Dark Knight Kroki

　When I took on the form of a dark knight, I went to the entrance of Kutar's underground palace with Heivos, the god of blacksmithing.
　The entrance gate is huge, and even the giants of the earth (gigatesses) seem to be able to enter it easily.
　The gate is already open.
　Apparently, Libesar's golem had opened it.
　It seems that he was working on various maneuvers in order to break the seal on the Wesen.

''Please be careful. ''Grandfather, Dark Knight Kuroki-dono. We have been ungrateful .......

　The dwarf who is the administrator of the gate bows his head.
　There are several dwarves who are the custodians of the gate besides myself and Heybos in this place right now.
　They couldn't stop the golems that originally guarded the gate from running amok.
　Those golems seem to be inside.
　This is not the only golem that has run amok. They're running amok in the dwarven village.

'I know. You must do everything in your power to stop the runaway golem.

　Heybos taps the administrator dwarf on the shoulder.
　It's rough, but it feels like he's asking her to cheer up.

'Yes, sir!　Grandfather!

　As he says this, the administrator dwarf runs off.
　He seems to join the other dwarves.
　The engineer dwarves are moving to stop the golem's outburst, and the warrior dwarves are working to stop the wolves.
　Honestly, we are short on hands.
　Originally the golem was supposed to be an ally, but now it's an enemy.
　They have Raina, but it will be hard to hold them all down.
　But I don't have the time to worry about it.
　Because I'm going to meet a more vicious beast.
　It will be just Hayboss and myself in front of the empty gate.

'Dark Knight. Well, let's go.

　With that, Heybos boarded a small skyboat.
　Kutar's underground palace is ridiculously large.
　If we don't use the skyboat, it will take us a long time to get there.

''Yes, Lord Heybos.''

　I nodded and got on the back of Heybos.
　The skyscraper is small and can only hold about 4 people, but it is very efficient because it was built by Heybos, the god of blacksmithing.
　When the skyscraper rises out of the floor, you will enter the underground palace.
　The inside of the underground palace is completely dark, and I feel that the darkness is getting deeper as I go down the long slope.
　No, it must actually be deep.
　The further I go, the more I feel multiple signs of the lower spirits of darkness, the Shades, around me.
　Nargol, the Goddess of Destruction, is the Great Mother Goddess of the Darkness. The further we go, the darker the darkness must become.
　But no matter how dense the darkness is, I have the power of night vision, so I can see the situation around me.
　In a large space, the floor is covered with glossy, jet-black stones and there are several huge columns standing in the middle of the space.
　It's somewhat similar to the Demon King's Castle.
　Thinking that far, I shook my head.
　The Demon King's Castle resembles this underground palace.
　This underground palace is the place where the mother of the Demon King Modes was stationed.
　It's not surprising that Modes built it in his likeness.
　This underground palace has seven levels, and the throne is located at the end of the seven gates.
　However, the wesen is on the third level, so we won't go that far.

''Looks like you can see the scenery around you, Dark Knight.

　Heybos says, looking at himself.
　I nod my head.

'Doesn't Lord Heybos see you?'
This darkness is unique. This Heybos is invisible without it.

　With that, Heybos touched what looked like goggles on his face.
　The goggles were the ones that Heybos put on when he went inside.
　I didn't particularly care for it, but it seems to be a magical tool.

'This dark world refuses those who live in the light. The Dark Knight seems to be loved by the darkness.

　Heybos laughs.
　Heibos can also use night vision magic, so he thought he could see with it.
　But in reality, it seems to be different.
　After a while, we come to a place lined with large buildings.

''It's like a city,''
Hmm, this palace has been inhabited by many giants. A lot of them.
I see. ......

　Heivos was probably right, there were giants living here.
　The construction of the surrounding structures is too large for humans.
　The giants vary in size depending on the type, but even the smallest ones are nearly four meters tall.
　And the ancient giants seem to be highly skilled, and the surrounding structures are very fine and beautifully decorated.
　The giants were defeated in a battle with the gods of Elyos, and many of them apparently died.
　All the stone ruins in the world are the remnants of what those giants built.
　The giants that were here have also gone away and are living quietly somewhere in this world.
　Myself and Heybos walked through the main street of the city and headed to the back.
　Then we see a large structure at the back.

That is where the gate to the second level is located, Dark Knight. "That's where the gate to the second level is located, the Dark Knight. "There is a guardian who attacks those who enter without permission, except for this Heybos and you," he said. Beware.
Yes, sir. Mr. Heybos.

