Dark Fantasy Normalized

51 – Priest(?) Rona

Pien couldn’t hide his shock.

Rona.

She’d lost her core Incubus power and become a powerless ordinary human.

Like a blank slate, so to speak.

But what was this?

Rona was suddenly wielding mana.

And it wasn’t a small amount either, and the nature of the mana was too mild to belong to a former Incubus.

‘A priest?’

Pien instinctively thought of them, the seekers of the Order.

This holy power.

If his eyes had been closed, wouldn’t he have mistaken it for a passing priest bestowing healing?

The thought suddenly made him feel absurd.

‘An Incubus, for crying out loud. In. Cu. Bus.’

They were a race whose very name had “demon” in it, and even criminals weren’t as far removed from priests as they were.

And yet, this Incubus was suddenly mimicking a priest.

‘Okay. A *former* Incubus… who is now just a regular human…!’

Former Incubus. Priest.

An Incubus-turned-Priest?

“…Ha.”

Pien let out a dry laugh, stopping her train of thought.

Thinking about it only made her feel like a fool.

More importantly, Lisir’s complexion was visibly improving.

His breathing, which had been labored, punctuated by fits of coughing, gradually became more stable.

“Haa… haa…”

He eventually sat up with Pien’s support.

“Thank you, Pien. And, thank you too, Rona. I’m alive because of you.”

The person most bewildered by the succubus’s aberration (?) was none other than Rona.

She was staring blankly at her own hands, but jolted back to awareness at Lisir’s words of thanks.

“I got praised…”

Rona’s expression was squirming, like she couldn’t control it.

Showing she wasn’t just a wench but a slave, was she?

That expression, it’s more feminine than mine, isn’t it?

Pien barely swallowed the thought, and spoke to Lisir.

“Lisir, are you okay?”

“Better than before. Anyway, that was shocking. I didn’t know a succubus’s power could be used like that. Maybe succubi are actually beneficial? Like a helpful bug – a helpful succubus, should we say?”

Pien listened to Lisir, nodding gravely.

“Hearing you talk nonsense, your condition is definitely improving.”

“Aren’t you being too harsh on a patient?”

“Maybe the patient should shut up and pretend to be in pain. You have to say something that makes sense. As if a succubus would have that kind of power?”

“Then what was it?”

“What else? It’s because of you again.”

“Aren’t you speaking too lightly? Because you’re pretty the world is easy?”

“Ugh. I wish you’d just keep coughing.”

Just then, Rona muttered timidly.

“I, I think so too. This… I think it’s because of you, Lisir.”

“Huh? You know something?”

“Yeah… When I wanted to help you, it happened…”

No way.

That’s not what I meant to say.

Lishir and Pien’s lips twitched, but they couldn’t bring their thoughts to words.

Lona’s fidgeting hands and bowed head made her look too endearing.

‘How can she be so feminine?’

Even the True Ancestor was inwardly marveling, analyzing her every move for future pupils.

Meanwhile.

Lishir, after moving his arms around, attempted to draw up mana to finish his body check.

“…!”

But just before that.

Lishir instinctively felt it.

‘This won’t do.’

The magic power. The mana circuits rooted throughout his body were fine.

The problem was his body.

Lishir found his hand trembling like an aspen.

‘My body is, it’s afraid of the mana’s response.’

There were no visible wounds, but his body was clearly experiencing immense damage or strain.

Lishir told Lona and Pien what he felt and asked for their opinions.

“Strain…overload…”

Pien opened his mouth after a moment’s contemplation.

“Come to think of it, I think I experienced something similar once.”

“Similar?”

“It was about a year after I awakened the True Ancestor’s power and became aware of mana. Around that time, I was looking toward the 5th stage.”

“You reached the late stages of the 4th stage in just one year…?”

Lona was shocked.

“Is that right? With your master beside you, are you still surprised by these things?”

“Ah.”

Lona understood.

