Make Dark Fantasy Great Again

Borsa, the Unyielding Follower. She was as much of a battle maniac as her Unyielding master, and she never left the Hero's side until the battle was over. Her boldly advancing steps and the longsword and short blade gripped in both hands were expressions of that tenacious will. "...Shit, am I still not fully sober-" Such was Borsa muttering blankly. If it was a path following the Unyielding Hero, she was prepared to throw herself even into the heart of a demonic realm. But- "That's a bit much..." -Ga, gakakakak! Gakakakakakakakak!!! The Knight of Chaos roared. A sound like scraping a wooden board with the tip of a blade echoed throughout the area. That roar, which touched primal emotions like a beast's low-frequency cry, completely shattered the fighting spirit of those who heard it. They immediately turned and began to flee. However. The darkness of night that would hide them no longer existed. A sacred tree that had grown tall enough to seemingly touch the sky was now brightly illuminating the entire area. -Mama! Mama~!!! An unidentifiable voice mixed with the scattered fragments of light. That voice, excitedly repeating the same words in an innocent tone, combined with the majestic appearance of the tree to create a terrible sense of dissonance. "Aah...! I, I feel strange...!!! That voice- His power that fills my insides...!!!" Those touched by fragments of light that fell from the sacred tree screamed while looking down at their own bodies. Others ran with all their might, leaving their comrades' screams behind. They would never stop or look back until they completely escaped this place! Whoosh! A wall blocked their path. Fiercely rising gray flames became a barrier and blocked their escape route. A wall of fire ahead. A tree of light behind. And the Knight of Chaos in between. Clank. Clank. It was in no hurry. As if walking from already predetermined destruction. "G-go away- I said go away- Uaaaah!!!" Those fleeing were swallowed by vines of light that grew from underground. "Th-this is the elves' Nature Magic...! Why on earth is this-" "If we burn it with fire!!!" "My black flames don't work!!! This is-" "D-divinity- the Nature Magic contains divine power!!!" "Wasn't he a knight!? Why does he have this kind of power-" "D-don't be fooled by his appearance!!! He's a mage!!! Aim for his true body-..." "No!? When did he-" Those charging forward collapsed without even being able to respond to the swift sword strikes. "Ah, aaah- aaahhh!!! It's, it's over!!! We're all finished!!! We're all going to die here to that bastard!!!" "Damn it, get up!!! Are you really going to give up everything like this!!!" "Damn it, damn it...! I can't put strength in my legs!!! My legs that He blessed me with!!!" "Enough, grab my hand!!! I'll support you, so let's get out of here quickly!!!" "Damn- thanks...! If I had known this would happen, I would have treated you better normally, if we survive and return from here-" "Yeah, at least a drink-... Ah. When did-" Thud. Thud. Thud. Thud. They collapsed helplessly one by one. "...ma'am, Lady Borsa!" "Huh? Ah-" Borsa, who had been watching the scene in a daze, came to her senses at her subordinate's words. "That person is bleeding- shouldn't we help too!?" "Help? Help... What, are you sane!? You want to help a group of cultists-" "No. That's not it- I was asking if we shouldn't help that person subdue the cultists." "...Ah!" Borsa opened her eyes wide and came to her senses. Without realizing it, she had been perceiving the cultists who attacked the camp as victims. It was summer. *** Dark Mage. Those who wield the power of corruption are vicious beings regardless of their level of mastery. Even the Outer Sword, who recognized himself as having an ignorant personality that disregarded consequences, would repeatedly think carefully when dealing with such Dark Mages. "Hah...!" Therefore- The Outer Sword could only burst into laughter at the scene unfolding before his eyes. The sight of that numerous group of Dark Mages being meekly captured like troublemaker children scolded by adults. "What a spectacle." The bodies of the Dark Mages gathered in one place while unconscious were all bound without exception by divine vines. "H-hey!" Some followers couldn't contain their curiosity and approached the vines. They were priests who felt extraordinary divine aura from them. "Th-this is-" "What on earth is this!? Some kind of Sacred Relic!?" Then. Someone muttered. "World Tree..." It was Grand Sorcerer Hamun. "World Tree...?" Questions arose on many people's