Dark Fantasy Normalized

49 – Blind Vortex

For spirits, pure energy is like the warm sunlight that shines on plants.

Then what about the opposite?

“Huu… Huu… Huu…”

Sobbing, out of place in the stench-filled sewers, filled the space.

There, a spirit was gazing at her changed appearance in a mirror.

“Uwaaak-!”

It was as expected.

When I decided to pawn my existence off to the black mages, I knew, without a doubt, it would be a horrifying experience.

Just a slight brush of their aura made me want to throw up.

What would it be like to absorb that aura into my body?

It would surely be unbearable, disgusting.

“It hurts, it hurts!!!”

But I never imagined it would be this painful.

Then again,

the concept of physical pain didn’t exist for spirits.

So what is this? This pain.

Just what is it? I am.

I am definitely a spirit, so why can I feel pain so vividly?

-You are different from us.

The voices of my kin echoed.

Their words were true.

I was different from them.

This vivid unpleasantness, this pain, was the proof.

“That’s right…”

Trickle.

Tears flowed from one eye that once held a lush green like a windy field, but now its light had faded.

Trickle.

From the physically missing eye, a mix of blood and pus dripped down.

Even with my mouth closed, my teeth were laid bare.

My skin was melting away like the mud after a rain.

The figure reflected in the mirror was grotesque beyond measure.

“I am different from you…”

Looking at that form, she let out a sobbing laugh.

She believed her mood was relieved.

At least, there would be no more anguish from being caught in delusion like before.

Everything had become clear.

“I am a mutation…”

──────────

“Miss Lapita, a message from Draphon.”

“What does it say?”

“They searched everywhere a spirit might be, but came up empty-handed.”

“And Gadena?”

“Similarly, they haven’t found any trace of Perrin either.”

“…Then what do we do now?”

“For now, let’s return to the Great Forest. We’ll have to request the family’s assistance and launch a large-scale search.”

“…”

The naive young lady’s wishes went unfulfilled.

Even for a great noble who ruled the Great Forest, turning a distant human city upside down as she pleased was not an easy task.

Especially not for a reason like ‘because the young lady lost a spirit she cherished’.

In the end, the reunion between the naive young lady and the spirit only happened after a long time had passed.

In a worst-case scenario far surpassing the young lady’s anxieties.

“…”

The solitary and proud blue wolf cub was gone.

Replaced by something with countless signs of mutilation, made up of all sorts of foreign substances, like a concoction made by melting down various animals in the same mold and then hardening it.

-Uaaagh!!!

A horrifying noise, befitting of the stench-filled underground sewer, filled the space.

From its holes, once eyes and a mouth, blood and pus poured like saliva.

“Ah… Ah… Ah…”

The naive young lady was prone to tantrums when things didn’t go her way.

It was the same this time.

She refused to accept that ‘that thing’ was the spirit she had loved.

She refused to accept that she had failed to protect her.

The moment before the storm is always the most still.

In the underground sewer, where all sound was swallowed by an emerald, the naive young lady’s voice flowed softly.

“Sylph…my last request…erase that…along with the humans of this vile city…”

The elf sliced her wrist.

Glurp. Glurp. She painted the emerald with the dark crimson blood that oozed out.

A vortex consumed the city.

──────────

[The south of Bondales is a land of unceasing, wrathful vortexes.]

[At its heart stands a colossal tower, reaching far beyond the sky.]

[Its core is wind, its material the ruins of a ravaged city and the corpses of its citizens.]

[From the tower’s peak, the hideous cries of an abomination can be heard at times.]

[From the tower’s peak, the maddened sobbing of a woman can be heard at times.]

──────────

“Hee-eung…”

This was the scene that unfolded before Lapita’s eyes as she regained consciousness.

The noble wolf spirit, completely disregarding whether she’d collapsed from shock, was nestled happily in the arms of a human, reveling in pure bliss.

“…Perrine.”

Lapita called her name with a disgruntled tone.

Instead of replying, Perrine nuzzled her face against Lysir’s chest.

As if Lapita’s voice was an unwelcome interruption.

“…”

The young, headstrong lady often sulked when things didn’t go her way.

However, this time it seemed her sulking would be in vain.

Lost in its usual light, her emerald eye caught hers.

