Dark Knight Kroki

　I will fly through the starry sky and come to the sky above the labyrinth city of Lavründos.
　The evil god Lavrurus, the master of the labyrinth, was no more.
　The evil god was taken away by the Queen of the Serpent and has gone.
　The minotaurs who followed him also escaped from the labyrinth and went away.
　The surface part of the labyrinth where they lost their Lord. Glorious is lowered into the square in the center of the labyrinth.
　The square is filled by Glorious' huge body.

"Kuna. I'm coming down. Okay?

　Kuna nodded when he asked himself.

'Good one, Kroki.'

　I get off with Coona, who was riding with me.
　As I get out of Glorious, multiple shadows come out of the surrounding buildings.

'We've been expecting you, sir and Coona-sama.

　The shadow bows its head.
　It's Regena who comes out.

'Thank you, Regena. For coming.'

　Regena is her own apostle. As an apostle, Regena is connected to herself in spirit and can be contacted at any time.
　I intend to leave Glorious with her while she and Kuna go sightseeing in the Republic of Ariadia.
　That's why I asked him to come here.
　This place is good enough to hide Glorious.
　The lizardmen are following around that Regina.

''No, I'm going to run wherever the master asks me to go.

　Rigena says with a twinkle in her eye.
　I feel sorry for that.
　In fact, I didn't plan to contact Regena at first.
　Glorious was also going to find a place to hide somehow.
　However, it feels cold not to contact her when she's so close.
　With that in mind, I contacted Regena and she offered to take care of him while he was in Ariadia.
　I wasn't sure when I heard that offer, but in the end I decided to take him up on his offer.
　And to tell the truth, it's hard to stay at a decent inn without having citizenship.
　So I was grateful for Regina's offer.

I'm sorry Regina, I will take care of you. And also take care of Glorious for me.

　I bow to Regena and Lizardman myself.
　The labyrinth is going to be under the control of the god Heybos, but until it's ready, it's going to be under the control of the Hero of Light.
　Well, technically, it's under the control of Kyouka, the sister of the Hero of Light.
　And Regena is the de facto administrator of this labyrinth under Kyouka's orders.
　So no one should enter this labyrinth without Regena's permission.
　Keeping Glorious here wouldn't cause any problems.
　Also, the lizardmen believe in dragons, so they will take good care of Glorious.

'Yes sir. Yes, sir, we will take care of Master Glorious. And later, here's something else: ......

　Lizardman brings a small box as Ligeena looks around.
　Ligeena opens the box and reveals a beautiful costume inside.

'What's this?'
Here are the costumes for your husband and Lady Coona. Lady Coonas are very conspicuous, so we thought you might need a costume.
'I see. ....... Thanks, Regina. For everything. Okay, Kuna, put this on.

　I pick up my clothes and hand them to Coona, who is quiet beside me.
　Coona has become calmer than before.
　She doesn't seem to turn hostile toward Regina anymore.
　This is a good trend. What in the world happened?

What's this, Kroki?
'It's a costume to hide your figure. You're a beautiful woman, so if you walk around in your own clothes, you'll attract a lot of attention. You're here to see the sights of Ariadia, and we don't want any strange people to come near us.

　Like Raina, Kuna is an amazingly beautiful woman, so she has to hide her face when she walks around the Republic of Ariadia.
　That's why I asked Regena to prepare an outfit for me.

'Beautiful ....... Well, I get it, Kroki. Kuna will wear that outfit.

　Kuna is happy to be told she is beautiful, and Regina helps her to put on the costume.
　When Kuna puts on the costume, she looks like a lady who worships the goddess Feria.
　It's a good idea to have a veil attached to the costume, which hides Kuna's face.

It's somewhat difficult to move: ......

　Coona makes a disgruntled sound.

'I'm sorry Coona. You'll have to bear with me as I pull myself up by the hand.

　If you walk around with your face showing, you'll be in trouble. So when you walk through Ariadia, you will have to cover your face.

