Make Dark Fantasy Great Again

Chapter 83 -We've done enough, so let's hand this case over to the Guard Corps now! The words were truly admirable. It seemed like the proper attitude a City Councilor who truly cared for the city should take. However, the ecology of City Councilors didn't flow in such a desirable manner. Whether they truly cared for the city or truly cared only for their own livelihood. For them to carry out their will within the city, they needed corresponding power. Therefore, the City Councilors put their utmost effort into power struggles to seize even a little more of the various interests and rights surrounding Bondaless. This was the reason Ran couldn't easily hand the case over to the Guard Corps. The Guard Corps were formally excellent people who took responsibility for Bondaless's safety and peace, but in reality, they were a group that actively wielded authority under the pretext of security. After the Guard Corps came under City Councilor Gadum's jurisdiction, Bondaless's back alleys experienced unprecedented prosperity. All sorts of illegal businesses ran rampant, and massive funds flowed in from unknown places and flowed out to unknown places. It was from that time that Gadum began to expand his influence within the city based on massive financial power. What would happen if this cultist incident were handed over to such a Gadum? Would he properly commend Ran's efforts for the city's security? 'Like hell.' This cultist incident had occurred in Ran's jurisdiction. Ran could be certain. If she couldn't resolve this incident on her own and handed it over to the Guard Corps, they would use this as an excuse to encroach on her territory. Once the Guard Corps began to swagger around in her territory, it would only be a matter of time before everywhere became a breeding ground for illegal businesses. Conversely, if she resolved this incident on her own terms? In that case, she would not only protect her territory but also gain justification to take over the Guard Corps's authority. -While you Guard Corps were just twiddling your thumbs, we caught and dealt with the cultists who were trying to turn the city upside down. What a beautiful and solid justification this was. Therefore, Ran hoped to handle this cultist incident on her own terms somehow. Was it virtually impossible because the White Shadow Cult was deeply involved? Then, at the very least, she hoped her achievements would be guaranteed. For that, the help of the three people—Shakan, Maldad, and Valrod—was still indispensable. Even if she handed the cultist incident over to the Guard Corps, if they led the subjugation as leaders, Ran's achievements would be greatly guaranteed. Thus, Ran had called the three people aside and was conducting additional negotiations. She promised exceptional conditions and requested their cooperation. However, the three people's reactions were not very good. "Hmm..." "..." Valrod and Maldad, who were deep in thought and hesitant to answer. "Lady Ran," In the midst of this, Shakan opened her mouth. "I like you. So I want to help you if possible." "Then—" "But I'll be honest. I have no desire to get involved in other neighborhoods' power struggles." "...!" The beastkin female warrior from a barbarian tribe spoke with complete honesty. And that honesty represented what Maldad and Valrod had been struggling to convey. At the point where it had been determined that handing this incident over to the Guard Corps was the right thing to do, Ran's additional request was not much different from asking them to directly support her in the power struggle between City Councilors. Getting involved in the power struggles of a large city like Bondaless was not easy even for prominent figures like them. No, it was actually more difficult precisely because they were such prominent figures. They were individuals with considerable influence within their respective groups. There was a risk that their intentions would be seen as the intentions of their entire groups. "Ah—" The young City Councilor Ran found herself speechless. She blushed with embarrassment. Having been absorbed in her role of protecting citizens from cultists and corrupt officials, she belatedly realized that she had been making unreasonable demands of them. "I'm sorry. I was being unreasonable." The young and upright City Councilor, who had tried to protect her people and citizens from corrupt officials, ultimately bowed her head. "..." "..." "..." The expressions of the three people who had succeeded in persuading(?) Ran were not entirely clear either. Ran was someone who, unlike other City Councilors in the city of Bondaless, strived to be as upright and honorable as possible. The reason they had maintained personal friendships with her and had rushed over upon receiving her letter was because they knew this aspect of her very well. This was certainly Ran's unique strength. ...And also her weakness. The fact that Ran's family, the Pelros House, had been the greatest family in Bondaless was now a thing of the past. Bondaless had changed. Those in power had begun to more actively reveal their ambitions, and in the process, competition had become more fierce and sordid. In this process, the Pelros House's prestige was diminishing