Black Iron Magician

「The blizzard is getting stronger rather than weakening…. It’s not safe to go out at night, so I guess we should stay here today.」

「I think we should do that. As Chinatsu-san says, the night is colder and the visibility is poor, so it’s dangerous. Also, I would like to avoid encountering nocturnal monsters in this state if possible.」

「We got stuck in an unexpected place~. Well, I think it’s still possible to make it in time if the weather improves tomorrow morning….」

The time limit that Deris and Nell gave to Haruna and Chinatsu is until around noon the day after tomorrow. From here, they will go to the abandoned village, which is Zeta’s hometown, search for the white monkeys, subjugate them, and return. It’s still possible in terms of time, but it’s pretty tight.

「Since we had time, we were able to finish processing the meat, but…. I wonder if this amount will be enough for breakfast.」

「I’m sorry, I ate too much.」

「Don’t mind it, Zeta-san. Haruna ate more than you after all.」

「Ugh, my cooking ability is frightening if I had to say myself….」

They hunted a lot of meat, but considering the amount of consumption of Haruna and Zeta, there’s no need to worry about leftovers. Not only about time, but thinking about food, it’s better to take the shortest route starting tomorrow.

「Tomorrow’s weather will depend on God. There’s no use thinking about it, so let’s just rest for today. The inside of the cave is rather warm with the bonfire and the cold protector, so I think it’s okay to sleep here.」

「Um, Chinatsu-chan…. You see, if possible, I want you to help me study before going to bed….」

Probably they were taken out of the pouch, Haruna’s hands were full with study tools. Apparently, it’s time for her daily study.

「No, let’s not do that today. In your case, using your head is more energy-draining, right? We’ve just climbed the snowy mountain, so it’s better to preserve your energy. Also, you’ll probably get hungry.」

「Ooh! Yep, it can’t be helped!」

「… You look awfully happy. I can guess the reason, though.」

Haruna is stupidly honest and never gives up, but when guided properly, she will correct her course of action. Well, in this case, it could be said that Haruna just got a good excuse to not study.

「Um, I have chocolate bars provided by Zex-sama. I can share them with outsiders in case of an emergency, so you don’t have to worry so much about food. Even by my standard, I have enough for about a day or two.」

「What…!?」

「Ah, then, we will take your offer. Haruna, take out the study tools that you put back with great momentum a while ago. I will teach you thoroughly until you’re satisfied.」

「Haruna-san, do your best.」

Chinatsu smiled as if it’s her reason for living, and Zeta clenched her fist and cheered on Haruna. Looking at them, Haruna showed a wry smile.

「Ugh, I will do my best….」

Zeta’s kindness is 100% based on good intentions. But for Haruna, it’s the biggest trial of the day.

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

「…… Will they make it in time?」

「I’m not sure now. The weather doesn’t seem to be getting any better after all. Hmm….」

I and Nell groaned with our arms crossed while looking at the ‘Book of Hawkeye’ that spread out on the table. The blizzard reached even here, and it’s so bad that even the government issued an order to not go out until the storm passed. The storm came at the worst possible time, and we completely misjudged it.

「On the contrary, isn’t this an opportunity? In this weather, the ship arranged by Alezel would be delayed, right?」

「I wonder about that…. Ever since Alezel became a merchant, she started to keep her contract no matter what. I feel like she’s going to force us as well.」

That’s truly the black part of the Quitet Trading Company.

「What should we do? If you want, I can blow away the storm.」

「Don’t wreak havoc on natural phenomena. I’m afraid it’ll get worse.」

I’m afraid that Nell’s firepower seriously can go against nature. I’m mainly afraid that I’ll be the one to clean up the mess afterward.

「Goshujin-sama~, why are you making such a serious face~?」

「Hm? Oh, Lily.」

Lilyvia, who had no sign of waking up until this time, appeared from the next room while rubbing her eyes. It’s a good thing that she worked hard to train Touko in the middle of the day, but she won’t be able to sleep at night if she slept so much.

「Nell also has a serious face, huh~. You have to think about your age. The wrinkles on your face are standing out, you know?」

「Ufufu, let’s step outside.」

「Hey, stop it.」

Nell pointed her thumb outside while smiling, so I did my best to stop her. I don’t want to see the raging blizzard and flames….

「A lot of things happened when you were sleeping, you know? The training was going on for a long time, but were you that enthusiastic about it?」

「Ah, that’s right! Touko-chan has a talent for it, so I ended up teaching her a lot of unnecessary things~」

「Hey, unnecessary things are unnecessary, you know?」

「Now, now. I’m sure Goshujin-sama will be satisfied with the result. Touko-chan, come here.」

Lily beckoned to the room where she was sleeping and called Touko. Then, the door opened quietly, little by little――

「Uhh, now I can’t marry anyone else except Deris-danna….」

―― and Touko came out with teary eyes.

「What kind of training were you doing!?」

「It’s obvious! It was excellent mental training so that she can adapt to all kinds of play! If you like, how about you test it directly? I’m the one who trained her, so her techniques aren’t inferior even to my subordinates~. If it’s now, you will get the privilege of having me as a set!」

「Lily, after all, let’s step outside. Right now.」

「Eh, I don’t wanna. Why are we going out in that blizzard? Nell, have you finally lost your mind?」

「……… *Smile*」

「Nell, wait! I fully understand your feelings, so please wait! If we get kicked out of the inn, we’ll have to survive in this blizzard! Lily, you too! Don’t provoke her!」

I hold down Nell’s both arms with all my might, desperately trying to persuade her. Hnngh, her power is absurd as always…! Damn it, I guess I have to whisper the words of love.

「Don’t worry, Deris. If that happens, we can just make a snow hut. In the past, I had Galdevalan’s people make one for me. It was a masterpiece that I was proud as the one who ordered them.」

「That’s the last resort, okay!? Also, those Galdevalan’s guys were just desperate to make it, you know!?」

After that, by whispering various things in Nell’s ear, the inn was saved. Nell was in a bad mood, but now she’s completely in a good mood and her cheeks are blushing.

「Nell, you’re so easy….」

「Hmph, you only sound like a sore loser now.」

Look at her composure. I should have whispered them to her earlier.

「Lily-shishō… As for me, I’d rather push with pure love….」

「That’s impossible. After all, I only know this method. A long time ago, I had a one-night stand with Goshujin-sama thanks to the liquor I kept pushing on him! …… Ah.」

「Hey!?」

「Eh?」

「… Ha? Deris, I’ve never heard about it, you know? …… You know?」

「Well, the thing is, I don’t remember any of this either――」

Haru, Chinatsu, please come back soon! Please come back before I die!