Volume 5 Chapter 1

Volume 5 Chapter 1: Prologue

A round table standing in complete darkness.

Kokaku was going through the scrolls piled up on it.

「Most of the information on the hero Axel seems to be suppressed, there is hardly anything known, huh.」

No matter how much we search, nothing comes up.

The title of Invisible Dragon Knight truly suits him well.

Because only his achievements are published, without a word about the man himself.

But as he went through the document, something came up.

It was mentioned in a certain record.

The record stated that during a festival of gods, a human tried to attack one of the gods that descended to earth, and thus, was demoted to a lower-ranking job.

「What if he was demoted for doing the same… Did he try to attack the gods?…… And that is not even during the period of the festival of gods but in the divine realm……」

It’s only one possibility.

Mere speculation.

And yet Kokaku couldn’t help but be excited.

「Aah, I want to meet him… I want to meet Dragon Knight Axel. If he was able to fulfill our longstanding desire… If he has『Experience』we need to make our long-cherished desire come true……!」

And then, Kokaku stood up.

「To bring the fight to the gods, we should take a look at that Dragon Knight Axel… 」

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A certain room, currently completely shrouded in darkness.

In the middle of that windowless room stood a faintly glowing throne.

On it was sitting on it a human-like silhouette, that looked as if it was made out of the black mist, wearing a mask that concealed its face.

「That is all you have for today?」

The figure on the throne asked the dark-skinned young man with long ears, who was on one knee.

And the young man immediately replied with a nod.

「Yes. Kokaku-sama. Yes, for both ancient beasts and humans’ movements. That is all we could find for now.」

The young man replied, to which the figure on the throne nodded.

「Good. Dismissed then. You can go.」

「Understood. Should we prepare food after――」

「ーAh. Not needed. I have my own business to attend.」

Having said that, the figure stood up from the throne.

And then touched the black fog that was sticking to its face like a mask.

The next moment, a part of the mask shone with a black light, and then an outfit appeared in Kokaku’s hand. A mantle that seemed to be made of layers of what appeared to be feathers.

While putting it on, Kokaku said to the young man.

「Today, I’ll be leaving at this.」

「Kokaku-sama, you taking this outfit means that you are going outside? 」

「Yes. A bit of a walk. To the city.」

「……Then I will accompany you with—」

Kokaku shook the head, interrupting the young man before he could finish.

「No need. Even if you come with me, there won’t be anything for you to do.」

「However, the guards are……」

「Not needed as well. You do understand that you can’t possibly serve as my guards with your current strength?」

Being told so, the young man was about to argue in protest but nodded his head instead.

「……Indeed. For us, who at most can act as support, still unable to fully control the power given by Kokaku-sama, guarding you is impossible. 」

「Yes, it’s good that you can calmly rationalize without getting swept by emotions. Excellent. ……Many times better than those uninhibited gods, who are moved by nothing but their whims and emotions.」

「Thank you for the kind words, Kokaku-sama. Even though it all because of our lack of ability……」

「Don’t be so hard on yourself. Eventually, you will become stronger. And in the first place, I’m only going to the city to collect some general information.」

「Information…… It is about that hero and the gods, right?」

「That as well, but there is more. This time acting with great numbers can even be a disadvantage. Thus, I alone am enough.」

The young man silently nodded at Kokaku’s words.

「……Understood. Then, we will be awaiting your return. I will continue gathering the information on my own as well.」

「Yes. I’ll be leaving it to you. ……Then, I’ll be going.」

Saying that, Kokaku, clad in a mantle, turned his back to the young man. Then—

「……We don’t know precisely where he is at the moment, but this is a valuable opportunity. I’d like to meet him at least once. ……Yeah, I’m looking forward to it with great interest.」

Kokaku said in a slightly excited voice, and then disappeared as if blending with the darkness.