Dark Knight Kroki

　Inside the Castle of Sweets Castle (Sweets Castle), you walk down the corridor of Lepkuchen and come to the door of Aiasheke.
　In front of that door is a female Damon and a dark elf (Rumpus), who bows her head when she finds herself in front of that door.
　The female Damon's name is Guno. She is the subordinate that Modes has given to him.

'Sir Guno. How is he doing?
'Yes, my lord. It was rampant earlier, but now my men have put it to sleep with their magic.

　When I ask Guuno, she looks at the dark elf (rumpus) beside her and says
　The dark elf (rumpus) can use spirit magic just like the wood elf (dryad).
　It seems that she used that magic to put him to sleep.

Thank you. I'll take a look at it.

　With that, you approach the door and a baked good (Veckman) in the shape of a nearby person opens it for you.
　I enter the room and see one, or rather one of them, chained up in the center.
　The man's head has completely turned into a wolf.
　Daigan.
　That's the man's name.
　He was a werewolf, a werewolf, and he was supposed to be loyal to himself.
　But for one reason or another, he is completely insane and bound.

"Kroki. Why haven't you killed this one?　It'll be easier if you just kill them all the time.

　Coona, who is next to me, says things to herself.
　I guess it doesn't matter to Coona. She looks at Daegan in a boring way.

'No.' Coona. Daegan didn't do this of his own volition. So you can't kill him.'

　I answer with a shake of my head.
　It was only recently that Daegan became like this.
　Werewolves, werewolves, werewolves, and other fang-bloods are part of the Wesen Ferion family.
　Ferion is currently sealed in a certain place.
　Perhaps because of this, the strength of the fang-bloods has weakened and their personalities have become more mature.
　At present, they live quietly in various places.
　Some of them are under the control of other races that have strong power.
　That's why Daigan was kept by the ogre.
　However, there are times when those fang-bloods turn violent.
　That's when Ferion's seal weakens.
　There are times when Ferion's seal is temporarily weakened in a seven-year cycle. This may be the time.
　I had heard about it beforehand from Modes.
　That's why he had retrieved Daegan from the Argoa Kingdom in advance.
　Now the Daigans shouldn't be attacking humans.

''Would it be impossible to bring them back?''

　She shakes her head as she asks the dark elf (rumpus).

''I'm sorry, sir. ''My lord. The way he rages for blood is his true nature. If you want him to be quiet, you must use magic to control his mind.
'Manipulate the mind or ....... I wouldn't want to use that trick too often.

　I don't want to use the hand that controls my mind.
　It's not living in a manipulative state of mind.
　So I'd rather be quiet in some other way.

'My lord. If it's Ferion's seal, I'll be right back. We can leave him alone, can't we?

　Guno suggests that.
　That would certainly be true. The seal will only weaken temporarily, but it should return after some time.
　So, if I keep him in custody, Daegan should be able to return to normal.
　However, I shake my head.

'That's true, though ....... But it looks like we're having a problem. I'm going to go check on the seal, just in case.
'I see. ......'

　As a matter of fact, we have received information that the figure of the Hand of the Serpent Queen can now be seen in the place where Ferion was recently sealed.
　The place where Ferion was sealed up was kept a secret. It seems that the secret has been exposed.
　The place where he was sealed is at the foot of Mount Elios.
　Nearby is a dwarven settlement and the land of the elves.
　If Ferion, with his vicious power, awakens, the dwarven settlement will be in trouble.
　So the dwarven god, the god Heybos, consulted Modes.
　I'm also concerned about the God of Heybos and myself, who is related to the dwarves. So he decided to go and check on them.
　I told Modes about it and got his approval.

''That's why, Sir Guno. I'm going out with Coona. Are you ready to go out with Coona?　Kuna?
It's all right, Kroki. It's all set. Ward. You're in charge in Coona's absence, and you're in charge.

　Coona says and looks behind her.
　There were several men kneeling there with a warrior in red armor at the center.
　They followed Coona and followed behind him.
　The one in the lead is Ward, a demon warrior (Evil Warrior). He was formerly a human who worshipped the Demon King.
　Then he was given the Evil Armor and became a Demon Warrior (Evil Warrior).

