11 - Make Dark Fantasy Great Again

*** ▶ Another Tale ◀ This is yet another story. *** [Fear] [The first emotion the girl felt upon realizing her transformation] [Since when] [The moment she ceased to long for the world beyond the shadows] [The moment she stopped craving warm, soft white bread] [It felt as if a massive hole had opened in her soul] [She forgot how to yearn] [And found a new craving] [Blood] [The girl, devoid of home, parents, and guardians, was ignorant and uneducated] [Yet she knew it was strange to find comfort in darkness over light] [She knew it was strange to crave red blood over white bread] [She fled from this newfound desire] [It wasn't a long escape] [Freed from hunger and lacking, she was like a solitary flower blooming in darkness] [All kinds of vermin swarmed around, seeking to covet her] [Rude and vile hands that once stole her food and shelter now reached for her] [Insignificant] [That was the first sentiment she felt towards the desires of adults she once feared] [The girl realized] [Lack of desire was a blessing, not a curse] [Her new craving was an expression of her innate superiority] [She commanded] [They followed] [Like an order of nature, a master-servant relationship formed among them] [A pure white girl emerged dignified from a slum filled with cries and desires] [I'm hungry] [The smell of blood wafted from behind] [This won't do] [Dignity befitting one's status must be upheld] [The girl no longer feared her desires] [For she understood what they meant now] ["I'm special."] *** *** *** ["I'm special."] [What kind of dignity befits someone as special as herself] [How should one conduct oneself to enjoy it] [There were times when she endlessly pondered over this] [Restraint was the conclusion she reached] [She remembered the image of a noble tearing at meat with greasy hands, eyes glazed over as they indulged in alcohol and women] [How grotesque it was to be dominated by desire] [If she were to crave blood and power as they do, how would she be any different from those beasts] [She absolutely refused to be seen in such a manner by others] [She desired honestly but was careful not to let it consume her] ["Miss, that might be difficult..."] [She refrained from stripping her servants of their identity] ["I'm sorry... I've been so tired lately..."] [She restrained her craving to wholly quench her thirst for blood] [It was an effort to maintain dignity as a superior being] [At least, that's how the girl saw it] [In truth, it was different] [The girl wasn't as special as she thought herself to be] [She was just a girl] [Who no longer felt lacking-] [Who could now pursue what she desired-] [A girl from the slums who never had a home, parents, or friends] [It seemed her skewed pretend play would continue indefinitely] [But the girl didn't realize how potent desire was] [Nor was there an adult to guide her to the right path] [Still] *** *** *** [In that place lived a harmonious family] [She was showered with familial love] [There lived a beloved girl] [...She was the center of everyone's love] *** *** *** [The sky, as if crafted by someone, was so red that the difference between day and night was meaningless] [The city was desolate and eerie] [Upon entering through the city gates, the towering pillars dotted across the city were the first to catch the eye] [Drip] [Drip] [Drip] [Drip] [The liquid dripping from the objects speared atop the pillars soaked the city as it flowed somewhere] [The hero followed the liquid down the street] [The destination was a mansion located deep in the city] [As the door of the mansion opened, crimson liquid gushed out like a tidal wave] [Something submerged in the liquid revealed itself] [It was a mountain] [A mountain of flesh made up of countless bodies piled high] [At its peak laid a pure white girl, nude] [The stark contrast between crimson and pure white seemed to clash yet harmonized perfectly] [The pure white girl awoke from slumber] [With an innocent, purely ominous smile, she beamed] ▶ Character 3: Pure White Girl *** "This can't be happening... It's impossible... My power... for something like this..." I am well aware of how intense the emotional fluctuations are for adolescents going through their turbulent years. Because I became that when I grew up. In fact, I've experienced it twice. Is there anyone else who's gone through puberty twice other than me? In that sense, I took pride in ranking first in the puberty race. Perhaps because of that. I had a pretty good idea what was causing Pien's emotional turbulence right now. "Pien, don't