Dark Fantasy: Super Coward Mode

Chapter 121

Hmm.

How did it come to this?

I’d been wandering around the market with Asti, intending to grab a bite to eat before heading to the library. We’d just spotted a cozy-looking restaurant with a delicious aroma when we ran into Hunter.

Or rather, she found us, perhaps intentionally. Her presence was much different from before, and she was eating as if nothing were out of the ordinary.

But something about it didn’t sit right with me. I knew Hunter wasn’t ashamed of her identity, but this sudden, conspicuous change was... baffling. All the times she’d been meticulously covered up—were those just for show?

"Are you not cold, Hunter?" Asti asked nonchalantly. "The market’s exterior isn’t heated, and such... revealing attire isn’t suited for the chilly air."

Nice one, Asti.

I shot her a look of gratitude. The way Hunter dressed now was undeniably... deliberate.

Hunter paused mid-bite, swallowing slowly before glancing at Asti. "Silence, half-Entity. A traitor who chose a man over her mother has no right to criticize."

Crack.

I could practically hear Asti’s patience cracking.

Hunter's blunt dismissal was as sharp as always, cutting straight to the heart of things.

"Hey, Hunter, that’s a bit much...," I tried to interject, but Asti responded, her tone icy.

"Quite true. But still better than living in delusion, forcing yourself on others without their consent."

Whoa, Asti... where was this coming from? Her words were somehow even sharper than Hunter’s.

Hunter stopped eating, her expression as cold as steel. "Are you looking for a fight?"

"You started it."

Both were as calm as could be, yet the tension between them was so thick it practically cut through the air.

Why were they quarreling over a meal?

"L-Let’s calm down, please...," I stammered, hoping to diffuse the situation.

Their gazes turned to me briefly, and after a moment, they both settled back into their meals, though I could tell by their eyes that their quiet standoff had only entered a new phase.

...Ugh, this meal was going to give me indigestion.

After the tense meal, we finally made our way to the library. Hunter, true to her word, immediately started browsing the shelves alone.

“Sir Tanton,” called the librarian as I approached.

“Yes?”

The librarian gestured toward Hunter, his brows furrowed. “Could you ask her to dress more appropriately? She’ll catch a cold.”

“...Of course.”

I had plenty to say, but it was reasonable enough to worry about her attire. Clearly, even the open-minded librarian thought she was pushing it.

Asti, meanwhile, seemed to be taking in the sight of all the books, her eyes curious. She had always kept her head down as my maid, but now her gaze was filled with wonder.

“If there’s anything you want to read, go ahead and check it out.”

“...Oh, thank you.”

“You’re half-Entity, so none of these Entity-written books will hurt you. Feel free to go wild.”

She laughed softly at my joke. It was nice to see her relaxed.

Once Asti wandered off in search of a book, I made my way over to where the Saint was, seated as usual amidst a small mountain of books. He looked up, recognizing my footsteps.

“Sir Tanton!” he greeted warmly, starting to stand.

I waved for him to stay seated, quickly taking a seat across from him.

“How have you been?” he asked.

“Surviving, somehow. Almost got branded a fugitive, but managed to get through it.”

“Oh, that business with the rebels? I heard about that and was furious. To think those fools would slander you... Hunter, of all people!”

“Shh!” I quickly hushed him, fearing Hunter’s nearby presence.

The Saint seemed unbothered, his voice growing even louder with indignation.

“Isn’t it true, though? Sir Tanton is working with the Entities for humanity’s sake! To stop the Giant of the Frozen Peaks and save us all, yes? And yet, they dare label you a traitor? I can’t forgive that!”

I nervously glanced around, but sure enough, I caught sight of Hunter’s calm figure approaching.

“Raydan Tanton.”

I turned to see Hunter standing close, looking down at me with her usual calm demeanor.

I almost let out a “Hiiik!” but managed to stifle it.

“Y-Yes?! Do you need something?”

“Where can I find historical texts?”

“Oh, over that way, by the history section.”

“Understood.”

With that, she walked off, leaving the two of us at the table. I breathed a sigh of relief.

“Sir Tanton?” the Saint whispered. “Who was that woman?”

“Shh!”

Today of all days, he was completely oblivious!

“Oh, by the way.”

"This is where the standard history books end," the Saint explained, summarizing the story for me. As I listened, certain parts struck me as odd.

I already knew from the Princess’s stories that she was a half-Entity, and that the Emperor had had children with an Entity. But a sudden rebellion from the Entity? And why was the story of the Giant of the Frozen Peaks missing?

As I furrowed my brow, the Saint gave a knowing nod.

“Exactly, Sir Tanton. There’s much about this tale that doesn’t add up. And that’s where this book comes in.”

Yes, this is the history most people in Londan know, and it’s largely accurate.

But ‘largely accurate’ can also mean certain details are omitted or presented in ways that alter the reality.

This is what I dispute about Londan’s history books.

First, there was nothing unusual about the Emperor’s inclinations.

After all, at that time...

Entities appeared as humans to everyone.

“Wait... Hold on a second,” I interrupted, stunned.

The Saint merely nodded, as if he’d expected my reaction.

I mean, I’d seen hints of this idea myself. When Asti had been switching between the Inquisitor’s body and her true form, I’d noticed that others saw her in a way similar to how I did.

But that everyone could once see Entities as humans?

"Perhaps you have more questions, but bear with me," he said, resuming his story.

And that High Entity never staged a rebellion.

No, her actions were entirely justified.

Why? Because the Emperor had secretly taken a mistress to satisfy his lust for power.

The High Entity only discovered his infidelity later.

This High Entity, a being of life, was as powerful as the Record Keeper. The Emperor didn’t stand a chance—he died instantly.

Perhaps we should be grateful the world didn’t end then and there.

The Emperor and the High Entity had two daughters. The first, born from their passionate love, gained the power to heal. The second, born when the Emperor’s love had waned, gained the power to drain life.

This... is the true story of our world.

Fortunately, the remainder of the story closely matched what I already knew.

“In any case, this story shows that you’re on the path to uncovering deeper truths, Sir Tanton,” the Saint said with a warm smile, though I only felt more unsettled.

The story’s ending left me uneasy. Sure, I could accept that people once saw Entities as humans.

But there was no explanation for how that perception had shifted, nor for why people now see Entities as monstrous beings. And what about the Observer—a figure Entities are silent about, and that humanity has seemingly forgotten?

"Saint, have you ever come across any information on the Observer?"

“Not at all, I’m afraid. I’ve never seen that name in any book.”

A being shrouded in secrecy among Entities, forgotten by humans, yet powerful enough to avoid disrupting the world order...

The Observer might just be the missing key to this patchy story.

And the fleeting image of a woman that had been haunting my thoughts recently...

I still had much to learn. And if I intended to face such powerful Entities, I, too, would need to grow stronger.

"Thank you, Saint."

“Anytime, Sir Tanton.”

“Oh, and do you have any books on the principles of how Entities grow stronger?”

“Ah, yes. Over there on the far shelf.”

I headed in the direction he pointed.

The details I’d learned today were enough to spur me on. Perhaps it was time to consult that old hermit who kept going on about the Observer.

The visit to the library had yielded valuable information, and for the first time, I felt as though I was finally nearing the truth.

The people of Londan had suffered long enough. It was time they found some measure of peace. And I would be the one to secure it for them.

As I resolved this in my heart, I felt someone link their arm through mine.

"...?"

It was Hunter, casually locking arms with me and trying to lead me somewhere.

"H-Hunter? What exactly are you doing?"

“I overheard that conversation with the Saint. You humans are far too influenced by Entities.”

Wha-What?

This has nothing to do with that!

I struggled, but Hunter just held on, her grip firm. Thankfully, Asti came over, tugging my other arm to free me.

“This is abduction.”

“Not if he agrees to it.”

“Clearly, he doesn’t.”

“If I get his consent later, it’ll count.”

Where was she getting this confidence?

Despite Hunter’s absurdity, Asti finally managed to pull me free.