Becoming a Hunter in a Dark Fantasy - Chapter 98
Only Noblemtl
Episode 97: Batevil Again
Elwin, who had resurrected Zerap Gnaud and made him an ally, snorted.
Although there were some discrepancies in Depicchio’s impulsive actions compared to the original, the plan was proceeding without a hitch within the grand framework.
‘Now that we’ve recruited Zerap, we’ll be able to check the Gnaud clan’s sacrificial offerings through him.’
Zeraph Gnaud after being eaten by the manticore in “Rampas”…
Also known as the awakened Zerap Gnaud, his performance was quite outstanding.
‘In the beginning, when you don’t have proper equipment and your level is low, you’re no different from a thug.’
It was the result of the combination of Zerap Gnaud’s original abilities and the Manticore’s abilities.
The Gnaud clan’s unique tree roots have been given the characteristics of a manticore.
A tree root covered in sharp, poisonous thorns like iron armor, a water-body wizard with physical abilities that are stronger and faster than a warrior.
A rare attribute created by mixing the lost ice attribute, the darkness attribute gained in return, and the manticore’s magical attributes of ‘poison’ and ‘evil’.
─Death.
Zeraph Gnaud once gained the power he so desperately desired.
By experiencing just one terrible ‘death’.
‘I wish I could persuade you verbally, if possible… … but that would be difficult, even for Zeraph Gnaud.’
If that were possible, would there be any cults or fanatics in this world?
The Gnaud clan has always been a losing race throughout its long history.
The only time they won, that is… …was treated as proper human beings, ironically, was about 500 years ago when King Suin was in power.
King Balan of the Water People was a contradictory figure who slaughtered humans mercilessly while leaving foreign races untouched.
So, the Gnaud clan could not forget those days of abundance.
‘They must have taught the children of Gnaud from a young age that they must revive the King of Water and revive their clan.’
As if brainwashing.
‘If you look at it this way, there is no difference between Deficio and the Gnaud clan. They are the same.’
Elwin smiled bitterly, caressing his lips.
This is the moment when we once again realize that this world, Rampas, is inevitably a world rife with barbarism and violence.
Evil monsters open their mouths to devour humans.
Rather than uniting their strength, humans are divided into many groups, causing wars and hating each other.
If it were possible to strengthen one’s own power by sacrificing a certain minority, many savage humans would rush to it.
The reason why the current Gnaud clan is not being sacrificed is also thanks to King Suin.
When he came to power, he wiped out all information about the Gnaud clan.
‘Anyway, with this, we have a way to cover up the sacrifices for the resurrection of the King of Water and the intervention of the Gnaud clan… … .’
Elwin tapped the desk, lost in thought. There was still a corner that was not completely resolved.
“How do you know?”
The body of King Suin was cut to pieces and decapitated by the best hunters of the time, and disappeared without a trace.
His ‘soul’ alone was still tied to this world even after hundreds of years had passed.
But Depicchio should not have known about this.
Because in this place called “Rampas”, the only ones who can handle souls are fairies, witches, and…
‘Only strangers.’
Which of the three variables above informed Depicchio of that fact?
“Whoa.”
Elwin, who had been thinking furiously, let out a short sigh and leaned back in his chair. He was tired.
“Excuse me~?”
Then, the person sitting alone in his office, Gail, raised his hand and spoke, like a child making a careful announcement.
In fact, Gale had been waiting for a long time, but she couldn’t bring herself to speak to Elwin because he looked so serious.
“Oh, that’s right.”
And only then did Elwin’s gaze turn to Gale.
“Gail, were you there?”
“It was there from a while ago!”
Gail shouted in anger.
“More than that, my presence is so faint-?!”
“That can happen when a person is deep in thought.”
“No, that can’t be!? I was sitting right in front of you, kid, the whole time!?”
“Then Gail was bad. You should practice getting people’s attention a bit more. Try harder next time.”
“What the heck?!”
The two bickered as usual.
Although Elwin always seemed more mature than his age, when he teased Gale like this, it seemed like he was looking at someone his age.
‘Oh my. What a young boss.’
Gail chuckled. Only inwardly, of course.
If you actually say it out loud, you should be afraid of the repercussions.
Elwin secretly had a long tail.
“Where are we going now?”
Gale, who was watching Elwin’s expression, spoke quietly.
“……aha?”
Elwin narrowed his eyes. It seemed as if he had noticed something.
Gail turned away from him with a pouty expression.
“You lost in rock-paper-scissors between Sercia and Calix?”
“Ugh! You noticed right away. You’re a ghost.”
Elwin giggled like a boy.
“I can’t help but notice. How many times has it happened already?”
Elwin said, folding his fingers.
“This time and the last time, it was Gale. The time before that, it was Sercia. The time before that, it was Calix. And… … .”
“Okay, okay. Stop it. Your memory is going to suck.”
Gail said with a tired look.
The Spero members learned his code of conduct while spending time with Elwin.
Elwin always had a huge board in his head, and the hands and feet that moved while he was doing this were them.
To use a metaphor, Elwin was a chess player, and they were the pieces on the chessboard.
But the members of Spero are people. Even though they are an organization that came together because their interests aligned.
When people meet and live together under the same roof, they naturally become curious about each other.
They were curious about a man named Elwin.
Of course, there were selfish motives. In any case, weren’t the three of them competitors competing to gain Elwin’s trust?
Every little piece of information was precious.
