Dark Fantasy Normalized – Chapter 76

“…”

“…”

An uncomfortable silence flowed in the basement.

Even the ominous energy that filled the place seemed to be awkwardly watching.

The Demon Follower, Kella, had driven the Young Lady into a corner.

Keren, the captain of the knights, was determined to protect the Young Lady.

In the situation where both were fiercely confronting each other, something that should never happen occurred.

The Young Lady revived.

Due to the Young Lady’s spirit achieving a complete revival, the Demon Follower, who had been threatening confidently, and the captain, who was burning with hatred and feeling a sense of crisis from the threat, found themselves in an awkward situation.

The topaz forming the eyes of Verbandes sparkled without care.

Of course, they were not ordinary beings.

They quickly regained their emotional lines and brought back the suffocating tension.

The ominous energy that filled the place seemed to emphasize their presence even more, increasing the tension in the room.

Boom!

It was an unexpected blow that unfolded.

Like sand flowing down from a sand dune.

The drawn blade pierced the body of the Demon Follower. The process unfolded like a single flow.

Before anyone realized, the captain of the Night Shadow Knights was upon the Demon Follower.

With a uniquely shaped dagger embedded in her side.

It was already a sufficiently lethal strike, and with just a little more force, it could tear through her gut and lead her to obliteration.

Some refer to the Night Shadow Knights as an assassination squad.

As a means to express awe and dissatisfaction with the unreasonable movements their vision creates.

The form of death that was completed without sound or commotion was simply dry.

The vision of the Night Shadow Knights, the Sand Steps, unfolded.

“…!”

The Demon Follower had become a being mostly freed from fleshly restraints.

To her, bodily harm and the pain that comes from it held little meaning.

Nevertheless, her expression bore clear signs of bewilderment.

The fragments of humanity she had not completely shaken off reminded her of the fear of death.

If she had not received the strength from ‘Him,’ she would not have dared to lift her head in front of this man.

And she would have easily surrendered her life into his hands.

Before she was a Demon Follower, she had been a Dark Elf, and she trembled anew, truly feeling the renown of the captain of the Night Shadow Knights.

What an unreasonable blow it was.

What an unreasonable power it was.

And once again, she shuddered.

To herself, who had now been placed on equal or possibly greater footing with such a captain.

To the one who granted her such power.

She had merely absorbed part of the power sealed within Verbandes’ eye.

However, if she were to fully accept the very existence that had been sealed by Verbandes—

If she were to completely recover the power that had been weakened by the seal—

Ah.

The expression of the Demon Follower was filled with hope for the future.

“Am I being too impatient?”

With a clear power position established by force, the captain of the Night Shadow Knights was intending to proceed with interrogation as a form of dialogue.

Just as he was about to speak, the Demon Follower quickly opened her mouth, intercepting the momentum.

Instead of pain and fear, her voice was filled with elation and exhilaration.

“…!”

The strangeness overwhelmed Keren for a moment.

The Demon Follower, Kella, did not miss the gap in that emotion.

Kella’s hand touched the captain Keren’s hand that held the sword.

At first gently, then more forcefully. Like a snake coiling around its prey, she pulled on his hand with all her might.

Fwoosh!

Thus, she shoved the remaining blade into her own body.

“Hah…”

A melting sigh escaped from Kella’s lips.

It was elation at being able to endure the power of someone like Keren and the realization of that fact.

“I understand. You can’t help but be impatient.”

Kella’s demeanor changed drastically.

Having completely shed the appearance of a Dark Elf hidden under the shadows of Keren and the Night Shadow Knights, she faced the pitiful mortal in front of her as a representative of a great existence.

“Still, you don’t know anything, do you? Isn’t that right?”

“…”

It was surprising that the blow unleashed by the Sand Steps did not lead to instant death, but it was insufficient to confuse the captain of the Night Shadow Knights.

Keren had considered all possibilities the moment he entered the basement and felt the ominous energy that filled the space on his skin.

He could push away her touch and thoroughly dismantle her defenseless body at any moment.

He even felt a hint of curiosity.

Could he truly feel no pain?

Could he freely open his mouth?

But the reason he couldn’t was—

Because, as Kella said, he didn’t know anything.

The thing that stirred waves in the calm lake that was the captain of the Night Shadow Knights was not the ominous power of the Demon Follower, but an unknown threat that endangered the Young Lady and the Young Master.

