Make Dark Fantasy Great Again-Chapter 80: Cultists (1)

0% The group suddenly glanced around at one another.

A council member from the Pelroth family, which had produced generations of Bondalles city councilors.

Valrod, the Crimson Spear of the Red Mage Tower, known as the favored disciple of the Red Tower Lord and rumored to have grasped the essence of fire.

Maldad, the black-haired warrior bearing the title of Devil Hunter, a name granted only to those who had mastered the art of slaying devils.

Shakan the Red Strider, the descendant of Thunder Strider who was both a great chieftain and a mighty warrior.

Each of their names carried the weight to command regions and shape entire factions. And yet...

“There, do you see?! That’s my Mastah! You just need to answer Mastah!”

“...Is there no need to respond to any other?”

“Only Mastah is my Mastah!!!”

“Very well.”

Faced with the tiny little girl before them, they had become nothing more than a bunch of awkward bystanders.

A city councilor had gone to great lengths to track down and invite these powerful figures, all because of a devil being pushed around by a child.

These titans of influence fell deep into troubled thought, exchanging glances as they silently lamented how ridiculous they had become—all because of that same devil.

The only consolation was that the girl wasn’t an ordinary human but an elemental.

Meanwhile, the little girl scampered back to the man she called ‘Mastah’.

“Mastah! Mastah! Blackie is a good Blackie now! He says he’ll do what you ask!”

All eyes focused on Risir, the honorary mage of the Gray Tower.

“What did you do...?”

Councilor Lan’s brown eyes wavered uncontrollably. She doubted anyone else in this room was more shocked than she was.

For the past few days, Lan had leveraged every ounce of her authority as a councilor to earn the sealed devil’s respect. Persuasion, threats, pleas, negotiations—she had virtually tried everything possible.

Yet the only response she ever got was silence or mockery.

Such was the nature of devils, deceivers who thoroughly scorned and toyed with those they deemed beneath them.

Lan had endured more than enough of that deception over the past few days, and not just figuratively. The stress of being toyed with had made her ill to the point of vomiting bile.

And yet...that very same deceiver was now fawning over a little girl, acting like a loyal pet. Even the most doting uncle wouldn’t be so accommodating.

Just as that thought crossed her mind, Risir patted the girl’s head and spoke.

“It’s a complicated story, but this girl is a little special.”

“Special...?”

She used to be a devil. So that’s probably why other devils treat her well?

Risir hesitated, wondering how to phrase such a shocking revelation.

“I guess you could say she knows how to handle devils?”

His choice of words had the intended effect. It was certainly less shocking than outright saying, “She used to be a devil.”

Moreover, there was no better way to convey Verdandes’ abilities without causing aversion.

“Knows how to handle devils...”

Nevertheless, the others remained stunned. After all, devils were undoubtedly the most incomprehensible and difficult beings in this world.

The Red Tower authority and the descendant of the great warrior knew how to fight devils, but not how to control them. So, they turned to the Devil Hunter.

Their looks seemed to ask, “Is such a thing really possible?”

“...”

The Devil Hunter’s eyes wavered beneath his drooping black bangs.

A way to handle devils? It existed. With a deep understanding and keen analysis, it was possible—though difficult—to predict and even guide a devil’s actions.

The problem was...nothing the little girl had done suggested she possessed such skill.

-Blackie! When Mastah asks, you answer! Got it?!

If other Devil Hunters were to learn from and imitate the girl’s behavior, both devils and people around would look at them like they were morons.

Thus, two possibilities came to mind.

1. The devil recognized the subject as a being of higher status than itself.

2. The elemental girl had something special about her.

The Devil Hunter immediately dismissed the first possibility.

Devils were beings of extreme arrogance. Unless faced with one of their own kind, they rarely acknowledged any other as their equal.

Even among devils, submission did not come easily unless the difference in rank was absolute. This trait only grew stronger as a devil’s sense of self solidified.

The devil within the crystal orb possessed a mind so keen that it could even hold a conversation with humans. And yet, it would bow its head without question?

The seasoned Devil Hunter could say this with absolute confidence—if he were in the presence of a devil capable of making its own kin kneel, then he too would bow without hesitation.

Otherwise, he would be pitifully crushed like an insect in the palm of a hand.

Thus, he spoke his conclusion.

“It seems the elemental girl has a special ability.”

At the expert’s words, the others nodded, though a hint of uncertainty remained. They didn’t fully understand, but if that was the conclusion, so be it. The expert had spoken, after all.