“So is it difficult for you to tell me? If it’s difficult, you don’t have to say anything.”
Gale scratched his head. Looking at him like that, Elwin smiled helplessly.
‘It seems like it would be difficult to maintain a business-like relationship.’
It wasn’t that Elwin didn’t want to exchange information or emotions with the Spero members.
But I thought there was no need to do it.
‘I didn’t intend to become that close.’
That way, you will be able to make the ruthless choices that may be necessary on the difficult journey ahead.
But those three people somehow seemed to really like Elwin. I can’t quite guess why… … .
That alone was a little strange and unfamiliar to Elwin.
Of course, Elwin liked them too. As game characters he had liked since his previous life. That was all.
The reason he recruited original characters, including Gale, as colleagues was not because they were original characters.
There were currently many people stronger than them, and Elwin, who was in the position of a special hunter of the Emperor, could recruit such strong people as his comrades just by extending his hand.
‘But… …then I’ll be buying a border.’
If you only form a group with strong people at this point, and try to approach it from that perspective.
‘There is a high probability that the true nature of Familia will hide underwater, leaving only the shell it was disguised as.’
Because Familia was not an organization that was solely comprised of force.
In order to catch them by the tail and destroy them in one fell swoop, you had to plan your strategy well from the beginning.
That is why Elwin has selected those with the greatest potential and formed a team of companions.
Those who will later make great achievements here in “Rampas”.
‘… … I can’t help it.’
Elwin decided to take a step back.
Even Elwin, who seems to have everything in his grasp and can manipulate it, knows that he cannot manipulate people’s hearts as he pleases.
I became obsessed again. This place, this world, is reality.
“It’s not difficult. I’ll answer any questions you have.”
Elwin, free from his thoughts, smiled.
“Now we will go to the royal house of Bateville. To be exact, to meet the royal family there.”
“… … Wow, Wangjoooook!?”
Gail cried out in surprise.
“Oh. Didn’t you already have a rough idea?”
“Oh, oh, oh… … That’s true. Given Depicio’s purpose, I thought we’d meet the royal family at least once. I didn’t know if it would be right now, and I didn’t know if they’d take us too… … .”
Somehow it doesn’t feel real.
“Hmm? Aha.”
Elwin tilted his head in confusion, but soon realized why Gale was doing that.
“Gail. I understand why you find it difficult and awkward to be around ‘higher-ups,’ but it’s better to get used to it.”
Elwin continued softly.
“A special hunter has the right to meet with the king or emperor of a country, or an administrative head with the same rights. If it is an urgent matter, he can meet with them without prior notice. And he is treated as a top-priority state guest.”
But that didn’t matter to Gail. His red pupils wavered.
“Kekeke! Kid, did you know? Why I am afraid of the higher-ups… …?”
“Is it because of the Princess of Goddard?”
Elwin answered with a smooth smile.
“… … How about that!”
Gail tried to raise her voice again, but then her body sagged.
“Ah, no. Okay, okay. Don’t tell me, don’t tell me. You must have known about the dark route. Now, even this old man is more or less used to it~ That’s what I’m saying.”
Gail’s expression became as withered as blanched vegetables.
“But let me ask you this. The Princess of Goddard is really uncomfortable and burdensome. If you have to meet the Princess, please leave me out.”
“Hmm. I don’t think I’ll have any reason to go to Goddard yet… … If nothing special comes up, fine. I’ll do that.”
And that was when it happened.
dripping.
A neat knock rang through Elwin’s office.
“Come in.”
As soon as Elwin’s permission was given, Narhan opened the door silently and came inside.
He bowed his head slightly and spoke in a quick tone.
“My lord, we have entered the skies above Skya, the capital of the Kingdom of Batevil. We will reach the royal palace in 30 minutes.”
“Okay. Let’s assemble everyone. Come dressed in the regular Spero uniform and cloak.”
Then, as if he had been waiting, Elwin suddenly stood up and gave instructions.
“Nar, you switch the airship here to transparent mode and wait. I’m planning on having Nero, Hake, and Yana wait in the airship as well… … but I have something to convey, so tell them to gather on deck first.”
“All right.”
As Narhan bowed his head again and hurriedly left the office, Gail, who had been mumbling, quickly headed to her room.
It was to recover quickly.
Then, as he was passing by Narhan, a strange question suddenly occurred to Gale.
‘Why did you entrust me with the resurrection of Zerap Gnaud?’
If it required light and holy attributes, couldn’t it have been done by Elwin’s most trusted subordinate, Narhan Ferdic? After all, Narhan Ferdic possessed holy attributes.
But Gail had no time to answer that question.
Kuuuuung-
An airship hovering hundreds of meters above the royal palace of Battevil.
Elwin, who had been secretly whispering instructions to Nero, Hake, and Yana on the deck, suddenly turned around.
“You’re here. This time, there will be only four of us. We’ll be dropping straight to the ground, so prepare for flight.”
Elwin then gave Nero, Hake, and Yana a look of sorts. As if telling them that they absolutely must not make a mistake.
Then Nero smiled mischievously, and Hake clenched his fists in determination. Yana nodded her head very faintly to show that she understood.
“Okay, let’s go!”
“Ouch!”
“I will follow.”
Elwin jumped down first, and the rest of the group followed suit.
But a moment later, what they witnessed was…
“… … !!”
“Damn it!”
“… … Oh my god, this can’t be happening!”
It was a tragedy for the royal family of Battevile, who were found brutally murdered.