　After answering, we eventually emerge into a huge plaza in front of the gate.
　At the edge of that square are many stone statues.
　The huge stone statues with bat-like wings and the faces of beasts were in the form of bizarre monsters and seemed to be moving at any moment.

''Here it comes, Dark Knight!''

　That's when Heybos said that and stopped the skyboat.
　Suddenly all the heads of all the stone statues moved and looked at me.

''This is it!''
The gargoyles!　The Dark Knight!

　Before I can finish saying that Hayboss' words, the gargoyle spreads its wings and flies towards us.
　I know about gargoyles.
　Because I've seen them in the Demon King's castle.
　Gargoyles are pseudo-creatures created by the god of destruction, Nargol.
　Like trolls, gargoyles have stone bodies and usually look like real stone statues, but when intruders enter, they move and attack.
　That gargoyle comes towards us.
　The reason I didn't notice it at first is because the gargoyle here was so big.
　The gargoyles I usually see are the same size as humans, but the gargoyles here are twice that size.
　I didn't expect these to start moving and flying.

"Lord Heybos, please stand back!

　When he says that, he himself takes off with his magic sword at the ready.
　The gargoyle doesn't even look at me and heads towards Heybos.

'Let them!'

　He turns his body and drops the head of the gargoyle as he heads for Heybos.
　When the other gargoyles see this, they stop moving.
　They can't seem to believe that they have moved.
　Maybe they have a little bit of wisdom.
　There are five gargoyles left.
　They are looking at us as if they are looking at us.
　Eventually, the five gargoyles, as if they had made up their minds, open their large mouths and spit out water.
　Gargoyles have a habit of storing water inside their bodies.
　Therefore, when they take up residence on top of a building, they become a rain gutter substitute.
　And they will also use the hoarded water to attack.

Black Flame!

　Quickly, I create a wall of black fire to block the water.
　Then, when I close the distance between the gargoyles, I swing my sword and take them down one by one.
　The gargoyle returns fire with its giant claws.
　They may be far stronger than normal gargoyles, but they are not their own enemies.
　Eventually, all the gargoyles stop moving.

''That's great. Dark Knight. You've defeated these gargoyles so easily. If we destroy this one, they won't be able to revive for a while.

　Heybos looks at the wreckage of the gargoyle and says.

'Will this gargoyle be resurrected?'
Yeah, I don't know if it's the same one as the gargoyle you just defeated. But I'm sure that after a while, whether it's defeated or not, it will come back to life in the same place.
What a strange .......

　I also see the remains of a gargoyle.
　It's a strange creature. To begin with, the biology of gargoyles is quite a mystery.
　I would like to find out, but I don't think that's the best time to do so.

'Well, let's go ahead, dark knight. There should be a door leading to the lower levels ahead.

　At the urging of Heyboss, I boarded the skyboat again.
　The next step is the second level.


Roussien, the Elven Princess

　Raina-sama is fighting in front of me.
　Her opponent is two Orihalcon golems that have gone out of control.
　The golems have been placed near the wall to protect the dwarven village.
　The Orihalcon Golem was placed a little farther back as a last defense, but it moved out of control and started to break the wall.
　Lady Raina is stopping it.
　I don't care if it's a stone golem, but an Orihalcon golem is hard and strong.
　Also, since the Orihalcon Golem has a regenerative function, it would recover quickly with a half-hearted attack.
　As expected of Raina-sama, she seems to have a handful of them too.
　I'm angry at the dwarves who let the powerful Orichalcon Golem run amok.
　We who are on the side must also fight, but we can't compete with them with the Orihalcon Golem.

''As expected, it's hard. I can't take on this kind of thing. It's fortunate there aren't too many of them. ......

　Lady Raina looks at the Orihalcon Golem and says.
　There are three Orichalcon Golems left in this dwarven village.
　Two of them are being dealt with by Lady Raina.
　The rest of the orichalcon golems and the iron and stone golems are being dealt with by the dwarves.
　That's why there are no dwarves here.
　The dwarves are desperate to put the runaway golems back together.
　If it wasn't for Raina-sama, this village would have fallen easily.
　Kouki at my side is looking at Raina-sama with anxious eyes.

'Lucien. You take Kouki and stay back. If anything happens, you must run away. You know that, don't you? I won't forgive you if anything happens to Kouki.

