I Became a Dark Fantasy Villain "The doldrums. Just the name sounds terrifying. You’d be stuck in the middle of the ocean, left to die." At the voice piercing his ears, Sanford regained consciousness. Not opening his eyes or moving immediately was a half-instinctive choice. Of course, it was also due to the throbbing pain in his face and left arm, and the unfamiliar woman's voice he had just heard. "The Southern seas of the continent are interesting, but what’s more surprising is that the entire fleet decided to follow the Black Wall." ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭•𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘦•𝘯𝘦𝘵 Another woman’s voice followed, carrying a strange familiarity. In an instant, memories from before he lost consciousness flooded Sanford’s mind: the chaotic gambling den, the searing pain in his left arm, the suffocating pressure that bound him, the sensation of being hurled through the air, a massive palm filling his vision—and beyond it all, those terrifying eyes. "Back then, I don’t think it was even known that the Black Wall formed a giant curve." Sanford finally realized the identity of the voice that had just spoken. The masked attendant had been gleefully beating up the thugs. Overshadowed only by that monstrous knight, she was just as inhuman in her own way. Dragged into their den, then. Damn it. While cursing inwardly, Sanford remained motionless and checked his condition first. His face felt swollen. Breathing was difficult, and he had lost a tooth. From the feel of his tongue, it seemed to have been pulled out cleanly. He was tied to the chair he was sitting on, his whole body bound tightly with a stiff rope. At least his left arm was outside the ropes, but it was still immobilized. It seemed to be splinted and heavily bandaged. Sanford barely swallowed the groan that threatened to escape his lips from the pain he felt with just a slight movement. "Maybe they thought if they just kept going, the Wall would eventually end." This time, the voice came from his right. Even with his eyes closed, Sanford could tell it belonged to a fairy—the grating tone and sharp, clipped pronunciation were unmistakably that of a pointy-ear. "That’s possible. Is that right?" said the masked attendant. "It seems it was both." That polite, measured answer made Sanford’s eyelid twitch—it was Hashim. The damned Vantruian brute had been captured too, and was now spilling their past as if it were nothing. "So? You said you kept going even after entering the doldrums." "The food was dwindling, and the crew’s stamina was reaching its limit. A ship of that size was never meant to be rowed for long periods in the first place." Damn fool, some secrets are meant for the grave. Sanford clicked his tongue inwardly. Then again, if he hadn't spoken, this place would have become the man's grave. "However, the captain didn’t keep his promise. He insisted there must be an end, that we would return after completing the Imperial order. The look in his eyes back then still appears in my dreams sometimes." In any case, it wasn’t entirely a bad thing for Sanford. It seemed everyone was focused on Hashim’s story. Besides, it looked like that monstrous paladin sent by the Duke was conveniently absent. Moving slowly, Sanford wriggled the right hand hanging beneath the ropes and cracked one swollen eye open. His lids puffed enough that the slitted gaze wouldn’t be noticed. "It sounds like the Black Wall possessed him," added the masked attendant. Sanford snapped his eyes shut again—he’d glimpsed the massive legs of someone sitting directly opposite him. Even as he bit his lip hard, Sanford immediately recognized the identity of the person sitting across from him. It wasn't strange that they had been silent, as they were a taciturn race. What was stranger was their combination: a paladin, a masked attendant, an elf, and an orc. Who the hell are these people? And what is the Duke thinking? Sanford immediately shook off the question that reflexively crossed his mind. It wasn’t his business. The priority was to escape from here. He would think about how to rescue Hashim later. "True. Staring at that thing in the middle of the vast ocean could drive anyone mad. I hear just looking at it for too long can taint you with madness." "Not everyone. However, the captain’s sense of duty and pressure must have been as great as his fear, so there was more room for madness to seep in." Sanford’s right hand, which had been fumbling in his sleeve, finally stopped moving. He had grasped the hilt of a dagger hidden in the lining of his sleeve. As expected, they hadn't searched him that thoroughly. Carefully, he drew it free. "So, did you stage a mutiny?" "That wasn’t our intention at first. But the archipelago’s ships began ignoring orders and turning back. We used that as a pretext to persuade the captain." "It didn’t work, I assume." "No. In the end, the captain made his choice. I was the first mate then." Letting the conversation flow in one ear and out the other, Sanford carefully rubbed the blade against the rope. The rope was strangely tough, resisting even steel. Sweat beaded on his brow as he concentrated every ounce of will into the subtle motion of his wrist. "I doubt he was the only one tainted with madness. You were lucky." "It was a bloody fight. A memory I don’t even want to recall." "So is that why you couldn’t go back to the mainland? Whatever the reason, you committed mutiny." "It wasn’t because of that. We thought we could just explain the situation. We only realized that wasn’t the case after we arrived in the South." "How naïve. Ah, right, I get it now. Instead of sending you back to the mainland, the Duke kept you around and used you. Right?" "Yes. Back then, we thought it would only be for a few times—" It was then that the sound of a door bursting open echoed from behind Sanford. Sanford hastily hid the dagger with his hand. The rope was so strong that it remained uncut. "Did you eat your fill?" The reply to the fairy was that of the black-haired knight from yesterday. As Sanford unconsciously bit his lower lip, the paladin, having closed the door, walked over leisurely and added, "Thanks to you causing trouble, the waitress was sighing deeply." "That, as I said, I couldn’t help it. They were talking nonsense