Make Dark Fantasy Great Again

"What the hell, Jallak! You've become a completely different person while we haven't seen each other! Growing your hair like that and having such a delicate body- you've completely become a woman!" "Brin! Get your head straight!? How is that Jallak in any way? That's just a different being!" "That's exactly what I'm saying, Elisia! Jallak has changed to look like a completely different being! If it hadn't come out of that corridor, I almost wouldn't have recognized it!?" "Argh...!!!" It was a conversation between the Sacred Sword of Ideal, Elisia, and the Sacred Sword of Courage, Brin. Elisia ruffled her abundant red hair in frustration. Yet the reason she couldn't entirely blame Courage was entirely due to the special nature of the situation. The Round Table of Seven Swords. This place was permitted only to the sacred swords and their masters. But an unknown being was boldly occupying the seat permitted to Advancement? In that case, it was reasonable to think like Courage: 'Ah! Advancement has changed quite a lot!' Reaching the possibility like Elisia that 'Advancement's seat has been replaced by another being!' was actually abnormal. Elisia herself knew this. Yet the reason she was confident in her judgment- It was none other than this. "Risir!" Elisia shouted that name. "This is related to you- right!?" Ideal had known Advancement for quite some time. Such was the Sacred Sword of Ideal, Elisia, who clearly knew. This kind of situation! A situation where reason and common sense don't work! When you can't tell what's what at all! In such times, connecting the situation to Advancement would be right eight or nine times out of ten! "..." In fact. Risir was equally confused. Where did Jallak go and why did Beast come out from there? Nevertheless- Risir also knew. A situation where everything is a mess and nothing can be understood! In such times, pointing to himself as the cause would be right eight or nine times out of ten! "Yes. I don't know what it is, but it seems to be my fault for now." "What? What kind of nonsense is that?" "..." The Sacred Sword of Courage, Brin, scrunched up his expression. The Sacred Sword of Unyielding, Dorvan, also furrowed one brow. From their perspective, Risir's statement sounded infinitely meaningful. For a moment, they even thought he might be mocking Elisia. Thus, as the atmosphere of the place became increasingly chaotic- "...You, don't tell me?" Someone's trembling voice focused everyone's attention in one place. The woman with long bangs hanging down- The Sacred Sword of Sealing, Leroun, looked intently at the 'Sacred Sword of Advancement.' "Magic sword...?" During the time of the magic sword's appearance in Illatdein. Sealing had helped with the aftermath of the magic sword that Risir had subdued at the scene. At that time, the Hero of Sealing, Shelloa, had temporarily sealed the magic sword's aura using the sacred sword's power. Should it be called thanks to that? Leroun could tell the moment she encountered that black-haired woman. The fact that she was the 'Magic Sword: Beast' that she had sealed with her own power. "What!? Leroun, what did you just say-" "You said magic sword!?" Elisia and Pochena. Even they, who had maintained relative composure as Risir "experienced" ones(?), showed bewilderment. But what about the other two sacred swords? "Magic sword? What magic sword? Don't tell me, that magic sword? Are you all serious?" "Everyone calm down. Remember what kind of place this is." How much so it was. Courage and Unyielding looked at the other sacred swords with careful gazes as if treating patients. Should it be called the blessing of ignorance? From their perspective as Risir "non-experienced" ones(?), the conversations the other sacred swords were having seemed absurd. How could a magic sword be here? "Argh!" "Ugh...!" Elisia's initial behavior had spread to the other two sacred swords. Leroun and Pochena made frustrated sounds as they expressed their exasperation. Having to be treated like patients when delivering plain facts! Moreover, that patient treatment was extremely normal! They judged. To sort out the situation, first priority was to narrow the gap in thinking- that divide. "You two there! I'll give you a brief explanation, so listen properly!" Professor Elisia's practical compressed lecture began, she being the most experienced in the place. *** "..." "..." They looked like they had quite a lot to say. However, they were completely speechless and couldn't utter a word. This was the reaction of the two sacred swords who had heard the story about the 'Hero' through Elisia. "What's with that expression? Dorvan. Why? Do you think I made up some nonsense?" "...No. Elisia. I trust your judgment. You wouldn't tell such a story as a joke in a situation like this." "Hey, Elisia. If that's the case-" The Sacred Sword of Courage, Brin. He gestured with his characteristic light movements, throwing his gaze like an eye signal. "What the hell is that woman?" There, a black-haired woman with her hands politely clasped in front stood behind the hero. "Leroun just said it. A magic sword-... Risir! What the hell is that woman!?" Elisia tried her best, but it wasn't enough. Elisia, who had tried to accept everything with the three letters "Risir," finally couldn't hold back and questioned Beast's existence. "Where did your sacred sword Jallak go, and why is a magic sword here!?" Flinch! Beast's body shrank back. "You... by any chance, is my existence causing you trouble...?" She fidgeted with her clasped hands while watching Risir's reaction. Meanwhile, the gazes of the sacred swords directed at her were not very kind. It couldn't be helped because- As a magic sword, she was thoroughly an unwelcome guest here. "Hmm..." Risir had a headache. How should he sort out this situation? "Everyone, wait a moment-" Risir tried summoning Jallak with a hopeful heart. He grasped the air with his hand and pulled it out. "As expected, it doesn't work-" The empty sensation in his hand. Risir's wish that at least Jallak's hair would be caught and pulled out was not fulfilled. 