Dark Fantasy Normalized – Chapter 84

[Title: But seriously, what’s up with the White Shadow Church?]

Content: They call themselves priests, high priests, but they’re just a bunch of war machine bastards, right?

I saw that a priest is at least rank 6, and a high priest is at least rank 7.

With that talent drain, it’s practically the end of the world, isn’t it?

How is the world even standing?

Just two high priests would probably wipe out a small town, right?

-: Fact) So it’s collapsing.

-: Two high priests < that’s practically impossible to form.



-: High priests are basically like faction leaders, and each faction is a completely separate group, you know?



-: They’re all zero common ground except for sucking up to demons to gain power.



-: You see those high priests? They absolutely hate each other because they’re "Demon Followers."



-: [Original poster]: ?



-: It’s just that their “demon worship” is reluctantly considered “good demon worship.”



-: [Original poster]: Seriously, cultists are just the average, huh?



-: “Unbelievers,” “Dishonored,” “Usurpers,” “Deviants,” “Turncoats,” “Trash,” “Bastards,” “Dog bastards.”



You can tell they absolutely despise each other just from the names they call one another.



-: When you see quests with two or more of them together, demon worship takes a backseat, and they’re having a blast while wrecking the place around them.



-: If a bishop doesn’t take care of an orphanage, it’s just one there and done.



---



[Title: Yo, what’s this?]

Content: I found this place while searching for the Dangalion summoning ritual.

Mahtiel resurrection ritual? What the hell is this?

Get out of the way, you crazy people.

This is the Dangalion’s spot.

-: Isn’t that Dranoff, the high priest? He’s the mastermind behind the Dangalion destiny quest.

-: He used the Dangalion’s sealing stone to lure other faction priests into performing the Mahtiel sealing ritual while drawing aggro.

-: [Original poster]: So if we kill them here, does that mean the destiny quest just gets cleared?

-: [Original poster]: lol, dead.

-: [Original poster]: I’m the one who’s dead.

-: [Original poster]: What’s up with these guys being so damn strong?

-: [Original poster]: Like, I can’t even get a hit in before I die.

-: “High Priest.”

-: The high priest you encounter early on is basically a set-up, you know?

Each one is like a mid-to-late-game named boss that you’ll just have to choose to take the loss on.

-: Just take it easy and eat the Dangalion. We’ll just resurrect Mahtiel and go.

-: [Original poster]: So, we really can’t take them down?

-: Later on, they’ll show up again in the mid-tier areas. That’s when you can get them.

-: [Original poster]: What the hell, then you should have just shown that!

Why go out of your way to make it uncomfortable?

-: To remind us that clearing the destiny quest doesn’t mean a damn thing in the grand scheme of things.

-: To let us know our character’s efforts are thoroughly wasted.

-: [Original poster]: I seriously feel like that’s the real reason, and that gives me chills.

—

[There was resistance.]

—

-: You here…

Dranoff was about to say that.

-: Ugh…

The three raised a groan at the ominous energy they sensed in the place.

The moment they faced off, the tension was taut.

“Wait? What’s going on…? Oh! Everyone! It seems the thing that Dangalion warned about has vanished! I don’t sense any more of that weird energy in the area! So don’t worry and focus on the fight!”

“””…”””

…The taut tension just relaxed weakly.

Dranoff, lost in thought, glanced around.

The other three were used to scenarios like this.

They launched their attack without wasting a moment to be surprised.

“Wait…!”

The high priest was helplessly losing control.

—

[Title: High Priest ten tank lulz!]

Content: The Church, Mage Tower, Adventurer Guild, and City Council teaming up? What are you even gonna do then, lol?

You’re dead, you bastard, haha!

Where did those guys who said they couldn’t take down a high priest early on go, huh?

-: They probably haven’t gone anywhere.

-: Wow, the reactions are really comedic, huh?

-: [Original Poster]: ?

-: [Original Poster]: Ah, damn it.

-: [Original Poster]: Are you seriously pulling that shit here again?

—

Suddenly vanishing gift of Mahtiel.

-: Of course, it’s you! Mahtiel is nothing before you, huh?

And the remarks of a mad demon.

Dranoff tried hard to maintain his composure, but ultimately failed.

The high priest lost control of himself and his mana, falling into a specific condition.

Mana reflux.

A state only the most magical newcomers would be familiar with.

It happened shortly after Dranoff was ambushed by enemies.

“Ugh…!”

Pushed against the wall, he groaned as he slumped down.

It was an utterly aggrieved expression.

“…”

“…”

“…”

Seeing Dranoff like that made the three feel an unexpected pang of guilt.

Of course, even so, they weren’t going to wait for Dranoff to regain his composure.

There was no mercy to be sparred for a demon follower.

If that mercy led to a reversal of positions, even less so.

And so, as Shakan stepped in to deal the final blow, it happened.

“Ah, why is it turning into this?”

A deep sigh cut across them.

“…!”

Simultaneously, as if shielded by Balrod and Maldad, Shakan was abruptly flung away from the frontline.

-Bam!

The delayed boom signified she had collided with something.

It was a man with white hair.

He had her neck pinned to the wall.

Balrod and Maldad attempted to act immediately, but—

“If you move, this lady’s neck will snap without delay.”

“…”

“…”

Balrod and Maldad silently pulled back.

Then, as they recognized the identity of the intruder, their eyes widened.

White hair, an eye patch on the left eye.

And overwhelming power.

Those three iconic traits revealed the man’s identity.

“Rodan…”

Everyone who wields a sword knows that name.

Even those who don’t wield a sword know it.

The “Exiled Sword,” one of the seven sword masters of the continent, that was his name.

“Sorry, friends. I’ll need you to bear with me. I need this friend to fulfill a certain purpose to save my buddy.”

The man forced a friendly smile.

“Ugh—”

As he tightened his grip on Shakan, her neck let out a distressed sound.

“Rodan, what’s happening! A guy like you shouldn’t be teaming up with cultists!”

“I told you, right? I need this friend to fulfill a certain purpose to save my buddy.”

“Get a grip! They’re demon followers!”

“Really? Then the ones who aren’t cultists should be able to help my buddy?”

“…!”

“Let’s hear it, shall we?”

Rodan began to ramble on, ignoring any reactions from his opponents as if to say, ‘You think I don’t know that?’

Balrod and Maldad’s expressions darkened.

“Ugh…!”

Shakan, despite the difficulty of breathing, also turned pale.

She realized Rodan wouldn’t let them leave alive.

For good reason, the state of the buddy he mentioned was—

“I will help!”

At that moment, Ricir raised his hand and shouted urgently.

“With no conditions! The cleaner the way…!”

He appeared like a vendor ready to snatch someone from a neighbor’s house.

“…Hah.”

Rodan chuckled lightly.

A seemingly friendly smile hid subtle rage.

The sword master considered the young mage’s remark as a haphazard jab meant to escape the situation.

If a little brat like that could solve the problem, why would he have to cling to a demon follower?

The issues he was facing could only be resolved with the help of someone like Dranoff…

-: You pathetic human! You’d best not judge his abilities!!! I, Dangalion, the blazing black flame, am watching you!!!

“…”