Black Iron Magician

「I’m sorry to have kept you waiting.」

「Yeah, you sure made me wait. The two behind me are my subordinates. One of them is bringing a sword, but that’s not a problem since they are my bodyguards, right?」

「…… Yes, it’s fine, of course. I’ll guide you, please come this way.」

Apparently, this man seems to be a high-ranking person. Although there was a pause, he gave permission to bring a weapon at his own discretion.

The man led us to the casino’s office room, and then to a room further in. It’s something like a drawing room, I guess? It’s so tasteless that it makes me remember the Ash Rope mansion that I and Haru raided in the past.

「I’m going to call Sango-sama now. Please wait here.」

「Are you gonna make me wait again? I see that Sango-han has become a great person, ain’t he?」

Today, Alezel is not in the entertaining mode since her purpose is to pick a fight and make them reveal their faults. Her attitude is the complete opposite of the one she showed to Zeta. Coupled with the Damaya dialect, she’s completely become an unpleasant person. Still, her murderous intent is suppressed, showing that she’s good at negotiations.

「…… I’ll bring him here as soon as possible.」

「Yeah, do so~. You’re old enough to know better, so I hope for a good result~」

「Yes, please excuse me.」

Having endured Alezel’s insult, the man left the room.

「…… Is he really an employee of this casino? Although it wasn’t a harsh insult, he was able to hold his own against Alezel.」

「That’s right. His movements were like he’s used to fighting, so I don’t think he’s a merchant.」

「Hmm, he’s Sango-han’s newly hired bodyguard, I guess? Sango-han is ambitious, but he’s also a coward. He probably sent that man to check on us. 『Are they angry? Can we win against them if we fight?』 something like that.」

「Sending someone to check on the Great Eight Demons…. Is this some kind of a black company?」

I would cry if I were in his position.

「Still, this room is really tasteless~. What’s with that Sango’s golden statue? That’s a waste of money!」

「Oh, is that so? I thought that you have the same taste, Alezel.」

「Hell no! It’s still better if it’s a golden statue of a beautiful girl like me, but is there someone who would be happy to see the statue of a plump old man like that!? He’s got the supply and demand all wrong! It’s the perfect combination of self-satisfaction, ego, and uselessness!」

You are amazing enough to call yourself a beautiful girl. Well, it’s true that there may be demand for Alezel’s appearance. Wait, it’s more convenient because the statue doesn’t speak, I guess?

――――Click….

It was the sound of a door being opened in a very modest and apologetic manner. Of course, we were aware of the presence behind the door even before it was opened. We were talking about such rude things while knowing about it. Then, we stopped our conversation while pretending to be unaware of it.

「W-Well~, I’m sorry to have kept you waiting! President Alezel, you are so mean~. If you told me in advance that you would come, I would have made the necessary preparations.」

The plump man hit his head with a closed folding fan in his hand and entered the room. I’m sure he’s Sango Golba, the merchant in charge of the casino, given that he looks just like that gold statue. In contrast to the imposing man from earlier, this man, who’s supposed to be the head of the casino, seems to have already reached the peak of his nervousness.

「Hm? Is there an idiot who would take the trouble to make an appointment for an unannounced inspection? I ain’t here to make small talk today.」

「U-Unannounced inspection?」

「Sango-han, I’ve been hearing bad rumors about this place lately. Should I tell you the details?」

「N-No way! I don’t know anything about those rumors! I-It’s a misunderstanding!」

「I’mma see if it’s a misunderstanding or not. What if Sango-han, who belongs to the World Commerce Union, does something that’s gonna bring a disadvantage to Damaya? It would be a disgrace to the name of this thriving city of Damaya. Of course, you understand that this would be an act of betrayal against me and all the merchants who believe in the God of Damaya, right?」

The biggest pressure of the day. Alezel is an elf who’s beautiful in appearance only, but she’s giving off an intimidating air that’s suitable for the Great Eight Demons.

「A… ah…」

Still, maybe this is a little overkill. Sango-han is trembling to the point that he can’t breathe properly. Any more than this and he’ll be foaming at the mouth. Alezel, far from losing his composure, he’s on the verge of fainting, you know?

「Alezel-sama, please keep your playfulness in moderation… it’s a little too much for Sango-sama.」

When I was wondering whether to stop her, the middle-aged man from earlier moved quickly to keep Alezel in check. It’s like a savior who rescues a weak girl from a villain. ……. But in fact, the casting was mistaken that it’s the scene of a muscular man rescuing a plump man who’s being threatened by an elf girl, so there’s no romance or shit.

So, what are you going to do, Alezel? You’ve harassed him enough, and I think it’s time to stop your intimidation. While thinking so, I waited for Alezel’s reaction to this man’s appearance.

「… That’s right! I can’t believe I acted immaturely. My~, I’m sorry for being mean, Sango-han! It’s not good to doubt friends among those who belong to the same World Commerce Union! I’m sorry, ahahahaha!」

Apparently, Alezel was also thinking the same. She erased her murderous intent and laughed pleasantly at Sango-han.

「H-Haha…. Well, I was about to wet myself for real, but haha…. Yes, peace is the best….」

「That’s right, love and peace is the best! Now, let’s say it together―― Love and Peace!」

「L-Love and Peace, haha….」

He was trying hard to smile, but his heart wasn’t smiling at all.

「As Sango-han said, I came abruptly today~. I’mma come back again another time.」

「Eh, y-you will come again…!?」

「Of course. To prove your innocence, I need to check it with my own eyes! Well, if you’re innocent, we, the Quitet Trading Company, will fully back you up.」

「T-That’s very kind of you.」

By changing the day, he must have regained his composure a little. Now that he knows that Alezel will come another day, he just needs to hide the evidence and refrain from doing anything illegal. But well, there’s no way Alezel would allow that.

「Ah, that’s right. It’ll be bad if some bad people attack Sango-han. Until then, we Quitet will keep a close watch on this casino from the outside. That way, we can protect Sango-han. Don’t worry, we will erase any suspicious person before they can do anything. We won’t let them get away until they confess♪」

「…!? H-Hahaha…. How reliable….」

To sum up Alezel’s words, 『Wherever you go, I won’t let you escape. Don’t think you can hide your shady associates and evidence. Everyone involved is going to pay.』, something like that. I translated that pretty well, right?

「Sango-han, I think you also need to hire people to protect yourself. See you later.」