Black Iron Magician

Chapter 263 The Main Performer

――――Tap.

Despite the ferocious momentum, it was a surprisingly quiet sound. The impact was absorbed by the barrier that as if it was a light tap by a hand.

「…… Damn.」

「That’s it! Touko’s contact with the barrier has been confirmed! Therefore, this surprise battle ended with Haruna’s victory!」

After the old gentleman’s declaration, the spectators erupted in cheers and applause. Even though it was short, the content of the match was spectacular. The majority didn’t even have a rough idea of what was going on, but they applauded the amazing exchanges of the two.

「Haa…. I couldn’t win even after working hard this far, huh. Ah, no, you are also doing your best as usual. It was a verbal slip, sorry.」

「Touko-chan, you really have changed, haven’t you?」

「Hmm, is that so?」

Recognizing the dozens of defeats in total, Touko tilts her head while scratching it.

「Yes. I mean, when I tackled, you should have been able to attack if you wanted to, right? I was prepared to some extent, but no attack came at all. Why?」

「You’re stupid, huh, Haruna. It’s something to celebrate Deris-danna, you know? At that point, even if I attacked you several times, you wouldn’t stop, right? This is a joyous occasion, so there’s no way I would pointlessly injure Danna’s disciple.」

「………*Stare*」

「W-What?」

Touko was shaken a little when Haruna stared at her silently.

「Nothing, I just thought that you really have changed.」

「You are sometimes very rude, huh.」

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

「Well, let’s give another big applause to the two who showed the amazing battle!」

――――Clap clap clap!

The exhibition match between Haru and Touko is over. Ahh, the time has finally come. The equipment that Alezel and Zex had prepared was working properly that Haru’s throwing and Touko’s new technique were mitigated without any problem. There is probably no other barrier generator in the world that can produce that kind of output on that scale. I am impressed that it is an extraordinary invention.

However, I wonder how useful the barrier that can nullify the power of level 7 in the main battle that will be held from now on…. No, don’t lose heart, me. Even Touko did it, didn’t she? Don’t panic and stay calm. Even they are old enough to understand it. I’m sure they will hold back their power. Otherwise, the lives of everyone in this venue will be in danger. Ah, I guess it’s better not to get my hopes up. More importantly, I’ve to do my job as the one who devised this――

「――Shishō, what are you doing sitting here?」

「Eh, Deris-san?」

「One of today’s protagonists… appeared first…?」

「Deris-san, it’s too early to come out. Please come back before Shishō finds you!」

「Eh, D-Danna!? Deris-danna!? This is bad, Lily-shishō! My outfit right now is shameless, isn’t it!? Did my make-up become weird after the battle!?」

「Don’t worry, you are cute enough. On the contrary, the sweat makes you look sexier.」

…… Somehow, they appeared one after another. I was trying to hide among the spectators, though. It seems that I was underestimating Haru’s intuition a little. Let’s reflect on it.

「Oh, you guys, huh. Well, I’m just doing a minor business. From now on is our showtime, so I’m thinking of preparing it carefully. I also came to check the battle of the two. I didn’t come out here by mistake, so don’t worry about it.」

The truth is that I also don’t want to come out while being in the center of attention.

「You two, it was a good fight. The venue was pretty lively, so I’m sure they wouldn’t complain. It also took the right amount of time.」

「Thank you very much! I also enjoyed it!」

「Y-Yeah. Also, I’m glad I could pay you back for the trouble I’ve caused. W-Well, so… h-how was it?」

「Hm? I think it was good.」

「No, I mean… like, more specific.」

Touko averted her gaze and said such a thing while fidgeting. She said such a thing while blushing slightly.

Oi, Lily. Something is strange with Touko. To be more specific, she looks like a delinquent, but she’s like a pure girl inside. No, well, she was like that before, but now she’s more feminine and her destructive power has increased… anyway, it feels dangerous.

「Haru is doing her best to win as usual. At the previous battle, she kept pushing forward while adding tricks that were nasty in a good sense.」

「I used Shishō’s personality as a reference!」

「Hahaha, I wonder what does that means?」

My disciple may be a little too straightforward. She directly and accurately stabbed my heart.

「As for Touko, let’s see…」

「Y-Yeah….」

「You are definitely stronger than when you fought Haruna before. It’s not just about pure strength. You’ve grown stronger both physically and mentally. Haru keeps growing dramatically, but I was equally surprised by Touko’s changes. Well done.」

「I-Is that so? Hehe, I see…!」

Touko laughed clumsily. Hey, don’t throw such an innocent smile at me. And Lily, don’t give me that thumbs up that’s as if saying, ‘How’s that? I did a good job, didn’t I?’

「Now, everyone! Did you enjoy the opening battle? You don’t have to tell me, I know that you are still excited. But, the main battle will start from now on! Today’s main performer, the bride Nell herself will participate in today’s greatest battle!」

「「「「「Eh? 」」」」」

The ones who immediately reacted to the voice of Vakala, the emcee, were the knights. ‘Hey, what the hell is he talking about? Is he sane? Eh, seriously?’ such expressions are showing in their faces. Canon dropped the glass he was holding, and Elder Daganov scolded him―― no, he’s also frozen.

「E-Err, the knight leader will fight here?」

「Umu, that’s right.」

「A-Ahahaha…. I-I’m sure that it will be worth seeing, but there’s no need for the bride to fight at the reception…. Besides, there’s no way you can find someone suitable to be her opponent. Ahahaha….」

「Hohoho. Don’t worry. In this super surprise battle, the opponent is someone that the bride herself nominated. There’s no problem.」

Vakala amusingly repelled the questions of the knights who want to stop the match no matter what. They are desperate, very desperate.

「Don’t worry. It’s for that reason that the device that creates the barrier and the groom, who will do the first collaborative work with his wife, are here.」

「Deris-san? Ah, could it be that the opponent――」

「――It’s not me. My role is to put up a barrier in addition to this device. Supporting Nell’s fight from the surroundings, it’s a collaborative work in that sense.」

It’s really become a knight-ish wedding reception. Even Canon is moved to tears.

「D-Deris-san, it’s going to be okay, right? Deris-san can stop the aftermath of Leader’s attack, right…?」

「…… I will do my best.」

「Deris-san!?」

Well, it’s still better if it’s Nell alone. But, she is also going to fight. I have a strong sense of responsibility, so I can’t irresponsibly say that I can do it. And Canon, how about you learn to be carefree like your juniors? Look.

「To think that I can see Leader Nell’s battle, I’m honored desuwa! Wee, we must not blink desuwa!」

「Therese-san, that thinking is premature…. By blinking, we can watch the battle more clearly….」

「I’m looking forward to seeing who the opponent will be! Huh, Chinatsu-chan, what’s wrong?」

「Uhh, my head….」

「Danna looks so cool in his tuxedo….」

See, they are carefree, aren’t they?