Dark Fantasy Normalized – Chapter 72

[Title: But why are the Dark Elves discriminated against?]

It’s not like it’s because their skin is dark, right?

– Correct.

– Do we need another reason?

– They say that’s why they’re against the declaration of independence.

– You racist bastards!

– The skin color came later; they’re just like that due to their karma.

– [Original Poster]: Karma?

– But karma isn’t a big deal.

– [Original Poster]: What’s that supposed to mean?

– To put it figuratively, there were about two Hitlers among the Dark Elves.

– What the hell?!

– It’s not anything special; just roughly two Hitlers.

– Churchill would be dying.

– It’s true that they almost wrecked the continent.

– The Forest of Night < this guy is a true legend.



---



[Title: The Forest of Night < This guy is totally crazy for real]

Turbid Truth

A nightmare that speaks

Unerasable disgrace

If you check the sources of the things in the game that seem a bit off,

All of them have this guy’s name on them.

What kind of guy is he?

– Apparently, he’s the Demon King.

– He’s been retired for over a hundred years, yet he’s mentioned more than the current Demon Kings…

– You can consider those with “Night” in their name as basically Demon Kings.

– What’s insane about this guy from the Forest of Night is,

While other Demon Kings are all like, “I’m the shit!” promoting themselves to finally earn the title of Night,

He just got the title out of sheer capacity.

– “What would happen if I turned a whole forest into plant zombies?” (Became one of the Nine Catastrophes of the continent)

– “What would happen if I made a fraud into a hero?” (All 13 are recorded in history, screwing up the continent’s history)

– “What if I gave humans’ ego to a monster?” (Became one of the Nine Catastrophes of the continent)

– “Ah~ I’m bored, let’s make a poison without an antidote~” (Birth of one of the Six Extreme Poisons of the continent)

– “What happens if I resurrect a hero who was executed after being used?” (One aristocratic family was completely annihilated and their territory turned into a demon territory)

– Night of the Scorched Karma: I will burn this filthy world.

– [Original Poster]: Did the Night of Scorched Karma have something to say?

– It’s really the difference between true madness and fake madness.

– So when people hear ‘Witch of the Western Forest,’ they are really freaking out.

– [Original Poster]: The Witch of the Western Forest? That’s the last boss of Bondales, right?

– Yep. She’s the student of the Forest of Night.

– The Witch of the Western Forest originally carries the name of the Forest of Night, which was passed down.

—

*

“Is there really an antidote for Turbid Truth? Does such a thing exist?”

“My master said making antidotes is not very fun, so he quit.”

<This is the origin story of the most outrageous incurable poison I’ve ever heard.>

Pamon pondered as she looked at the parchment.

“But why are you asking about an antidote for Turbid Truth?”

<Does it matter? What’s important is the fact that 'Sahila' is asking the 'Witch of the Western Forest' for help. Your master now has a chance to repay the debt to the Sahila family. No more worrying about the Sahila family's eyes.>

The reason why the ‘Witch of the Western Forest’ is carrying around a parchment from ‘Sahila.’

Pamon chuckled to herself as she recalled her master’s debt to them.

“Wow~ That’s quite sudden, isn’t it? Getting such an opportunity out of nowhere? I don’t know, it feels like only good things have been happening lately. Since I met Ricir, I mean. Could this be related to my student or something?”

<Sure. What if Ricir just happened to pick up Turbid Truth for you? >

“Wow~ That’s heartwarming~ My student really is the best.”

<This is driving me crazy. Oh, hold on. But if you don’t know the antidote for Turbid Truth, isn’t it all pointless?>

At that moment, Pamon suddenly covered her mouth and snorted with laughter.

<What's now?>

“No, it just suddenly reminded me of Ricir.”

<Seems rather sudden, but you can’t stop talking about them all the time. Separately, I get why you suddenly thought of them. You were probably thinking that their unique color could normalize Turbid Truth, right?>

“Don’t you think Duran would agree with me?”

<You're such a fool. I do admit that their ability is special, but there is a limit to that. To cleanse the Six Extreme Poisons of the Forest of Night? That's just… damn it. Why do I feel like it could work? >

“Duran is just infatuated with my student’s charm!”

<More horrible poison than Turbid Truth. Anyway, are you planning to introduce Ricir to them?>

“To the Dark Elf of Keren, my student in Bondales? Can the two meet within the time frame?”

<That’s true.>

“I need a more realistic approach. That’s why I thought of this.”

<What do you have in mind?>

“There’s no antidote for Turbid Truth, but there is a suppressive method.”

Pamon jotted down details about the suppressive method on the parchment.

<A suppressive method? 400-year-old, isn’t that a plant that destroys the human body? >

“Any poison can be classified as poison in its own right, you know? This one harms the consumer’s body because the energy it contains is just too great. So usually, it’s refined into elixirs. You know the Tears of the Desert, right?”

