Dark Fantasy’s Extra Chapter 141

During the five days we spent riding the carriage to Ridel Village, many things happened.

Most of them were because of Zepetia. For some reason, Hilde could barely say a word, while Dominic and Oscar seemed uninterested.

At least Sephira actively tried to restrain Zepetia, and thanks to that, I was able to push her away several times despite nearly giving up.

As expected of our leader.

Though it was an incredibly uncomfortable journey, we eventually managed to arrive at Ridel Village.

Me, Dominic, and Hilde climbed up a tree some distance from the village to observe.

“…Nothing seems strange.”

Hilde said.

As she said, Ridel Village appeared to be functioning normally.

Women walking in the streets, men plowing fields with hoes, children playing…

Even in Blue Paper Moon, everything looked fine during the first visit.

“Well… something bothers me though.”

What we could see from afar must be a deception.

Vile is definitely in that village, and none of the residents have survived.

Or they’re barely clinging to life in miserable conditions.

In Blue Paper Moon, the moment you found clues about Vile, the seemingly normal villagers all transformed into Beasts and swarmed the protagonist.

But I only know this thanks to knowledge from my past life.

“Indeed. Do you think so too, Mr. Eugene?”

Dominic asked.

“What?”

“What we’re seeing of Ridel Village now likely appears to be a deception.”

A chill ran down my arms.

He figured that out already?

“What makes you say that?”

Hilde asked.

“At first glance everyone seems to be moving around normally, but their movements are unnatural. The differences are subtle and hard to distinguish at this distance, but from what I can see, everyone’s actions seem awkward.”

As expected of a judge.

You can’t fool the eyes of one who hunts humans…

At least this makes it easier for me to explain.

“Those children playing over there.”

I pointed to the children running around in a corner of the village.

Though they looked smaller than grains of rice from here, you could make them out if you focused.

“They’ve been circling the same spot over and over.”

Just as I said, those children were still running the same path at a constant speed.

Not only that, but there were people repeating the same actions everywhere.

They must be moving only according to what Vile predetermined to disguise it as a normal village.

In the game, I never even thought it was suspicious when NPCs moved repetitively.

It’s a game after all, that’s normal.

“So you noticed it too, Mr. Eugene.”

Dominic said.

But I easily noticed because I observed the village with the premise that something was wrong from the start.

If I had looked without any information like Dominic, I might not have noticed.

No, I definitely wouldn’t have noticed.

Human vision is more limited than you’d think.

“Ohhh…”

Hilde looked at me with admiration.

It’s been quite a while since this happened…

“Focus on the mission.”

“Ah, yes. Sorry.”

After observing Ridel Village a bit more, we returned to base camp to report the situation to Sephira.

“Usually, manipulations this elaborate and large-scale require at least a high-tier Beast, or something even stronger. Vile himself is probably here, or something very important is being hidden.”

Sephira said.

“Ms. Zepetia should probably stay at base camp then.”

“No. I want to go along this time.” 

Zepetia said.

“What? But…”

“If grandfather is really there, I want to try meeting him somehow. There might be something only I can recognize in that village.”

“…What do you think, Mr. Eugene?”

Sephira turned to me.

“Hmm…”

I crossed my arms and thought for a moment.

This is where Vile first appears in Blue Paper Moon.

If we assume Vile is hiding somewhere in the village right now…

This is difficult…

The game story never had a situation like this where a group comes together – only the protagonist encountering him alone.

“…If Vile is really here, staying together might be better than spreading out.”

While Cheshire Village and Drang Basin topped out at high-tier Beasts at most, Ridel must have a behemoth.

Having all six of us together would make it easier to assess and somewhat control the situation.

“Let’s do that then. However, since Vile’s power is unknown, we should assume I may not be able to protect everyone.”

Sephira said.

“Mr. Dominic can escape with Zepetia, and I’ll take Oscar. Hilde, you can escape on your own right?”

“That seems good. While I buy time, everyone must escape safely.”

“But I’d prefer Eugene…”

Zepetia said quietly, but no one took it seriously.

We don’t have room for that right now.

We could actually die here.

After discussing a few other response plans for different situations, we all walked toward Ridel Village together.

Like most large villages, it was surrounded by a wooden fence with guards posted on top, but as expected, they didn’t even turn to look at us or move at all when we approached.

And when we entered the village, the slight sense of discomfort we felt from afar instantly grew stronger.

“This is…”

Hilde trailed off awkwardly.

This unnatural feeling immediately noticeable upon entering the village.

No one was looking at us at all.

Though six people should be quite noticeable, the villagers just kept repeating what they were doing.

“…Everyone we see here is a Beast.”

Zepetia said.

“To be precise, they’re somewhere between human and Beast. They’re probably just moving according to what grandfather initially commanded.”

At Zepetia’s words, Sephira immediately swung her sword and sliced off the corner of a nearby house’s wall.

