Dark Fantasy: Super Coward Mode

“Black Lion.”

“Yes, Deputy Director.”

The Deputy Director roamed around Rondan and found the Black Lion, who was running around.

He had checked the entire Rondan, and this was the last place.

“Has everyone put on the Mental Protection Helmet?”

“Yes, the check has been completed.”

Descent of the Interrogator.

If he thought about that time, they were all crumbled by the red mist without any chance.

Considering that, the Deputy Director concluded that he had to set at least minimal devices to minimize victims.

“Damn Elite Outsider, the domain’s assets are shrinking like a dried-up bean.”

Of course, the issue was that importing Mental Protection Helmets from other domains has tightened the domain’s economy.

“But the economy can be restored, but once a human’s life is gone, it’s the end, isn’t it?”

“You’re right, Black Lion.”

Taking that into consideration, the Deputy Director made a tough decision.

Above all, the knights had to hold on.

“Tanton.”

The Deputy Director recalled Tanton, who had said he would stop the Interrogator alone, asking him to take care of the domain’s internal defense before leaving for outside of Rondan.

The Interrogator the Deputy Director faced was very strong.

Comparing him to the Elite Outsiders he had fought until now, only that Elite Outsider who laid the groundwork for the Snow Mountain expedition disaster came to mind.

Thus, it was absurd to leave the work only to Tanton, who still held the rank of a trainee knight.

But the Deputy Director allowed it.

The expression Tanton had today reminded him of the times when the Knight Commander made the Elite Outsiders kneel.

He didn’t want to break that confident gaze.

Even if this was Tanton’s last, he wanted to respect that choice.

Above all, it was Tanton, who seemed to make the impossible possible, so he felt like he would solve this smoothly as well.

“Deputy Director! We’ve completed the combat readiness!”

Three alliance leaders rushed to report this to the deep-in-thought Deputy Director.

Given the narrow characteristics of the domain, with only three alliances, it could be assumed that all knights were prepared.

“Finally, all preparations are complete.”

The Deputy Director then ran into the Black Lion’s branch and stood in front of the firewood.

Taking a breath, he shouted loudly.

“Attention all Knights!”

As his voice echoed, the entire Rondan went quiet.

Since an emergency had been declared, the residents had already evacuated to the underground space.

How great must Tanton be to have discovered even that underground space?

“From now on, the Interrogator Defeat Operation will commence. I’m sure you’ve heard the miscellaneous instructions from each commander.”

Not hearing any sounds, he thought everyone had responded, then exhaled shortly, channeling strength to his lower abdomen.

“I command you! Fight with honor! Win! And survive! That is, what illuminates your chivalry!”

The moment his shout ended.

The sky of Rondan began to be covered by the red mist again.

From that red mist, it looked like tens of thousands of Outcast Gods were fluttering their appendages and taking to the sky, while the hidden Children of the Interrogator began to pour out.

Seeing that scene, the Deputy Director closed his eyes, only hoping that the knights from Bandre Village would hold on.

Thunk!

The Deputy Director’s great sword made a loud sound as it was raised high.

Just by that momentum, the surrounding knights focused their attention on the Deputy Director, as his great sword pointed towards the oncoming Outcast Gods like a tsunami.

“Knights, charge!!!”

At those words, the knights roared fiercely and charged forward, following the Deputy Director.

The war had begun.

#

“Master.”

Asti, who had quietly stepped out of Rondan, spoke to me.

“Yeah?”

“Why didn’t you call any knights?”

Just as Asti said, there was no one else around us.

There were several reasons for that.

First, if the Interrogator came to exterminate humans, she would likely pour all her energy into destroying Rondan.

Then, she would first control all the Outcast Gods and hidden children to eliminate the knights.

Due to the characteristics of the Outcast Gods being mere fragments of the Elite Outsider, there must be an immense number, making it much better for all knights to hold off Rondan.

And the second.

“…The more readers there are, the more eyes there are looking for an error.”

To have the Record Keeper’s ‘error’ appear in reality and pass by, I thought there had to be a lot fewer eyes watching.

Though we were perceived as nothing but NPC animals to the Record Keeper, I still wanted to reduce the number of possibilities.

Alright.

For now, the Interrogator hadn’t arrived yet.

Let’s set things up before that.