A subtle, uneasy air settled over the room.

“Well, anyhow...”

It was the beastkin Shakan who broke this atmosphere, her red tail swishing with delight.

“Looks like you’re making our job easier. Thanks, kid.”

“I’m not a kid!”

“Oops, so sorry. What should I call you then?”

“I-I’m...! Ver-Verdun...”

The little girl struggled to get the words out.

“Verdandechu!”

A warm smile spread across everyone’s face at this adorable sight.

“...”

Except for one person—Maldad.

Verdan...des?

No way. It couldn’t be. Of course not.

He let out a short laugh, shaking off the ridiculous thought that had crossed his mind. Surely, it was nothing more than coincidence that the little elemental girl’s name resembled that of a mighty being who once ruled the ancient desert.

“Alright. Thank you, Verdandechu.”

“Not Verdandechu, it’s Verdande...chwa!”

“?”

“But why are you thanking me?”

“Well, because you got that...Blackie, was it? You got that one to open up.”

“Then you don’t need to thank me! I did it for my Mastah!”

“Hm? Ah.”

Once again, they sized Risir up, much like they had during their first meeting.

As complete outsiders to Bondalles—let alone the Gray Tower—they knew nothing about the young honorary mage standing before them. And in their experience, honorary mage titles were usually handed out as trophies to devoted supporters of mage towers.

From what they’d heard, the Gray Tower operated a little differently. But when had preconceptions ever been so easy to discard?

Eh? An honorary mage, but so young? And this guy is here on the same footing as me?

The initial negative perception they had of Risir was quite justified. Now, though, that perception had improved somewhat.

Shakan gave Risir a slight nod of approval.

All of them came to vaguely understand why he had been invited—because of the unusual elemental under his command. From that moment, they remembered him as its master.

It was, at the very least, a better impression than before.

Risir smiled with satisfaction as he gently patted Verdandes’ head.

“Well then, Lady Lan? You said you had something to ask the devil?”

Shakan gestured towards the black crystal orb.

Lan stepped forward, explaining that she would detail the reason for inviting them before proceeding with the devil’s interrogation.

“Shall we move to a different location first?”

She ushered them into a carriage, mentioning she had something to show them before her explanation.

***The carriage brought them to a manor in Bondalles’ affluent 3rd district.

As they crossed the sprawling garden and reached the manor’s entrance, Shakan’s face suddenly contorted. Her red ears and tail bristled sharply.

“...”

The Devil Hunter Maldad also glared at the manor through his drooping bangs.

Valrod questioned Shakan, being the only one unable to grasp the situation.

“Shakan. What’s wrong?”

Shakan rubbed her nose and spat on the ground, as if something foul had entered her mouth.

“Lady Lan. What is this place? Seems a bit lavish for a slaughterhouse, and a bit too shitty for a dwelling.”

Slaughterhouse. Valrod’s expression also grew serious hearing that ominous description.

Instead of answering, Lan moved forward to open the manor’s door and led them inside.

Risir was stunned upon reaching the manor’s basement.

“...Woah.”

The basement had clearly been altered, as it was far larger than the manor itself suggested. This vast space bore countless traces of carnage. Indelible bloodstains and the lingering scent of slaughter.

But most striking of all was the stain at the center—a bloodstain that spread outward, leaving an empty space in the middle.

They briefly wondered how such a mark could have formed. The image that came to mind was a towering pile of corpses.

“It was livestock.”

Despite Lan’s clarification, their expressions didn’t improve. Those who would commit such acts within the city were unlikely to stop at slaughtering animals.

“Lately, there have been suspicious movements across Bondalles—people disappearing, unregistered supply wagons turning up. Tracking those incidents led us to this place. When we arrived, the area was filled with the blood and carcasses of livestock. And this black crystal orb was found among them.”

Shakan gave a nod in understanding.

“So, our job is to hunt down the bastards responsible and give them a thrashing. Got it. But, I have one question. According to you, their plan failed. They even lost their devil.

At this point, not only have they been significantly weakened, but there’s a good chance they pulled out of Bondalles before anyone could track them down. Wouldn’t you agree?”

“Indeed.”

“Yet you’ve gathered us here at considerable cost. This lineup seems a bit excessive just to track down devil worshipers who failed to protect their master and fled in disgrace, don’t you think?”

That was when Risir spoke.

“’Take this and leave us be.’”

“Huh? What?”