It was also the reason why he had broken into the enemy’s territory defenselessly while upholding his principles as the captain of the Night Shadow Knights and protector of Katria.

Just moments ago, Keren had attempted to take the initiative, but, in fact, it was already far too late.

The battle had begun long before.

Since the moment Kella, the Demon Follower, approached the defenseless Young Master.

How many times had she taken advantage of that?

He didn’t know.

What was clear was that this horrid and wicked Demon Follower’s hand was thoroughly entangling the Young Master.

And, perhaps, even the Young Lady.

Keren’s spirit began to wane, adopting a more defensive posture.

Kella smiled satisfactorily as she caressed his jaw.

“It’s a wise decision. As a reward, I’ll tell you something. Drian. About his exact condition. It seems like our Young Master has regained consciousness thanks to some means, but it would be best not to rely on that fact. Right now, he’s, in essence, in the same state as me, just to a different degree.”

“Wouldn’t that be…!”

Keren’s expression turned to one of horror, losing his composure.

Kella, filled with elation, produced a grotesque smile.

“That’s right. He has become a part of the undeniable Lord Verbandes, just like me. Though he may appear fine on the outside, inside, he’s rotting away, feeling the presence of the demon sealed by his ancestor, isn’t he?”

*

“Um…”

The Dark Elf sat perched by the window, lost in thought.

The sunlight shimmering off her presence was that of the Young Master of the Sahila family, Drian—

who had made many noble ladies flutter.

“I feel like I’m forgetting something…”

He was pondering his current condition carefully.

Trying to figure out how he had awoken in this strange yet welcoming place.

But ultimately, he couldn’t find out anything.

It was impossible to deduce anything as his body felt too clean.

As if all the filth that clung to him had been washed away completely.

Including the memories of that filth.

“Well, whatever…”

So, Drian felt utterly at ease.

He felt hunger and left the bedroom.

The living room came into view, and there was a lavish spread on the dining table.

Drian quickly realized.

That meal had been prepared anew every day for him, uncertain of when he might awaken.

He felt warmth filling him and smiled.

Drian was happy.

*

“…”

Keren’s expression darkened as he imagined Drian’s state from Kella’s words.

She eagerly pressed into the gap that had opened in his heart.

She pressed her body against him and whispered in his ear.

“And when you find out that fact, how do you think Lady Katria will react?”

“…”

“True despair often comes after hope, you know? Just watch.”

She showed Keren the brightly glowing eyes of Verbandes.

“You knew the Young Lady’s condition hasn’t been good recently, right?”

Of course.

Those eyes that had lost their light and had died.

Keren clearly remembered the precarious state of the Young Lady.

It was truly at the cliff’s edge.

Just one step forward, and she would crumble.

“In such a state, what would happen if she found out that her own brother had become part of a demon?”

“…”

“And what if she realizes that, for the sake of her family, she must kill her own brother?”

As Keren’s eyes began to waver, Kella looked into them and said.

“It’s tough, but you should accept it. The truth is, I’m the only one who can save your Young Lady.”

*

Katria burst into a light laugh, almost giggling.

The previous expression of resignation and letting everything go had vanished without a trace.

She tried to hold it back.

“That Four-Hundred-Year Herb… that was the Four-Hundred-Year Herb in the soup? It was that delicious? And it was actually poisonous?”

However, seeing the expression on Ricir’s face, she could hardly contain herself.

With the most serious look, he spoke the most absurd things, undermining Katria’s resignation and resolve.

Thus, Katria could only laugh.

And question her own ears yet again.

“Ricir. Is that the right response in this situation?”

Perhaps Melutass felt similarly, as he asked with a rather complicated expression.

“Honestly, I’m a bit confused. In this situation, what should I do? If I feel betrayed, the Four-Hundred-Year Herb tasted way too sweet, but if I feel grateful, it turns out it was poison.”

“…From a regular human’s perspective, I’d say it’s usually best to focus on the intent at these times.”

“Intention, huh—that’s good.”

Ricir turned his attention to Katria.

Intention.

It felt like he was casually asking her to pour out her feelings.

“…”

Katria was at a loss for words.

Originally, she had never intended to reveal her intentions.

Born from a defense mechanism due to the anxiety of never being forgiven and perhaps the guilt that he might forgive her.

