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WE ARE SOOOOO BACK💙💙

Ring Schwartz Main Story: Chapter 1

This is a fan-made translation solely for entertainment purposes with no guaranteed perfection; expect mistakes, grammatical errors, and some creative liberties. All original content and media used belongs to Cybird. Please support the game by buying their stories and playing their games. Reblogs appreciated.

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— I want to be strong.

Strong enough to protect the people I care about from any dangers that may come their way.

Strong enough to never be the one to wipe the smile from their faces again.

Strong enough to take back everything I lost because of my weakness.

To be stronger than anyone else — that was the only thing I wished for.

The one who responded to the Black Swan’s wish was a devil clad in white — Rothbart.

The Black Swan could take on any form the devil wanted — a beautiful white swan, a knight who swears to protect his comrades… even a guard dog that mercilessly eliminates enemies.

"Pass auf dich auf"

"Alles klar"

— Controlled by the devil, the Black Swan takes flight again today.

…

Kate: Victor, here’s the report for yesterday’s mission.

Victor: You’ve completed it already? Thank you. Well then… for the lovely lady who submitted her report right on time, I should prepare a reward!

Kate: A reward…?

Victor: How about a Victor Special, scones with extra butter?

Kate: Wow, absolutely!

I had no reason to refuse his offer, if it meant I could have those scones.

And so, with delicious tea and sweets, our little tea party began…

After some lighthearted chatter, Victor suddenly brought on another topic.

Victor: It’s been a week since you came to Crown. How are you holding up, Kate?

That was when I realised this was the real reason he invited me to have tea.

(He was mindful to ease me into it by first creating a pleasant atmosphere, so the conversation wouldn’t immediately turn heavy.)

Grateful for Victor’s thoughtfulness, my mind recalled the whirlwind of events that have happened so far.

Having unintentionally stumbled upon the secret existence of Crown, an organisation of assassins under direct command of Her Majesty the Queen, I was brought to their base where I would live for one month as their “Fairytale Keeper” and make records of their sins.

In the past week, I had been accompanying the members of Crown on their missions, writing down their day to day activities and sinful deeds.

… Even now, I still can’t deny that I’m bewildered by how entirely different this new life is from anything I’d known before.

But the fear that sent chills straight to my bones that I felt at the start had slowly subsided as time passed.

The biggest reason being that in the span of one week, I’d seen them laugh, grieve, and rage like any other person.

It made me realise that, all things aside, the members of Crown were still living and breathing human beings.

Kate: I think I’m slowly getting used to life here and my work as a Fairytale Keeper.

Victor: That’s great.

Victor’s lips lifted into a soft smile mixed with joy and relief.

Kate: But… that’s precisely why there are some things bothering me.

Victor: Bothering you?

Kate: Yes… Crown’s mission is to use the powers of the Cursed to “conquer evil with evil”.

Kate: As I watched everyone carry out their missions, I started thinking that maybe I could do more to help…

Kate: … At first, I accepted the role of Fairytale Keeper solely for survival, I wanted to earn your trust and stay alive.

Kate: But as I made records of your sins… I started thinking about the true meaning behind having a Fairytale Keeper to create and keep such records.

I wanted to be a pillar of support for Crown.

I, too, wanted to find a meaning in this life of sin.

— The meaning of an ordinary person writing the stories about the sins of the Cursed.

Kate: If I only write in my reports what I’m instructed to, all of them will look the same regardless of who’s the one writing them.

Kate: And that’s why… when I finally find the meaning in me being the one to record these sins, I feel that’s when I truly have the right to be called a Fairytale Keeper and prove useful to everyone.

Victor: I see… I’m glad you're so serious about performing your role as Fairytale Keeper.

Victor: As for what purpose the Fairytale Keeper serves in recording sin, I have my own theories, but…

Victor: I’m sure you’ll find an answer that’s uniquely yours, Kate.

Kate: I think so too. That’s why, I’m going to work even harder, so that I can find that answer one day.

Victor: You truly are admirable, Kate. … But don’t try to shoulder everything on your own, alright?

Victor: I— no, we will always be here to support you. I hope you’ll allow yourself to rely on us.

Victor: Always remember that alongside Crown, you’re also someone Her Majesty wants to protect.

…

That night, after my talk with Victor.

