14 - Make Dark Fantasy Great Again

Dark Fantasy Normalization, Chapter 14 > Book Rabbit - Web Novel Archive "What... what's going on?" "Risir won... right?" "I don't know much about swordsmanship..." "Neither do I..." "Lo-look! Sir Humton fell, and Risir helped him up, so it seems like Risir won, right?" "I hope that's the case...!" "Please, let it have ended before Risir got hurt—" It can truly be called an ironic situation. It was a gathering of warriors who never neglect their mental and physical conditioning to maintain composure in any situation. Yet in this situation, the only ones maintaining composure were the maids, demurely dressed in their uniforms. Of course, it was possible precisely because they had no understanding of what was happening. What it meant for the illegitimate child of the Vendel family to win a duel against an apprentice knight of Vendel. Or what it meant that the decisive move in that victory was magic. Even the family head, who should have announced the end of the duel the moment Risir's sword was pointed at Humton's neck, was in a daze, blinking absentmindedly. In the end, it was Risir himself who announced his victory. Lifting Humton's hand with a smile, he was unmistakably the victor. The first to react were the servants. "Oh my! It seems Risir really did win!" "Thank goodness he's not hurt—" "Hey, is that really the issue right now?" "That's what I said!!!" "How did he win when there's such a size difference?" "Don't you know? Swordsmanship isn't just about strength?" "That's right! Look at Lady Roera!" "Then is Risir as strong as Lady Roera?" "He trains tirelessly in the backyard of the annex every day! He must have secret training the others don't know about!" Not knowing anything about swords, the servants quickly accepted Risir's victory with their vivid imagination. They even wanted to cheer and clap. "Why is everyone standing still!? We should celebrate!" "Hold on—" The servants, excited and ready to cheer. What stopped them was the voice of the head maid at the front of the group. "The atmosphere... there's something odd, isn't there...?" Only then did the servants nervously raise their hands, scanning the mood around them. "Didn't Humton call it magic just now?" "It seems so? I didn't see it, but Humton's head suddenly tilted back." "Wow... magic came up here... I never imagined." "Has there ever been a mage in the history of Vendel?" "Would there have been?" The trainees, who began to grasp the seriousness of the situation, were chattering like people staring at a heavily clouded sky. The apprentice knights, who fully understood the seriousness, were already panicking as if a typhoon were upon them. "My God. Humton, that crazy guy. He lost this?" "It was clear he did... Didn't the family head tell him not to hold back?" "Ugh. I knew when he didn't get into stance and appeared relaxed." "Why are you blaming Humton? Isn't the problem here the magic usage that anyone can see as the issue?" "...Well, there's no rule stating magic can't be used." "It's not about the rules! It's about pride. Using magic in a duel under the Vendel name in front of the family head is unacceptable." "I'm losing my mind. Where did Risir even learn magic?" "I heard he goes to the library every day; was it for this?" "Can you learn magic just by frequenting the library?" "Looks like he's been learning it longer than a few days." "Our young master is something, isn't he? Quite resourceful?" "Is this the time to be impressed!?" "Hey, you guys, look over there. What's the family head's expression now?" "Isn't he secretly pleased? After all, it's his son." "As if. Do you think he'd be happy when a knight-in-training bearing the Vendel name loses to an illegitimate child? Knowing our family head's personality?" Even the arms of the servants, caught between applause and standing at attention, seemed to stiffen awkwardly as they sensed the atmosphere between the two groups. In the end, no one celebrated Risir's victory. “How sad…” “Risir must be so pitiful…” To the servants, Risir appeared like a wounded puppy. His attempts to smile nonchalantly in such a situation looked like a pitiful endeavor to appear unbothered. "Risir... he may be smiling on the outside, but he must be crying inside..." "Oh no, he closed his eyes..." "He's trying to hold back tears!" *** Ah. Sex. It's crude, but I ended up using it. There’s no other way to express how I feel right now. The silence of enemies is soon a clamor. I felt like the silence enveloping the space would deafen me. Yes. This is it. This is what an away game feels like. Are you creating a Vendel Library? I basked in the glory of victory and looked towards the seated family head. “…” The family