“What is this…”

The headstrong lady whimpered, half-sobbing.

She was frustrated that she couldn’t sulk as usual, but only for a moment.

A moment later, she once again fixed her eyes on Perrine.

A thought suddenly occurred to her.

If that child had always been with me, would she have ever shown me that kind of blissful expression?

No. Probably that day would never have come.

In the first place, she had never expected that kind of expression from her.

She didn’t know.

That she was hiding that spoiled side of herself.

The noble and solitary wolf she had come to know.

The pampered princess in front of me right now.

Which one is her true self?

“…”

The answer came cruelly fast.

Cruelly, that answer held another truth within it.

‘Do I… did I really even like Perrin…’

I could vouch that there was absolutely no lie in that feeling.

But if I were to ask myself if the way I felt was right, I no longer had the confidence to say yes.

I didn’t know Perrin was such a spoiled brat.

-FUCK! It feels so good to get that off my chest! I’ve always wanted to say this to you lot. No matter how much I barked, or bit, you never understood! I hate you elves, you goddamn assholes!

I never truly understood what was in Perrin’s heart.

If I hadn’t met this man, Lisher, even if I had found out the truth, I would’ve desperately denied it.

Why?

Because what I loved was ‘the noble, solitary Perrin’.

I loved her special aura.

I loved her beautiful appearance.

But I never once tried to understand her emotions.

I never tried to understand her thoughts, and I never tried to listen to her voice.

‘…Oh, I see.’

Rapita realized, with fresh understanding.

That until now, she had only ever cared about her own thoughts and feelings.

That she had never once considered the other person’s feelings or perspective.

Perrin, looking happy.

The aspects of her that used to feel so jarring, began to look different.

“Hey, human. I know you haven’t been meddling. But, tone it down a bit. How do you think the young lady’s feeling-“

“Gondola.”

“Yes, miss! I was just about to say-“

“It’s okay.”

“Huh?”

“I’m okay, so just leave those two alone.”

“…Milady?”

The guard, always at her side, used to indulging the whims of his childish lady, stared at her in surprise.

She, helped by the gondola, rose from her seat and spoke to Rishir.

“You. Did I ever say this to you?”

Rishir braced himself.

What nonsense was this lady going to spout and rant about now?

“Thank you.”

“Huh?”

“I heard you saved Perrin from those suspicious people who were harassing her. If it weren’t for you, Perrin might have been hurt. I want to thank you for that. And-“

Lapita looked at Perrin.

Perrin was still nestled in Rishir’s arms, not paying any attention to Lapita.

A bittersweet, yet heartened smile spread across Lapita’s face.

“Thank you for…listening to Perrin’s voice. If it weren’t for you, I would have found Perrin and continued to torment her.”

“…”

Perrin’s ears perked up, turning towards Lapita, followed by Perrin’s head.

It was still a wary gaze, but it was tinged with curiosity, something that hadn’t been there before.

Lapita smiled, overcome with emotion.

This was it. I should have done this a long time ago.

“I’m sorry, Perrin. I’m sorry for everything. Truly.”

*Sniff.* *Sniff.*

The childish lady finally burst into tears.

Her devoted guard stood beside her, silently watching.

The sight of his childish lady crying in front of others made her look more dignified than ever before.

“I didn’t know you were suffering so much. No. I didn’t even try to know. But still, I acted like I knew everything about you. I made things so difficult for you. And I’m sorry for that. I’m sorry. Will you accept my apology…?”

“…”

Perrin turned her head away from Lapita.

Looking at her brought back the elves who had created her, and the members of her own kind who had ostracized her.

Accepting her apology felt like having to forgive all of them.

How could she possibly do that?

“Ah…”

Then, it was then.

A pure, blissful feeling, enough to make resentment forgotten, gently caressed Perrin.

Perrin looked up at the human she held.

Lishir was gently patting Perrin’s head, directing a kind gaze towards her.

Perrin didn’t understand the meaning behind the action.

She didn’t know what he was thinking when he accepted and embraced her.

Suddenly, she didn’t care.

That inexplicable acceptance and goodwill sparked a change in Perrin.

Fine, whatever.

Perrin muttered, indifferent and low.

Raphaeta didn’t miss those words.

