Eboue was taller than me. He was stout and muscular. But, although he let go of his work tool, he didn't try to pick it up.

Black-colored mana was billowing up from his magic ax. Come to think of it…Solobo had mumbled something when he saw Eboue's ax. Since I didn't pay much attention to, I failed to hear the most, but I think it was something about an outstanding fellow having previously owned that ax.

Maybe it's an item that can't be handled normally.

Several fishing rods were laying on the ground as well, and seeing fish swimming about in the river, I guess angling is one of Eboue's hobbies.

Various small bugs were buzzing around alongside the river, and there were also small chameleon-shaped monsters around to prey on those bugs by extending their long tongues.

Seeing that liveliness our cats started to kick up a fuss. I patted the back of Rollo's head to calm her down, but Hueremy and Alray couldn't restrain their playfulness and immediately dashed alongside the river, unleashing cat punches with their thick forepaws to catch the monsters.

Leaving the tigers to their game, I got off Rollo for starters. Then I looked at Eboue.

"Eboue, Rollodeen has carried us all the way here. Did you make some sort of promise with her?"

Upon my question, Eboue stared at me and the black horse next to me with a nervous expression and then agreed with a nod.

So he did have a promise with Rollo. I looked at her, asking what this was about, but…Rollodeen's small eyes were pinned on Eboue's masculine face. I could sense the strong will of an expert from Eboue with his black skin. 1

"Nn, nyaooo," Rollodeen apparently pestered Eboue about something.

Is she prompting him? Maybe he's got some sort of dissatisfaction?

This triggered me recalling several pranks I played on him, including me having created a very masculine headmaster's head in a nook of his kitchen when building his house.

But, without probing into that, I asked, "…Do you dislike something about the house I built for you? Or are you unable to catch fish in the river?"

"No, that's not it," Eboue immediately denied.

I felt slightly relieved that he hadn't spotted my pranks.

Suddenly he also dropped his traveling bag. An apple rolled out from within and his lunch――a sort of bun wrapped up in bamboo leaves――could be seen just beyond the bag's opening. It must be a dish made by Gramps Ton and Riedel.

"Divine Beast-sama, did you have some business with me as well?" Shuhelia asked, causing Rollo to stretch her tail for her cheek as if it bore some meaning.

She used her tail's fur to gently caress Shuhelia's face, moving her tail across Shuhelia's skin like a writing brush. It doesn't seem to be a prank, but more of a greeting.

"Hehe," Shuhelia smiled and used her slender fingers to touch Rollo's tail and play around with it.

That game of Shuhelia grabbing Rollo's tail and Rollo moving her tail away grew more competitive and faster.

As I watched this unfold, I cautioned them, "Don't over do it," and turned my attention back to Eboue.

The black panther tattoo, which had been visible on his pectoral muscle, vanished. …Just when I thought that, it reappeared again. The tattoo or muscle twitched as if stretching slightly. There existed glossy unevennesses on the surface of the tattoo's design, which seemed to make use of his dark brown skin. The explicit interplay of light, darkness, and shading made the black panther tattoo stand out all the more. It kinda felt like watching a trick art.

This black panther seemed to hold some meaning. Maybe it's the reason why Rollodeen led us here? I can imagine that it's something like a symbol expressing Eboue's special abilities.

『…Your Excellency, the tattoo's design on Eboue's chest is swelling and sinking in』

『You can tell by looking』

『Yes…the mana manipulation inside that seems to be extremely outstanding. The quick movement of magic elements while operating the mana to pretend to be mediocre…only now I've realized it. There might be more to Eboue's sturdy physique than meets the eye』

Helme appears to have noticed it as well. But, it's unusual for something to be hidden so well that Helme wouldn't perceive it right away. There are no signs of spirits gathering around Eboue either.

I put some strength into my gaze and asked him, "So, what did you promise Rollo?"

"This."

Eboue slowly crossed his arms after stepping forward. Hmm? Mana is gathering in his eyes?

