Black Iron Magician

(Oda-sama…)

For Clarius, who’s familiar with the castle, this room seems larger than usual now that the huge throne has disappeared. Even more so when her beloved sweetheart, who’s small, clumsy, and careless but still dependable in a pinch, is not here.

(Haruna will definitely come back alive…!)

(Danna will be fine, I’m sure of it. He’s the man I recognized, so he’ll be fine!)

On the other hand, this room seems smaller now for Chinatsu and Touko. They may have unconsciously felt a sense of oppression as their hearts worried about Deris and the others who went to defeat Maria, one of the Eight Great Demons who is said to be the strongest.

(I wonder… if the situation in the prison is okay…?)

Weerel seems to be concerned about the state of the captive vampire sisters. They are currently being restrained, with Hund, Giorgia, Lilyvia, Zex, and Zeta on watch. Even though the three members of the Great Eight Demons have joined, the opponents are those who can be said at the Great Eight Demons class. It’s natural for Weerel to be worried about it.

(Desuwa!)

And Therese is being Therese.

「…… I wonder if Haruna-sama is safe? She went to the battlefield with the light, but that

Maria Irygal is there too, right?」

「I would like to say that Haruna will be fine, but I can’t say for sure this time. We can’t see what’s going on there, and there has been no contact from Nell-shishō or Deris-san since then.」

「If they were to lose and the Great Eight Demons Maria appears… they said that we have to raise the white flag immediately…」

「No matter how things turn out, I will protect Clarius-sama even if it means risking my own safety desuwa! Please rest assured! That said, I don’t think Haruna-san and the others will lose! Ohohoho!」

「That’s right! Haruna can’t lose to anyone other than me, and Deris-danna can’t lose to anyone other than Nell-neesan!」

「R-Right. I also want to believe in the future of Crocus and the victory of Haruna-sama and others…!」

A few minutes later, when everyone was watching the throne, a dazzling light that signals the return from the subspace was created once again in this place. However, it is still unknown who will come back.

「Clarius-sama, please step back just in case. Therese-san.」

「I understand. Staff Fortress Coalesce, I’m counting on you desuwa!」

「I will also… create a shield with my magic…」

「I’m doing this because of Danna’s instructions. It’s so unlike me, but I will fully use my ki for defense. Now, this way!」

「Y-Yes.」

When everyone had solidified the protection of Clarius, someone appeared from the light. And it was――

「I’m back!」

「Haruna!」

――It was an unmistakably Haruna. Chinatsu sheathed her katana and rushed to Haruna’s side.

「Haruna, you’re back! Are you feeling any pain anywhere in your body? Wait, you’re covered in blood! Are you okay!?」

「It’s mostly Maria-san’s blood, so I’m fine!」

As soon as Haruna arrived, Chinatsu checked her entire body and began to carefully apply recovery magic. The whole arm of the robe was stained with blood, so it was shocking for Chinatsu, who didn’t know the circumstances.

「I-Is that so? That’s fine then….」

「Wait, wait a minute! What about Deris-danna!?」

「Please tell us about the activities of Knight Leader Nell over there in detail!」

「Is the president of Quitet safe…?」

「U-Um, where should I start…. Ah, before that, we have to do this first! Clarius-sama, I brought the throne! Here you go!」

Haruna was a little bewildered by the barrage of questions, but she took out the throne from her pouch as if she just remembered it. Relying on her memory of when she visited before, she put the throne on its original place. Despite all that fierce battle, there’s no single scar on the throne.

「Ah, that’s right. It’s our win if the Queen sits on this, right?」

「That’s right! Now, Clarius-sama!」

「I understand. Then, here I go.」

The huge Clarius sat on the huge throne. It was made for her, so it was the perfect size when she sat on it.

――――Gashaaan!

「W-What’s going on!?」

The moment Clarius sat down on the throne, a sound like broken glass echoed through the room. It was not from one or two places, but from the whole area.

「The walls, no… the blood… the barrier of blood that was dyeing Crocus in red… is being destroyed…」

「I-I wonder if this is a substitute for the announcement that the war is over?」

「Then, does it mean that we’ve won? Did we win against that Great Eight Demons?」

「That’s right!」

Yaay!, Chinatsu and the others high-fived each other and shouted with joy. Words cannot express the joy of working together in a desperate situation to accomplish the feat of defeating Maria, a feat that no one had ever accomplished before. Even the usually calm Clarius was appreciating this victory with tears in her eyes. Even the expressionless Weerel was somewhat excited. No matter how loudly they shout, no one is going to stop them now. Rather, they would join the circle and share the joy together.

「Wait, that’s not it! I know that you’re happy, but what about Deris-danna!?」

「What about Leader Nell!?」

「If something happens to the president of Quitet… there will be liability issues later…」

「Ah, yes. I will explain it in order!」

Touko returned to reality one step ahead with the power of one-sided love, and everyone followed suit. Since the victory has been decided, everyone decided to ask the question in turn. Thus, Haruna is finally able to calmly explain the circumstances.

「UWOOOOOOOOH! PLEASE MAKE IT IN TIME FOR GOSHUJIN-SAMA’S TRIUMPHANT RETUUUUURN! I WILL BE THE FIRST TO HUG HIM, NOT TOUKO-CHAAAAAN!」

Such a shout could be heard, perhaps Lily was coming to this place to welcome Deris after realizing the change in the scenery inside the castle. Not only the disciple, but the master is also living her life for one-sided love.

―――― The 71st day of training is over.