loud enough for everyone to hear," the fairy said with a click of her tongue. The paladin let out a low chuckle. "For your ears not to hear it, they’d have to not speak at all." "Even Mukapa could hear it. Anyway, no one died, and I compensated them handsomely, so it’s fine." "Yeah, well, it’s a relief you didn’t kill anyone," the paladin muttered in resignation and walked past Sanford. Sanford held his breath and remained perfectly still. As the paladin thankfully passed him by, the fairy added, "Compared to the mess outside, mine was just a small bit of fun." "And from the sound of it, you were enjoying a lively little talk just now." "It’s even informative. I learned our one-eyed guest here used to be an officer in the Imperial fleet." "Aha…" With an exclamation devoid of any interest, the paladin walked to the opposite side. Sanford swallowed hard. He’d have to keep feigning unconsciousness until another opportunity came. At some point, surely, this monster would leave the room again. "He’s practically a living witness to history. The Imperial pioneer fleet is known to have been completely wiped out. The Empire, recognizing the danger, delegated all sea routes pioneering to the archipelago. Isn’t it surprising that there was actually a survivor?" said the masked attendant, eagerly. "Not at all. It seems skipping a meal was worth it, Lucy," the paladin replied, then gulped something down. Judging by the spreading aroma, it was wine. And very expensive wine at that. "Of course! I almost missed this interesting story." "Well, I guess there’s no need to doubt his sailing skills. So, is he still asleep?" "No, he woke up a while ago. It was funny watching him quietly fidget by himself, so I just left him. This big guy’s story was interesting too." The fairy’s subsequent answer was enough to make Sanford’s blood run cold. "You and your twisted sense of humor…" A voice laced with laughter drew closer. As Sanford unknowingly let out a low sigh, the voice of the orc who had stood up from the chair echoed. "He seems to have a blade in his right hand." "Really? Well, did he manage to cut the rope at all?" the paladin, who had sat down on the orc’s chair, asked in a casual tone. Sanford raised his head with a bitter smile on his lips. "Couldn’t cut it at all. This rope is very tough. What on earth is it made of?" "As far as I know, it’s made by twisting the sinews of demonic beasts." "Yeah. There’s a place where even rabbits eat people." Sanford blinked blankly. The paladin said nothing more and brought the wine bottle to his lips. As he drank the fragrant wine, Sanford slowly shifted his gaze. It was because he felt the gaze of the gray orc standing behind the paladin. Of course, the orc didn't reply, but Sanford pretended not to notice and looked away. The view outside the window was gloomy. Either dawn had yet to break, or he’d been unconscious for half a day or more. "Nice to meet you, Captain." On the right wall, where beds were lined up, the silver-haired fairy sitting on the largest bed in the center offered a greeting. She had one leg crossed and a mischievous, fairy-like smile on her lips. Sanford quickly curled his lips as well. "Nice to meet you, my lady." "Yes, Eld—… Elder?" Sanford’s eyes widened for a moment as he replied. Elder fairies were not only famous for being particularly vicious among the pointy-ears, but they were also a rare sight. It was then that the red-haired girl leaning next to the Elder tilted her head. "We’ve met before, right? I’m glad you woke up safely. I was worried you might have a problem with your head." "My head does hurt a little," Sanford replied blankly. He had expected it from her voice, but her face had just shed its youthful look. The thought that the red-haired girl might also be an apostle of a god flashed through his mind. While he exchanged glances with Hashim, who sat stiffly across from them like a fresh recruit on his bed, the knight cut in abruptly, "So, are you willing to take us now?" Startled, Sanford turned to him and nodded. "O-Of course! I will escort you safely to the mainland." "The quest completion notification didn’t pop up." At another incomprehensible remark, Sanford’s eyes unknowingly contorted. What was more surprising was that this paladin had accurately seen through his true intentions. "This is your last chance, Sanford. It would be wise to answer honestly from now on." The paladin, who had spoken and handed the wine bottle to the orc behind him, slowly leaned his upper body toward Sanford. "One more lie, and your Vantruian friend here will be the new captain. And you? You’ll be going back to that gambling den. The boss there is dying to see you again." Sanford couldn’t look away, as if captivated by his eyes. The deep black eyes were those of a seasoned killer, common in this city. The fact that he was in light clothing, unlike yesterday, did nothing to lessen the intimidation. Coming to his senses with a start, Sanford hurriedly said, "I-If you kill me, His Excellency the Duke will not let it slide! All this time, I’ve been doing his work—" "I don’t care what that man does," the paladin cut him off. "What? But you’re his knight, aren’t you?" Sanford, who had asked a beat later, finally had his expression twist slightly. "You’re not?" The paladin nodded. He was smiling with just a slight pull of his lips. Of course, his eyes weren’t smiling at all, which only added to the creepiness. Sanford’s heart sank. "Th-That man may be my first mate, but he’s not ready to captain yet!" He panted, scrambling for words. "A captain has to consider many things. The wind, the currents, the condition of the crew, and the ship. On top of that, he must be able to read the mood of the sea and the passengers. Especially in these chaotic times. Isn’t that right, Hashim?" "Yes? Uh, that’s right." Hashim nodded, receiving Sanford’s desperate gaze. Though he seemed to have answered in a daze, with a strangely reluctant expression, he said, "Captain is indeed a good-for-nothing human. But his skills are outstanding. That he’s still alive is proof of that." "Is that so?" The paladin nodded readily and then added nonchalantly. "Then I’ll have to send you to the gambling den with him and find a new captain. If I offer your ship as payment, I’m sure people will be lining up for the job."