day by day. If Ran had been someone who would use any means necessary for power, she might have found a more efficient path than asking the three people and being refused. In the first place, she wouldn't have repeatedly suffered losses by antagonizing other corrupt officials while claiming to protect her people and citizens. This incident would further diminish the prestige of City Councilor Ran and the Pelros House. Bondaless would move one step further away from the virtues of integrity and honor. Unfortunately, for the three outsiders, it was a matter of indifference. Though regrettable, it wasn't reason enough to risk their own and their groups' safety. "Tsk. If only we could have accurately assessed their forces. There might have been room for intervention." Shakan muttered this realistically impossible task like an excuse. The White Shadow Cult was precisely the kind of group that operated in cells, making it impossible to uproot completely. Even Priestess Goldina probably didn't know exactly who her contact targets were. In such circumstances, how could they assess their detailed forces? The atmosphere of the place continued to sink like falling into a swamp. The grim future of Bondaless was drawn all too simply in their minds. "Everyone. It seems I've figured out the personnel composition of the White Shadow Cult that will appear at the contact location?" "..." It was then that a voice that was sudden in many ways intruded. They all turned around to look toward the door. They could see the figure of that man holding a crystal orb in his hand, carefully reading the situation. "What should we do? Should we strike first from our side?" "No..." *** The hearts of the three people had already left Bondaless. All that remained was for their bodies to follow their hearts. But the hearts of these three people were forcibly summoned back to Bondaless. They moved back to the reception room and took their positions. Shakan perched by the window. Valrod settled into a chair. Maldad leaned against the wall with his arms crossed. Though their postures were different, their gazes were all directed toward Risir. And for some reason, their eyes all clearly showed signs of being fed up. "What did you do this time?" Shakan spoke in a weary tone. Then, the crystal orb in Risir's hand caught her eye. 'Huh? Was that thing that color?' Shakan put that question aside and spoke. "Don't tell me that demon bastard told you?" -You mongrel bitch!!! Demon bastard. At those words, Dangaleon, the resident of the crystal orb, roared in anger. -You'd better watch your words! Even your ancestors struggled against this very being, Dangaleon the Burning Black Fire!!! "...!" At the overwhelming presence contained in that cry, Shakan unconsciously straightened her posture. Valrod and Maldad did the same. Dangaleon the Burning Black Fire. That name, which had left clear traces in continental history, was not one that could be taken lightly by mages of the Red Magic Tower who handled fire, by demon hunters who hunted demons, or by warriors who followed in their ancestors' footsteps. They trembled at the demon's status they had briefly forgotten and thought, 'Why had I been forgetting about that demon?' "Hey, Dangaleon. Why are you talking like that? Mongrel bitch, really." -But look at those hideous ears and tail! "They're just cool." -Looking closely, it does seem that way! The fur is quite lustrous! It would burn well if set on fire! Girl, rejoice! Master has found value in your worthless body! "Sigh... Just, that's enough, so please just stay quiet." Ah. That's why. They felt renewed confusion. How on earth had that arrogant demon, who looked down on mortal beings like insects, become subservient to a human? The reason the three people still hadn't left Bondaless was entirely because of that absurd spectacle. No matter how much they watched, they never got tired of it, and it was new and thrilling every time. "Getting back to the main point, yes. That's right. This fellow told me the personnel composition that will appear at the contact location. Additionally, he informed me about the overall plans of those White Shadow Cult bastards." "Risir, I say this out of concern, but believing a demon's words at face value is not wise." Valrod nodded at Maldad's words. "He's been kept in Lady Ran's possession for a while. Even if he's telling only the truth, the information might have become corrupted in the meantime. Secret meeting locations and times change frequently depending on circumstances and timing." "Ah, you don't need to worry about that." "How can you be so certain?" “Because it’s freshly acquired information.” "?" Risir revealed what had just happened. "..." "..." "..." "..." Not only the three people but even Ran drew question marks with their expressions. A demon being loyal to a human? And sacrificing most of his power to prove that loyalty? Infiltrating among demon followers to extract their information? Even a storyteller would be perfect for stoning if they made up such a story. But- "I understand. Since you're the one saying it, I'll believe it." They decided to believe it because Risir had said it. At this point, they began to worry. Weren't they becoming fools who would accept anything just