Make Dark Fantasy Great Again

"Ugh, what was that light just now-... No!?" The light that had devoured the place subsided- Shock appeared on Kuzan's face. "R-Risir- and the sacred swords too...!!!" Risir had disappeared. Along with that, even the sacred swords that had been gathered in one place. Had the light that devoured the place taken them somewhere? "Wh-what should we do, we need to take action right now-" For such a thing to happen right after appointing the true hero. Though he was the master of unyielding and courage who rarely panicked, his face had turned pale at this moment. "Calm down." Just then. There was a group approaching Kuzan. "Ah, you are...!" Upon confirming their faces, relief appeared on Kuzan's expression. Star of the Garden Lunadien. Guardian Karoer. Frozen Breath Palag. Not only were these great figures gathered in one place, but they were maintaining perfect composure even in this chaotic situation. "By any chance, do you have any idea about the current situation!?" An unprecedented situation where the person appointed as the true hero had vanished along with the sacred swords. Kuzan needed the archmage's advice more desperately than ever before. "Something we can guess at. Of course there is." "Ooh...!" Kuzan's expression brightened with hope as he watched them exchange glances with each other. Indeed, were these the archmages whose names were already etched in history? Their vast knowledge seemed to see right through even the current situation. Kuzan waited for their advice with sparkling eyes. As time passed like that- The archmages' discussion ended. Frozen Breath Palag speaking as their representative. Kuzan focused his mind and listened carefully to the archmage's words. What mystery and wisdom would the archmages' answer contain that would guide them through this crisis? "There's nothing to worry about. Risir periodically disappears suddenly like this." "...Excuse me?" Kuzan's eyes, which had been filled with expectation, blinked. Because the mystery and wisdom contained in the archmages' answer was not just profound, but serious. "When was the last time he disappeared?" "Well, you know. When he was suddenly summoned to the cultists' secret meeting place while observing something Deception had sent-" "Ah! We were really lucky that time!" "Since dark mages completely intoxicated by the power of an archdemon were all gathered in one place." "..." Kuzan felt a slight dizziness. 'Why is that considered lucky?' Was it because it was a conversation between archmages? The conversation was so heavy with specialized knowledge that he couldn't follow it at all. "Anyway. Risir will return on his own when the time comes, so all we need to do is stay in our places and do what we should be doing." "...So you're saying to do nothing and just stay quiet- are you serious?" They were serious. The audience(?) that had filled one side of the place was returning to their daily lives as if nothing had happened. "Stop! Everyone stop right now! Are you in your right minds!? We should approach this matter with a more serious attitude!" Kuzan couldn't hold back and raised his voice. It seemed they were too intoxicated by the trust that Hero Risir had given them. To have such a complacent mindset even in this situation! Kuzan's fierce ego, which had been momentarily subdued, regained its original momentum. He thought. Since it had come to this, he should step forward and lead them. "Don't act rashly." "...!" It was a cold voice that awakened such Kuzan. "Most of those here are specialists with expertise that you cannot approach. Wouldn't it be wise for you to respect their opinions?" Kuzan gritted his teeth. Frozen Breath. He faced an aspect of that blue archmage he had only heard about in rumors. His authoritative attitude, like solidly frozen ice, showed not even the slightest gap to penetrate. However. The Unyielding Hero Kuzan was not someone who would remain silent before unjust authority. "That you are a great mage is an undeniable fact that I dare not dispute. However. What does your magical expertise have to do with the current matter! Sacred swords are a completely separate domain from magic!" "Why are you suddenly talking about magic?" "What?" "I was talking about expertise regarding Risir?" Frozen Breath Palag looked serious. Rather than having his expertise in magic questioned- There was an archmage who found it more unpleasant to have his expertise regarding Risir questioned. "Keep this in mind. You are nothing more than a newborn who has just taken their first steps here. If you want to discuss Risir on equal terms with me, you'll need to accumulate far more experience than you can imagine! Until then, don't even think about challenging my authority!" "..." Kuzan was finally