Dark Fantasy Normalized – Chapter 60

The apprentice priest Belrat had never experienced the will of the Lord before.

The Lord, the owner of the holy flame, was always by the side of those who ignited the holy flame.

It must be that his own holy flame was not yet bright enough to reflect the presence of the Lord.

He still had a long way to go.

However, perhaps participating in the guidance journey led by the high priest Berodros would make a decisive difference?

Finally, he felt the will of the Lord.

The sunset, which filled the world, flowed through the window and illuminated the room.

In the center of the room, a man stood, exuding an intense, warm light from his entire body.

The blending of the sunset and the radiant light was the flame of the holy fire.

The figure of the man maintaining that center was the firm wick of the holy flame.

It was indeed a sacred and sublime sight that testified to the existence of the divine.

Overwhelmed by that sanctity, Belrat knelt down and bowed his head.

“…”

The youngest among the group, Belrat’s actions influenced the behaviors of the other priests.

Those priests, who were already confused about how to react to the surreal sight unfolding before them, began to kneel one after another, following Belrat.

“We see the Lord’s apostle…”

The priests echoed Belrat’s words.

Would the brimming colors refracting through the stained glass be even more brilliant than the sight before them?

Would the choir’s hymn be more majestic than the solemn atmosphere of the place?

The young priests recalled the day they first set foot in the cathedral for some reason.

At that moment, as the priests’ bodies and minds were filled with the warmth of the holy fire—

“…Everyone, rise. It’s not that kind of thing.”

High priest Berodros commanded the young priests, feeling a slight headache.

“…”

Oh dear.

The priests, who were filled with the warmth of the holy fire, blinked in confusion.

They glared at Belrat.

Ah, is that not it?

I thought perhaps it might be since it felt so sacred.

But the seniors enjoyed it, so it’s not entirely my fault, right?

Belrat forced a nervous laugh as he caught the seniors’ gazes.

The priests closed their eyes, preemptively confessing their sins for the original sin they would commit tonight, hoping for forgiveness.

That meant they were destined for trouble tonight.

At that moment, Berodros sighed briefly to restore the chaotic atmosphere of the place.

She looked at the dazzling man who was still shining brightly and said,

“I apologize. I’ve shown you an embarrassing sight.”

“No, it’s me who should be sorry. I am shining needlessly. Is your sight hurt at all?”

“No, not really.”

“Not really? If your pride is hurt, wouldn’t that be strange?”

“Yes, that seems strange.”

“I understand. Then let’s move on to the main topic without worrying about the shining Ricir.”

“…”

No.

That’s separate.

How can you set that aside?

He’s flashing right in front of me.

Moreover, the problem with Ricir is not just about shining.

“Excuse me for a moment.”

The high priest, with calluses covering his hand, gently clasped Ricir’s hand.

“…”

The information conveyed through contact.

As that information piled up, the calm expression of the high priest began to deepen with confusion.

Interpreting that expression, Ricir spoke.

“Could it be the last flame before it ignites? Is something wrong with my state right now?”

“Oh. Sorry for the confusion. It’s not that, so don’t worry.”

“In that case?”

“Your physical state is so good that…”

“…!”

Ricir’s expression turned hurt.

Are you saying my condition is so good that it made you anxious!?

“Not quite, so really, don’t worry.”

“Oh, is that so? I was wondering if I had troubled you too much during my resting time.”

“Hehe. In many ways, you did cause some trouble.”

“I heard from a colleague. You looked after me when I was hurt. I sincerely thank you. I will never forget this grace.”

The young priests, who had been bowing their heads, looked at Ricir in surprise.

‘What did I just hear?’

Had it been any ordinary mages in the Mage Tower, they would have felt ashamed to have received help from a priest.

– Sigh…! There’s no way around it now; state your desires…!!!

Just that much would typically be considered very polite among the mages of the Mage Tower.

But look at the reaction of that Ricir.

Even though he’s someone you can’t treat carelessly, to express gratitude so honestly to a priest?

Is that how mages are supposed to be?

‘There’s a reason the high priest takes notice of him…!’

When the high priest mentioned that he maintained the pure white of the Tail Feather, I had thought it was a presumptuous remark, considering the high priest had to make political judgments and actions since he held a representative position.

However, the moment we saw Ricir’s actions, the priests changed their opinions.

Despite being naturally gifted in magic, could he actually be a person who isn’t too unpleasant?

He might gather good deeds comparable to those who had devoted themselves to the Order since their childhood.

It was not unusual for someone destined to become a priest to end up as a no-good magic user in the Mage Tower.

‘Perhaps, he truly maintained the pure white of the Tail Feather…’

Until now, the priests who had harbored numerous complaints about aiding those hard-to-approach mages changed their sentiments rapidly.

Their gazes toward Ricir became as warm as looking at a comrade, or even more special.

Oh my.

That precious one is in the Mage Tower…!