be too sad." I met the eyes of Pien, who sat on the floor muttering in disbelief. "There are many other men besides me in this world." That's what you call the pain of rejection. "What nonsense is this...!!!" Unable to hold back her overwhelming emotions, Pien began to sob, burying her face in her arms. It's what you'd call an emotional flood. My words of comfort seeped deep, unlocking the emotional barriers of a teenage girl stubbornly closed off. I gently patted Pien's back. "Yes, cry. Cry to your heart's content. That's how you grow into an adult." "My, my power... for someone like this...!!!" ...Well then. I should stop teasing. The little fledgling that followed me around. The emotionally unstable young lady who continuously acted out. Which one is Pien's true nature? It would likely be the latter. I tapped Pien's back, demanding an explanation. "Hey! Get away from the girl!" Gallant's shout was heard at that moment. "...!" I tensed up as if caught in the act like a criminal discovered at a crime scene. It was only natural, given that Gallant was Pien's bodyguard. If Pien reverted to her helpless, innocent state and painted me as the villain, the end result wouldn't just be stern looks or fists pounding. It was then, while I was contemplating how to defuse the situation. "...Hold on." There was something strange about Gallant's reaction. "Isn't that Sir Lysir of the Vendel family? What brings you here..." It was as if he'd forgotten the memories of coming here with us. Moreover, he prioritized me over Pien, who was collapsed on the floor. A small spark. Pien's antics. Gallant's confusion. There was definitely some connection between the two. Based on that judgment, I took action. "I was just about to assist her as she appeared to have trouble moving." "...Is that so?" Gallant looked distinctly skeptical. That look assured me. Gallant didn't recognize Pien at that moment. It was certain. Otherwise, he'd have drawn his sword and gone wild at me already. Now the problem was how Pien would respond- "...What he says is true." It was an unexpected twist. Pien matched my story and sought support. We stood up and exchanged a few short words with Gallant. Though he seemed uneasy about the strange atmosphere between us, Gallant eventually accepted it and left. The situation was resolved for the moment. But even though it was concluded, my curiosity had only grown. What exactly was going on here? The harmless fledgling Pien had suddenly turned into a peculiar woman. Gallant, who was once devoted to Pien, suddenly acted as if he didn't know her. "Thi-this!" "Hmm?" Pien's trembling voice snapped me out of my thoughts. "I helped you, didn't I?!" "Helped?" "Yes! I mean, I could've put you in a tough spot, but instead, I chose to help you!" Her sudden confession was unexpected, but I understood what she was trying to say. "Strictly speaking, that's somewhat true." "!!!" When I acknowledged it, relief washed over Pien's previously anxious face. "Then-" "But it's like a robber saying you should be grateful for just taking your money instead of your life. Isn't it similar in principle?" "N-no...! What I mean is...! What I'm trying to say..." Flustered for a moment, Pien abruptly pressed herself against me and spoke. "L-Lysir, you actually don't mind, do you?" "Huh?" "I know. I know how pretty I am. I know how much men like me. Do you know my maids marvel at my skin every time they bathe me? They say they've never seen skin so clean. They say I'm lucky." Pien's delicate hand caressed me. There was an occurrence just a moment ago. A touch, entangling quite openly. It was so sticky that I questioned whether this was truly Pien's touch. However, the current touch was— Awkward. Clumsy. Hesitant. Undoubtedly, it was Pien's touch. An innocent girl, clumsily trying to seduce, as if she were overextending herself. The sensual confidence that seemed to be the source of Pien's former allure had vanished. "If you want, Lysir... I’ll let you have your way with me..." "No-" "You should feel honored!" Pien, with eyes trembling, seemed too scared to wait for a response, cutting off my words. "Do you know how many men wanted this...!" Then she caressed my face with an 'excessively' sensual(?) touch. "But. I’ve never allowed it to anyone. Do you understand? How special I am. How special this moment is." "..." It was like a child believing they were an adult, desperately trying to seduce. It was uncomfortable in a different sense than the sticky atmosphere from earlier. “So please…” Pien squeezed her eyes shut. Pursed her lips. Hold on. Carp lips. Pien? That's not it. You've put too much force into your lips. 