I went along for a mission, and was waiting in the garden of a certain mansion for Harrison and Liam to return.

(They’re taking longer than planned… did something happen?)

I was worried for their safety, and yet had no choice but to remain where I was, because they explicitly told me “stay here, it’s too dangerous”.

(Should I really be waiting here…? Or should I go check on them…?)

(But if I leave this spot, I might only be getting in the way of their work.)

As I stood there frustrated with myself for being able to do nothing more than wait around, I suddenly heard an unexpected rustling sound.

(...? Someone just came out from the bushes…)

A figure went across the garden, seemingly trying not to be noticed.

(Is that— Ring from Vogel?)

Vogel was an organisation under direct command of the German Emperor.

It was only yesterday that they arrived in England from Germany.

[ Flashback ]

Victor: Vogel is an organisation that researches the Cursed and promotes their contributions to society.

Victor: They'll be staying in the palace for a few months as goodwill ambassadors.

Darius: "Through our curses, a brighter world awaits", is our motto.

And... while Darius and Nica presented themselves as relatively friendly, Ring made no effort to hide his hostility.

Ring: Ring Schwartz… I’ll be in your care for the next few months. If you even think about harming us, I won’t show you any mercy.

[ Flashback End ]

(What is Ring doing here…?)

At the same time I was feeling perplexed, I recalled Harrison's words of warning — words that came from a Cursed with the power to detect lies.

“Those guys are lying.”

Kate: Um, Ring?

Kate: It’s dangerous for you to be here!

Ring: … Then it’s dangerous for you too, isn’t it?

Kate: I-I’m alright, I…

I couldn't possibly tell him the truth about being here on a mission with Crown, so I fumbled for a lame excuse.

Without any further questions, Ring simply walked off.

(Seriously, what on earth is he here for…?)

Something about his presence gave me an unsettling feeling.

At around the same time, Liam and Harrison finally returned.

But both of them wore the same grim look on their faces.

Liam: Kate! We have an emergency!

Harrison: We found the man we were supposed to investigate already dead in his room. He was murdered.

Kate: WHAT!?

Liam: I’ll go report this to Victor right away!

The words barely left Liam’s mouth before he was already dashing off into the night with the swiftness of a cat.

Harrison: I’ll search the area for anyone suspicious. The culprit can’t have gone very far.

Kate: And I’ll—

Harrison: No, it’s dangerous for you to stay any longer. Take a well-lit path back to the castle.

Kate: …

Harrison: Can I get a response?

Kate: … Okay. I’ll be careful.

(I want to help somehow, but I’ll only be slowing Harrison down…)

(It’s frustrating, but right now I have to do as I’m told.)

…

On my way back to the castle, my feeling of helplessness weighed down on me like lead…

(Is that… Ring?)

I happened to spot Ring again.

(It turns out, he did have something to do in the garden.)

Just then, Harrison’s words from earlier resurfaced in my mind.

“The culprit can't have done very far.”

(... The man Harrison and Liam were supposed to investigate was already dead before they could reach him.)

(And Ring “just so happens” to emerge from the bushes in the garden of the murder location…)

(Could it be that Ring had a role to play in this incident…?)

I couldn't ignore the suspicion.

(I don’t have proof, but…)

The thought that I might actually be of help to Crown gave me the push I needed, and so I decided to tail Ring.

…

I followed him into a back alley where he met up with two figures.

(Are they… Nica and Darius?)

I quickly hid myself behind a wall, straining my ears to catch what they were talking about.

Nica: Ring, you’re back. Did you do a good job with your little “errand”?

Ring: Yeah. There were no problems. As ordered, I killed him.

(“I killed him”...? That means he really—)

Darius: That man seduced servants of noblemen into providing him with information he wanted, then sold them off to fill his pockets.

Darius: But lately, he started sniffing around for information on the Cursed. It was getting intolerable, you see.

Darius: Thanks for killing him, Ring. You did a good job.

Darius looked at Ring with the same smile an owner would give their dog for fetching a ball.

Darius’ description of the man matched exactly with the target Harrison and Liam were supposed to investigate for Crown.

(So it really was Vogel who did that.)

But that wasn't the only thing that shocked me.

Darius: With this, we’ve taken one more step toward our ideal world.

Darius: … A world where the Cursed rule over humans.