“It does feel that way somewhat, doesn’t it? Isn’t that what’s bothering you, Lady Lan?”

“...You’re right. It kept bothering me. Everything is falling into place a little too perfectly...”

Shakan nodded, but she still looked unconvinced.

“I totally get how you feel. But I can’t shake the thought that we’re overreacting. Using that black crystal orb—that sealed devil as mere bait? I’d say that’s like fishing with gold.”

Maldad agreed with Shakan’s opinion.

“Judging by the clarity of its identity, and its overwhelming presence, the devil sealed within that crystal orb is of considerable rank—more than capable of throwing this vast city into chaos. Using such a being as mere bait? I find that hard to accept as well.”

Valrod closed his eyes for a moment, organizing his thoughts before asking his question.

“Have there been any other suspicious movements since?”

Lan shook her head, a conflicted smile forming on her lips.

“I, too, hope my concerns are unfounded.”

“Then what you intended to ask that devil...surely it wasn’t—”

“That’s right. As of now, that devil is our only suspect to interrogate and also the mastermind behind it all.”

Shakan, Valrod, and Maldad. An awkward look crossed all three of their faces. Only now did they fully grasp why Lan had specifically framed the request as a ‘devil interrogation’.

Unless they managed to carry out an actual interrogation, there was no way a devil would willingly reveal information about its followers.

Shakan and Valrod cast cautious glances at Maldad, who gave a small shake of his head.

There had been cases where a devil worshiper, unable to withstand interrogation, spilled secrets about their devil master. But the other way around?

Absolutely unheard of. How could a devil break under torture and confess details about its followers?

No pain conceived by humans could ever threaten a devil.

Faced with a quest far more complicated than expected, they began to consider how best to approach it.

Meanwhile, Risir had been quietly observing their reactions. After a moment, he offered a tentative suggestion.

“Why don’t we try asking first? It said it would answer my questions earlier, didn’t it?”

“...”

Shakan eyed him with a tired chuckle, wondering what she was to do with this naive youngster.

“You think it’ll actually answer?”

***“I will tell you everything...”

“The fuck?”

Shakan couldn’t help but blurt out at the absurdity of the scene before her. The devil trapped within the crystal orb was freely divulging every detail; its followers, their attempts to free it, and their entire plan.

Then came a name that made them reel with shock—the White Shadow Order.

Calling themselves the Carriers of Deception, they were the most secretive, insidious, and dangerous devil-worshiping group on the continent. And according to the devil, even at this moment, they were hidden in the shadows of Bondalles, laying the groundwork for a massive ritual.

“You lot. Surely you’re not actually buying this?”

Shakan voiced this perfectly reasonable doubt, convinced it had to be a trap or deception.

Just then, Risir’s elemental suddenly appeared once more.

Verdandes confronted the devil.

“Are you lying to my Mastah?!”

It responded in the grave, enigmatic manner typical of a deceiving devil.

“...That is for you all to determine.”

“You lied to Mastah! Unforgivable!”

Verdandes raised both arms with all her might, looking about as harmless as a raccoon stretching itself out. She let out a sigh, rubbed her forehead, and squeezed her eyes shut.

Shakan and the others each showed their own troubled expressions. They’d seen this coming. The little girl had been played by the devil. Its attitude was proof enough and—

“N-not at all...! I wouldn’t dare!”

“?”

Wouldn’t dare what?

They couldn’t believe what they had just heard. Whose voice was that?

Surprisingly, it was the devil. It had panicked to the point of casting aside its very pride.

They failed to grasp the situation. And even as they followed the devil’s directions to the supposed hiding place of the White Shadow Order, they still couldn’t make sense of it.

***Within a secret chamber, hidden from all of Bondalles, a dark and sinister ritual was underway.

Naked humans hung from ropes like slabs of meat. Their grotesque appearance left no doubt about the miserable fate that awaited them.

Figures in white robes encircled them—the ones behind the impending atrocity. Who could say what expressions these lunatics wore?

Well...Goldana, a priest of the White Shadow Order, looked bewildered, seeming rather far from solemn.

An intruder had suddenly burst into their midst, and she found herself staring at the black crystal orb in his hand.

The orb yelped triumphantly.

-What did I tell you, Mastah!

Risir snapped back at that.

“I ain’t your Mastah.”

Meanwhile, the stunned cultist murmured the name of her revered entity in a dazed voice.

“O Scorching Black Darkness...?”

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