Dark Fantasy’s Extra Chapter 193

I understood the overall flow of the story.

They found Frog Princess Vasilisa, and they need Charmol’s stealth techniques, which are unmatched when it comes to hiding, for a perfect ambush.

But since even the Order lacks the ability to properly detect and find Charmol’s stealth, they’ll get information through Blanc.

And the only one who can get information from Blanc is me… what a long and cumbersome plan.

No, it’s too pathetic to even call it a plan – it’s just a simple wishful thinking.

No thoroughness, nothing – just a complete mess.

However, if the ultimate goal is Vasilisa, I can understand.

Rather, with Vasilisa, this kind of approach fits better.

So I understand the justification for doing this operation or whatever.

But personally, it’s hard to accept.

Even now as I walk alone without any real purpose just to lure out Blanc.

No, I do have a destination.

“Vasilisa…”

When I was Noah, I failed multiple times.

I tried to create beautiful story worlds and their protagonists, but the results were always lacking something.

After accumulating failure after failure, I eventually began doubting my own potential.

A creator doubting himself – imagine how the creations must have felt.

Born in such circumstances, Vasilisa was an emotionally unstable child.

And the world where Vasilisa was the protagonist burned and vanished.

Without a trace.

I don’t remember much after that.

Only getting my throat cut by a crying Belle.

“Belle…”

Though Belle was the first, she didn’t particularly want to be a protagonist.

Then why is she hostile to her sisters who were protagonists in this world?

I vaguely understand why the others fight.

They probably want to recreate the worlds where they were each the protagonist.

But why Belle?

Could she have suddenly decided she wants to create a world where she’s the protagonist now?

“…I don’t know. I don’t know anything.”

“What don’t you know?”

It was Blanc’s voice.

She was behind me at some point.

How much had she heard?

I didn’t expect her to appear so directly.

“Blanc.”

“Hello? What are you doing alone in the middle of the night like this? Isn’t it dangerous?”

Blanc bent down and pressed against my side.

I let her do as she pleased.

It’s not like I could shake her off anyway.

“For example, what if a terr~ifying Beast suddenly appears with a bang?”

“Then I’ll just hunt it down.”

…Right.

I’m a hunter now.

Being a god or whatever is all in the past.

I’m human now, a hunter, and I swore to live and die as one.

To think I’d be reminded of that because of Blanc…

“Hehe, that’s right. Because you’re a brave hunter. Even if you die, you’ll still try to fight.”

“You know me well. If I was just a bit stronger, I would’ve tried to kill you first.”

“Ah, I wish that day would come soon. It’s getting hard to hold back.”

“…You’re insane.”

Blanc tries to accomplish the impossible.

For 500 years she’s been randomly clinging to someone only to kill them with her own hands in the end.

She won’t stop.

Because that’s what a behemoth is.

But realistically, I could never kill Blanc.

Even with a dozen rail guns prepared, it would be impossible.

“Aren’t you curious?”

“About what?”

“Why I do these things. I could tell you, since it’s you. You won’t waver anyway, right?”

I already know.

Even if I didn’t, I wouldn’t particularly want to know.

In that sense, it’s true that I won’t waver.

“Go away, I’m busy.”

Of course, I’m not actually busy.

It would be troublesome if Blanc really left.

But acting this way will make Blanc cling even more.

“Don’t be like that, why not listen? Or is there something you’re curious about?”

“Get lost.”

“Come to think of it, what are you doing alone? Maybe on vacation? No, that can’t be right.”

Now the problem is how to get information about Charmol.

I need to make her naturally realize I’m interested in Charmol without raising suspicion.

If I ask directly, I might get killed.

“You’re just being a nuisance, so get lost.”

I kept walking with my head fixed forward.

“Hmm, what’s in this direction… Ah, that reminds me.”

Blanc clapped as if realizing something.

“Are you going there? To Vinears?”

Correct.

I’m heading toward Vinears, an abandoned pioneering village in the north.

Originally it was a pioneer settlement led by a normal religious group called the Decra Orthodox Church, but after catching Charmol’s eye, the entire village descended into madness before meeting its doom.

The reason I’m going there is, of course, to make Blanc’s thoughts reach Charmol.

“…”

I deliberately kept my mouth shut and hardened my expression.

That reaction would give Blanc more certainty.

“Vinears, Vinears… Why are you going there?”

“I said get lost.”

“Come on, don’t be like that, tell me. We’re close, aren’t we?”

Blanc linked her arm with mine.

I instinctively tried to pull away, but she grabbed me faster than I could react.

And once she linked arms… it was like being caught in a hydraulic press, impossible to move.

“Tch…”

“I’ll let go if you tell me? You never know? I might be able to help.”

“I don’t need your help.”

Though I actually do.

“Hm? Hm? What’s wrong with telling me? Just tell me, your secret’s safe with me.”

Blanc grabbed and pulled my ear.

Tears welled up as it felt like my ear might tear off.

It wasn’t an act – I was genuinely annoyed.

This one treats me however she wants too.