It’s the unwritten rule to use all sorts of elixirs and buff techniques before the boss fight, right?

Thinking that, I blew the Party Flute, and the first to appear was Bell.

“When this is over, you’re really going to play with me, right!?”

Did she remember what I said before?

Speaking with an eager voice, she looked excited.

“Of course. What could I not do then?”

At that time, I fully intended to play with her.

Upon my words, Bell let out a delightful sound and handed me the puppy-shaped gloves in her hands.

“Huh?”

“Here, I have my eyes here too!”

Following Bell’s words, I inspected the gloves and noticed there were eyes hidden in the fur around the back of the hand.

Ugh, that’s gross.

Even in a deformed state, it was still unsettling.

Wearing this means I could utilize Bell’s Watcher ability.

Once I put on the gloves, Bell made a few happy sounds as if she had done everything and then disappeared.

Okay, that’s settled.

I called the Elite Outsider, who would likely play the most important role in this battle.

Thud.

I felt a familiar squishy sensation on my shoulder, and as soon as I sensed it, a voice came.

“…Are you really trying to beat ‘her’ all by yourself? Isn’t that too arrogant?”

“Me alone? You all are here too.”

At my words, I heard the sound of the Gardener facepalming.

“Do you even know what will happen to your lifespan if you forcefully cram everything into your body?”

Lifespan.

Yeah, what good would it do if I worked hard to save Rondan only to die after?

But on the contrary, even if I maintained my lifespan, if Rondan falls, that too would be pointless.

It’s better to do something than to mourn and do nothing.

“Who knows? The Record Keeper might grant another ‘error.'”

“Ugh. I don’t know anymore.”

Though she said that, I was really grateful for the Gardener’s worrying heart.

I was living a life so excessive.

To repay that excess, I had no choice but to work hard.

#

From within Rondan, the sound of people’s roars and the sound of flapping wings resembling an explosion echoed.

As I suspected, it meant they had begun the invasion from inside Rondan as well.

“Asti, let’s get ready now.”

“Yes.”

At my words, Asti took out a dagger from her bosom.

Confirming that Asti was battle-ready with just that, I nodded.

“Lia.”

At my call, Lia peeked her head out.

Even without anything, it felt like the wind was blowing, and I had the illusion that the falling snow was getting rougher.

“Find your mother.”

Lia pointed her finger into the void and moved her seemingly motionless lips.

“Over there, right above!”

The moment I looked at Lia’s finger position, the Dragon spread its wings and in an instant flew towards the sky.

Then, after drawing the sword given to me by Sintol, the moment Lia swung it towards the air she pointed to—

Schwaaaang!

A terrifying friction sound that seemed like it would break the sword at any moment echoed.

I tried my best to press down with force, but there was no way I could overcome it with strength.

It was as if a transparent barrier was peeling away, and from where I held my sword, the Interrogator appeared, pushing away my sword with a fan.

Without a word, I frowned, while the Interrogator scoffed, and we both stared each other down with our weapons.

We both realized this wouldn’t settle the score and distanced ourselves to land on the ground.

“I never expected you to find me.”

“I had help from my friend.”

I didn’t mention Lia specifically.

I didn’t want to talk about it, and it would be meaningless even if I did.

“…Hahaha!”

The Interrogator laughed for some reason.

As I and Asti watched with serious expressions, she even wiped tears from her eyes with her fingers.

“Truly, you’re the first interesting human I’ve encountered. I’ve never felt this way before to not want to kill someone.”

The Interrogator said that while pointing her finger at me.

“So, how about it? If you dedicate that body to me now, I wouldn’t interfere with the human realm forever.”

If you listen casually, it might sound like a very tempting proposal.

But.

“Tch, I’d rather jump into a dung pit.”

If I thought that way, I wouldn’t be doing this at all.

Above all, I had decided to make this damned bitch pay by sending her straight to hell for the irreversible sins she committed.

“Hmm, what a pity.”

The Interrogator feigned a sad expression, then quickly morphed it into an evil smile.

It was an unpleasant feeling, like watching a manic psychopath.

“If I can’t have you, then I’ll just have to break you.”

With those words, a chilling red aura began to rise from the Interrogator.

I could fully recognize that it signaled the beginning of this fight.

Boss battle.

It begins now.

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