Dark Fantasy’s Extra Chapter 97

“I… judged that Maia was a harmless sorcerer.”

I answered as honestly as I could within my limits.

“A harmless sorcerer?”

The Judge’s eyebrow twitched.

“Yes. I know well that the Order’s policy is to be wary of sorcerers. But I also know that not every sorcerer is considered a potential threat.”

It’s common sense that the Order generally opposes sorcerers.

Though what I said is technically correct, the field’s conventional wisdom and practices view sorcerers as dangerous individuals.

However, in Blue Paper Moon, even if you built your protagonist as a sorcerer, the Order didn’t particularly object.

It could have been just game mechanics, but this world has been surprisingly faithful to the game’s historical accuracy.

The fact that Hilde was good with weapons and shooting from the start was because she had actually learned since childhood.

In other words, even for sorcerers, if they truly pose no threat to the Order, they won’t be interfered with carelessly… probably.

“Explain in more detail.”

The Judge’s killing intent seemed to subside slightly.

“Specifically, why did you think that being was harmless? Are you saying this knowing it’s not human?”

“Yes. But I don’t think whether something threatens the Order or not should be judged by whether it’s human.”

“Then what do you judge by?”

“Of course, by how they act. I’ve often seen people in the field who exist between human and Beast.”

Sometimes people resist Beast curses through innate resistance.

The vast majority just progress more slowly than others, but very rarely, the transformation into a Beast miraculously stops midway.

Sadly, if their human consciousness has collapsed, the Order executes them without hesitation.

“Not all of those people were hunting targets.”

However, if they maintain their sanity, the Order actually provides living support.

Of course, this isn’t out of goodwill but more like keeping lab animals for observation, and the living support is barely enough money to avoid starvation, but it still means the Order considers them useful.

“But that one is no ordinary civilian. It’s a sorcerer who deals with curses, and has already significantly deviated from being human. What made you think it wasn’t dangerous?”

“First was the residence.”

I tried my best to keep any hesitation or confusion from showing in my voice.

And just in case the relationship between Maia and I came into question, I had already prepared an excuse.

“Maia was in abandoned ruins near the border. If she were truly a dangerous sorcerer, she would have been near populated areas actively targeting civilians.”

“And?”

“The fact that she didn’t try anything despite knowing I was a hunter. A sorcerer of Maia’s level could have made someone like me disappear without a trace, but she deliberately didn’t.”

“…I see.”

The Judge crossed his arms in contemplation.

“We’ll discuss further and call you again.”

Maia and I returned to our original cells.

Though I felt relieved about making it through today, it’s still too early to let my guard down.

Since I have nothing particular to do alone in the cell anyway, maybe I’ll think through more excuses in the meantime.

…Somehow this feels like preparing for a job interview.

* * *

“…Hmm.”

After Eugene and Maia left, Offenbach branch’s Judge ‘Dismas’ turned his head toward the corner of the room.

“It was impressive, but.”

“Yes. I’m glad he seems unchanged.”

Though it was clearly empty space, headquarters Judge Dominic appeared as if materializing.

“Indeed, he seems too good to leave as a lower-ranked hunter.”

“I’m not so sure about that. But he certainly seemed useful for a lower-ranked hunter.”

The Heresy Inquisition Department had informed Eugene about Chris’s disappearance through Crowty, since Chris was closest to Eugene’s humanity.

However, they deliberately delayed telling him so he would fail to save his old comrade.

The entire process was a kind of interview and test led by the Heresy Inquisition Department.

Those belonging to the Heresy Inquisition Department need minds unshakeable by anything.

Paradoxically, to have such a mind, one must either lose everything or have nothing from the start.

Only then can that void be filled with fanaticism or directionless hatred.

And Eugene passed that test splendidly.

He risked everything to save his precious old comrade, and failed.

“We don’t have much time left. If news reaches headquarters that Eugene is imprisoned, both field overall commander Crowty and 3rd-rank hunter Sephira will surely move simultaneously.”

Dominic said.

This trial was conducted under Dominic’s supervision from the start.

The Heresy Inquisition Department recognized more than any other Order department how pressed they were for time.

They all served under the command of 1st-rank hunters and knew the truth of history, having noticed early that the witches were returning.

So they were secretly looking for more people qualified to be Heresy Inquisition officers or Judges.

Even at this moment, there must be others like Eugene undergoing trials from the Heresy Inquisition Department.

“Of course. But I still can’t be certain.”

“Why?”

“His eyes.”

“What?”

“His eyes didn’t break. It’s truly admirable.”

Dismas, regarded as the veteran of reversals in Offenbach’s Heresy Inquisition Department, rarely showed pure goodwill.

“You mean…”

“Eugene is undoubtedly an excellent hunter. But he can’t become an excellent Heresy Inquisition officer. Even after being pushed this far, his heart is still alive… How unfortunate. As you said, he’s too good to remain a lower-ranked hunter.”