'Kroki's going to pull it for you? Then there's nothing wrong with this outfit.

　Coona convinces me.

'Good. ....... I guess I'll just change myself then.

　I take off my dark knight's armor and change into the clothes that were prepared for me.
　The clothes belong to a servant male, unlike Kuna.
　If you wear these alongside Kuna, you'll look like a noblewoman and her squire.

''Was it a little too plain?''

　Ligeena asks anxiously.

'No thanks. I don't like the fancy stuff.'

　I'm not good at standing out.
　That's why the clothes that Regena had provided for me were just fine.
　Regena managed her own clothes when she was in Nargol.
　So I know what I like.

'And then there's Regena. They're still around, aren't they?

　I ask myself of Regena.

'Yes. The brave men of light are still in this country. I think they will stay in this country at least until tomorrow's celebration. ......

　According to Rijena, there is going to be a celebration to honor the brave and courageous Rage of Light who rescued the people trapped in the labyrinth, but the celebration was delayed a little bit because of the schedule adjustments of the dignitaries from various countries who wanted to attend the celebration.
　That's why Rage and his team are still in the country.

'I see. ....... But it's silly to worry about every single thing ....... Well, if you do it normally, you won't be noticed. So I'll just enjoy the tour of Ariadia without worrying about it.

　The Republic of Ariadia is a large place. I doubt we'll run into it easily.

"Very well, sir. Let's go to the Republic of Ariadia. We'll go to Tormulkis's annexe. There's another house there that won't be noticed by Silone and the others. I will take you there.
Thank you, Regina.

　This is how we found ourselves on our way to the Republic of Ariadia.




Shenna the dancer

Utterly, where is that drunkard?

　I walk the streets at night in search of Marcias.
　Marcias is a member of the same troupe as me, the Donkey's Ear.
　Tomorrow I have to dance in front of the brave men of light.
　But that idiot hasn't come back yet.
　That's why Commander Midas asked me to go and find Marcius.

"Shenna. Shenna, will you go and find Marcius?

　It reminds me of what Commander Midas said.
　I'm sorry to Commander Midas, but I think it was a mistake to let Marcias join the troupe.
　But Miss Ainoe, whom I respect, introduced Marcias to Commander Midas and let him join the troupe straight away.
　Marcias is a problematic man.
　He's a former bandit.
　And he likes to gamble and drink and is always drunk.
　That's why this delinquent should be kicked out of the city as soon as possible.
　But Commander Midas won't be able to shake his head because the troupe is undermanned.
　But the leader of the company will not shake his head because the company is short of people.
　Especially the choir and musicians in the back.
　Marcias' flute is so talented that there is no one else in the company who can match him.
　Marcius himself sometimes talks big about how his flute is better than the god Alfos.
　Even though I warned him that he might be skinned if he said that, he doesn't seem to want to change his mind.
　However, while he may not be as good as God Alfos, he is certainly a skilled flute player.
　That's why Commander Midas is meditating on Marcias' actions.
　I let out a sigh.
　Commander Midas's love for song and dance is well understood.
　He is a follower of Lady Ischthia, the goddess of dance, and Lady Alfos, the god of song.
　As long as he has talent, the other issues are not important to him.
　But if Marcias causes a problem, the troupe's activities could be banned.
　I know we're short of people, but why hasn't the Commander thought of that?
　And Miss Ainoe is Miss Ainoe, too. Where did she pick up that thing from?
　While thinking about this, we arrived at our destination.
　This is an area quite far from the center.
　It is a safe place where many illegal aliens from outside live.
　People walking around is also bad.
　Walking down the street, there are many signs with the sign of the sake cup hanging on the eaves of buildings.
　The sign of the wine cup is a holy sign of Nectar, the god of wine.
　The house where the sign is hung shows that it is a tavern and inn.
　In one of these shops you can find Marcias.
　That drunkard must be drunk somewhere.
　There are many travelers in the street, who look like travelers.
　The traveler is invited by a female shopkeeper.
　They are both tavern clerks and prostitutes at the same time.
　They work in the tavern on the first floor and sleep with customers in their bedrooms on the second floor.
　Prostitution is prohibited in this country, but it is tolerated.
　Of course, I don't mean to complain about their behavior.
　They are followers of Lord Ishtia, just like me.
　It's not only the god of dancing, but also the god of prostitutes.
　Thinking about this, I go into the alleyway looking for Marsyas.
　Because he sometimes gets drunk in the back alley and may be sleeping.
　Three men stand in front of me as I am walking.
　I thought this is not good and tried to go back the way I came.
　However, when I turned around to go back, I saw a big man standing there.