“Anyway. One day, when I was looking towards the 5th stage, I tried to manipulate mana as usual, but I suddenly felt an unpleasant sensation. I could tell that something was wrong with my body. I later realized it was a problem caused by my body not keeping up with the rapid growth of magic power.”

“So what did you do?”

“I waited. I refrained from using mana as much as possible until my body adapted to the magic power.”

“So. If I just stay still, will I get better?”

“Well, your case and mine are similar, but also different, right? My magic growth wasn’t as rapid as yours, and the side effects I experienced weren’t as severe.”

Pien took a handkerchief from her pocket and began to wipe the blood from Lisir’s face.

“It’d be best to go see a specialist and get a proper diagnosis. Maybe the new magic tower friends you mentioned could help with this?”

“…A thought just occurred to me.”

“What good idea is that!?”

“Right now, Pien. Aren’t you being kind of…mom-like? Ugh!”

Pien threw the handkerchief at Lisir’s face.

“Are you going to say creepy stuff? I can’t hit you because you’re sick. Or, should I just hit you? You can’t use mana right now, can you? You can’t use that power either?”

“No… it feels kind of… familiar… or like… a wife?”

“A wife, he says! Ugh! Ugh!!! Stop saying creepy things!”

Pien, pretending to be disgusted, picked up the handkerchief again and started wiping his face.

More carefully and meticulously than before.

“Seriously. Wife, he says. I’m just speechless. Seriously…”

Hmph. Tch. Hmph.

Hmph. Tch. Hmph.

She was so dumbfounded that she kept chuckling and scoffing. As if she were giggling because she was happy.

“So, what about it? Will your magic tower friends help?”

“They’re kind people. I think we could at least ask?”

“Then there’s no reason to delay. Let’s go.”

“Go? You mean, Pien’s going too?”

“Why? Is it a problem if I go with you? You said I was like a wife a minute ago.”

“No, it’s not that I mind, but I was wondering if it’s too much trouble for you. It’s your weekend, you should rest, shouldn’t you?”

“Of course it’s a bother! Completely! Hugely! Immensely! Shouldn’t I be resting on the weekend? Of course, I want to rest! Do you know how busy I was during the week!? But, what can I do? You’re a selfish man who doesn’t care about my situation. You’re going to take me to the tower regardless of my opinion.”

“I, I was caught…?”

“Well, it’s not like I can’t understand how you feel. People want to be with the person they admire most when they’re sick, right?”

“S-so embarrassing…?”

“Plus, you want to show off to other people that you know a cool woman like me, right?”

“I, I’m proud…?”

“Exactly! So, just this once, I’ll agree to hang out with you. Now, you can say thank you.”

“Th-thank you…?”

Because I’m worried about you.

Jinjo, embarrassed to say that single sentence, used the power of mental interference (speechcraft) to drive Lishir’s actions.

“Hey.”

Rona, who had been watching for an opportunity to interject, spoke meekly.

“Can I go too?”

“Am I such a selfish man to Rona too, someone who doesn’t care about the other person’s circumstances?”

“What? I just… I just…”

Rona could only finish her sentence in a subdued voice after averting her eyes.

“Because I’m worried about you…”

If you’re like this, what am I?

When are you finally going to show me I’m not just a wench but a slave?

Pien looked at Rona with sunken eyes.

Lishir also turned to look at her.

“W-what, what! Why, what!”

Rona rushed forward, as if fleeing.

Lishir and Pien followed her towards the Bondales Magic District, where the magic tower was located.

***

“But, are you really going to be okay?”

Just before arriving at the tower.

Pien cautiously broached the topic.

“I know the magic tower is just as closed-off and conservative as any other group.”

“What does that mean?”

“Are you really going to get enough help from those people who are so particular about status and lineage?”

“Ah.”

Lishir nodded.

He immediately understood what Pien meant.

Lishir had accomplished the feat of ferreting out the black magician hiding in the tower, but the gazes of the tower mages towards him weren’t entirely kind.

