Dark Fantasy’s Extra Chapter 123

“…What kind of trick is this?”

After a moment of silence, I asked.

“It’s not a trick. We just happened to meet.”

Blanc waved her hand while grinning.

“Besides, if it were a trick, I wouldn’t tell you would I? You’re asking something too obvious.”

Rusalka said.

Though in the game she wore full plate armor that looked powerful at a glance, the dress she wore now looked too ordinary.

But I couldn’t let my guard down even slightly.

“And this situation is just as bewildering to me. When Blanc suddenly wanted to talk, I came along, only to meet Belle’s lackeys here. Moreover, it’s that lower-ranked hunter who interfered with my plans.”

“…Plans?”

Of course, Rusalka’s plans must mean what happened in Cranion.

But I need to avoid any suspicion that I knew it was Rusalka’s doing.

“Hmm….”

Rusalka stood up.

My heart sank and I felt my spine freeze.

Almost instinctively, I moved my hand to the pistol at my waist, but for some reason it wouldn’t draw smoothly.

“No need to be so tense. This is a place for dialogue. Therefore, I warn you. If you attack first, I will naturally have to retaliate.”

I see….

Rusalka wasn’t showing any killing intent, let alone hostility toward me.

Considering her personality from Blue Paper Moon, she must be sincere.

Did I also not draw my gun because I sensed no killing intent…?

“…Then that’s settled.”

I took my hand off the pistol again.

“Hey, wait. Why do you ignore what I say but obediently listen to what this fish woman says?”

Blanc puffed up her cheeks.

“Indeed, you’re not completely foolish. No… so that’s why Blanc took a liking to you. Half of what comes out of Blanc’s mouth is lies. She’s not someone you can trust.”

“That’s quite harsh.”

“Come to think of it….”

Rusalka brought her face close to mine.

I waited quietly.

“Hmm… though I wouldn’t call you a great beauty, you undoubtedly have a warrior’s face. Especially those eyes. You have quite rare pupils. Moreover….”

This time she looked me up and down as if appraising me.

Though it was just looking, I could feel intense power from her gaze.

“Well trained. An excellent warrior.”

“…I don’t know who you are but.”

I couldn’t help but respond to Rusalka’s words.

“You must be equal to or even stronger than Blanc. Yet you call me excellent?”

“Do you think yourself weak?”

“Yes.”

Rusalka is undoubtedly one of the worst threats in this world as a witch.

However, compared to other witches, her personality is somewhat better.

It would be rude to compare her with Bari who is unfathomably cunning, or Margarete who has terminal princess – no, queen syndrome, or the Frog Princess who is just insane.

At least when she declares she has no intention to fight and tries to have an honest conversation like this, it must be genuine sincerity.

Since she would have investigated everything about me anyway, it might be better to try getting even a little information from my side this time.

“An experienced warrior like you would understand their capabilities well. Yes. Your power is truly meager compared to me or Blanc. Just a handful of beach sand. However, isn’t that enough for you?”

“Enough?”

“Yes. Everyone has as much power as they need for their role. You are strong enough where you stand.”

“The praise is too much.”

“Ah, I got a bit excited seeing such an experienced warrior like you after so long. My mistake.”

Wait, isn’t this getting a bit dangerous?

“At first I thought about tearing you to pieces and feeding you to dolphins for interfering with my plans, but now that I see you in person, I find it would be far too wasteful.”

In Blue Paper Moon, Rusalka’s characteristic was….

“Would you not serve me as your ruler?”

“What?”

The one who made the harsh voice was Blanc.

“I can’t just ignore those words…?”

Blanc made threatening sounds while cracking her finger joints.

“Oh my, I momentarily forgot about the dog in heat. But it’s truly wasteful. Such a fine warrior being a pitiful dog’s plaything seems too cruel. If you join my royal guard, you could avoid such a miserable fate.”

In Blue Paper Moon, Rusalka had a strong collector’s disposition.

As seen in Leviathan’s case, Rusalka’s collection targets weren’t just shiny treasures but included living people and Beasts as well.

“I refuse.”

“Just as I thought!”

Blanc laughed as she jumped up and tried to cling to me.

While gently pushing her away, I kept my eyes on Rusalka.

This situation is undoubtedly Blanc’s scheme, and she’s probably testing both Rusalka and me at the same time.

It doesn’t make sense that Blanc would be pushed away so easily either.

“May I hear the reason?”

“I’m a hunter. That’s all.”

“Hmm… your eyes are clear as crystal. You surely haven’t been brainwashed by Belle. Then there’s no need to be so attached to being Belle’s lackey. If it’s about money or housing, I can provide whatever you need.”

“That’s not the issue.”

…Not that kind of issue.

I have no choice but to continue on this path.

All other futures for me died seven years ago.

That’s all.

“…Hmm, you must have some circumstances. I understand.”

“You understand…?”

What do you mean?

“Isn’t it obvious?”

Obvious…?

“A warrior like you isn’t made easily. You must have a reason you have to fight. Such nobility isn’t born from ordinary circumstances.”

“Don’t… talk like you know everything….”

“You must have lost lovers or friends or family before your eyes. Or perhaps, a lifelong benefactor or comrade….”

