Make Dark Fantasy Great Again

Chapter 75 Keiren was dead. Therefore, Cartria must not look back. She squeezed her eyes shut and began to run. The cursed city of the cursed humans. Bondaless. The scenes of its back alleys flashed past rapidly. For some reason, the scenery of her homeland Kehlin overlapped with them. How tiresome. That's why she missed it. Suddenly, such thoughts occurred to her. Why was she here? How had it come to this? Her younger brother who had vanished without a trace one day. And the letter with trivial contents that he had sent. She had surely thought it would be the beginning of a joyful and exciting journey- Now at the end of that journey, nothing remained for her. Her precious younger brother and the respected Keiren. And even her original self. "Ah...!" Then, the moving scenery around her and her thoughts came to an abrupt halt. Something tripped her feet. With a thud. Following that, something slashed across her ankle. "Kyaaaah!!!" The Dark Elf's piercing scream filled the filthy back alleys of the humans. Cartria crawled on the ground and turned her body around. In doing so, she confirmed the face of her attacker. "...!" Contrary to her expectations, what stood there was not a human but a Dark Elf. They extended a sword instead of a hand toward the fallen Cartria and spoke. "Young Lady. Please hand over the Hand of Verdandes." Cartria realized. Why she was here. How it had come to this. ...How foolish she had been to blindly hate humans. *** [Title: I'm currently doing this Dark Elf named Cartria's Fate Quest and I have questions] Content: So why exactly did her younger brother leave the pleasant life in Kehlin to go to the human world? It couldn't have been to realize his identity and become a slave, right? -: His girlfriend seduced him -[OP]: Did he hear something like "Haah... I find it so sexy when you're chained up and getting whipped..." or what? -: Hey you bastard -: He heard "Ah~ I find it so sexy when you help me liberate demons~" apparently lol -: A demon follower named Kela approached him to liberate the demon that the Sahila House was sealing (E/N: Wasn't Kela the name of that adventurer? Huh?) -[OP]: What's the connection between making him a slave and liberating demons? Does the demon get all pumped up when seeing male Dark Elf slaves? Fucking bad review -: To explain simply Demon seal => This surprisingly needs maintenance, and Cartria is in charge of that maintenance = Cartria's mind is connected to the seal -[OP]: Ah fuck lol -[OP]: Don't tell me it's that? -[OP]: Cartria's mind breaks = demon seal breaks They kidnapped her brother to mess with Cartria? -: Yeah, and while they were at it, they also recovered the demon seal stone Part.2 that her brother had -[OP]: Don't tell me Cartria getting especially screwed over by humans was also because of that? -: Yeah, about half of it was done by those demon follower subordinates -[OP]: About half? -: Kela "Huh? Those guys aren't my subordinates though?" -: Just absolutely fucked *** [Title: Wow this Fate Quest really makes no sense at all] Content: I was getting used to [The person you killed was actually an innocent victim lol] But they immediately added a triple shot of pure capsaicin [The person you killed was actually an innocent victim lol You helped the bastard who ruined that kid's life lol Now that bastard is going to kill tons of people with your help lol Good job lol feels good lol] really crossed the line way too much, didn't it? Even 'Disgusting Pork Cutlet' would become 'Disgusted Boss' if sold like this, for real -: Showing Cartria's forgotten end specifically when entering the Kehlin region is really ridiculous -: "Thanks. Because you killed her escort knight Keiren, I was able to kidnap the lone Cartria without losses, torture her, then liberate the demon and completely destroy Kehlin lololololol" -[OP]: No but fuck, they said she was a crazy Dark Elf attacking innocent people -: Innocent people = slave traders who picked up someone's brother and happily sold him at back alley black markets, and the bastards who took him, drugged him, played with him to their heart's content, then dumped him - : Crazy Dark Elf = only took revenge on the guys who did terrible things to her younger brother -[OP]: Gaaaaah ────────── It was like clouds covering the entire sky. Yellow clouds made of sandstorms swallowed Kehlin whole. And a single streak of thunder. The roar rode the storm and echoed throughout the entire city. -Bow your heads before the Sand Mountain That Blocks the Sun, you insects. -The true master of this desert has returned. The sand and chaos left behind by the storm covered the entire city. The desert night had arrived. [Region: Kehlin] ────────── "Ugh." Risir frowned. Then Meltas looked at him with concern. "What's wrong, Risir!" "It's a bit noisy." "The demon's voice!? This is serious. I warn you, never listen to their voices! That being is not something a mere mortal body can handle. If you let your guard down, you'll be consumed by madness! Moreover, it will try to deceive you somehow! Therefore, absolutely! When you converse with it, consult with me first! Tell me the contents of the conversation and let's discuss how to handle it together!" "That's serious then. In that case, should I tell Sir Meltas everything it has said so far?" "Let me hear it!" -Can you hear me!? Finally!? My