But Ricir’s attitude now.

It was neither an interrogation, reprimand, nor a pleading.

Just pure curiosity.

Katria had been anticipating every situation where Ricir would come at her with scorn and resentment and prepared for it.

But this was an entirely unexpected situation.

For some reason, Katria’s mouth began to move on its own.

“So?”

Out it flowed.

“Um, and?”

Winding out.

“Oh my, that happened. And then?”

Continually flowing.

“It happened like that, I see…”

“…!”

Oh no.

When she came to her senses, she had spilled everything without leaving anything out.

After hearing all of it, Ricir began to move his hands like he was calculating equations, murmuring.

“I understand. Tia could have totally misunderstood. Since her brother was sold into slavery, it’s understandable that her mind didn’t function normally. I can completely empathize as an older brother to a cute little sister. And she tried to correct her mistake.”

Eventually, he nodded.

“Well then, should we let it slide?”

“I…!”

Katria was stunned, wanting to say something.

But, it was so maddening that she couldn’t get the words out properly.

“I was trying to harm you…!?”

In the end, all that came out was a dumbfounded voice.

Her locking voice burst out in a similar way as when she was acting lively as a maid.

“That’s alright. From the looks of it, I seem to be the type that doesn’t get hurt from that.”

“…”

It wasn’t boasting or bragging.

Just an enumeration of mere facts.

Katria gazed blankly at Ricir, astonished.

“Ricir… By the way, that Turbid Truth is among the most potent poisons on the continent. There’s no cure, and anyone who ingests it meets a terrible end.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“It turns the user into a mere shell that reacts only to specific commands.”

“…Oh. That sounds somewhat familiar.”

“Familiar?”

“It turns out, I had a friend who tried to do something similar to me before.”

“…! What happened to that person!?”

“Turns out, they were a good friend.”

“?”

“We resolved our misunderstandings and became good friends.”

“…You’re truly something else. How should I put this—magnanimous.”

“Oh, magnanimous, you say.”

Ricir awkwardly chuckled.

This guy.

He’s truly embarrassed.

His ridiculous antics leave him bashful, even with just that one compliment.

“…”

“…”

Katria and Melutas stared at Ricir, their faces blank.

…It was winter.

*

What he thought would overturn everything passed by without a hitch.

At that moment, Katria was still unable to shake off the daze.

“Ah, right. Tia.”

Ricir seemed to recall something and spoke to her.

“Ah.”

Katria also responded, realizing something.

“I’m Katria.”

“Okay?”

“My name is Katria, in fact.”

Though late, she finally revealed everything about herself to him.

For the first time, she showed her true self.

Katria felt a sense of relief and joy from that fact.

She thought that finally, she would be able to build a genuine relationship with him.

“…!”

The shock hit Ricir then.

“Karl…Tia…? No, Katria…? Have you been deceiving me this whole time…?”

“…?”

Katria was baffled.

When she fed him Turbid Truth, made him eat Four-Hundred-Year Herb, and fed him a demon, he laughed it off, but now, how was this state feeling betrayal?

“Ricir…? I’m sorry…”

“…Yeah, well. I suppose that’s possible.”

Ricir offered a wry smile.

Katria wanted to feel guilty, but for some reason, her pride stung, and she stopped.

If he was going to make her feel guilty, he should have done it earlier.

“Anyway, what I was going to say is—Katria. Should I return it to you?”

“Return it…?”

“The Turbid Truth and Four-Hundred-Year Herb are already digested and beyond that, but I think I can return Verbandes. That, I could probably do.”

“…?”

Katria faced severe cognitive dissonance.

What was this about returning the essence of a powerful demon like a borrowed tool?

“Return it? How?”

“No need to worry. This Verbandes character, in fact—”

Ah, wait.

Now that I think of it, they said this Verbandes guy was sealed by the hero of the Dark Elves, right?

Moreover, Katria seemed to be the descendant of that hero.

Ricir nodded.

Facts were not always right.

There’s a saying known as ‘white lies.’

He willingly uttered that white lie to preserve the pride of the Dark Elves.

“Honestly, he’s an immensely powerful demon. Isn’t that so?”

“…Right?”

“Think about it; it still gives me chills. Just how wicked he is—but I was lucky.”

Ricir took out a black orb from his hand and handed it to Katria.

“…What is this?”