His eyes contracted like those of a cat. Although the hue of the luster was black close to brown, the pupils looked like they got split apart vertically with a tinge of gold mixed in. Then, the luster started to glisten. That gleam was light hitting the inside of the curving eyeball and being reflected.

Meanwhile, Eboue's tattoo started to shine faintly, too. The glaze of its skin design looked like it gained in intensity.

And then, in the next instant, Eboue's cat-like eyes started to blink, releasing flashes of light similar to mysterious beams.

That's a surprise. Is it a new weapon based on shady contact lenses? Yeah, as if…

As I focused myself to smile while thinking such stupid bullshit, the black panther jumped out of the chest, like a drawing in a picture book that became alive and leaped out of the book.

"Ooohhh."

This one was far more surprising. I responded by reflexively raising my voice. The instant I tried to take a close peek at the black panther, it exploded. Which was even more of a surprise.

The tattoo, which used to be a black panther, turned into ink-black cartoonish beads and scattered. The scattered ink fell upon Eboue's skin and his old clothing, just to vanish as if being soaked into the skin and clothing.

At the same time, the rough, shabby clothing worn by Eboue transformed into something like a liquid that gleamed weakly. That liquid engulfed Eboue's whole body in the blink of an eye and then turned into a jet-black uniform. As if to match the contours of Eboue's muscles, it also possessed a glistening, black luster.

"You promised her to show me that form?"

"Yes."

"That's the reason why the vampires under Hoffmann caught you, right?"

"Indeed…the name of my clan and race is Kilmogarl. This is my power to fight. I also possess exclusive ax skills I can only use in this combat form. This is one of the powers owned by the "Kilmogarl" species," Eboue proudly explained the power of his race.

That means he possesses a uniform similar to my Gatrance Form, huh? Well, since it's an ability, I guess it's the type that boosts his physical abilities.

『That looks really powerful. Your Excellency, you should take him in as bloodkin! Let's add him as a member of the 08 platoon led by Mamani! Or we could establish a dark blood panther force for the sake of conquering the Sea of Trees!』

Conquest…Helme's ambitions go way too far. I'm no Genghis Khan. But, I'm scared since it looks like she's scheming to really establish a country in due time.

Either way, the name of Dark Blood Panther Force sounds quite neat. It's got a nice ring to it, considering it's coming from Helme. Black Bloody Panther Force would be cool as well.

"Kilmogarl, huh? That's a good clan name."

"Thank you."

Eboue Kilmogarl folded his arms into a salute and looked at me with a sharp glint in his eyes. I could sense a sort of pride from his warrior-like style. The black panther costume and his black skin fit very well together, too.

"Eboue, you having made a promise with Rollo means that you understand her feelings to an extent?"

"Yes, I can somewhat understand her through my senses."

"Can you sense the mind of a beast?"

"Yes. Many among the Kilmogarl possess

. Especially those hailing from warrior families."

As I thought. Azola also possessed

while she was alive. Just like she had enslaved the sacred beast Pau, Eboue might possess an ability to make black panthers obey him.

"…Is this also the reason why you were covered in blood back when the armed forces of the Tree King of Wonders attacked this place?2

"Yes."

"You mentioned it earlier as well, but does that mean you had enough strength to deal with them yourself while using that warrior power?"

"That's correct. Because I…was a warrior of Kilmogarl."

Was, huh? His expression changed in the middle of his speech, as if he lost all his confidence.

"Is that also the reason why you hid your abilities from everyone?"

"Yes."

"Then, why did you reveal that power to me after all this time? You've been hiding it for some reason, right?"

"…"

He didn't answer.

"Garurururuu"

Rollodeen growled in a scolding manner. How unusual.

"I――"

"Garururuuu."

He got scolded once more.

"Okay, Your Majesty…" Eboue lowered his head towards Rollo.

Going by his tone, I suppose she warned him.

"The power which is transforming "me" is an ability of Beast Noble Kilmogarl which has been handed down for generations of ancestors. There exists a law that the villagers must not know the secret of its abilities. I have been protecting the village from the shadows as a Kilmogarl warrior while observing that law."