left speechless. What kind of expertise regarding Risir... "The same goes for you all." Palag turned a gaze as cold as a blade's wind toward the other heroes. "I will respect your position as heroes to the fullest, but don't misinterpret that goodwill and cross the line." Heroes. Even those heroes chosen by the sacred swords seemed to be nothing more than youngsters before the strict blue archmage. His cold tone worked like a magical spell, seeking to establish the hierarchy that existed between them. "..." Kuzan gritted his teeth in frustration but ultimately couldn't open his mouth. Shelloa didn't want to cause conflict and obediently averted her gaze. And- "If you know Risir so well, may I ask you something?" Hero of Blessing Roera. She spoke to Palag. "Risir. I heard that guy lives here, so where is his room?" "That's not something you need to know. In the first place, it's not a place where an outsider like you can freely come and go." Palag's cold warning. Roera turned her head and clicked her tongue. "If I can't go in either, then who can?" It wasn't an attitude that the authoritative and strict archmage particularly liked. "Listen, Blessing-" The heroes hurriedly tried to stop her. From the series of events, they must have clearly realized what kind of person that blue archmage was. But such an emotional action? "Foolish. Very foolish. Do you think any action is permitted just because you're the master of a sacred sword?" "Who said I'd enter his room as a hero?" Before they knew it, a cold air like blade wind was swirling around the place. The blue archmage's anger had taken physical form. "Then what?" "I was just going to take a look at what kind of place my brother lives in." "!!!" The blue archmage's eyes widened. The heroes tried to step forward and mediate between them before things got more serious. "You were Risir's younger sister!? You should have said so earlier!" Clang. The ice broke. There now stood what looked like a doting elderly man looking at his grandchild. "Then we shouldn't be doing this here! Come on! Follow me! I'll show you around the mansion!" The blue archmage suddenly became a different person and gestured to the Hero of Blessing. "..." The heroes' thoughts became complicated. Was being Risir's younger sister more impressive than being the master of a sacred sword? "Hmm." Come to think of it, it seemed like it might be. They were convinced. Just as they were about to leave the disappeared Risir behind and return to their respective places. "Huh!?" Someone's exclamation. "Risir!?" He was suddenly standing in his original place. Along with several sacred swords. "What happened!?" Those who were about to leave hurriedly approached Risir and asked for the full story. "Ah, wait- I left something behind!" After leaving those words, Risir hurriedly headed somewhere. A moment later. When he returned to his place, the remaining two magic swords were in his hands. "Well then, everyone. I'll be going for a bit!" Flash! "Risir!?" He had suddenly disappeared again. Along with several sacred swords. "..." A strange silence flowed through the place for a while. Soon, Palag broke that silence. "What did I say? I said there was nothing to worry about, didn't I?" The archmage speaking looked more proud than ever. The heroes felt fear. 'If I stay here, will I become like that too!?' *** "Here! This is the magic sword I mentioned." When Risir held up the magic sword, the figure of light leaned forward to observe it. Then Jallak. Then Beast. -... A moment later. Lu-Rach crossed his arms and fell into deep contemplation. -Why? Lu-Rach couldn't believe Risir's story at first. A sword that exuded the aura of advancement being a magic sword. A sword equipped with functions that even he, the creator, didn't know about being a sacred sword. It was natural to suspect that there was some major mistake. However. When Risir showed two other magic swords, the story changed. Beast, which was obtained first. Curse, which was obtained next. Domination, which was obtained last. The aura of advancement proportional to the time spent together- It seemed to explain how Beast had been reborn as the sword of advancement. -... In the end. Lu-Rah had no choice but to acknowledge it. Sacred swords. That those beings he had created had escaped his control. And thus, had been placed in someone else's hands. -... At the end of his contemplation, Lu-Rach let out a small laugh. -Is that so... Is this what you were talking about... Lindal... Risir's eyes widened. 