That's it, sister. Looking for someone?

　The big man calls out to me.

'Yeah, I'm looking for someone, but what's that about?'

　I glare at the big man.

'Maybe we can help you. What do you say we go together and find out?
'Sorry, but ....... I'm not going to let you guys help me.
Don't be so cold.

　A man reaches out to me.

'Don't touch me!'

　I brush my hand away.

'd*mn, you're a feisty woman. Well, okay, ....... You're gonna have to come along for the ride.

　The man smiles a lowly smile.
　I let out a sigh.
　I touch the curved swords on either side of my waist.
　I'm confident in my arms. These guys don't seem to be strong from the way they move. I could probably knock them out.
　But we're going to have a problem later.

"I'm sorry, but I don't have time to deal with you guys.

　Probably a bunch of thug freedom fighters who don't have money to pay the women in the tavern.
　They are the lowest kind of people who don't deal with demons and extort weak people.
　It's too much trouble to deal with such people.
　I run to the side wall.

"What?!

　The man's companion shouts out, but it's fine.
　I kick the wall and run up and fly straight into a somersault behind the big man.
　Then I run away, just like that.

'Wait for me!

　No one is a fool to wait when they are told to wait.

　I ran away from the city at night as it was.
　And now that I've made it this far, I should be fine. I exhale.

'Shenna.'

　I am suddenly approached.
　There is a man standing there.
　The man is wearing leather armor over his chainmail. And on the chest of the leather armor is the holy seal of God King Odis.
　He is a law knight belonging to the Temple of Odis. A law knight is one who investigates crimes and maintains public order.

'Brother Decius.

　The knight of the law was my brother, Decius.



◆Shenna the dancer.

　He walks down the back street with his brother Decius.
　I gave up on Marcius.
　This area is safer than the area I was patrolling earlier.
　I remember what happened earlier.
　The patrol is an area lined with lodgings and the like.
　This Republic of Ariadia is a key transportation hub that connects the east and west of the continent, so there are many travelers from outside.
　However, right now there are many foreigners in particular.
　The reason for this is because of the brave Lord of Light. People from neighboring countries have come to the Republic of Ariadia to catch a glimpse of him.
　And there are bandits and others who target such foreigners.
　That's why my brother, who is a knight of the law, seems to have been patrolling.
　There's not much light along the waterway, but today the moon is up, so it's bright and you can see your surroundings without the magic of lighting.

'Brother. You look good in your outfit, brother. It's perfect for a serious brother. It's just like being a knight in shining armor for Master Odysseus.

　I look at my brother's outfit and say.
　My brother Decius and I grew up in the temple of Lord Ishtia in Thessia.
　Our mother was Ishpasia, a famous dancer and priestess of Lord Ishtia.
　There she met and fell in love with her father, Nakius Pericletus, a knight of Odis.
　However, the knight of Odis and the priestess of Lady Ischthia, who claimed to be free in love, could not make a formal marriage, and the two were separated.
　But my brother was a brilliant man, and his father's wife died without giving birth to a child. So my father took him in as an heir apparent.
　After that, I didn't see him much, but sometimes he would come to the temple to check on me.

