18 - Make Dark Fantasy Great Again

Dark Fantasy Chapter 18: North Rabbit - Web Novel Archives Risir couldn't quite grasp the words of his mentor. He understood the context, but he doubted he had comprehended the actual meaning conveyed. "You're telling me to ask for anything I want from Bendel?" Who could take such a remark at face value? If I were to respond by saying I want the Bendel estate and the head of its patriarch—now, that'd be the issue. 'Maybe I should reconsider my status to illegitimate son, grade A+-? My growth is unprecedented...' Recently, Risir, a man who wasn't quite a commoner, had been spending his time preoccupied with trivial thoughts. Keeping up with the mystical Dark Elf mentor who traveled with a talking book was not an easy task for him. "Wait, hold on! Who are you?!" Someone interjected between the confused apprentice and the ever-smiling mentor. "Oh my, who's this child?" "This is Roera, my sister, who considers me her brother no matter what people say." "Ugh! I told you not to say that, seriously!" "Oh my. Such a close relationship." The illegitimate child and the lady who dared escape from Bendel swiftly sought a place to hide. The lady insisted they quickly leave Hayern. The security of Hayern fell under the jurisdiction of Bendel. With a mere gesture from the head of Bendel, all exits from Hayern would be sealed. However, the illegitimate son insisted there was someone willing to help them, advising they head to his abode. Thus, they ended up at a house not far from Bendel. A helper for Risir? Roera's curiosity was piqued, and understanding dawned on her. The recent drastic changes in Risir made sense if they were due to the influence of an outsider. Roera was keen on learning about this supposed helper as she roamed through the house. Then, she heard Risir speaking with someone in the living room and went to see— "Hey—hey! Risir! By any chance, is your helper—?" "Ah. Let me introduce. This is my mentor." Oh, dear. The lady from a prestigious family expressed her astonishment with elegance. She couldn't hide her surprise and aversion towards the Dark Elf standing in front of her. “Pleased to meet you, Miss Roera?” Pamon extended her hand to Roera. "..." Roera instinctively reached for the sword at her waist, taking a step back. Anyone would react like Roera if an unfamiliar Dark Elf suddenly offered a handshake. Thus, Pamon didn't react outwardly. "Oh, I'm sorry. Did I scare you?" Apologizing with an animated smile, she withdrew her hand. "Sigh..." Risir heaved a deep sigh beside her. "Roera... I've never raised you to act like this... Mentor, I'm sorry. As you can see, Roera is rather cautious around strangers." “No worries~ In fact, she kind of reminds me of a cat; it's quite endearing?” Roera looked back and forth between mentor and apprentice, her eyes and mouth agape. Observing the distance between the two, Roera suddenly furrowed her brows and tugged Risir's arm towards herself. "Oh my. Look at her jealousy. Isn't that adorable?" "Sigh... Roera. Repressing things in this manner only leads to a fierce backlash. We just encountered such a rebound a short while ago." "Stop with the nonsense...! What is this, really!? Don’t tell me, the helper you spoke of is this Dark Elf?!" "That's right?" "This is insane—" Roera unsheathed her sword. She pointed her blade at Pamon. "You! What did you do to my brother?" "You said 'my brother'..." "My, my. Look at her worrying about her brother. How sweet... My apprentice has such a wonderful family?" "By the way, Roera. A handshake is done with one's hand, not by brandishing a sword." "Oh, be quiet!!!" It was prejudice. And yet, it was common sense. Dark Elves who live in the shadows are deemed ominous and are known to scatter curses around them. Hence, it is only natural to be wary of Dark Elves. Especially when said Dark Elf approaches one's family. Roera acted in line with general common sense. But as she listened to their conversation, her heightened tension and wariness made her feel foolish. The sharp vigilance of the gifted knight was effortlessly nullified by the frivolous banter between mentor and apprentice. Ultimately, Roera sheathed her sword once more. "Explain to me thoroughly what's going on." *** Z2dKbDJFSCtSbEo3WFlpUEN0eDQxWSt3TEMzV2UrSWpiWU00TVVyTFhsQ1ZEZmRDc29BY0Z6a0w5cmRGTjVtVg Risir's explanation came to an end. Throughout the story, Roera kept a wary eye on Pamon, but midway, she began looking at Risir with a mix of disbelief. Initially, she thought the accursed Dark Elf had bewitched the insignificant illegitimate child with a magical scheme. But upon hearing the story, it was quite the opposite. "What is Cognitive Impairment Magic anyway? Such a convenient magic exists? I've never heard of it. It's not because of your peculiar physiology, just—... Wait, where did you go?" "Are you looking for me?" "Gah!!!" Roera, who had experienced a broader world and gained a fitting perspective, was herself an exceptional figure. Even by Roera's standards, the Dark Elf was an extraordinary individual. And Risir's hidden potential was something special, even from the perspective of the exceptional Dark