"Leave it to me, Lady Kuna. "Leave it to me, Kuna-sama, I'm sure I'll be able to protect this castle. "I'm sure I'll be able to defend this castle to the last man. Well, Sir Jucio. Get a message to your comrades in the trampled squadron, the lovely Lady Coona. Guard the Lady Coona's absence!
'Um, ....... 'Comrades?　When did you go to ....... But, well, I understand, Sir Ward.

　Ward and the others leave with a confused Jussio, who is called a comrade.
　I watch their backs.
　Listening to the exchange, I feel indescribable.
　Can't we do something about the name of that group?
　Coona doesn't say anything about the group's name situation, as if it doesn't matter.

'Sir Guno. Please take care of the rest: ......

　Elyos is hostile territory for those who follow the Demon King.
　That's why we can't go there in large numbers. That's why Guno and the others are staying at home.
　Myself and Kuna will also have to hide and go to check on the situation so that the angels don't see us.
　The dwarves will guide us, so it should be fine.

''Yes, my lord, I'll take care of it.

　Guno bows his head.
　Feeling uneasy, myself and Kuna leave the Castle of Sweets (Sweets Castle).



The black-haired wise man Chiyuki.

　We are gathered in the audience chamber of Eld's palace.
　In front of us, there are four elves.
　The elves are of the ever-younger race, and there are only women. They are beautiful in appearance, and the four in front of us are also quite beautiful.
　They look at each other with great interest.
　There are three elves lined up behind them, with one representative in front of them.
　The elf on the far left in the back is probably a dryad.
　They are called Wood Elves and are the most numerous of the elves.
　They are famous for abducting and bringing in any handsome man they fall in love with, using the trees as their home.
　The elf in the center with the bow and sword is Oreiad.
　They are called Mountain Elves and Bow Elves, and they are born warriors.
　They can come out of the forest to join handsome human warriors.
　Then, after making love, they return to the forest.
　I think the little elf on the far right is Napier.
　They are also called Valley (Barry) Elves and Wind (Wind) Elves, and when they grow up, they look like human girls, about 12 or 13 years old.
　Therefore, they may be the oldest of the elves in front of me.
　They like to dance in a circle in a windy place, and sometimes they kidnap handsome humans who are invited to dance with them.
　After living in Napier's village for a few years, the handsome man's memory is wiped and he is returned to his original place.
　And the handsome man is surprised to find out how many years have passed.
　The last one in the front of the line would be Alseid.
　They are called both Upper (High) Elves and Light Elves, and they are the higher species of the other elves, except for the Dark Elves.
　It is said that they are full of grace and do not think of evil things like other elves do.
　In fact, the way she stands in front of me is elegant.
　It is the first time for us to see Arceid. Therefore, she attracts a lot of attention.
　She and her friends are usually shut up in the elven country deep in the forest and never come out to the public.
　What is the reason for her to come to our country?

I'm so glad you're here. Princess Rouxien. We welcome you.

　The three elves behind him cheered as Rage stepped forward and greeted them gracefully.
　Among them, Napier is particularly excited.

'Chiyuki-san ....... It's something different from my time. ......

　Shilone beside me says, puffing out her cheeks.
　Silone was dealing with the elves until we returned.
　The elves seemed to be extremely bored at that time.
　I can understand why they didn't agree.

'Well, elves are usually like this: ......

　Then he lets out a sigh.
　Most elves are face-eaters. They have a thing for good-looking men.
　Many of the elves I met on my journey also came up to me every time they saw Rage.
　Of course, that didn't mean he was convinced.
　And I see the only quiet elf among them.
　She's an upper (high) elven princess who called herself Rouxien. As expected of elven royalty.
　She is not fussy and graceful when she sees Rage.
　They say the reason they came is to see the land of the humans. And it seems that they stopped by Eldo on the way to say hello to the brave man of light, Rage.
　But that's a lie.
　I'm sure Reno, who can sense the lie, looked doubtful when he heard the reason.
　I don't know what the true purpose is.
　Shirone, who can sense hostility, didn't sense anything from them. So, we won't do anything either.
　If Rouxien is an elven princess, I'm going to entertain her.
　I look at Rousien.
　She smiled and responded to Rage.


◆The Elf Princess Rousien.