Haha, I'm still in training. ...... More importantly, how are you doing?　You're doing something dangerous, aren't you?

　My brother says, remembering what happened earlier.

'I didn't do anything so dangerous.

　I lie plainly.
　Unlike Odis-sama, Ishtia-sama is not forbidden to tell lies.

'Are you sure? No way in hell I'm selling my body: ......
No, I don't. You know my brother. And that I'm a member of a theater company. You know, I'm going to play a leading role in a play.

　I spin around in front of my brother.
　Children raised in Lord Ishtia's temple have to live away from the temple when they grow up.
　Most of the girls become prostitutes, but I did not choose that path.
　Lord Ishtia is the god of prostitutes, but I was never forced to become a prostitute.
　Instead, I chose to be an actor.
　Lord Ishtia is also the god of dancers and actors. Therefore, as a follower of Lord Ishtia, I should be allowed to choose the path of an actor.
　I was able to join the troupe "Donkey's Ears" after Commander Midas recognized my dancing talent.
　I was given a leading role at the Alfoss Theatre in the Republic of Ariadia. This was quite a great selection.
　I felt bad for Miss Ainoe, but I still wanted to play the leading role.

I knew it. Yes, I know, it was Alferia, wasn't it? I will definitely go to see it.

　The upcoming play is Alfelia.
　It's about a brave princess who goes to rescue her lover who has been kidnapped by a witch.
　The show has been postponed because of the feast of the brave men. But I want my brother to come and see it for sure.

Yes, I'm sure he will. Yes, you must come to see it, brother!

　His brother nodded.

'But Shenna. Is it time for you to hear my response to what I told you before?

　I look at my brother.

'Are we talking about that again?　I'm not a convert. I love Lord Ishtia. It doesn't bother me that I can't get married.

　My brother wants to take me in and make me a Feriah congregation.
　But I'm not going to do that.
　I'm the same as my mother. I'm proud to be a follower of Lady Ishtia.
　So I don't care if we don't get married.
　We can have a de facto marriage without making it official.

'But, after all, you know, ....... You can't get married for the rest of your life, either: ......

　He stammered with difficulty.
　As a member of the Odyssean congregation, he is not allowed to have intercourse between a man and a woman outside of a formal marriage.
　That's why he says that.

'You can't say that. Aren't you the one getting married? I hear there's a lot of matchmaking going on.

　I tell my brother.
　My brother is beautiful, even from my sister's point of view.
　I'm sure there are many princesses from neighboring countries who want to marry my brother.
　But my brother seems to have refused all of them.

''It's not, no ....... I'm still in training. I can't see myself getting married yet.

　I let out a sigh when I hear those words.
　My brother is probably overwhelmed.
　He's been told a lot of things by people around him about my mother's origins.
　That's why he must be acting as an Odis congregation.
　Also, my brother's earnestness is appropriate for an Odis congregation.
　But I wanted to see my brother fall in love with him.
　But this would be a nasty idea.
　And that's when we were walking along the canal road.
　I see someone ahead of me.
　Two men and a woman.
　I thought they were lovers for a while, but judging from the clothes they were wearing, they could be some sort of daughter and squire man.
　Probably they must be from another country that came to see the brave men of light.

'Is he a foreigner?　What am I doing here? It's one of the safer places around here, but it's still not safe to go out at night.

　I let out an exclamation of dismay, looking up at myself.
　The road along this waterway is wide but with few people on it, it's dangerous to walk around here at night, let alone in the daytime.
　Probably she is a young lady from some country who came to visit an acquaintance in an upscale residential area just down the road.
　The atmosphere is like that.
　And now is not the time for a princess to be out and about.
　It's too late for something to happen. Maybe we should be careful.

'You might want to pay attention. ...... Shenna, would you wait here for me?

　My brother looks at me to see if that's what he thinks, and says.

'All right. Brother.

　My brother leaves me and approaches the two men.
　They are standing by the side of the canal of the road, looking up at the moon.

