Dark Fantasy Normalized

──────────

[Title: No, but seriously, what’s with these White Shadow Church bastards?]

Content: They call them priests, they call them high priests,

but seriously, they're just fucking war machines.

From what I’ve seen, regular priests are at least 6th Rank, and high priests are minimum 7th Rank.

At this level, the loss of talent is basically apocalyptic-tier.

How is the world not already destroyed?

Even just two high priests together could wipe out an entire small city, no question.

──────────

──────────

[Title: Yo, what the hell is this?]

Content: Was looking for the place where Dangaleon's summoning ritual is supposed to happen,

and stumbled onto this — a Maltael resurrection ritual? What the fuck is this now?

Move, you crazy bastards.

This is supposed to be Dangaleon’s spot.

They’re all mid-to-late game fate quest bosses, so you’re just meant to get steamrolled.

Just to make me feel bad?

──────────

***

—Chuinni! There’s no time to waste! That blasphemous worm is starting to grow suspicious of me!

Lisir’s party frowned, chewing over Dangaleon’s words.

‘Are we sure he’s the one being blasphemous?’

Even while driving his worshippers to ruin through betrayal and manipulation,

he still believed they should rightfully revere him.

In many ways, it was the perfect embodiment of a true demon.

If not for Dangaleon’s repeated proofs,

they would never have been able to trust a demon’s word.

Especially not when that word claimed an opportunity to purge a high priest of the White Shadow Church was right before their eyes.

Shakan, Maldad, and Balrod exchanged complicated looks.

"High priest, huh..."

If they had learned about a high priest through normal means,

they would never have dared entertain the arrogant thought of taking one down by themselves.

The weight of that title was enough to make even their hatred for cultists falter.

How many heroes had been led to their deaths by those fiendish schemes?

They weren’t so foolish as to think, 'It’ll be different for me!'

when it came to matters involving a high priest of the White Shadow Church.

...But now.

Wasn't it okay to think it, just this once?

'I’m different.'

'This time is different.'

After all, the ones caught in a wicked scheme were the cultists, not them.

And the demon they worshipped was aiding them.

Blasphemous as it was, they almost felt... reassured.

They thought to themselves:

If the help of a demon was this convenient, maybe being a demon worshipper wasn’t so ba—

Smack!

Their thoughts came to a crashing halt.

They slapped themselves or shook their heads, violently brushing off such dangerous nonsense.

Then, they looked at each other once more.

"We have to do it."

At Balrod’s words, they exchanged firm glances.

Watching them, Lisir spoke to Dangaleon:

"Tell us everything you know that might help us take down the high priest."

—I happen to have some information that will greatly please Chuinni!

First, the enemy worships a being called Maltael, the Screaming Rift of the Forest!

"Oh, so he’s a dark mage type?"

Lisir’s face lit up as he asked.

"...?"

The others didn’t understand Lisir’s reaction at all.

Why would facing a dark mage make him happy?

—Rest assured! At present, Maltael’s seal remains strong!

The enemy has not yet fully received Maltael’s power!

"What does that mean?"

—From the pathetic perspective of you humans,

it means he’s not yet a fully-fledged dark mage!

The three heavyweights brightened visibly.

Undeniably, dark mages were among the most troublesome enemies to face.

The fact that the high priest they were about to fight wasn’t yet a true dark mage was an enormous advantage.

"Ah..."

But then, why was that man sighing?

—However, you must not let your guard down completely!

"What else is there?"

—I can clearly sense Maltael’s fragment lingering within him!

Beware the hidden move he’s keeping in reserve — it must be part of Maltael’s power!

The three warriors froze in horror.

Receiving direct power from the demon Maltael himself —

it would be a catastrophic factor in the battle to come.

"Oh..."

But again, why was that man smiling happily?

"Is it possible to pinpoint where the bastard is right now?"

Leaving Lisir behind, Balrod asked Dangaleon.

— I did not permit you to question me, you wretched insect!

"..."

"Dangaleon, is it possible to pinpoint the bastard’s location right now?"

— Of course, Master! Although the bastards haven’t verbally mentioned the location of their lair, so I can't provide a specific place name like before, they do possess my sealing stone! If we follow the trail of that energy, we will find their lair! I shall guide you, Master!

Dangaleon’s attitude and remarks left the three powerhouses in an awkward position.

Dangaleon’s assistance was essential for this High Priest subjugation mission.

However, he would not offer any help to humans unless it was spoken directly through Lisir.

In other words, Lisir, too, would need to participate in the High Priest subjugation.

"Lisir..."

Shakan hesitated as she looked at him.

Originally, they had planned to exclude Lisir from the subjugation.

Although his abilities had been sufficiently proven through a series of events, they were ultimately non-combat-related.

The mysterious spirit Berbandes, who knew how to handle demons—chuu? (she emphasized this pronunciation).

Could she provide direct assistance in the battle against the High Priest?

The same doubts applied to Dangaleon, sealed within the sealing stone.

In their estimation, Lisir was thoroughly vulnerable when it came to combat with the High Priest.

It wasn’t that he was weak. Nor was he incompetent. It was simply that the opponent was too overwhelmingly strong.

If a problem arose—

Could they even protect him?

Most likely not.

The battle against the High Priest would no doubt push them to their limits just to survive.

"Will you be okay participating in this plan?"

Lisir had already fulfilled his role as a member.

More than enough—even excessively so.

They didn’t want to burden him any further.

Especially not with the immense burden of participating in the High Priest subjugation.

Deep down, the three wanted Lisir to decline and instead persuade Dangaleon on his own.

And realistically, that seemed quite likely.

Who could remain calm before the title "High Priest of the White Shadow Sect"?

