Make Dark Fantasy Great Again

The Avatar's last escape attempt was thwarted for unknown reasons. Dark mist. Having returned to the place as if defeated by something, it was fading away as though it had exhausted all its strength. Risir thought the situation had come to an end and felt relieved. However, there followed his companions' desperate cries. They were struggling against the overwhelming fear. Saying that the Authority of Oblivion was still pressing down on them- Risir immediately checked their condition to help them. "Its power- the Authority of Oblivion-...! It's interfering with our memories!!! At this rate, we'll forget the fact that you're the reincarnation of the supreme god!!!" "Urgh- this is serious... Risir... if I forget your identity- would I really be able to treat you as I did before-...!" "Ah, please stop... how- how on earth am I supposed to accept Risir's existence without this memory!!!" "Risir who's not the reincarnation of the supreme god-...! There's no way I could accept something so absurd!!!" "Risir! Please help us! If this continues, we- we...!" "..." We? We are what? 'What's this about now.' Risir was confused about how to interpret his companions' condition. Judging by their condition alone, it was so urgent that he desperately wanted to help them- But how and where should he even begin to help? "Risir, promise us! Even if we forget your identity- the fact that you're the reincarnation of the supreme god, promise you'll remind us again...!" "Uh..." I don't want to. Risir barely swallowed those words that had risen to his throat. In the first place, there was no need to inform them again or anything. 'Since when was I the reincarnation of the supreme god.' (E/N: to be clear, my understanding is the god being referred to is specifically the 'god of light', the god from the main religion) Risir's thoughts reached a certain point. Perhaps. Maybe they weren't being eroded by the power of oblivion right now, but rather the opposite? 'It seems like their thinking, contaminated by oblivion, is being restored-' Considering the course of events, it was an extremely reasonable judgment. Therefore. Risir decided to calmly observe their recovery process. "Risir, Risir...!!! Please!!!" "Ri, Risir- I'm sorry, I- I think this is as far as I go..." "Ahhhhhhhh! What on earth is going to happen to me-...!!!" "My head feels like it's going to split!!!!!!!" "My world is collapsing!!!" "Risir, please- my hand, hold my hand...!!!" "Hold me!!!" "..." They're recovering. Right? Risir's expression as he watched his companions' recovery process was deeply troubled. "Risir... please remember us as we are now...!" "...I'll consider it." "Ah...!" His anguish continued until his companions lost consciousness and collapsed. It was summer. *** "Wait, Risir. Are we- forgetting something?" "While we were unconscious, it feels like we've forgotten something very important-..." "There's nothing like that at all, so don't worry about it, and could you look at this?" Risir had taken charge of the cleanup while his companions were unconscious. -Burp! The energetic burp of the Baby Spirit, who had joined the scene at some point, was proof of this. Fragment of Oblivion. The infinite dark mist that had been lurking within that Archdemon's fragment had vanished without a trace. "This is...!" "Risir, while we were unconscious-" "Yes. As Remier said, I've cooked it up cleanly." "...I was going to use the expression purification." Remier approached the fragment and began to examine its condition. "My goodness... so this was really possible..." When Remier heard that Risir had 'dealt with' the Archdemon fragment. Remier just accepted it as a matter of course. She convinced herself that Risir had just done another 'Risir thing,' so she just had to accept it. However. When she witnessed the reality with her own eyes, the impression was quite different. Remier unconsciously looked around her. Whether it was just her imagination or not, she felt as if the world had become somewhat brighter. It was the moment when the immortal darkness that had been established as one of the laws in her world collapsed. "With this, what becomes of all that agonizing the council did, putting our heads together-" The gray girl let out a chuckle. She recalled her own appearance when she returned from the council with the fragment, looking so tragic as if she bore all the darkness of this world. Furthermore. She thought of the numerous fragments still remaining in the council. Remier sought Risir's permission with her eyes before picking up the fragment. As she handled the fragment on her palm for a moment- "Risir." Light dripped from the Tower Master's eyes as she looked at him. "Yes, Tower Master." "Would the request I'm about to make- be too unreasonable?" Instead of answering, Risir reached down and patted the Baby Spirit's back. -Burp! The Baby Spirit responded with an energetic burp. "Ver, are you full?" -!!! Thick eyebrows formed an energetic angle. The Baby Spirit crouched