Dark Fantasy’s Extra Chapter 69

In my past life, it was common knowledge that the moon was naturally white and turned a soft yellow when reflecting sunlight, but in this world, the moon being blue is the norm and common sense.

However, some sorcerers discovered that a faint curse was being emitted from the moon to this land, and realized that the moon was probably originally a different color but appeared blue due to the curse.

Though this was a shocking truth that could shake the world, like the first heliocentric theory or laws of inheritance, it didn’t have much impact.

To begin with, only a tiny fraction of the already persecuted sorcerers discovered this, and they had neither the means nor motivation to spread it in a way the public could understand.

But for those who understood what it meant, it went beyond shock or astonishment to something close to indescribable terror.

“Yes. There were those who chose to forget what they discovered because it was too frightening… But I’m different.” 

Maia said.

“Aren’t you curious? Who made it that way? I wanted to understand that moon.”

The Crescent technique had lore explaining that it was something she recreated after gaining witch knowledge and understanding a small part of the moon.

“And someday, I’ll turn that moon my green color.”

“Turn the moon green?”

“Yes. Then this world will remember me forever. Even after I die and disappear, it will remain forever.”

…It’s a strange feeling.

Like I’m forgetting something very important.

But I couldn’t recall no matter how much I thought about it.

Could there be some other lore that I don’t know about, or have forgotten?

“…It sounds so far-fetched it doesn’t even feel real. Though if it were possible, it would certainly be an amazing achievement. As you said, it would leave a permanent mark.”

“Hohoho. Yes! That’s why!”

Maia poked my chest with her small finger.

“Let me meet that companion you mentioned! Of course I’m not expecting much, but you never know until you try!”

“You’re not expecting much?”

“Right. Even I couldn’t understand even a tiny part of the moon, so how could someone who isn’t even a sorcerer use the power of the blue moon? I’ll have you know I was the greatest genius on the Swamp Island.”

“My companion may not be a sorcerer, but she’s quite the genius too. Probably not far behind you. But neither of us understand how it was possible.”

“I can’t really say anything without seeing this person directly. But if, if by any chance, if it really is the power of the blue moon, that would be no ordinary matter. I really want to meet them.”

“It’s a bit difficult right now. Things are complicated on our end. Once things settle down a bit, we’ll come find you. That is, if you tell us where you’re going.”

“I’m not sure where to go from here myself. Do you know any good places? Like somewhere rich in sorcery, or rather, curses. You’re a hunter, so you must know about such things.”

Maia crossed her arms in thought.

In the original game, there was also an event where Maia moved from Donua to another location.

But all those places were witch strongholds, so I couldn’t recommend them now.

It would be better if she stayed here, but she’s already been exposed to the Order’s Intelligence Department.

Of course, I know plenty of places with other strong Beasts, but I didn’t want to use what should be Hilde’s experience points as research materials for Maia.

“Then… how about trying the Spider Castle?”

“Spider Castle? What kind of place is that?”

Spider Castle is one of the late-game areas in Blue Paper Moon.

It was the stronghold of ‘Arachne’, who was among the highest-tier behemoths even during their prime 500 years ago.

Of course, Arachne was also hunted down by Belle and the hunters like many other behemoths, but her subordinates survived and still hide there.

Like Maia in Donua, Arachne’s subordinates in Spider Castle were also hidden entities in the game.

There was nothing to find from searching the castle early, and a quest appeared around when the witches started rampaging in the late game to stop their attempt to resurrect Arachne taking advantage of the Order’s weakened influence.

Since Princess Bari, who moved most politically among the witches, was planning and carrying out the resurrection ritual behind the scenes, if it wasn’t stopped in time, the entire castle would become her territory, making it harder to subjugate her too.

The quest progression had no boss fight but instead was a time attack to reach the top floor of the maze-like Spider Castle within a time limit, so high specs didn’t help much.

“There’s a place like that?”

Maia’s eyes lit up.

I gave her a rough explanation of where Spider Castle was located.

Since I haven’t been there yet in this world, I don’t know the exact location either, but someone like her should be able to find it well enough on her own.

It would be good if she finds and takes care of Arachne’s subordinates early, but I don’t particularly mind if she doesn’t.

“Then I guess that concludes our talk. I should hurry and pack up to leave too.”

Maia said.

“Before that, let me ask – you’re not planning to kill those people outside, right?”

I pointed toward the window where the Intelligence Department agents were.

“I’m not that foolish either. Needlessly killing them would only make things bigger.”

“That’s good.”

“Why?”

“Because then I would have had to fight you.”

“But they were tailing you.”

“Being followed is unpleasant, but they’re still on my side for now.”

“I thought all Hunting Order hunters were violent brutes, but I guess Eugene is a bit different.”

“No, wouldn’t it be stranger to let someone die just for something like that?”