Eboue changed the way he was referring to himself. But, beast noble, he says? That reminds me of what Demonoid Zarlp, Mel's father, has said.

『…On the other hand, Beast Nobles are a special summoning tool said to allow the enslaving and contracting of the netherworld's military nobles, just like it's hinted at by its name…』

That's what Zarlp had said, but does that mean there exist "Beast Nobles" types that are no summoning tools?

"And what's Beast Noble Kilmogarl?"

"The tattoo on my chest is its symbol."

My predictions in regards to Beast Nobles aren't that far off, although you can't say they're right either, I suppose.

"The black panther tattoo? Could you tell me some more about your secret, if you don't mind? "

"Yes. I've made a promise with Her Majesty the Black Queen, so I will tell you about it."

"Nn, nyao."

Rollodeen meowed cutely, so I unconsciously stroked her nape.

"…I have had the crest of the Kilmogarl on my chest ever since I was small."

"Hoh, so it's the proof of being a Kilmogarl warrior?"

Eboue nodded at my question, "I grew up while being taught by my later that the tattoo on my chest signified the source of a power dwelling in my chest as it was owned by generations of Kilmogarl warriors. And that I had to overcome the ordeal of "Soul of the Beast Nobility"…to officially acquire the power to transform."

"Obviously you overcame that trial, right?"

"Yep."

"Speaking of it, what sort of trial was it? Do you have a special facility for this? Or is there some holy ground for it?"

"You can find the location beyond the Forest of Thorns spreading out in Cydale's vicinity. It's the hinterland of a mountain stream that's enclosed by greenery and cliffs. Its name is 【Great Waterfall of the Warhorse Valley】."

A Great waterfall? The Sea of Trees has many woodlands that are quite similar to jungles with many tall trees. At the same time, it's an area with environments similar to the Wanderer's Bottleneck you can find south from the Goldiba hamlet. It also has countless small streams that flow down from smaller mountains that seem to be connected to Mt. Baldok. Branch streams coming from the Heim River can be found here as well, I guess.

Moreover, there are clusters of hammer-headish rock faces like the one that stopped Saraten. The rock which stopped the sword was on the smaller side, but you can see more of those rocks from the sky. They can be found in rocky, rugged areas.

On the other hand, the land beneath Cydale is flat. Then again, the reason for it being a flatland originates from Rollodeen and Rotalz having knocked down all the trees down there. As a matter of fact, Rotalz should be still using his big frame to prepare the soil there.

When I came back while riding Rollodeen, I saw him go at it for a short moment…though, rather than working hard, he was happily rolling across the ground according to the instructions by Moga, Nemus, and the children.

"…That great waterfall is inside the Sea of Trees, you say?"

"Of course. You can find a huge cave behind the waterfall. And inside that cave exists a hall of the Netherworld's Military Noble connected with the Kilmogarl race. I performed the Soul of Beast Nobility ceremony over there."

Oh, this is the point where Netherworld's Military Noble got a mention, eh? Maybe the cave behind the waterfall is connected to the Pel-Heka-Line or something like that.

While getting slightly excited about the adventurous feel of this whole story, "…Please tell me the details of the ceremony as well."

"You drink a contortion made out of various nuts, leaves and plants, before entering a warrior cylinder."

Is it a mixture to induce some sort of hallucination?

"And after becoming a Kilmogarl warrior, you protected the village?"

"…Yes. But, while I was preoccupied with the Tree King of Wonders' forces…strong vampires…"

I could sense a deep sadness from Eboue's expression. At the same time, his eyes were clouded over with helplessness,

"…I see."

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So that's the reason, huh?

"I couldn't exhibit my power as protector of our village…," Eboue said with tears spilling out of his eyes.

Different from his prideful appearance, he was now looking just like back when he asked for my help.