down completely, then stretched out energetically while shouting. -I can eat more!!! Text was written in elegant handwriting in Risir's mind. ─────────────── I am still hungry. -Vervandé...tze! ─────────────── Risir nodded with satisfaction. The new cooking method(?) had amazingly increased the absorption efficiency. The Baby Spirit smoothly accepted the perfectly destroyed and purified Archdemon's aura. As far as Risir knew- There was currently no method more suitable for eliminating the threat of Archdemons. As long as the Baby Spirit could endure it. Risir praised it as admirable and stroked the Baby Spirit's head. -!!! Thus, leaving behind the Baby Spirit skillfully absorbing his touch with energetic head shaking, he spoke. "How many are left?" "What?" "You're planning to entrust me with the fragments stored by the council, aren't you?" "..." Remier nodded in surprise. Risir spoke with a cheeky smile. "For now, shall we bring all the ones that exist?" *** A few days later. Wandering Star Remier was receiving an unexpected guest in her office. A group of red mages. And the Ash Star leading them. "Remier, this is an emergency." The ashen woman urgently brought up her business without even taking a seat. "An emergency?" "Yes. It seems like a mage from your tower- possesses a fragment of the Outer Sword." "Is that mage's name Risir, by any chance?" "...Since you seem to already have an idea, I'll be direct. Remier. Bring that gray mage before me before it's too late. Who knows what might have happened while the fragment was stored in an individual's hands. We must take immediate action before it's too late-" "It's already too late." "..." The decadent eyes of Remier, who had quietly uttered those words, slowly widened. "Already too late? What on earth has happened?" "That fragment has already-" Even before hearing the answer, the woman's body was already turning away. Ready to leave the place at any moment. It was to take immediate action. Depending on the circumstances, that gray mage- "It's in a cooked state." "I see. As expected, cooked-... Huh? Cooked?" The woman turned her body back toward the gray girl. "Yes. Cooked. It seems you haven't heard the news yet?" "...What news?" Remier raised her index finger high up, then slammed it down onto the table. "I just delivered a message to the council. To bring all the fragments here, to Bondaless." "Taking the fragments out and gathering them in one external location? Even at first glance, it doesn't seem like a wise choice-" The woman showed subtle dissatisfaction along with superiority in her expression. "In the first place, wasn't this already an agreed upon matter? According to the forces each tower can mobilize, the Gray Magic Tower's voice in this fragment sealing should be less than our Red Magic Tower's-" "Didn't you just hear what I said? The situation has changed." The gray girl didn't back down. She leaned back forcefully against her chair and spoke. "A mage from our Gray Magic Tower has devised a solution." It was then. Bzzt! "...!" The woman looked around in surprise. Intense waves of power were emanating from somewhere. "What- Wandering! What on earth is happening here!?" "Didn't you hear what I just said?" "What?" Remier spoke shamelessly but couldn't help bursting into laughter. "It seems like they're in the middle of cooking right now." *** Risir's report. Another fragment had been 'cooked.' Risir's group gathered to commend and encourage his achievements. They thought they would encounter the majestic figure of a hero there and be able to offer him unstinting praise. However- The moment the protagonist arrived at the place, concern appeared on their faces. "Risir?" They had discovered a shadow in that endlessly bright young man's appearance. He was clearly troubled by something and feeling uncomfortable. "Ah, everyone! Good to see you! You've gathered again like this!" It was the moment Risir was quickly trying to compose his attitude in response to their reaction. "Risir." "Yes, Tower Master." "How is your condition now? I'm asking about the effects from destroying the fragments." "...!" The atmosphere of the place stirred for a moment. Because a topic that everyone was aware of but couldn't carelessly touch upon had been mentioned. It was Risir's wellbeing. Recently. Risir had been executing the elimination of darkness with tremendous intensity. In addition to subjugating lesser demon legions from rifts, he had repeatedly destroyed fragments. That responsibility was originally so weighty that the entire continent should share it. But- Risir was shouldering such responsibility alone- "..." Risir's expression showed a drastic change like the atmosphere of the place. At first, he tried to open his mouth nonchalantly as if nothing was wrong. "...No-" However. Soon, as if he had decided something, he opened his mouth with determination. Weight was added to Risir's gentle expression. In the atmosphere that had become serious as well, he continued his story. "Actually. I have