Meanwhile, Ricir and Berodros completed their formalities of ‘thank you’ and ‘job well done’ and returned to the main topic.

“I understand you mentioned you heard about your physical condition from your companions.”

“Yes. It’s been etched deep within, and it’s already a part of my body.”

“You say so? In that case, how should I put it… you can forget all of that now. Your previously depleted vitality has completely recovered.”

“High priest!?”

The formal priest Rotrang, who had taken care of Ricir’s condition even more than Berodros, shouted.

“What do you mean, your vitality has completely recovered!?”

“Just as I’ve said.”

“My goodness… Oh Lord…”

Rotrang placed his palm on his chest and made the sign of the cross again.

Ricir thought to himself as he watched that scene.

So, my brother takes good care of me, it seems.

Considering how often the priests visit.

Separately, Ricir could somewhat understand the priests’ reactions.

The sensation of the emptiness that had engulfed his whole body vanishing without a trace was a surreal experience akin to resolving all issues with the ‘sharaaa~’ effect sound that played as soon as a potion was consumed in a game.

“Ricir. What exactly did you do?”

Berodros asked.

It was a sight more curious than that of a worried priest.

Vitality was a limited resource inherent to the body, and even priests who handle divine powers could not easily resolve it.

“Your vitality depletion was a matter that needed at least a few years of recuperation. But how is it that this happened overnight…”

“Especially shining like that…”

A voice from behind added softly, the apprentice priest Berrit.

Ricir replied casually.

“An acquaintance spirit gave me something like a core. After consuming it, I ended up like this.”

It was a nonchalant response, yet the priests struggled to comprehend the meaning behind those words.

“I believe you’re referring to a spirit’s core…?”

“But, does the core possess such effects?”

“At least I have never heard of it.”

The most important virtue that the Order pursued was the ability to do ‘good.’

The ability to save those who walk on the path of virtue and guide those who stray toward the path of the apostle.

If the spirit’s core contained a power for recovering vitality, the Order would have discovered and utilized it long ago.

In reality, the core of certain spirits had already been revealed for specific purposes by priests and healers.

But a spirit’s core that completely restores extreme vitality?

Even the high priest or the master of the Mage Tower wouldn’t handle such a precious treasure recklessly.

Even ‘intermediate spirit’s cores’ didn’t exhibit such effects.

Thus, if what Ricir said were true, it was obvious what that implied.

He had consumed a core of a spirit that possessed a rank higher than intermediate.

“…”

The priests were left speechless.

An upper-tier spirit.

Those transcendent beings were not just anyone to communicate with by mere desire.

The spirits had thoughts and perspectives beyond the grasp of mere mortals, having contemplated for eons.

According to tales that circulated, even among the elves of the Great Forest, who are showered with love from the spirits, it was extremely rare for them to form a bond with upper-tier spirits.

Yet.

To say he not only communicated with such a spirit but even received a core as a gift?

It was a hard story to believe.

A core is the crystallized essence that forms the basis of a spirit’s being.

If a spirit lost its core, it would severely weaken, and some would even face obliteration.

A spirit gifting its core?

That would be like a human offering their heart.

Due to its peculiar nature, even an ‘intermediate spirit’s core’ circulated around as an exceptionally rare item, with the energy intact.

In short.

A core with a rank above intermediate is usually not a ‘produce of communion’ but rather a ‘trophy of conquest.’

Even the finest spirit practitioners rarely received cores from spirits.

“Are you certain…?”

Even those who thrived on deception became vulnerable as innocent children in front of her.

High priestess capable of discerning the essence had no need for further inquiry.

…However, this time was an exception.

No, this time was also an exception.

Every time Berodros faced Ricir, she found herself losing her own composure.

But what could be done?

If there were to be blame, it would rest on this man’s existence, who was certainly quite extraordinary.

At this point, Berodros realized the identity of the dazzling light radiating from Ricir’s body.

That it was the uncontained divinity reacting with some element he possessed.

Indeed.

This man suddenly awakened to divinity.

“Why would I lie?”

He claimed that he had consumed a spirit’s core—

“…Now that you mention it, that does seem plausible!”

High priestess, who professed to be an understanding person of divine beings, gave up on trying to comprehend the radiant man before her.

Having associated with her predecessors walking the same path, she had reached the same conclusion.

‘Let it be.’

After that.

Berodros decided to teach Ricir how to suppress his divinity.

Suppression, not control; control clearly belonged to the realm of ‘divine magic.’

Divine magic could not be learned overnight.

On the other hand, simple suppression of divinity could be learned in about a week, depending on one’s innate talent.

Berodros clarified her intention.

Since there wasn’t much time left for him to stay in the Mage Tower, she wouldn’t be able to mold him into a proper priest, but at least, he wouldn’t be allowed to remain as just a glowing guy.

Thus, the unexpected teachings of the high priest began.

*

Ricir was so dazzling that he didn’t even realize the night had fallen outside.

Before long, Berodros confirmed that the outside had been dyed with twilight.