Darius: From here on, we’ll be quick to eliminate any humans who stand in our way.

(What does “a world where the Cursed rule over humans” even mean!?)

(... No, this isn't the time to be shocked. I must tell Crown immediately that Vogel is about to commit mass murder!)

I turned to slip away, only for my legs to freeze at Darius’ next words.

Darius: Also… I’m glad you handled your other “errand” well too.

Darius: You’ve grown remarkably even after coming to England, Ring.

(Another errand? Did he do something else besides the murder…?)

Wanting to catch more details of their conversation, I leaned out ever so slightly from the shadows.

In that very moment — Darius’ eyes the colour of honey directly locked onto mine.

(Oh no…!)

Darius: Fufu, and what do you think of what you just heard? … Miss Fairytale Keeper.

Darius: Slipped out of a boring ball to go swan hunting by the lake?

Darius: Be careful, though. The one being hunted tonight might be you.

Kate: …

(That tone… for how long has he known I was here…?)

Darius: You didn't realise Ring led you here on purpose and let you overhear us?

(No way… Ring’s other “errand” — was to lure me here?)

Darius: No need to hide anymore. Come on, step outside, oblivious little miss Fairytale Keeper.

Kate: ……

Accepting my fate, I stepped out of my hiding spot to stand before the three men, and immediately after I did—

Ring: The second you try anything — I’ll kill you.

Ring had his sword drawn and held it close enough to take my life any time now.

The murderous intent radiating from him was so sharp, there was no doubt his words weren't a bluff.

(What should I do… what can I do in this situation…?)

(But… even if I remain silent, they’ll kill me anyway.)

Kate: P—... permission to… to speak…?

My voice trembled pitifully, but I managed to string the words together in a desperate attempt to save myself.

Ring: … What do we do, Dari?

Darius: Why don't we let her speak? I’m curious what our little Fairytale Keeper here will say when cornered.

My instincts screamed danger at the sight of his smile resembling that of a child toying with an insect before cruelly crushing it to death.

Darius: Fufu… are you going to call for help? Or beg for your life, perhaps?

Kate: … Neither of those.

I became a prisoner to his eyes the colour of honey.

With my fists tightly clenched, I forced myself to speak.

Kate: Darius, what exactly did you mean by “taken another step toward a world where the Cursed rule over humans”?

Darius: Exactly what it sounds like.

Darius: The Cursed governing countries, having humans under our control and managed like livestock.

(Managed like….)

Kate: We’re all human beings, having one side rule the other is just wrong…!

The words burst out of my mouth before I could stop them, my rage overcoming the fear of the blade still pointing at me.

Ring: … Are you saying Dari’s words are wrong?

Ring took a step forward, the tip of his sword coming dangerously close to my throat.

Darius: It’s fine, Ring. Let her say what she wants.

Darius: Though, if you ask me, I think Miss Fairytale Keeper’s opinion is the one that’s wrong.

Darius looked up at the sky.

A lone bird, perhaps a dove… flew across the night sky heavy with storm clouds, cutting through the darkness.

Darius: Tell me, Miss Fairytale Keeper. Do you think carrier pigeons are unhappy?

Kate: Huh…?

Darius: Carrier pigeons don’t need to worry about food like wild pigeons do, nor do they need to build a safe home by themselves.

Darius: Being domesticated by humans to become carrier pigeons is a blessing to pigeons.

Darius: And so… the same could be said about the Cursed and human beings.

Darius: Being ruled by a superior species will bring benefits to the human race.

Kate: That’s not—

Darius: … Let me rephrase that.

Darius: How do you feel about Crown hiding in the shadows of England’s glory?

Darius: They possess extraordinary Cursed powers that give them the ability to punish evil… and yet their achievements are never openly praised.

Kate: …

Darius: Don’t you think that Crown, alongside all the other Cursed, deserve to live in the light and be thanked for their contributions to society?

I couldn't think of a single retort to his words.

(Because in the past week, I’ve learned that the peace in England exists only if they’re under the protection of Crown, that consists of the Cursed.)

Unable to say another word, I stood there in silence; and Darius gave a satisfied smile.

Darius: We are entirely different beings. There’s no way we can ever truly understand one another.

Darius: That’s why — we, the superior species, will be the ones to guide you foolish and pathetic humans.

#ikemen villains #ring my beloved

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