<That potion of the Dark Elves that only direct descendants of Sahila can drink–>

“This 400-year-old plant is the main ingredient for that Tears of the Desert.”

<...You mean to tell me to intentionally process it without refining it and just consume it as poison? >

“I’m using poison to purge poison. The immense energy contained within it will temporarily nullify the effects of Turbid Truth.”

<And?>

Pamon shrugged her shoulders.

“That’s all there is to it. This method merely delays the end result. Let’s just say it changes the outcome from bad to slightly less bad.”

<Will Sahila be satisfied with this?>

In that instant, the parchment caught fire.

At this moment,

The disgrace of the Dark Elf, ‘Witch of the Western Forest,’ the debt ‘Sahila’ owed was wiped away.

“Yahoo~”

Pamon joyfully picked up her wine glass again.

<Toasting in advance brings good fortune automatically.>

“It’s all thanks to my student eating Turbid Truth for me~”

<Are you really sticking to that version? Is it okay for Ricir to eat Turbid Truth? >

“I trust in my student’s power~ After all, it’s an unbelievable strength that unconsciously repels the interference of the spirit of the founding! >

<Well... Ah, right. Pamon. While we're at it, let me ask you. Why did you come to this city? As far as I know, it wasn't on your itinerary.>

“Well~ I was curious~ They said the Master of the Holy Sword showed up.”

<Oh, is that why?>

“When I heard that the new holder of the Holy Sword is a young female swordsman, I was so surprised. I never thought it would be that kid~”

Pamon chuckled as she pictured her student’s face.

“I wonder if my student will be so shocked that they’ll faint? By the way, speaking of my student, I miss them so much. They’re doing well, right?”

<Do you really think? The master guy barely even tasted it and spit it out.>

“They’ll be fine~ They’re a brave kid~ By now, they must be at the 4th or even 5th rank~”

<Yeah, yeah. You're right. The great Ricir will reach the 6th rank soon.>

“Right? Don’t you think Duran thinks so too? That’s why I’m worried. Ricir. Have they gained a vision by now?”

Basic magic, universal magic versus uniquely established magic.

Vision magical.

It doesn’t just teach; it explosively expands the knowledge of the learner.

Moreover, it becomes a unique identity for mages.

Therefore, possessing vision magic sometimes serves as a standard for determining an excellent mage.

“Of course, my student possesses boundless potential without even needing vision magic…~”

Still, the feeling of regret remained undeniable.

“Really, it’s regrettable~ If only my vision magic was a sufficiently honorable power to pass down to Ricir. If that were the case, I would have tried to stay by Ricir’s side and pass it down, even if it meant going to great lengths. But, well, it should be okay~ Considering Ricir’s talent, there will be people lining up to pass down their visions.”

<Yeah, they’d line up. The problem is, it’s about that kid’s personality.>

“What’s wrong with my student’s personality?”

<Vision magic is the identity of those serving power. It’s history and future. No matter how talented Ricir is, would they pass down such a vision without any conditions? They will certainly try to use it as leverage. And Ricir is someone who got tired of being someone’s student and left their family. Ironically, no one would be a better master to them than you. Neglect, when seen differently, can also be perfect freedom.>

“So, you mean my student, to avoid being anyone else’s student, will never acquire a vision?”

<You understand with such clarity even when I say it simply. The essence is exactly pinpointed. Just as you said, that kid won’t learn vision magic, even if it means giving up on being bound.>

“Maybe, just maybe~ Isn’t there a saint who will feel pure awe for my student’s magical talent and offer to pass down vision magic without any cost~?”

<Such a fool offering vision magic for free is worse than nothing—a burden, just like some washed-up master.>

“That’s too much~”

—

“Oh, miss?”

“Uh…? Oh—”

Katria, who had been lost in thought, snapped back at Keren’s call.

But only for a moment.

She was once again staring blankly into the air and muttering.

“Keren, how many days has it been today?”

Katria looked down at the bracelet on her wrist.

The hand of Verdandes.

Right after using the demon’s power to defer Ricir’s end, Katria was tormented by immense self-loathing.

Is this really the right thing to do?

It felt like the more she attempted to resolve the issue, the more it spiraled out of control as if she had made a serious misstep with the very first button of her shirt.

But right now,

Katria’s judgment was proving to be correct.

“…Three days have passed.”

“Three days…”

It’s the third day since the investigation began.

Katria and Keren still hadn’t managed to find anything that could purify Turbid Truth.

Had it not been for the power of Verdandes, Ricir would have already been ruled by Turbid Truth and become a mere shell.

“That’s a relief…”

The words Katria intended to say were abruptly cut off.

“…What am I saying?”

“Miss…?”

She wore a deep self-deprecating expression.

