Dark Fantasy: Super Coward Mode

The information provided by the Saint was quite significant, so I immediately went to inform the Knight Commander.

Although it wasn’t confirmed yet, it was still useful enough to keep in mind.

At the same time, I shared the planned route we had coordinated with the divine beings. The Knight Commander nodded as if he understood.

“So, the knights of Lontan will provide support while you advance. Then, while we draw attention, you approach the Giant of the Snowy Mountain. That sums it up, right?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“Simple and straightforward. Well, to be honest, that’s about all you need to do anyway.”

The Knight Commander stroked his chin thoughtfully with his fingers.

“To think that the falling snowflakes are all fragments of the Giant’s Lesser Divines. It never even crossed my mind since they were naturally falling from the sky.”

He spoke as if mocking himself, but throughout human history, it’s often the simplest things that lead to failure.

Many inventions fail to work despite being built to specification, only to suddenly function after tightening a single screw.

It’s not incompetence—it’s simply a lack of realization.

“What matters is that we now know the solution. I think it’s important to honor those who sacrificed themselves in the past and continue their legacy.”

Did my words of comfort reach him?

The Knight Commander nodded a few times before lifting his head with a smile.

“Thank you for the kind words. Right, dwelling on the past isn’t exactly productive.”

After wrapping up the brief conversation, I left the Knight Order’s headquarters.

*****

“So those snowflakes were fragments all along? No wonder no one could figure it out.”

“If they’re just fragments spat out by a half-wit, their energy would be faint. To humans, they’d feel like ordinary snowballs.”

Phaura seemed flustered as she spoke, while Fiore responded with an understanding tone.

If only it weren’t for the so-called flow of the universe, we could’ve resolved this ages ago.

After all, the divine beings are the ones manipulating everything behind the scenes, aren’t they? Couldn’t they just shape things as they see fit?

If they’re so worried about humanity’s destruction, why not just protect the entire human race?

“Lifeforms that lose autonomy are bound to perish.”

Aphta spoke up.

“Survival and growth require adhering to instincts. That’s why humanity managed to endure even in these extreme conditions.”

That was true enough.

If humans hadn’t grown stronger in advance, they wouldn’t have stood a chance against such shocks—they would’ve been wiped out instantly.

And if humanity had perished, other ecosystems would’ve followed.

…Though, if you think about it, we’re technically surviving thanks to the Princess. Doesn’t that also count as relying on a Greater Divine?

“Forget her. She’s a half-wit.”

Fiore dismissed the thought so naturally that it almost felt absurd.

At this point, couldn’t the flow of the universe just be altered like rearranging pieces?

Like how metal can become a vessel, a weapon, or a farming tool depending on how it’s shaped.

This kind of thinking always gave me a headache, which is why I never bothered studying divine beings in depth.

Back then, coexisting with them was enough. Not knowing the details didn’t cause any issues.

“So, now that the plan is in place, where are you off to?”

Zumya asked.

I smiled faintly.

There were plenty of good people around me, but no one could give me the same sense of security as family.

So before taking on a major task, I figured I’d go and gather some strength from them.

*****

I went to see my grandfather.

I thought the place would still be empty, but it seemed word had spread about our mission to confront the Second Princess.

There were quite a few people gathered.

My grandfather stood before them with his hands raised above his head.

For someone who had once seemed so unreliable, he now looked every bit like the bishop of a legitimate religion.

“The Observer continues to watch over us even today. It is by the Observer’s grace that we survive another day. So let us pray.”

There were no specific prayers or chants.

Everyone simply clasped their hands and bowed their heads in silence.

Hmm.

Even as family, interrupting a moment like this didn’t seem right.

Since I was already here, I quietly took a seat and joined them in prayer.

Hmm.

What should I pray for?

Ah, Oko.

Please, I beg you—when all this is over, grant me peace!

…Not that Oko could actually do anything about it.

Actually, knowing Oko’s personality, there was a good chance he’d join in the chaos instead.

Ugh.

What a headache.

I wasn’t sure how long we had been sitting there when the faint sound of rustling clothes reached my ears.

It seemed people had started raising their heads.

Following their lead, I lifted mine as well.@@novelbin@@

My grandfather, who had been bowing his head until the very end, slowly looked up and smiled at his congregation.

“I sincerely hope the prayers you’ve offered to the Observer will be answered. Oh, Observer, may our prayers reach you.”

“May they reach you.”

Hmm.

Even if he’s my grandfather, this whole scene still felt a bit cult-like.

But since we knew Oko actually existed, it technically wasn’t a cult anymore.

