Dark Fantasy’s Extra Chapter 223

The negotiations with Margarete, Bari, and Rusalka concluded well.

“What were you thinking?!”

After they left, Hilde grabbed my shoulders and said.

“Do you think sacrificing yourself like this again is atonement?! Why! Why do you always try to solve problems this way?!”

“No, I have no intention of sacrificing myself.”

“What did you say?!”

“That will absolutely never happen.”

“What makes you so confident!”

“I believe in you.”

“…!”

“In the end, it’s just a matter of whether or not you can gain recognition from your sisters. And that’s only after Blanc fails. I trust Blanc’s standards, and above all, I believe in you. You can do it.”

“How, how can you guarantee that…”

“Is my belief not enough?”

“That’s not what I meant… it’s just…”

“…I was a bit selfish. Should I cancel it now?”

“No, no. It’s not that… I just…”

“It’s fine. If by some unlikely, no, extremely unlikely chance you fail and I fall into their hands. That too would be an ending in its own way. I could properly settle Noah’s sins.”

“I can’t accept such an ending.”

“Then work hard to make sure it doesn’t happen.”

“Ugh… I’m happy you believe in me, but not like this…”

“Besides, gaining recognition doesn’t necessarily mean winning through fighting.”

Maia’s voice came from the doorway.

When I turned my head that way, she was leaning against the door watching us with Vasilisa beside her.

“Recognition isn’t about defeating someone. As the term implies, you just need to prove your worth somehow.”

“Ms. Maia… did you know about Senior’s plan?”

“Yes. Though I’m the same kind as you all, strictly speaking, I’m a witch purely of Eugene’s with no connection to Noah.”

“A witch, you’re…”

“I like the term witch. So I’ll just call myself a witch. The next era will be the era of witches after all. I’ll make my name known as the ‘Great Witch’ in that world.”

“Senior…”

“I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you beforehand. I was planning to tell you right after everything was settled…”

“They just happened to come a bit earlier than expected. Anyway, Eugene believes in you enormously. You’re not doubting that, are you?”

“I, I didn’t say that! But what’s this about an era of witches?”

“When this world ends and the next era comes, I’m going to create something like a big school. I’ll bring in talented children and teach them sorcery like in Swamp Island and spread it across the world. Then naturally my name will spread across the world too. It’ll surely go down in history. I’ve decided to fully cooperate with Eugene’s plan for that purpose as well.”

“Cooperate… you mean you’ll help me?”

“I won’t just help you alone. First I’ll help whoever Blanc picks as successor, and if that doesn’t work out I’ll switch to helping you right away. Anyway, as long as the next world continues stably in some way, that’s fine. After all, I am Eugene’s witch, Thumbelina.”

“Is the difficult talk over?”

Vasilisa asked.

“Yes. Someday you might become the second greatest witch after me as something like the Frog Witch. You certainly have the talent.”

Maia patted Vasilisa’s head.

“Frog Witch? I’m not sure, but I like frogs.”

“As Maia said, gaining recognition doesn’t necessarily mean defeating them.”

I explained to Hilde in more detail.

“For example, it could be through influence, character or achievements, or even becoming personally close.”

“Becoming close, that’s absolutely impossible.”

Hilde shook her head.

“It may be that way now. But will it still be the same in 100 years, 1000 years?”

“That’s… too far away to know.”

“Right. Even I can’t know the future exactly. Not knowing even tomorrow precisely is part of human life. Maybe next month, maybe next year, a chance to get closer could come at any time.”

Even Ryu could only vaguely know things with limitations and conditions.

If he had known everything, he wouldn’t have needed to wander around to survive.

“So don’t feel too pressured. There isn’t just one way. Whatever path you believe in, just keep moving forward.”

“…I’m not sure myself right now, but alright. Maybe I’ll understand something someday as I go along.”

“Right.”

“But Senior.”

“What?”

“Are you not going back to the Order now?”

“The Order… no, I need to go somehow. There are many people there I need to properly talk to and face.”

Crowty, Hera, Zepetia, Dorothy, and also Sephira and Gerda.

I formed many bonds in the Hunting Order.

No matter how much of a god I’ve become, I won’t lose my identity as Eugene.

I need to go meet everyone.

“The Hunting Order itself will slowly disappear now anyway. The witches have stopped fighting at least until the next era, and the world will gradually stabilize too. Of course, what the eldest sister thinks is most important though.”

Belle…

Belle created the Hunting Order, and in this world she wields immense influence under the name Saintess.

Karen will stop spreading curses in the world now, but the current number of Beasts is still considerable.

Some types can even increase their numbers on their own so they can’t just be left alone.

The world still needs the Hunting Order for now.

“Belle didn’t come here. She probably wants me to come to her directly.”

“It could be a trap.”

Maia said.

