Dark Fantasy’s Extra Chapter 113

Several days had passed since we returned to the Order headquarters.

Everyone except Oscar was able to return without major issues, but…

“…It’s not your fault.”

Ozwald shook his head as he sat before me and Sephira in the hospital lounge.

“This was… inevitable. Especially since it involved a behemoth, I knew something like this could happen.”

“What did the doctor say?” 

Sephira asked.

“They say even doctors have trouble treating illnesses of the mind.”

“What about Maia?” 

I asked with a glimmer of hope.

“Fortunately, she said she could help a little.”

“That’s a relief.”

“Yes, it is… But things won’t be exactly the same as before.”

“…”

That’s understandable.

Even if it’s Maia, she probably can’t completely heal a human broken by a behemoth-level Beast’s mental attack.

“You don’t need to feel too guilty. This is all my responsibility anyway. I was the one who sent him to go with you. But… I should tell Oscar’s parents. I feel so ashamed to face them too.”

Oscar was also properly a young master from a noble family.

Even if the Vale family only held the minor title of baron in the provinces, nobility is still nobility.

This will become quite complicated.

“For now, Ms. Maia has agreed to help, and I’ll keep watching over him too, so you don’t need to worry too much. At least… he came back alive. Just for that much, you all did well.”

In his younger days, Ozwald also fought on the field as a hunter belonging to the Order.

He would know better than anyone that a day like this could come.

Not just Ozwald, but Sephira and I know this fact too.

But… knowing it, being used to it, doesn’t make it any less significant.

For now, we can only hope Oscar overcomes this well…

After chatting a bit more about various things including recent news, Sephira and I left the hospital.

Unfortunately, we couldn’t visit Oscar since he absolutely needed rest right now.

After parting with Sephira too, I went to the administration office.

“…Ah, welcome. We’ve been waiting.”

Hans, Crowty’s assistant, was working alone.

“Sorry I’m late. I stopped by the hospital briefly…”

“For Oscar? I understand. What did Sir Ozwald say?”

“He said Oscar just needs rest for now. And I heard Maia can help.”

“That’s good news.”

Hans pulled out a pouch from under his desk.

“Anyway, here’s the special allowance for your last expedition.”

I received the pouch heavy with Order Silver coins and put it in my pocket.

Though quite heavy, I didn’t feel particularly happy about it.

“Your achievements lately have been acknowledged by Sir Crowty too.”

“It’s not me, but the others in our department doing well.”

“Well, since I haven’t seen the field directly, I can’t really say…”

Come to think of it, this might be my first time having such a long conversation with Crowty’s assistant…

Why is he working here alone?

“…By the way, where’s Hera? I haven’t seen her lately.”

When I left to save Chris, Hera had earnestly asked me to make sure to return, but I haven’t met her once since coming back.

“Hera is also hospitalized with serious injuries.”

“What?! But why…”

“I heard she fell down some stairs while briefly visiting her hometown. According to her letter, fortunately it’s not life-threatening and doesn’t seem to have caused any permanent disability. She should be able to return soon.”

“Ah… That’s really fortunate.”

Well, she was always a bit clumsy.

It feels a bit empty without Hera in the administration office, but there’s no real problem.

Just a bit disappointing.

“Thank you for letting me know. Keep up the good…”

…?

“Is something wrong?”

Hans the assistant asked when he saw me pause briefly.

“Oh, ah, no. It’s nothing.”

I shook my head at the chilling thought that had occurred to me and left the administration office.

Hera is not in the administration office, no, not in the Order at all.

In Blue Paper Moon, Hera only disappeared when headquarters became dangerous, like when the player sided with a witch and attacked the Order.

…Could it be?

No, she might have just gotten injured without any special meaning…

Could it… could it be that something is about to happen here…?

Surely not… there’s no way such a major event would happen without any warning signs…

…Right.

Damn it.

*    *    *

“I’m really sick of this…”

“That’s a real genius…”

The title of hunter alone signifies possessing tremendous talent.

Even lower-ranked hunters who are looked down upon within the Order are beings that the vast majority of commoners wouldn’t dare to even think of touching when they go outside.

Among such hunters, those with even more special talent are mid-ranked hunters, belonging to the realm of so-called geniuses.

Now such geniuses were whispering before one overwhelmingly brilliant talent.

“Haha… I don’t even think I can win in the future.”

The large man who had lost to Hilde in the mock tournament due to letting his guard down got up with a hollow laugh and dusted himself off.

That man’s name was Charon.

He was a genius nicknamed ‘Stone Fist’ for killing low-tier Beasts with his bare hands even before becoming a hunter.

“Hah… hah… It was a good match, Mr. Charon.”

Hilde caught her breath as she held out her hand to Charon.

“A good match… indeed. Yeah… I didn’t let my guard down even a bit.”

Charon accepted Hilde’s handshake, but even he couldn’t hide a somewhat bitter feeling.

It was a light rule where the match ended when one side fell or sat down, rather than fighting until someone became completely incapacitated.

The flow of the match had been more advantageous for Charon, but Hilde’s desperation and momentum were far more overwhelming, and Charon fell into his opponent’s pace and showed a small opening.

