Dark Fantasy’s Extra – Chapter 172

Author: Dawn

Sephira and I arrived at the Offenbach branch.

However, we hardly spoke a word to each other on the way here except what was necessary, and the atmosphere was unbearably awkward.

I couldn’t understand at all what Sephira meant when she suggested running away together.

Why would she say something like that?

And why to me of all people?

What was I to Sephira?

We were just a high-tier and a lower-ranked hunter who occasionally crossed paths during missions.

Of course, now we could be called colleagues since we’re in the same department.

But even then, our meetings were irregular, and even during missions related to that, there was nothing particularly special or personal that could have developed between Sephira and me.

Still… Sephira must have been sincere when she suggested running away then.

There was no reason to lie about such a thing, and while being watched…

…Ah, come to think of it, everything must have been visible from the start.

It’s quite bitter to realize that now.

If someone were to ask what kind of relationship we had, I wouldn’t have any answer.

However, not only was there no interrogation, but the people watching us never showed themselves.

“Welcome.”

The security at the Order’s entrance had been greatly reinforced, like what we saw at the border.

Since this was an Order specialized in hunting Beasts, their methods were quite specific – just looking at the person greeting us, they were a mid-ranked hunter.

Seeing that Sephira, a high-ranked hunter, had come, the person who seemed to be the head of security came personally and bowed.

Moreover, the cannon mounted on the wall would undoubtedly be able to use silver bullets, and the ballista beside it was unlike what we saw at the border – it was the large weapon that appeared in Blue Paper Moon.

Even in the game it was just called a ballista, but as proper siege weaponry, it was one of the particularly powerful long-range weapons.

Of course, it was also disgustingly heavy and severely hindered mobility.

Even in an era with guns and bombs, ballistas are still useful when it comes to throwing something hard and far.

Especially unlike gunpowder, ballistas can launch silver weapons, and among siege weapons they’re easy to make and their effectiveness has been proven through long history.

“Could you be Lady Sephira? We weren’t told a high-ranked hunter would be coming…”

The mid-ranked hunter said.

“Yes… I have some urgent matters to discuss with the branch commander.”

“With the branch commander…? Please come in for now.”

Sephira and I passed through security and went inside.

Walking through the Offenbach branch, I could clearly feel several changes from before.

Naturally, since the reason I collapsed here and was taken to headquarters in the first place was because of tremendous beings attacking.

The behemoth Vile and four witches.

Though it happened before the magical phenomenon, just looking at the composition, it was the apocalyptic war itself.

Moreover, since a Beast like the Biting Jabberwock with its enormous size and intimidating appearance was flying around, the mindset of people living here must be beyond just heightened alertness.

Of course, the continuous night sky due to the magical phenomenon is enough to create a sense of crisis, and headquarters must have ordered all branches to enter full war footing.

“Five more laps!”

Suddenly, an instructor’s shout was heard.

When I turned my head toward it, I saw trainees running in the training grounds with an instructor leading at the front.

It was one of the instructors who was dispatched with me last time.

However, the number of trainees had decreased significantly from then.

The reason was obvious.

After experiencing such an incident, it wouldn’t be strange for people to get scared and give up.

They must have just recruited anyone by greatly lowering the entry requirements from the start, including mentally weak people.

But seeing the numbers decrease this much when proper combat hasn’t even started yet left a bitter taste.

Not everyone can endure such terrible experiences.

Just like Chris…

Sephira and I passed by the trainees and went to the branch commander’s office.

Ulysses was still guarding the entrance, and though quite surprised to see us, he immediately stepped aside.

“It’s been a while.”

Jarkoff greeted us as we entered the office.

No, was that really a greeting?

His face was in such a state that it was hard to recognize him.

His skin was pale with dark circles under his eyes, and his clothes were disheveled in many places.

The reason was immediately apparent – the secretary from the Heresy Inquisition Department had been replaced with someone else.

“…”

A man with a large scar on his face and an ominous build that made one feel he was dangerous just by looking at him glanced at us.

The previous person was quite sinister too, but now it was at a murderous level.

Looking at him, you’d believe he wasn’t a secretary but an assassin always watching and ready to kill at any moment.

Having someone like that beside you all day would drain anyone’s spirit.

I feel a bit, no, quite sorry for Jarkoff.

“3rd-rank hunter Lady Sephira. And 8th-rank hunter Eugene. Thank you both for coming all this way.”

“It’s nothing.”

Sephira said.

“I knew Eugene was coming, but I didn’t know Lady Sephira would be coming too. What brings you here?”

“I have an urgent matter to discuss with you, branch commander.”

“With me…?”

Jarkoff glanced slightly at the secretary.

But he remained silent.

No, he’s not even a secretary but just a Heresy Inquisition officer.

It seems he hadn’t told Jarkoff anything.