voice!? "Hmm?" -Good! Insignificant insect! Bow your head before the Sand Mountain That Blocks the Sun. Answer your new master's call! "Hmm...!" -Did I not tell you to answer! Hurry!!! "Hmm?" -If you don't respond to my words right now, I'll have you gnawed away by sandstorms for eternity! -You will suffer the agony of your skin and organs wearing away while still alive! "Hmm...!" -...Fine! Then just listen! "Hmm?" -Let me out of here right now! -If you don't, everything you love will be buried in sand and worn away! "Hmm...!" -No, no! I misspoke! "Hmm?" -If you let me out, I will grant you infinite power and glory! -Hurry! -Please!!! -Gaaaaah!!! -You cursed insect!!! -What exactly are you doing to me!!! -Stop- please stop!!! "..." "This is the conversation we just had. As expected, showing such a weak appearance must be to deceive me, right?" "...Poor thing." "Oh no! Have I already fallen for something from it!?" "Not you, but that demon." "?" "Another name for demons is deceiver. They feel incomparable joy while toying with mortals according to their will." "Then you're saying all of that was acting." "At the same time, they are incomparably arrogant beings. Even when facing annihilation, they never bow their heads to mortals." "Huh? Then what is this one?" "Hmm..." Meltas fell into contemplation. "I suspect it might be because of your power—the power of normalization." "You mean my purification power is causing pain that makes even arrogant demons bow their heads—is that what you're saying?" "It's an absurd situation." "I thought so too." "But you are Risir." "?" "So I'll say it's entirely possible." "What exactly do you think of me?" "I think of you as Risir. Unfortunately, I can't think of a stronger expression than that." (E/N: Risir/10) With those words, Meltas fell into contemplation. A powerful demon worthy of having a name was trapped in a human body and suffering instead. As already mentioned, the word 'Risir' were sufficient explanation for the situation. But conversely, it was also a situation that couldn't be explained without the word 'Risir.' Meltas, as a scholar, tried to derive his own rational conclusion. "Perhaps the contents of the literature were exaggerated." "The contents of the literature?" "It happens occasionally. Cases where achievements are exaggerated to elevate a family's status." "Ah! I understand. A powerful demon that ruled the desert region for centuries. Just from hearing about it, you'd think it completely dominated some city, but in reality it might have just been a troublemaker occupying a hill and preventing people from passing through!" "Exactly. You could call it a blind spot in records." The two looked at each other and nodded their heads in satisfaction. -Risir! -Risir!? -Risir!!! -...Risir!!! Breaking away from primitive thinking like a savage's language system and pursuing rational thought, they could feel the sweet sensation of becoming intellectuals. "Anyway, what in the world is going on here?" Just then, the maid Tia who was sleeping on the sofa stirred. "Why is a demon that should be far away in the southern desert inside your body? This is a situation that even the name 'Risir' can't explain. Do you have any guesses?" "Hmm... Should we ask the person involved?" The person involved. Risir was referring to Verdandes. However, there was another person involved who reacted to those words- "...I can explain." "Hmm?" A third party's voice interjecting. The maid Tia, who had regained consciousness at some point, was looking at them. "Oh, Tia. You're awake. Are you feeling alright?" "..." *** Cartria approached Risir unsteadily. She seemed to carefully caress Risir's face— "...!" She startled and hastily withdrew her touch. As if she couldn't accept that the filth that was herself was touching the clean treasure that was Risir. Cartria's expression as she looked at Risir was extremely complex. Countless emotions were violently mixing within the narrow canvas of her expression. "Asking if I'm alright. You're the one who—" "Hm?" "Are you... really alright...?" No. I feel a bit bloated. I must have eaten too many of Didoa's sandwiches earlier. But I'm satisfied since I protected her smile. Risir was about to habitually spout nonsense when he saw Cartria's expression and became serious. After carefully considering her intentions, he answered cautiously. "Yes. I don't know what you're worried about, but as far as I can tell, I have no problems right now." "..." Cartria's elegant face contorted moment by moment. On one hand, it looked like she was holding back tears, and on the other, like she was holding back laughter. Her trembling lips kept moving. Thank you. I'm sorry. Which words should she bring out? "...I did it." That was Cartria's choice. She confessed everything she had done to Risir until now. Feeding him Turbid Truth. Feeding him Four White Lotus. Making a demon possess him. And that was all. She didn't mention what treatment they had received in the human world, what was done to them. And thus what prejudices she had developed against humans. How she had applied those prejudices to Risir and what misunderstandings she had made. What efforts she had made to correct the mistakes born from her misunderstandings. Cartria didn't even mention the stories that could be called her inner circumstances. "...Why?" "Does that matter?" Cartria responded to Risir's question with a shameless smile. 