Black Iron Magician

「Is everyone here~? I’m ready~, I can go anytime~」

The one who said so in the courtyard of Nell’s mansion was Maria in a gorgeous blue dress. She is posing like an idol in high spirits today as well, winking and throwing kisses at the people around her. If she were to be given a microphone, she would probably sing and hold a live performance. Around her, her beloved daughters other than Lily are cheering on her, making the atmosphere more like it.

「Shishō, why is Maria-san here?」

「It’s so that we can move to the Dai continent instantly. With Maria’s teleportation magic, we can arrive faster than riding an airship.」

「I see, we can save travel time that way.」

「Lily, it’s okay for you not to participate in that cheering?」

「Cheering on your on parent, what kind of punishment is that…? If I have to do it, I’d rather let Touko-chan do it with my authority as her master.」

「I don’t want to do it. If I had to say, I was on the receiving end of the cheers.」

「For some reason, Touko was popular with girls since a long time ago. Well, it’s different from that kind of popularity, though….」

「Right? Besides, if I’m going to do it, I want to do it on Deris-danna!」

「Ah, if that’s the case, I will join too! Definitely!」

I ignored them. Now, we’re all ready and gathered here to face Vakala’s trial. It’s okay to send us now, so just activate the teleportation magic.

「It’s getting exciting! Then, I’ll send my special song to Deris and the others!」

「Hey, that’s not it! I don’t want that thing! What I want is for you to send us with the teleportation magic!」

「Ah, I see. It seems that I misunderstood it~. Tehe.」

I’m sure she did it on purpose.

「Still, I never thought that you would reach Vakala’s trial so quickly. I’m very surprised~」

「Is that so? You don’t look that surprised to me.」

「Your face is saying otherwise, you know?」

「Muu, you two, don’t read my mind~. Well, to be honest, you’re right. I mean, Haruharu and the others have overcome my trial. I believe that no matter what kind of trial they will face in the future, they will be able to clear it. If they couldn’t do it, it will destroy my honor, right? If that happens, I will destroy Deris ♪」

「What the hell is she talking about with that dazzling smile….」

「Maria-san isn’t just strong, but she’s also good at joking! I admire her!」

「Thank you~! That’s right, idols are beings to be admired. And they make everyone smile. So, you can praise me more~」

That’s not a funny joke for me, though…. No, more importantly, just send us already!

「Jeez, there’s no need to glare at me like that, Deris. I understand. So, which part of Carmine do you want me to send you to? Should I send you directly to the national border with Elderado?」

「Of course not. Don’t ignore our arrangements. We’re supposed to meet with Vakala first before we fight. So, send us to Vakala’s castle.」

「Hee, to think that you are trying to go to the stronghold of the Great Demon King, Deris is really weird! That place is much more dangerous than the national border, you know? The national border would be more enjoyable, you know? It’s in a critical situation, you know?」

「And that’s why we’re avoiding it….」

After that, I kept dodging Maria’s annoying pestering until I got tired of them, and then I was finally able to make her start the teleportation magic. There was too much useless talk.

「Ursula, make sure that they don’t do anything strange while we’re away. I’ve trained them, but even so, I don’t know what they will do.」

「Leave it to me. If something happens, I will blow them up and warn them.」

「And what about the mansion at that time?」

「Unharmed, of course.」

「Good. The effective way to teach reason to others is with an explosion. Blow them up properly with the correct adjustment. That’s what I always do.」

「I see. I learn a lot.」

Nell, you are teaching Ursula a very dangerous lesson there. I don’t think I can survive if you and Ursula were to bomb me together.

「Um, Gobuo-san, are you going too? T-Then, I will go with you――」

「――Gobu gobu. Goobu, gobbu gobbu. Gobu!」

「G-Gobuo-san, you trust me that much…!? I understand. I will meet your expectations!」

「Gobuvia!」

And over there, an incomprehensible exchange is taking place. I wonder what kind of ikemen moves is Gobuo doing? I want to know, but I’m not so sure.

「Well then, I have a performance after this, so I’ll send you quickly. Hmm, the place should be around here. The targets are Lily-chan, Deris, Nell, Haruharu group, and Gobugobu…. Thank you for waiting! Maria will now take you on the world’s fastest travel! Ah, I want blood swamp manjuu for the souvenir!」

And the departure was in an instant. We gathered in one place, and the whirlpool of wind around us stretched into the sky, darkening our vision. By the time the floating sensation that came at the same time subsided, we landed on the land of Carmine.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The wind that surrounded us stopped, and our vision opened up. The floating sensation we felt earlier was completely gone. It was only a matter of seconds, but it seems that we arrived at Carmine safely.

Riding on Maria’s teleportation magic, we arrived at a dimly lit, yet vast space. It is an eerie place, as if the image of a church, which is said to be the house of God, is completely reversed 180 degrees. Skulls are embedded in every ornament, and the wax flame, which is a precious light source, is somehow pale. There are many other examples, and they all have the same demonic air. Although different from the red world that Maria created in Crocus, this place can also be said to be a hell that gives off a smell of death. However, I can’t help but feel impressed since the interior design is so well arranged according to what people imagine. Yeah, anyone can tell at a glance that this is the Demon King’s castle.

「You’re finally here. The promised time has passed a long time ago, Deris.」

「I was forced to listen to Maria’s useless talk. If you have any complaint, say it to her at the meeting.」

Maria’s teleportation magic was perfect, but there was only one problem. The only problem was that the destination was straight to Vakala’s throne. Vakala is sitting on a skull throne, and on his left and right are a line of undead monsters who seem to be his subordinates. There are about fifty of them. There’s also the 『Black Armor』 and 『Iron Spider』 among them. If I were a hero, it would feel like I was immediately being sent to the final stage. Just as we confirm the situation around us, their eyes are fixed on us. Hey, I’m a timid person, so I can’t talk if you’re looking at me like that.

「……! You are in the presence of Vakala-sama…! Watch your mouth…!」

An undead stepped forward, perhaps because he didn’t like my usual tone. Like Vakala, his body is nothing but bones, but those bones are all stained black and he is carrying a very long katana. It would be great if he could become a training partner for Chinatsu since their weapons are similar.