Black Iron Magician

Chapter 318 A Chat of the Disciples

During the airship ride, while Deris and Alezel were having a black talk, the disciples were gathering in another room. Haruna, Chinatsu, Touko, and Zeta were laying out cushions on the floor, spreading the sweets they had brought with them and chatting.

「It was fun that there were so many things in Damaya!」

「They even have a lot of stuff that you won’t need in Adelheit…. How should I put it, the whole city is a theme park?」

「It was thriving even before Alezel-sama was appointed as the president of the Word Commerce Union, but it wasn’t as glamorous as it is now. I’m sure they were developing the city as the elf village became a resort.」

「Rather than a city of merchants, it’s more like a city of entertainment, right? Well, it’s like a festival everyday, so I prefer it that way!」

Haruna and the others are talking about their memories of Damaya, the city of money, and the mood is harmonious and relaxed. Different from Deris and Alezel, who are having a very serious exchange, the mood here is very fluffy.

「By the way, Chinatsu, you got a new weapon, right? Let me see it.」

「Ah, that’s right! I’m also interested~」

「Chinatsu-san, may I see it, too?」

「Everyone, please don’t look at me like that. Okay, okay….」

Losing to the attitude of the three who are looking into her face, Chinatsu removed her katana from her waist and put it on the floor in front of her. The katana’s handle is painted white and it’s put into a white scabbard, making it beautiful to look at as it is.

「I’m going to keep the katana, which I’ve been using, on my waist belt as a spare weapon. I used to find it heavy, but now it doesn’t restrict my movement that much.」

「Oh, it’s that romance thing, right!? Chinatsu, you sure understand it well!」

「Having two katana on your waist is cool after all!」

「…… Actually, I like this style.」

Chinatsu reveals her true feelings while blushing. She may have had a longing for something like this as someone who throws herself into kendo. She seems to be in high spirits since she’s posing like a samurai.

「There are a lot of people like that in Galdevalan, and I don’t think it’s a problem if you’re as skilled as Chinatsu-san. I’ve heard that some people in the world carry more katana than others.」

「More? Do you mean more than two? Wouldn’t that destroy your balance…?」

「No, maybe it’s possible. After all, anything can happen in this world. I can control ki, so there may be someone who can increase their arms.」

「Ah, Hund-san’s arms increased to six arms, right?」

「You have met someone like that already!?」

「But, he fought mainly without weapons, so I guess he doesn’t use swordsmanship.」

After a while, Chinatsu finally pulled out the katana. The blade exposed from the scabbard was exposed to the light and shimmered, giving off an elegant beauty. The translucency of the blade makes it looks like glasswork. It’s very clear.

「…… O-Ooh. How should I put it, it’s really beautiful. For a moment, I forgot that it’s a weapon.」

「Yes, it’s fascinating…. Nell-san’s Pluto has a bottomless power, but this katana feels very calm and beautiful. It’s not gorgeous, it’s just… dignified?」

「That’s right. I can only see it as a work of art rather than a katana, so I was hesitant to try it out. In fact, it seems the whole country made it with all its might, so it must have taken a lot of time and effort to make….」

「By the way, does the katana has an inscription?」

「Yes, it’s written on the wooden box. It’s called 『Iwatōshi』. Look.」

Saying so, Chinatsu showed the back of the lid of the box. It’s indeed written like that in kanji.

「I wonder if there are others transferred people like us in Galdevalan?」

「It’s written in kanji, so that’s very likely….」

Moreover, the handwriting is good.

「Still, the name is not like what I imagined, huh. I thought it would be a more ephemeral name. Iwatōshi… what does that mean?」

「Iwatōshi―― if we translate it literally, it means that it’s a katana that can pierce through rock, I guess?」

「Is that how sharp it is?」

「Isn’t it faster to actually try it out? Chinatsu, you haven’t tried it yet, right? Why don’t you try it here?」

「Ehh, that’s sudden…. Even if I want to try it out, what should I slash? We don’t have makiwara here, you know?」

In modern times, trial slashing is often done with makiwara, but of course, such a thing isn’t available on an airship, and the girls also don’t have it.

「Hey, considering your ability, it’s clear you will be able to cut it. I think it’s better to use something hard like a rock.」

「Something hard―― ah, how about my Doggan Staff?」

Haruna takes out her Doggan Staff from her pouch. The pressure from its size is impressive. The strongest trial slashing opponent suddenly emerged.

「Haruna-san, I don’t think it’s a good idea to use your weapon as a target….」

「I’d like to avoid that as well. Whether I can cut it or not, it will lead to the worst result….」

「I see~. I can’t think of anything else~」

「I think Zex-sama can prepare various things in Al Nova. There’s no need to hurry, right?」

「That’s right. I think Nell-shishō also wants to see the trial slashing, so I will do it later.」

Chinatsu put the katana into the scabbard and ended the topic. Touko was a little dissatisfied, but she didn’t complain.

「Anyway, are your serious, Chinatsu?」

「Serious about what?」

「About going back to Japan. Are you really going to go back if there’s a way?」

「…… Well, that’s right.」

「Needless to say, I’m not leaving, okay? This world is more interesting and there’s Deris-danna here. Frankly, even Haruna feels the same, right?」

Haruna slightly looked at the face of Chinatsu who was listening with anxiety. The gentle mood became tense.

「I’m not going to leave until I’ve achieved my goal, and I’m not going to give up.」

「Haruna….」

The air is heavy. Touko seems to have realized the topic she brought up was a heavy one, and she realized the standpoint of Haruna and Chinatsu. Then, Touko stood up and tried to come up with the words to patch things up.

「Ah, you see… Haruna will never change her opinion, and I think the only way is for Chinatsu to give in. But Chinatsu, it’s not that I don’t understand your feelings, okay? It’s just――」

「――Then, once I get home, do you want me to deliver a message? Kuon-obasan will probably believe this mysterious phenomenon, and that would be more reassuring for Haruna, right?」

「To my mom? Hmm, that’s not necessary, I think?」

「You should do it. It’s a done deal.」

「….. H-Huh?」

The conversation between the two was somehow more light-hearted than Touko had expected. No, it was too light. Chinatsu doesn’t seem to be very worried, and Haruna looks as usual.

「What’s wrong, Touko? Do you also want me to deliver a message?」

「N-No…. Chinatsu, you accepted it so easily, huh? If you go back to Japan, you won’t be able to meet Haruna and your master anymore, you know?」

「Eh? Aah, I see. So it was like that, huh.」

Chinatsu nodded and was convinced alone.

「What do you mean?」

「You see, after some thoughts, I changed my way of thinking.」

「Ha?」

Touko was even more confused. Then, Chinatsu giggled when she saw her like that.

「Touko, it’s not decided that the method to return is one-way, right? The one I’m looking for is a way to go back and forth between the two worlds.」

「H-Haaa!? Is there such a way!?」

「Who knows? But, it’s not impossible, right? In just two months after coming to this world, I have met so many people who are beyond my imagination. I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s a person who can do something like that.」

Chinatsu laughs cheerfully. Perhaps Haruna knew this, she was completely back to her original state, just like Chinatsu.

「Chinatsu-chan, let’s have a match! