Black Iron Magician

Chapter 84 DESUWA!

The one who broke through the door and appeared was a young lady with blonde vertical roll hair. She has a confident look, an aura of a rich person, and a ‘desuwa’ way of talking―― I only have a bad feeling.

「Shishō, please wipe it with this handkerchief first―― wait, this is the handkerchief that I borrowed from Chinatsu-chan!」

「It’s okay, just wipe it. I don’t mind.」

「S-Sorry…」

Let’s calm down for now. Did I hear that wrong? I heard the name of the self-proclaimed prodigy called Therese Batten just now. Yeah, that’s right. This must be some kind of misunderstanding. Nell had reminded Lady May and warned her not to spread about us after all. Whatever the situation may be, there’s no way she could have told her daughter in such a short time. Or rather, her daughter should have gone to the Gibeon Ruins.

「I’m sorry for the late introduction desuwa! My name is Therese Batten! I’m the only daughter of Ortho Batten, the proud lord who governs this land, and I will be the next lord! I heard it from my mother that she brought in very skilled adventurers! I won’t take up much of your time, but would you please hear my consultation?」

My hope was immediately severed. Did I make light of Lady May? I never thought that she would rebel even under the pressure of Nell. Moreover, she was telling her beloved daughter in question. Nell warned her at that time, didn’t she?

『I’m in private right now. If possible, I’d appreciate it if you don’t mention me too much, either to your subordinates or to Duke Ortho.』

Yeah, don’t tell the subordinates and Duke Ortho… Hm? The subordinates and Duke Ortho? Oi oi, did she think ‘my daughter is not included, so it’s okay!’ or something like that? I felt that she was somewhat airheaded, but she could at least guess this much, right?

「No, if Lady May is a doting parent just like Duke Ortho, she might forcibly interpret it like that, right…? Hey, why did you suddenly put on glasses, Nell?」

「It’s a disguise. I told you that I’ve met Therese before, didn’t I? It would be troublesome if my true identity got revealed. From what she said before, it’s possible that Lady May hasn’t told her my name. I might be able to get away with this disguise.」

「No, that’s impossible…」

「 What are you whispering about? Ara? That person with the eyeglasses there――」

See? It’s impossible. Well, it’s hard to forget a conspicuous existence like Nell after all.

「――That eyeglasses, that’s the limited model of the Quitet Magic Item Store, the eyeglasses to see through magic power, right!? Although it is a disposable magic item that can only be used once, its sophisticated and one-generation-ahead design makes it popular, so it directly increased its value as fashionable glasses! It’s that glasses that hard to get even for the nobles! You are not bad desuwa!」

Seriously? Let’s scream loudly once again in my heart―― Seriously!?

「… T-That’s right. You sure understand well.」

「… Really?」

「Muno gave it to me as a parting gift when I left, so I didn’t really know…」

Muno-kun was a capable person, huh? And this young lady, I somehow feel the same air as Muno from her. It means that she’s a big deal in various ways. I feel like I understand what Nell meant when she said she’s quite interesting.

「Oh, I knew it! I was right desuwa! Ohohoho!」

Whoa… This is the first time in this world I’ve heard a young lady’s laughter right in front of me… Even Haru and Chinatsu are also being deeply moved by her laughter.

「Y-Your aesthetic sense sure is the real deal. We were (seriously) surprised.」

「That’s right! I can understand that when I see you guys desuwa! Even if I look like this, I’m a number one prodigy in the academy after all!」

「I see. As expected of the (self-proclaimed) prodigy. So, what is it that you want to consult about…?」

There’s nothing we can do now that we met her. If we don’t get the information that Therese will defeat the golem at the Gibeon Ruins, it should be still safe if we accidentally defeat it. There is nothing unnatural about it. But for some reason, I have a bad feeling about this.

「Recently, an unusually strong golem was discovered in the Gibeon Ruins. That dungeon is an important place where our school’s students and newbie adventurers gather. As the daughter of Ortho, the one who governs this territory, I can’t let the people suffer! Therefore, I decided to subdue the golem myself in order to open up the future of the glorious Adelheit!」

「… I-I see. It’s a noble ambition.」

My hope was severed. The hope to monopoly the reward money was also severed…

「Oh my, please don’t make that face! I can understand that you are worried! However, please don’t worry about it. In the meantime, we’ve already taken measures to prevent unnecessary sacrifices! In order to protect those who are recklessly trying to defeat the golem, I’ve asked my father to restrict information about the request and make the area around the ruins off-limits with proper reasons!」

「H-Hou…」

Hm? From what Gramps Gior said, Duke Ortho seemed to be out of control. But, from Therese’s explanation, they seem to be handling the situation rather decently, except for the part about her going to defeat it herself.

「Originally, I was planning to head to the dungeon with my mother’s guards when she came back from Diana. But, the guards were halved because of an unfortunate accident. No matter how much of a prodigy I am, I must not get conceited and fight the golem. I want to prepare the force as much as possible before the decisive battle. I heard that everyone is more skilled than the guards. When I heard about this from my mother, I thanked God that this was a revelation desuwa! By all means, would you please join me in defeating the golem?」

「… Can I discuss it with my friends for a moment?」

「Of course you can desuwa! I won’t force you, so feel free to choose. Ah, but, in case you accept to cooperate, you can expect some reward, okay? I will boldly pay you with my pocket money!」

「Thank you very much. Well――」

「――Oh, I’m sorry. My presence would interfere with the discussion desuwa! I’ll be reading a book in my room, so when you’ve decided, please call out to the servants outside. Well then, I’m looking forward to a good answer desuwa! Ohohoho!」

―――― Bang!

「「「「………」」」」

How should I put it, the storm has passed.

「She had a strong personality, but she was thinking better than I expected.」

「Even though she looks like that, she’s trusted to the extent that she’s appointed as the student council president. However, there is a problem with her ability as a magician. In both good and bad ways…… Well, you will understand if you go with her, I guess?」

Nell seems to agree to accompany Therese. Certainly, it would be quicker to directly support and help Therese now that things have become like this. If she can promise the reward, we can safely defeat the golem while protecting her. She may add a condition that she would be the one who finishes off the golem, but that’s something acceptable.

「If we were to accompany her, Haru and Chinatsu would have to fight openly. Because of our position, we don’t want to show our power too much, so our support will be minimal. Of course, it’s the same for Lily. Are you guys okay with that?」

「That was the plan all along, wasn’t it? I agree.」

「I don’t think there is any other option in this situation. I also agree.」

Everyone nodded. Thus, we decided to accompany Therese in the golem subjugation.