Dark Fantasy’s Extra Chapter 212

Eric and Blanc heard the truth about the world from Ryu.

There had been a Creator of the world, and the powerful women called witches were all masters and gods of previous worlds created by that Creator.

But due to some incident, the Creator disappeared and the witches began fighting each other.

“And are you saying this Creator might be… Eugene?” 

Eric asked.

“It’s possible, or it might not be. While I’m not certain myself, there must be some connection. For example, there are various possibilities like an avatar, a substitute, reincarnation.”

“That’s… quite a revelation. Are you sure it’s alright to tell us this?”

“Yes. Since you won’t be able to interfere anyway. Especially you, Blanc – you’re a transcendent being based on Lady Karen’s curse. The fact that you couldn’t defy Eugene means he must have become somewhat aware of and used his authority as Noah. As he grows stronger, not only Lady Karen’s but all other ladies’ Beasts will have to obey him.”

“You think I would obey such a man?”

Eric showed his displeasure.

“…”

But Blanc maintained an expressionless face throughout.

“Blanc… what will you do now? Will you still not give up on that human?”

“…Ha.”

“Hm?”

“Haha, hahaha, ahahaha, ahihihihi!!”

“…Have you finally gone mad?”

“Ha, ahahaha, haha, yes! I’m going mad! This is absolutely maddening! I really can’t take this!!”

Blanc fell to their knees, clutching her stomach with laughter.

“Eugene is a god? Above the witches? What nonsense is this! Ahahaha! Really, really ridiculous!”

“You’re one to talk?”

“Yes! I was a fool! I was the biggest fool in the world!”

Blanc gritted their teeth while looking at Eric.

Even he flinched at that desperate expression.

“Was it all lies? Was that heroic appearance all hypocrisy? Was it just a god’s game?! My Eugene!! Was it fake from the start?!?!”

“…That’s probably not true.”

Ryu said.

“What would you know?!”

“The Eugene I met was definitely different from Lord Noah. As he wished, he truly became human. Probably becoming aware as Noah was relatively recent, and not his intention.”

“…Tell me more. You said he wanted to become human?”

“While I am a gatekeeper, that was just the surface reason to tell the ladies. Along with Lady Karen, I was born to help with Lord Noah’s plan to retire as Creator.”

Ryu’s role was education for a successor, but after all plans went awry, he realized through the prophetic abilities received from Noah that his master would return, albeit imperfectly, and decided to wait.

Though exact futures were hard to know, he could at least tell that time would come after receiving several prophecies, so he patiently endured while traveling the world.

“A god… wanted to become human?”

“Yes. Lord Noah truly wanted to become an ordinary human without any powers. And he almost succeeded. If Lady Belle hadn’t interfered. At least until recently, he was a perfect human. If only he hadn’t recalled his old memories.”

“…Alright. I somewhat understand.”

“What exactly?”

“At least Eugene doesn’t want to become this Noah or whatever, right?”

“That’s correct.”

“Same here. I prefer Eugene as Eugene. When you said Belle, you mean that White Witch? So I just need to kill her?”

Blanc’s eyes returned to her original determined look.

When behemoths have a clear direction to move forward, her willpower is stronger than anyone else’s in this world.

“…Only Lord Noah can decide how to treat the ladies. And if it’s Lord Noah… he probably wouldn’t want that. He’ll transfer his divine authority and return to being Eugene without letting anyone get hurt.”

“And Hilde is the one who will receive that authority, correct?” 

Eric said.

“Yes. At least that was the plan.”

“Hmm….”

“So what will you do? I’m thinking of following Eugene right now to help with that plan. At least Eugene dislikes being anything but Eugene, and is trying to do something about it, right?”

“…Though I hate to say this, helping with his plan would be best for me too. All I care about is Lady Rusalka’s wellbeing. Since her instability comes from the remnants of Noah that Eugene possesses, I should participate in the plan to remove it…. So where is Eugene now?”

“I’m sorry but I no longer have prophetic abilities. As for where he might have gone… he probably went to one of the ladies, or to Lady Hilde to complete the transfer of authority.”

“Then it’s decided! I’ll go find Hilde! You go to the witches!”

Blanc said.

“You’re giving me the most dangerous task?”

“Scared? Want me to go instead?”

She grinned.

“Tch, cheap provocation… But there are multiple witches. Things might go wrong halfway.”

“Among the ladies, Lady Margarete might be first. With many avatars sharing memories and consciousness, she would be easiest to contact.”