because of the word 'Risir'? If some mage from the Gray Magic Tower found out, they would smile with satisfaction at having gained a comrade. "Would you share the information the demon obtained?" *** There are not many who understand the nature of demons more deeply than demon followers. They knew how arrogant and self-centered demons were. Therefore, it was unimaginable to them. A demon betraying his followers and becoming subservient to a human who interfered with their rituals. That was why. The cultists found Dangaleon's sudden presence moving between sealing stones unexpected but did not suspect anything. They believed Dangaleon's words that there had been a brief setback in the ritual but it was proceeding without problems, and they responded to his request for information sharing. In fact, they had no obligation to share information with Dangaleon. In the grand plan they were executing, Dangaleon was merely a part, not the whole. However- -How dare these insignificant humans humiliate me!!! -If this is how it's going to be, I won't cooperate with you either! The stubbornness of a demon who had lived for eons was something even demon followers found difficult to endure. In the end, Dangaleon succeeded in extorting information related to the overall plan from the cultists. According to him— On the day when the secret meeting between Goldina and the cultists was scheduled. In Bondaless, the cultists' plans were to be carried out simultaneously. First, the secret meeting with Goldina who was in charge of Dangaleon's liberation ritual. One priest came out to share the ritual's progress with Goldina. "For now it's just your hands and feet, but if you utter even one word, I'll immediately burn your lungs, you cultist bastard." "...!" He was subdued by Risir and Valrod who had been lying in ambush. Next, the retrieval of demon Martael's fragments stored in a merchant's mansion warehouse. Another priest set out to infiltrate the merchant's mansion to eliminate witnesses while retrieving the fragments. "Damn it— what is this... surely, he was just an ordinary merchant— something, something is happening... you slave girl there! Get out of the way right now— urgh!" They were subdued by Maldad and Shakan who had been lying in ambush. ...The demon's claws were directed at the demon followers. *** Dranoff, the High Priest of the White Shadow Cult, felt like his head was about to split. "..." The plan that had been proceeding smoothly was now encountering successive setbacks at the crucial moment. It was as if someone was looking down at them from above, stepping on their shadows and toying with them. After much deliberation, Dranoff reached one hard-to-believe conclusion. 'There's a vile traitor within the cult...' Anyone who could leak information related to the overall plan would have to hold at least the rank of priest within the cult. However, Dranoff couldn't think of anyone suitable. The priests around him were all people of devout faith. Dranoff needed counsel now. 'Lord Martael...' The demon he served did not answer. It was because sufficient rituals had not yet been performed. In the end, he sought guidance from another exalted being. "Dangaleon. Contact with Varda, who was supposed to meet with Goldina, has been cut off. On top of that, even Gashuel, who was tasked with retrieving Lord Martael's fragments. Do you have any idea about this?" -Actually, there's something Goldina received as a hint from Varda. (E/N: In case it is not obvious, this is Dangaleon) "What is it?" -Podran's recent movements have been suspicious, so it would be good to be careful if Podran approaches. "...!" Podran. He was one of the three priests Dranoff had brought to Bondaless. He was also one of Dranoff's disciples. "No, that's impossible!" Dranoff denied it. -Then who on earth is it? Who is interfering with this grand plan right beside us? "..." The White Shadow Cult is one as a whole, yet not one. Within the cult exist numerous factions, and among them are several that treat each other not just as enemies but as mortal foes. 'Could it be—' Podran was certainly Dranoff's disciple, but he was not someone who belonged entirely to him. 'That bitch Rafita—' Dranoff bit his lips. The demon's voice had made the seed of suspicion sprout. -Goldina's situation isn't good right now either. Interference keeps coming. Dranoff. It's time for you to take action. "..." The demon follower nodded repeatedly to the demon's voice. *** -Master! He's left alone! "Didn't you say there was one more priest left? You said it wouldn't be easy even if that High Priest was alone?" -The fools killed each other through my scheming! Because of that, the last remaining High Priest is now in an injured state! If you're going to strike him, now is the time! "Really?" -Please remember! All of this was accomplished by me, Dangaleon, Master's faithful servant! "Oh, I should remember. Of course I'll remember." -Kraaaah!!! The ultimate ecstasy!!! The black— no, gray mist inside the crystal orb writhed. "Everyone. You heard, right? Let's go right now." "..." Was it okay to wipe out demon followers like this? In the first place, who were the demon followers in this situation? They felt an untimely identity crisis and pangs of conscience.