Make Dark Fantasy Great Again

"Gasp...!!!" Deep into the night. Idor Bendel jolted up from his bed as if being chased by something. With urgent movements, he grabbed the sword standing beside his bed and glared into the darkness with fierce eyes. It had become a common occurrence now. After that day. That is, after the Dark Elf attack. Idor frequently suffered from nightmares. They were utterly horrific nightmares, and in those nightmares, Idor was completely powerless. The content of the nightmares was always the same. The Dark Elf easily trampling Bendel's swords and knights with evil magic. The family's heir disappearing. When he awakened from the nightmare's end and returned to reality, Idor would realize. "Gasp...! Gasp...! Gasp...!" That it was not a nightmare but reality. The nightmare that had become reality slowly eroded Idor's mind. However. The man who bore the name of steel was not easily broken. Idor endured the daily recurring nightmares with unwavering will and spirit. As days passed, the grip of the nightmares that bound him grew weaker- Thus, Idor seemed to be overcoming the nightmares of the past. "Ri-Risir...!!!" Until a certain bastard's existence intruded into his nightmares, it had certainly been so. That name, which came with news of Roera, plunged Idor's daily life into even deeper nightmares. "Come to think of it, that Dark Elf bitch- she definitely spoke that name in front of me!!! Was that it, was that how it was!!! Risir!!! It was you!!! You brought that cursed being into the family...!!!" Idor's obsessive monologue flowed quietly through the dark bedroom. The eyes of the man that had originally held a light as strong as steel now perfectly assimilated with the darkness. "That thing became the Master of Sacred Sword...? Subjugated Magic Swords!?! No!!! I know him well!!! That pathetic and foolish creature could never do such things!!! It's a false rumor!!! Nothing but a false rumor!!!" In fact, the Family Head had received news about the bastard much earlier. At that time, the Family Head could easily dismiss that news as false rumors. While employing every means to overcome his nightmares- The most effective method had been denying the 'bastard's' existence. "He is a shameful wretch who received evil power from a Dark Elf Witch and fled from the family!!! What Sacred Sword would choose such a creature as its master!!!" Idor's gaze whipped around! He shouted into the darkness as if something was speaking to him. "He's someone who wasted his life swinging a worthless sword!!! If he didn't receive power from a Witch, how could he suddenly use magic!!!" And he nodded vigorously. "Yes... surely, that Witch is behind him... And behind that Witch- there must be a Demon. They are deceiving everyone with that evil, corrupt, and disgusting power!!!" Yes. The power of demons. The Family Head nodded vigorously, seemingly quite satisfied with the conclusion he had reached. "That would explain everything... How that pathetic wretch could receive the Sacred Sword's selection- and how he could achieve the great feat of subjugating Magic Swords!!! All of it was because he received power beyond his station from a demon-...!!!" The Family Head's eyes blazed fiercely in the darkness. What tormented the Family Head most at this point was neither the severance from his beloved daughter nor the shadow of ruin cast over the family. Inferiority complex. The achievements of the bastard who had been considered the family's shame- Easily surpassed the achievements he had accomplished in his lifetime. Furthermore, even the achievements the family had accumulated for generations. It was a reality that would not change no matter how much the Family Head denied it. Risir, the Hero of Progress. He was great. Greater than Bendel's Family Head. Greater than Bendel itself. Even if history were to forget Bendel, his name would not be forgotten. "No!!!" The Family Head screamed convulsively. Clang! The sword engraved with Bendel's crest was thrown to the floor. The Family Head grabbed his head with his now free hands. "I too- our Bendel too!!! If we had borrowed the power of demons, it would have been entirely possible!!! At the very least!!!" Roera. The Family Head spoke that name with a trembling voice. "At the very least, if that thing hadn't taken Roera away, our Bendel now would be, Bendel would be...!!!" Hayeren was enjoying unprecedented prosperity. People flocked from all corners of the continent, praising the fame of the heroes and Bendel. It was what the Family Head had dreamed of his entire life. Reclaiming the glory of their great ancestors! And achieving even more than that! That's why the Family Head was afraid. Before long, they would realize. Roera, the Hero of Blessing. The fact that she was no longer Bendel. Risir, the Hero of Progress. The fact that he was the bastard Bendel had cast away. They would speak of Bendel. As the family that could have become the greatest in history. And therefore, as the most foolish family in history. It was the moment the Family Head's dream was coming true. Now Bendel's name would be clearly engraved in history. Along with the name 'Idor', the current Family Head. "...Ha! Hahahaha!!! Uhahahahahaha!!!!! Uaaaaaah!!!" Idor burst into laughter. It