Dark Fantasy Normalized – Chapter 81

[Title: What is this quest to find the secret location, seriously?]

Content: There’s this quest where you have to choose the secret location of the White Shadow Church from 7 options, right?

I’ve picked the wrong option 6 times in a row!

And seeing only 3 out of 30 survivors left made me think—

What’s the difference between me and the Nazis turning the gas valves?

I took some time to reflect and then picked the last option.

But seriously, that also ended up being wrong?

What the hell?

Is there a specific order to choose the options?

Is it my fault that everyone’s dead because I chose poorly?

– No, no, that’s intentional; the mod is just spinning you around to waste your time, and it’s working.

– [Original poster]: So, we’re supposed to just watch people die while being toyed with by demons?

This game is really screwing us over.

If that’s the case, why not just revive everyone from the start and stick them back together?

– Because that’d be too easy, right?

– What do you mean, idiot?

– Too easy, right? < This is seriously a combination of words I’ve never heard in my life.



- Sounds like something someone who only thinks about ruining others’ moods all day would say, lol.



- This trash game really shows users a new world...



- [Original poster]: Constantly thinking of ways to annoy others.



*

The White Shadow Church.

Some might call them madmen ruled by insanity.

I believe that’s a flawed judgment.

What kind of madness must one be under to be so cunning yet rational?

If such a beneficial madness exists, I’d like to have a taste myself.

So, they’re just excessively rational.

To the point of considering humanity as an unnecessary value.

That’s why dealing with them is terrible.

They have a completely different perspective from ours.

Let me give you an example.

We absolutely must transport an item that must never be discovered into the city. What approach would we take?

Hold on! Before you answer, let me tell you their method.

Oh! Just to clarify, this isn’t something I just made up; it’s an actual case that’s already come to light.

So, please don’t look at me weird.

Anyway. They approached a merchant caravan camping out. While they slept, they slit their bellies and hid their goods in their guts. Then, they drugged them to keep them from realizing their condition. Then… well, you know how that goes. I won’t go into detail. Lunch is coming up, right?

Yep, ridiculous. How in the world would anyone discover that?

The guards are people who check suspicious carts, not those who would slice open merchants’ bellies, right?

That’s how they operate.

They do things from a completely different perspective in a completely different way.

That’s why we’re always dancing in their palms.

We can’t even imagine the world they see, but for them, imagining the world we see is absurdly simple.

And add black magic power to that!

So!

If you ever think you’ve unravelled their plan, you should definitely be cautious.

You might already be in their palm.

They always consider all possibilities and situations before carrying out crucial ceremonies.

We can hardly escape from here.

That’s right, we’re just honest humans who follow norms and common sense, aren’t we?


– Crawler Library Eloran <Dialogue Keywords: White Shadow Church>

*

“This is… what?”

Goldina, a priest of the White Shadow Church, felt pure bewilderment at the situation that defied common sense.

She had meticulously controlled all possibilities related to the plan.

She had anticipated most potential problems and was prepared for nearly everything.

As evidence, even Ran, the City Councilor with immense power in Bondales, was dancing in their palms.

Thus, the ceremony was supposed to proceed without interruption, and even if an interruption occurred, that too should have been part of the plan.

…But this changes the story.

Surely, she thought she had considered every problem.

But now, the situation was out of the question.

Of course!

– See!? I have no intention of deceiving you, O Queen Chuinni!

Do you prepare for the possibility that the protagonist who stands to gain the most from the plan will betray it?

That’s not meticulous; it’s just plain dumb.

“Dangalion… what is going on…”

Inappropriately, Goldina of the White Shadow Church called out the true name of the deity she served and pressed him.

That was the result of holding back and holding back again. Had she not done so, curses would have flowed out right away.

Indeed, it was a monstrous mentality befitting the infamous White Shadow Church.

He was trying desperately to interpret the current situation in a ‘common-sense’ way.

Ah!

Then suddenly he seemed to realize and shouted.

“You’ve trapped them! Everyone, prepare for battle!”

The demon immediately responded to the cultists’ firm belief.

– No, no! O Chuinni! Please don’t listen to that wicked talk! I had no intention to deceive you! Immediately defeat them and stop the evil rite!

“You bastard of a bastard!!!”

Ultimately, Goldina couldn’t suppress her anger and shouted.

“This was a rite for you!!! You also joyfully praised us, didn’t you? So what the hell is this nonsense now!!!”

Oh, man.

What the hell.

What is going on?

Shakan stared wide-eyed at the bizarre spectacle.

The followers of the White Shadow Church.

Who would have guessed they would be in a state of confusion?

Especially while brawling with demons without any sense of dignity.

It was the moment when the cultists who had been hiding in the secret location carrying out an evil rite were caught.

A tense moment for both sides.

In a situation where it wouldn’t be weird if it led to disaster, they pretended to be calm spectators.

Even other cultists did the same.

The nonsensical spectacle unfolding before their eyes united their minds.

“That’s not Dangalion!!! Everyone, do not panic! Calmly prepare for battle!”

In the end, Goldina lost her reason and poured out all her power.