Eboue…

"What warrior am I supposed to be, if I can't even protect the tradition as a shadow warrior? What Kilmogarl? I…I…it's a life full of disgrace…Ouby, Luae…forgive me. You brought up our daughter…like a princess, but I…couldn't protect…her…"

Ouby was his wife and Luae was Eboue's…child?

"I don't even qualify as a lumberjack! I can't die either. I merely wade through my life like a walking corpse…" Eboue lamented with both his hands trembling.

His eyes were bloodshot.

"Garurururuu――" Rollodeen growled with the angriest voice of today.

But, contrary to the anger filling her voice, she closed the distance to Eboue with gentle movements and kindly rubbed her cheek up and down against his.

She was obviously consoling him.

"…Black Queen-sama…thank you so much." Eboue settled down again after being soothed by Rollodeen. He looked my way, and said, "…I know that everyone else also possesses past experiences of being driven out of their previous homes in the same way…but, I…"

"You're being tormented by strong feelings of guilt, right?"

"Yes. That's why…I didn't have the courage to talk to everyone about this. I attempted to speak about it with Dokoko, but…"

"Well, I can understand why. Just talk about it when you're ready to do so. I'm sure everyone will accept it. I will do so as well. No, I've already accepted it for what it is."

I looked at Eboue who had mustered his courage to talk to me like this.

"…Thank you. Still, Her Majesty apparently saw through my powers as Kilmogarl at a glance."

A sharp glint had returned to Eboue's leopard eyes. He was now talking calmly while staring at Rollodeen with a gaze full of respect. He crossed his arms in front of his chest and lowered his head towards her.

"As expected of Rollo. So, are you happy with this, Rollo?"

In response to my question, Rollodeen turned her head my way and shook it up and down, effectively nodding, before growling and extending a black tentacle from her chest area. That tentacle coiled itself around my waist and carried me on her back as usual.

It looks like she plans to travel somewhere again.

"Where do you plan to go this time?" I seated myself on her fluffy back as Rollodeen desired while asking her.

Behind me was Shuhelia. Thanks to that, I could feel the touch of her moderate breasts on my back.

Yep, okay. My back's boob sensors are working as intended. They managed to grasp the shape of her tits in an instant.

While Shuhelia directed a quizzical look at me who was pulling a lewd face and breathing hard through his nose, Rollodeen turned her head towards Eboue.

"Nyaooo."

"Yes, Your Majesty. I moved him to the "Great Waterfall of the Warhorse Valley." I will guide you to that knight――"

A knight? At the waterfall?

Eboue transformed into a black panther in an instant. Thick mana was contained in the mist that seemed to consist of countless black threads as it rose from the panther.

"For real?"

"Eh?"

Shuhelia and I were startled. Eboue's panther form was enveloped by a black aura while making you feel the nobility of an alpha male. So it wasn't just a uniform, huh?

But, looking closer at it, he resembles Rollodeen in some parts and differs to her in others. I think he's slightly bigger than Rollodeen…

Anyway, Kilmogarl are really incredible. It's also possible that he belongs to a bloodline with a special body or mutant body like leopard beastmen.

『For him to own a special ability allowing him to transform in to an animal form…outstanding. Your Excellency, it's decided with this, right?』

『That matter has to wait for now』

I wanted to check out Eboue's magnificent panther form, but he swiftly picked up the magic ax with his muzzle and started to run. His powerful stride drew the attention of Alray and Hueremy, who had been playing at the river, resulting in them running after him. Rollodeen started to run as well with Shuhelia and me on her back.

Rollodeen was fast and thus we caught up with Eboue in no time.

After traveling for a bit, Eboue, who had been running slightly ahead, growled lowly and stopped. Then he shifted his head sideways, apparently telling us to follow him that way. Immediately afterwards, he turned that way and rushed onto the animal trail.

Rollodeen followed him and we advanced through the trail with her hooves stomping down the soil. Meanwhile Eboue ran two horse lengths ahead of us while pulling off awesome displays of his nimbleness. Using the ax in his mouth, he made quick work of the leaves and branches in the way. 𝗳re𝗲𝚠e𝐛n𝗼v𝗲l.c𝐨𝐦

Is it a skill? Just now, his body blurred for an instant.

