Dark Fantasy Normalized

2 – Dark Elf

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▶Another Tale◀

This is another story.

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[“Is it really necessary to go this far?”]

[The young man asked his father]

[The man called father stared intently at the horse in front of him]

[The horse that was slowly dying from a stab wound]

[“It was the horse stolen by the Dark Elf. Who knows what curse it might have?”]

[“…”]

[The young man eventually nodded]

[His father’s words made sense]

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“What, what is this? You- can you see me?”

The woman fussed, pointing alternately at the b*stard and the Dark Elf.

Another voice sighed deeply.

＜Parmon. What are you doing?＞

“No way! Did I make such a mistake?”

The woman stroked the back of her hand for a moment, then nodded.

“Of course. That can’t be.”

“…”

“…”

The woman, who had been nodding confidently, awkwardly glanced at me.

“That can’t… be… right?”

“…”

The awkward silence was broken by the sound of footsteps approaching from beyond the bookshelf.

The librarian looked around and then stared at me intently.

“Please maintain silence within the premises.”

“Oh. I’m sorry. I was just talking to this person for a moment-“

“…?”

This person. The librarian looked in the direction where the woman was standing. His gaze wandered through the empty space.

Right. The woman approached the librarian.

Snap. Snap. She snapped her fingers in front of the librarian’s face.

“…”

The librarian didn’t mind.

No, he didn’t notice.

He looked at me with pity, shook his head, and walked away.

“Huh?”

“See? See? What did I tell you! What did I tell you~~~”

The woman raised her voice excitedly.

Oh, deep breathing.

This was beyond silence; it was a formal challenge to the librarian.

But the librarian still showed no reaction.

At this point, even an ignorant b*stard would have sensed something.

Could it be? The strange one isn’t the woman, but me?

“How did you do that?”

As I stood there with a dumbfounded look, the woman asked.

“What do you mean?”

“That thing just now.”

“Right now, this?”

This? What is it?

Surely, it can’t be about past life awareness.

I had no clue.

Rather, I wanted to ask.

Why can’t the seer see you, but only I can?

“Just in case, may I ask. The conversation we’re having right now. Is it related to magic? If so, I have nothing more to say. You see, I’m quite ignorant about magic.”

“…”

Hmmmm.

The woman crossed her arms and began to observe me intently.

Her head tilted left, then right.

She seemed utterly clueless.

＜How about trying harder?＞

Then, another voice echoed.

“What if this child gets hurt?”

“Who cares? Just a noble brat. You despise nobles too, don’t you?”

Wait a minute. The conversation is getting a bit grim?

Me. A b*stard of the Vendel family? If they harm me, the Vendel family will-

Damn, they’d love it.

“Right. But, this child is a bit peculiar, isn’t he?”

＜He does seem like an oddball.＞

“Right, right? I’m not the only one who feels he’s special. I knew it.”

Clap clap clap clap clap.

The woman clapped her hands cheerfully.

Suddenly, the atmosphere of the place changed.

It wasn’t just because of her cute behavior that didn’t match her tall stature.

It felt like her attitude towards me had changed.

From an interesting subject of observation to an interesting human being.

“May I sit next to you?”

The woman pointed to the seat next to me with her finger.

It’s just a request to join.

But for some reason, the woman’s eyes sparkled mercilessly.

As if she was making an absurd request and watching for the reaction.

Anyway, insisting on sitting next to me?

I don’t really mind, but-

I nodded without much thought.

“Oh my.”

For some reason, the woman was very pleased.

“Heave-ho.”

The woman cheerfully placed her hands on her body and sat next to me.

This window seat is perfectly cozy for one person. It means it’s a bit cramped for two.

“Shall we change places?”

“No. It’s fine. I don’t want to disturb your reading.”

“…”

The eyes of the illegitimate child wandered, lost.

＜It seems like you’ve already disturbed me plenty.＞

Fortunately, the polite voice said what I wanted to say.

Regardless-

I asked again.

“It must be uncomfortable… If you don’t mind, we could change places…”

“No? It’s fine. It’s uncomfortable, but it’s more fun. It’s been a while since I’ve had a normal conversation with someone.”

“Is that so…?”

Normal? What is normal?

Where are we born and where do we go? Why is the eagle’s beak yellow?

“Well, well, well. What should I ask first- Oh dear! Look at me. I haven’t introduced myself yet. Sorry. As I said, it’s been a while since I’ve had a normal conversation with someone. Hmm. Hmm. It’s been a very long time. So, even if my behavior is a bit vulgar, I hope you don’t find it unpleasant.”

“Vulgar? I thought you were very lively and special.”

“Oh my~ Oh my, oh my, oh my~ How can you speak so beautifully? Hmm? And open your eyes so beautifully.”

The woman patted my head with a face that seemed to adore me.

Correction.

To this woman, I might not be an interesting human, but rather a cute puppy.

“My name is Pamon. I’m a scholar and a researcher.”

Pamon took out a book from his bosom.

“And this is Duran. As you can see, it’s a talking book that loves to meddle, nag, and argue. I made it, but I don’t know why it behaves like that.”

It seemed that the source of the other voice was this book called Duran.

A talking book? And you made it?

It’s no longer surprising.

“My name is Lishir.”

“Lishir? Lishir… Lishir… Hmm. I like it. It’s a pretty name. So, Lishir. First of all, can you tell me this?”

Pamon tapped the book in my hand.

“This book. Why are you reading it?”

“Pardon?”

“Tell him, Lishir! It’s to dry up the cat seeds!”

The crazy talking book said something crazy.