“We’re not talking about just anyone, but Noah’s first witch. The one who was with him the longest. Your body still hasn’t adapted to the power of creation. She might have some means to subdue you in your current state. Maybe she even created the Hunting Order for a day like today. If she scrapes together all the world’s resources and power, she might be able to capture an incomplete god.”

“…Even so, I have to go. There are people there I can’t leave alone until I finish adapting. I need to meet at least them.”

“Hmm… then you’ll need escorts after all.”

“Of course you’re properly including me this time, right?”

Hilde asked.

“Yes. Please.”

“Eugene, where are you going again?”

Vasilisa asked.

“Don’t worry. I’ll still have time to play with you.”

“Yes! Then let’s play together!”

“Alright.”

That day, I spent the whole time drawing with Vasilisa and reading her fairy tales.

And the next day, I set out for the Order with Maia’s familiar and Hilde.

“If you don’t return within a week, I’ll storm in right away so don’t worry.”

Maia waved.

“Have a safe trip, Lord Eugene.”

Ryu also saw us off at the door.

“…Ryu.”

Just before departing, I called out to him.

“Yes? Did you have something to say?”

“If you’d like, would you come with us?”

“…I appreciate the offer, but I’ll decline. I’m rather tired of wandering here and there. I’d like to stay here for a while. Though of course, I’ll follow if that’s what you wish.”

“I understand. Let me know anytime if you want to go out.”

“Thank you for your consideration. Have a safe trip.”

Hilde and I left the mansion.

The ancient sacred ground that had become ruins.

This place too was once a religious organization led by Belle.

Just like today’s Hunting Order.

But someday the Hunting Order too will meet its end and become ruins like this place.

Everything comes to an end.

However, there’s always a new beginning after that.

“Let’s go.”

With a snap of my fingers, I transported us to my room at the Order headquarters.

“Wow… that’s amazing.”

Hilde said while looking around my room.

“Huh? Brother?”

Gerda jumped up in surprise when she saw me from my bed.

“How did you just get in? No, more importantly, why did you leave without saying anything and only come back now!”

“Sorry.”

I approached Gerda while leaning on my staff.

“Are you sick?! What’s wrong?!”

Gerda rushed to me urgently.

“Why are you so weak…? Did a Beast do this to you? Just what…”

“No, it’s not that. I’ll get better after some time. I’m fine.”

I stroked Gerda’s head to reassure her.

“…Gerda.”

Gerda has a younger brother.

Kai, whom she cherished more than anyone.

But because of that influence I wielded without being aware of being Noah, her thoughts and perceptions were changed.

You could say it was remnants of being the creator – this hole called Noah that formed in me pulled in its surroundings like a black hole.

I unconsciously drew in and made dependent on me those who Noah thought would be suitable as next protagonists.

Though it wasn’t my intention, there’s no doubt it happened because of me.

My children being abnormally drawn to Eugene, and Blanc too, Maia too, Zepetia too, and probably even Sephira.

Maybe Dorothy is the same as well.

“What is it?”

Gerda looked up at me with a worried expression.

Though it may be manipulated goodwill, her feelings of caring and worry for me are undoubtedly sincere.

“Well…”

Can I return them all to their original selves.

It’s difficult now, but it should be possible once I adapt a bit more to the power of creation and divinity.

But can that process be called healing?

Is it really right to artificially manipulate their souls, hearts, and goodwill again?

“…How about we eat together later? It’s been a while.”

“…Yes!”

Gerda was delighted.

I don’t have a clear answer about returning them to how they were before.

But right now, she’s clearly happy.

Then for now at least, that’s good enough.

I’ll somehow solve the Kai issue.

Because I’m your brother.

Kai could be called my brother too.

“But… what were you doing in Senior’s room?”

Hilde asked Gerda.

“Um… cleaning…”

“Hmm…”

Hilde stared at her with narrowed eyes.

“Let’s go for now. I want to meet everyone else before meeting Belle.”

“Alright.”

“Belle? You don’t mean Lady Saintess?”

“Ah… well, various things happened. I’ll explain the details later.”

“You promise?”

“Yes. I’ll definitely tell you. So let’s meet again a bit later. There are things I need to do now.”

“Okay… You have to come back soon. Got it?”

“Yes.”

I left the room and headed first to Workshop 3.

When I knocked on the workshop door, Zepetia opened it right away.

“Ah, Eugene! You’re finally back!”

Workshop 3 was much improved compared to before.

Just having the windows open and letting in sunlight was amazing progress.

My dying and coming back to life probably had some influence.

“But… what’s wrong with your body?”

“Let’s talk after we go inside.”

“Come in. I have lots of things stored up to tell you too. But…”

Zepetia looked at Hilde.

“I’m sorry, but could you wait outside? There are things I want to discuss just the two of us.”

“But Senior is…”

“Hilde. Please. Wait outside for a bit.”

I gave Hilde a look.

“…Alright.”

And I entered Workshop 3 with Zepetia supporting me.