would compensate me?" "That's right!" "Not that you would receive compensation?" "Yes? Receive compensation? Me? For what???" Pure confusion appeared on the merchant's face. Risir was simply confused. When it comes to calculating profit and loss, even dark mages would stick out their tongues at him. Why would such a person offer compensation instead when his house was ruined? "Can you see here?" At that moment. Gus pointed to various parts of his body. At the same time, he explained. How many chronic diseases his old, obese body had been carrying. "They're all cured!" "Yes?" "It's thanks to staying in this mansion and receiving the World Tree's aura!" "...No- so you mean this? Since all your chronic illnesses were cured by the World Tree's influence, you want to pay the price for it-" "That's right! Ah, and lately I feel like my body has gotten younger! No matter how much I eat, my belly doesn't bulge and I only gain strength instead!" Risir carefully observed Gus's appearance. Come to think of it- The dry, worn-out feeling characteristic of middle age really seemed to have disappeared. The luster flowing on his skin was vitality, no longer grease. "What the..." Risir was left speechless for a moment. Curing chronic illnesses and making the body younger? Even fraudulent medicine peddlers would get serious and ask where in the world such a thing exists. "Hmm. It's clear he's been influenced by the World Tree." "No way!?" But surprisingly, it was a verified effect of the genuine World Tree. Karoer and Lunadien looked the middle-aged human up and down and nodded. "It seems like you've all been influenced by the World Tree too?" Frozen Breath Palag nodded. "Hmm. Lately, thanks to Risir, every day has been so full of energy that it felt like I'd gotten 10 years younger, but it wasn't just my imagination?" Talent Scout Dray also nodded. "My younger sister Heinya did say something like that. She asked what on earth I had done to make my aura so pure, and that if there was something good, I shouldn't do it alone but tell her too-" The aura is delicious and the World Tree is kind. A 5-star rating follows. Just as Risir was barely keeping up with the situation. The spirit(?) summarized the situation in one sentence. -Greedy pointy-eared bastards! They've been keeping this to themselves all this time! *** "Mommy!!!" The World Tree Spirit, Ding-Ding, came running over and hugged Risir's legs. Risir carefully patted the spirit's head. "Oh, yes. Ding-Ding. You know... you worked hard. You worked really hard." That was all Risir could say for now. His room that he had returned to after a long time. It had already become a flowerpot for the giant tree called the World Tree. The main body itself still retained the appearance of a young tree, being cute enough that its height barely reached his solar plexus- But the aftereffects it created were absolutely not cute. Even the wood that had already died and become furniture had sprouted life and become part of nature. (E/N: That's impressive...) "Amazing growth speed." "At this rate- won't all of Bondaless be under the World Tree's influence soon?" This was the opinion of the two elves who had finished investigating the World Tree. Risir asked back in shock. "Then you're saying the entire city will become like this place?" Risir pointed to the botanical garden- No, he pointed to his own room and said. "..." "..." The two elves just stared blankly at Risir. It meant- of course, wouldn't that be natural? "Ohh..." Risir staggered in place. "Great World Tree..." He was definitely experiencing the greatness of the World Tree in a different sense. *** "Huh? But the inside of the building feels a bit quiet?" On the way back from checking the World Tree's condition. Risir said while observing the atmosphere of the corridor. This building was one of the annexes of Gus's mansion, a place he provided as lodging for the mansion's guests. Risir spoke while recalling the bustling atmosphere of the building filled with guests. "Ah, about that! Actually, this building is currently not in use!" "...That wouldn't be because of me, would it?" "Of course, it was a measure taken for Sir Risir!" Risir's heart became heavy again. Emptying out an entire huge building just for him? It was too heavy a consideration to accept lightly. "When will this building be available for use again?" "Whenever Sir Risir wishes!" "Yes? Me?" "That's right! Because this building obviously is now Sir Risir's property?" Step. Risir stopped in place and looked at Gus. He fired question marks with his eyes. "Hmm. An appropriate measure." Meanwhile, the voices of his companions could be heard from the side. Having been beaten to the punch, Risir could only watch their bold handling of affairs from the sidelines. The result of the handling. Gus's annex where the World Tree was located had become Risir's building. "Is this... right...?" Risir asked them in bewilderment. Then they fired question marks with their eyes. "Isn't it natural?" "Ah. It's natural." Risir had to accept it as natural. (E/N: Risir is getting Risir-ed?! Do we call this a reverse Risir?) *** And so the World Tree investigation team returned- A discussion took place among the elves. "Huh?" Risir found himself becoming