Dark Fantasy Normalized – Chapter 85

Oh, that crazy bastard?

Wait, what did I just say?

I clearly called him the Exiled Sword, didn’t I?

Eh, I must have misheard.

How could I dare to refer to a monster who’s reached the realm of a Sword Master with just a sword…

Oh, by the way, you shouldn’t use that name “Exiled Sword” in front of him – Rodan.

People who don’t know might just think, “Oh, one eye missing? That’s why he’s called the Exiled Sword!” But that name carries a lot of complex meanings.

Rodan fought his family head’s mother when he left the family. At that time, he lost one eye in exchange for slicing off her arm.

Missing an eye, got the “Exiled” for that, and his father declared a formal severance because of it.

Plus, due to his crazed nature, he’s always alone, and he stubbornly insists on using a sword that’s missing teeth.

Among the countless connotations in that name, there’s only one good meaning. It signifies the realm of a Sword Master—just a “sword”.

So, it became a running joke, sparking curiosity and annoyance in others: “Why?”

In that sense, it’s not “Exiled Sword” but rather “Why? Sword.”

Haha, I know. It’s a terrible joke. At first, I wore the same expression as you did.

But it’s indeed a fact.

Now, when people hear “Exiled Sword,” they think first of his crazed actions rather than that eye patch.

He’s a person with no common sense.

Especially since he seems to enjoy that perception.

They say not being definable by common sense proves one’s uniqueness, right?

If you ever meet him, you’ll just think one thing.

“What’s with this guy?”

Of course, don’t show it too much.

This lunatic doesn’t usually attribute meaning to others.

Just think about it. How boring must everyone else seem to a madman like him?

People probably look like stones on the roadside to him. That’s why he kicks them aside without care.

Yes. That’s the crux of this story.

Don’t even think of peeing in the direction he’s in.

The moment you run into him, you’ll just be kicked to the side without a second thought.

Damn, by the way, that’s personal experience.

– Eloran, the Crawling Library

*

■ Dranoff

Level: 61(65)

[Status: Gift of Maltael (Inactive), Mana Reflux]

*

■ Rodan

Level: 70(68)

*

■ Dangalion

Level: 32 (71)

[Status: ???’s Energy (Active)]

*

“What kind of lunatic is this?”

Rodan thought to himself as he looked at the scene before him.

– That eye! You have that eye just like me and Chuinni! You annoying bug! If I wasn’t in this state, you’d be begging for mercy right now!

“Dangalion, calm down.”

– But, look at that eye! How dare he to Chuinni—

“No, just stop provoking him because I feel threatened.”

– Really? To me, he doesn’t seem like he’s feeling threatened, but if you say so!!!

The burning black flames, Dangalion.

Rodan mulled over that name for a moment.

To confirm if his memory was accurate.

If it was right, that name was mentioned by Dranoff, a high priest of the White Shadow Church he was cooperating with.

That Dangalion was the name of the demon worshiped by the cultists of another faction being used for this ritual.

Why is the sealed crystal orb of that Dangalion in that human’s hands?

No. Let’s accept that much.

‘Is he following a human?’

Demon Follower.

It’s a perfectly natural combination of words.

An exceedingly arrogant demon keeps all beings under it.

But what about demon-worshipping humans?

What even is that? Why does it exist? The sound of it is strange right from the get-go.

A being that can’t be subdued even by death, isn’t that them?

What the hell did they do?

“Ugh…!”

Shakan, who was caught by Rodan, gasped for breath. He had unintentionally released the strength he held in his hands.

The momentary conversation between a human and a demon worshipper took away the Sword Master’s physical freedom.

It was truly a power close to divine authority.

Rodan remained dazed until Shakan cautiously returned to his place.

“Are you okay?”

Ricir approached Shakan and asked carefully.

“Um, thanks to you.”

“I didn’t do anything, though.”

Ricir forced a bitter smile.

The overwhelming gap was clearly felt even in the brief skirmish.

He lamented his helplessness to just stand there when the three powerhouses engaged in battle.

“No…”

The three looked at Ricir with complicated expressions.

You seem to be doing everything, though?

Just then, when the tension in the place eased due to the conversation between Dangalion and Ricir.

“Ugh…!”

Dranoff’s effort to stabilize his state reached their ears.

His mana, tangled in a Mana Reflux state, was stabilizing in real-time.

The expressions of the three powerhouses that looked at him contorted terribly.

They were completely focused on recovery, giving up all defense and vigilance.

In this way, Dranoff brazenly showcased his confidence that as long as Rodan held the front, the three wouldn’t dare to take rash actions.

Even as Rodan silently sank into thought, his presence persistently weighed down on the opponent.

Surely, should they try to ambush him, thinking that it was an opening, immediate counterattacks would return.

But what if the target of that ambush was Dranoff?

If they eliminated Dranoff, Rodan’s blade would inevitably turn against them.