head was deep in thought, shadows cast across his face. There was no sign that his inner turmoil would turn into joy. It was distinctly different from when Roera defeated the apprentice knight. If then was "Real!?", now was more like "...Real?" I had become a nightmare brought to reality for the family head. Family head. Does this illegitimate child trouble you that much? I wept tears in my heart. Tears of joy. It was precisely the reaction I had hoped for. I wondered what on earth drove him to accept this proposal. This man wasn't someone who'd normally give me such an opportunity. Surely, it must have been backed by some sort of calculation. The family head's reaction wasn't just mere confusion at an illegitimate child's daring rebellion. A face that seemed utterly lost on how to manage a derailed plan. My gaze met the family head's. I didn't look away; I returned his gaze evenly. Family head, your illegitimate child has returned. What now, do you see only darkness before you? Yes, there is no perpetual child abuse. Clap, clap, clap. Suddenly, the sound of applause was heard. Applause? In this situation? Everyone turned to the source of the sound, wearing expressions of disbelief. It was Roera. My younger sister was clapping confidently, albeit awkwardly. "..." "..." I met Roera's eyes. Whoosh! Roera averted her gaze as if she hadn't been looking at me in the first place. Her already awkwardly stiff expression turned even more rigid. Her face was visibly flushed red even from a distance. - Clap, clap, clap, clap!!! Yet, the applause didn't stop. The nervous, harsh clapping resonated around as if affected by her expression. "Risir~~~" Then, Fienne's frail claps layered over them. "Ah! Lady Roera and Lady Fienne are clapping!" "Doesn't that mean we can too!?" Next were the servants, who had been observing the reactions around them. "Congratulations, Risir!!!" "Risir, you're strong! Impressive!!!" When I waved with a smile, the servants responded with excited shrieks. That shifted the atmosphere in the place completely. Clap, clap, clap. It sounded like someone was clapping with a fist nearby. "If we fight again, I'll win." Humton looked at me with a sullen face while clapping. I patted Humton on the shoulder and said, "If I get another chance, I won't disappoint." "...!" Humton's eyes widened. His clapping paused briefly, then resumed with more strength and speed. Simultaneously, the family head stood up. "Winner, Risir." The room, silent just moments before, erupted in applause and cheers. Vendel Library, just built, already dismantled? The construction has completely failed. "Ha." Still, it wasn't a bad feeling. It might be better than the Vendel Library, if argued. I purely savored the moment. *** Right after the duel ended. Risir was summoned and headed to the family head's office. "..." The desk, once again covered in countless documents. However, unlike before, Idor's gaze was directly on Risir. Risir returned the gaze without a word. They silently looked at each other for quite some time. "Explain what happened." It was naturally Idor who spoke first. "I had the opportunity to learn magic. During the duel, I used magic to exploit an opening against Humton, who focused on my inadequate swordsmanship. That's all." "You—" Idor began, then stopped to rub his temples. In that brief moment, countless uncertainties flickered across his face. "..." Then he seemed to make a resolution and spoke. "How long exactly have you been learning magic?" "If you count the time since I seriously understood and sought to harness magic, it's been less than a week." "Risir." Idor spoke in a pressing tone. "The result you showed today is significant enough on its own. There's no need to embellish with unnecessary words." At Idor's demeanor, Risir recalled the past. An illegitimate child faced difficulties drawing his father's attention in many ways. Be it by birth or talent. Had the illegitimate child demonstrated talent in his youth, things might have been different. However, the child's talent was exceptionally ordinary—perhaps even pitiable. The only option left was for the child to strive to capture his father's attention with that pitiful talent. It was generally impossible, so such attempts were often made in a calculated manner. Like carrying out conspicuous 'secret' harsh training that everyone in the house could notice. In other words, was that it? Did he think I was exaggerating my actions to draw his attention? "Kuk." Risir involuntarily let out a chuckle. "...Risir?" Idor was taken aback by this unfamiliar behavior. Risir carried on regardless. "Yes. I'm sorry for lying. In truth, I've been learning magic steadily for a long time." "..." Though it