tense at some point. Why am I like this? "Risir. We want to settle here. We'd like to consider additional migration depending on circumstances." So that was why. "Of course, we will prioritize your opinion above all else." "Just a moment, Lady Karoer-" Risir looked at the Bondaless city council members present and couldn't stay still. The settlement and migration of Illatdein elves. It was one of the major events in all of Bondaless history. It was a major matter that should be discussed with the city council at the city level, not something his personal opinion should be involved in! He looked at councilor Ran, who had hastily attended the meeting after receiving Rona's message. "..." As expected. Councilor Ran was deep in thought with a serious expression. Probably feeling that the city council's authority had been undermined by the current situation. Eventually. Ran looked at Risir and said. "What will you do?" "!!!" To ask about responsibility so directly like this!? '...No, this is actually better.' It's better to take the beating first. If he wanted to resolve the situation, now clearly seemed to be the right time. Hoo. Risir steeled his resolve with a deep breath and then spoke. "What do you want me to do?" "We will follow Sir Risir's will." "?" Why? Risir almost asked back without realizing it. Why would she say she would follow his will here? Surely she wouldn't think of involving personal opinion in such a major matter that could change the city's political situation- "Of course, because Sir Risir's will must be prioritized above all else." Ah. This is also natural? Looking around, not only the other city council officials but even the expedition members were expressing agreement with silence. "..." Risir was aware of his changed position. He also tried to embrace the responsibility and mindset befitting it. But even so, it wasn't enough. Risir fell into anguish. 'Just what am I-' He couldn't even begin to gauge what kind of position he was in now- He couldn't dare even estimate it. *** [A new building at the base has been activated!] [Building: Sanctuary] [Resting in this building will provide various effects!] [Activation Keyword: World Tree] [Building Grade: ???] *** [The building's main keyword has been changed!] [Building: Blacksmith Guild] [You can craft various items in this building!] [Changed Keyword: Steel Fire Guild] [Grade: Advanced] *** [A new function of the base has been activated!] [Function: Guardian] [A being friendly to you will protect your base!] [Activation Keyword: Dragon] [Grade: Supreme] *** [Base Level has increased significantly!] [Base Level has increased significantly!] [Base Level has increased significantly!] [Base Level has increased significantly!] [Base Level has increased significantly!] (E/N: Word padding has increased significantly!) ... ... ... *** [The representative base of the Continent has been changed] [Base: Bondaless] *** [Title: Guys look at this] Content: [Photo] Our base...Was selected as the hottest spot on the continent! Come visit -: Yes -[Author]: Ah fuck don't mess around -: Huh -: Why suddenly swearing... -[Author]: Seeing you say "yes" like an idiot Since it's the continent's representative base again All sorts of events will happen intensively It's going to be fucking annoying Feels like the intro to final quests Ah shit suddenly feels fucking terrible This is obviously going to be fucking difficult I'm not ready yet -: Wow -: What the hell is this guy He's spoiling things for himself? -: Who made him into such a monster -[Author]: It's you fucking bastards, you guys... *** [An intruder has appeared at the base] [Intruders: Apostles of Pleasure] [Target: Religion] [Protect your religion from the intruders!] (E/N: Apostles of Pleasures are going to target Desire Demons??? What could go wrong?) *** "..." "..." Their expressions were alien, like ink drawn on a blank sheet of paper. A pair of expressionless men and women were walking through the streets of Bondaless. This street was Bondaless's religious district where no official religion had been established- Here, missionary activities of all religions were permitted regardless of denomination. They were the prey for the man and woman. They were looking for believers as targets for this operation. "Over there-" The expressionless woman gestured with her chin. "The Lord created light through Sacred Fire and brought morning to the originally dark continent! You too can become the Lord's Sacred Fire and brighten the world!" There, a priest from a religious order was actively conducting missionary work. "No." The man shook his head. Creating light. A religion that believed in such unrealistic doctrines was unsuitable as their target. "Look over there." The man pointed to a new target. Was it because the priests' appearances were quite attractive? The largest crowd on the street was gathered there. "The Great One wielded both Sacred Sword and Magic Sword simultaneously to cleave the night sky! And then morning came!!!" "The Great One purifies all impure beings! He purifies demons and makes them serve as spirits!!!" The woman's eyebrows furrowed. "Isn't creating light more realistic?" "..." The man's eyebrows furrowed. Now that he heard it, it did seem that way.