Dark Fantasy’s Extra Chapter 76

Time flew by quickly, and the day came for the Behemoth Tracking Special Unit’s first mission to Drang Basin.

“What’s this? After all that talk, we’re still taking a carriage in the end.”

Oscar grumbled while sitting on a cushion in the carriage’s cargo area.

“With you and Zepetia here, how could we walk? Making you run before was just to check your stamina.”

I said while looking outside from my seat across from him.

Drang Basin, where Vile’s old laboratory is located, would take over two days to reach even at my walking pace, just like Donua.

While Sephira or Dominic could probably arrive within a day, conversely it would take over a week for Oscar or Zepetia who was crouched next to me.

“Well, I can understand my case, but is that woman really okay? She’s literally a civilian.”

Oscar pointed at Zepetia.

“Huh? Well, that’s…”

Singled out, Zepetia fumbled for words, clearly uncomfortable dealing with even a boy clearly younger than her.

“She’s the most important person in this department, what are you talking about?”

I placed my hand on Zepetia’s shoulder.

Our mission is to track Vile, and here, Zepetia is the closest person to him as his granddaughter.

She might be able to recognize certain marks or valuable materials that only she would know, which is why Zepetia will continue accompanying us.

Moreover, that’s not the only reason she’s important.

To put it extremely, even if Sephira, Dominic, Oscar, and I all die, Zepetia must survive.

She will be essential for Hilde to become stronger later.

Of course, that’s just my own thinking based on knowledge from my past life, but if necessary, I would sacrifice my life to protect Zepetia.

In that sense, Zepetia would be safest inside Order headquarters, but I can’t explain about Blue Paper Moon to the higher-ups so I just have to protect her diligently.

“Ah, this is frustrating. Just say something clearly for once!”

“Eek!”

“Hey, take it easy.”

“…Please try not to make too much noise. This is an important mission after all.”

Dominic said from the driver’s seat.

“Fine, fine… ugh.”

Oscar turned his head but quickly looked away when his eyes met Sephira’s.

Even he couldn’t properly make eye contact with Sephira.

Sephira also sat in a corner of the carriage but hadn’t said a single word since earlier.

She didn’t seem to be paying attention to us, and knowing how diligent she is, she’s probably watching outside for threats.

“Lady Sephira.”

I called out to her lightly.

“…?!”

Sephira flinched noticeably.

“…?”

What’s that about? Why did she suddenly react like that?

“Um… did you notice something?”

“What? No, nothing in particular.”

But as if that reaction I just saw was my imagination, her tone was exactly the same as usual.

“That’s good then… You don’t need to push yourself too hard either, Lady Sephira. Mr. Dominic and I are also watching outside for threats.”

“I’m fine.”

“You’re the strongest among us, Lady Sephira, so it would be better to conserve your strength for when we might really need it. No need to waste energy on trivial matters.”

“…Yes.”

Keeping watch is more demanding than people realize.

Even if it’s not physically taxing, mental fatigue is unavoidable.

Vile’s old laboratory that we need to visit is a place where the remnants of all sorts of horrific experiments remain untouched.

And above all, there are many enemies that use mental attacks.

Vile’s old laboratory was one of the most bizarre dungeons even in Blue Paper Moon.

In terms of strangeness, it’s far more peculiar than Iron Hans’ hideout in the heart of the Mountain that Eats Young Sacrifices.

The mental impact could be substantial, so I wanted to arrive with our mental strength preserved as much as possible.

I should be fine since I roughly know the exact gimmicks and strategies for that place, but…

I glanced at Zepetia and Oscar.

Oscar is still an inexperienced boy.

Though he may have seen battlefields and fought some battles, there’s no way around his overwhelming lack of experience.

And Zepetia… let’s not even go there.

Rather, I just hope she doesn’t become corrupted there.

That automaton she was making with Iron Hans’ head recently.

It was something she made using Vile’s corpse when she turned against humans, but somehow she was making something similar with just Hans’ head.

Especially that atmosphere when she was making it… something feels off.

“…W-what is it?”

Zepetia asked when she noticed me staring at her.

“By the way, what happened to that automaton you were making before?”

“Ah, that? Listen to this. When I showed it to Sir Corsis the other day…”

Zepetia’s demeanor instantly shifted to something similar to her work mode.

“He scolded me, saying he might overlook one prototype but I shouldn’t even dream of mass production!”

“Well of course. Sir Corsis is someone with proper common sense.”

“I just don’t understand! It really could have been useful! Sure, the materials are a bit strange, but there were truly innovative ideas in it!”

“Ahem.”

Dominic cleared his throat from the driver’s seat to signal her, but Zepetia seemed completely oblivious.

With no choice, I wrapped my arm around her shoulder and squeezed her neck firmly.

“Urk!”

“Let’s keep it down a bit.”

“I-I’ll have you know I’m still a noble lady…”

“Ah right, you were.”

When I’m with Zepetia, I keep forgetting she’s a noble.

Normally I should be more careful even with this kind of physical contact.

“…”

Sephira was also looking at me with disapproving eyes.

As if the situation wasn’t awkward enough after Hilde’s sudden action last time…

“An automaton?”

Oscar showed interest.

