Magic Realm Blackmore.
A place where extremely wicked criminals, wanted by the authorities, and monsters ostracized from society hide away.
Once you enter, there’s no rumour of anyone coming out unscathed—it’s essentially a grave.
Due to the vast size of the area and lack of proper information, all sorts of far-fetched rumors about Blackmore have spread across the empire through word of mouth.
It’s said that forgotten beings from myths reside there.
Or that horrifying monstrosities too terrible to even speak of have overrun Blackmore.
Or perhaps, that all kinds of miraculous treasures are hidden everywhere.
Each story is equally tantalizing to human curiosity.
Indeed, it was a place worthy of its title: Magic Realm.
Because of this, Blackmore had always been a headache for the imperial family. Leaving it be would tarnish the royal reputation, yet trying to intervene poses monumental risks and costs.
At this juncture, however, the emperor publicly announced an official decision.
Acknowledging Blackmore as an official territory of the empire.
This pronouncement signified the royal family’s intent not to neglect Blackmore any longer.
But…
“I truly don’t understand.”
“Is there something else troubling you?”
At the royal palace office, two men sat opposite one another, sipping tea while conversing.
The one in formal attire heaved a short sigh before continuing.
“A manager has been dispatched, I hear.”
“…”
“A certain Luke Richter, I’m told—a newcomer fresh out of the academy.”
Listening silently, the prime minister nodded. Considering he was the one who’d personally sent Richter to Blackmore, this was a perfectly reasonable response.
“This is Blackmore we’re talking about.”
“I am aware.”
“Even the Special Operations Team or knights of the Star Sect struggle to handle Blackmore, do they not?”
“That’s correct.”
Clack!
The man placed his teacup down with a slightly agitated expression.
“Hmph.”
After finishing, he took a quick breath and then lowered his voice weightily.
“It needs to be revoked immediately.”
“And why do you think that?”
“How is one mere person, especially a newly appointed junior official, supposed to handle a place even the imperial family has deemed impossible to manage over such a long time?”
It was a perfectly valid question. Blackmore was a place the royal family itself had long given up on. Assigning such an important role to a junior official was tantamount to sending a perfectly healthy young man to certain death.
But…
“There’s nothing he can do only if he were an ‘ordinary’ junior official.”
“…?”
Luke Richter.
The illegitimate second son of the Richter viscount, who finished the academy with excellent results but otherwise had no outstanding traits.
Yet the prime minister’s expression was unusually serious. His face betrayed no doubt about the correctness of his decision.
This was strange.
Something was definitely strange.
“Isn’t he essentially just a common noble youth?”
That’s why he asked.
He just couldn’t hold back any longer.
After asking, he carefully studied the prime minister’s face. The latter calmly took another sip of tea without changing his indifferent demeanor.
And then…
Very slowly…
“…”
He nodded.
Without any explanation, just a simple nod, as if nothing more could be said.
“…Pfft.”
With that, it was over.
Cry! Cry! Squeal!
I sat blankly by the window gazing outside.
Beyond the window, a girl as beautiful as a doll was wielding a dagger and hunting down demon beasts. She was smiling brightly, like a child who’d discovered a new toy.
‘Can you even call this hunting?’
Hmm.
Perhaps it’s closer to one-sided massacre or outright butchery.
‘This marks the second day, right?’
Two days.
It’s already been two days since I first met Rudine.
I slowly recalled the events. She called me her benefactor and clung to me like glue despite repeated attempts to discourage her. She eventually followed me all the way to my office.
And now here we are.
At some point, Rudine began treating this place as her home and started ‘hunting’—or rather ‘slaughtering’—any demon beasts that approached.
“…”
Our eyes met briefly. Covered in blood, she looked at me and smiled brightly, her expression akin to a child seeking approval.
It was almost as if…
‘There’s no better guard dog than this.’
I ignored her bright smile, lost in thought. Frankly, she was convenient. She didn’t overstep boundaries, showed no hostility, and guarded the place well. I still couldn’t understand her intentions, but so far, I hadn’t found anything bothersome about her.
‘What to do about this…’
She possesses an innate nature to slaughter, born with a desire for blood. This means that her hunger and thirst are satiated by the act of tearing, slicing, and cutting living beings.