'He's safe...' She had no intention of shamelessly hoping for more than that. She didn't want to interfere with his coming contempt. "Intentions, reasons—what meaning do they have? What remains in the end is the result. And that result is that I tried to harm you." "..." "So then, what will you do now?" Cartria thought she was expecting it. For him to give her a look of contempt— To slap her cheek and point fingers at her— To say he would chain her to pay for her crimes— She thought she was purely satisfied with the current situation where she could pay for her crimes. However, the reality was different. In truth, she was afraid of his contemptuous gaze. She was afraid of remaining as a terrible person in his memory. If her heart had its way, she wanted to use every means to repair her relationship with him. "What is it? Are you going to stay still again? Like when you were unknowingly deceived by me?" But outwardly she wore a detestable smile and drew out his contempt. It was a kind of defense mechanism born from the thought that being forgiven by him was absolutely impossible. Thus, Cartria waited in resignation for Risir's coming humiliation. *** The past few days. While Cartria spent busy time trying to save Risir from the Magic Tower, Keiren, the Moonlight Knight Commander, searched through Bondaless with the slave trader Reisha to uncover the truth behind the incident. "It's here..." "The mansion's courtyard?" "Yes... When I came out in the morning, Lord Drian was here... unconscious..." The circumstances so far. It was certain. This incident wasn't simply caused by the third son of Sahila, Drian's transgression. There must have been intervention from a third party with impure intentions. Keiren secured clues to the case one by one with the cooperation of slave trader Reisha. Then one day, a letter arrived at Reisha's mansion. -If you want to save Drian, come to the specified location. It was an abandoned house located in the back alleys. In the underground chamber of that abandoned house, a Dark Elf wearing a robe greeted Keiren. Keiren knew her. A woman named Kela. She was a young lady from a high-ranking Sahila noble family that the third son Drian often associated with. ...On the surface, that is. His intuition was sending him warnings. 'That thing' was not Kela. An ominous aura that couldn't be fully comprehended even with his 7th rank level filled the space. Kela's crimson lips split into a grin. It was an alien smile as if mimicking a human. "Congratulations. You successfully recovered Drian." "..." It was an irritating expression. By now, it was certain that she was the source of all this trouble. Keiren wanted to immediately cut off her head. However, that unknown power was troublesome. That unknown composure was troublesome. Somehow interpreting Keiren's mood, Kela's smile deepened. "You thought well. If you kill me now, you won't be able to save the two Sahila you serve." Two Sahila. It meant that not only Drian, but Cartria was also touched by dirty claws. "Do you see this?" Kela rolled up her robe's sleeve to reveal a topaz bracelet on her wrist. It was the Sahila treasure that the third son Drian had taken from the vault before leaving Kehlin—the Eye of Verdandes. If the Hand of Verdandes was a prison that confined demons, then the Eye of Verdandes was another prison that confined that prison, serving as the artifact that was the subject of the seal. (E/N: Oh, then that's useless) "...!" Keiren's eyes widened greatly upon confirming the state of the Eye of Verdandes. The topaz was turbid. So much so that its interior couldn't be seen through. This meant that Cartria's mental state, bearing the burden of the seal, was near its limit. "Seeing this even after recovering Drian, you must have noticed. That Drian's condition isn't normal." "...What did you do to the young master?" "Who knows?" Kela wore a sinister mad smile. "I'll just say that he absolutely cannot regain consciousness until I permit it." *** The guest room prepared for distinguished visitors at the Magic Tower. The Dark Elf who had been sleeping there for several days awoke. He raised his upper body and stretched with all his might. "Uuugh~" Truly the sweetest sleep. Waking up in an unfamiliar place, Drian simply felt good. *** "If you cannot save Drian, the Sahila young lady that all Dark Elves admire will cross a river of no return." Kela spoke while conspicuously showing off the Eye of Verdandes. "So, Keiren. The Moonlight Knight Commander will gladly accept my request, won't you?" It was the moment when Keiren's expression was about to contort mercilessly at that atmosphere of seemingly polite but blatantly mocking the other party. "?" Keiren's expression became strange as he looked at the Eye of Verdandes. Kela wondered what was happening and checked the Eye of Verdandes. "?" Sparkling brightly. The topaz was shining in the darkness, having regained its complete radiance as if its previous turbid appearance had been a lie. At this very moment. Cartria's heart had regained complete peace. Neither of them knew the reason. *** Finally, Risir opened his mouth. And Cartria doubted her own ears. "What did you just say..." She unconsciously let out a chuckle. ────────── ▷Fate 17: Detestable Race - has been deactivated. Corresponding perks will be granted. ──────────