　When I say that, Lady Raina looks at me.
　Her eyes are very cold.

"Yes, I know!　Come on, Master Koki, back off!　Let's go guys!

　I take Kouki's hand and say to my friends at my side.

'Yes, but ......'

　But Koki didn't want to go.

Master Koki, let's step back. It's not safe.
"It's difficult for Lady Raina to fight with you here~. We should stay back~　

　Oleola and Piara urge Kouki.

'Koki. Step back. The Orihalcon golems are powerful, but they are not to be defeated. 'Don't worry. Good.'

　Lady Raina says strongly, and Kouki winces.

'Yes, Mother,'

　Reluctantly, Kouki agrees to step back as well, since his mother strongly told him to.

''Then, Reena-sama. Good luck.

　I pull out of Kouki's hand and leave.
　We're headed to the back of the dwarven village.
　It should be safer away from the wall.
　Looking over the wall, I see a dwarven warrior and a ranger.
　They seem to be trying to get rid of the wolves that are rising.
　I get the feeling that they are struggling quite a bit.
　We had better get away from them.
　We hurry.
　The dwarven village is better described as a fortress, and it's a solid structure.
　However, the passageway is wide because of the huge golems being moved around.
　That's why it's hard to protect them if they get inside.

"Piara, Tess. Do you know where the safe place is?
It's no good. There's a strange wind blowing and I can't read my movements.
Me too, Master Rouxien. It is difficult to trace the signal. It is probably due to these wards.

　Piara and Tess shake their heads as I ask them as they run.

'So do you guys ....... That's a little awkward.

　In fact, I'm not able to use my magic well anymore.
　This might be a bad situation.

''Wait!''

　Suddenly, Kouki stops.

'What's going on?　Master Kouki?
I have a bad feeling about this.

　Kouki is looking straight ahead.
　As he tells me, I activate my magic.
　As I focus my mind, multiple something seems to be approaching me.
　The signs are not dwarves or golems.
　Then, at a bend in the corridor ahead, someone appears from there.
　The one that appeared was a red-furred werewolf (Wolfman).
　The figure was familiar to me.

''I didn't expect to see you again, princess of the elves.

　Yasab, the red-furred werewolf (wolfman), laughs.
　Behind Yasab, there are multiple werewolves (wolfmen) in the white wolfwoman, Kaziga.
　I didn't think they had already been invaded.
　I let Kouki step back and draw my sword.
　The number of wolves is seven, including Yasab and Kaziga.
　Fortunately, their numbers are small, but they are also small.
　And Yasab's sword is stronger than mine.
　I start to break out in a cold sweat.

'I was going to kill the dwarf general who's in command at the back here, but hey. No luck in finding him.'

　Casiga says ruefully.
　For my part, it's probably a good thing that the invading enemy was found.
　But even if you can find it, it's useless if you can't deal with it.

Well, that's fine!　First, I will sacrifice you to the bloody One!　Go, Yasab!
Oh!

　Yasab's barbaric sword is wielded at the sound of Kaziga's voice.
　I jump back a bit and try to duck it.

''What?''

　I let out a cry of surprise.
　Yasab's barbaric sword extended more than I expected.
　I manage to block it with my sword, but I fall on my butt, probably because I received it in an impossible position.
　Moreover, he drops his sword as well.

''Princess-sama!''

　Oleola's distressed cry.
　But it seems that he can't come this way because Kaziga and the others are here.
　In front of me, Yasab raises his barbaric sword wide.
　Even if I try to use my magic, I can't get there in time.

''Hee!''

　I can't help but scream and shut my eyes.　　
　I hear the sound of a barbarian sword slicing the sky.
　I can't do it anymore. That's when I thought I was going to be cut.

''What!''

　With a metallic sound, I hear Yasab's surprised voice.
　I open my eyes and see Kouki standing there with my sword.

'Nonsense!　The little guy here, you've caught my barbaric sword!

　Yasab is looking at Kouki with incredulous eyes.
　I look behind me and see that Khaziga and the others are also surprised.
　It was an unbelievable sight.
　Werewolves (wolfmen) are bigger than humans and us elves.
　Even among those werewolves (wolfmen), Yasab in particular is more than one size larger.
　It's small Koki who is trying to stand up to the huge werewolf (wolfman).
　I look at Kouki's back.
　It's not even tall enough to reach my waist, but somehow it feels bigger.

''You'll take it out on yourself!

　Kouki shouted to Yasab as he held his sword up.