was laughter that sounded like screaming in agony. Eventually. He muttered in complete darkness. "The Witch and the bastard... these cursed beings... things will never go according to your will..." He did not know. That his current appearance was not so different from the ancestor he so revered. That appearance seemed to be anguishing over unavoidable reality at first glance, but in another way, it looked like he was convincing himself. It can't be helped. It can't be helped. It can't be helped. "Since you come at me like that, I too have no choice but to use any means necessary..." The Family Head lamented his situation. At the corner of his mouth was a terribly twisted smile. Hayeren. That city was enjoying unprecedented prosperity. Meanwhile- Darkness was gradually descending upon the family. *** "Hasn't our mansion been a bit- strange lately?" It was a topic carefully brought up by a maid who was cleaning the mansion. "Ah! I wasn't the only one who felt it!" One maid hugged herself and pretended to shiver. "Hasn't our mansion been a bit cold lately?" "Not that." "Huh? Then what-" "First, the Family Head- people from all across the continent come to visit after hearing about our Young Lady Roera's reputation, but he stays shut in-" "What, didn't you hear that story?" "Huh? What story?" "Our Young Lady Roera might not return to Bendel." "What!? Is that really true!? Why?" "I don't know the details- but well, it's not that strange, is it? She never had much attachment to the family to begin with." "Then... is the strange atmosphere in the mansion now because of that?" "No, I think-" When one maid looked around and lowered her voice, the other maids perceptively gathered around. Thus began the secretive and audacious conversation. "You know. The one the Family Head brought recently-" "Ah! That, creepy woman!?" "Hey! What do you mean creepy woman! What kind of talk is that! Well, it's true that being as pale as a frozen corpse is creepy-" That woman. The maid said, raising her finger. "Ever since that woman came, the mansion's atmosphere seems to have started becoming strange." "Do you guys know this? Sofia couldn't sleep and got up briefly at dawn, and when she looked out the window, that woman was standing blankly in the garden staring at the main building!" "Ah! And that was also strange! That woman just, telling us not to clean certain places- absolutely not to approach them, giving us orders as if she were the mansion's owner! When I asked the head maid about it later, she said even the Family Head didn't know about it?" "What!? Is that even allowed!?" "What's even stranger is this! Even after the Family Head heard from the head maid and learned about it, he said to just leave it be! Telling us not to interfere with that woman!" "What!? Our Family Head isn't the type to do that...?" Idor, the Family Head of Bendel. He was a man who was like a model for knights. In other words, he was an authoritarian and rigid Noble. For such a Family Head to entrust mansion affairs to an outsider. It was unimaginable for the mansion's maids. "I find something unsettling... that woman. Is it really okay to just leave her be-...!" At that moment. The maids' secretive conversation was suddenly cut off. Her skin and lips were as pale as a frozen corpse. The aforementioned woman was walking from the far end of the corridor. The maids all scattered and began pretending to clean. Such meaningful behavior would normally arouse curiosity, but- Click. Click. The woman passed between them without paying any attention. As if what was bustling in front of her eyes were insects. "..." The maids could only speak after the woman had disappeared and some time had passed. "Bendel... will it be alright...?" No. It will not be alright. Even they, who were merely maids, could clearly feel it. Darkness was descending upon the family. *** The darkness seeped in at just the right time. As if it had been waiting nearby all along for a crack to open. -Lord Idor. I see that you are in need of help. And perhaps, I might be able to provide that help. Bendel mansion. To that place bustling with news of the two heroes, a mysterious woman had come. She was a woman whose identity and origin were unclear. Above all, an indescribable ominous aura could be felt from her. Some vassals even mentioned the existence of a Dark Mage when discussing her presence. Nevertheless. The Family Head let her into the mansion. No. For that very reason. The Family Head let her into the mansion. *** There was no knock or anything. Click. The Family Head's office- its door suddenly opened. It was indulgence that would never be permitted in Bendel originally, but- "Horun." The seated Family Head allowed it. He gestured to the pale woman who had entered the office. "Family Head." At that, the woman named Horun gave a small nod. "Your coming at this time means-" Once. The one who was called the man of steel was no longer visible. Skin pale without any color. Sunken cheeks. Idor Bendel directed a hopeful gaze toward the pale woman. "Yes. All preparations are complete." Suddenly! The Family Head shot up from his seat. His gaunt body swayed slightly. "Then-" "If the Family Head only gives the command, right now, in this very place- the ritual can be