been worrying lately whether I'm overusing the Power of Purification." "Risir!" It was a fierce cry as if in shock. Fienne. She was surprised by her own reaction and covered her mouth. After she bowed slightly to those around her, she spoke with forced composure. "You wouldn't... surely you're not approaching this matter with the thought that since the situation is what it is, let's set aside trivial things for now...?" At Fienne's statement, which seemed to suppress her emotions, everyone showed shock in their own ways. Something like me doesn't matter, so for now the greater cause must take priority. Because they thought it was exactly the kind of thinking Risir would definitely have, more than enough. Doubt led to more doubt- Making them ask themselves one question. Indeed. All those demons- Could he accept all that darkness and still have no problems at all? It was a far too reasonable doubt. So reasonable that one might wonder why they only felt such a reasonable doubt now. Deep emotions began to fill their gazes as they looked at Risir, one by one. No matter how brazen he was, it wasn't an atmosphere he could laugh off. "...Phew-" Finally. Risir opened his mouth with a heavy sigh. "If possible, I didn't want to tell you all. Because it was obvious you would be uncomfortable-" (E/N: I can guess what he is 'hiding'...) "Risir, this person!" Meltas shouted. "How could you say such a terrible thing-" Then Ratsil pouted. "I'm upset. To hide such an important fact for such a trivial reason-..." The voice of resentment uttered in disappointment gradually lost strength. Because they seemed to understand what thoughts and feelings led Risir to hide 'that fact.' Now. It was no exaggeration to say that the survival of this continent depended on his hands. But how could he prioritize his own wellbeing in such a situation? Moreover, instead of helping to lighten the weight on his shoulders- They were in a position where they relied on him and added to that weight. Don't try to shoulder everything yourself. Rely on us more. They didn't even have the right to offer such simple words of encouragement- How could they scold his choice? "...I understand. I will tell you all the truth." Nevertheless. Risir gladly said. That he would rely on them. """...""" Complex emotions rose in their expressions. Deep emotion soon became self-reproach. In the solemn atmosphere of the place- Risir carefully opened his mouth. "Actually. I felt the change right after destroying the previous fragment. The moment I destroyed that fragment, I noticed the change that occurred in my body." Why didn't you say so earlier! They couldn't bring themselves to scold Risir. Would anything have changed if Risir had spoken earlier? Could they have devised another solution besides his power? They had no choice but to quietly listen to his story. "Nevertheless- are you still going to take charge of destroying those fragments?" At Karoer's words, Risir could only smile bitterly, saying he was ashamed. "..." Such a reaction made their hearts even more painful. Just how. How could that bright and positive man end up in such a state? Some couldn't bear to look directly at Risir and lowered their heads. Some chewed on bitter self-reproach, and some were already in tears. They had no confidence to move forward. They lacked the courage to confirm the truth. "So-" Amidst all this, there was someone who spoke with a trembling voice. It was the pure white girl, Fienne. "Your current condition, what exactly is wrong?" Fienne hid her inner turmoil behind her characteristic sharp behavior. Thanks to this, she now appeared as if she was scolding Risir. Perhaps because of this, Risir also answered while hanging his head. Phew. Another deep sigh. "Since it's come to this, I can't hide it anymore. I understand." The flow of the atmosphere changed completely. Risir began to reveal the aura he had been keeping contained. "No-" They almost unconsciously tried to stop Risir. Because they weren't mentally prepared yet. However, the truth they were about to face was not something that could be prepared for just by mental preparation. Difficult as it may be, they had to face it here and now. If only to show respect to Risir- "..." Thus. They faced the aura Risir had revealed. That precarious one like a candle flame that seemed about to go out at any moment- Whiiing- Suddenly their clothes and hair were blown about wildly. By the vast aura that fiercely filled the space. "?" This wasn't even a momentary rally before death. Risir's aura was overflowing like a river during a torrential rain. "I'm sorry everyone..." Risir spoke in a powerless voice that contrasted perfectly with such aura. "My Status has risen again..." Risir. Reached 8th Rank. It was the result of paying the price for overusing his power. (E/N: *saintess currently screaming and kicking*) "..." The reason Risir was being cautious. Someone who understood the situation muttered. "...Damn-" It was a single word that represented everyone's feelings.