'Damn it.' It wasn’t a kiss or a peck. That was just a smooch. I felt a wave of 100% pure guilt as I gently pushed Pien away. Her face mirrored the shock she felt. "Why...?" "Pien. Let's talk about dating once you’re a little older, okay?" "What are you saying!!! Lysir, you’re eighteen! I'm older than you!!!" "Well, how about we make you my 'noona' from now on?" "You’re not listening to me, are you!?" As we were bickering with Pien, a familiar voice echoed. "Lysir~ Didn't you say you were going home to rest?" Outside the alley stood my master, holding a basket of bread. "Oh, Master. Good to see you. I didn’t think we’d meet again today, yet here we are. It's like having a refreshing morning twice?" "Oh dear~ Duran~ I thought about sternly scolding Lysir, but that mood just vanished~?" <That's a rotten teaching method. Maybe you should put down the ruler.> "By the way—" My master's gaze fell on Pien. "My student? And who might that young lady be?" "Ah. Let me introduce you. Remember when I mentioned a potential arranged marriage? This is Pien, my fiancée." "Oh my." My master’s expression suddenly hardened as she scrutinized Pien from head to toe. "So did I interrupt a private moment between you two?" "Ah, actually—" It was perfect timing. I sought my master's counsel about what had just happened. An innocent lady, her escort, and a bastard child. The story of those three intertwined. "I think I might know what’s going on~" Was it just my imagination? After hearing the story, my master seemed somewhat pleased. "As expected, Master. You know everything." "Of course~ Is there anything else you're curious about? Master knows everything~?" "Then, could you predict my future?" "Let's see, let’s see. Oh my, what is that child? Looks like a half-breed between a dark elf and a human?" <Lysir. Use this chance to explain things properly. I really don't want to die from embarrassment.> I gave a start. Pien flinched with a tremor running through her body. "Wha- what’s that voice just now..." "Oh, Pien. Don’t be alarmed. It’s just an ordinary talking book." Pien’s eyes were locked onto Duran, hanging at my master’s belt. "A magical tome can express itself so fluently...?" "It’s a marvelous life that could only have come about under my master." <A marvelous life, you say. Damn it, Lysir. You’re stirring me.> "...!" Pien expressed her awe with her whole body. Her legs gave way, causing her to collapse onto the ground. "A, a monster..." Pien muttered. How rude. Speaking of which— "True Ancestor? Did you just say True Ancestor, Mr. Duran?" "Indeed. I heard that the young lady claimed to be your fiancée is, in fact, a True Ancestor." True Ancestor. It sounded familiar. A vampire? Yes, that’s right. I think that may be what genuine vampires were called. Pien being a True Ancestor, though. It was a surprising revelation but one I swiftly accepted. <A True Ancestor has the power to enchant humans. It seems the young lady used that enchanting power to cause some commotion.> Mr. Duran’s explanation made everything clear. "Is it true, Pien?" "N-no, it’s not...!" "Pien dear~ did you know~? When a True Ancestor engages in deception, their blood shines red~?" "Is that so, Master? What color is it normally?" <The Church metaphorically expresses that upon discovering a True Ancestor, they enter inquisitions without question until death. If it ever happens, Parvon might do a better job than those zealots.> "Y-yes...! Everyone is right!!!" Terrified by the grim conversation, Pien confessed. "The way that bodyguard Gallant reacted—it’s probably because his unique aura was normalized by that child’s power." "Normalized...?" Pien tried to decipher the meaning behind it all with worried eyes. I turned away from Pien and asked my master another question that troubled me. "Then, Master, is Pien's—enchanting power gone now?" "Considering Gallant’s reaction—yes, it's probably correct to assume so." My master seemed somewhat excited as she spoke. "Really, what a preposterous unique aura, normalizing the power of a True Ancestor." "Master, it’s not normalization but restoration..." "But this doesn’t look like a case restoration could explain, does it?" "..." "Hold on a moment." My master grabbed my wrist. "..." For once, she showed an unusual loss of her characteristic liveliness, her face appearing startled. "My student? Did you drink some miraculous potion or something?" ────────── ▷ Character 3: Pure White Girl - Deactivated. A reward has been granted. ──────────