Black Iron Magician

Chapter 369 A Pleasant Free Pass

We are on the first island of the Dragon God’s Island. This island is the gateway to all the islands, and it is the first stop for those who come from the continent by water dragon ship. No matter which island you go to, people other than the residents of the islands have to complete the registration process here first. At that time, they will check whether you are bringing any dangerous items, and any items with storage functions will be confiscated. Well, you can think of it as a kind of immigration check. Nowadays, no one is foolish enough to violate the laws on this island, but in the past, it seems that there were daredevils who trespassed on the island, dreaming of making a fortune by seeking dragon fangs and scales. In a way, they were amazing that they charged into this dragon horde. Nobody returned alive, though.

「Shishō, is it okay for us not to go to the reception? The guidebook said that we have to go to the reception no matter what, right?」

When I tried to walk past the reception desk, Haru tugged on my sleeve and warned me as if she wanted to show off the knowledge she had learned while suffering. Okay, I got it, stop pulling me.

「What Haru said is correct, but our arrival has been conveyed to Rimudo when we asked Zex to get permission. So, we have a free pass now. Dragons will attack us on the way, though.」

「Wait a minute. Deris-san, did you say something strange at the end?」

「Shishō, did you just say something great? Is it okay? Can I beat all of them?」

「Danna, please say it again more sternly, ah, no, it’s nothing….」

「Touko-chan, you have to be confident at a time like this~」

「Ah, eh?」

You guys, Chinatsu is confused as the straight man, you know? She doesn’t know where to start. Still, I can’t explain it when other people are around. I asked Hund-kun to reduce his size to the average male size so that we won’t stand out, but on the other hand, Nell and the others became stand out. For those who don’t know the details, if they shut their mouths, it’s like a gathering of beautiful women and beautiful girls, so it’s natural for them to stand out. I didn’t think about it.

「Setting aside Touko and Lily, I will explain it. But before that――」

「Whoa, Shishō!?」

「For now, just follow me without saying anything.」

I grabbed Haru’s arm, which was tugging my sleeve, and made eye contact with everyone. Then, we went through a door that’s off limits to anyone other than the islanders. This is a resting place for the reception staff, a very tropical-looking building with a wooden thatched roof. There were sleeping staff, but we walked through the back door without minding them. We passed through in a hurry since Chinatsu seemed to want to say something.

「Okay, if we’re this far, other people won’t overhear us. You can talk now.」

「Err, I have a lot to say, but… was it okay to go through that place?」

「No problem. I was planning to go through there from the beginning. Let’s talk while walking.」

The area beyond the back door is a section away from the tourist zone, which is open to the public. It’s a hidden area for locals only. We may pass by the islanders or the dragons who work here, but it won’t be a problem even if they overhear us.

「As I said earlier, Zex has contacted them in advance, and we don’t have to go through the reception. We can bring in dangerous items and items with a storage function that are normally rejected at the reception, and we don’t have to fill out any paperwork with our names and personal information. However, that’s not the only thing they’re doing at the reception.」

「Is there anything else? The guidebook I studied didn’t say anything else about it….」

「The guidebook you guys studied only gave you the public information. There’s a small dragon hiding in that reception desk, and it’s memorizing the smell of the people when they are receiving an inspection.」

「Memorizing the smell?」

「That’s right, Haru-chan~. All the dragons on this island have an unusual ability. They can share the smell they smelled with all their friends, so those who have officially completed the examination will have their smell shared among dragons to tell that these people are fine.」

「Oh, I see. It’s useful for crime prevention, huh. If they found someone whose smell isn’t registered, it’s a sign that they are a trespasser.」

「Yes, Hund-chan is smart~」

「H-Hund-chan!?」

「What are you surprised about? Ah, do you prefer Lind-chan? Or Lin-chan?」

「… Hund-chan is fine.」

Lilyvia, who revealed her true nature in the battle the other day, stopped acting in front of Hund-kun. She probably thinks that there’s no point in hiding it since he has seen it. Hund-kun, on the other hand, seems to be a little lonely. Lily was acting like a proper Demon King, so it was probably shocking for him when she turned into a useless maid. Yep, let’s leave it at that.

「Well, it’s as Hund-kun says. Since moving between islands is basically by riding a dragon ship, those who aren’t recorded will be found out by the smell at that time. For the dragons who have acquired the skill 『Olfaction』, they can find out easily even if you try to hide your smell with perfume. And if you try to move to another island without riding the dragon ship, it’s like you’re declaring yourself as a trespasser. You will be found out immediately and sent into jail, no, into the mouth of a dragon, I guess? Unlike us, who got a means of transportation with the kindness of Hund-kun, ordinary people have to use the dragon transportation no matter where they go. They will be warned at the reception desk, and swimming is prohibited other than in the specified areas.」

「Deris-san, from what you said, the dragons didn’t memorize our smell since we didn’t go to the reception desk, right…?」

Chinatsu is looking up at the giant creatures flying around in the sky. To cheer her up, I gently tapped her shoulder and smiled.

「Don’t worry! As long as we’re on this island, which is the gateway, they won’t attack us yet!」

「What do you mean by YET!?」

「Shishō, does this mean I can’t beat them yet!?」

This is also confidential information. Since this island is at the stage of memorizing the smell at the reception, you won’t get attacked by the dragons as long as you don’t go out to sea or cross to other islands. Now, let’s take it easy today so we can prepare for tomorrow. Also, I have to make sure that Haru won’t attack the dragons.