Black Iron Magician

Chapter 437 The Giant Tree Tower

What is the tallest building in Crocus territory? If asked so, all the people would point to a certain place. It is the 『Giant Tree Tower』, which is used as a watchtower and storage facility. As its name suggests, this tower is so tall that you can overlook the surrounding area, but it is also called a miracle tower because it is not only tall, but also because the trunks of many trees grow alongside its walls. It is not difficult to imagine that it plays a role not only in defense but also as a symbol of the country.

「It is good to be high up. You can see the war situation right away.」

「You didn’t have to go all the way here. Didn’t you have a good view from the sky?」

「That isn’t like you, Deris. What I want to know is the situation after those girls landed, you know? I already know the information before that after all.」

Nell proudly explained it while waving her finger. Yes, the two of us landed at the top of the Giant Tree Tower and are currently checking the surrounding area. It seems that Haru and the others also have landed safely.

「I see. For now, they won’t encounter Maria and the two monsters that they shouldn’t fight.」

Looking up at the bright red sky, I can see Zex in the midst of a battle with one of the monsters. It’s an even match at the moment, I guess? Gobu gobu. Oops, I talked like Gobuo for some reason.

「Basically, Maria won’t move from her throne, and the rumored monsters are far away from Chinatsu and the others.」

「Yeah, one of them is in the sky, and I can feel the presence of the other one right under this tower―― wait, right under?」

How strange, it should have been in a completely different place just a while ago. Did it find us already? I hurriedly looked at the wall of the tower where I could sense the presence.

「Ara, you just noticed? The other one has been approaching us with great momentum since a while ago. With Alezel, that is.」

「Geh, seriously….」

I could see Alezel climbing the wall, no, running on the wall while carrying Zeta at a tremendous speed. It seems that she judged that running here on the wall in a straight line is faster than using the stairs. And then, just as Nell said, I can see the other monster chasing after Alezel, even though it’s far behind.

「Oh, they finally came! It ain’t exactly like how we planned it, but now we can join them!」

「A-Alezel-sama, it’s coming…! The monster is chasing us with great momentum…!」

Zeta is being carried on Alezel’s shoulder in the position of facing behind, so she’s constantly making eye contact with the monster. How pitiful.

「Don’t worry, it’s not a problem! I’ve checked that it’s at least slower than me! Besides, there are Deris and Nell on this tower! See, we’re fine, right?」

「Fine my ass! You’re just trying to dump it on us, aren’t you!?」

「That’s right! I was careful not to pass near Haru-chan and the others and did my best to run around! You should thank me!」

「Ara, you’re very considerate even though you’re just Alezel. You’re taking the danger away from Chinatsu and the others, and I’m getting a good sparring partner. It’s killing two birds with one stone!」

「I-Is that so?」

Well, I don’t have time to be confused…. In the blink of an eye, Alezel ran through the wall of the tower and landed at the top where we are. She raises her hand to greet us with a smile that would have been considered cute if she stays silent.

「Then, I leave the rest to you!」

「Hey, where are you going?」

I try to grab Alezel by the neck, but she’s able to avoid my fingertips. She’s fast even though she’s carrying Zeta. She moves to the opposite side of the wall from where she came and is about to jump off.

「Where, you ask? Why do you think I’m carrying Zeta-han? I’m gonna deliver her safely to Zex-han. Well, I’ll be back before the battle with Maria-han. See ya!」

「Alezel-sama, are you going to jumpAAAAaaaa….」

As Alezel jumped down from the tower without hesitation, Zeta’s scream gradually became farther away. The fear of falling is different between jumping down by yourself and jumping down while being carried by someone else, I guess? Well, on the contrary, it seems that Chinatsu would be delighted.

「■■■…!」

When I was thinking of the innocent face of Goddess Chinatsu, the monster arrived here. It must have gone through the same path (wall) that Alezel went through. As soon as the huge arm covered in dark red mist reached this place, the head of a monster appeared from the wall, emitting a mysterious light, and glared at us. It looks like a flashlight, huh. Alezel said that the light has different colors depending on the individual, and this one is a reddish light.

「Sigh…. I knew about it, but when I meet it face-to-face, it’s making me lose motivation. So, what should I do? Should I help you? I think it’s a magical creature that Maria created. Moreover, it seems that she was putting a lot of effort into it.」

「Are you kidding? It’s an opponent that I can fight seriously for the first time in a long time, you know? Don’t make it easier to win.」

No, you normally should increase your winning rate even a little. I was going to say that, but Nell already took a battle stance. Her bloodlust is telling me not to get in the way…

「Okay. But if you’re going to fight seriously, Maria’s barrier alone is not enough. I will also set up some high-level barriers around. Don’t destroy the surroundings too much, okay?」

「I will try.」

Nell pulled out the Flame Magic Sword Pluto and ignited the flame on its blade. As for the image, rather than ignition, it was more like a sudden explosion. And at that moment, I realized that various things are going to be destroyed. Farewell, Giant Tree Tower. I want to protect you as much as I can, but there are limits to what I can do. Don’t expect too much.

「Please last longer even if it’s just a second…!」

I set up barriers of the Holy Magic level 100, 『Aspida Vega』, around the tower. When the spherical wall with geometric patterns completely covers the tower, the deployment is complete. This magic is very simple, having no other ability than to create a barrier of light. The range is not as wide as Maria’s magic, but it is far more durable. To be more specific, it is probably the toughest magic that can be learned without a scroll. Even so, I can’t feel relieved at all. In fact, I think it will be destroyed.

「■■■■, ■■.」

「It doesn’t seem to be rational, huh. Well, it was created by Maria, so it’s only natural. …… Come, I will seriously cut you and burn you into ashes!」

「■■! ■!」

When the monster shouted something incomprehensible, the two are about to hit each other head-on. Oh no, let’s give up on this tower. It’s too dangerous. Thus, I quickly built the Goddess Chinatsu-style light staircases and began evacuation to the sky, a higher place than the tower.