Dark Knight Kroki

　Accompanied by the elves, including Kouki and Tess, myself and the dwarves return to K'tal.
　And when we return, Tess comes out of the deer carriage and embraces my arms.
　It looks like we're going to enter Kutaru with our arms still attached.

"Hey Tess. Move away for a moment ....... It's hard to walk.
Yeah. It's good, Kuroki. It's good to see you again.

　I protest to Tess, but she doesn't seem to want to listen to me.
　Therefore, I have to return to Kutar with Tess still attached to me.
　The eyes of the dwarven rangers with me are painful.
　The other elves don't seem to be particularly bothered by it.
　An elf who looks like Oleiad is tying a deer to the side of the gate as we enter the village of Kutar.
　The Napier-like elf is looking into Kutaru with interest, while the elven princess is walking at the front, accompanied by Kouki.
　Then she notices Kouki's gaze.
　Kouki is staring at him.

'Come to think of it, Kouki, you're not an elf, but do you live in an elven village?'

　I ask Kouki.
　Actually, I'm not that familiar with the elves.
　What I do know is that elves are a tribe of women only.
　Well, it wouldn't be a bad thing if humans lived in the land of elves.
　Fairy knights are supposed to be human in nature.

''Um, ...... different sir.''

　Kouki shakes his head.
　Then he wonders.
　Then why is he with the elves?

Sir. It seems the boy has been abducted recently. Isn't that right, elves?

　It was the dwarven ranger who answered.
　So I guess. I've heard that elves sometimes kidnap children who seem to have a promising future.

''Is this true, Tess?''
'Yes, but what about it?　Kuroki?
'No, ......, that's not a good idea.'
'What?　Why?

　Tess nods her head curiously.
　She doesn't seem to feel bad about it.

'Oh, it must be better to be with us, with our eternal beauty, than with a human daughter who will soon wither away. Right, Kouki?

　The elven princess Rouxien, who was listening to the story, said as if it was natural.
　But Kouki shook his head.

''Um ......, I'm sorry. I made a promise to my mother that I would become a fine knight ...... in that country.

　Kouki's rebuttal.
　Lucien gives him a surprised look when he hears it.
　In response, the dwarves laugh.

'Hah ......, no, Kouki. You should be my knight. It's not necessary to be in that country if you're going to be a fine knight.

　Lucien kneels down and puts his hand on Kouki's cheek.

'But ....... My mother is .......

　Kouki manages to argue with him.
　A promise to his mother must be heavy for this child.

'Elf princess. Kouki-kun wants to return home. He must be returned to his mother.

　I tell Lucien myself.
　Kouki made his intentions clear. Then you have one action to take.
　I must return this child to his mother.
　Then Rouxien looks at me with cold eyes.

''Back to his mother?　What are they talking about?　Kouki didn't live with your mother, you know.
What?

　So you're surprised.
　What does that mean?

Kouki. Didn't you live with your mother?

　As I pulled away from Tess, I heard myself kneeling at Kouki's side.

'Yes. I don't live with your mother. Your mother is in Elyos.'

　The words of Kouki hit me like a blow to the head.
　Human lore says that when they die, the good ones will be welcomed into Elios and the bad ones will fall into Nargol.
　This means that Kouki's mother is already dead.
　Kouki is trying to keep the promise he made to his dead mother.
　I don't know why, but I'm about to cry at the thought of it.

'I see. ....... Well then, your father is .......

　I ask Kouki again.
　Then Kouki shakes his head.

'I have never met your father. But I have heard that he is in Nargol.

　I feel shocked as if I've been hit again by those words.
　Dad, you're a bad guy!　And he's dead!
　It's indescribable.
　He probably didn't have a good home environment.
　But he's grown up to be a pretty good kid.
　It's a quality he has.

I wonder if I'm done talking, because he doesn't have a family. Then I'll be his family. That shouldn't be a problem.

