Dark Fantasy’s Extra Chapter 55

When I opened my eyes and looked outside the window, the sun had already set.

The time had passed dinner, and I was alone in the dark room.

As I rubbed my eyes and got up, my body felt incredibly heavy.

To think that brief doping still hasn’t let my body recover completely – drugs really aren’t something humans should mess with.

However, thanks to the detox medicine and sufficient rest, there was no pain at all, just slight dizziness in my head.

Looking at the table beside the bed, there was a covered water cup.

Did Hilde leave it there?

I gulped down the water.

As the cool water flowed down my throat, my mind became clearer.

“Whew…”

Taking a deep breath, I got out of bed, gathered a few things, and went to the dining hall to eat.

Though the soup was lukewarm, the bread had no aroma, and the fruit was slightly dried, the portion was large since I went near closing time.

Having sufficient meals provided is one reason commoners aspire to become hunters.

There are too many starving people in this world.

After finishing my meal, I went straight to Workshop 3.

Though I didn’t have the luxury to bring back Beast specimens, I thought Zepetia might like seeing the Dragon’s Breath Shotgun I brought from Vinears.

It was quite late, but Zepetia would surely be there.

In Blue Paper Moon, one of her lines mentioned that she was so busy she handled all her meals and sleep in this workshop.

And as expected, when I knocked, Zepetia opened the door.

“Oh, it’s been a while!”

Zepetia said while swallowing something.

There was a sour smell coming from her, and purple sauce was smeared around her mouth.

“Were you eating? I can come back later.”

“Ah, no. Come in. Come in. I just finished eating.”

“Then excuse me.”

I entered Workshop 3.

The massive alchemy furnace in the center of the room, and all sorts of weapons on the walls were still there.

…Still there?

Almost exactly the same?

“Hehe, you brought something again today, right?”

“Well, about that…”

To be honest, I hadn’t brought any Beast specimens.

But seeing Zepetia’s heavily expectant expression suddenly made me tongue-tied.

Isn’t she expecting a bit too much?

Her eyes look exactly like a puppy waiting for food.

“Actually, I brought this instead of specimens.”

Anyway, it’s not my business to worry about.

I took out the Dragon’s Breath Shotgun from my waist and held it out to her.

“Eh…”

The light disappeared from Zepetia’s eyes.

She just kept looking back and forth between the item and me.

I shrugged my shoulders.

“Is this all?”

“I nearly died too. Be glad I managed to bring even this.”

“…What is this? A gun? Though it’s something I’ve never seen before.”

“It’s a weapon used by some hunter hundreds of years ago. When loaded with incendiary rounds, it spews fire instead of bullets.”

“Hmm?”

Only then did her eyes become somewhat serious.

“Let me see…”

Zepetia examined the Dragon’s Breath Shotgun from various angles.

“You say it’s loaded with bullets but spews fire? I’ve never heard of such a thing. I’d like to take it apart and examine it.”

“That’s fine, but you need to return it in working condition. It was really hard to get this.”

“Alright. I don’t mind researching new technology either. But next time, I’d prefer if you brought Beast specimens.”

“Hey. It’s a bit late to ask, but don’t you have anyone else bringing you specimens?”

“Uh, huh?”

Zepetia’s body jolted noticeably.

“The number of prototypes doesn’t seem to have increased either.”

“W-well, about that…”

She avoided eye contact.

“It’s strange. Hasn’t Workshop 3 been open for almost a month now?”

“Th-that’s none of your business…!”

“Should I stop bringing them then?”

“No, you can’t!”

“…”

I stared at Zepetia steadily.

“…Sigh, can’t be helped. There are circumstances.”

“Like what?”

“Let’s say the promotion isn’t going well…”

“Promotion?”

I haven’t seen her promote the workshop even once since it opened.

“Have you tried asking anyone?”

“…”

I see she hasn’t.

The Zepetia I saw in Blue Paper Moon was extremely shy in peculiar ways.

While she could handle people who came to her naturally enough, she was often the type who couldn’t approach others first.

“W-well, it’s not like I don’t have other things to do even without that. Just upgrading items, reading old documents, and conducting experiments makes the days fly by.”

“But you still need unusual Beast specimens for the most important prototype production, right?”

“…That’s right. But I really can’t bring myself to approach people and ask first…”

In Blue Paper Moon, since she wasn’t available as a heroine for romance routes, there wasn’t much detailed information about her personality or work methods.

However, there was setting information that the equipment she made through the alchemy furnace was comparable to the handcrafted items used by mid-ranked hunters, making it incomparably superior in terms of productivity and variety.

The Obsidian Claw, Raven Dagger, and Mermaid Hunter I’ve used so far have all performed their roles excellently.

Zepetia’s high-quality equipment provided for free will definitely be necessary for Hilde’s growth and boss battles going forward.

“Hmm…”

Should I step in and help promote her workshop?

Thinking normally, that would be the right thing to do.

But the benefits Zepetia provides are incredibly special.

Having more people seek her out means sharing those benefits.

It already takes a week to make equipment, but that could stretch to two or three weeks.

Sorry, but I need to monopolize this.

“Then I’ll work harder to bring you more. I’ll try to find something suitable as soon as this week if possible.”

“Really?!”

Zepetia grabbed my hands and shook them.

“Ah, I’m saved! Sir Corsis has been pressuring me so much! Saying I should at least try talking to hunters or find other suitable people – he’s asking too much!”