To be punished for the sin of killing the White Shadow Church. It didn’t make sense, but stories fluttering around suggested that the Exiled Sword was that kind of person.

In that case…

Could Ricir persuade the Exiled Sword?

– To entrust this heavy responsibility to that young mage is unacceptable.

A voice rang from within.

– Ricir!!!

Another voice from within, cutting in ahead of that.

That was the reason for being careful about who to associate with.

Every moment, those who made rational choices and arrived at their current positions became primal beings, stripping their intellect in the face of death.

Intervention from a being with extraordinary power!

The situation was desperate, and thus they had to act even more proactively.

After exchanging glances, they dispersed.

The fire mage and demon hunter executed their optimal fast attack from as far apart as possible.

And Shakan stood in Rodan’s path.

A movement that all but ensured that even the Sword Master couldn’t interfere!

In reality, they successfully executed their ideal movements beyond their expectations.

Who would believe that they were just syncing for the first time today?

The only problem? The Sword Master’s counter was far beyond their expectations.

“Ha…!”

Shakan suddenly stopped breathing.

The speed moved easily beyond her heightened awareness.

The white hair fluttered before the beastkin’s sharp pupils.

The Sword Master had somehow come right before her.

Defense was possible.

In other words, simply defending was all she could manage.

As she took her stance, a familiar sensation came flooding back.

– Bang!

Once again, the beastkin was sent flying by the Sword Master’s kick.

Though this time she managed to shed the shock and maintain her stance—

“Shaka—”

At the end of that trajectory stood the fire mage who had just completed their spell.

The fire spear that should have aimed at Dranoff was obstructed by the beastkin’s body.

– Boom!

An explosion of flames engulfed both of them.

In another spot, the demon hunter’s specially made bolt was racing toward the high priest’s forehead.

Traveling on a perfectly drawn trajectory, it suddenly veered off course.

“What the…!”

A pebble shot it down mid-air.

It was something that had been in the Sword Master’s hand.

Why was he holding a pebble, of all things?

The answer to the demon hunter’s question resolved almost immediately.

“Cough!”

It was like lots of fragments of an explosion.

Dozens of pebbles thrown from the Sword Master’s hand struck the demon hunter’s body all over.

Thanks to reflexively concentrating mana on crucial spots, he avoided deadly wounds, but received all other injuries in exchange.

His left pinky was twisted grotesquely, and one ear fell off.

The sounds bursting from all over his body: were they sounds made by pebbles, sounds of skin tearing, or sounds of bones breaking?

Intense pain engulfed him.

Just managing to keep his sanity was the best he could do.

The demon hunter’s next action was not to continue the assault but to retreat and adopt a defensive stance.

“Cough! Damn it, Balrod! Are you okay!?”

“You should be asking if you’re okay…”

The fire mage and beastkin warrior were in the same boat.

Thud. Thud.

Rodan walked leisurely toward Dranoff.

He carelessly kicked the stone floor. Once, twice, three times.

And a crater formed on the stone floor. Rodan bent down and picked up a handful of the pebbles that had collected in the crater.

The three powerhouses discovered the fear they felt over that seemingly mundane action.

Right before three enemies stood, the Sword Master felt no need for his sword.

Stupidly strong physique, and stupidly vast mana. Those two alone were sufficient.

The unreasonable might of the Sword Master who had reached the realm of a demigod through sheer force.

The three, feeling it acutely with just a single move, had no choice but to alter their positions.

They had never dared to think about it from the start, but this battle reinforced it.

A direct confrontation with the Sword Master must be avoided at all costs.

In that situation, even fleeing would not guarantee survival.

But how?

The authority to decide lay not with them.

– That bastard!!! How dare he call for anyone’s safety!!!

“…”

…Who was it assigned to again?

The tense atmosphere once again extended with Dangalion’s shout.

The Sword Master was speechless, merely staring at the gray energy swirling within the crystal orb.

– You, human swordsman! Even after Chuinni extended a hand of mercy, do you still cling to that filthy and detestable demon worshipper!?

“No—”

You can’t call him that.

Rodan instinctively felt like interrupting.

“I have to keep my options open, don’t I?”

And he unintentionally said in defense.

Had it been the usual Rodan, he would have subdued or killed everyone except Dranoff without a word.

But it was the anomalous existence of the demon worshipper and their master that prevented Rodan from rational thinking.

How can one think rationally with the embodiment of irrationality right in front of them?

“What do you say, uh? Chuinni?”

“Ricir!”

“Yeah, Ricir. Prove that you can help me. If you do, I will trust you.”

– You dumb little bug! Do you think that useless demon worshipper has given you any assurance? If Chuinni takes back her blessings due to your insolence, do you think you can handle that!?

“Ricir!”

– Chuinni! Do not allow the insolence of that bug any longer!

‘Oh no.’

What can I do if I don’t allow it?

Ricir suppressed the urge to interrupt and went along with Dangalion.

Having observed the situation, he felt that being humble now would yield less effect than just being audacious.

