Ankoku Kishi Monogatari (WN)

◆Dark Knight; Kuroki

I teleported to Gypseal along with Totona. We arrived at a dark room, the only light visible shining from the magic circle beneath our feet.

The room was filled with sacred hieroglyphs. I could feel the hot air even from within this room. This country was definitely located in the desert. Magic was indeed a really convenient thing in this world. One could go from one place to another in a few seconds.

「Totona, are we really in Putaha Kingdom?」

I asked Totona.

The God’s residence in Gypseal resided in the golden capital, Arnak. Since an alert had been raised in the capital, we couldn’t directly teleport to it. Thus, Totona decided to travel to Arnak from Putaha, a Kingdom where she had the freedom to come and go as she pleases.

Putaha Kingdom was known as the Kingdom of Craftsmen, with a population of around ten thousand people. The reason why it got such a nickname was simply because most citizens were dwarven craftsmen. Their Pharaoh (King) was also a dwarf.

In the first place, the reason why there were so many dwarves in this place was because this kingdom was given to Heibos by the God king of Elios. In fact, the only Elios Gods famous in Gypseal were Heibos, Ishtar, and lastly, Totona. The three were foreign Gods, but what was truly interesting was faiths attached to them.

As for who was the most famous God here from Nargol, it was the Archwithch, Heqat. She was hailed as the Goddess of Medicine. There was even a country where only Toadmen resided, the country’s name is Hekat and a grand temple was built for the Archwitch herself.

「That's right Kuroki, we're currently in Putaha Kingdom. This place has a branch of the Magician Association.」

Totona nodded as she explained.

In addition to their craftsmanship, Putaha Kingdom was also famous for their Magician Association branch. Totona, the Goddess of Book and Knowledge, was also the Goddess of the magicians. Magius, the great sage who built the Magician Association in Saria, was her apostle.

Now, 700 years after its establishment, Magius was still in his prime. I heard that he was still involved in the management of the Magician Association as their honorary president. 700 years after its establishment, the magicians who learnt everything they knew in Saria had spread all around the world, they kept in touch with each other, and made branches in various places.

And one of those branches of the Magician Association was located right in Putaha Kingdom of the Gypseal region.

「I see. So this is where the famous Gypseal magicians come from.」

Totona looked slightly surprised when she heard my remark.

「Hee, so Kuroki already knows about them eh.」

「Yes, Totona. I hear that Gypseal magicians are famous for their excellence.」

In fact, the Gypseal Magician Association was the second most famous place for magicians after Saria. Reason being because there were only humans in the other Magician Association branches. But, things were slightly different here, in Gypseal's Magician Association, you could become an executive even if you weren’t human. Moreover, since the influence from Faeria's and Oudith's faiths, which detest necromancy and dark magic, was basically nonexistent in this region, there were almost no restricted topics of magic. With less regulation and more opportunities, it was no wonder that research about magic in this region was more advanced than in other branches, which in turn gave birth to many excellent magicians.

When one speaks of Gypseal Magicians, it was a moniker for excellent magicians.

「Yes. The magicians of this place are really famous. And the branch leader is also my disciple.」

Now it was my turn to be surprised when hearing her remark. To be able to receive direct tutoring from Totona, a Goddess, the branch leader of this place must be a really great person.

「Kuroki, it seems he has come to welcome us. Let's greet him.」

Someone appeared from the entrance of the room. I couldn't hide my shock the moment I saw that person's appearance. The one who appeared was a man with the head of a scarab beetle. The insect man was holding a cane in his hand. Does that mean he was a magician?

Kuna's subordinates were insectmen too, but I think they're completely different from this scarab beetle man before me.

This was the first time I saw someone of this race.

「Welcome, My Great Teacher, Totona-sama.」

The insect man crossed his limbs (Arms?) in front of his chest and bowed.

「Long time no see, Kepler. Kuroki, this is Kepler, he's a beetle man and also the branch leader of the Magician Association here. He's also a famous magician, otherwise known as the Golden Sage.」

「You overestimate me, Totona-sama. Honestly, I'm still embarrassed to be called with such a title. A fledgeling junior like me isn't worthy of that title yet.」

Kepler the beetle man scratched his head with his arm, as if showing his embarrassment.