faces. Why was that idol of the elves suddenly mentioned? Hamun responded to their questions and continued the story. "The Guardian Spirit said... for some reason, he became the Mother of the World Tree..." "..." It wasn't much help in resolving their questions. Those who had frowned at the increased confusion soon nodded their heads. Hamun had merely stated the facts as they were, but they accepted it as something like a Grand Sorcerer's enigmatic prophecy. "Ah!" Suddenly. The atmosphere of the place became tense. Clank. The Knight of Chaos. He was slowly approaching from the other side. The last cultist who had resisted until the end- With the High Priest of Hunger slung over his shoulder like luggage. "Good heavens..." The Outer Sword was completely speechless at that surreal scene. That Swordmaster suddenly recalled memories from the past. Martael, Screaming that Cuts Through the Forest. Memories related to Dranoff, the high priest who served that demon. It was a short but old encounter. However, the Outer Sword still remembered it clearly. The Outer Sword at that time was not mature enough to bow his head to others seeking help. Especially if that opponent was a cultist. Nevertheless, the Outer Sword had established an equal cooperative relationship with Dranoff at that time. The reason was simple. He had felt the massive power and darkness that High Priest harbored within. As such, the cultist High Priest was an existence that even the arrogant Swordmaster could not treat carelessly. Even that Outer Sword had no choice but to be cautious in the face of the massive darkness the High Priest concealed. At that time, the external bigshots that City Councilor Ran had brought in to confront the darkness within the city were the same. But just one. There was an exception. The level of power he possessed was the lowest in that place- But separately, he was a man who possessed the most extraordinary ability. At that time, the Outer Sword had thought while looking at that man. Surely- "...!" It was when his thoughts were continuing. The Knight of Chaos. His helmet was removed and his face was revealed. There was a very dear and familiar face. The Outer Sword carefully opened his mouth. "By any chance..." His gaze, which had been checking the faces of those present, focused on the Outer Sword. Joy filled his widening eyes. Risir. He exclaimed. "Rodan! Meeting you in such a place!" "...Ha! Haha, hahahaha!!!" Rodan burst into laughter once more, then began to laugh out loud. He continued his previous thoughts. 'Surely... I thought while looking at this guy back then...' That he would become great someday. But- "Even so, I never imagined he would become this great..." The lingering feeling of reunion. Or perhaps, the shock of reunion. Rodan stood there in a daze for a while. *** "Hamun!!!" "How are things going-... Huh?" Rotna and Gelard. They had returned from searching the surroundings and opened their eyes wide the moment they stood beside Hamun. "Y-you are-" Like the Outer Sword, it was because they had discovered a familiar face there. They recalled the crisis they had faced in the previous star world. And they recalled the face of the being who had saved them from that crisis. While the two people were in confusion, there was someone who stepped forward. Hamun. The beastkin girl's ears perked up. Two hands neatly clasped to her chest. Her two eyes held a bright gleam like looking up at the stars. Her small lips carefully parted. To utter the name of the great Guardian Spirit. "Miss Hamun." Risir answered without delay. He approached her and spoke with a somewhat overwhelming voice. "This is the first time we meet like this. Isn't that right?" "Ah...!" That friendly attitude broke down her wariness. The wariness called awe. Hamun covered her mouth with both hands. Tears overflowed from her deer-like eyes. "Yes! Meeting like this is truly- truly... truly...!" Hamun couldn't continue speaking due to her overwhelming emotions. She had been saved by his existence. How could she express with mere words that emotion that would last a lifetime even if held close to her heart? "Truly, truly-" The beastkin girl's words could not be completed in the end. But that expression. She smiled. Very brightly. That smile full of happiness conveyed emotions that couldn't be fully expressed in words. "..." "..." Rotna and Gelard looked at each other and nodded. Just as they were about to gain confidence from Hamun's behavior and speak to Risir. "Oh...!" They hurriedly turned their bodies to make way. Unhesitating footsteps. There