'Since this is a place where the spirits of sacred swords gather, summons that call forth the actual sacred sword bodies don't work here-' If it came to this, there was nothing he could do. Frontal breakthrough. This was the word that came to Risir's mind. Just then. A method to cleanly resolve this entire situation came to mind. Risir immediately executed that method. "Everyone, please welcome her. She's the new Sacred Sword of Advancement." *** Risir suddenly felt his ears itch. -Kraaaah! Risir! Please don't abandon me! He felt as if such a desperate voice was coming from somewhere. His heart ached as well, but- What could he do? Once by the sacred sword creator. Once again by the Round Table of Sacred Swords. Thus, a total of two times. Beast had been chosen for Advancement's seat in the most important places. At this point, wouldn't denying it be rather unreasonable? 'Of course, that's just my thinking-' Risir nervously watched the sacred swords' reactions. In such an important place, Advancement's seat was being replaced by someone else. His fellow sacred swords couldn't possibly accept this quietly- "Well, there's nothing we can do. Let's go with that." "What!?" Risir, who had been wracking his brain to find a way to persuade them, opened his eyes wide. "Let's go with that? Elisia, are you really okay with that!?" "Why, why are you being like this? You're the one who suggested it-" "No, that's true, but...! I never imagined you'd accept it so easily- are you all really okay with this!?" The sacred swords exchanged glances once and shrugged their shoulders. "Well, it's Jallak. He'll handle it well on his own." "What!?" At those words containing so many meanings, Risir was confused about how to react. That was also a form of complete trust toward a comrade, if it could be called that. "From the beginning, if that guy had been here, he would have said the same thing, right? 'Don't mind me and advance, Risir!' he would say." Was this not just talk to simply smooth over the situation- Elisia's imitation of Jallak was very vivid, as if born from countless experiences. "Above all-" Whew. Elisia dispelled her playfulness with a single deep breath. "All of this couldn't have just happened without any reason." Pochena also nodded with a serious attitude. "The fact that the true hero was determined while Jallak was absent... and that the hero's beloved sword was summoned here instead of Jallak..." "Be-beloved sword...!!! Don't say such things!" The magic sword cried out in shock. Indeed, did her essence remain unchanged? To react so intensely to being called the hero's beloved sword. The sacred swords looked at the magic sword with distrustful gazes. Then came the magic sword's subsequent action, "For something impure like me to be his beloved sword... wouldn't he be displeased-" She fidgeted restlessly while watching Risir's reaction. She seemed genuinely afraid. Yet, one corner of her mouth lifted slightly with joy she couldn't completely hide. "...Ah." The sacred swords realized more clearly. How she could replace Advancement's seat. "Then, we can consider our opinions to be in agreement, right?" Elisia looked at each sacred sword one by one and gathered their opinions. In the case of Pochena and Leroun, they nodded without delay. And Unyielding and Courage- "...Tsk, fine. I get it!" "It's an unavoidable situation." They reluctantly but eventually nodded their heads. "Good! Then it's decided unanimously!" Elisia let out a relieved sigh as if she had finished a major cleanup. "Right. This is correct. The sacred swords' will has decided, so we can't nitpick every little thing, can we?" "Um, Ms. Elisia?" "Yes? Risir, what is it?" "You just said it was unanimous, but-" Risir pointed to the seat that was still empty. It was Blessing's seat. "Ah, if you're talking about Floren- he's coming right there." Trudge trudge. A boy with a disheveled appearance walked out from beyond the corridor. "Is the discussion all finished?" "Now you just need to agree, Floren." "Yeah. I agree." The boy sat down and answered without delay, then sprawled over the round table and began to sleep. Risir pushed aside his bewildered feelings and said, "So, Elisia. What happens from now on?" "...Pochena? Could you explain to Risir?" "Ah...! Yes!" Tightly clenched hands. Pochena looked around the place with a nervous expression. "Um, if it's alright, could you sit over there?" She carefully gestured toward the magic sword who was still standing. It was Advancement's seat that was still empty. "..." Beast, who had been glancing around with upturned eyes, finally headed to the seat and sat down when Risir nodded. "Whew." Then. Pochena filled the last remaining seat at the round table. At that moment. Light bloomed from the empty space at the center of the round table. And a voice. Light and voice intermingled and filled the entire place. After a moment, the light subsided- Seven sacred swords lay upon the round table. "..." Risir alternately looked at the sacred swords and their bodies, recalling the prophecy that had been heard along with the light