“No. Just like you said, there’s no guarantee that that demon worshipper can provide him with solid help. I want to save him from the wicked demon’s grasp.”

– As expected of Chuinni!!! That’s right! The only one who can save that blinded bug from the wicked demon is none other than you!

“I’ll do my best.”

Oh, how amusing. And how absurd.

If anyone else had said the same words, they wouldn’t have felt worth listening to.

But coming from the one who turned a demon into such a devout human follower, it felt different.

“Hmm…”

Not just Rodan, but even the three powerhouses were swayed by the words of the demon worshipper and its master.

“Rodan—Gahk!”

Dranoff, unable to hold back any longer, threw aside his efforts to stabilize his breath and shouted.

As a result, his mana became tangled once again, blood oozed from every hole in his face, but he was unconcerned.

If there were a moment to speak before losing his life to the demon worshipper, it was now.

“There’s no need to heed the words of that insane creature! That is not Dangalion!”

– Bastard!!! How dare you deny me!!!

“You are the one denying yourself—Cough! Cough! Cough! Ugh!!!”

The mental turmoil put pressure on the Mana Reflux.

Dranoff, who had been trying desperately not to lose himself until the last moment, ultimately lost his sanity.

At this rate, it would only be a matter of time before the Sword Master fell for the sweet words of those madmen.

Before that happened, they had to take the initiative.

Thud!

Something pierced Dranoff’s thigh.

He pulled out the dagger with a black blade that he had taken from within.

But Dranoff didn’t stop there. He stabbed the blade into various points on his body, feeding it with his blood.

From within that black blade, a dense aura of darkness was swirling.

That was the sealed crystal where the demon Maltael was stopped.

– That’s…! Chuinni! We must stop him! That bastard is trying to unleash the howls that cleave the forest!

Dangalion’s voice contained a rare hint of confusion and fear.

Right now, the demon worshipper was attempting to substitute his own existence with numerous rituals and offerings.

For most demon worshippers, demon worship was merely a means to obtain power.

Dranoff was the same. In that regard, what he was doing now was utterly paradoxical.

What good will gaining demonic power do?

His own existence would be devoured by it.

But Dranoff currently didn’t care about that.

He was solely convinced that this choice would bring about the worst case scenario for them.

The glorious Maltael will remember his devotion unlike that bug.

And in return, surely bestow mercy upon him.

Even if he took his power and flesh, he would probably arrange for another vessel.

Rodan, who felt the unease, belatedly grabbed Dranoff’s wrist and twisted it, but it was already too late.

‘Howl that cleaves the forest…! Let your faithful servant unleash your wrath!!!’

His cry had already reached the demon.

The greedy demon never missed that opportunity.

“!!!”

For the first time, the Sword Master’s relaxed expression disappeared.

He appeared almost desperate in his movements as he distanced himself from Dranoff.

He just haphazardly tossed away the pebbles he was holding in his hands. His empty hand moved toward the sword at his waist.

Suddenly, the room seemed to fill with the moisture in the air.

A thick and sticky darkness enveloped the room, as if it were rolling a prey on its tongue.

Soon, the blood that dripped from Dranoff began to paint his body.

It looked like veins sprouted out from under the skin, and the leaves of a coniferous tree that had grown from the blood.

“Rodan… curse your naivety…”

The demon worshipper erupted with madness.

The tasting was over.

The demon reached a decision.

– Drip

– Plop

“…?”

The blood that had drawn a picture over the skin of the demon worshipper lost its form and crumbled.

The demon reached a decision.

It didn’t want to resurrect itself in this place.

The dark aura that had lingered on the blade dispersed.

Maltael relinquished most of his power, transferring his being to another seal somewhere in this world.

The body of the demon worshipper trembled uncontrollably.

From the wounds he had offered to the demon, streams of blood erupted even more forcefully.

“You trash!!! You filthy, crawling insects!!! I, I will definitely become a demon and deny your existence—!!!”

The body of the demon worshipper crumbled with a pop.

The cause of death: Mana Reflux, hemorrhaging from self-inflicted injuries, and accelerated bleeding due to elevated blood pressure.

The curse spat out by that demon worshipper was directed at none other than the demons themselves.

“…”

The Sword Master’s eyes hardened with resolve.

He turned to look at Ricir.

“…!”

The three powerhouses hastily placed themselves in front of Ricir.

They bore resentment toward the demon worshipper for causing the one who was meant to help them to die.

The Exiled Sword, Rodan, was the type who’d do just that.

And then, Rodan.

He realized.

“Was it a crazy thought to receive help from the demon worshipper after all?”

If Rodan no longer intended to accept the demon worshipper’s assistance, Ricir lost any possibility to persuade him.

In that moment, the three powerhouses prepared for the Exiled Sword’s antics.

“Help…”

The Exiled Sword mumbled timidly.

To the demon worshipper and its master.

“Ah.”

The three understood and nodded.