Of course, I didn’t know either that Sephira wanted to meet Jarkoff.

…Surely the person targeting me isn’t… no, that can’t be.

Though he might resent me for his father being taken by the Heresy Inquisition Department, it wouldn’t be to the point of wanting to kill me.

Above all, the Marquis truly had committed such a grave crime.

“Hmm… If it’s urgent, we can discuss it here now. No, since you said it’s a confidential matter, we should arrange a separate place. We have a private conference room, please follow me. We shouldn’t waste a high-ranked hunter’s time.”

Jarkoff stood up.

“Ah, and Eugene.”

“Yes.”

“I’m glad you’re awake. I heard you were unconscious for over a month.”

“Thank you for your concern. I can now return to duty without any problems.”

“Though missions are important, people are what matter most in the end. Of course, as branch commander, I’m glad to have such a capable instructor like you back.”

“Thank you.”

“Then I’ll leave the detailed procedures to administration…”

Jarkoff glanced at the secretary.

The murderous-looking male secretary just slightly nodded.

It’s really heartbreaking to watch.

“Lady Sephira. Please follow me.”

“…”

Sephira followed Jarkoff outside with a stern expression.

I didn’t want to be left alone with the Heresy Inquisition officer either, so I immediately headed to administration.

* * *

“Here, you don’t need to worry about being bugged.”

Jarkoff pulled out a chair and sat down in the conference room.

“Of course, the Heresy Inquisition Department won’t listen either. They’ve already taken everything they could, and the person working as my secretary just watches the office.”

“…”

Sephira sat down across from Jarkoff without a word.

“So then, what is this urgent matter you wanted to discuss?”

“Your father, Marquis Bluebeard, made a grave mistake.”

“…Well, that’s true.”

Jarkoff slightly lowered his head with a pitiful expression.

“He betrayed the Order and joined hands with our greatest enemy, the witches. For his own desires.”

“That’s also true.”

“And you watched your father from beside him.”

“…What are you trying to say?”

“Jarkoff Bluebeard. Aren’t you making the same mistake?”

“…”

A brief but tremendously heavy silence pressed down on the space.

“…You’re being quite direct from the start.”

“Answer me.”

“Hmm… the same mistake… would I even have such an opportunity?”

Jarkoff pointed to himself.

“Who would consider me a real branch commander? Our family was originally part of this country’s royal family but devoted ourselves to the Order rather than the royal court. But after such betrayal… what could we possibly have left?”

“…”

“And as you know, the Heresy Inquisition Department has already swept through everything. Of course, a capable hunter like Lady Sephira would have excellent detection and investigation abilities, but they would still fall short compared to the eyes and techniques of Heresy Inquisition officers.”

“…”

“As nobles and as members of the Order, our family is already finished. No opportunities will come our way in the future.”

“…So, did you meet?”

“Meet who, you mean…?”

“The witch.”

“…”

“…Why do you think that?”

“Answer my question.”

“…Indeed, you must have met her. Did the witch tell you I betrayed like my father? Haha… Is it alright for a high-ranked hunter like you to meet a witch and hear such things? Well… it’s nothing new though.”

“…”

Sephira stared intently at Jarkoff.

“…If I say I met her, what will you do? Will you turn me over to the Heresy Inquisition Department like my father?”

“…”

“…Not that either… Then why…?”

“You don’t need to know…”

“…Ah, I see. Of course. It’s because of ‘that person,’ isn’t it?”

Sephira flinched for the first time.

“This is really… unbelievable.”

Jarkoff’s tone completely changed.

All traces of youth and innocence had completely vanished, replaced by the unique gaze and atmosphere of someone who had experienced the depths of hell.

“Who is that person, no, what exactly is he? Is he even human? What could he be to so easily manipulate even a high-ranked hunter like you?”

“Mr. Eugene isn’t that kind of…”

“He’s not? Are you serious?”

Jarkoff’s eyes grew narrow and sharp.

“Don’t you know better than me how that one person has changed everything around them? Hilde too…!”

“Miss Hilde is…”

“She’s like a lovesick girl. Falling for some playboy who easily manipulates women…”

Jarkoff shrugged.

“And now what about you? Sephira, the high-ranked hunter, the Little Saintess, the Saintess’s avatar… even someone called all that suddenly for such a man…”

“It wasn’t sudden!”

Sephira slammed the table.

“I was first…! I liked him before anyone else! I…”

“…”

Jarkoff watched Sephira calmly without the slightest reaction.

“I’m the one who was robbed…!”

“…Amazing. To see you, Lady Sephira, like this…”

Even Sephira thought it was strange.

She didn’t think she would be shaken this much by something like this.

It was similar to when she pushed Eugene down last time.

This feeling of being unable to hide her true self.

And… this unbearable sense of liberation.