Crimson Servant

Francis never thought of himself as a good person. He just wanted to make himself special so that he would not be confused with his own people in the eyes of others.

He would not force the virtue of repaying evil with kindness. The martial arts he acquired in his dark childhood were used to shut others up when they were grinning. Francis cherished friendship, but he was not afraid of hostility.

It was precisely because he was born as a member of the dark elves that Francis had a deeper disappointment in the possibility that his people might become better. He understood what kind of person an ignorant child would become after receiving education in the dark elf city. The twisted teachings in those dungeons that could be called brainwashing were enough to turn every newborn into their vicious counterparts.

Dark elves were born as slaves of the spider goddess Rose. This mark was deeper than the vast slave community in the dark elf society. Rose's malice flowed in the blood of the dark elves. It was difficult to escape from this web.

Francis believed that if he had not seen a bright future with these eyes, he would have become a monster in the dark like other tribesmen. Those beautiful visions that were once untouchable seemed too dazzling at the time, and this desire became his motivation to leave the Dark Region.

And this blessing from heaven led him back here.

Francis would not take the initiative to attack those dark elves, just like he treated those dark elves in the Dark City, but there was no legend of "Dark Expelling" in the Dark Region. Francis believed that those high-minded people encountered his team and were not deterred by his military power in advance. Their arrogance in thinking that they were in charge of the Dark Region would cause the scene to become "bloody" as John said.

But as Francis often did, he would not stop others from hitting their necks against his knife.

The two people who were quite confident in their personal strength had already begun to plan and allocate the number of kills, while on the other side, Dalia, who was not very confident, was receiving psychological comfort from Lucien.

The hole leading to the underworld was like a ball of darkness that swallowed Dalia's sight. As long as the children were a little older, they would be told by adults about the evils of the underworld. A group of black-skinned elves would run out from the underground. They were in the company of ugly goblin monsters and came to the surface only to bring blood and killing. Dalia remembered that when she was a child, she was scared by the "ghost stories" told by her mother and huddled in the quilt. Before she took on the responsibility of the Snow family, the demons in the stories were what she feared the most.

The ghost stories were true, and now she had to go deep into the devil's cave. This was the current situation that Dalia had to face. She blamed her missing brother for going to that dangerous place, and was even more worried about his possible fate.

"Dalia." In Lucien's voice came from the side.

"I'm not nervous!" The priest almost screamed this voice. Dalia turned her head and looked at the illusionist who appeared beside her with a blushing face. He was keeping his usual smile, and there was not much teasing in his eyes.

Dalia was the first to lose. Perhaps because he felt that his retreat was against the dignity of his family, the young priest couldn't help shrinking his neck and playing with his fingers with his hands behind his back.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Lucien. I have always entrusted you to investigate the incident of Hongbing and begged you to take me to join the team. Now you are showing such an unqualified side..."

Lucien looked at the young priest in front of him and keenly noticed the difference between Dalia and ordinary adventurers. She was not confident enough and her face was too thin. No matter what, it was not conducive to teamwork. Lucien turned his head to look at the father and son who were discussing the killing spree, and wondered in his heart whether the performance of his colleagues put too much pressure on the fledgling Dalia.

It was difficult for anyone to remain confident in front of the Veltis Warlock and the Dark Exterminator. It seemed that his previous prank was not enough to break their impression of the strong in Dalia's heart. Excessive awe is a negative trait for the adventure team. The activities of adventurers are to trust each other and rely on each other to go deep into dangerous environments. Companions should not be bound by this special relationship derived from this social hierarchy.

I have to increase my efforts.

The hand that was originally intended to stroke the little priest's head was clenched into a fist and gently hit Dalia's head, because Lucien looked seriously at his companion who still had a lot of room for growth.

"Do you know what the biggest gap between you and them is?"

"Strength?" Dalia murmured in her throat. Whether it was Francis's martial arts or John's knowledge reserves, she could not match them.

"It's courage."

The illusionist raised his head as if he understood, so that Dalia, who was shorter than him, would not see his eyes drifting.

"The Underdark is a dangerous place. The dangers it hides are enough to level out external factors such as strength gaps. For here, Dalia, you and John are in the same situation. We must work together sincerely to survive. You are a priest... You can heal, right?"

"A little." Dalia said unconfidently. She had forgotten when she last healed a wound. Since she received the heir education, her holy book has been put in the cupboard for several years.

"Here, this is your advantage. They don't know how to heal!" Lucien said firmly, not mentioning Francis's prophecy-level dodge and John's abnormal self-healing of flesh and blood. "If they encounter an accident, they will need your magic to save them. Everyone in this team is necessary."

Dalia nodded thoughtfully, believing the magician's encouragement. Her eyes gradually sparkled and she looked at Inlucien expectantly.

"As long as you are no longer afraid of the Underdark, you will have courage, or from another perspective, your companions are your courage, Dalia, aren't they enough for you to stand up straight?"

Following the magician's finger, Dalia looked at the dark elves and warlocks who were watching boredly on the side. Although his back was facing them, Francis suddenly paused, then drew out his two swords and performed a gorgeous blade dance on the spot.

The warlock stood aside, confused by the dark elves' inexplicable improvisation. Under Francis' stare, he raised his hand hesitantly and clapped twice dryly.

Yes, they are very powerful.

Dalia thought.

"But, what if we separate? I'm still that ordinary priest."

"Adventurers are not of the same level of strength. They are all ordinary people exploring the unknown. It's not shameful to rely on external forces. It's common to face challenges beyond one's ability."

Lucian took out a beautiful ruby ​​brooch, the bright color in the center seemed to drip blood. This was the trophy that the illusionist took from the vampire assassins.

"This is for you. This is a magic prop that has the ability to charm humanoid creatures, enough to make up for your last shortcoming."

Dalia took the illusionist's gift. She was thinking about how a charm prop would make up for her own shortcomings.

"Will this buy me time for your rescue?"

Lucian shook his head and smiled.

"This will let Lady Leila of the Mist Shadow bless you."

The illusionist's unique explanation suddenly disturbed the solemn atmosphere around, and Dalia couldn't help but chuckle.

She put the brooch on her clothes and said with a smile.

"Well, I have got the courage."

"Thank you, Inlucian, may Lady Mist Shadow bless you."