Despite such an eye-catching action, still no one paid attention.

“…That confirms it.”

Sephira sheathed her sword again.

“All these people…”

Hilde looked around with a troubled expression.

The implications were clear – that everyone visible now wasn’t really human.

This village is already dead.

All the residents, regardless of age or gender, were killed and even their corpses are being used by Vile.

Though I knew this already, seeing it directly still makes me sick.

…Anyway, let’s focus on the mission.

Originally in Blue Paper Moon, as you explored the village you’d find one house with suspiciously many bloodstains.

Investigating there would lead you to find Vile’s research journal, and the moment you discovered it and came outside, all the residents would transform into newborn Beasts.

Then after blocking several waves of mob attacks, Vile would appear.

“So where should we start investigating…”

“…! Everyone dodge!!”

Suddenly Sephira shouted while drawing her sword again.

Though I didn’t know why, following our predetermined plan, Dominic grabbed Zepetia while I dove for Oscar.

In that moment, a massive red beam flew through where we had been standing from somewhere.

“What?!”

What’s going on?!

What’s happening all of a sudden!?

“It’s an ambush! Retreat!”

Just as Sephira’s voice rang out again, all the surrounding villagers began transforming.

Men and women, adults and children alike – all their bodies twisted and contorted grotesquely.

Their arms, legs and necks stretched long like twisted rubber bands, their faces smeared until their features disappeared, replaced by markings similar to playing card suits.

These are… Vile’s newborn Beasts, the Trump Soldiers, but… why are they appearing now?

Originally we needed to find clues about Vile first…

“They’re coming!”

Two massive shapes fell from the sky toward Sephira.

I recognized those too.

But… but those aren’t bosses that should appear now…?

What exactly is going on here?!

“…”

Oscar snapped his fingers and black cat shapes appeared around us.

Oscar’s new magic, or rather magecraft.

Specifically a type of dark magic, but not a form I’ve seen even in Blue Paper Moon.

He probably started using that kind of dark magic due to the strong trauma from the Grinning Cat.

And naturally its purpose is for combat.

“…Damn it.”

Only after seeing Oscar preparing for battle could I finally calm down.

I let my past life knowledge restrict me again and was slow to assess the situation.

A painful mistake.

When what needs to be done is clear.

I pulled out my rifle and loaded it.

“Stand aside, lower-ranked hunter.”

“…?”

A voice I’ve heard before.

I heard it in Blue Paper Moon, and at the entrance to Vile’s old laboratory.

In Cheshire Village the boss appeared at the start and appeared later, but here it’s the opposite?

“Hand over that girl to me.”

A man wearing a bird beak mask walked out from among the Trump Soldiers.

That’s definitely…

“…Are you Vile?”

“You know me? Then this will be quick.”

“Mr. Eugene!”

I heard Sephira calling from over there, but she couldn’t come right now as she was busy facing the two boss-level Beasts that had fallen from the sky earlier.

Dominic must have escaped with Zepetia, and Hilde… I don’t have time for these stray thoughts.

“I’ll say it again. Hand over that girl to me.”

Vile said.

“Who?”

“That child you’re holding.”

He pointed at Oscar.

“…Why?”

No, really.

Why Oscar so suddenly?

“You don’t need to know why. Anyway, if you quietly hand her over, I’ll spare your life. If not…” 

Vile snapped his fingers and the Trump Soldiers surrounding us took another step closer.

His demands were clear.

But I couldn’t understand.

Could it be… he plans to use Oscar as a test subject?

…I see, since a magus is extremely rare.

“Like I’d hand them over to someone like you. Besides, they’re not a girl but a boy.”

“What?”

This time Vile was taken aback.

Well, understandable.

Honestly even I would have thought Oscar was a girl too if I didn’t know better.

“A boy… he’s a boy… Well, no matter. No, that might work even better…”

“…Hey, Oscar. Can you take out those Beasts behind us in one shot?”

Taking advantage of Vile being lost in thought, I quietly asked Oscar.

Oscar gave a small nod.

“When I give the signal, take them out immediately. We’ll escape that way.”

“Yes. Not bad at all. Listen here…”

Ignoring Vile’s words, I pulled out and set off a smoke grenade.

“Shaaah!”

The black cats Oscar created pounced on the Trump Soldiers blocking our escape route and tore at their throats.

In the meantime, I lifted Oscar under my arm and turned to run.

“My… did my words sound funny to you? A mere lower-ranked hunter…”

But something caught my foot and I fell.

When I turned my head, tentacles had emerged from behind Vile’s back and grabbed my ankle.

And other tentacles were approaching Oscar who had fallen beside me.

I tried to cut them with my silver dagger but my wrist was caught before I could.

Damn it, this isn’t an opponent I can handle…

“Oscar! Run!!”

“I won’t let you escape… Finally found you. My Alice…!”

“…What?”