Ankoku Kishi Monogatari ~Yuusha wo Taosu Tameni Maou ni Shoukansaremashita~

… … …

◆ Dark Knight, Kuroki

I descend from Glorious and go toward the entrance of the cave at the mountainside – the dwelling place of holy silver dragon king.

The cave is so big, even Glorious’ huge body can easily enter it.

I’m currently in my dark knight form as this might be turn out into a battle out of nowhere.

If that were the case, I’ll escape right away.

I don’t want to forcibly snatch away the dragon horn. I’ll try to negotiate and exchange for the horn. However, the possibility of that is quite low.

Darkness pervades inside the vast and deep cave.

I walk along with Glorious.

I suddenly seem to have arrived at a vast space after walking for quite a while. This wide space is bright despite being located in a place without sunlight.

The source of that brightness is the countless light crystals that illuminate the interior of the cave.

And then, a dragon is present right in the center of that room. This dragon is definitely the holy dragon king.

This dragon is far bigger than Glorious, and on top of that, an extremely beautiful one, too.

It appears that this dragon doesn’t have scales like a normal dragon. It is instead covered with silver colored hair, with each one of those silvery hair glimmering with light.

And then, the silvery body of the dragon that is sparkling under the illumination of the crystal light really completes the fantastic scene.

I am unintentionally fascinated by the scenery.

Noticing my arrival, the dragon is looking at my direction. The blue pupils of the dragon are focussed at me.

I couldn’t feel any hostility from it. This might be a sign that I can settle this matter peacefully.

「You have finally arrived, dark knight. I know the reason for your visit」

Its voice is clear and transparent.

Did it just say that it knows the reason for my visit? Could it be that it could prognosticate?

「It’s because Modes told me about this matter」

But the answer provided by the dragon completely betrayed my doubt.

「Modes told you?」

The dragon nods to me.

「I was troubled since my horn had grown too long. If it’s someone of your caliber, you might be able to trim my horn beautifully, right?」

「Hah … Ah」

I feel exhausted after hearing those words. Even though I came here fully prepared for a sudden attack, the result was rather anti-climatic. Nevertheless, I should be delighted now since I can end this without using force.

Come to think of it, Modes did say that I had to travel here to trim the horn of the dragon, but he never said that I literally had to cut the horn of the dragon.

It seems it was a misunderstanding on my behalf.

In the end, it was nothing but a simple errand. I must apologize to Modes for doubting his intentions in my heart.

I’m currently looking at the head of the dragon. Its crystal-like transparent horn is shining even brighter than the surrounding crystals.

When that horn is added to its already gigantic body, it ended up bumping on the roof of the cave. It definitely would make one uncomfortable.

「Will you make a beautiful cut at the center? Since it’ll grow to the same length in around 5000 years, please take care of my horn again when the time comes」

Though I don’t know whether I’ll be there 5000 years later, I just nod to the dragon’s request.

「Understood. Please leave it to me」

=== === ===

◆ Dark Knight, Kuroki

After I mounted the trimmed horn on Glorious’s body, Glorious is trembling lightly due to it’s weight.

「Sorry, Glorious. Please endure this for a while」

I apologized to Glorious.

The horn is too big that it can’t be placed on transfer magic along with Glorious. And I couldn’t bring such a huge thing while flying. Thus I decided to mount it upon Glorious and take it to Nargol.

「Woah, you saved me there」

The holy dragon king expresses its gratitude.

「I should be the one saying that. Thank you very much, Holy Silver Dragon King」

I bowed again to the Holy Dragon King.

「Uhm…」

Holy Dragon King is also nodding back in response.

「Is there something …」

I asked the Holy Dragon King.

「As expected, it seems that you are really capable of using dragon abilities. I can smell a nice fragrance coming from you」

The holy dragon king is bringing it nose closer and sniffing.

I’m happy and yet slightly bewildered when its nose brushes on my body. Upon seeing that, Glorious also brings it nose closer to my body.

The holy dragon king seems happy.

「I kept observing all your actions ever since you’re arrived in this kingdom, you know」

I’m quite surprised in hearing its words. I should have noticed about that matter if such huge dragon had kept observing me closely.

「I am capable of clairvoyance. Thus, I can see your every action with this ability. Moreover, as I expected, you won’t be able to notice this unless I’m hostile toward you」

Maybe because it can sense the doubt in my mind, the holy dragon king answers to the question in my mind.