As Pien had said, most of the tower’s mages were people who were very fastidious about what they judged.

According to Meltas, they weren’t pleased that Lishir, an outsider with no family name, had solved the tower’s problem.

Some were even voicing their dissatisfaction, saying their dignity had been tarnished.

It was a good thing he had some friendships with a few masters, at least.

Meltas’ opinion was that, if that hadn’t been the case, they might have faced unfair situations, not just lack of proper treatment.

“Pien, you know I have pretty good luck with people, right? The people I’m going to ask for help are usually pretty understanding in that regard, so you don’t have to worry.”

Before long, they arrived at the main gate of the mage tower.

Rishir approached the guard at the gate and spoke.

“May I see your entry pass?”

“I’m here to see Master Meltas and Master Didoa.”

“What is your name?”

“Rishir.”

The guard’s expression hardened the moment he heard Rishir’s name.

He was one of those in the tower who didn’t think much of Rishir.

“Do you have an appointment beforehand?”

If he answered honestly with ‘no’ here, the guard would have found some excuse using the rules to turn Rishir away.

Breaking the unspoken rule of showing flexibility to acquaintances of the tower staff.

“Yes. I was given an understanding from both of them that I was welcome to visit freely whenever convenient today.”

But Didoa and Meltas had encouraged Rishir to freely use their names for situations like this, as a precaution.

At the mention of the two masters’ names, the guard begrudgingly had no choice but to open the way.

Pien let out a small laugh at the sight.

“Rishir. You’re something else, aren’t you?”

Just what kind of b*stard could come and go in the mage tower like this.

Pien, who was prepared to help him with the power of a True Ancestor if necessary, was genuinely impressed.

She followed behind Rishir with a light step.

“Rona?”

But unlike Pien, Rona wasn’t moving an inch.

She opened her mouth hesitantly under the gaze of the two.

“Come to think of it. I thought maybe it’d be better for me to just wait here.”

“You don’t really have to worry about that.”

“It’s not that… it’s just…”

Rona looked around nervously before approaching the two.

And, in a voice so quiet only they could hear, she whispered,

-What if they find out I was an incubus?

-Here? All the way here?

-…Sorry.

-Don’t apologize. I’m not trying to scold you.

-Is Pien okay?

-Do I really look that naive?

-I guess not. You’re a master con artist who fleeced an entire family.

-That choice of words- Haa… Nevermind. Anyway, as long as I’m not using my powers, there’s no way they’ll find out.

-If that’s the case, wouldn’t Lona be okay too?

-That’s right. Lona doesn’t have any of the incubus’ power left in her now.

-Is that what you think, Lona?

-Honestly, I’m fine. I’m just worried that if something goes wrong, I might cause you trouble…

Seeing how genuinely worried she was, Lisir nodded.

It wouldn’t be right to drag her along when she’s that anxious.

Lisir and Pien left Lona behind and entered the magic tower.

***

Meltas immediately informed Didoa’s lab of Lisir’s visit.

A moment later, a wolf came rushing out and jumped on Lisir.

“Hieeung…”

To get a better sense of his energy, she transformed into her human form, forgetting to even shed the clothes she was wearing.

And so, Pien was left watching with icy eyes as Lisir was embraced by the naked woman.

“Just so you know. I didn’t do anything.”

“I see. You really are doing nothing. It must be very good to see her again, hm?”

“Lisir. Lisir. My. Butt. Butt. Do it for me.”

Perrin, still in Lisir’s arms, wiggled her rear.

Pien looked at Lisir in shock at that disgraceful sight.

That?

What is that?

Perrin glared at Pien dismissively. As if she was looking at a nuisance.

“What are you?”

“Me? I’m-“

Would it be weird if, in this situation, my pride wouldn’t let me say the honest truth, ‘I’m just an acquaintance of Lishir!’?