Elf. Considering Risir's attitude towards the Dark Elf, should we say he was bold or utterly reckless? It was only natural for the Dark Elf to take an interest and develop a fondness. "It's ridiculous. What if the Dark Elf harbors ill intentions and tries to curse or use magic against you?" "By that logic, a human could suddenly pull a knife and stab someone, couldn't they?" "..." "..." The sister and the mentor’s eyes met. A moment where emotions toward this anomaly transcended even species barriers was shared. Eventually, Roera let down her guard. She bowed her head towards Pamon. And then— "Mi-mi-mi-" "Roera! No matter the situation, calling our mentor a lunatic is a bit—" "What are you talking about! I was going to say sorry!" "Oh. Are you apologizing to me? Why?" "Well... because I pointed a sword at you upon our first meeting..." "Oh, no worries~ It's nothing significant. It's just that my apprentice is unusual, while your reaction is quite typical. And, more importantly, you did it to protect Risir, your 'one and only brother', didn't you? So, I understand. How affectionate you two are...like a little kitten." "My little Roera..." "Kittens and babies, you're both insane! Get those creepy eyes away from me!" Roera quickly grasped how the two had gotten along so well. *** A Dark Elf as my brother's mentor!? After experiencing this extraordinary event, Roera couldn't help but think she might not ever be shocked again. She decided she might as well hear everything she could. "...Are you joking again?" But contrary to her newfound confidence, Roera soon found herself dumbfounded as the story began. "I understand. I'm still trying to see through the lingering mist of confusion. Understanding someone as marvelous as me... it's no easy task, oh no, not at all." When Roera heard Risir's truly nonsensical words, she was taken aback. Compared to that, what Risir had said before wasn't senseless at all. In other words— "You haven't even been learning magic for a week?" Pamon enthusiastically started to boast about her apprentice. "Isn’t it marvelous? My apprentice's talent. Dear sister~? You can feel proud of your brother without restraint regarding this." "Be proud of me..." "No, I refuse..." She couldn't deny the astonishing talent, but she didn't want to partake in the otherworldly atmosphere radiating from the two. <At last! A somewhat normal person has shown up.> Then a third voice came in. "Who else is it now?" "Oh, my apologies for the late introduction. Miss Roera? This is Duran." "He may be a bit mischievous when speaking, but as a book, he’s fundamentally good-natured, so feel at ease." <Yes. You’re Risir’s sister, right? Unlike your ill-mannered brother, you seem composed, which I appreciate. We'll skip the handshake, as my form prohibits it.> "..." The wine-colored hardcover on the desk spoke as if it were the most natural thing in the world. And Pamon and Risir treated it as such—an Ego Item with a self-consciousness. Ego Items themselves aren't particularly rare. Even the Bendel estate had a lock that recognized its owner, opening and closing accordingly. ...But an Ego Item with such a freely expressed self-consciousness? Roera had never heard of such a thing. You probably wouldn't even find something like that in the highest circles of the Magic Tower. "Ah, my head—" Roera's mind had reached its limit. She was born with a talent for swordsmanship. Everyone around her always treated her as special, and she never questioned that fact. '...Maybe I'm not so special after all?' A Dark Elf. A talking book. A mutant who befriended those two and learned magic in less than a week. Roera experienced an extreme identity crisis amidst them. Yet she continued to listen to their story valiantly. After all, humans adapt quickly. "So, you're saying you just toppled the Bendel estate single-handedly?" As the story reached its conclusion, Roera became a paragon of tolerance, who could nod at any tale with a simple 'Is that so?' "Oh my. She's so composed. Are you alright? I was worried this might make your sister dislike you." “I guess I should say I’m okay?” The family, which put every effort into keeping the two unaware siblings apart, due to the circumstances of the adults— Roera found no particular emotion toward the disaster that had befallen the family, so worn down were her feelings of disenchantment. Not sadness, nor joy. But a bit of amusement, perhaps. "They pretended to be noble as the descendants of heroes, yet scorned an illegitimate child. Only to find out the hero's power was borrowed from the vilest being, making them nothing but a liar? How absurd." Roera let out a cynical laugh. Then the laugh turned into her signature wry smile. It wasn't altogether a bad feeling. It seemed this incident would allow her to sever herself completely from the household she once felt obligated to. The unease and reluctance she felt while impulsively aiding Risir's escape dissipated cleanly. "In that case—Mentor, what happened with the contract you mentioned? Since I am no longer bound to the family due to recent events..." "Bendel will have to prepare a new compensation of sorts." "And I can choose