With that, the prayer session concluded.

The attendees stood up, looking somewhat lighter as they left the building.

Once the room was empty, my grandfather finally turned his gaze toward me.

Upon recognizing me, he smiled warmly and walked over.

“…You’ve come, Tanthan.”

*****

I entered my grandfather’s private room and chewed on the bread he handed me.

Shortly after, he brought drinks and sat down in front of me.

He gazed at me with a warm smile, but that smile soon turned somber.

“I heard you’re joining the expedition to the Snowy Mountain.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“…I believe you’ll be fine since you’re under the Observer’s blessing… but I can’t help worrying.”

“Grandfather.”

For someone who lived and breathed faith, it was rare to hear such weakness in his voice.

I decided to say something that might ease his concerns.

“Oko is alive.”

“I know.”

“And I’ve found a way to bring Oko back into this world.”

“…!”

My grandfather’s eyes widened.

“But not right now. In the end, I have to go on this expedition to make it possible to bring Oko back.”

“…Don’t tell me—will your sacrifice be required for this to happen?”

“Probably not. If everything goes according to plan, no one has to die.”

I thought my words would reassure him, but his expression remained clouded with worry.

He looked at me for a long moment, then reached out to gently hold my hand.

“The Observer’s existence means a great deal to me. But losing you in the process… there would be no greater folly.”

Despite the trembling of his hands, his eyes carried a resolute determination as he met my gaze.

“Survive. Make sure you survive and return with the Observer to save this world.”

Save the world, huh?

I wasn’t someone grand enough to take on that kind of role.

But restoring the world to the way it was—maybe that was something I could do, as long as everyone worked together.

I didn’t give him an answer. Instead, I held his gaze with the same seriousness reflected in his eyes.

*****

D - 30

The knights began training to counter the Second Princess.

Most of the training focused on enduring extreme cold, helping them develop the mental strength to keep advancing even if frozen by her power.

D - 15

I got beaten up by White Mask like a dog on a midsummer day.

If I pushed myself to the limit, I might be stronger than him now—but in terms of pure swordsmanship, I couldn’t keep up at all.

To think I was once considered one of Lintpia’s ace knights, yet I couldn’t even scratch him.

Lost in these thoughts, I took another hit from White Mask.

That day, I ended up leaning on Phaura for help once again.

D - 7

The Princess forced herself to retrieve weapons from the armory.

Most of them were protective gear—armor imbued with strong resistance to the cold.

It seemed the armor carried the Princess’s energy, providing exceptional defense.

But when the knights put them on, they complained it was so warm it felt more like heatstroke training than cold-resistance training.

That day, I witnessed the Vice Commander lose her temper for the first time.

Watching from afar, it was downright entertaining.

D - 1

“Are you ready?”

“I’m ready.”

“So am I.”

The Hunter and Asti answered firmly, their voices brimming with determination.

It seemed the hope of finally escaping this endless struggle had put strength into their words.

Once this was over, the Hunter could stop being a vengeance-driven killer and live as a normal woman.

And Asti would finally have the freedom to choose her own path.

I handed the Hunter one of the armory’s protective suits.

Only those with the qualifications of a knight could take items from the armory, but it was different if I was the one passing it on.

When the Hunter put it on, the image of her stoic expression paired with the ridiculously adorable outfit almost made me burst out laughing.

“What’s so funny?”

“Oh, nothing… you just look cute.”

I said it to tease her, but for some reason, the Hunter turned her gaze away and scratched her cheek with her finger.

Wait.

What was that reaction?

Feeling an inexplicable chill at her behavior, I decided to ignore it.

“L-Let’s head out. The knights should be waiting.”

*****

We stepped outside and saw countless knights gathered, prepared for the Snowy Mountain expedition.

The sheer number was overwhelming, but it also gave me hope that this was finally the end.

“Looks like everyone’s here.”

As the Knight Commander scanned the group, a large formation approached from the entrance to Lontan.

When I looked closely, I recognized the knights—they were from the Duke’s territory.

A man who appeared to be their commander approached our Knight Commander, bowed, and then spoke.

“When the Empire’s hope steps forward, it’d be ridiculous for us to stand back. May we join you?”

But that wasn’t all.

Knights from Lintpia.

Knights from territories I hadn’t even had the chance to visit.

A massive army of knights stood before Lontan, raising their spears high.

“For the Empire’s radiant future!”

“Clear the path for Muji Absoluta!”

Humanity, long cowering in fear, was finally rising in rebellion.

And at the center of it all—

A thief, a hunter, and a lunatic stood together.