Make Dark Fantasy Great Again-Chapter 83: The Scorching Black Flame, DanGaleon (2)

0% “We’ve done enough. Let’s hand this matter over to the City Guard!”

Noble words, befitting a city councilor truly dedicated to Bondalles. But the reality of a councilor’s life was far less idealistic.

Whether genuinely concerned for the city or simply for their own position, they needed power to exert their will. Thus, councilors constantly vied for influence, scrambling for every scrap of authority and advantage Bondalles offered.

Officially, the city guards were the esteemed protectors of Bondalles, responsible for its peace and security. In practice, they were a force that wielded their authority freely under the guise of law and order.

Ever since the city guards came under Councilor Gadum’s jurisdiction, Bondalles’ backstreets experienced an unprecedented boom. Illegal enterprises flourished, and vast sums of money flowed in from unknown sources, only to vanish just as mysteriously.

Gadum’s influence within the city, fueled by this illicit wealth, had grown exponentially.

Handing this cult case over to Gadum? Would he rightly commend Lan’s efforts in maintaining the city’s security?

Fat chance.

This cult incident had occurred within Lan’s jurisdiction. She was certain that if she couldn’t resolve it alone and had to involve the City Guard, they would use it as an excuse to encroach on her territory.

If they gained a foothold, her district would become a breeding ground for illegal activities.

But if she resolved the incident instead?

Lan would not only protect her territory but also gain leverage against the City Guard.

“While you were twiddling your thumbs, we were apprehending dangerous cultists.”

What beautifully clear justification!

Therefore, Lan was determined to handle the cult incident personally.

Was it practically impossible, given the White Shadows Order’s involvement? Then she’d at least ensure she received due credit. For that, she still needed Shakan, Maldad, and Valrod.

Even if the City Guard took over the matter, if these three led the operation, Lan’s achievements would be well secured. So, she met with them separately, offering generous terms for their cooperation.

But their responses were less than enthusiastic.

“Hm...”

“...”

Valrod and Maldad hesitated, lost in thought.

Meanwhile, Shakan spoke.

“I like you. So if possible, I’d like to help you.”

“Then—”

“But I’ll be honest. I have no interest in getting involved in another neighborhood’s power struggle.”

“...!”

The beastkin warrior spoke with blunt honesty. Her words echoed the unspoken sentiments of Maldad and Valrod, who had been struggling to express their own reservations.

Since handing the case over to the City Guard had been deemed the right course of action, Lan’s additional request was little more than a plea for direct support in a power struggle between councilors.

Getting involved in the power struggles of a large city like Bondalles was no easy task, even for figures of their stature.

In fact, it was even more difficult because of their status. Being individuals of considerable influence within their own groups, their decisions could easily be seen as the will of the entire organization.

“Ah...”

Young Councilor Lan went speechless, her face flushing with embarrassment. Caught up in her crusade to protect the citizens from cultists and corrupt officials, she’d inadvertently overstepped.

“I apologize. I was out of line.”

The young, idealistic councilor, determined to protect her people from corruption, ended up bowing her head in shame.

“...”

“...”

“...”

Despite their seeming success in dissuading Lan, the three weren’t entirely comfortable.

Lan, unlike most Bondalles councilors, genuinely strived for integrity and honor. They’d fostered a personal connection with her, and had responded to her summons precisely because of this admirable quality.

It was her greatest strength...and also her weakness.

House Pelroth, Lan’s family, was no longer the most influential in Bondalles. The city had changed. Those in power had grown bolder in their ambitions, making the political landscape more ruthless and corrupt.

Amidst this, House Pelroth’s influence was steadily waning.

Had Lan been more pragmatic, more willing to compromise her principles for power, she might have found a more effective solution than pleading with them. In the first place, she wouldn’t have alienated other councilors by opposing their corruption, incurring losses in the process.

This incident would further diminish Councilor Lan and House Pelroth’s standing. Bondalles would slide further from the virtues of integrity and honor.

