Black Iron Magician

Chapter 42 Meeting

―――― The seventh day of training.

Yesterday, after finishing things to do, Haru spent her time practicing the new magics she learned. People rarely come around my house, so she can release the poisonous fog to her heart’s content. Even if Canon unluckily came, well, I could just recover him before he dies. It was night when it took shape, and the training for the day was over. I ate dinner as usual and went to bed with Haru. Thanks to my regular life, I woke up early in the morning.

The expedition is tomorrow so there is still time. Let’s do our best again in today’s training―― is what I thought, but Nell called me to the magic knight headquarters in the royal castle. It was sudden, you know? You should make an appointment beforehand!

「I wonder what does she want…」

I mutter to myself before the suspension bridge while looking at the towering castle. Well, it’s not the one I’m heading to, but the knights’ barracks.

「Isn’t it a meeting for tomorrow? Shishō, this way.」

Ah, right. Haru was in the royal castle before, so she roughly knows the way. After getting permission from the soldiers on guard, we walked through the castle gate to the knight’s barracks. On the way, we could see men who seem to be knights were training. Their levels are low as always, huh? …… No, I’m just too familiar with Haru. The knights around here are pitiable if I compare them with her.

「Oh, you’re here. Morning.」

「Morning. What’s up with the sudden call?」

I scratched my head and said it as if complaining. Nell is lightly dressed, and lining up behind her are her subordinate knights. There are three people, an old soldier who has a veteran atmosphere, a young man who has a manly expression, and Canon who is shrinking away. In contrast to Nell, they are fully armed.

「I’m thinking of introducing ourselves before tomorrow’s expedition.」

「We can just do that tomorrow, right?」

「More or less, I’m in a position to lead. I’ll be troubled if someone dies against the small fry, so I’m thinking of understanding each ability of those I’m going to take along.」

「N-Nell-danchou. You said small fry, but I heard that the target of this subjugation is a Demon King, though…」

The depressed Canon asks Nell anxiously.

「Don’t worry, it’s a self-proclaimed Demon King.」

Nell replies with a smile. A very nice smile. To the extent that it absorbs Canon’s smile.

「Well, whatever. So, is that everyone? That’s not much for a knight’s expedition.」

「It’s an elite group, you know, an elite group. If I take many people, the movement will be slow, and in the end, I’ll be the one to beat the enemies. Also, I’m going to introduce my disciple. Chinatsu, Chinatsu~!」

Nell screams toward the barracks. Her expression is like a child who wants to share a newly found toy, and looks somewhat sparkling.

Hey, you just want to brag about your disciple by using this meeting as an excuse, don’t you?

「…… Chinatsu?」

Haru muttered so. Could it be――

Then, I heard footsteps of someone running down the stairs in one go from the barracks. And then, the door is opened. The one who appeared was a girl with long black hair, wearing lightweight equipment. She was Japanese

「Y-Yes, Shishou. What―― Haruna!?」

「Waah! It’s Chinatsu-chan!」

The two run up to each other as if it was arranged beforehand. Apparently, Nell’s disciple was Haru’s classmate who was transported too. Moreover, they seem to be quite close to each other. Nell, did you know about this?

「Oh, did Haruna and Chinatsu know each other? What a coincidence.」

Oh, it was a coincidence, huh? I see.

「Haruna, were you okay? Did they do anything weird?」

「Ehehe, I’m fine. Chinatsu-chan, were you doing well at the castle?」

「I was too busy worrying about you!」

「I-I’m sorry…」

If I’m not wrong, Haru was separated from her classmates as soon as she got transported to this world. Well, it’s no wonder for her close friend to be worried. She’s a beautiful girl who looks like an honor student, but considering that she is Haru’s friend, she is probably a weirdo too. After all, she is ‘that’ Nell’s disciple….