anything I want as part of that compensation?" "Of course. That’s what the essence of calling it the most valuable treasure means." "Mentor, may I ask you something?" "Certainly, my apprentice~ Ask to your heart's content~ Your mentor knows everything? Even if you ask ten things, I'll have a thousand answers~" They shouldn't, though. Ignoring the simultaneous objections from Duran and Roera, the mentor and apprentice continued their conversation. "Why are you offering this to me?" "I've already obtained what I wanted." Pamon rested her chin on her hand, gazing at Risir. When Risir pointed to himself with his finger, she nodded. "I am thoroughly satisfied with the current outcome. I don't intend on wanting more beyond this. Ah, would this conversation be uncomfortable for your sister, perhaps?" "For me? Why?" "You are the legitimate heir to Bendel, aren't you?" "I'm not going to inherit it." "Oh my. That's quite bold. Roera adjusted her position. Leaning back in her chair, she placed her long legs crossed atop the desk. "The family tree is tangled, the household is a mess. It’s all just as well. I plan to completely sever ties with Bendel like him and live my own life." "My apprentice? Your sister is quite spirited, isn't she?" "That’s what concerns me. I worry about who might end up taking such a feisty lady." Roera gave a mischievous grin at Risir's words. "Who would take me away? Didn’t you already whisk me off?" "..." Risir was at a rare loss for words and averted his gaze. His sister snickered at his reaction. "Oh dear, Duran. Aren't our kids just adorable?" <Who’s calling them your kids, you crazy Dark Elf.> Dark Elf, a talking book, Bendel's illegitimate child, and the Bendel lady. For a while, they huddled together, discussing their thoughts. What's the plan? What do you want to take from Bendel? Participants of a meeting at a scene that would have raised eyebrows from any guard observing. "Is it possible for her to take over the entire family altogether and become the head?" "Well, it’s possible, but knowing my apprentice’s disposition?" "I think it might be too grand a position for me. Besides, right now, I'm most focused on my progress in magic." "Or perhaps this is an opportunity to—" Roera started, then shook her head, saying, "No, never mind." "That’s right. You should continue learning magic. Why swing metal uselessly around when you managed to fire a mana bullet in just under a week?" "Exactly~ With talent like my apprentice’s, learning magic makes more sense than swordsmanship... Wait a second. What did you just say, sister? He made bullets out of mana?" "What? Didn't you teach him that?" "?" "?" "?" All eyes turned to Risir. Well, one wasn't a person but a book, but still. "I didn’t mean to. In a tense situation, I somehow pushed what I learned from my mentor to the limit, and then things just sort of happened..." “I see~ You managed to use structured magic by just pushing things to their limits~ Indeed, my apprentice~” “Pamon, you fool. Isn’t this a bigger deal than you make it out to be?” "Isn't it? My apprentice? Can you recreate it now?" "I'll give it a try...! Roera, could you maybe call me brother to help me get back into that mindset...?" "I didn't say anything like that back then." Risir stood and adjusted his stance. To recapture the feeling, he hid the silver orb given by Pamon in his left hand and began channeling mana with his right. He was quite tense. Humans can manifest powers beyond their abilities when pushed to the limit. Maybe his magic emerged under such circumstances? Could he reproduce it now just by wanting to? Risir concentrated. Mana pooled over his left hand. And—he hesitated. "..." Risir had a puzzled look as the mana failed to take a spherical form. "Oh my, my apprentice~" "What, wasn’t it a failure?" "Wait? Wasn't that a success?" "I recall it was a round sphere back then, wasn't it?" "Really? What a puzzle. My apprentice? Don't be disheartened. Reaching even this point is already a great achievement." They interpreted Risir's expression as such, but— Risir's thoughts had diverged from theirs. He was in the process of embracing an unfamiliar sensation. It was as though a barrier he once recognized had suddenly crumbled, revealing a new path— Then Risir replayed his battle with Gerhan in his mind. If it hadn’t been a spar— If Roera weren't there— What would have happened? What should he have done? It needed to be faster. Enough to penetrate Gerhan's thorough guard. Unavoidable the moment it's seen— Just like an arrow slicing through the wind. As his thoughts reached a conclusion, an arrow floated above Risir's hand. —whoooooosh The arrow was encased in a swirling vortex at its core. "...Did it look like that?" Squinting her eyes, Roera tilted her head in curiosity. ──────────── ▶Region: Hayern ▷ Returned Illegitimate Child - Inactive ▷ Promised Compensation - Inactive ▷ Witch of the Western Woods - Inactive ▷ the Girl in White - Inactive ▷ Words Left Unsaid - Inactive All destinies are deactivated. All active events are now inactivated. ──────────── ──────────── ▷Region: Hayern - has been deactivated Rewards will be given accordingly. ────────────