Lisir must have realized how dangerous this operation would be.

"Of course. I must see this through to the end as well."

Despite that, he accepted without a hint of hesitation.

There was no trace of fear on his face.

Just how much courage and resolve would it take, from his position, to maintain such an expression?

Bittersweet pride appeared on the faces of the three leaders.

Finally, they solemnly nodded, having made up their minds.

They would protect him, no matter what, in this operation. They would never let him feel like he was a burden.

***

—Master... You must open your eyes... Our enemy... is much closer to you than I am...

High Priest Dranoff realized the truth only after killing his own disciple with his own hands.

Dangaleon. They had been dancing in the palm of that creature all along.

He still couldn’t fully grasp the situation.

For what? For whom?

At this point, it hardly mattered.

He would not succumb to that creature’s interference.

He would complete the grand design and resurrect Maltiel as planned.

And for that, he needed to eliminate all obstacles and traitors.

In an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of Bondales—a place so desolate that even the open roof allowed no sunlight to seep in—the atmosphere now was especially ominous.

The power granted by the being worshiped by the demon cultists dominated the area.

The moment the enemies set foot inside, the entire location would transform into a barrier and consume them.

Thus, Dranoff, with meticulous preparations, awaited the enemies.

***

──────────

[Resistance detected.]

──────────

***

"They’re here..."

Dranoff tried to speak.

"Ugh..."

The three powerhouses groaned, feeling the ominous energy and Dranoff’s overwhelming presence.

The moment they faced each other, tension stretched taut between them like a drawn wire.

"Huh? What’s this... Ah! Everyone! It seems that the phenomenon Dangaleon warned us about has disappeared! I no longer sense any foreign energy from this place! So don’t worry and focus on the battle!"

"..."

"..."

"..."

...The tension that had been stretched tight suddenly went slack.

Dranoff, stunned, glanced around in confusion.

For the three leaders, it was a rather familiar situation.

Instead of panicking, they immediately launched their attack.

"Wait...!"

The High Priest had no choice but to relinquish the initiative.

***

──────────

[Title: High Priest totally wrecked lololol]

Content: When the Church, the Tower, the Adventurers' Guild, and the City Council all gang up on you, what can you even do? lololololol

Just die already ffs lololol

Where did all those people who said you can’t kill a High Priest early on go lololol

──────────

***

The sudden disappearance of Maltiel’s blessing.

—As expected of you, Master! A trash demon like Maltiel is nothing before you, Master!

And the deranged babbling of a mad demon.

Dranoff struggled to maintain his composure but ultimately failed.

The High Priest lost control of both himself and his mana, slipping into a dangerous state.

Mana reflux.

A condition more commonly seen in amateur mages.

It happened not long after he was struck by the enemies' coordinated assault.

"Ugh...!"

Pushed all the way to the wall, Dranoff slumped down with a pained groan.

His face was filled with pure resentment.

"..."

"..."

"..."

Seeing Dranoff like that, the three felt an unexpected pang of guilt.

Of course, that didn’t mean they intended to wait for him to regain composure.

There was no room for mercy toward a demon cultist. Especially not when that mercy could lead to a reversal of fortune.

Thus, just as Shakan stepped forward to deliver the final blow to Dranoff—

"Hah, how did things turn out like this."

A deep sigh cut through the tense atmosphere.

"...!"

At the same time, Shakan—who had been standing at the forefront under Balrod and Maldad’s cover—was suddenly hurled back from the frontlines.

—Boom!

The belated roar confirmed she had been struck by something.

It was a man with long white hair.

He was gripping Shakan’s neck as she slammed into the wall.

Balrod and Maldad immediately moved to act—

"If you move, this woman’s neck will snap instantly."

"..."

"..."

Balrod and Maldad stopped in their tracks without a word.

Their eyes widened when they got a good look at the new arrival.

Long white hair, an eyepatch covering his left eye, and overwhelming strength.

Those three symbolic traits clearly revealed the man's identity.

"Rodan..."

Everyone who held a sword knew that name. Even those who didn’t hold swords knew it.

Among the continent’s Seven Swordmasters, he was the one known as the "Outer Blade."

"Sorry about this, friends. I’ll have to ask your understanding. This guy needs to fulfill his wish... for me to save my friend."

The man flashed a warm, friendly smile.

"Urgh—"

Meanwhile, his grip on Shakan’s neck tightened.

A strangled sound escaped from Shakan's throat.

"Rodan! What’s the meaning of this? For someone of your stature to ally with demon cultists!"

"I told you already. My friend needs this guy’s wish fulfilled to be saved."

"Get a hold of yourself! They’re demon worshippers!"

"Is that so? Then you folks must be able to save my friend instead, right?"

"...!"

"Well then, let’s hear it."

Rodan continued talking, completely ignoring their reactions, as if saying, Do you think I’m doing this because I don’t know that?

Balrod and Maldad’s faces darkened.

"Ugh...!"

Shakan’s complexion also darkened, unrelated to her labored breathing.

She realized Rodan had no intention of letting any of them leave alive.

And considering the condition of the "friend" he had mentioned—

"I’ll help you!"

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

"Without any conditions! Even more cleanly...!"

Like a merchant trying to snatch away a customer from next door.

"...Hah."

Rodan let out a short laugh.

The warm smile now held a subtle undercurrent of anger.

The Swordmaster clearly took the young mage’s outburst as a desperate bluff, a stopgap to buy time.

If such a greenhorn could solve his problem, why would he have allied with a demon cultist in the first place?

Because the issue he faced was something that only a demon worshipper like Dranoff could—

—You lowly human worm! It would be wise not to judge His power so lightly!!! I, Dangaleon, the Burning Black Flame, am watching you!!!

"..."