「Let me introduce her again. She is my disciple, Chinatsu. Come on, greet them.」

「Ah, yes! I’m Rokusai Chinatsu. Erm, this person is…?」

「He’s my master.」

「Haruna’s? Um….」

Chinatsu is gazing at me as if evaluating me. Well, it’s a normal reaction. Anyone would be worried if their best friend’s master who suddenly appeared was such a thirty-year-old man. If it was her parent, a fist would come to me if I’m not lucky.

「Chinatsu, Deris is my companion when I was an adventurer. I can guarantee his ability. As for his personality, well, I can’t guarantee it.」

「Eh…」

「Hey, wait there. Don’t invite misunderstanding.」

At least, I don’t want to be told by you. No matter how bad I am, I don’t want to be told by you.

「Ahaha, it’s okay. Shishō is a very sincere and good person!」

「I-Is that so? Well, I guess it’s okay if Haruna says so…」

Umu, as expected of my disciple. You are different from Nell who’s making a ‘Ew, what is she talking about?’ face over there. Even I can be sincere and good to the people I choose.

「Ah, well, nice to meet you. So, is this everyone?」

「That’s right. Ah, I’ll introduce my subordinates. From the left, Daganov. He is the knight commanding officer, a level 4 magician. In the middle is the newcomer Muno, a level 3 magician. And on the right, as you know, is Canon. He is also a level 3 magician.」

Except for Daganov, who’s appointed as a knight commanding officer despite his age, they are level 3 just like Haru. They are excellent for their ages, but I’m a little worried. Muno seems to be a noble. He’s glaring at me and Haru, whose backgrounds are unknown―― hm? He is also glaring at Chinatsu, eh? It seems that he doesn’t like the three of us. Canon is being Canon, he is scared of Nell. They don’t seem to be useful in combat. Will this be okay?

「Nell, what was your intention when picking them?」

「To beat Muno and Canon into shape, though? I’ll be in the front line, so Daganov will be their guardian at that time.」

Ah, it is the usual thing, huh? The moment I thought so, Muno opened his mouth as if he couldn’t stand it anymore.

「Nell-danchou! I can’t accept this! Why are you taking girls to the expedition of noble knights! It’s obvious that they will get in the way!」

「Chinatsu is my disciple and Haruna is Deris’s disciple. Isn’t that enough?」

「That’s not enough at all! To begin with, that man’s ability is also questionable!」

「… Hmm.」

Ohh, he rebelled against that Nell. You are amazing, Muno. Your likability in me has skyrocketed. Apart from being unable to read the mood, I want to acknowledge your courage and guts. Looking at Nell smiling while having a vein, the two people on both sides are scared and are about to blow bubbles.

「…… I’m sorry, Danchou. Muno just joined this month and doesn’t know about Deris-dono. I beg your tolerance.」

Old man Daganov stepped forward and said so. He’s desperately appealing to her while sweating over the scars he got from many battles. On the other hand, Canon remains frozen.

「Fufu, there’s no need for that since Muno has a point, right? Besides, I said it in the beginning, didn’t I? We are going to check each other’s abilities.」

She shows an innocent smile that can fascinate others. However, the aura that she lets out is evil. Old man Daganov said nothing more and retreated. Yeah, that’s the correct answer. As expected of someone who has been in this position for many years and survived. Whether it is okay to step further or not, he can see the borderline between life and death properly. By the way, at this time, Canon was actually blowing bubbles.

「Let’s have a mock battle for a bit. I’ll measure Haruna’s strength, so Muno will fight against Deris. If you are saying that far, you can check his strength yourself.」

「…… Oi.」

Nell is giving me eye contact. ‘Send him flying. Give him some instruction. At worst, it’s okay to kill him.’ No, that’s not good, you know?

「Understood! This Muno will splendidly live up to your expectations!」

You will die if you do that, Muno-kun.

「Eh, I can fight against Nell-san? I’m honored!」

And here, Haru is purely looking forward to the mock battle. I’m worried about the future……