before. -The moment when seven strands of light are grasped in one hand. Thus shall a new path of light unfold. *** [Title: This prophecy content seems a bit strange] Content: [The moment when seven strands of light are grasped in one hand. Thus shall a new path of light unfold] Isn't this completely about the First Hero? The First Hero was practically the owner of the 7 sacred swords Then shouldn't that path of light or whatever have unfolded long ago when he was carrying the sacred swords around? -: What path of light? -: Developer, this guy is laughing -: Leave him alone, he's probably dreaming about seeing the true ending -: Don't you read the prophecy content properly? It says 'the moment when grasped in one hand' ㅇㅇ -: The First Hero did carry all 7 swords around, but he probably couldn't use them all at once ㅇㅇ -[Original poster]: No If even the First Hero couldn't do it, then who will?? -: Someone with seven arms will do it -[Original poster]: Ah -[Original poster]: Then damn it, why not bring an octopus instead of a hero -: That's why they brought you -[Original poster]: Ah -: Isn't using 7 swords at once physically impossible? Normal people can usually handle four swords at most, right? -: Teacher, with all due respect Normal people usually have two hands -: Damn it, where did you fit in two more (E/N: Trust me, you don't want to know) -[Original poster]: Or could it be? Could the sacred swords somehow combine into one? -: There is a keyword called 'true sacred sword' *** "..." Silence fell over the place. Risir was pondering over the prophecy's content- The sacred swords were waiting for Risir's response. And finally. Risir opened his mouth. "Did the First Hero- Lord Lindal also know about the content of this prophecy?" "Actually-" Elisia carefully opened her mouth. "Our memories follow our master. When the master changes, previous memories become dim. So- our memories of previous masters are just blurry. The First Hero is the same. But-" Elisia placed her hand on her chest and said. "Something else inherent within us- not memory but something else- is crying out. That even the greatest hero in history could not reach the answer to that prophecy-" "But the First Hero was clearly the master of the seven sacred swords, wasn't he?" "Right. He was the master of the seven sacred swords. But- the prophecy says this. The moment when seven strands of light are grasped in one hand, thus a new path shall unfold. Perhaps- even that First Hero failed to draw out the power of all the sacred swords simultaneously?" The expressions of the sacred swords, including Elisia, had somehow become tinged with deep shadows. The traces of the past inherent within them were crying out. That sense of powerlessness. That sense of despair. Their instincts were doubting Risir. No matter what, reaching the answer to the prophecy would be impossible. "Above all. Handling seven swords at once is practically impossible for a human body, isn't it? So- we're thinking there might be another method. Like combining us into one-" "Another method..." Then. Risir's eyes took on a strange gleam. "Actually. I do have something I've prepared for a case like this." "A case like this?" "Yes. Things I gained through the process of handling sacred swords and magic swords simultaneously. You could call it the fruit of consolidating all of that." "...!" The strange gleam that appeared in the hero's eyes spread to the eyes of the other sacred swords. Before long, the sacred swords were silently watching the hero's actions. Thus directing infinite faith and expectation toward him. The hero also responded to that- Engaging in action without words. He first picked up one sacred sword. It was the Sacred Sword of Advancement(?). The hero's body was enveloped in dark armor and took the form of a magic swordsman. It didn't end there. -Uaaaaaahhhh!!! The howling magic swordsman. Crack! Crack! Along with the sound of bones breaking and flesh and muscles twisting- Arms began sprouting from his back. It was the ultimate form(?) that the master of multiple swords had reached to fully draw out the power of all those swords. Thus- Crack! Crack! Wings were formed on the magic swordsman's back. Crack! Crack! Wings made of three pairs of arms. -Kraaaaaahhh!!! The magic swordsman spread those wings with a fierce roar. Rip! The wings tore away the thin membrane attached to the body and revealed their form. Their trembling appearance was like that of a newborn beast standing on its own feet. The magic swordsman spread his two arms, then crouched with all his might. Then strength entered the wings that had been trembling weakly. Rattle. Rattle. The fingers at the wing tips wiggled, yearning for something. Tremble tremble- The sacred swords on the round table trembled as if responding to that. They were sucked into the wings one by one and grasped in those hands. It was the moment when part of the prophecy was realized as seven strands of light were grasped in one hand(?). "Ah, no- wait a moment...!!!" Nevertheless, the sacred swords unconsciously tried to stop the hero. -Gargargargarg!!! Clatter. Clatter. Clatter. The screaming magic swordsman. The arm-wings writhing with his breathing. The hero's appearance while executing the prophecy was utterly bizarre. How could that be the appearance of a hero fulfilling a sacred prophecy!? "Risir, calm down for now-" At that moment. The sacred swords began to resonate with each other and emit light. Seven strands of light gathered in one place- The moment of prophecy approached before their eyes. "Ah, no...!" The sacred swords despaired.