Make Dark Fantasy Great Again

Knight of Chaos. To the Star of Radiance, it appeared like an incarnation of darkness that had manifested by feeding on all darkness. What being could emanate such destructive majesty as that? The Star of Radiance recalled. The demon that had tried to escape from the crack but was ultimately caught by the knight's hand and disappeared. That being, which seemed to be born from numerous demons clumped together like a mass, harbored immense negativity that even powerful dark mages wouldn't dare imitate. Even those with Star Names wouldn't dare to carelessly confront it. And yet. The Knight of Chaos took its life as casually as if it were a fly. Its appearance as it was dragged away without being able to resist even once was nothing more than a small shadow fragment being swallowed by darkness. Indeed. Even that terrible demon could not dare to represent darkness before the Knight of Chaos. No negativity whatsoever would dare to represent darkness before the Knight of Chaos. The Star of Radiance thought. If there existed a being that all darkness feared, it would surely look exactly like that. He could not dare to resist. The Star of Radiance lost his fighting spirit completely to the despair that weighed down his entire body. "Hey, you-" In the midst of this, the Star of Defying Heaven approached the Knight of Chaos without hesitation. "Hey, Star of Defying Heaven...!" The Star of Radiance almost lost his mind. His mind went completely blank in an instant, making normal thinking impossible. Perhaps that was why. -Run away. -While the Star of Defying Heaven draws its attention! Thoughts he would never have had under normal circumstances dominated his mind. "No...!" But he shook them off. He used the despair weighing down his entire body as the driving force for his resolve. He raised his fallen body and faced the terror once again. Thump! Thump! Thump! The fear that tried to dominate his mind and body could no longer affect him at all. What moved him now was only one thing. 'I must stop it here...!' It was a sense of mission that he absolutely had to accomplish this himself. From despair, a hero was born. "Star of Defying Heaven! I'll cover you!" The hero focused on the hero who had gone ahead first. With the single-minded determination to respond to her no matter what! And so, the first action taken by the Star of Defying Heaven was- "You, you couldn't be Risir, could you?" "Oh, Lady Arisha? You recognize me? This should be your first time seeing me in this form?" "The fact that you look exactly like the Magic Sword's true form I saw back then, somehow made me think it was you. And you're holding that sword in your hand too." "Ah~" It was exchanging greetings. "Uh-" The awakened hero's resolve wandered, having lost its destination. The Knight of Chaos looked up innocently at the giant woman. His entire body covered with blood and flesh fragments. Blood pouring from the gaps in his helmet! "S-Star of Defying Heaven-" At this point, the Star of Radiance was confused about which side he should be wary of. The Star of Defying Heaven's attitude of treating the Knight of Chaos like a friendly younger brother evoked not just awe but even fear. At this point, he was even convinced that either he or she must have fallen under mental magic or lost their mind from fear. "Hm? Ah." Just then. The Star of Defying Heaven belatedly checked on the Star of Radiance's condition and said. "I see, Star of Radiance. You seem to be meeting this guy for the first time." "Of, of course...!?" The Star of Defying Heaven burst into hearty laughter and patted Risir's armor. Splat! The Star of Radiance felt like he was going crazy from the demons' blood and fragments that came off on her hand. Regardless, the Star of Defying Heaven continued speaking. "If this appearance seems unsettling, you don't need to worry." "...Is there a proper reason for it?" The Star of Defying Heaven's attitude finally made the Star of Radiance lower his guard somewhat. It seemed like a reasonably reassuring explanation would come from her mouth. "There is. This is, well- it's probably because of the Magic Sword, so don't worry." "Ah! So it was because of the Magic Sword-...huh?" Don't worry because it's due to the Magic Sword? "To begin with, this thing in this guy's hand- can't you see it?" The Star of Defying Heaven lifted up the knight's left hand. "That's-" Only then did the Star of Radiance confirm that a Sacred Sword was held in the knight's left hand. "Look. If a guy who looks like this is holding a Sacred Sword, what would you think?" Nine times out of ten, one would think that a hero had their Sacred Sword stolen by a demon. The Star of Radiance was about to voice that rational answer that immediately came to mind. "Right. It's normal to think that a hero somehow ended up obtaining a Magic Sword and demonic power." "...?" Normal, is it? "Ugh, my head-" The hero was gradually consumed by the incomprehensible mystery that darkness created(?). *** "So, what exactly happened? Why are you coming out from there?" The atmosphere of the place calmed down. A calm conversation began to flow between the Star of Defying Heaven and Risir. The Star of Radiance and the other third parties around watched the conversation from the side and came to harbor one strong question. -The armor. When will he take it off? They too wanted to actively participate in the conversation to resolve their doubts, but couldn't muster the courage to interrupt because of that guy's appearance. "Star of Defying Heaven." "Hm? Ah." In the end, the Star of Radiance sent a signal toward the Star of Defying Heaven. A glance toward the armor. What that meant was as clear as