Disclaimer: I do not own Kuroinu: Kedakaki Seijo wa Hakudaku ni Somaru or Skyrim/The Elder Scrolls. All rights respectively go to Liquid, the studio who created Kuroinu, and Bethesda Studios, the gaming company who made The Elder Scrolls series.

The City Fortress of Ken lay beyond the horizon, its grand architecture glowing from the setting sun. It had taken the Black Dogs three days to return the Capital of Eostia: The first day after the battle was spent burying their dead; the latter two, for travel. The men in the company were laughing and cheering after a hard-fought victory.

All except Daemon, who wasn't one to partake in such revelry.

"Eyes up men! Once we get into the city, the first round is on me!" Volt shouted.

A loud cheer erupted from the rank and file. The gate guards recognized the symbol and banners of the Black Dogs, and quickly allowed them entry. However, they were met with a small contingent of heavily armored guards. Two women stood at the forefront: The first was a woman with cream-colored skin, azure blue eyes with a beauty mark underneath the left, and had her long light tan hair tied in a bun.

What she wore was the most eye-catching to many men. It was a silver and gold armor that covered her shoulders, arms, legs, parts of her waist, and parts of her large E-cup breasts which only left her mid-section exposed with only a small bikini-like cloth to cover her lower body. Atop her head sat a silver and gold headpiece and held a long double-edged sword at the hip. This woman was named Claudia Levantain of the prestigious Levantain family that had raised her to be a powerful warrior since she would walk.

As for the second woman, Daemon couldn't stop the light blush that formed. She was an unearthly beautiful woman with long almost pale blonde hair that stretched down to her legs. The woman and kind light green eyes. Also, she wore a rather revealing white robe and a brown strap hung from a circlet just below her large chest to cover her lady parts.

Topping off her looks, she wore two types of crowns. One looked to be made of a whereat while the second one, which was gold, was wore around her forehead. The most eye-caching feature, other than her revealing cloths and large F-cupped chest, was her elf-pointed ears.

This was the High Queen Celestine Lucross.

The leaders of the Black Dogs immediately knelt before them, Hicks and Kin forcing Daemon to do the same, getting an annoyed growl from him.

"Your Highness Lucross, Knight-Commander Levantine: To what do I owe the pleasure?" Volt asked reverently.

"You may rise, Captain Volt." Celestine smiled at him. "It is good to see you in good health. I had heard that you triumphed at the battle of Ostagoth and wished to congratulate you personally."

Vult grinned. "It was nothing, Your Majesty. Our men had merely done their duty, though I regret to say that we had lost most of our newest members."

"A shame indeed." Celestine sighed with sympathy and sadness. "However, I received your letter. Is the one called Daemon among you?"

"Aye." Volt looked over at the Dragonborn. "Daemon, come here!"

Annoyed at being ordered and told what to do, Daemon stood and walked over. Volt clapped a hand on his shoulder when he was next to him.

"This guy... took on an entire battalion of Orcs and Imps and killed every single one of them until they were a massive pile." Volt said.

Claudia gave the Dragonborn an appraising look. "Impressive. Not many men survive an encounter with the Queen Discordia's forces, let alone claim victory against them."

"I've faced much worse odds." Daemon said.

"He comes from the land of Skyrim." Volt added, causing Claudia and Celestine's eyes to widen.

"Is this true?" The Goddess asked the Dragonborn, who gave a quiet sigh but nodded. "I haven't been there in... quite a long time. Nevertheless, I thank you for coming to this land and aiding us against the Dark Queen's forces."

Daemon gave a single nod of his head.

"I would have you join me in the throne room." Celestine said. "There is something I wish to… to discuss with you."

Her words came at a surprise to all, even Claudia. "Your Majesty?"

"I will explain later," She added, both to clarify to Daemon and answer Claudia's questioning gaze. "That is, if Captain Volt does not have any objections?"

"He's not a member of the Black Dogs, so he can do whatever he wants." Volt said, though he seemed to have a slight frown on his face, as if he didn't want Daemon to speak with the High Queen.

Celestine nodded and gestured for Daemon to follow her and Claudia, which he did as Volt watched them go with his frown deepening.

Hicks voiced his concerns. "What do you think she wants with him?"

"Probably wants to give him a title." Kin offered his thoughts. "He's from a different land, after all."

Volt stared a little longer at the retreating forms of the Queen's entourage before turning about-face. "Doesn't matter. Come on, I've been sober for too long."

When they arrived at the throne room Celestine had Daemon wait at the base of the stairs leading up to her throne. Her guards spread out, each taking a position to the side of the room as if overseeing a procession. Celestine stood at the top of the stairs, in front of her throne with Claudia at her side. She gazed down at the armored man, her smile never leaving her face.

"Daemon of Skyrim, come forth."

Daemon did as instructed, climbing the staircase until he was within arm's length of the High Elf. A silence ensued, as they all waited for something to happen. After a moment, Claudia cleared her throat.

"Daemon, if you could remove your helmet."

Daemon paused before he reached up and removed his Daedric helmet, allowing his long black hair to be free and for the two ladies to see his face.

'Oh my...' Celestine thought with a light blush. She had to admit, Daemon was very handsome. She casted a glance at Claudia and saw she too was blushing a little. Daemon was handsome, with long black hair and dark blue eyes.

Celestine turned to the knight at her side. "Claudia, your sword please."

Claudia nodded, drawing her blade and carefully presented it to her queen. The High Elf took the sword in her hands and faced Daemon.

"Please, kneel."

He did as she asked. She took a step towards him, sword brandished upwards.

"Daemon of Skyrim. you selflessly went into battle for a land that was not your own, defend people of a land not your own, all on your own will and choice. Your actions during the Battle of Ostagoth have proven you worthy. She brought the flat of the blade down on his right pauldron. "For diligence in duty," She tapped his left. "For bravery in battle, I, Celestine Lucross, knight thee Sir Daemon. May you bring honor to yourself and your family line.

"Please, rise."

Daemon did so, rising to his full height. It was only now that he noticed how tall he was compared to Her Highness. The tip of her head only barely reached the bottom of his chin. Yet despite this, her sheer majesty made it seem as if he was looking up to her. This graceful beauty of supreme political and magical power had shown him an unnatural amount of favor despite having only met him recently. That begged the question…

"Why?" He asked the elf. A look of surprise showed on her visage. "Why knight someone who you've only just met?"

"Well, it's not every day one knights the Dragonborn of legend." Celestine said, shocking him that she knew. She giggled, which sounded sweet and beautiful to Daemon's ears. "Yes, I know of the tale. Of how the God known as Akatosh gifted some men with the blood and soul of the dragon, able to defeat dragons and absorb their souls and knowledge. When Volt describe the power you wielded in his letter, I connected it to the tale and knew who you were from then."

"Very well then." Daemon said after a moment of silence. "I will help this land and try to end this war. I've already ended a civil war, let's see if I can end a second one."

"Confident, aren't you?" Celestine asked with a smirk.

Daemon smirked back. "It's one of my defining traits..."

And that's it for this chapter.