I grabbed Rusalka’s collar.

My hands were trembling.

But there was no fear of death.

I’d lost that.

“Hehehe, I told you earlier didn’t I? If you attack, I will retaliate. You will surely die.”

“What do you know. Don’t…”

“And all those youngsters over there too.”

“…!”

I stayed still for a moment, then lowered my head and let go.

“Hehehe….”

Rusalka laughed with satisfaction.

“Ah, what a pleasant sight. Though I detest playing along with Blanc’s schemes, I saw something good…. Blanc.”

Rusalka looked toward Blanc.

“Heh….”

Seeing Blanc with gleaming eyes, slightly rough breathing, and drooling while biting her nails, Rusalka’s smile completely disappeared.

“…Fix your face. It’s disgusting to look at.”

Rusalka shuddered with a voice full of deep revulsion.

“Ah, sorry sorry. It’s a bit hard to hold back….”

Blanc covered her mouth with her hand and shook her head while looking down.

“Indeed, indeed my choice wasn’t wrong…. I waited too long….”

“That… I can understand somewhat. Anyway, good. I’ll take my leave for today.”

When Rusalka snapped her fingers, someone walked out from the sea.

A beautiful youth with blue hair and yellow eyes.

It was undoubtedly Eric Gringham Wales who was Rusalka’s closest aide in Blue Paper Moon.

The sword at his waist must be ‘Moby Dick’, the national treasure of the Wales Kingdom that perished 500 years ago.

“I’ve come to escort you.”

Eric knelt on one knee before Rusalka and extended his left arm.

Though it was like a prince’s gesture to a princess in a play, seeing a real prince do it felt different in its vividness.

“You must have called me for this cheap stage anyway. That audacity is truly befitting of a behemoth.”

Rusalka took Eric’s hand and turned her back.

“Very well. I’m satisfied with the good show I saw today. However….”

Rusalka turned just her head this way.

Her calm yellow eyes had changed back to those of an overlord.

“This is the last time. Next time we meet, I will kill you. And….”

This time she looked from Blanc to me.

“Belle’s lackey. When everything is submerged in my ocean someday, I shall remember you.”

And Rusalka entered the sea escorted by Eric.

“…”

I didn’t answer, not confident I could show proper hostility.

Rusalka’s personality clearly has a refreshing quality and charm befitting one in authority.

She undoubtedly killed countless people in Cranion, and that incident caused the Winter of Salvation cult to sprout early.

Moreover, her goal is to submerge all land beneath the sea.

In other words, the extinction of all life on land.

The few surviving humans would drift around on boats avoiding Deep Sea Folk, slowly being caught one by one and becoming Deep Sea Folk themselves.

Though she should be a witch worthy of hatred, I couldn’t completely resent her.

Though it makes no sense, there are people like that.

People who are hard to hate because of their innate charm or aura….

Similar to Belle’s brainwashing effect, but Rusalka achieves it through innate dignity.

“As expected….”

Blanc wrapped her arms around my neck from behind.

I tried to push her away, but this time she wouldn’t budge at all.

As expected, earlier was all an act.

“My eyes weren’t wrong. Grabbing that woman’s collar, even this much is a feat most humans couldn’t dream of.”

“Don’t act so familiar.”

And I was acting somewhat too.

At least Rusalka doesn’t have a hobby of crushing and enjoying weaker beings who stand up to her.

Rather, she finds admirable the courage of the weak to stand against her.

But… it wasn’t all acting.

To be honest, I was quite genuinely angry.

Thanks to that, the acting came easily.

“By the way, it really is Eugene.”

“What is?”

“Even after losing your last comrade, you still didn’t break.”

I immediately drew my dagger and stabbed it at that disgusting face.

“Hee….”

The dagger’s tip was caught by Blanc’s teeth.

I could see her eyes.

Eyes drowned in repulsive ecstasy.

Her damp breath carrying a nauseating heat touches my hand.

Though I push the dagger with all my might, it shows no signs of going in at all.

Blanc’s eyes widen as she smiles.

Rather, her arms suddenly tighten around me and gently catch my hand holding the dagger.

“Don’t look at me with those eyes…. It makes it hard to hold back.”

Blanc licked her lips with her tongue.

Disgusting.

It really is hard to bear.

“Just a little more… just a little longer and everything will change. Just until the witches are unleashed on the whole world… just a bit longer…!”

Blanc slowly pushed me down.

Though I tried to resist with all my might, I still couldn’t move at all.

The difference in strength is too great.

“When that time comes, my dream will come true. You’ve proven it again and again. So surely… you’ll be able to kill me…!”

“Filthy.”

I spat in Blanc’s face.

“As expected you don’t draw your gun? You must be worried about those poor pieces of meat you brought? Hope you haven’t been discovered? I really like that side of you. I like that.”

But Blanc seemed to enjoy it even more.

Being the object of a pervert’s obsession just feels dirty.

I’d rather roll around in creature excrement.

I don’t want to be involved at all.

Please disappear somewhere I can’t see.

“Hey, how do you feel? Do you hate me?”

“Yes.”

Hilde stood behind Blanc with her axe raised.