Black Iron Magician

「Grandma, it was very delicious.」

「Thank you. Ufufu, I was so happy to see you eat so much.」

After they finished eating, there were many plates piled up on the table, forming several towers. Haruna ate more than half of them, but the slender Zeta also put up a good fight with a considerable amount. Chinatsu, who ate less than 10% of the total, was at a loss for words as she watched the two eating.

「I knew about Haruna, but I didn’t expect Zeta-san to eat this much….」

「In Snowtail, we have to eat when we can. Otherwise, we won’t be able to respond in case of emergencies. The more energy you have, the better.」

「I see~. You need to eat more, Chinatsu-chan!」

「Eh, I’m the one being reproached?」

Chinatsu was hit with an unexpected counterattack. She eats the average amount as a girl, but the two eat about four or five times more.

「That’s right, you don’t eat much. I’m a little worried.」

「Y-You too, Grandma!?」

By the way, Snowtail is one of the most gluttony nations on the continent of Jiba. When this old woman was young, she won a big eating festival held by the country.

「Um… I wonder if I’m the strange one?」

「By Snowtail’s standards, a little.」

「Uh-huh. When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Should I eat more…?」

「Ahaha. Chinatsu-chan, I was joking, you know? It’s better not to force yourself. If you eat with the amount that you don’t get used to, you might feel sick later.」

After that, the overserious Chinatsu only asked for a glass of hot milk.

「Fuu, I feel calm….」

「Now that we’re full, I want to hear about your request.」

「Well, I’ll talk about it. Do you remember the white monkey that was mentioned in my story earlier?」

「Yes. It was the monster that killed your parents, and was killed by Zex-san, right?」

「Yes, that white monkey. This is also something that I learned later, but my home village lost its manpower, so the remaining villager naturally scattered and abandoned it. Now, there are only a few buildings and deserted fields that are the remnant of the village in that remote area. But recently, new information came to our group. The white monkeys have formed a group and settled in that abandoned village.」

「………」

「Hohou!」

As soon as Chinatsu thought that the mood has become peaceful, a gloomy topic appeared again. On the other hand, Haruna’s eyes are shining next to her. Her best friend is energetic as usual today.

「Could it be that you want us to help you subjugate the white monkeys to avenge your parents and to take back the village?」

「Ah, no, the content of the request is as you say, a subjugation, but the purpose is different. I just want the materials of that monster. Zex-sama needs them after all. Besides, Zex-sama had already avenged my parents, so I don’t care about that monster anymore.」

「I-I see….」

Zeta has a cool side after all.

「The strength of the white monkey is estimated to be level 5. It is the strongest monster in Snowtail, which is said to be comparable to an adult dragon. Still, if it’s the current me, I think I can deal with them without any problems even if they formed a group. So, you don’t have to force yourself. But, if you really have a lot of time on your hands, how about taking this request?」

「By all meangh――!」

Chinatsu hurriedly blocked Haruna’s mouth when she tried to give an immediate answer.

「Ngh… hnn?」

「Hey, don’t decide on your own. As far as I heard, Zeta’s village is quite far away, right? How long does it take to get there?」

「Let’s see…. With my legs, it would take me about half a day no matter how fast I run. The weather doesn’t look good, so there’s a chance that it might take even longer.」

「It’s better to think that it will take two days just for a round trip. Actually, we can only stay in this country for a few days. We have to ask our masters before we can give you an answer, is that okay with you?」

The two can only stay in Snowtail only until the ship arranged by Alezel arrived. It won’t be a problem if it’s just hunting in the vicinity of this town, but it’s a different story if it’s a long trip. Zeta more or less has a connection with the Great Eight Demons, so it’s necessary to report to Deris and Nell.

「I see. I don’t mind.」

「Thank you. Then, let’s――」

「Hngh~….」

「Ah! S-Sorry, I forgot about it….」

After Haruna’s mouth was released, the three went to the inn where Deris and the others are.

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

「Ha? That deep in the mountains? No, you can’t. The weather is getting worse, and you will be late for the ship.」

As soon as Haru and Chinatsu came back, they asked me if it’s okay to go to the edge of Snowtail. My answer is no, of course. No matter how rotten and wicked Alezel is, she’s an elf who lives on the path of a merchant. Naturally, she’s very picky about time management. To avoid troubles, I can’t allow them.

「Ehh, no way!」

「Well, I knew it.」

Haru and Chinatsu’s reactions were polar opposites. Haru thought that I would approve it, and Chinatsu seemed to have expected this development to some extent. Yeah, the odds are in Chinatsu’s favor this time, Haru.

「Um, you don’t have to force yourself. Originally, I called out to you just out of curiosity.」

A girl with white hair and white skin apologetically said so to the two. Err, who are you?

「Who is this girl?」

「She’s Zeta-san, the one who offered this subjugation request. Um, *whisper*――」

Haru is whispering the details into my ear. What, the hero of Snowtail and someone who has a relation with Zex? …… Seriously? Wait a minute, I’m going to talk with Nell.

「What should we do? An interesting girl has appeared.」

「Don’t ask me. You just think that it’s interesting…. The ship will come the day after tomorrow, right? To be honest, I think they would barely make it in time even if they start now. It’s easy for me, though.」

「…… Rather than worrying about it, it’s more constructive to negotiate with Alezel, huh. Also, she has taken a liking to Haru, maybe I can convince her if I do my best.」

「Haa, your bad habit is showing. Okay, I will support you if you need it. I mean, you see… it’s also the role of a wife, right? That way, even Alezel will understand that she’s at a disadvantage.」

「You…. You are really cute.」

「W-What’s gotten into you? Jeez….」

Ah, it’s about time Chinatsu makes a ‘why the hell are they suddenly flirting?’ face.

「Well, going straight to the point… that subjugation, we allow it!」

「Ehh!?」

「Really!? Yay! Zeta-san, now we can kill the monsters together!」

「I-Is that okay? As for me, I’m happy…. No, I’m very happy. Haruna-san, Chinatsu-chan, let’s kill a lot of white monkeys!」

Girls, watch your mouth.