Black Iron Magician

A day after the heroes of Adelheit and Crocus joined. They are currently moving on the road just before their destination.

「………」

「Hey, Oda. I know that you are sleepy in the morning, but we’re about to arrive at the meeting place of the alliance. Get yourself together.」

「Oda-kun, do you lack sleep?」

「A-Ah, no…. There’s no way we would sleep in the same place, yeah, haha….」

No one asked what Oda was expecting. Even though they decided to move together with this dragon carriage, it’s obvious that the fundamental living space is separated for men and women. In short, there is a clear separation between the Adelheit side and the Crocus side. When it was time to go to bed, Haruna and the others slept in the cabin of the dragon carriage, while Oda and the others slept in their own camping tents. It seems that Oda completely forgot such obvious things.

Still, it doesn’t mean that he didn’t get any benefit at all. He was able to eat the meal made by Haruna and Chinatsu, and he was able to talk to Chinatsu while they were on the move. It can be said that this is a lucky event for Oda to thank and worship God every week.

「Still, I’m very lucky, yeah, I sure am a lucky fellow…. God really exists, I guess…?」

「…? Y-Yes, Katsuragi-san’s food was very delicious. I couldn’t help myself and ask for more.」

「That’s right. It was superb, really superb. I seriously thought I would ascend to heaven…」

Mani, who sincerely expressed his impressions of the food, and Oda, who expressed his impressions in a different sense. Fuchi shrugs his shoulders, wondering why there’s that much difference.

「I’m really looking forward to the gathering of heroes from various countries~. I wonder if there are any strong people~?」

「Haruna, you can’t beat them just because they are strong, okay? Our goal is to defeat the demon king after all.」

「Don’t worry, I understand. I can just send a letter of challenge after defeating the demon king and solving the problem, right?」

「If you understand, then it’s okay!」

「No no, that’s not okay! Rokusai-san, were you someone who would make such a joke!?」

「Eh? It’s not a joke, though…. Isn’t it fine if the other party agrees? It isn’t that she’s going to do a sneak attack after all.」

Chinatsu, who usually plays the role of tsukkomi, has a blank face when received a violent tsukkomi from Fuchi. Perhaps because she has been living with Nell as her beloved disciple and also in a position that’s like Deris’s quasi-disciple, Chinatsu has been poisoned by the two and her ethics may have been gone numb a little. Or maybe she’s just trying to get things done in the best way since it’s going to happen anyway. Either way, Chinatsu’s spirit is stronger than before.

「Whoa, she returned it naturally….」

「Fuchi-san, Oda-san, it’s not the time to be dumbfounded! Our destination is already in sight! Please be firm like Master Mani!」

「Um, Therese-san, why are you calling me master?」

「Because my great benefactor who taught me the possibilities of earth magic desuwa!」

「Hmm, I don’t remember teaching you that….」

The dragon carriage runs lively in the land of Crocus. With Makam and Redon running at the front, the Crocus Castle, which is the place where the queen of the dwarves lives and is the meeting place of the Hero Alliance, has finally come into their view.

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

「Oda-sama, welcome back!」

「Guah!?」

When they arrived at Crocus Castle, they were guided to the throne room. What waiting them there was a passionate hug from the queen. A tackle that can’t be seen by eyes was aimed at Oda, his whole body was being held firmly, and he was slammed against the wall. Bam!, together with a roaring sound, Oda and the queen disappeared into the dust cloud.

「What an unexpected greeting…. How passionate…!」

「Right? She does that every time we visit here, but Oda has never evaded her. Despite what he said, I think he has a thing for her.」

「I think he simply couldn’t avoid it. At least, I don’t feel like I can avoid it. I can only see her afterimage after all….」

「Hmm, there’s that kind of viewpoint too, huh. As expected of Mani-kun.」

「What an energetic queen~」

「That’s a wonderful thing desuwa!」

「The castle is shaking, but is it going to be okay?」

No one is worried about Oda. While everyone is saying whatever they want, the dust from the collision with the wall is settling. Then, a silhouette of a person could be seen and it gradually became clearer. While carrying the fainted Oda on her shoulder, the queen of the dwarves, Clarius Crocus appeared.

(Wow, she’s cute…!?)

For an instant, Chinatsu thought that Clarius is cute. She has chestnut-colored, fluffy, wavy hair, round and cute eyes, a lovely expression that’s like a sun―― anyway, everything about her is cute. Her appearance is younger than Weerel that if it’s in human terms, she’s about ten years old. The fact that she’s wearing a beautiful dress makes her as if she’s trying to look older that it’s charming.

But wait a minute. Clarius appeared with Oda on her shoulder. That’s not something a little girl can do. However, she’s doing it. She’s easily carrying Oda, who’s 170 centimeters tall, as if it’s a normal thing.

(The size is a little strange. No, it’s really strange.)

Clarius is over three meters tall, bigger than anyone in the throne room. Her appearance is that of a little girl, but her size is as if she’s been enlarged as it is. If she’s 3 meters tall, it’s obvious that she can hold Oda easily.

「Ara, not only Fuchi-sama and Mani-sama, but there are also a lot of guests. Nice to meet you, I’m Clarius Crocus, the queen of the dwarves who governs the country of Crocus. Pleased to make your acquaintance.」

「… H-hello, nice to meet you.」

The way she speaks and her voice is so beautiful that she can sing a duet with Weerel. If Fuchi’s words are correct, she’s probably as kind-hearted as she looks. Yes, as she looks.

「What do you think? Isn’t she just too perfect for Oda?」

「Come on, Fuchi-sama. I’m still inexperienced. Rather, It’s the opposite. Oda-sama is a wonderful person…. *Blush*」

Clarius hides her blushing face with both hands. In addition, she’s still innocent. As long as the encounter tackle is omitted, she’s a perfect queen who has no flaw. No, even the tackle that shakes the castle must have been unintentional because she’s thinking of Oda. In other words, it’s an act of love. So even with that, she’s still perfect. There’s no flaw you can find from her.

「Y-You guys… aren’t you forgetting something important…?」

Oda tries to get off of Clarius’s shoulder. Then, his hand accidentally slipped into a gap in Clarius’s dress――

「O-Oda-sama, if you move so suddenly… Kyaa!」

「Fugeh!?」

「Oda-kuuun!」

Oda was pushed away with both hands and was blown far away. The castle shook again, but the eyeglasses are safe.