Black Iron Magician

「So, what were you doing? Were you planning to let us defeat the boss and then steal the treasure? The one here is Duke Ortho’s daughter, Therese Batten. If you tell a lie, it will only make your crime worse.」

I said so to the four people with murderous intent in my tone of voice. On the way, we decided to leave the negotiations to me, so Haru and Chinatsu don’t say anything here. The perceptive Therese also doesn’t say anything. As for Nell, she hurriedly hid behind Therese.

「O-Originally, that was supposed to be our duty――」

「Oda, shut up. I’m rather serious about it. After all, our lives may be at stake here.」

I remember their faces, but I’ve forgotten their names. Let’s see, that Eyeglasses-kun is Oda… oh well, whatever. Interrupting Eyeglasses-kun’s words, the small boy stepped forward with a harmless smile on his face. He slightly raises his hands, maybe he wants to show that they meant no harm.

「First of all, we’ll apologize. We are sorry for the act of peeping, but we are by no means your enemy.」

「Eh, I want to fight, though?」

「You shut up too, Touko! I told you to leave the negotiation to me!」

The pain from the kick probably has reduced, Touko is complaining to the boy while looking dissatified. Ahh, I’m starting to understand him a little better. If comparing it with our side, he’s in a position like Chinatsu. Not everything is a misfortune, there will be good things in the future, so cheer up. I’m not going to show consideration though!

「So, you see, we are classmates of Katsuragi Haruna-san and Rokusai Chinatsu-san over there―― We are classmates at the same school.」

「Yeah, I know. I talked directly with Touko yesterday. Haru’s classmates are those who insulted her and exiled her, right? Especially Eyeglasses-kun over there, you seem to have said a lot of things, huh?」

「Ugh…」

Eyeglasses-kun awkwardly turned his face away. His expression is saying that he knows what I mean.

「Deris-danna, if you say that, I’m also guilty, you know?」

「You are right… Well, you apologized yesterday and it seems that you can fulfill Haru’s desire head-on, so that’s fine. Also, you weren’t hiding your presence at all. Anyway, the three of you have caused a fuss in front of the headquarters of the knight order before. Isn’t it natural to be wary?」

「I think that’s a fair point. Therefore, we would like to apologize to Katsuragi-san――」

「――Daah! It’s irritating! Fuchi, you are talking too long!」

「W-Wait, Touko-san?」

The pitiful boy was taken aback by Touko’s sudden shout. Before Fuchi could do anything, Touko shouted in quick succession.

「……Eh?」

Also, she’s holding Eyeglasses-kun’s head with her right hand for some reason.

「Deris-dannaaa!」

「Y-Yeah…?」

「It’s completely our fault for peeping secretly like perverts! It’s also our fault that Oda and I insulted Haruna! Doing something stupid at the knights’ headquarters, to be honest, that’s out of the question! First, please let us apologize! We are really sorry!」

「Fuga!?」

Touko kneeled down, bowed her head, and slammed her forehead against the stone paving floor. She seriously bowed her head that the floor cracked and blood splattered from her forehead. As if telling Eyeglasses-kun to do the same, she slammed his head, which she has been holding with her right hand, against the ground. Oh, his eyeglasses sank into the ground…

「U-Um, I will apologize too. I’m sure I’m also as guilty for silently watching Katsuragi-san being insulted and not stopping Oda-kun as his friend. I’m sorry.」

「Mani-kun… Yeah, you are right. At any rate, we should have shown our sincerity first. I will also apologize. I’m sorry.」

Following Touko and Eyeglasses-kun, the pitiful boy and the plump boy also bow their heads in the same way. They are kneeling down on the ground. I’m sure it’s something hard to do for high schoolers because their pride will get in the way. Eyeglasses-kun was half-forced to do it, and I feel that the pitiful Fuchi did it after reading the mood. Still, I can feel that Touko and the plump boy did it sincerely. They didn’t commit any crimes like Satou and the gang who had done a lot of things. Normally, we can just forgive them here.

「Hmm…?」

However, the target of the apology, Haru, is not angry with them in the first place. There’s no reason for them to kneel down, so she’s troubled about how to react. In fact, she’s looking up at me with an expression that as if asking what to do. As for Haru, she’s happy if she can knock down her classmates who got stronger than her and overcome the wall. In short, an apology is not what she’s seeking.

「I understand the situation. However, Haru won’t be satisfied with that. I’m taking responsibility for educating Haru. In other words―― Touko, you know what I mean, right?」

I asked so while putting my hand on Haru’s head. I’ve told Touko that I’m Haru’s master, and I’m sure that she knows that Haru is getting stronger. As a self-proclaimed rival, she seems eager to fight since some time ago. If it’s her, I’m sure that she understands what Haru wants.

「Eh, ah, educating…!? I-I’m sorry, but I can’t imagine it…」

For some reason, Touko suddenly turned red and her behavior became suspicious. Huh, did it not conveyed?

「In other words, I want you to fight Haru. You see, it’s a mock battle. You know that Haru loves to fight, right? It can be 1 vs 1 or 1 vs 4. That’s the greatest atonement you can make for Haru.」

「…A-Ahh! So that’s what you meant! Yeah, I knew that, you know!?」

Touko suddenly affirmed it and nodded violently. What, so you knew after all. Is there something else other than that?

「So, what will you do? Will you fight Haru?」

「Um, I just want to confirm it, but Katsuragi-san, are you okay with it?」

「Me?」

I make eye contact with Haru that she can answer it.

「Yep, rather, I’m happy with that! Fuchi-kun, I think you somehow understand it since you are good at reasoning.」

「Well, yeah…」

Fuchi put his hand on his chin and was deep in thought. He seems reluctant to fight Haru. You are not thinking that it’s hard to hold back against a village girl who was level 1 until two weeks ago, are you? If you are like that, Haru will trip your legs, you know?

「…… I’m sorry, but I want to choose to fight together. If I have to do it, I’d rather fight Katsuragi-san in a 1 vs 4 match.」

「Haa!? What kind of nonsense are you saying!? If you are going to do it, do it like a man! It’s 1 vs 1, you know!?」

But then Fuchi chose a fight that would put Haru at a disadvantage. It was a bit surprising. On the contrary, Touko is raising a voice of dissatisfaction this time.

「Touko-san and Katsuragi-san are girls. Besides, I don’t want to die because of the pride of a man. Setting aside Touko-san, we will definitely lose if it’s 1 vs 1. I can see that future. I won’t give up on this, okay?」

「… Tch, I won’t force you. But, at least, make it 1 vs 1 for me.」

「That’s a deal.」

「You guys seem to have reached an agreement.」

As a result of the discussion, Fuchi group, the trio men, will fight first.

If Hull wins, she will recover and then fight with Touko. It’s really an ideal development.「

「… Huh, what happened!? Just what did I…!?」

Oh, Eyeglasses-kun was safe, huh.