'Lindal?' That was none other than the name of the First Hero. The name of one of the seven sacred sword masters, mentioned by the sacred sword creator himself. Thump! Risir felt as if a great current was drawing him in. -You. Before he knew it, that figure of light was looking directly at Risir. -I will ask for your name. "Risir. My name is Risir." Risir. Hero, Risir. Lu-Rach mulled over the name like that and then spoke. -Hero Risir. I ask of you. Please, will you carry on his will? First Hero Lindal. That name was properly mentioned once again from Lu-Rach's mouth. "The First Hero's will..." Risir felt his lips drying. He had vaguely expected it, but when it actually came crashing down before his eyes, the weight was truly extraordinary. To inherit the will of the greatest hero in history. Risir fell into contemplation. Lu-Rach did not press him. Because he knew how weighty the proposal he had made was. From the beginning, he had not expected to hear an immediate answer. At the very least, more than a week of consideration would be needed. So Lu-Rach began preparing to return Risir to the real world once again. -I understand. You will need a great deal of time to consider. However. You must not delay too long. Within the next week, give me an answer- "Oh well, let's give it a try." -... Risir, awakening from his contemplation, interrupted Lu-Rach's words. "Excuse me? What did you just say?" -Really, is it okay to decide so easily? Do you know what burden will be placed upon you? "What can I do? At present, I'm the only one who can inherit his will, aren't I?" At that excessively bold appearance, Lu-Rach was left speechless in many ways. Of course. There was no reason to take it negatively. That too was a heroic quality, if it could be called that. -I understand. Lu-Rach extended his hand to Risir. "..." Risir looked back and forth between him and his hand once, then grasped it. The world turned upside down. *** "Huh? You are...!" At a voice coming from somewhere, Risir came to his senses. His gaze turned toward the direction the voice came from. For a moment. Strength entered Risir's eyes. "You are..." It was an unfamiliar face. But why was it that... It seemed somehow familiar- A girl with a passive impression. With a hope that it might be so, Risir casually said. "By any chance, are you Felix's sacred sword- the Sacred Sword of Knowledge, Pochena?" "Huh? How- how did you recognize me?" The girl covered her mouth with both hands and showed surprise. However, that was only for a moment. She immediately returned to a serious expression and spoke. "The fact that you came here means-" "Yes. I was talking with him until just now. And- I conveyed my intentions. First Hero Lindal. That I would inherit his will." "..." Various emotions appeared on Pochena's face. Felix. A loneliness appeared on her face as she murmured her master's name- But she immediately shook her head to dispel it. "Thank you. Because it's you. If it's you- if it's the hero, the others will be convinced too." "The others?" Pochena grasped Risir's hand with one of hers. And with her other hand, she pointed to the other side. "Will you follow me? Everyone is waiting for you, Hero." Risir followed her down the dark corridor. When they reached the end, a round table came into view. Most of the seats at the round table were already occupied. "...As expected, it's you-" A woman with a sharp impression occupying one of the seats let out a sigh. It was the Sacred Sword of Ideal, Elisia. Then- "Ah, you are...!" A woman with long bangs hanging down fidgeted restlessly upon seeing Risir. The Sacred Sword of Sealing, Leroun, welcomed him. "...Who is that guy?" Ripples appeared on the face of the blunt middle-aged man. The Sacred Sword of Unyielding welcomed him. "That guy Kuzan. Don't tell me-" A man with a frivolous atmosphere slammed the table. The Sacred Sword of Courage welcomed him. "With this, everyone has gathered in one place." Pochena organized the atmosphere of the place that had become chaotic with Risir's arrival. "Wait, hold on." "Hm? Elisia, what's wrong?" "Those guys haven't come yet." "Those guys? Ah-" Pochena's gaze turned toward the seats that were still empty. They were the seats of Advancement and Blessing. Just then. Footsteps could be heard from beyond the corridor leading behind the seat of Advancement. Everyone anticipated the appearance of Advancement and expressed their respective expectations. "Why are they so late-" Elisia's irritated exclamation stopped mid-sentence. "...Who?" With each step, her naked form showed faintly through her swaying hair. She was a woman who had wrapped her overflowing, abundant black hair around her entire body like a dress. The woman, who had been hesitating and looking around, showed joy all over her face the moment she spotted Risir. "Ah, you...!" A cautious gesture where joy and fear coexisted. She cautiously extended her hand, then withdrew it again. It was Beast. "..." Risir unconsciously covered his face with his palm. "Ugh, Jallak."