Dark Fantasy: Super Coward Mode

Chapter 93

Everyone was bewildered by Asti’s sudden behavior, but after hearing her reasoning, I understood.

"If only I had stopped it sooner...."

In short, she knew that some cultists remained but had been delayed by making sure there were no more of the Inquisitor's minions around. If one of them had shown up during Asti's plan, it would have been an immediate disaster.

"So you were there with the cultists...."

"...."

Recalling that moment, Asti's expression took on the look of someone about to be judged for a crime.

Two things became clear.

First, unlike the others, Asti had resisted the Inquisitor to some extent. If she hadn’t, she would have tried to kill me from the beginning. But Asti always left an opening, a chance to avoid or block.@@@@

And during the battle with the Dragon Slayer, she had even asked me not to hate her.

Second, there was a sense of urgency in her now, as if she were being pursued and running out of time.

It felt ominous, but it was better to know and prepare than face the unknown.

"Asti."

"...Yes."

"Show me."

"...!"

She must have guessed what I was asking about, as her expression changed to one of shock.

"You have that mark, don't you? Just like the others."

"How did you...?"

If not, there was no reason for her sudden actions. The Inquisitor was likely starting to notice something off about her, and if she were still under his influence, he could make her disappear at any moment.

It seemed I had struck a nerve. She lowered her head in silence.

After a moment, she stood up and cautiously lifted her skirt.

As the hem reached her thigh...

"...."

I saw it.

The same mark I’d seen carved into another, the one that had tried to escape interrogation by slamming down on it.

She must have thought I hadn’t noticed it here.

It saddened me.

What sort of greed could lead someone to torment these children, even pushing them to self-destruction?

"Asti."

"...."

"You fought hard on your own."

I reached out and gently patted her head.

Perhaps she thought it was too much, as tears began to fall from her chin.

I didn't say anything about it.

I just hoped my actions could provide her with some comfort.

"I’ll go with you."

"What?"

Now calmed down, Asti looked up at me with a determined expression.

She wanted to come along on the day the Inquisitor would strike.

"You may not know this, but I was once as small as that little one you carry around."

"...What?"

I didn’t understand at first, but then memories clicked into place. When we went to purge the cultists, hadn’t that kid avoided using Foreign Entity powers?

I thought it was just part of their abilities, but it seemed they were at a transitional stage of becoming a full Foreign Entity.

"Absorbing the power of other Foreign Entities lets me turn into a human. I don’t know exactly why. My mother’s power is tied to ‘pain,’ which allows her to manipulate almost anything. She gave me free will in a way she didn’t grant the others."

Belle curled up beside me like a dog, letting me rest against her side.

...It felt a bit like giving up my humanity, but hearing her contented ‘heh-heh’ made it bearable, as I reassured myself that it was okay.

But the most surprising was the gardener.

"...?"

"What are you waiting for? Rest already."

She stood there, arms open but looking away.

The gardener was smaller compared to the others, so resting with her felt like holding a body pillow.

"If you don’t want to, then forget it."

Seeing her about to withdraw, I gave in.

Honestly, I knew that if I slept alone, I’d have nightmares.

With nightmares, I’d thrash around, and my sleep quality would plummet.

...Just to be clear, this has nothing to do with my desires.

It’s all about efficiency, and they’re the ones who wanted to do this.

I approached her, embraced her, and lay down.

The gardener had planned this; her cloak turned into a soft bed beneath me, transforming the ground into a cozy nest.

"Oh."

"Stop overthinking it and go to sleep."

As I closed my eyes, fatigue hit me hard.

The soft ground and the warmth, softness, and comfort of the gardener were soothing.

And so, I drifted off to sleep.

"...Idiot."

I heard the faint laughter in her voice as I ended another day.

Those fourteen days, I wasted none of them, dedicating every moment to growth.

The result?

"Oh."

Like White Mask, I could unleash a swift, precise strike with my sword.

"You’re a monster. I’ve never seen anyone absorb lessons this quickly and return unscathed the next day."

"Haha, thank you."

White Mask gave me a thumbs-up, though I felt a little guilty attributing my success entirely to the Foreign Entities’ help.

But still.

I had done it.

Finally succeeded.

"Then, I’m off."

"Good."

I told the knights that I would fight alone, that they didn’t need to join me.

The Inquisitor would likely scatter hidden Foreign Entities to destroy Londan.

It would take the entire knighthood to stop them, and the hunters would undoubtedly assist.

"Master."

This was our fight, mine and Asti’s.

Because it was her mother, and I had to protect Londan.

I would destroy that damned Foreign Entity.

"Let’s go, Asti."

"Yes."

And this would be the tale of a knight’s success.