“Why would I dry up the cat seeds?”

“If not, why are you reading such a book?”

“Just… out of curiosity?”

“Why are you curious about cats?”

“Uh… aren’t they cute?”

“Oh my. This one is also normal-＞”

Clap clap clap clap clap.

Satisfied, Pamon interrupted Duran’s words with cheerful applause.

“You know it, Lishir! You too, the charm of cats!”

Pamon started a passionate speech about the charm of cats.

*

“Pamon. Enough. Unless you want to see Lishir really become a cat hunter.”

“Oh? Ah! Sorry, Lishir! I got too excited and only talked about myself?”

At some point, Pamon was stroking my hand, which he had placed on his lap.

As if kneading a cat’s paw.

“Thanks to you, I don’t need to read this book anymore.”

“Lishir, do you have anything you want to ask me?”

Finally.

I brought up the question I had been keeping to myself.

“Just now, the librarian didn’t recognize you, Pamon, right?”

“Yes.”

“Why was that?”

“I have a question too!”

Whoosh!

Pamon suddenly pulled my arm.

Thud.

Pamon observed me from a distance close enough to touch noses.

“Why doesn’t the recognition inhibition magic work on you, Rishir? Have you, perhaps, learned magic separately?”

Sniff sniff.

Why is he smelling me?

“No?”

“Or, do you have some kind of artifact?”

“My family doesn’t love me enough to give me such precious items.”

“Then, is it your constitution?”

Pamon’s hands kneaded my face.

“Is it innate?”

“Yes. It’s natural. Rishir. If it’s okay, can I conduct an experiment?”

“I thought we had shared enough emotional connection.”

“Right!? Sorry! I guess this isn’t right, Duran. What if Rishir gets hurt?”

“Ugh-“

What is this?

A scent like a mix of herbal medicine and perfume? Rough silk? Softness?

Ah. Pamon hugged me.

＜You suppress your curiosity because you don’t want to hurt people? I’m starting to get scared.＞

“I’m just asking, what kind of experiment were you planning?”

“Well. Let’s see-“

“Did you plan to do so many things that you need to see?”

“I’m sorry~~~ Lisir, you might not really get it, but that! It’s incredibly unique! I’m holding back a lot right now, just so you know?”

“…Thank you?”

“Oh right! But Lisir, what was that you just said? That your family doesn’t love you enough?”

“Yes. My personal situation is quite complicated.”

“In what way?”

“Well. I’m an illegitimate child. My mother died giving birth to me, and my father resents me for it.”

“Gasp.”

＜Gasp.＞

Pamon let go of my hand and took a step back.

“I’m sorry, Lisir. I was too blunt.”

＜Actually, the one being too blunt is that guy. It’s like suddenly showing someone your naked body. Don’t reveal everything all at once like that. Are you trying to burden me?＞

“By the way, did you say I have such a unique constitution?”

Look at him changing the subject.

He’s not normal either.

Ignoring the grumbling of the crazy book, I fall into thought.

An unexpected gain.

To think that I, a person of such extraordinary nature, possess a unique constitution worth noting.

Does cognitive impairment magic not work on me?

Is it some kind of magic resistance?

Well, even a rolling stone has its own talent.

This illegitimate child. Finally, he’s done something useful.

How. Can I make use of this?

A new job selection screen flashes before my eyes.

I’m excited.

“But hey, Lisir.”

“Ah. Go ahead.”

“Just out of curiosity, which family are you from?”

“Ah. It doesn’t really matter, but I was born and raised in Vendel.”

＜Vendel? Oh dear.＞

The book sighed.

It was too meaningful to ignore.

＜Hey, Pamon. Did you hear? This guy, they say he’s from the Vendel family.＞

“Really? What a coincidence.”

Damn. This seems like a big problem.

Pamon, who was looking at me, had a completely different expression than before.

“Alright. I’ve decided. Lysir. My disciple.”

“What?”

“From today, you are my disciple.”

“Huh?”

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▷Destiny 5: The Promised Price – Deactivated.

The corresponding perks are granted.

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▶Another Tale◀

This is another story.

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[“What?”]

[Offer the most precious thing in Vendel]

[The unexpected intruder suddenly declared]

[The head of Vendel fondled the pommel of the sword hanging at his waist]

[The intruder’s appearance reflected in his eyes was defenseless]

[He was confident he could split that body in two with a single draw]

[That ugly, cursed body]

[How dare a dark elf leave footprints in Vendel’s abode]

[And on top of that, act as if he were the master of the house]

[There could be no more meaningless moment for conversation]

[“You promised, didn’t you?”]

[“Promise? Us? With you filthy mongrels?”]

[The intruder did not flinch even at the blatant contempt]

[“Did your great ancestor say nothing?”]

[“I warn you, do not utter his name with that filthy mouth.”]

[“Do you know? Vendel Radola. How your family’s pride achieved such a feat. Accomplished it.”]

[It was the moment when the head’s sword was about to reveal its blade]

[Suddenly, thick vines rose from the ground and bound the head’s limbs]

[“Vendel. You promised our master. When the castle built with the power borrowed from our master reached its highest point, you would yield the most precious thing there.”]

[“You filthy witch-…!”]

[“Tell me, Vendel. Among what you have, what is the most precious?”]

[Vendel did not answer]

[The witch sought the answer herself]

[She approached the window and looked down]

[The heart of Vendel’s territory]

[The city of Heyern came into full view]

[The witch imagined the city covered in greenery]

[She didn’t quite like it, but it was inevitable]

[A promise was a promise]

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