Black Iron Magician

Chapter 320 High Alert

By the time the training on the airship ended nicely, the air journey was finally coming to an end. On the ground, the modern cityscape of the machine country of Al Nova―― or rather, the very metallic factory-like cityscape―― spreads out.

「Wow, it feels like dokkan dokkan!」

「…… Isn’t that the name of your staff?」

Well, I can understand what Haru is trying to say. The sound that’s echoing in the huge mysterious factory, and a large group of machines that are unknown what they are for. To put them all together, it feels ‘dokkan dokkan’. Hmm, it’s surprisingly deep.

「Is this the capital of Al Nova? The scale of the entire city seems to be no less than that of Damaya.」

「You can say it is the capital, but it’s more like a research facility for Zex-sama. The others cities are also not in the usual form, but they are more like resource mines or transportation facilities.」

「It’s not inferior to Damaya, and it’s also a unique country…. Hmm? Maybe it’s just my imagination, but I don’t see any human figures at all. I can only see big robots all over the place.」

「Ah, you’re right. I also can’t find them.」

「How can you two see the details of the city from here…?」

It’s just my own prejudice, but Haru and Touko’s eyesight is probably on par with Africans. I can’t even see the big robots well from this height.

「There are no ordinary people living in Al Nova, so it’s natural that you can’t see them.」

「Eh, there are no people?」

「This is not a country of people, but a country of machines. Unlike Damaya, there are no lodgings or restaurants for tourists to stay in because they don’t care about tourism. And even before that, there are strict restrictions on entering the city from the outside. Look, the outside of the city is covered with steel walls, and there are multiple checks to get in and out of the gates, right? If you don’t have permission to arrive and depart like Alezel’s airship, it will be taken as a sign that you’ve picked a fight with the Great Eight Demons. So, be careful not to act carelessly.」

「I-It’s somehow stricter than the countries we’ve visited so far. I felt that Zex-san was a friendly person at the ceremony, though….」

「As Chinatsu-san said, Zex-sama is a wonderful person who is friendly and merciful. However, all of the creations that Zex-sama creates are beyond the technology of other nations. Due to their nature, it is inevitable that we must be very careful about information leaks and products transportation. There is also no need to let unrelated people in, so no one other than those involved exists in this city.」

「Hmm…. Yeah, I don’t really understand what Zeta is talking about! It’s difficult!」

「You have to understand that, Touko…. The point is that they are thoroughly protecting the important technology as highly classified information so that it won’t be stolen.」

「Hee, that must be hard, huh.」

Al Nova is a country of machines. The only people here are the technicians and researchers that Zex puts trust in their skills. Snowtail is an allied country, but it’s probably impossible even for the royal family to enter this city. The fact that we are allowed to go in as an addition to Alezel and Zeta is an exception among exceptions. That’s how great the recommendation from Alezel, who formed an alliance with Zex as the Great Eight Demons, and the trust from Zeta, his confidant, are. By the way, the decisive factor is the verbal promise that I would get the recording of my and Nell’s wedding.

「We will arrive soon~. When you get there, you’ll be given a permit that you can wear around your neck, so you should wear it and keep it visible while you’re in Al Nova. Otherwise, the security system will kick in. If you’re interrogated, you’ll be detained for a long time and it’ll be a hassle, so as Deris said earlier, be careful how you act. Okay?」

「Yes, I’ll be careful!」

「Nell-shishō, let’s be careful!」

「Why are you telling me this?」

I understand your feelings. When I strongly agreed with Chinatsu’s opinion, the airship finally arrived at Al Noval. I could see a lot of steam coming from the huge chimneys that were set up all over the city. There are also complicated equipment, pipes, and steel tower that stand out. Anyway, the cityscape is like a lump of men’s dreams. I’m sure it will look even more amazing at night when it’s all lit up. …… Nice.

「Look, even Deris is grinning like that. I’m always looking sharp, you know?」

「No, I think Deris-san is just having a trip in another sense.」

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「Fuhahahaha! Everyone, welcome to Al Nova! It looks like today’s dinner is going to be a lively one! I have a mouth to speak, but no mouth to eat, though! Fuhaha!」

「Zex-sama! That’s wonderful! That’s an exemplary self-deprecating joke!」

As soon as we arrived at the landing site, the lighthearted talk and worshiping look started. And on the surroundings, there are huge golems holding up a horizontal banner with the words, ‘Welcome to Al Nova, the country that opens up the future with the power of science!’. How should I put it, it looks like they are welcoming tourists. The warning on the ship is ruined.

「Y-Yo, Zex. I’m glad to see you as energetic as usual.」

「Oh, if it isn’t Deris-dono! Did you finally aim for the fifth seat!? Then, I have to be careful not to get my neck cut off when sleeping! Well, my body doesn’t need sleep, though!」

「No, it’s not――」

「Hahaha, it’s a joke, a Zex joke!」

「As expected of Zex-sama! Your continuous self-deprecating jokes have no opening at all! I’m impressed!」

He’s in high excitement that’s unbelievable for a machine. Yeah, it has no opening at all that my head hurts.

「Heya, Zex-han! I’m fine with you talking with Deris, but keep me accompany too, kay? We have a lot to talk about after all.」

「Oh, Alezel-dono! That’s right! How was the comfort level of the trial product that I gave you the other day? 」

「I thought it would be easier to understand if I actually received it than if I used it, so I gave it to one of my business rivals to use. The rapid-fire was great, but the firepower was lacking. Even I could defend against it…. But, I think the sound was exhilarating. It’s also a good point that anyone can use it as long as they know how to use it.」

Now, I wonder what is that trial product. I’m sure it’s not the one used by a certain mercenary group. It should be strictly managed after all.

「Ah, that’s right, I’m supposed to give you a permit! Now, please hang this ID card around your neck.」

「Wow, I’ve seen this on TV!」

「There’s even a portrait photo. When did you take it…?」

「Ooh, you’re quite knowledgeable that you know about the photo. You see, I recorded the face of the people who attended the ceremony the other day. When I heard that you were coming here, I prepared it using the best photo! Fuhaha, it’s my finest item!」

「I-I see….」

As Haru and Chinatsu pointed out, this is the so-called ID card of the person concerned. Including this strap, it’s full of modernity.