Black Iron Magician

Chapter 164 Let’s Talk About Something Important

This is the main guest room provided for Nell. After the semifinal, I took Haru along to meet Nell and Chinatsu. The final? Unfortunately, they still need time to prepare the stage. When Haruna was attacking Prince, the newly made stage was destroyed in half. Right now, the people in charge are still working hard in sweat. There’s nothing for us to help, so we can only cheer on them within our hearts.

…… Well, more importantly, there’s one thing that we have to talk about.

「Now, we’ve come to the final. Do you remember that promise?」

「Of course. What do you think we sent Haruna and Chinatsu to the graduation festival for?」

「Eh? Um, to be officially qualified to enter the castle and participate in the subjugation of the Demon King, right?」

「「………」」

「I’m sorry. It’s nothing…」

Chinatsu was swept away by the air and apologized, but I understand what she wanted to say. Certainly, that was the original purpose. But now, it has changed into a big event with my life at stake. Both Haru and Chinatsu have already made it to the final, so it’s no exaggeration to say that the first goal has been achieved. Then, it’s clear that now we have to give priority to the final match that will determine my life after marriage with Nell. Now, we have to make a final confirmation of the arrangement.

「Shishō! There’s something bothering my mind!」

However, the steel-heart Haru is not affected by air. Even at a time like this, she speaks at us without hesitation. I and Nell are a bit taken aback, and the tension around us is also relieved.

「Keep it short.」

「I and Chinatsu-chan made it to the final, but Wee-chan is defeated. Is it okay to leave Joseph-san alone?」

「I’m having Lily keep an eye on him along with the principal. If he gives up, that’s fine. If he is planning something, that’s fine too! Rather than that thing, this one is a priority matter. That’s all.」

Nell nodded and agreed. On the other hand, Chinatsu is making a face as if saying “Are you sane?”. Yeah, we are perfectly sane. No matter how it turns out, it’s just a simple matter of grabbing the opportunity. If they still try to compete with us, we’ll just let them play for a little longer.

「I understand! I have one more question!」

「Keep it short.」

「Shishō, you were helping Nevel-san before, but is it okay that you don’t go visit him? You helping others without compensation is impossible, so you must be in some kind of cooperative relationship, right? Since there was your support, I was attacking him quite serious in the second half…」

「It’s unnecessary. He’s just the next king and a practice sandbag I prepared for Haru. There’s no external wound and I protected his vital parts as well. Also, I took care of his mental health with magic after the match. The time and his friends will take care of the rest. For now, rather than that thing, this one is a priority matter. That’s all.」

Nell nodded and agreed. On the other hand, Chinatsu is making an exasperated face as if saying she has no words for this. Do something with that habit of showing your feelings in your expression. I want you to remember that every time you do that, I’m doing a self-tsukkomi in my mind.

「I feel much better! Thank you very much!」

Haru sat down, looking satisfied.

「Alright! Chinatsu, while we are at it, ask whatever you want. That way, you can fight in the final without worrying about it, right?」

「That’s right. Chinatsu, do you want to ask something?」

「Me? Let’s see… Then, just one thing. Is it only the first and second place at the graduation festival who will get the important post in the castle? Wee lost in the semifinal, but I think she is good enough. She’s even called as the first prodigy in the academy…」

「What, were you worried about the one who lost?」

「Well, I’m sorry…」

When I thought Chinatsu looked like she wanted to ask something, she showed her benevolence. As expected of a priest. Come to think of it, Haru and Chinatsu became Weerel’s friends, right? Well, if her friend’s future course was changed because she defeated her friend, it’s natural for Chinatsu to be worried. In Haru’s case, she’s quite severe in this kind of match. After all, she will be merciless even if the opponent is her friend.

「It’s a fixed matter that the first and second place will get the privilege, but depending on the conditions, it’s possible for the best four too. Weerel is Joseph’s granddaughter, so I’m sure he’s going to force his way around that. That’s why you don’t have to worry about her.」

「I-I see. Haa…」

Chinatsu is relieved. Well, I’m going to use it for Prince too, though.

「Our disciples have no more questions, so let’s get into the main subject, Deris.」

「Yeah, that’s right. No matter which disciple wins, there will be no hard feelings. This is a serious match that will determine our marriage life. Let’s make the rules clear.」

「Then, let’s prohibit helping them just like what you did with Prince in the previous match. It would be unfair if Haruna and Chinatsu don’t fight with their own strength, right? Unfair means instant lose. If you do that, you will live in my mansion regardless of the outcome of the match.」

「That’s not something a person who took a drastic act such as lending her beloved sword would say…」

「Hmph, I’m not violating the rules!」

「If they are going to fight with their own strength, then let’s prohibit instructing them during the match too. Also, signaling with eyes――」

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

「It seems it’s going to be long.」

「Yes. At that rate, they are probably going to do it until the match starts…」

After getting permission, Haruna and Chinatsu went out of the private room. Since there was no sign of the ending of the discussion between Deris and Nell, they used the name of warming up for the final as an excuse. Actually, their bodies were warmed enough in the semifinals, so that’s not necessary.

「Still, I’m going to seriously fight Chinatsu-chan in the final, huh~. When was the last time we fought in a tournament like this?」

「We’ve been at the same school for a long time, so we didn’t usually face each other in the official tournaments. In practice, we fought each other all the time though… In the end, a month after Haruna started kendo, I couldn’t win at all.」

「Ehh, I don’t think so~.」

Chinatsu recalls her junior high school days. She invited her childhood friend Haruna to kendo, got surpassed in a short time, and felt frustrated―― even so, she kept doing her best since she was charmed by Haruna who kept rushing forward.

「Chinatsu-chan, you see… I think I am me now because Chinatsu-chan has been supporting me since I was little. I can’t thank you enough! Thank you so much for everything!」

「T-That’s sudden, what’s wrong?」

「Ehehe. I somehow wanted to thank you. That’s right. I will also say this. Chinatsu-chan, in the next final match, I’ll be happy if you don’t hold back like you usually do and come at me seriously. I also want to fight you with this power that I got because you were there for me.」

「…Um, what do you mean?」

「I want you to think about it yourself! Then, I’m going to go for a light run!」

「Ah, Haruna!?」

Saying so, Haruna started to run.

「… Me, hold back against Haruna?」

Haruna’s words echoed in Chinatsu’s heart.