“Verbandes.”

“?”

“…used to be?”

“…?”

“Anyway, Verbandes said this was his core.”

Katria unwittingly received the black orb.

“I’ll return it as soon as I find out how.”

Ricir pointed to his head while speaking.

“…Okay!”

A spirited reply!

Katria decided to abandon her quest for understanding.

Melutas watched her with a warm smile from the side.

*

If you purely look at the outcome, it could not have been better.

All problems were resolved, and Drian and Ricir remained unharmed.

Now all that was left was to provide proper reward for the benefactor.

“Keren!”

Katria returned to Leisha’s mansion with lively steps.

She wanted to share the joy of everything that had happened thus far with the faithful knight.

“…Keren?”

He was definitely there.

“My Lady.”

Accompanied by a woman named Kella.

As Katria took in Kella’s appearance, she fell into deep thought.

Then, that thought turned into shock. Became animosity.

“You are Drian’s—…”

Through the clues given to her, Katria figured out the truth behind the incident.

At Katria’s reaction, Kella bore a grotesque smile.

“Realizing it so quickly? You’re quite bright. That’s a relief. It means I won’t have to explain things painstakingly or persuade you.”

Kella shot a glance at Keren.

Then Keren spoke.

“My Lady. Please listen to me right now. You must hand over the control of Verbandes to her.”

“…What do you mean by that?”

“My Lady. I beg you. If things go wrong, I will take full responsibility—”

While the Demon Follower did not completely seize the will of the knight captain, she succeeded in probing deeply into his temptations.

Her strength was severely restricting Keren’s thoughts.

‘I must protect the Young Lady and the Young Master. I must protect the Young Lady and the Young Master. I must protect the Young Lady and the Young Master. I must protect the Young Lady and the Young Master. I must protect the Young Lady and the Young Master.’

What would happen if control of Verbandes passed to the Demon Follower?

Keren’s thoughts clouded with darkness could not reach that far.

What mattered most to him right now was to protect the Young Lady and Young Master in danger.

“Keren…?”

Katria immediately realized that Keren’s state was anything but normal.

The ominous energy filling the place seemed to be consuming her mind.

Despair.

Those two characters were etched clearly into her mind.

“My Lady!”

Just before Katria could fully steel herself, Keren approached.

His polite hand roughly rummaged through her belongings.

“Keren! No!”

Despite Katria’s protests, he seized most of her spatial pocket containing her possessions.

“This is all for you and the Young Master!!!”

He spilled the contents of the spatial pocket onto the table.

Clatter.

A topaz bracelet, which the Demon Follower had so desperately desired, revealed itself—Verbandes’s hand.

Just when Kella was about to reach for that bracelet with satisfaction.

Thud.

Her gaze fell upon the black orb that had fallen from the pocket.

“…!”

Her expression turned to one of horror.

Then the horror turned to elation.

What lay before the Demon Follower now was the very essence of power that had lost its master completely.

What could possibly be better than unleashing a demon’s seal and receiving the favor of its existence?

To become that very existence itself.

“Magnificent…”

Just how had he managed to separate the power of a powerful demon from his very being?

It was an unexpected situation, an unanticipated stroke of luck.

Kella picked up the black orb as if bewitched.

And without hesitation, she swallowed it whole.

Hehehehe.

Gluck gluck gluck.

Kwahahahaha!!!

With joy, a maniacal laughter bubbled up.

The Demon Follower—

No.

Soon to be reborn as a demon writhed in ecstasy.

“Glurk…!”

At that moment, something arose within her.

“Uweeeek!!!”

Blood gushed from her mouth like a waterfall.

“What’s happening!?”

Kella writhed in pain, her body overwhelmed by excruciating agony—

“…?”

No.

It was overwhelming refreshment.

Light returned to Keren’s eyes, which had been clouded over.

Keren did not comprehend what had occurred.

…The light returned to Kella’s eyes that had been drenched in a sinister aura.

She too could not understand what had taken place within her.

“…”

Katria understood what had happened.

She tightly closed her eyes and rubbed her temples.

The face of a man came to mind.

The powerful demon’s strength that had been sealed by the great Dark Elves, the Sahila family, for hundreds of years had utterly vanished without a trace.

“Wow…”

That was the impression of the Young Lady of Sahila.

It was a sigh akin to a breath of relief.