was a figure pushing through the crowd and approaching Risir. "Hero!?" What on earth was happening?! The followers, who had been almost out of their minds from the series of events, finally came to their senses. Roera, Hero of Blessing. That cynical Hero was approaching the Knight of Chaos with movements filled with emotion. *** Roera was someone who never lost her distinctive atmosphere in any situation. Therefore, those who had only seen Roera's cynical side couldn't help but be surprised by her actions. Some were even placing their hands on their weapons, preparing for an upcoming battle. Step. The tension at the scene reached its peak. The Hero faced the Knight of Chaos. "Hey." The air stirred. Because the Hero's first greeting to the knight was so shocking. "Aren't you going to greet me?" That attitude of casually tilting her chin and looking down at the other party was more than enough to be taken as provocation. "W-wait- Blessing...!" Even Kuzan and the Unyielding Followers couldn't help but be shocked by her actions. Even the battle maniac was quietly reading the atmosphere, yet she was acting so brazenly!? The atmosphere of the place was heightened once again by Roera's sudden action. While everyone watched with bated breath, the Knight of Chaos finally took action. "..." First, he looked Roera up and down. Then, he craned his neck to take in the many followers standing guard behind her. "Ha!" The Knight of Chaos burst into laughter. Strength gathered around Kuzan's eyes. 'Is he sneering!? At the Hero of Blessing and her followers!?' Whether they felt the same as Kuzan, his followers showed greatly intimidated expressions. "Lord Kuzan...!" Borsa whispered to him. "That reaction- that person's power might be effective on non-cultists as well!" The Knight of Chaos had single-handedly subdued all the cultists. Nevertheless, the Unyielding Expedition was wary of him. They had no choice. That overwhelming majesty. And that ominous appearance. There was no room for doubt. The situation of being hostile to him had settled as the worst possibility within the Unyielding Expedition. "What should we do!?" "..." After a brief moment of contemplation, Kuzan spoke with difficulty. "If a battle between that thing and Blessing begins-" A battle maniac who followed the will of unyielding courage. He couldn't bring himself to continue speaking. Meanwhile. The knight's next action followed. "Greeting... What should I call you?" The Knight of Chaos threw off his gentle mask and created a sly smile. It was a playful expression, as if reuniting with a sibling after a long time. However, the other party was not a close brother but the Knight of Chaos. Kuzan's anxiety reached its peak at that meaningful action. "Blessing, what on earth are you thinking...!" He desperately hoped that Roera would stop her sudden actions right now, but- It didn't reach her. "How to call me? You should call me 'Lady' Hero of Blessing. With proper respect and awe." Not to be outdone, the Hero of Blessing created a playful smile like the Knight of Chaos. Furthermore, she provoked him with an arrogant tone. Within the Unyielding Expedition, people began cautiously stepping backward one after another. "..." They had witnessed the knight's expression twitch. That was surely an expression of intense emotion. Soon, the Knight of Chaos brought that emotion to the surface. He spoke with a smile spreading across his face. "Lady Hero of Blessing. It's an honor to meet you like this." It was the moment when everyone felt uneasy about that smile. "Roera!!!" Kuzan shouted at the top of his voice. "Hero, you mustn't!!!" The followers gathered at the scene let out screams. Tap tap tap tap. Roera had suddenly rushed toward the Knight of Chaos. The place instantly fell into chaos. Someone to stop her- Someone to flee- Someone to join in- Thus, the moment when everyone made their own judgment. Roera's cry echoed throughout the place. "Big brother!!!" With a voice full of affection, she threw herself into his embrace. Roera, Hero of Blessing. That cynical Hero acted spoiled, ruthlessly rubbing her face against the knight's chest. "...!" Everyone including Kuzan's mouths gaped wide open. "Who is that-..." Even Roera's companions including Hamun. The followers who remembered the Hero's original appearance turned pale and shouted. "Th-the Hero has been afflicted by Mental Magic!!!" *** The Bendel mansion was engulfed in unexpected commotion. It was because of certain rumors that had been spreading widely recently. A maid cried out in surprise. "Lord Risir, what!?"