was the answer Idor wanted and expected, his confusion only deepened. Risir, who once seemed so transparent and naïve, now had motives Idor couldn't see through. "..." Idor fell into deep contemplation. He slowly stood and moved to the window. "I seem to have—" His hands clasped behind his back, he spoke in a sober tone, looking out over the view beyond the window. "I seem to have left you to your own devices for too long." "..." "I did say, didn't I? That if this matter resolved well, I would positively reconsider your position." "..." "From today on, you will be apprenticed in the ways of Vendel. Although there will be no formal instruction in magic, I won't prohibit it either. Balance the two as long as it doesn't interfere with your apprenticeship." "..." "Of course. This is not a right without responsibility." "..." "The young lady of the Dintal family has shown considerable interest in you." "..." "Initially, interaction between our families and the Dintal family would be practically impossible. Although there hasn't been any major conflict, the minor disputes over the years have created a chasm of tension." "..." "The Dintal family is aware of this fact as well. Yet, at Lady Fienne's request alone, the Dintal head has withdrawn all intents and reached out to us first." "..." "It is a significant opportunity and relationship for both families. You will be responsible for this from now on." "..." "I will ask you, Risir. Are you ready to take responsibility for this?" As Idor gathered his thoughts and expressed his emotions through words, he turned his attention back to Risir, awaiting his response. "..." Seeing Risir in that state, Idor closed his eyes tightly. He could see Risir was trembling, his face covered by his hand. Idor intended to give Risir a moment to collect himself. "My lord..." But Risir had no intention of holding back his emotions. He had no intention of hiding them. "Speak." "What are you talking about?" "...What?" Idor belatedly realized. Risir's current state was vastly different from what he had presumed. Risir had removed his hand from his face. It wasn't tears that threatened to overflow, but rather, a face struggling to contain laughter. "I did tell you; I intend to leave the family." "...There's no need. There are many paths available to you now. That path never suited you, to begin with." "No, that's not it—oh. I understand. It seems there has been a minor misunderstanding between us, my lord." Risir spoke with a bright smile, devoid of malice or hostility. Idor nodded, seemingly content, as he prepared to listen to what Risir had to say next. "When I said I'd leave the family, I meant I would completely abandon the Vendel identity." "...!" Idor had never imagined he'd hear such astonishing words from Risir. For a noble to forsake their identity. It was unthinkable. Even for an illegitimate child. "My lord, you made a pact with me as the head of Vendel. You agreed that if I won this duel, you would respect my decision." "Do- do you even understand what you're saying!?" The myriad problems that could arise from this were not even on Idor's mind at the moment. He was just baffled by Risir's sudden change of course. Risir replied calmly. "There is likely no one who understands this part better than I do. I'm sure you, my lord, understand what I mean." Risir neither criticized nor felt disappointed by Idor’s attitude at that moment. It was the attitude Idor had displayed toward Risir in the past. "For heaven's sake—" Idor had so much he wanted to say. Yet, he ultimately uttered none of it. There was just too much to spill out in this encounter. Risir was the opposite. He had already laid everything bare, leaving nothing more to reveal. Emotions and words alike. Yes. He had known it would come to this. Still, perhaps it wasn't so bad. "Kuhuhuhu—hahaha!!!" Risir laughed. It wasn't the result of warped emotions. As evident from his infinitely cheerful laughter, it was an expression of pure joy. The mere thought that all the dreadful things would end here and now filled him with unfiltered delight. "I will make it clear this time, to avoid any misunderstanding." Risir stood up and clutched the sword hanging at his waist. "I no longer require the family name, the pretense of nobility, or your recognition." It was an ordinary sword. A simple one, with all decorative Vendel symbols and embellishments removed, made to look plain. Since being bestowed upon him, he had never once parted from this sword. Risir placed it on the desk without a hint of reluctance. "I'm quitting being your illegitimate child." My gratitude for everything thus far. Father. At those words, the ordinarily unfeeling eyes of his father trembled violently.