「No, Kepler. Your magic research is really wonderful. You're already worthy of that title.」

Kepler's forearms moved swiftly, it seems he was really delighted hearing his master's praise. And then, Kepler looked at me.

「By the way, Totona-sama. May I ask the name of this gentleman?」

「Eeh… He's…」

When he asked that question, Totona looked at me with a bewildered look on her face. It seems she had trouble in disclosing my identity. Surely, it might be better to hide my identity knowing that Reiji was in this place too.

「It's okay, Totona. I believe we can trust your disciple.」

But, the beetle man, Kepler, seemed to be someone worthy of my trust. Since that was the case, telling him the truth was much better than lying to him.

He didn't seem to be the kind of man who would spread rumors.

「Kepler, this is Kuroki, Nargol's strongest Dark Knight.」

Kepler was visibly surprised upon hearing Totona's introduction.

「WHAT!! HE'S THE GOD OF THE BLACK STORM WHO DROVE THE ENTIRE REPUBLIC OF ARIADYA TO THE BOTTOM OF DESPAIR?!! AND WHAT’S EVEN MORE SURPRISING IS THE FACT THAT HE'S WITH YOU, TOTONA-SAMA!!」

I had no idea how that happened. But it seemed that rumors about me had spread to Gypseal too. And not in a good way on top of that. I was curious and worried about what kind of stories were being told about me in this place.

「Well there were various reasons for that, Kepler. Anyhow, can you bring us to a quiet place to calm down and to tell you the full story first?」

「We have a parlor room for that. We can talk in private without having to worry about someone eavesdropping in there.」

Kepler turned around and guided us toward the parlor room after he said so. We met people of various races along the way, hippopotamus folk, cat folk, and even humans.

All of them opened the way and bowed to us the moment they saw us. It didn't seem to be directed toward Totona. Only Kepler knew about the arrival of Totona beforehand. In short, they were bowing toward Kepler.

Looking at their attitude, I knew immediately that Kepler's popularity was the real deal in this place.

After arriving in the parlor room, Kepler gave instructions to the staff of the association to stop anyone from approaching the parlor room since he had a private matter to attend to.

The parlor room of the association’s branch was really vast. The floor was covered with a soft carpet. There were various ornaments along the wall, and soft cushions stuffed with the best feathers were prepared on the floor.

It seems the Magician Association of Gypseal was really prosperous.

The staff brought refreshments for us. They brought enough tea for two. Those teas were for Totona and me. Kepler didn't seem to drink tea.

「Eh? This is coffee, right?」

I unintentionally let out such a remark when I saw the tea. It had a black color and strong fragrance. It really looked like coffee.

「Kuroki-sama, this bean tea is made from the seed of a red fruit called Nephentes. I don't drink it, but it's secretly consumed amongst the magicians due to its various medicinal effects and its ability to keep us awake. Please enjoy.」

Kepler explained while smiling merrily.

「I see… Then, I shall partake.」

I tried a sip of the bean tea. Compared to the coffee in my home world, the bean tea had a peculiar aroma unique to this world. But, this was definitely coffee. I never expected to be able to drink coffee in this world.

「Kepler, I noticed that the aroma is even more fragrant than the bean tea that I drank before. What did you do?」

Totona tilted her head as she asked.

「Oh, so you've noticed it huh, Totona-sama? The truth is, we used the undigested seed from the excrements of the cat who ate the red fruit. It seems using those undigested seeds will enhance the aroma of the bean tea. Nevertheless, I never expected that the seed that I discovered during my meal is this fragrant after being processed.」

「I see, good discovery, Kepler. And it tastes good too.」

Totona and Kepler were smiling at each other.

It seems they never thought too deeply about it since it was discovered by accident.

「Well then, Kepler, let's go straight to the topic. I want to go to Arnak. Can you lend me one of Magician Association’s ships to go there?」

Kepler shook his head upon hearing Totona's request.

「About that, Totona-sama. This branch currently… has no ships at all.」

「How did this happen? I remember that this branch had a lot of ships before. Can you explain the situation to me, Kepler?」

「Totona-sama, the truth is, there were repeated mysterious disappearances as of late.」

「Mysterious disappearances?」

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