Just as she was about to say, “Let’s call it a day here, oh, and could you clear your schedule for the next week?”—

“Uh, wait a moment—”

Ricir appeared as if something was caught around his neck, becoming lost in thought.

How long had it been?

“Oh, got it.”

He looked down at his hands and murmured.

The shining ceased.

Ricir had grasped how to suppress his divinity.

Berodros had been teaching Ricir with a strange look on her face for some time.

The priests had been watching that scene with similar strange expressions for a while.

They nodded benevolently.

‘Oh, he finally got it.’

They briefly questioned the presence of the Lord in the darkness.

“Ricir.”

Soon, Berodros regained her senses and spoke as if enchanted.

“Would you perhaps consider dedicating yourself to the Lord? Your existence will be a guiding light for many, leading the lost onto the right path by becoming a holy flame itself.”

The priests gasped, snapping back to reality.

The high priest was personally conducting a missionary act.

And to none other than a mage from the Mage Tower.

If Ricir accepted the proposition, the potential for political issues between the Order and the Mage Tower was quite high.

Nevertheless, the priests didn’t question the high priest’s judgment.

Oh dear.

That precious one in the Mage Tower…!

They unanimously thought that this must be taken away!

The common thought of the priests who had witnessed the phenomenon that was Ricir.

The earnest gazes of the priests glimmered in the darkness and landed on Ricir.

Ricir radiated once again under that burden.

“Yikes!”

The priests, accustomed to the dark, turned away from the blaring light again.

“Ah, I’m sorry. I felt it was a bit dark, so I couldn’t help it.”

“…Illuminating the darkness can also be considered a form of divine magic.”

“Oh, is that so?”

“However, it’s not common to use one’s body as a light source. It’s not like you’re a firefly.”

“Oh, is that so…? Well, anyway, regarding your question—just as you saw, I’m not someone who fits in well with the Order.”

Berodros shook her head without a hint of hesitation.

“With my name on the line, I declare—there aren’t many who would fit the Order better than you. You can let go of any doubts about yourself. You are a far more noble person than you think.”

“But I’ve already—”

“I know. That you’re trying to appoint you as an honorary mage at the Mage Tower.”

“…”

Ricir stared blankly at Berodros.

Isn’t this against common morality?

Isn’t the Lord watching?

It felt like those words were echoing in his mind.

Cough.

Berodros felt a little anxious and averted her gaze.

“I’m sure the Lord desires this. You needn’t worry about the consequences of your choice. I will take full responsibility as both the Order and the high priest, Berodros.”

“…”

Feeling the determination in Berodros’s gaze, Ricir began to sincerely consider her proposal.

At last, he opened his mouth with a serious demeanor.

“This may be a rude question, but may I ask one thing?”

“…!”

That solemn attitude.

Surely, a profound question encompassing his beliefs and philosophy would emerge.

And that question would likely contain doubts about religion.

Without hesitation, Berodros nodded.

The faith and wisdom accumulated throughout the years could certainly provide sufficient answers to his religious inquiries.

“How much would a priest like yourself earn annually?”

“Oh…”

Oh Lord.

Berodros closed her eyes tightly and repented to Him.

It was a lamentable situation.

The Order was not prepared to welcome an essential talent to Him.

*

Late at night.

I rose from bed and left my quarters.

I couldn’t sleep at all, haunted by the priests’ words regarding the spirit’s core.

‘When spirits lose their core, they weaken significantly, and some even face obliteration?’

To think what I thought was a hairball might actually be organs.

I quickened my steps across the courtyard toward the Alchemy Pavilion where Perrin resided.

Just as I got closer to the Alchemy Pavilion—

A shadow fell from the roof above and dashed toward me.

It was Perrin, who had been soaking in the sun in wolf form.

Transformed back into human form, Perrin ran toward me and immediately repeated the usual routine.

First.

“Geeh…”

Charging my energy.

Second.

“Looks like you have nothing better to do? Wandering around at this late hour.”

After finishing, they immediately distanced themselves, acting chilly.

Seeing that healthy yet brazen figure gave me some comfort as I initiated a conversation.

“And you, what about you?”

“Idiot. I’m a wolf. It’s only natural to be nocturnal.”

“Most humans are nocturnal too.”

“?”

“Anyway, Perrin, about that thing you gave me—”

“…Oh. Did you eat it?”

Hmph.

I’m not interested in you.

Perrin, who had been saying that with their entire demeanor, brightened their eyes while looking at me.

“Huh? Oh. Yeah. Thanks. It helped a lot.”

“…Really? Is that so.”

“Huh? Wait, Perrin?”

Before I could interrupt,

“Bwee…”

Perrin suddenly dropped to the ground and vomited something.

In human form, no less.

Thus, after producing another hairball, Perrin proudly showed it to me.

“What do you think? I think I made this one just a bit better.”

“?”

Perrin looked incredibly relieved, akin to a cup emptied of its contents.