Ankoku Kishi Monogatari - Chapter 81

Chapter 81.1: Darkness That Swallowed The Light

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◆Goddess of Wisdom and Victory; Rena

「RENA-SAMA!! THIS IS BAD!! REIJI AND CO ARE CONFRONTING THE AFOREMENTIONED DARK KNIGHT!!」

The female angel, Nier, came in a hurry into my room.

What a noisy girl.

Nier was the commander of my valkyries. As someone who stood above the others, she should’ve calmed down a little bit.

「I know already, Nier. It’s okay. I mean, the winner had already decided from the very beginning. My beloved man won’t lose to anyone.」

Nier let out a voice of admiration after I said those words.

「You really believe in Reiji-sama huh, Rena-sama.」

「Eh?」

I let out dumbfounded voice upon hearing Nier’s stupid remark.

「Am I wrong?」

「No, though I’ve no idea what you mean. But well, we might have to go to save Reiji. That useless bump.」

I stroked my stomach as I said those words.

Once I raise the hero in my stomach, I wouldn’t need Reiji anymore.

That’s why, let’s use him to the fullest until that very moment.

It seems that the evil gods in the west were trying to do something too.

For that reason, I had to save Reiji and co to deal with those evil gods.

「Nier, gather all the valkyries. We’re going to Ariadya.」

===

◆Valkyrie, Shizufae

The figure of the Dark Knight riding on the back of a giant dragon was being projected in the air above Ariadya.

This projection could be seen by every citizen in the Republic of Ariadya.

The Dark Knight in the projection raised his right hand.

All the light bullets fired by Reiji-sama got sucked into his right hand.

「Shizufae… That’s the Dark Knight we met before, right?」

Big sis Keyna asked me as she looked at the projection of the newly appearing Dark Knight.

「Yeah, seems to be that one. We met him back in the labyrinth.」

I nodded upon hearing that.

He was the one who stood in our way when we were about to subjugate the lizardman. That Dark Knight was also the reason why I received divine protection from Rena-sama.

Nevertheless, I had no intention of thanking him for that. The Dark Knight was the enemy of humanity after all.

「That Dark Knight is awesome. He neutralized all of the hero of light’s attacks with just a flick of his hand.」

Novis spoke in admiration.

「Hey, Novis, are you cheering for that Dark Knight?」

I asked that question while glaring at Novis.

「N-No way! Ain’t gonna do that!! I just marvelled at how easily he cancelled that powerful Hero of Light’s attack. Moreover, it’s not like that one Dark Knight can win against the Hero of Light, right? So stop looking at me with that kind of look.」

Novis explained in a hurry.

My good mood returned upon hearing that.

But, Novis was right. The other party might be quite strong since he could deal with Reiji-sama’s attack so easily.

He showed everyone that he was far more powerful than the Daemon Lord from before.

But, there was no way he could beat Reiji-sama. Reiji-sama could easily beat him like that Daemon Lord too.

「What’s with that Dark Knight? Well, there’s no way he can beat Reiji-sama. Right, Chiyuki-dono?」

It seems General Clasus felt the same way as me.

He spoke to Chiyuki-sama who stood by his side while smiling wholeheartedly.

And yet, for some reason, I saw the colour drain from Chiyuki-sama’s face. She was sweating profusely from her forehead. Looking at her current situation, it was as if the calmness from before was a big fat lie.

「Kaya, don’t you think that this situation looks really bad?」

「Indeed, Milady. This is an extremely dangerous situation.」

Kyouka-sama and co who stood beside Chiyuki-sama also spoke with pale faces.

The look on their face was clearly abnormal.

Suddenly, something akin to a bad premonition hit me.

===

◆Dark Knight; Kuroki

I asked Glorious to fly closer to Runfeld’s side.

That was a really close call.

It seems Reiji was toying with Runfeld.

And yet, thanks to that, I managed to arrive in time.

「Are you satisfied now, Lord Runfeld?」

I asked him with a furious tone.

「My deepest apologies, Your Excellency.」

Runfeld bowed down to me. He apparently understood that he was at fault this time, his blunder almost caused a huge loss for Nargol after all. Let’s give him a strict warning so that he won’t make this kind of blunder again.

「Lord Runfeld, you should’ve considered your own position a little bit before you act so recklessly!! Your job is to protect Your Majesty, the Demon King, and yet look at you now… You’re literally abandoning your duty!!」

Runfeld didn’t say anything when I rebuked him with such a harsh tone since he knew that he was in the wrong.

Seeing his appearance, I guess he finally understood how foolish his current actions were.

Since that was the case, I guess I had nothing to say to him anymore.

Thus, I suppressed my anger since I didn’t see the merit in scolding him further.

「Well then, let’s evacuate to the labyrinth for now. You’re also coming with us right, Ulbard-dono?」

「Yes, Your Excellency…」

Ulbard bowed respectfully as he replied to me.

