Black Iron Magician

Chapter 422 Air Route before the Decisive Battle

When we entered the airship from the deck, we found a golem, which seems to be Zex’s main body. It’s lying down and attached to a strict protective device, so perhaps it hasn’t been activated yet. It has a humanoid form, and I can see that it is quite large even when lying on its back. It’s not as big as the scorpion body that Haru fought in Al Nova’s scrapyard before, but it seems that it’s more than 5 meters. It has a stylish appearance, and I haven’t found any armaments so far. The body is painted white and black and is very futuristic――I mean, it looks like a future robot. It looks like it could move even in space.

「It’s cramped….」

If the airship that Alezel took us on was a large cargo ship, this airship should be called a military airship that pursues only speed and efficiency. With the body of Zex lying down in the middle, there is only a little space left on both sides of the body. If everyone sits in the chairs provided there, the space would be completely crammed.

「Fuhahahahahaha! It seems that my calculation was correct! This space is the best, as it makes effective use of all space without creating unnecessary space! It also almost reached the weight limit!」

The eyes of Zex Robo began to shine, and the annoying noise echoed. It seems that he just finished moving his consciousness from the body he left in Adelheit to this main body.

「Zex, I think you should study people’s hearts….」

「I’m doing it every day, though!?」

Then, your learning function is broken somewhere. It must be so.

The airship departed when everyone took their seats, and a tremendous gravity attacked us―― or so I thought, but I didn’t feel any burden at all. It seems that he has taken this into consideration, and the airship seems to be uselessly high-performance.

「Uhh… I’m not good in small places…. I’m not good in crowded places….」

「Wee-chan, if that’s the case, you should look outside the window―― ah, there’s no window!?」

「It wasn’t necessary, so I didn’t make it!」

「Then, should I create a pseudo-landscape full of greenery with Ground Magic? Of course, I recommend the most realistic vegetable garden!」

「Haruna, Therese-san, calm down. Wee, I will heal you with my healing magic.」

「I wish I could sit next to Goshujin-sama if it’s cramped like this~! Nell, give me that seat~!」

「We will arrive soon, so the loser should sit quietly on the edge. …… Heh.」

「Ah, she sneered at me!? Goshujin-sama, did you see that!? Did you see that wicked smile!?」

「Lily-shishō, I understand your desire, but is it okay that you don’t act like a Demon King? I mean, you are in front of the other Great Eight Demons, right?」

「It’s okay! My disguise came off by Touko-chan’s surprise attack at that time~! Also, that thing is tiring!」

「Gobuu, gobu gobu, gobu!」

「Umu, Gobuo is right. It’s important to preserve your stamina before the decisive battle. If you’re too tense now, you will feel exhausted pointlessly.」

「Oi, Deris. How long are you going to keep squeezing this old body in this cramped space? It’s going to hurt my back, you know?」

It’s so noisy that as if we are on a school trip. Now, what should I do with this unstoppable noise? The small space makes it seem even louder.

「「「「………」」」」

Maybe they read my thought, Ii and the others stared at me as if complaining to me, saying that they were quiet. Well, it’s not that I’m blaming you. Or are you trying to tell me to do my work as a stopper? Yeah, I know. With the speed of this airship, we will arrive at Crocus in no time. Let’s finish the briefing while we can now.

「Attention! It’s fine to relax, but we will arrive at our destination, the sky above Crocus Castle, soon. Do you remember what you should do?」

「Yes! I’m going to incapacitate Lily-san’s sisters and the high-ranking vampires under them in the castle!」

「Me too!」

「Well, except for Nell-shishō, Deris-san, Alezel-san, and Zex-san, everyone is in charge of that.」

Good, I’m glad that they are quick to switch gears. I’d like to add a little something, Ii and the others are going with me for a reason, and Zeta can act freely as long as she’s with Zex.

「I’m glad that everyone understands it well. The vampire sisters that you have to fight are all level 9, and Ursula, the eldest sister, is level 10. The sisters are in the class of the Great Eight Demons, and the high-ranking vampires are in the class of the Great Eight Demons candidates. You must not act alone, and you must not let your guard down. Keep that in mind.」

「Can I get rid of all my sisters~? I mean, I will do it. I will dye this fist bright red.」

Lily, who clenched her fist tightly, made a dangerous remark.

「It’s good to be motivated, but you should be careful of the enemies’ abilities. Basically, the Unique Skills of the vampires are all those that use their own blood as a medium. Be careful not to get your blood sucked, and also be careful not to touch their blood. Also, this is the most important thing to keep in mind: there are monsters clad in dark red mist in Alezel’s report. They are extraordinarily powerful. If you see them, just ignore them. Fortunately, it’s said that their detection ability isn’t that good. Don’t try to fight them, okay?」

「Danna, you said the same thing yesterday, but are they really that dangerous?」

「After seeing them directly, Alezel guessed that they are at least as strong as level 11. There were two of them that she has discovered. Their identities are unknown, but they are probably in the highest position as Maria’s right-hand man and left-hand man.」

「Hmm, when I was staying in the crimson country, they weren’t there, though…. Well, if I meet them, I will just run away and dump them on Nell.」

「At that time, I will burn them together with Lily, so you can pass away without worries.」

「「…… Tch!」」

There they go again…. However, Lily’s choice to leave them to someone with the biggest fighting power is surprisingly correct. It’s the worst if she escapes carelessly and causes harm to the hostages. Or maybe we can leave them to Alezel, who’s fast at running away. Well, I’m glad that my friends are reliable.

「Anyway, you can leave these monsters to us. Haru, you can’t rush at them just because they are strong, okay? I’m serious.」

「…… It’s okay!」

There was a pause for a moment, wasn’t there? There are things you can’t do, you know?

「There may be a scene at the very end where Haru and the others will have to do their best. So, don’t be reckless.」

「Yes! I will do my best at that time! Ah, but, can I take a look at those monsters!?」

「………」

「Don’t worry, Deris-san. I will keep an eye on Haruna and Touko so that they won’t act recklessly.」

「Eh, me too!? I think I’ve been able to pay attention to the surroundings and read the mood recently, you know!?」

「That’s right, but… you’re likely to act recklessly if it’s for Deris-san.」

「Y-Y-You idiot! D-Don’t make such a bold statement here! It’s embarrassing!」

「Fuhahahaha! I’m sorry for interrupting your excitement, but we will arrive at our destination soon, no, we’ve arrived! Please get ready to descend!」

…… Is it really going to be okay?