While feeling the cold wind on my cheeks, accompanied by drops of water bouncing off the leaves and hitting me, I kept riding through the Sea of Trees while unified with Rollodeen. Shuhelia had put more strength into her arms as she wound them around my waist. It didn't seem like she was a scaredy cat like Viine, but well, Rollodeen is in the middle of her acceleration right now.

◇◇◇◇

Kicking off a tall tree, we raced downhill. The birds' chirping was pleasant. All of this made me carefreely think that traveling through the Sea of Trees is truly nice.

Suddenly Rollodeen lost her footing on the surface of a huge, wet, granite-like rock.

That's unusual――

But, instead of getting panicked, Rollodeen used the sliding momentum instead to explosively kick off the surface. Her pulverizing granite with her hind legs by jumping is what you'd expect of a divine beast――

When we landed, I could see a stream on my left. We followed that stream upwards by jumping around between the opal rubble dotting the riverbank. Soon we came out at a place with a stone statue's head, which had beautiful, curvy contours, probably depicting an elf.

However, without paying any attention to that, the cats moved onwards towards a grassland area. Rollodeen freely extended her tentacles, and used their bone swords to prune the grass and bushes.

At some places violet fog rose from the ground, but we broke through them just like that.

As I enjoyed the pretty scenery passing by and the wind caressing my cheeks, Rollodeen abruptly stopped moving. We had arrived at a place with a great out-view. I could see a waterfall ahead of us. The ridge-line of its top had a shape similar to that of a horseback.

I wouldn't call it a gigantic waterfall, but the amount of water crashing down between the rocks was abundant. Water sprays kept fleetingly scattering into the air as the water clashed against the rocks protruding out of the surface.

The glittering of the water sprays looked like diamonds dispersing and vanishing into the air. Fish also clashed against the rocks as if lured by those diamonds. Those fish then powerlessly fell down while drawing arcs in the air.

I guess this must be Eboue's Great Waterfall of the Warhorse Valley.

At its top, two monsters were having a fight. A huge humanoid one with blue skin was duking it out with a deer-shaped monster.

"The gigantic monster fighting the soldiers of the Tree King might be a subspecies of trolls."

"That's a troll? It doesn't look like the trolls I encountered in the labyrinth city. Well, it's flabby, swaying belly is the same, I guess, but…was it that troll over there who attacked the caravan at Hino and roared near Cydale?"

In addition, you could see water breaking furiously around the remains of a ship. But, why is there a ship's wreck here anyway?

I'm kind of curious about it, but for now we're here for the area behind the waterfall.

"…I'm interested in the monster battle, but this is the Kilmogarl's…"

Here and there you could see holes similar to sekibutsugan on the protruding rocks forming the waterfall.

"It seems so. It's unclear whether it's influenced by the battle, but the spectacle of fish falling down like that has quite an impact, too. An air full of negative ions sure is great."

"Negative ions?"

"Don't mind me. Basically, it means it smells nice."

"Does it?"

Shuhelia checked by sniffing with her nose. But, do demons possess a special skill to investigate smells?

Well, she's probably doing so because I mentioned it.

『Your Excellency! I want to swim! I can see lots of water spirits swim around over there!』 Helme exclaimed while pointing at the waterfall's basin

『Right now it's impossible』

『…Okay』

While I was talking with Helme, Eboue ran over to the backside of the waterfall. Alray and Hueremy followed after meowing. Us too.

We entered behind the waterfall through a wide rock path at the side as if walking along a cliff with countless alcoves. Those alcoves were decorated with stone panther figures. I'm sure Hina would love those.

Or rather, I think I'll grab myself one of those too.

Such an evil thought crossed my mind, but I refrained from going through with it.

"Gauuuh."

In the middle of the waterfall curtain, Eboue cried in a way that meant we had reached our destination. Alray and Hueremy answered with meows of their own and started to scratch away at the ground. However, Rollodeen soon got angry at their antics and growled them into obedient submission.