Though I said this, honestly speaking, there are many thuggish types with poor character among lower-ranked hunters.

Those kinds of guys might not only fail to save civilians, but might even try to bury fellow hunters when no one’s watching just because they don’t like them.

Even in a world without human rights, I don’t want to abandon valuing human dignity.

As someone who survived thanks to the sacrifice of my seniors and colleagues, becoming such garbage would be spitting on their faces.

“Well then, shall we wrap things up?”

When the conversation was mostly over, Maia snapped her fingers.

The lid of a large box in the corner opened and everything in the room was sucked inside.

“Amazing, right? Even the continent’s mages couldn’t do something like this.”

“It is impressive. How do you do that?”

“It’s a technique that applies curses.”

“That’s unexpected. I thought curses were generally techniques that harm or hurt others.”

“I can’t deny that’s the mainstream. After all, strong will usually comes from negative emotions. Things like vengeance or jealousy. But there’s no rule saying you have to use those emotions.”

“You really are a genius.”

“Hoho. You can praise me more.”

Maia puffed out her chest.

“Ah, talking with people like this is so nice too. I’d forgotten after being alone focused only on research and training for so long. Or maybe Eugene was just accommodating me?”

Come to think of it, didn’t she say she’d been alone for over 20 years?

It might be fun to introduce her to Zepetia later.

“Let’s meet again, kind hunter.”

The box containing all the room’s items closed its lid.

Maia and the box disappeared somewhere as if turning to powder.

All that remained was an empty ruined house.

I left the room.

The two Intelligence Department agents were still lying unconscious below the window.

When I went closer to check, they indeed weren’t dead.

It’s not good to carelessly kill trackers.

If they don’t return, or are thought to be dead, the ones who sent them will judge the target as dangerous.

However, if the agents return safely having been subdued without learning anything, they’ll see someone strong but not feel an immediate need to investigate further.

Of course, being followed still feels unpleasant.

But I can’t really show it.

If they think they’ve been discovered, someone more skilled will come.

I left Donua, leaving them behind.

I’d obtained everything I needed.

The Executioner’s Axe, Ring of Deep Grace, and a good relationship with Maia, a powerful sorcerer.

Now I need to return to the Order and prepare for the increasingly intense battles ahead.

*    *    *

“No, do nothing.”

The being seated on the massive throne spoke to the subject kneeling before them.

The throne was made of various types of bones and weapons fused together, reaching all the way to the ceiling.

At a glance it was clearly not the seat of a benevolent ruler, but one meant for an overwhelming tyrant.

However, the one seated there was a beautiful woman with long pink hair flowing and yellow eyes.

“I will follow your command… but may I ask the reason?”

Eric, the subject kneeling across from her, asked.

“Hmph.”

The empress seated arrogantly on the throne, Little Mermaid Rusalka, sneered.

“Have you lost your edge already? The opponent is Blanc, the craftiest among the land’s behemoths. Even if what she said about the location of Margarete’s true body is true, she must have her own calculations.”

“Still, wouldn’t it be worth checking? We still have communication channels with Charmol. We could use him to verify the truth. And if what she said about opposing Snow White in Cranion is true…”

“Blanc is originally… no, fundamentally all behemoths are our enemies.”

Eric knew well that the ‘our’ Rusalka spoke of meant the witches.

“Even that Charmol who calls himself the Black King and proposes an alliance of rulers to rulers will eventually turn his blade on me. It’s only proper to avoid owing him any debts.”

“Understood. Then I’ll relay that information about Snow White to the executives as such. Are there any other orders?”

“…How much have you found out about that unpleasant hunter?”

“My apologies. Besides being the human Blanc chose and working long for the Order, we haven’t made much progress. Our influence on land is still lacking… I am ashamed.”

“That too will all be resolved once my power fully returns. Track down that hunter who interfered with my first expedition in 500 years and bring them alive before me.”

“I will follow your command. Do you still plan to make them a Drowned One?”

“No. I will thoroughly break them to use as provocation against Blanc. It’s also a grave crime for Karen’s stray dog to try using me.”

Karen.

Not many know that is the true name of the being called Red Hood, or Red Witch.

After all, the name was erased by White Witch Belle who still fights her on land.

Not just Karen, but also the name of Little Mermaid Rusalka, the great empress who would cover the world in ocean.

“Not just that. I will execute all foolish ones who do not kneel and prostrate before me. Even if they are behemoths.”

But that end was not far off.

Soon all humans on land would know the name of Little Mermaid Rusalka.

“Long live Little Mermaid.” 

Eric said softly.

“Long live Little Mermaid!”

“Long live Little Mermaid!”

“Long live Little Mermaid!”

The guards around followed, shouting in unison.

The one called the tyrant and empress of the sea sat arrogantly on her throne, listening to her subordinates’ cheers as she drew up blueprints for a new war of conquest.