Unfortunately, as outsiders, it wasn’t their problem. While they sympathized with Lan, it wasn’t worth risking their own safety or that of their organizations. free𝑤ebnovel.com

“Tch. If only we knew their strength. Then we could justify intervening.”

Shakan muttered the practically impossible task as if offering an excuse.

The White Shadow Order was impossible to eradicate due to their decentralized nature. Even Priest Goldana likely didn’t know all her contacts, so how could they possibly assess the cult’s full strength?

The mood in the room grew heavy, as if they were sinking into a swamp. The group could mentally paint Bondalles’ grim future with ease.

But then, someone interjected in a way that was surprising on more than one level.

“Ladies, gentlemen. I think I’ve identified the White Shadow Order’s personnel for the meeting.”

“...”

They turned to the door. A man stood there, holding a crystal orb, furtively gauging their reaction.

“What should we do? Shall we strike first?”

“The heck...”

***The three had been ready to leave Bondalles, both physically and mentally. But then, something pulled them back.

They returned to the meeting room, taking their preferred positions; Shakan perched by the window, Valrod leaned back in a chair, and Maldad stood against the wall with his arms crossed.

Despite their different postures, all their eyes were fixed on Rishir, each one clearly fed up with something.

Shakan led the conversation in a weary tone.

“What did you do now?”

Then, she noticed the crystal in Risir’s hand.

Eh? Did that always have that color?

Though briefly distracted, she pushed the question aside.

“Don’t tell me that devil told you.”

-You mongrel wretch!!!

Dan’Galeon roared from within the orb.

-You had better watch your tongue! Even your ancestors struggled against me, Dan’Galeon the Scorching Black Flame!!!

“...!”

Shakan instinctively straightened, overwhelmed by the sheer power in that voice. Valrod and Maldad did the same.

Dan’Galeon, the Scorching Black Flame. A name etched in the continent’s history, a name not to be trifled with—not by mages of the Red Tower, not by Devil Hunters, not by warriors following in their ancestors’ footsteps.

A shiver ran down their spines as they remembered the devil’s true nature.

How could I have forgotten?

“Hey now, Dan’Galeon. Is that any way to talk? Mongrel wretch?”

-But look at those hideous ears and tail!

“They only look great to me.”

-On second look, I do agree! Such a lustrous coat! It would burn beautifully! Rejoice, beastkin! For Mastah has found value in your insignificant form!

“Hah...you know what? It’s all good so just, just be quiet please.”

Oh. That’s why I forgot.

They remembered the reason for their confusion. Just how could this arrogant devil, who viewed mortals as insects, be subservient to a human?

The sheer absurdity of it was what kept the three in Bondalles. It was a spectacle they couldn’t tear themselves away from, a constant source of refreshing thrill.

“To get back to the point, yes indeed. This little fella told me who will be at the meeting. It also told me the White Shadow Order’s overall plan.”

“I say this out of concern, Risir, but it’s not wise to believe the words of devils without question.”

At Maldad’s caution, Valrod nodded in agreement.

“That devil was in Councilor Lan’s possession for some time. Even if it is telling nothing but the truth, the information could have been altered. The time and place of a secret meeting can change frequently, depending on the situation.”

Risir assured them.

“Oh, no need to worry about that.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“Because the information was just obtained.”

“?”

Risir recounted the recent events.

“...”

“...”

“...”

“...”

The three of them, even Lan, all wore expressions full of question marks.

A devil loyal to a human? And willing to sacrifice most of its power to prove that loyalty? Sneaking into a group of devil worshipers to steal their information?

Even a storyteller would be stoned for such a tale. And yet...

“Very well. Coming from you, I’ll believe it.”

They believed him because it was Risir.

At this point, they began to worry. What if they ended up becoming fools who believed anything just because it was related to the name Risir?

Well, a certain Gray Tower mage would be satisfied to find such kindred spirits.

“Will you share the information this devil acquired?”

