179 Joint front (1/2)

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.