Dark Knight Kroki

　The next day, I enter the training grounds with Kouki.
　This is the training ground for dwarven warriors.
　But for now we are the only ones who can use it.
　From now on, you are going to teach Kouki the sword as promised.

I'd like to thank you. Kuroki-sensei.

　Kouki bows his head.
　It's quite polite.
　Kouki's eyes are shining.
　It looks like those eyes aren't just happy to be taught a sword.

"Nice to meet you. Kouki. I'm sure you've found something good. What's the matter?
'Yes, I got to see my mother last night. I heard that she's always looking out for herself.

　Kouki says happily.
　But Kouki's mother must be dead.
　So it must mean that they met in a dream.
　When I think about that, I almost cry a little.
　Of course I can't tell him that it was a dream.
　Kouki is still very young.
　He still misses his mother.
　That's why I couldn't tell him the truth.

I'm going to start practicing my sword then. I'm sure your mother will see you working hard.
'Yes!　Doctor!　I want to show your mother how hard I'm working.

　With that said, I decide to practice my sword.
　I glance to the side.
　There's a woman watching me intently from a distance.
　She is the goddess Reena, with her luminous beauty.
　In fact, besides myself and Kouki, there are four other elves in this training ground with Goddess Reena who have come here.
　I don't know why Reena is here.
　Even Arberon was surprised, but apparently he was a burglar.
　Therefore, with the exception of Arberon, none of the dwarves know that Raina is here.
　I can sense the presence of Raina, so I knew she was here.
　For some reason, that Raina has a twinkle in her eye.
　Is she concerned about herself and Kouki's practice?
　But there's something else that's bothering me too.
　It's the elven princess who is wrapped up in a fish tank at Reena's feet and is shedding tears.
　Behind her are Tess and the other three elves with a look of fear on their faces.
　What could have happened?
　Like I'm really curious, but I want to know.
　I'm afraid to ask, so I decide to leave it alone and practice with Kouki.
　Raina and the others are just watching, but they don't seem to be doing anything. Let's leave them alone.

Well, Kouki. You're going to be able to swing your sword first.
Yes!

　Kouki replied cheerfully and wielded his wooden sword.
　The wooden sword was provided by the dwarves.
　Usually the dwarves' weapons are the hammer, which is the symbol of the Haybos god, and the axe, which is the symbol of the dwarven god of war, Sprig.
　Therefore, almost no dwarves use swords.
　Those dwarves went out of their way to make a wooden sword for Kouki.
　A simple branch of wood would have been fine, but since the dwarves are the people of skill, even a wooden sword is carefully crafted.
　It seems to be easy to swing according to Kouki's height.

''As I thought, you have too much strength in your grip, normally I relax and grip it, and only put strength in the moment of slashing.

　I put myself on one knee on the floor and touch Kouki's hand.
　Kouki has a stiff grip on his sword.
　He unravels it.

'Yes!　Teacher!

　Kouki swings his sword as he is taught.
　His movements are awkward.
　But the only thing left to do is to learn through repetition and practice.
　He also teaches you to watch your body and the movements of your opponent.
　This is something I learned from my teacher.
　I teach it to Kouki. Of course, I also teach him things based on my own few experiences.
　Of course, he won't be able to absorb everything right away.
　But Kouki is desperately trying to absorb what he's taught.
　He will become a good swordsman.
　In fact, I think Kouki's sword streak is good.　
　And most of all, he is motivated.
　I don't know if he has the patience to keep practicing or not.
　But that's something I can't do anything about.
　The only thing I can do is to teach them honestly.
　I don't give a cursory response just because he is a child. It doesn't matter how old he is.
　It is a promise between a man and a man, and Kouki's eyes are serious.
　I responded in kind.

"It's time for you to take a break, Kouki.

　It's been an hour since I started teaching.
　I tell myself to take a break.

No!　Doctor!　I can still do it!

　Kouki is very motivated.
　But in addition to doing what he can't be, Kouki is working harder than he should.
　You can see that he's tired, and you can see that he's tired.

'It's no good, Kouki. It's hard to get strong right away. You have to practice over and over again. So you need to rest appropriately.

　There's no point in pushing yourself too hard and damaging your body.
　There's no need to be strict with a motivated child in the first place.
　So I force them to rest.
　I sit on the couch for resting with Kouki.
　Kouki's head bobs back and forth as he sits on the chair.
　He looks more tired than I expected.

Kouki. Lie down. It's the first time you have to do this, so you shouldn't push yourself. It's more important that you continue to do this for a long time. Even when you're resting.
Yes, sir.

　Kouki lies down on a chair and starts to sleep.
　I look at Kouki's sleeping face.
　I wonder how old he is.
　But I know she's still young, and it's amazing how she can keep practicing for an hour without getting bored.
　I pat Kouki on the head for a job well done.　

You're a good teacher, Kroki.

　Raina comes over to me when she sees that I've gone on break.

'Raina?　Why are you here?
Oh, my God, I deserve to be here.
?

　I don't understand.
　Raina looks straight at Kouki.
　Then she sits down next to her and puts Kouki's head on her thigh.
　I look at that action and think, oh, well.
　Because Raina didn't seem to be the type to be kind to children.
　What does that mean?
　But I'm going to ask you to do something for Raina.

''Raina. About this child, it seems that she was kidnapped by the elves and others and came here. Can you return her to her country?

　Kouki wants to return to the country he came from because of a promise he made to his mother.
　As a high ranking member of the elves, it would be easy for Raina to get him back.

''Of course I intend to. I'm the one who sent Kouki to the Elders in the first place.''
?

　Also, I don't understand.
　Somehow, it seems that Reena has known Kouki for a long time.

I'm sure you'll find that the blood bond is very strong. The truth is, I was actually going to have Kouki learn the sword of Cyrone, and I didn't expect it to be taught directly by you: ....... I was going to give Rouxien a harsher spanking, but I kept it light.

　Raina looks at the elves as she hugs Kouki lovingly.
　They are looking at us from where Raina was at first.
　Her face is drawn in fear, just as it was earlier.
　Honestly, what did Raina do to me?

Mother. ......

　Is she being held by her mother in a dream?
　Kouki talks in his sleep.

'A really pretty girl. I'm sure he'll make a fine knight.'
?

　What is it?
　I've been feeling incredibly uncomfortable for a while now.
　Raina seems to know Kouki.
　Maybe it's not just a man-child.
　Come to think of it, he pushed the werewolf (Wolfman) away.
　Thinking about it, no matter how much he was caught off guard, wouldn't it be difficult for a normal human to do so?

'Um, Raina. It's about Kouki: ......

　I try to ask if I've known about it for a while.
　When I try to ask, Raina looks at me and smiles.
　It's a very happy smile.　



Of course, Kouki is yours and mine.　


　That's when I heard those words. My thoughts paused for a moment.

'What?'

　I had to make a dumb voice and look at Raina.