Dark Fantasy’s Extra Chapter 178

For the first time in 500 years, a high-ranked hunter and witch officially engaged in combat.

The battle resulted in no deaths or serious injuries.

Though it ended simply as a small-scale engagement, the achievements were remarkable.

They dealt serious damage to the enemy behemoth, and with luck, it could have died.

However, beyond the achievements, the fact that a witch came near an Order branch itself was problematic.

And after lengthy discussions, they concluded that the witch’s approach to the Offenbach branch was due to gaps created by reduced strength and support following the branch commander’s authority being curtailed.

Headquarters restored Branch Commander Jarkoff’s authority to a level similar to before the Marquis’s betrayal.

“…That’s the situation.”

Judge Dominic said.

Somewhere in the Heresy Inquisition Department’s underground prison.

This was a place for holding heretics who required special isolation.

Compared to the dark and damp areas closer to the surface, this place was rather bright and clean.

Of course, being underground meant there were no windows, and the lighting had special magic that could incinerate the entire room in an emergency.

“That’s good news.”

Marquis Bluebeard said from behind a semi-transparent magical barrier across from Dominic.

Though he wore plain cloth clothes, around his neck was a necklace enchanted with the same fire magic as the lighting.

“Though it’s unfortunate the concerns I mentioned before became reality, the Order and Jacob should have learned from this. In times like these, if you can’t protect yourself, you’re as good as dead.”

“Indeed, you once warned that the Offenbach branch would be attacked by a witch. Did you know in advance?”

“That was just a warning. There was no guarantee it would happen, but no reason it wouldn’t either. In any case, while I appreciate hearing news from outside, that’s not all you came for, is it?”

“Perhaps you’d like to breathe some outside air, not just hear news?”

“Hmm, that’s quite tempting. Could I perhaps have some of that rose bread I like too?”

“Well… that depends on you.”

“I see. What do you want?”

“With some restrictions attached, I’d like you to return to Offenbach and work as an inquisitor.”

“So that’s it… A witch attacked the front yard, the branch commander is still inexperienced, there’s no time to build experience… and there’s no one suitable besides me.”

“You understand well. Did you predict this situation too?”

“It was just a guess that something like this might happen. Besides, I never imagined the discussions would move this quickly.”

“That makes two of us. Without beating around the bush, I’d appreciate a clear answer. So, will you take it?”

“Hmm… I want to refuse.”

“Why?”

“Don’t you know?”

“Is it because of your son?”

“How could I face Jacob after what I did? I’d rather rot away and die here.”

“This is troublesome… I really want to secure your cooperation somehow.”

“I hope you understand.”

“Then let’s do this.”

“Do what?”

“In our recent investigation, we discovered your son had contact with Bari. Moreover, you… created quite something terrible underground. Hidden well enough that even we didn’t notice.”

“So you found that…”

“Yes. We got lucky. Thanks to mid-ranked hunter Ulysses barely stopping your son from burning himself to death in there.”

“…What?”

“Isn’t it fortunate? A criminal can receive proper judgment.”

“Judgment…?”

“Yes. Your son contacted a witch. In other words, he’s a heretic.”

“What nonsense!!”

The Marquis jumped to his feet.

“My son meeting the witch was my fault! I was the one who in the basement…!”

“You kept your wife’s corpse there. As a liaison with the witch. Quite a grotesque taste, but what matters isn’t whose corpse you used. It’s what you did with it.”

“This, this…!”

“And above all, he concealed his contact with the witch immediately after. The reason we released your son in the first place was because he was thoroughly blameless. But now he bears guilt. He is no longer free from your sins.”

“Ah… ugh… Arghhhh!!”

The Marquis screamed, falling to his knees and pounding the floor with his fists.

“Why! Why!!”

“Don’t you know?”

Dominic threw back the Marquis’s own words at him.

“It’s because of you.”

“Ahhhhh!!!”

The Marquis clawed at his own neck with his fingernails.

As skin tore and blood flowed… electricity simultaneously coursed through the room, paralyzing the Marquis.

He fell stiff as stone.

“A sinner’s regret always comes too late.”

Dominic’s expression and tone hadn’t changed at all from start to finish.

As if he knew this would all happen.

“Well then, I’ll be going. I have a ‘heretic’ to catch now.”

“Wait!!!”

The Marquis shouted.

“…Two, conditions.”

“Two conditions? I’ll hear them at least.”

“My son… must not recognize me.”

“That will be painful, won’t it?”

They would have to crush his face, cut his vocal cords, and even twist his physique.

His name would need to be changed, and even his status, background, and past would all need to be fabricated.

It meant utterly destroying a person’s entire being.

Though he wouldn’t lose his life, it was essentially the same as dying as that person.

The tremendous pain and side effects were a given.

“It doesn’t matter.”

“Then what’s the next condition?”

“I’ll take all responsibility that comes from helping with operations.”