「Other than you, I also observed the hero party. As expected, it seems that short-haired girl somehow managed to notice my action」

This short haired girl might be referring to Todoroki Naomi. It seems her perception ability is more evolved than mine.

「Thus, I witnessed about what happened in that kingdom. The thread of Zarxis is connected to god. Even I will become his prey if I were to enter his domain」

I receive a shock after hearing the last sentence.

「You know about Zarxis?」

「Naturally. It’s better to ask Modes if you wish to know more about that guy. They’re former comrades, after all」

This is the first time I heard about this.

「That’s also another thing for which I want to offer my deepest gratitudes to you. The one who stopped Zarxis is you, right?. But I couldn’t see the situation in that basement since there’s a barrier surrounding it. There was a bit of relationship between me and that kingdom. Thank you for protecting that kingdom in my place. Thank you very much, Dark Knight Diehart」

Despite the huge size of Holy Silver Dragon King, it seems it is lacking in combat prowess.

「No, such a grandiose thing is … Great」

But, it sure makes me feeling good to receive such a praise from this perso- … cough … I mean from this dragon. I know that I’m blushing right now.

「I never expected that you’ll cooperate with the hero. As expected, is this a united front against a common enemy?」

「No … It wasn’t a united front」

I just deny his accussation. I have no intention to fight with him. It was just a coincidence.

「Well, whatever is fine, I also have no intention to be involved in the conflict between Rena and Modes. I’ll maintain my position as a neutral party」

I heard about that matter from Modes. It seems the dragon king is neutral in this conflict.

「Even so, I can feel the soul of dragon within you. It might be because you released the soul of the dragon who had been taken captive by Zarxis」

It seems this dragon has seen through every bit of me.

「Despite having grown too long, at first I was hesitating whether to give that horn to you. But then, I changed my mind after observing all your actions」

「So, that was the case …」

「You can create the best goddess that you wish with this horn. It seems you’re suffering from a similar problem as Modes. You’re not popular with women, aren’t you?」

I think that’s none of your business. I want to say so.

Well, I can make a goddess as long as I have this horn. Thus, I should feel grateful toward this dragon.

「My power is affiliated with the healing attribute. Thus, the goddess that will be born from my horn will definitely inherit my healing power. She’ll be a great help on your side」

Holy Silver Dragon King says so while looking at the horn tied to Glorious.

I brush the horn. It was a beautiful horn that shines even brighter than the crystal of this place.

It will definitely give birth to a beautiful goddess.

「Thank you very much, Holy Silver Dragon King. I’ll come again for a visit after the goddess is born」

I smiled and bowed again in gratitude to the holy dragon king.

「Yeah, see you again, one who bears the power of dragon」

「Yes. Let’s go, Glorious」

After raising my head, I urge Glorious to go with me toward the entrance.

There are a lot of things I have to do after going back to Nargol. It’ll become a hectic day.

I walk while thinking about such things.

After arriving at the entrance of the cave, I suddenly felt powerful magical power mixed with killing intent.

「This … This is!」

I stopped Glorious on track and then invoked my magic.

「Maximum dark hole!」

A gigantic black hole formed in front of me. That moment, it faced a torrent of light.

That was close. The light vanished as it got sucked by the black hole.

I knew that light. It was the light magic used by Reiji last night. A normal defensive magic might be terminated if it blocked that level of magic. I could somehow devise a way to deal with that magic after seeing it yesterday.

What the hell is this guy trying to do by using that magic despite knowing that Holy Dragon King’s inside?

「Glorious. Wait right there」

After telling Glorious to stand by for me, I went alone toward the entrance of the cave.

Just as I expected, Reiji-tachi was waiting for me outside the cave.

There are 7 of them. All of the members are there except for that girl called Kyouka, Reiji’s little sister. Naturally, Shirone is there, too.

I don’t know why they’re here, though. They really surprised me.

「Diehart!」

The black haired woman shouts my name. It’s Mizuouji Chiyuki.

「It’s a fact that you’re powerful. And none of us can beat you in personal combat. But then, what will happen if we combine our powers?」

After saying so, Reiji draws his weapon.

WAIT A MINUTE――! ! ! I am screaming inside.

=== === ===

◆ Black Haired Sage, Chiyuki

「Spirit of wind, protect everyone!」

Our body became lighter along with Rino’s words. Now, we can move even faster and more comfortable.

「Holy power, bless everyone」

Our body got covered by white light after Sahoko’s spell. Though this light is scarce, it blesses us with continuous healing power.

Two people are reciting the magic while setting their stance.