Hilde didn’t miss that chance, using a bare-handed parry to disrupt his balance before immediately sweeping his legs to knock him down.

That ended the match.

The winner was Hilde.

It was a difficult victory, and assuming Charon wouldn’t show an opening next time, he would win.

But not a single person present thought that way.

Only a few weeks, a few months had passed since their first match, yet Hilde had already caught up to the chin of Charon, a clear powerhouse among mid-ranked hunters.

If they fought again, the only scenario anyone could imagine was Hilde, who would be even stronger by then, completely overwhelming him.

“Hah, you really are a genius. I was a fool to think you’d make a good rival.”

Charon sighed while scratching the back of his head.

“You’ll definitely be the next higher-ranked hunter. You might even aim for 1st rank.”

“…Thank you.”

Hilde gave a slight bow before returning to her position.

“…”

Charon flinched, then looked like he was about to say something before also bowing his head and returning to his position.

“…”

Hilde remained quietly sitting in that spot until after training ended and everyone else had left.

No one called out to Hilde or approached to ask her to go together.

At first, there were quite a few people who wanted to get close to Hilde.

For future connections, pure curiosity, or drawn to her beauty.

But none of them became special to Hilde.

“Hah…”

Hilde let out a small sigh before getting up and leaving the training grounds.

In the darkened hallway she walked through alone, Hilde clutched tightly at her chest.

As if trying to somehow comfort her empty and hollow feelings.

“…Does something hurt?”

Pieta, who had been waiting for Hilde in the hallway, approached and asked.

“I’m fine.”

“You really don’t look fine though.”

“I said I’m fine…”

“…Is it because of that senior you mentioned?”

Hilde pulled her hat down low without answering.

But that action of not saying anything and not even showing her face was itself the strongest affirmative answer.

“…At this point, your case seems really serious. Isn’t that person just a lower-ranked hunter from a commoner background?”

“How… do you know that?”

“Of course I looked into it separately. I usually don’t talk about these things openly but. You seem really dangerous. Now I understand why Charon hesitated earlier.”

“That’s… none of your business.”

“I don’t really want to care either. But… it’s hard to just ignore after hearing about it.”

“Why?”

“Don’t misunderstand. I don’t particularly like your type either. But you’re also a hunter appointed by Lady Sephira. If dirty rumors spread about you, it would trouble Lady Sephira too.”

“You…”

“Hm?”

“Why do you court Lady Sephira?”

“Isn’t that obvious? Lady Sephira is so beautiful, strong, and radiant… That’s why you’re even more irritating. Every time I hear people say you resemble Lady Sephira, it feels like she’s being sullied.”

“I think… I understand a bit.”

“I don’t want your understanding.”

“Same here… We seem somewhat alike.”

“Ha, really, I don’t like anything about you. Just hurry up and get lost to the administration office. They called for you.”

“Thank you.”

Hilde waved to Pieta with a smile.

*    *    *

Workshop 3 was shrouded in dim darkness even in broad daylight with its curtains drawn.

Various research materials and books were strewn messily across the floor, and the walls were densely covered with different formulas, blueprints, and all sorts of weapons.

The alchemy furnace in the center of the room was moving ominously with small creaking sounds and emitting a faint light even though Zepetia hadn’t touched it.

And Zepetia was sitting collapsed while staring at one wall.

“No… No… This isn’t right…”

Zepetia muttered alone toward that thing on the wall.

“…”

That thing leaning against the wall didn’t move at all.

A brass-colored metal doll well over 2 meters tall even while sitting.

Several large transparent glass containers made of glass were around it, connected to the doll by tubes.

The transparent green liquid filling the glass containers kept bubbling without any fire and sparkled with light through countless light sources contained within.

“…”

“Please stop! I, I didn’t make you for this…”

What was contained in the green liquid was countless brains.

Recently, Zepetia had obtained an enormous number of fresh Beast brains through the Behemoth Tracking Special Department’s activities.

Though it might have looked cruel and insane from the outside, there was a somewhat rational reason for it.

Because Pinocchio wanted brains.

Right after Eugene brought the head of Iron Hans, an old behemoth, Zepetia had initially planned to make a magic staff.

But suddenly, as if struck by lightning in the brain, the idea for Pinocchio came to her and she started making the automaton as if possessed.

As if Pinocchio had asked Zepetia to make him.

And at some point, Pinocchio really started talking.

Though only Zepetia could understand Pinocchio’s words, it clearly had a firm sense of self.

And today, using all the brains gathered so far, Pinocchio had almost reached the completion stage.

“Stop! You’re not ready yet!”

“…”

“No, please…! I’m begging you! Listen to me!”

However, the one completing it wasn’t Zepetia but Pinocchio himself.

Zepetia had only made preparations, while Pinocchio was creating himself.

He was sending mysterious magical power to the alchemy furnace himself to operate the device and stirring the special solution filled with fresh Beast brains.

“…”

“Eek!? N-no… P-please…”

Zepetia realized what the final part Pinocchio wanted was.

For just a moment Pinocchio’s eyes flashed red, and Zepetia who saw that became unable to move from that spot.