“If he undergoes the Judge procedure, the physical aspect could somehow…”

“You must be quite disappointed too. You should know it’s not that kind of issue.”

“…”

Eugene is rejected.

He is too human to become a Heresy Inquisition officer or Judge.

Or, it wouldn’t be wrong to say he’s too noble.

“Rather, I think the Marquis’s plan seems more realistic.”

“You mean about being an instructor? I heard the Marquis invited Eugene to be an instructor in this country?”

“Yes. At least that kind of role would suit him well. A veteran of his caliber would be needed anywhere.”

“Then perhaps we should take Eugene back instead. Though it’s regrettable he can’t join us, as you said Sir Dismas, headquarters is also in need of veterans.”

“The Marquis won’t be pleased though?”

“Eugene would return to headquarters anyway. He has no reason to stay in this country.”

“That’s true. Then I’ll start processing his release.”

“But what about that sorcerer? I hadn’t heard about such a sorcerer. Maia was the name?”

“Ah, that.”

Dismas frowned.

“Really. Where on earth did such a sorcerer come from… Anyway, we’re leaning toward making a deal. Though somewhat dangerous, she seems to pursue knowledge over power. While she’s innocent for now, I’m hesitant about releasing her immediately.”

Even if they wrapped up Eugene’s matter like that, Maia remained an issue.

The Order had rejected sorcerers since ancient times, punishing them excessively for even the smallest offenses.

They reduced sorcerer numbers like that for nearly a hundred years, until they eventually vanished.

But now the existence of a powerful sorcerer appearing suddenly, who even met Princess Bari, one of the Saintess’s adversaries, was beyond mere troublesome.

“First, as Eugene said, there are no charges we can prove. Originally living in ruins near the border with no people or Beasts around, it’s hard to say she did anything wrong. Of course, we’ve already sent people and if anything comes up she’ll go straight to the deepest dungeon… but if not, all we can do is put her under surveillance and watch the situation.”

“Understood.”

Dominic quietly slipped out of the room through a secret passage.

* * *

Released at last.

I received all my equipment back and left the Heresy Inquisition Department.

When I asked the date, I had less than three days of vacation left.

“…Can I make it back.”

It’s a bit silly that my first concern after leaving the Heresy Inquisition Department is about vacation days, but without that vacation Crowty arranged so accommodatingly, I couldn’t have gone alone to save Chris.

Well… though I failed in the end.

“How pathetic.”

I survived alone again.

Now the only one who remembers that day is…

“What is?”

Maia asked.

“Huh? What? They released you too?”

“Made some deals.”

She rubbed her hands together.

“Anyway, what will you do now? No, where are you going?”

“Where else, I need to return to headquarters…”

“Excuse me.”

Just then, a well-groomed man in dignified butler attire I’d seen somewhere approached.

“Ah, you’re… Mr. Drian.”

He was the butler who had invited me and Hilde when the Marquis first came to the Order.

“Thank you for remembering.”

The elderly butler bowed slightly.

It’s really burdensome having someone so aged and dignified act this way toward me.

“W-what is it?”

“The Marquis has summoned Mr. Eugene. He says he has urgent matters to discuss…”

“Ah…”

Come to think of it, the Marquis had half-revealed his intentions to me.

There are two possible reasons why he would do such a thing to a mere lower-ranked hunter.

One is that he planned to use my connection with Hilde, or the other is… though I hate to think about it, direct orders from Bari.

That witch already knows my face after all.

“Yes. I’ll go.”

It’s dangerous, but at least the Marquis’s office should be inside this Order building.

No matter what, they couldn’t rashly harm someone in here.

Moreover, I was quite a person of interest here so suddenly disappearing would draw more attention.

Then it might not be bad to meet once more here and understand the Marquis’s true intentions.

“Can I come too?”

Maia asked Drian.

“Accompanying as a guest is fine, but the Marquis requested to meet Mr. Eugene alone.”

“So that means I can come along?”

“…Yes. That’s correct.”

“Then I’ll come with.”

“Hold on, aren’t you going to ask me?”

Though I say this, having Maia come along would be more reassuring.

Even if her power has weakened… speaking of which, how much weaker did she get?

There was no story of her forcibly returning from being Thumbelina like this in the first place.

Maia’s current state isn’t even in Blue Paper Moon’s setting collection.

“Don’t worry about minor details.”

Maia said while patting my leg.

Anyway, I followed Drian together with Maia to where the Marquis Bluebeard was waiting.

“…Excuse me.”

While walking, I called out to Drian.

“What is it?”

“Where exactly are we going?”

“Pardon?”

“I mean, aren’t we going to the Marquis’s office?”

We just passed the Order’s district where the Marquis should be working?

“Oh my, I apologize. I should have mentioned it earlier. The Marquis has invited you to his residence. It’s about half a day by carriage from the Order.”