It seems the one who triggered the current situation was Ulbard.

In the end, Runfeld was only taking advantage of the mess caused by Ulbard. And that was the overall story.

I guess I should ask for the details from Ulbard later.

「WAIT A MINUTE!!!」

Suddenly, Reiji interrupted us who were about to retreat.

Though I had been facing Runfeld and co since a while ago, I didn’t lower my vigilance toward Reiji. I mean, he was clearly hostile towards me.

「IS SOMETHING THE MATTER? WE’RE ABOUT TO WITHDRAW ANYTIME NOW!!」

I replied with a loud and clear voice.

「YOU THINK I’M GOING TO LET YOU OFF?!! I”VE BECOME EVEN STRONGER THAN BEFORE IN ORDER TO DEFEAT YOU!!」

Reiji took a stance with two swords in his hand as he shouted those words.

Dual wield, huh. So that was how he planned to defeat me.

Wait a minute, the other sword seems like Runfeld’s sword.

I really couldn’t afford to show my back toward Reiji, it was too dangerous for all of us to keep our withdrawal plan as it was.

What a bump. Why is he forcing me to do this when I actually gave him a way out of this situation without having to lose his face.

「It seems he won’t let us off huh… Kuna, wait for me here for a while.」

I descended from Glorious and then stood in front of Reiji. Both of us were flying in the air.

When I just came to this world, I was so scared of fighting against Reiji. I thought that I would end up in another miserable situation like how he beat me during a match in the dojo. Moreover, I’ll die if I lose to him. That made me even more scared of fighting him.

But, it seems I really couldn’t afford to escape. It was an automatic loss once I escaped from him.

Only miserable things await the loser.

That’s why I did my best to become even stronger than before.

Reiji himself had said that he became stronger to defeat me. And the answer he arrived at was DUAL WIELDING.

To be honest, I felt like a hole was bored into my stomach upon seeing his stance.

There was no doubt about it, he did become stronger than before.

Let’s assume that he did some training to become stronger. But, there was also the possibility that it was just my own misconception.

If my assumption was right, I might really die this time.

As much as I hate to say this, Reiji was a genius. My victory in front of Demon King castle was nothing more than a fluke.

There might be no next time for me.

「You finally came, huh. Being a loser isn’t really my style. Now let’s fight for real this time.」

Reiji let out his usual refreshing smile.

It was as if he had the confidence that he absolutely won’t lose this time.

Crap, I really hope that I have stomach medicine with me this time.

If not for this f*cked up situation, I would have long since abandoned my pride and escaped from this place.

And yet, here I am, forced with no other choice but to fight.

Moreover, Kuna was also with me. Like hell, I could show such an unsightly figure of me escaping from my opponent in front of Kuna.

Someone, please tell me what should I do?

In the end, I was crying in silence due to how f*cked up the situation I was forced into.

「HERE I GO!!!」

But of course, Reiji didn’t have the intention of waiting for me. He was closing in at once, swinging both his swords toward me.

He was moving even faster than the time when he fought Runfeld a while ago. In addition, his movements also betrayed all of my expectations.

===

◆Black Haired Sage; Chiyuki

Reiji and Shirone’s childhood friend, the Dark Knight, were facing each other in the air right in front of me.

This is bad, at this rate, Reiji will end up killing Shirone’s childhood friend.

When that happens, Shirone might be really sad.

Though it was his complete loss in the duel in front of Demon King castle, Reiji had become more powerful since then. That’s why he won’t lose this time.

I have to stop the fight immediately.

「What shall we do, Chiyuki-san? At this rate, onii-sama will be put in an extremely dangerous situation.」

Kyouka asked me with a flustered look on her face.

But, she completely misunderstood the point.

「The one who is in danger is Shirone’s childhood friend, Kyouka-san. Reiji-kun has become even more powerful since then, you know.」

Upon hearing my remark, Kyouka suddenly looked at me with an even more confused look on her face.

「Eh? I wonder about that. Kuroki-san should be stronger, he’s my master after all. Right, Kaya?」

「Yes, it’s exactly as you say, Milady.」

Apparently, Kaya was also agreeing with Kyouka.

But, no matter how I think about it, their opinion was strange. Just because he’s Kyouka’s master, it doesn’t make him strong. [TL : Coz your f*cking brain is rotten, those glasses must be mere accessories, shame on you glasses character!!!]

「OH NO, CHIYUKI-SAN!! THEY’RE STARTING!!!」

Meanwhile, Nao shouted in panic.

When I took a look, I saw Reiji closing in as he slashed with his two swords.

Oh no, we’re too late.

I knew that we’re too late as soon as I saw Reiji’s two swords shining brightly.

「SUNDERING FLASH!!!」

Reiji raised a warcry as he unleashed his skill.