performed." "There's no need to delay. Let's start right away." The Family Head approached with stumbling steps and began pushing away the furniture occupying the middle of the office. Then the pale woman blew breath over her palm. Like breath exhaled in midwinter, pure white vapor scattered- A geometric pattern hidden by some power revealed itself. The pattern, which was not complete in itself, looked as if it were part of a larger pattern. "As I mentioned before, the magical pattern encompassing the entire mansion has been completed." "..." Ripples momentarily stirred in the Family Head's faded eyes. The entire mansion. That phrase implied Bendel itself. "Are you really sure about this?" Perhaps reading the Family Head's confusion, the pale woman spoke first. "If this ritual is performed, not only you but this mansion- all of Bendel will be embraced by the bitter cold." "By all of Bendel you mean-" The ripples lasted only a brief moment. The Family Head's eyes, which immediately returned to their original state, stared at the pale woman. "That would include the bastard who already left the family, wouldn't it?" "..." The pale woman, Horun, inwardly sneered at the Family Head. What exactly made him a man of steel? Even right now, pitiful maids and servants were sweating to serve Bendel faithfully. And yet. To think that just before sacrificing all of that, his sole concern was such petty and worthless resentment. The pale woman witnessed the deep darkness cast in the Family Head's eyes. She created a bone-chilling smile as if tearing her own mouth. "Of course. The embrace of bitter cold is vast. Vast enough to embrace all of Bendel and still have room to spare." "Tell me what I need to do." "Everything. Everything must be carried out by the will of the Family Head, the master of Bendel-" The pale woman gestured and led the Family Head onto the pattern. "..." The Family Head stepped into the center of the pattern without hesitation. Then he raised his wrist and placed the sword engraved with Bendel's crest against it. It was a repeated action performed with extremely familiar movements. Idor Bendel. He offered himself to something evil and immense. Drip. Drip. As hot blood fell onto the pattern, it instantly became frozen crystals. Then, those crystals were swallowed by the pattern. At that moment. The atmosphere of the area embraced bitter cold. Crackle- The windows froze with frost, and the breath coming from Idor's mouth became vapor and scattered. "Aaaaaah..." The pale woman- Horun, the apostle of the severe cold, spread her arms in ecstasy. She could feel the remnants of the severe cold descending upon Bendel. "O Family Head of Bendel... rejoice. Your will has been conveyed to the severe cold. Now that He is listening to your voice, state your wish." "I offer all of Bendel." The Family Head recited as if he had been waiting. "Curse the bastard who led the family to ruin." As the Family Head's words continued, the severe cold that filled the place grew thicker. Kyahahahahahat!!! The woman's bone-chilling laughter served as background music. In the increasingly intense cold and madness- The woman cried out. "The severe cold heeds your wish- the pillar of glacial ice has already left His hand and been shot!!!" "Then...!" "Nothing changes! All of this is your will!!! Hurry! Point! To where that ice pillar should head!" -Speak!!! The woman's voice could no longer be distinguished from the whirlwind of cold. Crackle- The woman's skin was freezing moment by moment. Soon, an ice fragment in the form of madness urged the Family Head. -Say his name!!! *** "Huh?" "Brother? What's wrong?" "No, it's just- some fly-like thing..." Risir stared into the air with tension around his eyes. Eventually. Slap! He slapped his own cheek. "Did I get it?" He raised his palm to check. *** Crash! "???" Idor's eyes filled with bewilderment. It was the moment he mentioned the target's name following the woman's instructions. The woman's body, which had turned to ice- Suddenly exploded. -Ah, aah...! Bendel...! Your wish has been fulfilled- The woman continued speaking with great effort using only half her remaining face. "Then...!" Idor's expression filled with anticipation. It was time to confirm the results of the curse for which he had sacrificed everything. -Thus, the target of your curse will... "Yes!!! Destruction to that cursed Witch's bastard...!!!" -suffer from a mild headache... "?" Idor could not resolve the following confusion. -Crackle Because that lump of ice crumbled away futilely. Idor Bendel. He had unintentionally achieved a great feat. He had subjugated the demon of severe cold, which might have made a certain bastard its eternal vassal. "??????" However. Idor never understood what had happened to him. Eventually. Idor's body collapsed powerlessly onto the ice fragments. The faint light remaining in his eyes disappeared. Like the cold that had tried to devour Bendel. At the same time. Somewhere in Bendel mansion, the maids were having a conversation. "Huh? That's strange. Just now it seemed to suddenly get cold, but now it's suddenly warm?" "Phew! Now I feel like I can live!" "I wish that strange woman would leave quickly too-" The air in Bendel mansion regained its warmth once more. It was summer.