***Few understood a devil’s nature better than its worshipers.

Knowing how arrogant and self-serving these entities were, the idea of a devil betraying its worshipers and submitting to a human was unthinkable. So, while surprised by Dan’Galeon’s sudden presence moving between the sealing stones, the cultists didn’t question it.

They took the devil’s words at face value and believed that, despite a brief disruption in the ritual, everything was proceeding smoothly. They complied with its request to share information.

In truth, they weren’t obligated to share their plans as Dan’Galeon was only one part of their grand scheme. However...

-How dare you insignificant mortals defy me!!! Since that is the case, I also refuse to cooperate!

Even devil worshipers couldn’t endure the ancient devil’s tantrum. Dan’Galeon ultimately succeeded in extracting their overall plan.

According to that information, on the day of Goldana’s secret meeting, the cultists would launch a coordinated series of operations across Bondalles.

The first of them was the secret meeting with Goldana, who was responsible for Dan’Galeon’s ritual of liberation. A single priest appeared to relay the ritual’s progress.

“It may be just hands and feet for now, but speak a word and I’ll burn your lungs out, cultist scum.”

“...!”

The priest was subdued by Risir and Valrod, lying in wait.

The next plan was to retrieve a fragment of the devil Maltael, stored in a merchant’s warehouse. Another priest was dispatched to infiltrate the manor, eliminate witnesses, and secure the fragment.

“Damn it—what is this...? He was supposed to be an ordinary merchant...Something—something’s happening...You, slave girl! Get out of my—urg!”

That priest was ambushed and overpowered by Maldad and Shakan.

...The malice of a devil had turned against its own worshipers.

***High Priest Dranoff felt a splitting headache.

“...”

The plan, which had been progressing smoothly, was now facing a series of setbacks at the final stage.

It was as though someone was looking down on them from above, stepping on their shadows and toying with them.

After much thought, Dranoff reached an unbelievable conclusion.

A vile traitor lurks among us...

Anyone who could leak the overall plan had to be a priest or higher, but he could think of no one who fit that description—the priests around him were all devout individuals with unwavering faith.

He needed guidance.

O Lord Maltael...

The devil he served remained silent, as the rituals had yet to be sufficiently completed.

In the end, he sought guidance from another higher being.

“Dan’Galeon. Varda’s contact, who was supposed to meet with Goldina, has gone silent. And now, even Gashuel, who was in charge of retrieving Lord Maltael’s fragment...Do you have any idea what might be going on?”

-Actually, Goldina had received a tip from Varda.

“What kind of tip?”

-According to her, there have been suspicious movements from Podran as of late. If Podran makes an approach, it would be wise to stay cautious.

“...!”

Podran was one of the three priests Dranoff had brought to Bondalles, and one of his own disciples.

“No, that is impossible!”

-Then who is it? Who is sabotaging our grand plan from within?

“...”

The White Shadow Order was one, yet not one.

Within the Order, countless factions existed, and among them were several that not only opposed each other but treated each other like mortal enemies.

It can’t be...

Podran was certainly his disciple, but not exclusively loyal.

Lafita, that bitch...

Dranoff chewed his lips. The devil’s voice had planted the seed of doubt, and it began to sprout.

-Goldana is also facing difficulties. Constant interference. It’s time you took action, Dranoff.

The devil worshiper nodded in silent agreement.

***-Mastah! He’s alone now!

“Wasn’t there supposed to be another priest? You said even that high priest by himself would be difficult to handle.”

-The fools sought to kill each other over my manipulation! Because of that, even the last remaining high priest is wounded! If you’re going to strike, now is the time!

“Really?”

-Please remember! This is all thanks to me, Mastah’s loyal servant Dan’Galeon!

“Oh, I’ll remember. ‘Course I will.”

-WAAAARGH!!! THE ECSTASY!!!

The black—no, gray mist within the crystal orb churned.

“Did you hear that, everyone? Let’s set out immediately.”

“...”

Is this really how we should be dealing with devil worshipers? I mean, who’s the real worshiper here?

The others felt a pang of conscience along with a sudden identity crisis.

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