　Lucien stands up, looks at me and says.
　It's true that if Kouki doesn't have a family, that might be a good thing.
　But Kouki is trying to keep his promise to his mother.
　I'm not sure which is better.

''Oh!　You are back, Master Kroki.　Yeah?　Who's the lady over there?

　It was time to get lost.
　Arberon comes out of the back. Then he notices Lucien at his side.

'It's been a while. King Arberon. Do you remember me?

　Rousien turns to Arberon and releases a thorn in his side.

'Hm. I remember you, petulant elf princess. Why are you here?'

　Arberon looks unhappy too.

'Of course, it's to form a joint front with the elves and dwarves. Have we not heard from the Heavenly One?
Joint front!

　Averon looks surprised.
　Was it really that surprising?
　Elves and fairy knights are mobile but weak in frontal combat.
　In contrast, dwarven warrior groups that don't have mobility but require golems and talos that are strong in frontal combat.
　If they cooperate, they will become quite strong.

I have heard nothing of this, Elven Princess. Never have we fought together. Is it true what you say?

　Arberon looks at him doubtfully.

'Oh, you say you doubt?　Excuse me. I wouldn't want to come to this place either if it wasn't for what the Heavenly One told me.

　Lucien says, and his companions, Oleiad and Napier, nod.
　Tess is relieved to see that not so much.

'Hmm. It certainly doesn't seem to be a lie, though: ......'

　It was time for Arberon to think.
　One dwarf looks panicked and runs up to Arberon.
　The dwarf overheard Arberon.

'What?　That's ridiculous!　The Heavenly Host is here!　It's never happened before!　Okay, I'm on my way!　We have an urgent matter to attend to, Princess Elf.　I'll get you a guest room anyway. You can wait in there.

　Arberon walks away.
　It appears that someone has come down from Elyos.
　Could it be the god Heybos?
　However, from the look of Arberon, that doesn't seem to be the case.
　As long as you're hiding your identity, let's keep it as inconspicuous as possible.
　When I look to the side, I see Lucien looking at Arberon with cold eyes.

"It seems that the Heavenly Host is on the move too. Now, let's go to our room. Let's go, Kouki.

　Lucien walks away from Kouki's hand.
　He wasn't sure if he should put Kouki back in his place.
　However, he decided to wait and see for now.



◆Dahark, Prince of the Snake

　In a certain place in the mountains, in the land of Kauf, a large army of orcs and goblins was gathering.
　These orcs and goblins were the ones Botis had called.
　They are going to be used in future operations.

"Great serpent prince Dahak, I am pleased to meet you. We haven't met. My name is Borda. I'm the leader of this gang of morons.

　A lone female orc comes towards us.
　Her huge body is adorned with jewels, and even the club she holds in her hand has jewels embedded in it.
　The great orc chief, Borda, is known for his greed.
　He commands his men, the Orc Boarriders, to raid human lands and dwarves for everything they can lay their hands on.
　This time this female has come because she is dazzled by the treasures of the elves and orcs.

'I am pleased to meet you for the first time. Master Dahak, Prince of the Serpent. My name is Jagi. I am the firstborn of the great goblin king (Great Lord) Gestira.

　A horned goblin emerges from behind the boulder.
　Around it is a collared human female.
　She is probably the mistress of this goblin prince (Prince) named Jargi.
　Jargi is now fighting with his own brother for the throne.
　And he's outnumbered.
　He has come to us because he wants to help us by helping us.
　The army of goblins we've brought with us is only a fraction of his tribe's size, but there are still thousands of them.
　Among them, the goblin spider riders are said to be the most elite.
　Botis' idea is to have the breakthrough orcs and the highly mobile goblins form a joint front against the elves and dwarves.
　I don't know if it's quality, but their numbers are large enough to counter them.

''Well, I'm counting on your strength,''

　I lie with cold eyes.
　These guys are bait.
　Let them do their best.
　I would look at them with cold eyes.