fire. "Hey, Risir. This guy asked me to tell you that your armor looks cool?" "Ah, thank you!" The Star of Radiance gave up. "Actually, I've been thinking the same thing since just now. To have light dwelling within that armor of darkness. I don't know how you did it, but I express infinite respect. Well, anyway. Getting back to the original story-" "Ah! Yes. Actually-" Risir explained the details of what had happened in full. "You destroyed a fragment of an Archdemon...?" This time even the Star of Defying Heaven had to be surprised. The Star of Radiance also unconsciously raised his voice. If Archdemon fragments were something that could be destroyed, why would he and countless others be going through all this trouble!? "To destroy an Archdemon fragment, that's impossi-" The demons' blood and fragments stuck to the armor caught his eye. "...Are you certain? The destruction of an Archdemon fragment means that part of the Archdemon within it has been completely annihilated. How can you be sure of that?" The Star of Radiance asked in a relatively humbled tone. "Ah, about that- this child confirmed it for me." "This child...? A spirit? How can a spirit confirm something like that?" "I'm not!!!" The suddenly summoned Baby Spirit began to introduce herself spiritedly. Following that, Risir told them the story related to her. "Uhahahahahahahaha!!!!!" The Star of Radiance burst into laughter for quite a while. His eyes were completely empty. *** "So then. If possible, would you entrust me with the fragments you possess?" "..." "..." The Star of Defying Heaven and the Star of Radiance exchanged glances. Originally, this was something the two Stars had planned to handle through a massive sealing operation in cooperation with the great noble houses. Should they entrust such a thing to a single individual? "Please do." The deliberation was brief and there was no hesitation. They handed Risir a fist-sized container that had been strictly stored in their carriage. "Are you going to destroy it right here and now?" The Star of Radiance asked. Risir shook his head. "No, it's difficult right now." "Right. I suppose so. You'd need to prepare a grand ceremony-" "I'm a bit tired right now. I'm thinking of resting a bit before proceeding." "Uhahahahahahahaha!!!" The Star of Radiance was delighted. Those around looked at the Star of Radiance with concern. "Ah, by any chance- Lady Arisha. Does the Star's Council also possess other fragments?" "Huh? Yeah. That's right. About that-" Why that? The Star of Defying Heaven reflexively withdrew the question that was about to come out. "...Would it be alright if you took them all?" She wondered if this was right herself, and brought up the topic cautiously. "Yes." The answer came back immediately. "Uhahahahahahaha!!!" "Why has this guy been acting like this since earlier?" The Star of Defying Heaven looked at the endlessly cheerful Star of Radiance with bewilderment. Of course, she had a vague understanding of why he was acting this way. "Then I shall- take my leave now. Please find me in Bondaless." "Ah! How are you planning to return? If it's alright, would you like to travel with us?" "...By any chance, where is this place?" After hearing the answer, Risir slowly shook his head. "I appreciate the offer, but I'll use a different route." "...What do you mean by a different route?" Whoosh. Risir suddenly thrust his Sacred Sword into the air. Then, the crack of darkness revealed itself once again. "A different route- you can't mean you're going back through there...!?" The Star of Defying Heaven shuddered at the negative energy felt from inside the crack. Moreover, that was a space where demons presumed to be of the Legion of Pleasure were sealed. Was it right to risk taking such a path just to shorten the return journey? "Please don't worry. It's safe now." After leaving those words, Risir disappeared into the crack without delay. "It's safe now...?" They pondered those words for a while. And- "Uhahahahahaha!!!" The Star of Radiance's cheerful laughter was sucked into the darkness of the crack. There was no response. The crack only spewed forth empty darkness until the moment it slowly healed and closed. *** [Title: What the hell is this that I just saw???] Content: [The White Shadow Cult's threat level increases]????? Increases? Increases????? We cleaned up the shit these bastards threw at our base, so why does it increase? Why does our base level decrease while these bastards' threat level increases? -: Isn't that obvious? When you have a shit fight in your house Obviously only your house gets dirty -: Wow, stupid question, brilliant answer lololol -[OP]: No, damn it Then let us have shit fights in those bastards' house too Where are these White Shadow Cult bastards gathering? -: Yeah, go look for them forever I'll hide until the end of the game and just throw a ton of shit at you lolololololololololol -: Look hard yeah, they exist in the system -[OP]: Look at what you're saying, damn -: If you find them, you'll be rolling around until the game ends lololo *** A subtle, pleasant scent of grass. That prison was, unusually, a place filled with such fragrance rather than foul odors. The structure was the same. Vibrant wood rather than cold stone formed the foundation of the space. Everywhere was decorated with greenery including vines and grass, such that with just a little compromise, it could be considered a comfortable living space. Of course. None of this was intended to provide the prisoner with a comfortable incarcerated life. "...Hah." Night of Deception, Kroyen. Upon waking from sleep, she had to writhe in extreme self-loathing. The nature magic energy that filled the place had given her a refreshing start to