When she says I’m precious, it’s not because she genuinely likes me, but just for her own desires.

I feel responsible for Zepetia because she became that way due to my mistakes, but this one just has a rotten personality that makes me sick.

“…There’s something I need to know. It has nothing to do with you.”

I barely managed to feign composure while grinding my teeth internally.

Thanks to my genuine feelings, it probably made for quite convincing acting.

No, it wasn’t acting.

“Hmm… You know a really unpleasant guy visited that village long ago?”

Blanc took the bait.

That unpleasant guy must be referring to Charmol.

Charmol’s obsession with Blanc is one-sided.

Just like Blanc’s obsession with me.

Because that’s what behemoths are.

“It was a very long time ago, but that guy bragged about it to me. He was quite smug about it. Ah, are you going to investigate that incident?”

I already know what happened.

Now the question is how to get her to talk about the path to Charmol…

“Hmm… But something’s strange. The Order wouldn’t investigate that incident now. And they sent you alone?”

Valid points.

“I said it has nothing to do with you.”

I took advantage of Blanc being lost in thought to pull away and walked quickly forward.

“Ah, could it be because of that weird kid?”

Blanc clapped again as if remembering something.

“You know, that little monster that used to follow you around. What was her name… Maia?”

Almost there.

“…”

I drive the wedge in with deliberate silence and ignoring.

“I see, so that’s it? That’s why you came alone.”

Just a little more.

“You didn’t come as a hunter, but as a ‘friend’. Right?”

Blanc had appeared after I rescued Maia who had turned into Thumbelina at Spider Castle.

Come to think of it, Blanc must have been watching me constantly then too, and her appearance wasn’t by chance but intentional.

Anyway, the important thing is that Blanc knows Maia.

The Maia in Blanc’s memory is an incomplete sorcerer.

I don’t know exactly what conversation they had.

I was too tired and just fell asleep then.

That part is definitely an uncertain factor, but I’ll have to handle it with improvisation somehow.

“Hmm… I thought you two were quite close…”

“Don’t lay a hand on Maia.”

I deliberately spoke roughly while directing Blanc’s consciousness toward Maia.

“So that was her name. I remember her well since she was quite unique. Neither human nor Beast… She wanted to know about behemoths, didn’t she?”

Though I didn’t hear it, it wouldn’t be strange if Maia brought up such a topic with Blanc in front of her.

When I first met Maia, she tried to follow me saying she wanted to know about Blanc too.

“I’ll be honest. Tell that sorcerer to stop. You too, don’t try to find out.”

Blanc’s expression turned serious, unlike her usual self.

Is that an act or not?

Blanc genuinely hates Charmol.

Just like how I hate Blanc.

“I’m quite serious about this, you know? That guy is completely exhausting and annoying.”

“…”

I tried to keep walking while ignoring her but she grabbed my hand.

I tried to pull away but she held on quite firmly.

If it was an act, she wouldn’t have truly stopped me like this.

She would have pretended to stop me while letting me go, or said the opposite to make me suspicious.

“Nothing good will come from getting involved with that guy.”

“I don’t care. I’m just keeping my promise with Maia.”

“Promise?”

I didn’t actually coordinate with Maia beforehand.

But even if Blanc goes to question Maia, she’ll probably play along on her own.

“Hah, I see. So that’s what it was? That sorcerer asked you to tell her about behemoths? Ugh… really, you should stop. Charmol is an incredibly sleazy guy. You’ll just get exhausted if you carelessly get involved.”

Finally Blanc said Charmol’s name.

It’s practically over now.

“Charmol?”

“Oh, you know him? I guess that’s not strange. He’s lived a long time too. Anyway, if you know Charmol, you must know he’s no ordinary guy? Even during the time when that White Witch was rampaging, she ultimately couldn’t find him. Even if you go to Vinears, you’ll only find abandoned undead. He never leaves any traces, I’m telling you.”

That’s exactly the skill we need.

That skill of hiding without ever leaving a trace.

The Order needs that to perfectly ambush Vasilisa…

…Vasilisa.

Vasilisa…

“…”

I stopped walking.

“Yes, stop. It’s pointless to go further. Just this once, I won’t say anything even if you give up…”

“…”

I lifted my head to look at the moon.

That blue moon.

The reason the moon is blue is because I stored all my power from when I was a god there.

Which means, giving up being a god.

I gave up my position as creator and left everything in that moon.

Now I’m just a mere human.

An ordinary human without power or talent.

That should have been enough.

“…Eugene?”

“I don’t care about Maia or the Order.”

“What?”

“Blanc.”

I called her name as I turned my head.

I could feel the moonlight on my back.

“Eek…?!”

Blanc stepped backward.

“You should know.”

“Wh-what… What’s with you suddenly…?”

Fear could be heard in Blanc’s voice.

What is she afraid of?

Me?

It doesn’t matter.

Whether I gave up being a god, or insist on living as a human, such things aren’t important.

I’ve been turning my eyes away until now, but fate has approached me.

Telling me to take responsibility for my sins.

“Where is Vasilisa now?”