Pein hesitated, then said,

“Um, I… I’m someone Lishir thinks of like a wife, you could say?”

“Lishir! You had such a beautiful wife!? “

“You mustn’t fall into the trap of language, Lord Meltas.”

“A trap! Lishir, speak properly. One might think I’m making things up!”

“It’s not just making things up, it’s probably even worse…”

“Haha. A rather extraordinary young lady, worthy of Lishir’s acquaintance. By the way, Miss Perrin. Where did Master Didoa go and why are you alone?”

“He’s currently absent.”

“I see. A shame for Didoa. Anyway, returning to the main point-“

After hearing Lishir’s story, Meltas immediately gave an answer.

“Overload. That’s the phenomenon you’re experiencing.”

“Overload?”

“Yes. From the 5th Circle onwards, the impact magic has on the body increases exponentially. Therefore, those who suddenly reach the 5th Circle without being prepared, like you, fall into overload.”

“There was such a thing… Why didn’t you tell me in advance?”

“Because I didn’t know!”

Meltas exclaimed passionately.

“It hasn’t even been a year, or even a week, but after not seeing you for a short while, I had no idea you’d reach the 5th Circle!”

“… I’m sorry.”

His face looked distressed, wronged, and troubled.

Lishir involuntarily apologized.

“Haa. It’s not your fault. I got carried away for a moment. As you said, I was careless. I was too complacent about you.”

“You’re talking about a person like some kind of disaster.”

“Well, aren’t you a disaster for magicians? I warn you, don’t go around blabbing about your magical history outside. If other magicians were to know the time it took you to reach the 5th Circle, half of them would hang themselves, and the other half would curse your existence.”

“Oh, come on. It’s not that bad.”

“It is that bad.”

“It’s not that bad.”

“That much is obvious.”

The old man, Jinjo, and the spirit, their minds as one, turned serious.

“…I will be careful. But, an overload? Is this something all who reach the 5th tier experience?”

“It’s a phenomenon most experience, but—”

Meltas examined Risir’s body, then shook his head.

“Experiencing it so severely as to feel a life-threatening crisis like you, that’s extremely! rare. No. It’s not just rare, it’s practically unprecedented. I can assure you, even someone who drinks elixirs like water wouldn’t suffer an overload like you have. Do you even realize how messed up your body is right now? If that priest hadn’t helped, you might have fallen into a coma, or been crippled.”

“Huh? Did I mention a priest?”

“Your entire body was practically fractured, on the verge of shattering, how many people could possibly fix that? It’d have to be someone like a high priest.”

“A high priest…”

A position that could even earn one a seat on the council, representing a religious order in a medium-sized city.

Risir and Pien, imagining the former succubus as the representative of the city’s clergy, stifled laughter.

“Honestly, I’m a little surprised myself. I didn’t think even *you* would have connections with someone in the religious order!”

“You can say that again. I was surprised too.”

“Why are *you* surprised? Anyway. Did you ask about how to treat your overload? First things first, it seems like healing your ruined body is the most urgent matter.”

“Can I, um, keep asking that high huff priest friend for help?”

“If possible, that would be best. But, are you sure? It will take a considerable time to heal. Someone like a high priest must have an extremely busy schedule. They wouldn’t be able to stick around by your side to look after you?”

“If I ask nicely enough, maybe it’s possible.”

Hah.

Meltas stroked his braided beard, sighing.

“A high priest as your personal physician? Risir. What the hell are you? I’m also curious about the high priest’s identity.”

*I’m a b*stard.*

*And that friend is a succubus.*

Risir and Pien struggled to keep from laughing during the whole conversation.

***

At the same time.

Rona was taking her time, hanging around near the Magic Tower.

It was a very dull time.

At least until someone approached her and spoke to her.

“Miss?”

Short blonde hair shimmered like ripe barley in autumn, and his tanned skin brought to mind shadows painted by the setting sun.

