Make Dark Fantasy Great Again

"W-What!? My body- it's still here!? I'm still alive!? Why-" The Sacred Swords had each faced their final moments in their own way. They had clearly felt their existence crumbling during the ritual process. And becoming part of one great whole was the same- "Urgh- this is strange... this sensation... I was definitely becoming one with the others- ugh...!" If it had been just a little longer, their existence would have merged into one at the end of the ritual. However, right before that moment. Their existence was repelled by something and returned to their original state. It was confusing. The gradually returning sensation of their bodies was confusing- And the situation unfolding before their eyes was even more so. "...The ritual- surely the ritual didn't fail?" Dorvan of the Sacred Sword of Indomitability said while barely supporting his staggering body. This was why the Sacred Swords who had returned from extinction had complex expressions. At this very moment. What dominated their emotions was not joy at returning, but fear that the ritual might have failed. "Pochena... no... what am I doing feeling relieved..." Along with confusion about themselves feeling secretly relieved. Just as the Sacred Swords were about to fall into inescapable deep anguish- "...No- the ritual didn't fail." Elisia of the Sacred Sword of the Ideal said while rubbing her brow. "Elisia!? What are you talking about! You say the ritual didn't fail- then why are we still here!? Where did the true Sacred Sword go-" Brin of the Sacred Sword of Valor's words were cut off mid-sentence. Elisia had suddenly pointed somewhere with an irritated gesture. A handsome young man with a generous impression was standing there. The Sacred Sword of Advancement- No, it was Jallak, who was now a Sacred Sword of unknown purpose. "There it is, isn't it? The true Sacred Sword." Elisia pointed at such a Jallak and spoke indifferently. "What are you- what are you suddenly saying, Elisia! You're saying that guy Jallak is the true Sacred Sword!?" "..." Elisia's characteristic irritated atmosphere grew even thicker. She looked like she didn't want to say a word. But what could she do. "The true Sacred Sword!? Are you talking about me!? Ah, ah! That's right! Me, Jallak! Certainly, I can be called Hero Risir's true Sacred Sword! Elisia, what's the occasion! You're giving me such kind words!" Except for the malice welling up at the sight of that utterly fortunate Sacred Sword- The current situation was one that everyone should know about and share joy over. "Ah, really-" No matter how much she wanted to be annoyed, laughter came first. Elisia began her story with such an expression. The full account of events she had realized through her direct experience. It was at the climax of the ritual. During the process where all the Sacred Swords' existence merged, Elisia had unintentionally become their focal point. Should she call it a blessing. She was able to feel every step of the ritual's progress in detail. Which Sacred Sword's consciousness merged first. What faces the Sacred Swords made and what emotions they felt just before merging. And- What was there at the destination they were trying to reach as one. "It was Jallak." "...What?" "Jallak was already standing where we were trying to reach! In the ritual to summon the True Sacred Sword, the true Sacred Sword! That's why we were forcibly bounced back! And that guy was summoned instead!" "..." What? The Sacred Swords looked at Jallak with different expressions. They thought he had been holed up somewhere and suddenly appeared- Who would have thought that was him responding to the ritual to summon the True Sacred Sword? "No, no, no! Elisia! What are you saying! That doesn't make sense!? You're saying that guy Jallak is the True Sacred Sword!? How? Why? No, why!?!" Brin's mouth moved as busily as the legs of a horse running at full speed. Thanks to this, the other Sacred Swords didn't need to trouble themselves with expressing their thoughts. How? Why? Who? What other reaction could they possibly have? Jallak's existence, having cast aside the name of Advancement and appeared suddenly, brought only pure questions while leaving all else behind. "Why are you asking me that?" The Sacred Swords' gazes followed Elisia's gaze. There- A figure of light was standing. Ru-rach. As the creator of the Sacred Swords, the being who knows everything about the Sacred Swords. Only he could answer everyone's questions! -... Indeed, he was the creator of the Sacred Swords. He provided the correct answer without any delay. -Hero Risir. Without any attempt to figure it out himself, he immediately transferred the question to him. -Would you explain how this happened? "..." Then, Risir fell into thought, resting his chin on his hand. -... Ru-rach immediately realized his mistake. Swept up in the immediate flow, he had transferred too much responsibility to him. No matter how extraordinary his abilities, in the end he was merely a mortal living for a time. And a very young one at that. The reason why his Sacred Sword was reborn as a single complete and perfect Sacred Sword. It was natural that he had no idea. Now was the time for him to guide Risir. -Hero Risir. Calm yourself and listen to me. Tell me everything that happened regarding Jallak without leaving anything out. "...Everything without leaving anything out?" -Yes. You probably don't have anything that comes to mind, but that's fine. Even if it's nothing special- "Ah. Then first-" Ru-rach realized belatedly. "Should I start with the story about how the Sacred Sword cracked during battle with an ancient being, then light leaked out from the crack and suddenly the Sacred Sword became like new? Or should I start with how I tried to purify aura by operating the Sacred Sword and Magic Sword simultaneously- ah, there's also this. Recently I destroyed fragments of an Archdemon with this Sacred Sword, and it cracked again in the process, right? So I left it with the World Tree for a while, and during that time it changed to be like new again-" (E/N: You don't kill archdemon by becoming the true sacred sword, you become the true sacred sword by becoming archdemons) -... The Hero wasn't pondering because he had nothing that came to mind. He was pondering because there was too much that came to mind. -A little more slowly... *** -I understand. Ru-rach. A being that had existed since ancient times and lived through eons. Having heard Risir's story, Ru-rach immediately succeeded in clarifying everything with his profound knowledge. -This is beyond