the day. Even though this was proof that nature magic energy was eroding her. This was the extreme punishment imposed on Kroyen for committing multiple serious crimes related to the great World Tree. Assimilation of energy. She was in a situation where she would be confined in this space formed by nature magic until that energy was completely assimilated. -This is someone who dared to falsely claim the great World Tree, disgrace it, and ultimately try to usurp it!!! Isn't this too merciful a treatment for such a person!? When even sentencing her to terrible punishment leading to immediate death wouldn't be enough, to let her spend comfortable time in a space full of nature's energy! Naturally, voices of complaint had emerged from some quarters. However. This was only possible because they didn't understand transcendent beings who had reached Kroyen's level. Beings whose power had reached the level of interfering with the laws of the world. For them, power held value equal to life itself, and sometimes even surpassed it. -If the purpose of the punishment is to induce the criminal to agonize over the loss of power, wouldn't there be more appropriate methods!? -No. The subject must maintain a completely sound mental state. To feel the loss of power progressing moment by moment while in a sound mental state. Thus. Kroyen's punishment, which had generated various discord during the process- proved over time that the method was correct. "Damn it, I don't have time for this-" Kroyen was doing her utmost to leave her secrets as a legacy before her power was completely lost. Even though it was obvious that those materials containing all insights and knowledge about her secrets would fall into the hands of the elves, her enemies. Considering mages' attitude toward secrets, this was an eccentric behavior they would only show in the face of death's despair. Perhaps it was an eccentricity that even the despair of death couldn't bring about. Such symptoms worsened over time, and now- Kroyen was in a state of requesting the elves to find anyone who could receive the transmission of her secrets. -Night of Deception asked us to find a suitable person to be her disciple!? -What kind of talk is that! Surely she doesn't intend to transmit all her secrets to whoever we bring!? -Huh...! To think such a thing is possible... At this point, even those who had harbored doubts had to acknowledge it. That the punishment imposed on Kroyen was very appropriate. It was pushing the transcendent being's mind to the extreme even at this very moment. -To drive Night of Deception's mind, who mastered mental magic, to such extremes! Who on earth came up with such a grotesque punishment...! It must surely be a vicious madman even worse than Night of Deception- -Ah, that. Actually, it's a punishment devised by Lord Risir. -Topunishwithpeacewithoutgettingasingleddropofbloodonone'shands,whatanoblemethodthatHecouldcomeupwith! -Calm down. It was an achievement that no amount of pain or threat could have accomplished. Even at this moment, Kroyen's suffering and anguish were being executed. "Damn it! This isn't right, it's not!!!" She was desperately trying to retrace the sensations that had been lost along with her energy. The pen tip, no longer advancing, trembled pitifully. -Night of Deception, Kroyen. "!?" It was then that an unwelcome visitor came to her. Night of Deception Kroyen looked around in surprise. The voice came from a small window high up on the wall. When she directed her gaze, the owner of the voice was- A human palm. With an eyeball embedded in the center of the palm, it was flying through the sky, waving its fingers like wings. -To be trapped in such a place and kept like livestock, how pitiful. "..." Kroyen's eyes hardened. She stared quietly at the palm. Whatever it was, it meant to say what it had to say and get lost. The palm gladly complied. -It is time for White Shadow to move. Kroyen's indifferent expression was stained with shock. -Now, the continent's twilight and dawn shall be reversed. "..." Kroyen furrowed her brow. It was saying that darkness enough to cover the entire world and more would stir. In her mind, images of burning cities were drawn. -If you swear to devote yourself to White Shadow, I will take you out of this place. I will come here again tomorrow, so decide your answer by then. Flutter. The palm disappeared to the far side of the sky with bizarre movements. "..." A moment later. Kroyen let out a bitter laugh. "Belonging to some organization is the last thing I want, but..." Given the situation, the story changes. If she borrowed their power, escaping this terrible situation would be no trouble at all. Moreover- If what they said was true, soon this city of elves would be engulfed in flames. And only darkness would remain. There was no reason to hesitate. "Kroyen. It's about your request." A moment later. The administrator came with a meal and the news she had been waiting for, but Kroyen was indifferent. Kroyen had already made up her mind, and her heart was already set on tomorrow. "From our investigation. No one with magical aptitude suitable to inherit your secrets was found in Illatdein." "Is that so." Normally she would have been breathless with impatience, but- At this point where escape was confirmed, it didn't matter either way. "However, a letter has arrived saying that Lord Risir shows interest in your secrets." "What!?" Kroyen shot up from her seat. To escape, regain her freedom, and join the darkness. To have her secrets exploited by enemies while remaining a criminal. It wasn't even worth considering. But why was it? "He showed interest in my secrets...?" Her heart, which had been set on tomorrow, was stirring.