“That’s a difficult request. You no longer have the ability to take responsibility for anything.”

“…So, will you refuse?”

“Alright. Then we should prepare.”

Dominic agreed to everything far too easily.

Since he couldn’t have the authority to manipulate the Marquis like this, it likely meant the entire flow of conversation was within the range the Order had anticipated from the start.

The Marquis had calculated that too.

Including that after this was over, he would likely be disposed of or face something even more painful.

But as Dominic said, a sinner’s regret always comes too late.

*    *    *

After the Bari incident was resolved and Sephira returned, I focused again on my instructor duties.

“Trainee 6, come down and check the rope condition again.”

“Yes!”

Training was going smoothly.

Though the trainees didn’t know the details of the outside situation, they at least knew there had been a major incident nearby.

Moreover, thanks to some remaining trainees who had experienced the Vile incident, there was a good atmosphere among the trainees that they needed to train hard to survive.

Especially those who experienced the Vile incident and had dug tunnels to survive were particularly passionate about the secondary weapons training I was in charge of.

From shovels for digging tunnels to ropes for climbing cliffs and trees, and from daggers to smoke grenades, I taught everything I could teach to the maximum extent.

“Aren’t you working too hard these days? Take it a bit easier.” 

Auntie Beth said.

“Aren’t you getting too relaxed since you’re retiring soon, Auntie?”

She decided she would only take on the next batch of trainees before retiring.

Though she could probably work longer age-wise, it seems she wants to spend her remaining life with her family now.

From the Order’s perspective, they might frown at losing a still-usable talent, but we can only support her future.

I think about it every time, but hunter, especially lower-ranked, isn’t a job to do for long.

Without special talent, you have to constantly risk your life just for a bit more money.

“Why don’t you retire with me, Marcus? I heard you have a grandchild.”

“…I’ll pass.”

Marcus shook his head.

People like Marcus and I aren’t continuing because of money, but because our heads have gone strange from doing this for too long, while Auntie is actually the normal one.

If I had to say, someone like me with no one to be responsible for could die comfortably, but Marcus probably still feels guilty toward his family.

“And Eugene, why don’t you take some vacation?”

“I don’t really… I used up all my vacation days anyway.”

Used them all up when I went to save Chris…

“Oh my, you used them all? Still, take breaks here and there. You’ve been through a lot lately.”

“I agree with that too.” 

Marcus said.

“If you completely break down, nothing will work out.”

Even if you all say that…

To be honest, I like working right now.

I feel mentally comfortable to the point where I can say that.

Though a lot has happened, I don’t feel like I need to rest separately.

Of course, I originally didn’t rest much unless necessary.

“And there was an official notice this morning, did you not see it?”

“Official notice?”

“Yes. Soon some mid-ranked hunters from headquarters will come here. Though I don’t know why they’re coming, since they’re from headquarters, they say they’ll take one of us from headquarters who they’re familiar with on their mission. So you should maintain your condition properly.”

“Hmm, how many mid-ranked hunters? And they need one lower-ranked hunter familiar with headquarters…?”

Rather than needing support staff for the mission, doesn’t this just sound like they need a porter?

I don’t want to skip training for something like that.

But usually when multiple mid-ranked hunters come, almost everything is within their capabilities.

If a high-tier Beast is the enemy, there’s usually at least one high-ranked hunter included.

Of course, there’s a small possibility it’s a dangerous mission and they need someone as bait.

But even if they really need bait, they wouldn’t pull out a veteran in the middle of other duties.

“I can guess what you’re thinking, but we have to do what we’re told… Still, I’ll try talking to them if possible. You’ve been through too much lately.”

“It’s fine. It doesn’t sound like anything too difficult.”

And a few days later, those mid-ranked hunters arrived.

“Hello, Senior!”

“Brother!”

When I returned to my room after work, Hilde and Gerda were already waiting.

“…”

So it was you two…

“Well I get Hilde, but Gerda, how did you come here?”

Of course, Gerda now had a mid-ranked hunter badge too.

But it seems like she was only assigned recently, so she’s already being dispatched to a neighboring country?

“Sir Crowty sent me.”

Gerda said.

“I said I was enough on my own…”

Hilde seemed displeased.

“Really? Well… sit down first. You came to take me anyway, right?”

“Yes.”

Hilde nodded matter-of-factly as she sat in the chair.

Gerda sat on the bed.

“Wait, that’s Senior’s bed. Get down.”

“But, but I’m Brother’s sister.”

“Not his real sister.”

Hilde and Gerda didn’t seem to get along well.

Is Hilde still holding a grudge about when Gerda got hurt during training with me before?

“What will we do if you two fight? You’re both people I trained. You should be senior and junior to each other.”

I can’t help but sigh.

“Anyway, so what exactly did you come for?”

“Sir Ozwald and Oscar have gone missing.”