'Hey there. Do you have a moment?

　The brother approaches them and calls out to them.
　When he calls out to them, the woman looks at him.

'What ......?'

　I couldn't help but let out a sound.
　The woman was too beautiful.
　Because the moon was bright, I could see her face clearly.
　Her face was well-groomed and her skin was as white as white porcelain.
　The light red lips.
　Her eyes are as beautiful as the stars.
　And it is the hair that catches your eye more than anything else.
　The silvery white hair reflects the moonlight and shines fantastically.
　I could no longer take my eyes off of it.

''What are you ......?''

　The woman is about to say something to us, but a man who looks like a squire at her side interrupts her.

'Um, ...... what is it?'

　A man who looks like a squire asks me.
　But I can't take my eyes off the woman.

'Eh ...... that .......'

　My brother is trying to speak, but he can't seem to get the words out properly.
　That's understandable. I've never seen such a beautiful woman.
　I can understand why my brother is soaring.

It's a good thing that you're not the only one who has the ability to make the most of your time. We are not suspicious.

　A man who looks like a squire speaks to me, but my brother still seems unable to speak.
　I can't remove my gaze from the woman either.
　The woman is looking at me with quizzical eyes.
　Maybe she was distracted.

''Brother!

　I yell in my brother's ear.
　That's when my brother seems to come to himself.

'Eh, ...... and...'
Come on, you have to say something!
'Oh ...... ah!　It's not safe for the night!　Please don't go out too much, please!

　My brother's voice flips over.
　Then I see her reaction.
　Cold eyes. 'What the hell is this guy,' she says.

'I see. ....... Thank you for taking the trouble to do this. Then we'll be on our way.

　The squire man says this and leaves with the silver-haired woman.

''She was an amazingly beautiful woman, brother. I couldn't help but fall in love with her. ......

　I call out to my brother from behind, but he doesn't respond.
　But he doesn't respond.

"Hey, bro?

　I call out to them, but they remain staring in the direction they left.

"Goddess .......... That's the Goddess of Moonlight .......

　My brother mutters.
　His face is enthralled.
　I had seen the moment my brother fell in love.



Dark Knight Kroki.

Welcome home. Master and Lady Coona.

　When I return to Tormarkis' other home, Regena greets me.
　Earlier, she and Kuna had been strolling around the city at night.
　It's still too early to go to bed. That's why I went to see the city at night.

The best thing about this is the fact that it's so easy to get rid of them.

　Coona says with pride.
　She looks like a complete mistress.

'Thank you for picking me up, Regina.'

　I work on Regena myself.

'Hmm, you're welcome sir. How was your evening walk?
That was pretty good. Liljena. Compared to the rest of the country, there's a lot to see in Ariadia.

　The Republic of Ariadia is the largest human country I've ever seen.
　In other small countries, it would be dark at night, but in the Republic of Ariadia, there are places that are bright even at night, and there is a lot of entertainment.
　However, it was difficult to go there with Kuna because some of the things are quite obscene.
　According to what I've researched, the inns of this world also serve as dining rooms.
　The owner of the inn is often a follower of Nectar, the god of wine, and the holy seal of Nectar is hung in front of the inn's storefront.
　In the dining room on the first floor, the guests eat and drink and gamble.
　And they invite a female employee who is also a prostitute to sleep with them on the second floor.
　In this world, too, men drink, bathe and buy.
　However, since the belief in the goddess Feria is strong in this country, it is not possible to do it openly.
　However, it seems that man's desire cannot be suppressed. This kind of gambling and prostitution is an open secret.
　And since it is impossible to enter such a place with Kuna, we ended up just taking a walk.
　Well, the moon was beautiful tonight, so that was a good thing.
　Coona looked fantastic and very beautiful in the moonlight.
　But still, Kuna seemed to be more beautiful than before.
　There are times when I can't take my eyes off of Kuna.
　However, the person in question doesn't seem to be aware of anything.
　The man who seemed to be a knight on patrol, who called out to me when I was looking up at the moon, was also admiring Kuna.
　I remember that he was talking to her but didn't look at me once.
　The Kuna who was being stared at most seems to have already forgotten about the knight.
　That knight didn't seem to realize it, but Kuna was trying to kill him with magic.
　If not stopped, he would have died.
　And that knight had a beautiful woman with him.
　Seeing that he called her brother, I wonder if they were brother and sister?
　He didn't look like a lover, so I'm sure he must be.