This nature is essentially ingrained in her soul, not a disease that can be treated.
Some might call it a curse.
But is it really?
‘It’s a talent.’
Her murderous nature is a talent, especially in a place like Blackmore. It’s no wonder the protagonist of the original story risked everything to recruit her into his team.
Think about it.
Even though I’ve become the administrator here, it doesn’t mean I have to rot in this place forever. Regional administrators of the empire are reassigned to new duties every five years.
‘Just need to last five years.’
Five years.
It’s a long time, but not long enough that I can’t endure it.
There’s no way I can chase her away now. She wouldn’t listen even if I explained it a hundred times, and she’s far too dangerous to try forcing her out.
Which leaves me with one option.
‘Win her favor.’
Honestly, it wouldn’t be that hard. She already thinks of me as her benefactor.
‘Sounds good?’
She guards the house well. And having an extra pair of capable hands always helps. With her help, even exploring the labyrinth wouldn’t be such a daunting task.
When you can’t avoid something, isn’t it better to enjoy it?
Yes, I’ll just enjoy it.
There’s no point in overthinking it.
A little later.
“Luke?”
She returned to the office after a quick wash, looking at me with her round eyes.
“What are you doing?”
“Paperwork. You can help.”
“I’m hungry.”
“I’ll feed you after we’re done.”
Her ashen gray eyes sparkled like jewels. She clearly found my offer intriguing.
She sat down gently and asked with a bright voice.
“What kind of paperwork?”
“Signboards.”
“Huh?”
She tilted her head in confusion, clearly not understanding.
“Signboards?”
“Yeah.”
“Why are we making signboards?”
“I told you, it’s part of the work.”
“???”
She blinked, still not comprehending my explanation.
“You know how this place is famous for suicides, right?”
“Yeah.”
“Well, this is my workspace.”
“Okay.”
“But what if people keep committing suicide here nonstop? How would that make me look?”
Correct.
It’d be incredibly embarrassing. Especially if some noble got involved.
“Do you know how to write in the imperial language?”
“…Don’t belittle me.”
“Good. Here, just hold this brush and write down the phrases I tell you. Simple, right?”
I swiftly handed her a sign and brush. We were ready.
“Alright, just follow what I say.”
“Okay.”
I would dictate, and Rudine would write. It was a simple repetitive task.
But…
“…?”
As Rudine copied down the text, a question mark appeared on her face.
She looked genuinely perplexed.
Soft footsteps.
Squish.
“This place is quiet.”
Muttered a girl walking down the path. As expected, Blackmore was nothing but wilderness, void of any signs of human life.
“…”
She walked on, aimlessly.
Without a destination or direction.
She was here to die, after all.
“Haa… Haa…”
Her steps grew heavier, and her breathing more labored. There was even a moment when she almost tripped over a rock, but she continued forward without any change in expression.
A faint stench wafted through the air.
Dead trees stretched endlessly around her.
It was bleak and ominous, reminiscent of her own future.
Then…
“…Is that a sign?”
Far away, a sign could be seen. It had text, clearly placed there intentionally.
What is it doing here?
Why would there be a sign in a place like this?
Curiosity overwhelming her, she slowly approached the sign, bending down to read the inscription.
[YOU ARE NOT ALONE.]
“???”
What?
Not alone?
Is someone nearby?
“…!”
She looked around, but there was no sign of anyone.
And this wasn’t the end. Signs were planted at regular intervals, each one firmly stuck in the ground.
“What…?”
Her curiosity was impossible to suppress.
She moved in the direction where more signs were planted, eager to read each one.
[HOLD IT RIGHT THERE!]
She stopped, wondering if it was directed at her.
[WHERE ARE YOU GOING?]
What?
Scary.
[YOU ARE A PRECIOUS INDIVIDUAL.]
???
Suddenly?
“…”
She felt uncomfortable.
Especially now when she was already in a terrible mood. These strange signs only irritated her more.
Yet despite this, her curiosity wouldn’t let her turn back.
After walking for some time, a steep cliff came into view in the distance.
A boundless ocean stretched before the vast precipice.
And there, at the precarious edge of the cliff, stood one final sign.
Its message read:
[CAN YOU SWIM?]
Crack! The girl’s foot struck the sign, shattering it.