“Ah, um, well…”

Zepetia immediately shrunk back again.

Seriously, what’s with this combination of people…

* * *

“Is she really that amazing?”

“I heard she got incredibly special treatment.”

Whispers and murmurs wouldn’t stop among the gathered mid-ranked hunters.

The subject of their conversation was just one person – the rookie mid-ranked hunter with exceptional aptitude.

“…”

Hilde stood quietly at her spot, looking straight ahead.

They were currently gathered in the lecture hall dedicated to mid-ranked hunters.

While mid-ranked hunters mostly have their own private rooms with some exceptions, they gather in one place for roll call every morning like lower-ranked hunters.

And today was Hilde’s first time attending roll call.

After parting with Eugene, she had to undergo basic training again as a mid-ranked hunter.

This process typically takes about three months, but Hilde completed it in just two weeks.

For her who had received ‘special’ treatment in all regular training processes from joining until now, today was truly her first day standing independently as a proper hunter.

“Does anyone know her?”

“No idea. How could anyone know someone who finished basic training in less than half the time?”

“Finishing in two weeks? Is that even allowed?”

“They say she has exceptional aptitude.”

“I heard she’s the daughter of House Grimm.”

“What? Really?!”

Hilde could hear everything they were saying.

But she didn’t react.

Right now she was clearly a rookie, and quite a conspicuous one at that.

“They say Lady Sephira personally gave her the appointment letter.”

“Really? I’m jealous…”

Sephira is particularly busy even among higher-ranked hunters, so she rarely presents appointment letters to anyone personally.

Soon after, someone appeared on the podium in the lecture hall.

“Good morning, everyone.”

Runius addressed the mid-ranked hunters.

While roll call for lower-ranked hunters is usually handled by Crowty or his representative, for mid-ranked hunters it’s handled by higher-ranked hunters taking turns.

“Originally Ms. Sephira was scheduled for roll call today, but due to other circumstances, I’m filling in. Now then, I’ll call names starting from Room A.”

There are about 100 mid-ranked hunters.

Though checking each one individually takes some time, it’s still necessary.

Mid-ranked hunters are the first level that can serve as direct combat strength when hunting behemoths, the Beasts that the Order fears most.

Lower-ranked hunters can only serve as meat shields or bait against behemoths.

This is why even commoner-born mid-ranked hunters receive treatment almost equal to minor nobles in the provinces.

After Runius called and confirmed all the mid-ranked hunters’ names one by one, he made some brief announcements.

“Ms. Sephira has been assigned to a special mission, so you won’t be seeing her for a while. Some of you may have already heard, but a Behemoth Tracking Special Unit has been established and Ms. Sephira has been appointed as its first captain.”

Exclamations of admiration arose from among the mid-ranked hunters.

“As expected of Lady Sephira…”

“Tracking behemoths – so the Order is moving to take preemptive action…”

“Maybe there will be changes for us too…”

“Ahem, ahem.”

Runius cleared his throat again to get their attention.

The stirred atmosphere immediately settled down.

“The department is still in its early pilot phase, so there may be various changes. Nothing has been decided yet regarding mid-ranked hunter participation that you’re all curious about.”

Hilde suddenly realized Runius was looking at her.

Though it was just a fleeting glance, it was clearly the same look she felt when he was training her.

“There are no other notable matters… Then this concludes morning roll call. Return to your rooms and wait for morning training.”

Runius stepped down from the podium and the gathered mid-ranked hunters began filing out one by one.

Hilde also waited patiently and was about to leave when it got less crowded.

But someone blocked her path.

“You’re the new rookie who just joined?”

It was a woman with long brown hair standing with her arms crossed.

Other hunters still remaining nearby looked at her and Hilde but said nothing and turned away.

“Yes.”

Hilde answered briefly.

“Hmm… I hear Lady Sephira personally gave you your appointment letter?”

“Yes.”

“Have you met her privately before?”

“Privately…?”

“I heard you’re from House Grimm? I wondered if you might have known Lady Sephira from before joining the Order.”

“No. Meeting Lady Sephira after joining was my first time.”

“Is that so?”

She extended her hand to Hilde.

“I’m Pieta. Lady Sephira gave me my appointment letter too. In a way, that makes you my junior.”

Hilde’s hand hesitated at the word ‘junior’ as she was about to grasp Pieta’s.

“…Ah, I’m sorry. Something else just crossed my mind…”

Hilde belatedly tried to take Pieta’s hand again, but she had already crossed her arms once more.

“No. I’ve changed my mind after all.”

“What?”

“Seems you don’t particularly want to treat me as your senior either.”

“That just now was…”

“It’s fine. I understand. There are lots of people like you. No matter what anyone says, we’re mid-ranked hunters, right? Everyone starts out full of confidence, thinking they’re something special.”

“…”

“I’m telling you this specially because we share the connection of receiving our appointments from the same person.”

Pieta brought her face close to Hilde’s.

“Don’t get the wrong idea. No matter how exceptional you are, here you’re just one of many geniuses.”

Leaving those words behind, Pieta turned and walked out.

“…”

Hilde stood there as if rooted to the spot for a while, only leaving by herself after all the mid-ranked hunters had gone.