my understanding. "Wait, is that what you meant by 'I understand'?" Risir couldn't help but be bewildered. He had never seen such mysterious and dignified ignorance in his life. It wasn't only Risir who was surprised by such a reaction from Ru-rach. "W-wait a moment- you don't know either!?" Elisia and the other Sacred Swords opened their eyes wide. They knew the profundity of Ru-rach's knowledge. "Then who on earth could know!? Jallak's state. This situation surrounding us now...!" As the creator of the Sacred Swords, Ru-rach had more extensive understanding about the Sacred Swords than anyone else. In other words. If Ru-rach didn't know, then no one in this world knew. That wasn't all. "More importantly, that power of Risir's. You don't know anything about that power?" Before being the creator of the Sacred Swords, Ru-rach. was a transcendent being who had existed for eons. Called the Ancient Spirit King. His perception and thought encompassed the vast ages from ancient times to the present. Such a being said. -That's right. I cannot define or clarify his existence. I can say with certainty that encountering such a being, such power- this is the first time. Ru-rach's statement shocked everyone present. Risir. The fact that he was an extraordinary being was already understood to a tiresome degree- But when that fact was officially recognized by none other than Ru-rach, it carried a weight quite different from before. The gazes of those present naturally focused on Risir. There was pure concern contained in them. What Ru-rach's statement implied was clear. Risir. He might possibly be something other than human. Furthermore, he might be a being that could not be compared to or defined by anything. It was an identity difficult for a mortal being to bear. The weight of fate. They were concerned about the mental shock Risir would feel. "Risir, are you. All right...?" Elisia asked cautiously. "All right, what do you mean?" Contrary to everyone's concerns, he appeared quite calm on the surface. Of course. That didn't mean they should abandon caution. Even if he appeared calm on the surface, he might be hiding some turmoil inside. Elisia approached carefully, as if approaching a frightened animal. "Your identity- that you might not be human..." He was a man with human nature that didn't match his abilities. They had concluded that Risir must have been greatly shocked by the current situation. Everyone held their breath and waited for Risir's reaction. "..." After a moment. He casually scratched his chin and said. "It is surprising, but well- is that all there is to it?" "Is that all there is to it...?" Such an ordinary answer. It was the moment when that was about to raise everyone's doubts. -You inorganic wench!!! Whoosh! Suddenly, ashen flames bloomed in the air. -What obvious nonsense are you spouting! There's no way Master could be a mere insignificant human!!! "Dangaleon, insignificant. What do you mean by that." -Nooo!!! Of course I wasn't saying Master is insignificant!!! What I meant was that humans are- "But I'm human too?" -...I understand!!! If that is truly Master's will, then let it be so! "No, what do you mean let it be-" Ru-rach, who had been watching the scene in bewilderment, spoke. -...Hero Risir. I'm asking just in case. How did you summon a spirit here? It wasn't a spirit. It was a demon. He hadn't summoned it either. It was just a resident of his Mental World taking a brief outing. "Ah..." After a moment. They understood. The reason why Risir, having realized his unstable identity, could react so calmly, A Desire Demon who became a saint. A Progenitor who became an Acting City Councilor. A demon who became a spirit. A Magic Sword who became a Sacred Sword. Risir's surroundings were already full of such beings. Moreover, the cause of all these things was Risir. So naturally, he had no choice but to become numb to it. -...Then, Master! I, the assimilating White Flame Dangaleon, will also follow Master and walk the path of humanity! "No, that won't work for you." Eventually. They reached one conclusion. 'Does it not really matter...?' They were moved. *** "By the way-" After such a commotion had settled down. Risir looked at the sword held in his hand. The Sacred Sword of Advancement- No, the True Sacred Sword. "The moment seven streams of light are grasped in one hand, a new path of light shall unfold." It was an unconscious action. Risir closed his eyes and quietly recited the prophecy. Then- Wooooooong- The True Sacred Sword resonated and emitted sacred radiance. Risir could clearly feel it. That the True Sacred Sword and his existence were resonating. That something was strongly drawing him. A sensation as if he would be sucked somewhere immediately if he gave in. -Hero Risir. The figure of light. Excitement seemed to appear on its featureless face. -Do you believe in the existence of the Lord God? "..." Risir looked at him with a surprised face. Because that suddenly mentioned topic felt deeply meaningful. "May I ask the intent of your question...?" -In this world, a Great Will has existed since long ago. Vast enough for anyone to feel, yet faint enough that no one can perceive it- The Sacred Swords were modeled after that Great Will. More precisely, they were attempts to model that Great Will. "...Are you saying that what was merely a frustrated attempt- has been achieved through the birth of the True Sacred Sword?" -Yes. That is exactly what is now grasped in your hand. Hero Risir. Ru-rach's voice trembled with excitement. -Now you stand at the entrance of the path of light. What do you see? What do you feel? "..." Risir closed his eyes and concentrated his mind. And at the end, he opened his eyes and said. "Shall we go now?" -Go? What do you- Ru-rach's question could not continue. The same was true for the others. Silence suddenly descended upon the round table. Everyone, including the Hero, vanished without a trace. *** "..." Risir's group slowly opened their eyes and took in the newly unfolded scenery. Grass swayed in the refreshing breeze. They opened their eyes in the middle of an endlessly sprawling meadow. "Hello." A voice coming from somewhere. They turned their bodies and looked toward where the voice came from. -You are...! Ru-rach's voice trembled with shock. -Lindal...? The First Hero Lindal. No. Something resembling him stood there, welcoming everyone. "I was waiting." Its gaze was unwavering, directed at Risir. *** [Conditions have been met] [Special effect is activating] [Special Effect: Same Trait Resonance] ... ... ... [Retrying] ... ... ... [Retrying] … … …