There was someone trying to calmly calm her down.

– Calm down! Each and every one of these three humans has power equal to yours! Stop this meaningless resistance!

It was the demon of the mod, Dangalion.

He rationally explained to persuade the cultists just how powerful Shakan and Maldad were.

– I can feel the essence of flame blazing from this red magician! I can see hints of the Red Mage Tower master I once faced! Perhaps he inherits the spirit of the master!

– This half-human half-beast girl is – oh! A descendant of Thunderstep! I remember how she would smile and bite her sword with her mouth after having her arms and legs cut off! Just thinking about her still makes me sick!

The logic of that persuasion was so compelling that all the cultists, except Goldina, lost their resolve.

– And if you inflict even a scratch on the Queen Chuinni, I swear upon the name of the burning darkness that I shall curse your existence forever!

He wrapped up with a threat.

Calling him a demon was spot on. Carrots and sticks were no joke.

“…”

Goldina’s eyes quivered like the surface of boiling water.

She was a rational being.

To achieve efficiency and practicality, she would readily discard human values.

Even while feeling her brain boiling with rage, she did not let her emotions take control.

Thus, Goldina carried out her best action with the reason she steadfastly maintained.

“You pathetic, pride-less, lowly demon. My curse will someday consume you!!!”

Thud.

The knife that was originally intended to use on the offerings to please the deity pierced the cultist’s neck precisely.

With that curse spoken, Goldina ended her own life.

“…”

The remaining low-ranking cultists.

They were still devoid of standards and madness comparable to Priest Goldina.

Even if they survived here, they did not realize that what awaited them was death after torture.

Clang!

The cultists dropped their weapons and raised their hands.

It was a clear surrender.

Thus, the situation came to an end.

The priests of the White Shadow Church are a nightmare.

Fighting against them demands a level of resolve beyond death, even from those who stand at the peak of power.

Now, the corpse of Goldina, priest of the White Shadow Church, lay disgracefully, staining the floor with blood.

“What the heck.”

The battle-hardened warrior’s dazed voice slipped out.

Not just that; Councilor Ran, Valrod, the disciple of the Red Mage Tower, and demon hunter Maldad, all bewildered by the unprecedented situation, were at a loss.

Only Ricir, accustomed to such situations, stepped out calmly to begin rescuing those tied with ropes.

Seeing that, the remaining ones quickly snapped back to reality and began to handle the situation.

*

At just over 30 years old, Ran Felos appointed as a councilor was an idol admired by many young nobles in Bondales.

Her immaculate presence during public engagements was synonymous with her.

“…So, is everything resolved?”

Ran Felos, usually so composed, now glanced around nervously.

The priest leading the cultists had taken her own life, and the remaining ones had been captured.

The victims tied with ropes still seemed dazed, but at least it was confirmed they were unharmed.

From her perspective, the incident looked like it had come to a close.

“…”

“…”

“…”

Shakan. Valrod. Maldad.

From their perspective, it seemed the same.

But wouldn’t it be different for that one?

Sensing…

They all glanced sideways at Ricir.

“…Why is everyone looking at me like that?”

Why?

They were staring at the crystal orb in Ricir’s hand.

– Chuinni!

“Don’t call me that.”

– Check the priest’s belongings! I remember that she received correspondence from the superiors!

“Something like that exists?”

– Yes! It’s a fact she kept secret from her companions and only told me, so it must be true!

Wow.

What in the world is this guy doing?

He’s pulling every trick in the book on us.

Is that why he’s a demon?

The cultists and Ran’s group watched in disbelief as Ricir dealt with the orb.

If there’s ever a chance to communicate with a demon, they promised to never listen to their voice.

“This is my first time taking loot.”

The blood-soaked cultist in white.

Ricir, looking down with an uneasy expression, made a bold decision and reached into the priest’s body.

– Chuinni! Just take everything! It’s not like it has an owner now!

Inspired by the demon’s evil whisper, Ricir was tempted.

But noticing the surrounding gazes were focused on him, he still felt tempted.

“Ugh. The power within the demon’s whispers…!”

Ricir, compelled by the dominating power, unintentionally(?) took the ring and pouch from the priest’s belongings.

They looked at Ricir with shock.

How dare he covet the possessions of a priest of the White Shadow Church.

Is he not afraid of curses or consequences?

Ran’s group tried to warn Ricir, but—

– It’s rightfully Chuinni’s! No need to feel guilty!

Drowning in the excited voice of the orb, they finally decided to let it be.

Sure.

Let them deal with it.

“This?”

Ricir drew a letter from his hand.

He first handed it to Ran.

Ran quickly unfolded the letter to check its contents.

“…”

Ran shared a serious expression, relaying the letter’s information to Valrod.

“This is…”

After Valrod, it went to Shakan.

Then to Maldad.

Finally, to Ricir.

Thus, after everyone reviewed the letter, they looked at each other, nodding their heads.

“Right now we need to find someone to decode this letter—”

“Tomorrow they will meet in Bondales—”

…Wait?

Ricir and the others’ opinions collided.

Once more, the attention turned to him.