“What on earth have I done…?”

After three days of investigation, Katria reached one conclusion.

To find the ‘something’ hidden in the Mage Tower, she desperately needed the help of those familiar with it.

However, Katria could not seek assistance from the Mage Tower.

Here, in the Mage Tower, she was merely a Dark Elf Slave.

Even if she were to reveal her identity as the daughter of Sahila, it would make no difference.

What on earth could she say to get their cooperation?

Should she ask the mages of the Mage Tower for help after having fed them Turbid Truth?

They would certainly not lend an ear to her tale.

The situation could be summarized in one word.

Despair.

And all of it stemmed solely from her foolish determination to repay the hatred she had received.

“Miss…?”

“…”

In the depths of profound anguish,

Katria forced a cheerful smile.

“Okay! It’s nothing. I was just a bit tired and zoning out. Keren! Let’s resume the investigation!”

Because she had no right to be sad.

—

Early morning on the sixth day of investigation.

Maid Katria was hard at work preparing breakfast for her master in the kitchen.

“…”

Katria stared at the soup bubbling in the pot, holding a single sprig of a plant in her hand.

That plant, named ‘400-Year Herb,’ was an extremely rare herb found in the southern desert.

It was primarily used as the main ingredient for the Dark Elves’ elixir, ‘Tears of the Desert.’

In other words, it was a medicinal herb.

Provided it’s used properly.

Sprouts that grow atop steep cliffs, basking in the sun’s rays for years, accumulate energy from the sun.

The flower blooms into this 400-Year Herb.

But if not refined, the energy contained becomes poisonous.

In Katria’s private storage, a single 400-Year Herb was kept.

In the distant future, when all the ingredients are gathered, it would be intended for making the ‘Tears of the Desert.’

Yesterday, Katria had pulled the 400-Year Herb into the open using an artifact.

Following the advice of the Witch of the Western Forest, she intended to feed the herb to Ricir in its unrefined state.

To defer Ricir’s end yet again, after already having deferred it once.

‘Is this really the right thing to do?’

Katria asked herself.

And the answer quickly emerged.

‘Of course not…’

Feeding him Turbid Truth, turning him into a life on borrowed time.

Forcefully injecting demonic power into him wasn’t enough; now, she was giving him poison as well.

The more she tried to do for him, the more harm she seemed to inflict.

But what could she do?

This was all she had.

Plop.

The 400-Year Herb slowly dissolved into the soup.

“Smells good. Tia, is that what’s for breakfast today?”

“…Yes! You can look forward to it!”

Katria forced a bright smile.

That smile felt oddly out of place.

‘I’m just an utterly hopeless person who only brings harm to him.’

—

*

[You resisted!]

[The radiant energy of the sun infuses you!]

[New trait acquired!]

—

Fwoosh!

“?”

“?”

Ricir was thrown into confusion.

Meltas was confused too.

During their sparring, a surge of fire energy mingled with his signature wind magic.

“When did you learn fire magic?”

“Oh, is this fire magic?”

“?”

“?”

—

Late night on the seventh day of investigation.

The large topaz embedded in the bracelet glimmered under the moonlight, showcasing its unique murky charm.

Katria commanded Verdandes.

“Verdandes. This is the final command. Transfer everything that you are and all your power to the owner of this hair.”

– No! Sahila!!! Withdraw that command!!!

“…I know; I realize how foolish this decision is. But, it can’t be helped. I’ve already come too far.”

– No!!!

Crash.

The topaz shattered into pieces.

Thus, Ricir not only gained the formidable power of the desert demon but also embraced its very existence.

“…Kya hya hya ha!!!”

Katria bore an overly cheerful, almost excessive smile.

‘I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry, Ricir. Please, just hold on a little longer…’

—

*

[You resisted!]

[The memory of the desert, lost without a master, engraves itself!]

▶New system unlocked.

System: Unique Skills

[Unique Skill Acquired]

▶Unique Skill: Howl of the Desert (C-grade)

[The unique skill reacts with the custom trait!]

[The brilliant sun shines over the desolate desert!]

[Unique Skill Enhanced]

▶Unique Skill: Song of the Desert (B-grade)

—

*

“…!”

Meltas couldn’t hide his astonishment.

An unknown, mysterious energy-filled sandstorm swept by, shattering his barrier.

Today,

At long last, Ricir’s magic had reached Meltas.

Through the shocking move of vision magic.

“Ricir, when did you…! Learn vision magic!?”

“Oh, is this vision magic?”

“Just take it easy.”

—

Early morning on the eighth day of investigation.

Katria reflected.

“Tia, the white flower-like vegetable? Do we have more of that? Whatever it was, it smelled wonderful.”

‘What is it?’

The state of the man who was being tainted by Turbid Truth, consumed by demonic power and existence, and now partaking in poison, felt strange.