　After the welcome dinner was over, we walked through the palace of Eldo together, and the brave Rage graciously agreed to allow us to move freely through the palace.
　He said that we can look at the palace at our leisure except for our private rooms.
　So, we decide to visit the palace.
　The palace is shabby compared to the Palace of Heaven in Elyos and the Palace of Alseidia. It is not large, and the materials are not that fine.
　However, it is after all a palace in a human country. It's silly to compare them.
　So this is how it should be.
　The same is true for the girls walking behind me, they are not interested in the palace.
　They are only talking about the heroic Rage.

It's a jackpot!　It's been a long time since I saw you... but not every guy is that good.　I think I'll live there~

　Piara spluttered.
　She was indeed a beautiful woman. There aren't many lords like that, even in Elyos.
　I think he's on par with my father, Master Alfos.

It's true that Lord Piara is right. I'm not sure if there are any fairy knights as good as him.　If the princess can stay behind, I'll be there for her.

　I feel a look from Oleola as he says this.
　Oleola seems to want to stay in this country. However, she is a little reserved because she is my guard.
　If I give her permission, I'm sure she'll settle in this country.
　Tess is the one who is taking a step back against it.
　She, too, marvels at the heroic Rage, but isn't as enamored of it as Piara and Oleola.
　Apparently, she had met a man she liked more before.

'He was definitely a great beauty! If I hadn't met him before, I might have been crazy about him~. ''Yes, what about Master Rouxien?　What did you think of the brave man?

　Tess waves at me. You look at me like you're expecting something.
　Dryads are especially fond of stories like this. Tess seems to be no exception.
　He was a beautiful lord, to be sure.
　But it's also true that I wasn't that moved by it. And it wasn't my cup of tea.
　Rather, I think my heart was more excited when I saw Raina-sama for the first time.

''Hmmm. He was certainly a wonderful lord, but ....... ''Oh?''

　I feel eyes on me and stop.
　I lower my gaze a bit and see a human boy holding a baby looking at me.
　It looks like a girl, but elves have the power to sense gender. So it's definitely a boy.
　The boy comes from across the street from us as we proceed. It was a narrow passageway, and we couldn't get past it because we were walking in a spread out way.
　And we were too late to notice the boy because he was small.
　I look at the boy. His hair is the same color as Lady Raina's. And his clustered blue eyes, reminiscent of the deep blue sky, reflect back at me.
　For some reason, I feel a stirring in my heart as I stare into those eyes.

'I'm sorry. I didn't mean to block your path.

　A boy moves to the side of the aisle.
　He is polite. I admire his appearance.

'You seem to have a lot of sense for such a young man. 'Princess.　Perhaps you are a servant in this palace. Let's go, Your Highness.

　Oleola urges me on, but I shake my head at the words.

'Wait, Oleola. Can I have a word with the boy for a moment?

　When I say that, Oleola and the others look surprised.
　But I really want to talk to this boy.
　I kneel down in front of the boy.
　The boy looks at me with a puzzled look in his eyes. He has good eyes. I want to keep it on display.

'Um, ....... What is it?
'No, I just want to talk to you, I've been watching you and I'm afraid of me?'

　Ask the boys.
　If I say I'm scared, I'm a little sad.
　But the boy shakes his head.

'I'm not scared ....... I was just looking at it because I thought it was beautiful. I'm sorry.'

　That's when the boy said that and apologized.
　I felt something rush through my body with a thud.

Yeah, yeah. You don't have to apologize. You don't have to apologize, because I am beautiful. Is that your sister in your hand, by the way?
'This is Lord Thana. This is the son of the brave man. I don't know why he's become so fond of you, so I decided to take care of him. As a matter of fact, I was on my way to the saint's place now.

　The boy explains.
　The saint is probably a woman named Sahoko, a fellow member of the brave Rage. She is probably the mother of this baby.
　The baby is a girl, clinging to the boy, sleeping peacefully.
　For some reason, I'm annoyed with the baby.

'Yeah, that's a tough one: ....... By the way, do you mind if I ask your name?

　I look straight at the boy and listen.
　He stares at me and the boy goes slack-jawed.
　He's so cute.

'Yes. My name is Koki.

　When the boy said his name, I called it over and over in my mind.
　Koki.
　It's a good name.
　I felt my heart skip a beat.