Shuhelia and I got off her and checked the vicinity.

Behind us was the path along the rock wall. On our right side was the waterfall curtain with the waterfall's basin being below us. Ahead of us was a rocky dead end overgrown with vines. A huge black panther was carved into the rock face which you could somewhat make out between the vines.

On our left side, a cave continued deeper into the rock. The cave's height seemed to be a little bit over thirty meters. Stalactites were hanging from the ceiling. Big iron pots were connected to chains which had been affixed to the tips of those stalactites. Raging flames were billowing out of those pots as if trying to reach the ceiling. The flames, which appeared to even have eruptions, turned into spirals and burned their way up along the multiple chains as if to devour the stalactites.

However, how does that work?

Even though the stalactites were constantly hit by flames, they didn't melt. The whole setup merely served as one big light source with strong and weak illuminations constantly alternating.

It looks like a light trap for catching insects.

And just when I thought that, bugs really got burned by the flames. Insects swarmed towards the burning stalactites. Of course, those insects would immediately burn to cinders as soon as they got in contact with the flames.

The cinders slowly swayed downwards, creating a faint, silver light on their way. It was pretty damn beautiful.

However, that and the chains, iron pots, and stalactites…maybe the flames are no flames despite looking like flames.

At that point, I lowered my eyes. The cave's width exceeded a hundred meters. It had an atmosphere as you'd expect of a den inhabited by bear monsters. Or in short, it was quite vast.

Traces of a campfire were visible on the ground. I could also spot dried goat poop. On top of that all sorts of rustic, simple living ware was visible like a low table made out of roots, crude knives carved out of bones, shells that could and couldn't be used as plates, and a mat to cover the ground that used a monster's skin as material.

The person, who lives here, might actually be quite a gourmet.

I also found a damaged armor piece. Going by its size, its wearer must have been quite tall and buff.

Checking the remains of the campfire, I could still feel some heat emanating from it when I held my hand above it. It's clear that someone is inhabiting the cave.

Eboue mentioned a knight or something, but…don't tell me…this isn't a nest for Puyuyus, is it?

"Your Majesty, a knight means…"

"Who knows. Maybe knights live in the Sea of Trees as well. I only know the people of Cydale though," I continued examining the area while answering Shuhelia.

Eboue and the cats remained silent. A magic spear I feel I've seen before was leaning against the wall near the cave's entrance.

Suddenly, a single, big man appeared from within the cave's darkness. He was supporting himself by pressing one palm against the cave's wall. He was clearly missing one leg. Support the translation by reading it on infinitenoveltranslations.net

"You again, black beasts? I don't need fish anymore…"

『…That's the Spirit World Knight who fought against you before, Your Excellency』

"Delhart!" Shuhelia shouted the name of her former comrade.

So he survived the night of chaos, huh? He had taken a hit of Baldok to his back.

"Wh-….!?"

Noticing us, Delhart looked quite surprised. I was surprised as well. Arost should have gouged his chest open from the shoulder halfway through. But, as I can only see a scar on his chest now…he must have recovered.

Nothing less of a Spirit World Knight, huh…? I guess he possesses some outstanding recovery skills. Or maybe his violet spear is special in some way?

He approached us.

…Still, he looks like a total mess. He's riddled by other wounds which he didn't receive from me. I can tell that his mana control is decent from him having healed his arm and chest, but…the scar ranging from the upper arm all the way down to his hand was still raw as he had apparently sewn it together himself.

Moreover, it looks like he was burned…a part of his arm protector had melted down and was now integrated with his wound as if having fused with his skin.

Delhart was standing on one leg while being in such a state that wouldn't allow him to heal up despite his healing skill working. His leg was missing parts from the knee downwards. The wound below the knee was like Eva's bone legs…the flesh and bones had grown in a half-assed manner as they were still in the middle of regenerating, now forming a crooked, unnatural clump.

Rollodeen had apparently brought fish to Delhart. Now she was silently staring at him after having transformed into a big panther.