'By the way, Regena. Are you ready to go?

　Coona suddenly asks Regena.

'Yes Lady Coona. Your bath is ready for you.'
Okay, then, Kroki. I'll go in with you.

　Then Cuna pulls away.

'No ...... that's not good. And we have Rigena.

　If you do that, you're in big trouble. Mainly in a lower body sense.

'It's all right then, Kroki. I'm feeling good today, Ligeena, so I'll allow you to come in with me. This shouldn't be a problem for you.

　Coona says with a huff and a laugh.
　Coona seems to think it's a good idea, but that would be even more of a problem.
　First of all, Regina won't like it.

'Really!　Thank you, Lady Coona!　Then I'm going to join you!

　But contrary to expectations, Regena seems happy.
　And even Regena pulls herself into the bath.
　Coona and Regena grab me and pull me along.
　For some reason, he couldn't resist, even though he was overwhelmingly stronger than them.




Marcius, the little rogue man.

　I walk through the dark underground streets.
　No matter how many times you come here, it doesn't feel good.
　After a short walk, you will come to an open area.
　There's more than one woman there.
　All the women are dressed in black.
　And at the back of the room where the women are, there is a statue of a satyr with a goat's head.
　This place is an altar. The women seem to have been praying a while ago.

'Come, Marcius.'

　One of the women looks at me.
　She's a beautiful woman in her mid-twenties.
　But I know that this woman is not what she looks like.

"Hehehe Miss Ainoe. What do you want to do here all of a sudden? I have a lot of things to do as well. After all, we have to perform in front of that brave man tomorrow.

　I say with a sneaky smile.

'That's what I'm talking about. 'That's what I'm talking about, Marcius. You will perform in front of the heroes tomorrow with that naughty little girl, won't you?　I didn't even get called out.

　Ainoe says in frustration.
　I guess that's what you call a nasty little girl, Shenna.
　She makes me want to lick her feet.
　Ainoe does not like Sienna.
　Until recently, she was the most decorated actress in the Donkey's Ear troupe.
　But now she has been overtaken by Sienna.
　She lost the lead role in the upcoming play to Shenna, and she is not happy about it.
　Moreover, the fact that Shenna is the only one called up for the reception of the brave men and women of tomorrow doesn't seem to bother her.
　I've been called up too, but I'm just a bonus.
　I'm supposed to dress up as a satyr and dance while playing the flute tomorrow. In other words, I'm a clown.

'There's no point in saying that, is there? That's my job, you know.

　I put my hands up and shake my head.

"Hmm, well, that's okay. Marcius, take this.

　Ainoe brings something to us.

'Is this a flute?'

　I look at what they gave me and say.

'Yes, that's right. When you blow that whistle, a demon will appear and you can control it. I want you to kill that little girl with it.

　Ainoe says something that doesn't even fly by in a straightforward manner.

'Are you going to kill Shenna ......?'

　I didn't think Ainoe hated Shenna that much.

'Yes, I'm going to kill that little girl ....... We're going to make it look like we're after the guests at the feast. Make it work so they don't find out it was us.

　Ainoe's face was enthralled as she said this.
　Crazy.
　The women by my side are also giggling.
　All of us here are witches.
　All of them are women who have communion with black satyrs and have received inspiration.
　And I'm the sacrificial lamb.
　I look at the flute they gave me.
　It has a coat of arms of a black goat's head painted on it.