Black Iron Magician

Chapter 276 Anxiety

「I never thought that it would become like this.」

「I-I’m sorry….」

With Haru’s attack, the three successfully ended phase 2. Yeah, they did, but there’s a new problem. And now, the three are sitting seiza.

「Hmm, the core is splendidly damaged. Now it’s impossible to move to phase 3.」

「I didn’t expect you to blow up the core and damage it. Really, I was surprised.」

「「「I’m sorry.」」」

Haru’s attack, which they worked together to devise, was powerful. No, it was too powerful. Aralkar’s status is the same as in the past, but Haru’s attack was able to break the defense form and even caused serious damage to the core that was placed in the deepest part.

Originally, Aralkar was supposed to move on to phase 3, the final stage, when the core was touched, but now it’s no longer possible to continue. Aralkar has returned to the small size and is desperately trying to repair herself.

「We are not angry, so you can relax. Right, Nell?」

「Yes, on the contrary, I was a little impressed.」

「Hee, you were impressed, eh? I wonder who was the one who told me that I’m soft.」

「Ugh! H-Hey, stop nitpicking!」

「Hahaha, I’m just kidding.」

「「「………」」」

We flirted when there was a chance, and I had my fill. Alright, let’s do it seriously. After all, the gazes of the three are starting to wander around, not knowing where to look.

「Setting the joke aside, the result was more than I expected. Chinatsu’s grasp of the situation and support, and Touko’s team play were perfect. The result was almost unthinkable for the past you. You’ve grown.」

「I-Is that so? Hehe….」

「Touko, your mouth is grinning.」

「Shishō! What about me!?」

「Haru, you did your best as usual. There, there.」

「Hehe~」

Haru smiled and her ponytail swayed. Chinatsu, who pretends to be calm, and Touko, who’s still blushing, seems to have relaxed.

「Especially, the combined attack that incapacitated Aralkar was excellent. Even Nell can’t carelessly touch it barehanded.」

「Eh, that much!?」

「Yeah, that much. Haru, it’s quite unusual for you to be modest.」

「That’s right. With my paper armor, I won’t end up unscathed. If it were me, I won’t defend it and just attack you before you can attack me.」

「I-I see… It’s just an example, okay? You don’t have to get so worked up about it.」

「I’m not!」

Yes, you are….

「I didn’t realize it because I was so absorbed, but it was that powerful, huh?

「Sure, the impact transmitted from the Doggan Staff was amazing, I guess…? Touko-chan, once more! Let’s try it again!」

「Now? I’m already exhausted…. Applying ki to something other than myself is surprisingly nerve-wracking….」

While being amazed by Haru, who’s jumping energetically, Touko sat on the floor like a girl. Hmm, before, she would just sit cross-legged without hesitation. I guess this is also the result of Lily’s education.

「If it’s an attack of that level, it may work against the Great Eight Demons up to the middle rank. Of course, I’m talking about whether the damage will go through or not. Whether you can win or not is another story. Don’t misunderstand it, okay?」

「Yes!」

「I know, Deris-danna.」

They are very honest and don’t get self-conceited. Very well.

「And Chinatsu, you did a good job fighting that far without Pluto. As Nell said before, she was very impressed.」

「I’m very grateful.」

「You don’t have to be so formal. As your superior and as your master, I’m proud of you. It’s about time for you to have a weapon that suits you. Pluto was made by matching it with my power after all.」

「A weapon that suits me?」

「Still, I don’t think the shape of the weapon will change much. It’s going to be a sword after all. … No, a katana is better for Chinatsu, I guess?」

If Chinatsu holds a katana, she will look like a samurai girl with her black hair. Haru also has black hair, but in her case, she’s more like a monk.

「Ah, I think that’s a good idea! Chinatsu-chan will look cool with a katana! Right, Chinatsu-chan!?」

「H-Haruna, calm down….」

「Katana? The single-edged sword like Galdevalan’s sword? I don’t mind. Then, I will send a messenger for that to Galdevalan.」

「Hee, katana exists in this world, huh. But, it’s quite expensive, right? I’m not an expert, so I don’t really know, though.」

「No problem. If I give them some money and materials and ask them to make it, they will accept it generously.」

「…… Nell-shishō, please don’t be too unreasonable, okay?」

「Fufu ♪」

Nell smiled. Yeah, if you ask for it, they will accept it without thinking about the profit. Nobody wants to turn their hometown into a burnt field after all.

「As for Touko’s reward, I will ask Lily later. If it’s her in perfect mode, I’m sure she’ll prepare something useful.」

「I’d rather get it from Danna… ah, no, nothing. I have to know my place.」

「Hahaha…. Well, I wonder what should I prepare for Haru? The Doggan Staff is a weapon that can be used in future battles, and I’ve been making you learn from my treasured scrolls one by one….」

There’s no need to buy something new for Haru, right?

「Ah, then, let’s have a spar for the first time in a while! My senses are sharper than usual right now!」

「I feel like I’m going to feel a chill if I spar with you now…. Well, if you want it, then I don’t mind. It’s about time I face you with both arms.」

「Ooh, the rank is raised from one arm! I’m looking forward to it!」

「… Eh? Danna, you had been sparring against Haruna with one arm!?」

「It also serves to resharpen myself. But, it’s about time that it’ll be hard using just one arm.」

Touko seems to be surprised, but even Nell was using one arm when Touko was trained by her, no, Touko fainted with just a flick to the forehead. Besides, in my case, I’m overwhelmingly inferior to Haru in terms of martial arts, so I’ve been covering it up with the basic specs. In short, I’m saying the master-like line is just to act tough. There’s nothing to be surprised about.

「Just so you know, becoming this strong in a month and a half of training is abnormal.」

「Actually, even I think that it’s strange that I could keep up with Haruna this far.」

「But, I’m not quite sure how strong I am. I mean, I lost to Haruna again, and even though I beat Akira, that’s not something I can feel proud of.」

Well, you are not the only one who’s getting stronger after all. As for Akira, he was disappointing. His corpse was handed over to Vakala, right? I wonder what will happen to him now.

「You strength, huh…. That kind of thing can change depending on the situation. Even if you’re better than your opponent in terms of ability, you may lose if you’re in the worst condition. Even more so if the opponent uses underhanded methods, such as taking a hostage or luring you into a trap.」

「That is Shishō’s specialty!」

It’s not. I will only use it if it’s necessary.

「Anyway, strength is something vague, so don’t mind about it too much. You’ll just get tired.」

「Okay, I’ll just focus on training!」

「Good.」

…… Still, in that sense, training at Alezel’s place might be good for them. She is the fastest after Nell and Maria, but her status is by no means suited for battle. She is powerless and her magic is inferior to me and Nell. Her endurance is so low that if she were to receive a direct hit by the previous Haru and Touko’s combined attack, she probably will go down in one hit. Even so, setting aside that she’s my former party member, I absolutely don’t want to fight against her. It’s probably the same for Nell. I’m sure the girls will learn a different kind of strength when they discover the true nature of that miser black-belly elf. But, hmm….

「I hope that they don’t lose heart at Alezel’s place….」

「Eh, you’re worrying about that now?」