“Thank you…”

A smile bloomed on her tear-streaked face.

***

“My lady. Are you really sure? You don’t have to take Perrin away–”

“…Perrin isn’t something I own. I should have respected Perrin’s life more quickly than this…”

“My lady…!”

If there was anyone most deeply moved by this turn of events, it was none other than the zealous guard.

His eyes, having witnessed the growth of the immature young lady, looked as if they would spill tears at the slightest nudge.

“Draphon. Can you return the item I entrusted to you?”

Raphaeta, who spoke, and Draphon, who listened, couldn’t help but let out a chuckle.

The ‘Azure Veil’, an Elven treasure in the form of a blue cloak that purified the wearer’s aura, was being discussed.

They were reminded of the moment they solemnly exchanged this item right before the commission, emphasizing the mission’s importance and gravity.

Draphon immediately handed the Azure Veil back to Raphaeta.

Raphaeta handed the Azure Veil directly to Lishir.

“Hm?”

“It’s the Azure Veil, one of our Elven treasures. It possesses an amazing power to purify the wearer’s aura.”

Lishir gazed at the cloak with a strange expression, and then looked down at himself.

Raphaeta, who understood what that meant better than anyone, sighed “Huu…”

“Right. Maybe this item means nothing to you. Still, accept it when I give it to you.”

“Huh? You’re giving it to me? This, to me? Didn’t you say it was an elf’s treasure?”

“It’s mine to do with as I please, got a problem with that?”

Just then, Gondola, startled, whispered into her ear.

“…Ahem. I’ve changed my mind. Forget what I just said.”

Rapitha awkwardly cleared her throat and gathered up the blue curtain.

Instead, she pulled out a pouch from her robes and, whispering to Gondola, asked,

-It’s okay to give this, right?

-Well, since the young lady commissioned Draphon for the request, shouldn’t we talk to him first?

-Why should I? Draphon didn’t do anything in this whole thing.

-But, procedures from the contract…

A moment later, Rapitha glared at Draphon with disapproval.

“Draphon. I was going to compensate Ricir for this request, but Gondola says I need your permission.”

“Hah. There’s no need for that. I didn’t do anything in this matter. I’ll consider the request void.”

See? What did I say?

Rapitha shot a triumphant look at Gondola.

“…”

Gondola closed her eyes and nodded.

Right, I knew it.

She was still a naive young lady with a long way to go.

“So, there you have it, Ricir. Take this. I’m telling you clearly. This isn’t money for you, it’s money for Perrin.”

“Huh? Wasn’t I receiving it for saving Perrin?”

“…That’s just what it *means*! It means don’t spend it all on yourself, use it for Perrin too! Can’t you understand that!?”

“Ah. Of course, I will.”

“What? Why are you smiling!”

“My lady, shall we be going?”

“No, why are you smiling! Because, because I’m letting you win, does that make it funny! Just you wait!!! This humiliation! I’ll never forget it!!!”

The naive young lady felt her face flush for some reason as she fled the scene.

“…”

Following her, the massive bodyguard bowed deeply to Ricir before trailing after the young lady.

“Well, then-“

The moment the incident was settled. Draphon, as if waiting for it, opened his mouth.

“Lisir. According to Kella, you’re interested in our guild?”

Even when facing the elven princess, this top-tier adventurer, known for his composure, was showing a rare sign of impatience.

***

The next morning.

Pien and Rona, enjoying the weekend, met with Lisir after a long time, to have breakfast together.

“Alright, then. Shall we take some time to report on the progress we’ve made over the past few short days?”

Pien, sitting down, began with a triumphant air.

And then, Lisir’s story began-

“Wait, wait just a moment!”

Soon, Pien, whose initial enthusiasm had vanished without a trace, urgently interrupted Lisir.

The questions arising from Lisir’s story were countless.

“The Draphon Guild Master said something to you-… no, that’s not it.”

But the question that immediately came to mind was this.

“You. Right now…”

The True Ancestor looked as if he’d seen a ghost.

Just a few days ago, Pien had looked down on Lisir from his position in the 5th tier of power.

Looking at him, Pien could gauge his mana at a glance, owing to the overwhelming difference.

But now.

It was just blurry.

Even focusing all his senses on Lisir, he couldn’t accurately measure his mana.