There, eyes the clear blue of an autumn sky.

For Rona, with her androgynous beauty, strangers striking up conversation was a very common occurrence.

Working at the café, she’d face the flailing of suitors several times a day, and each time, she’d deflect their interest with her trademark rebellious glare.

Rona, once again, tried to overwhelm her interlocutor with that rebellious glare.

“…!”

But Rona hadn’t even fully deployed the glare before she herself was overwhelmed.

They were a rare pairing – a middle-aged woman and a young man with dark hair, and they wore pure white robes marked with a peculiar design.

Rona knew exactly what those robes signified.

***

──────────

■Bardros

Level: 60

Race: Human

Class: Priest

──────────

──────────

■Takla

Level: 45

Race: Human

Class: Paladin

──────────

***

Clergy of the Order.

For Rona, an incubus, they were objects of terror.

If they recognized her true nature, they would immediately perform a purification ritual.

Here, purification ritual meant an act where healing magic was used on top of immolation to expose the target to holy fire for the longest possible time.

Thump.

Thump!

Thump!!!

Rona’s heart began to pound with fear.

The middle-aged woman wore a meaningful smile, as if she’d actually heard the pounding of her heart.

“Did I frighten you?”

Her peculiar black eyes, impossible to fathom, fueled Rona’s unease.

“That’s strange. Our Order’s mark usually puts people at ease, but you’re having the opposite reaction, miss. Is there, perhaps, a reason you dislike the Order?”

“…What…what business do you have with me?”

Rona managed to say. At least, thankfully, she didn’t need to try too hard to force her emotions.

The violent trembling in her voice and eyes was nothing that could be hidden, even if she tried.

“Your ‘essence’ caught my attention.”

Thump!

“E-Essence…”

“Yes. Your essence. Miss, you are a very interesting being.”

Thump!

“Your name?”

“…Rona.”

The woman’s lips moved for a moment, as if tasting the name in her mouth.

“Rona.”

Finally, she spoke the name.

Thump! Thump! Thump!

Rona waited for the words to come from her lips, with the heart of a condemned person awaiting judgement.

“Rona. Would you consider joining the Order?”

“?”

“Sudden, isn’t it? I hope you understand. It was your pure vessel that captivated me without fail. You are born with the qualities of a holy flame, to illuminate this chaotic world and guide the lost.”

Rona was simply confused.

Was that a dignified, Order-style way of saying, ‘You’d burn so nicely’?

Probably not.

No questions asked. They don’t try to deceive unclean beings. They just burn them.

Rona was certain.

They don’t know what she is.

“Perhaps, it was too sudden? Or, do you already serve a being?”

“Serve a being…”

Rona’s mind reflexively conjured a man’s face at those words.

Then, the woman nodded, as if understanding.

“Indeed. Your vessel stems from a realized faith, then. A shepherd of some nameless god.”

“…”

What faith?

And what’s with this shepherd of a nameless god?

It’s just a master and a slave, is all.

“One cannot bewilder those who already realize their faith. I understand. Whatever you believe in, whatever path you tread, may it end in salvation and rest.”

Rona watched the woman retreating, an unconsciously contemptuous look on her face.

***

“Vardros Goje, High Priest.”

A young holy knight with black hair.

Takla carefully voiced the high priest’s name.

“Speak.”

“Should we not have guided that woman?”

“She is not someone to be guided.”

“But isn’t she a heretic?”

“Not all who do not follow the Holy Flame are lost. Did you see her vessel?”

“…I did.”

“Could such a vessel be forged by misguided faith?”

To the holy knight who couldn’t answer, the high priest said with conviction.

“Surely, she has walked a noble path, one beyond our own measure.”

The high priest’s eyes, as he pictured the journey she had walked, the god she believed in, were filled with awe.

Soon, they set their eyes upon the magic tower, their final destination of this journey.

The Great Holy Flame had declared, there lurked within it, an apostle of the unclean parasite.