That’s not asking too much, it’s completely natural.

No, before that, isn’t that the kind of thing you say to sons or daughters who won’t leave their rooms?

“Then I’ll be counting on you! Promise? I need to show some results by next week at the latest.”

“Sure. And when are you returning that shotgun?”

“Ah, this? Well… generously speaking, by next week? Do you need it soon?”

“No.”

While the Dragon’s Breath Shotgun is certainly a powerful weapon, without the special incendiary rounds it’s no better than an ordinary shotgun.

Moreover, since its significance lies in area-of-effect fire damage, it lacks the stopping power that normal firearms have.

It’s not very effective against enemies that ignore fire and charge in.

I could easily clear out Vinears because most were undead Beasts extremely weak to fire, but it could actually be somewhat dangerous against normal Beasts.

If a Beast charging with its body on fire crashes into you, it won’t end with just broken bones.

“Anyway, next time I come I’ll bring a good specimen.”

“Yes! Promise?”

I left Workshop 3.

The sun had already set and the sky was almost black.

On my way back to the quarters, I sensed someone secretly approaching from behind.

“What is it?”

I stopped and spoke.

“Ah… did you notice?”

When I turned around, Hilde was right in front of me.

“You’ve gotten better at muffling your footsteps compared to when I taught you before.”

“I practiced a bit by myself while you were gone, Senior. But still, alone I couldn’t… Um, Senior.”

“What?”

“…Nothing. I was just curious where we’re going next time.”

“Ah, I was just about to talk about that. I’ve thought about where to go next. I’ll tell you as we walk.”

I returned to the quarters together with Hilde.

*    *    *

Two high nobles sat facing each other while drinking wine.

“Offenbach’s wine certainly has a deep, pleasant aroma.”

Said Count William, Hilde’s father and head of the Grimm family.

“Then bringing it was worthwhile.”

Said Marquis Bluebeard sitting opposite him.

Though there was a difference in noble rank between them, since they belonged to different countries and were families more closely tied to the Order than loyal to their nations, they had built an equal relationship from long ago.

“I know your personality well. Let’s get straight to business.”

The Marquis put down his wine.

“First, we must discuss your daughter. My word, exceptional aptitude.”

“…Hmph.”

The Count snorted with a complicated expression.

“I never intended to raise that child as a hunter. The family already has sufficient political connections and noble honor. Everything would have been perfect if she just married into a good family.”

“Let’s be honest as fathers. You simply don’t want Hilde doing dangerous work. If she could become a higher-ranked hunter even if it took 10 years, wouldn’t sending her be the correct decision? The honor would be incomparably greater than what’s earned from the military. Or perhaps this was careful consideration to prevent the sister from overshadowing her brother’s achievements?”

“…”

The Count didn’t answer immediately.

But the Marquis knew well that silence was strong affirmation.

“You really are a good father. Though it would be better if you were more honest.”

“Enough idle talk. Don’t you also want to take Hilde as your daughter-in-law as soon as possible?”

“Well, that too, but having one more higher-ranked hunter isn’t bad from the position of managing the Order’s branch either.”

“Tch.”

“Now, don’t feel too disappointed. I also hope she marries my son. Just saying it won’t be too late even after she becomes a higher-ranked hunter. Rather, wouldn’t that be much more advantageous?”

“Where’s the guarantee she’ll become a higher-ranked hunter?”

“Are you seriously asking that? Even after seeing Sephira?”

“…Hah.”

The Count sighed heavily.

“You’d strongly oppose if Jarkoff said he wanted to become a hunter too, yet you speak so carefreely.”

“Of course I would. But think coldly as a noble. You’re not just a father, but the head of the Grimm family that has maintained long dealings with Order headquarters. If a higher-ranked hunter emerges from your family, you’ll enjoy tremendous power for at least the next 100 years.”

“You don’t need to tell me that…”

The Count downed his wine in one gulp.

“Then they could have at least assigned a decent instructor. Having a mere lower-ranked hunter – there’s a limit to insulting my family…!”

He roughly put down his empty glass on the table.

“Eugene, was it?”

The Marquis stroked his chin thoughtfully.

“Though the lower-ranked hunter rank is a bit irritating, I think it’s quite a good selection.”

“What?!”

“Calm down. While I understand your emotional displeasure, both Crowty and Sephira recommended this talent simultaneously. Plus he has long experience and reliable character. You must have investigated already? That incident from 7 years ago too.”

Both the Count and Marquis had thoroughly investigated Eugene.

Not just them, but likely everyone who pays attention to information.

The strange situation of entrusting a once-in-a-generation talent comparable to Sephira to a mere lower-ranked hunter.

Moreover, the recommenders were Crowty, the Order headquarters’ overall field commander, and Sephira who became a higher-ranked hunter at an unprecedented speed.

“He was a hunter with a sufficiently understandable background. I’ve met him in person too, and he gave quite a good impression.”

“…That’s not all.”

“What do you mean?”

“There’s something inexplicable.”

“What is it?”

“Recently, Hilde spoke about that Eugene.”

“Oh, that’s quite interesting. What did she say?”

“Hilde is… captivated by that fellow.”

“…?”

“I don’t know the details either. But somehow, Hilde is excessively favorable toward Eugene.”

“Excessively favorable…”

The Marquis crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair.

“Then talking to Hilde would be useless, I should speak with Eugene.”