“I see. Then I’ll head toward the Winter Witch. The location would be Race Plains you told me about before?”

Race Plains is quite far from here, but if Eric goes at full speed he can arrive within two days.

“Excuse me…”

“Yes?”

“Could you please stop calling the ladies witches?”

*    *    *

I made all preparations I could as Eugene and left the Order.

The first place to go is Winter Castle where Margarete is.

I heard that Rusalka, who knows I was Noah, proposed a competition.

Whether due to a change of heart or some circumstances, I thought it would be difficult to talk with her right now.

So next is Margarete’s territory.

At Winter Castle in Race Plains where Margarete’s main body is, there are avatars spread out who all share memories with the main body.

So it’s enough to just meet and talk with any one of them.

But there aren’t just avatars – some Beasts influenced by Margarete’s curse also exist.

I can’t receive any system protection against those.

It would be nice to have someone strong nearby, but Maia is busy taking care of Vasilisa right now.

She did help remotely through her familiar in front of Belle, but I can’t expect such luck again.

No, more importantly, when did she attach something like that to my body?

“Please take care of me.”

“…Yes.”

Sephira’s response was curt.

Though she can’t replace Maia, she’s joining this journey at Crowty’s request.

Surely it can’t be an unwanted mission… since Crowty vouched for it.

Though I’m not sure exactly how Sephira thinks of me.

We quietly headed north to Race Plains.

It’s an uninhabited place filled with fierce cold and snow where even wild animals to hunt are scarce.

The biggest reason is of course because Margarete’s main body sleeps there.

People used to live there long ago when it had proper cold and warm seasons, but after Margarete settled there everyone left due to the colder winters and vanished spring.

“It’s quite a cold place, did you pack enough warm clothes?”

“Yes.”

“…”

“…”

That was the end of our conversation.

I really can’t tell what Sephira is thinking right now.

Anyway, we left the Order and walked north.

Of course, Sephira alone could arrive in a day or two, but with my legs it takes about a week.

Meaning we have to continue this awkward companionship for a week.

Awkward, or rather, somewhat uncomfortable.

Sephira’s mood isn’t just quiet – it seems she’s firmly made up her mind about something.

The problem is that while it shows, she keeps her mouth firmly shut.

“…Weren’t you quite busy, Lady Sephira?”

Still, we can’t stay silent for a whole week.

I want to try having some conversation.

“It’s fine.”

“But among high-ranked hunters, you took on the most missions, right? Among us lower-ranked hunters, many people think of you as a guardian angel…”

I couldn’t finish my words.

Because Sephira’s expression noticeably darkened.

She showed such a gloomy expression that it was hard to think of her as her usual stoic self.

“Uh…. Um….”

It wasn’t the atmosphere to say anything more.

I could tell Sephira was quite unstable from her fight with Crowty right after I returned to the Order.

Though I don’t know the specific reason, I seem to have touched on something wrong just now.

Without knowing what the problem is, it’s hard to say more.

“I.”

Sephira spoke first for the first time.

“I can’t protect anyone… I’m incompetent….”

“…”

What should I say?

No, should I say you’re capable and excellent?

I can tell Sephira is beating herself up over something.

Empty praise trying to cheer up someone like that could backfire.

Sometimes silence is the best conversation.

“…”

But.

But… somehow that appearance resembled the children when they had failed.

Especially identical to Margarete when her world ended.

Though not an exact comparison, it reminded me of when she was dejected thinking she had disappointed me, Noah.

“Um…”

Before becoming aware of Noah’s memories, witches were just objects of hatred and extermination, but now not a trace of such feelings remain.

Though they’re probably still massacring people now, from the perspective after realizing the world’s truth, they’re just expanding their territory.

If I were just Noah that would be the end of it, but Eugene who lived at rock bottom also knew how much tragedy their actions caused innocent civilians.

So to stop this meaningless fight, to properly teach the children as a father, I set out on this journey.

Perhaps because of that mindset, I couldn’t just pass by Sephira.

“…It’s alright.”

I just said those words and stood beside Sephira, taking her hand.

I didn’t think about things like her being a high-ranked hunter or status.

I just held Sephira’s hand like I held Margarete’s hand when she was depressed.

“…!”

Sephira trembled violently in surprise.

Though I held her hand firmly, she could easily pull away if she wanted to.

But that didn’t happen.

“…”

Sephira looked at me briefly then lowered her head again, shoulders trembling slightly… and just stayed still.

For a while, we walked forward like that.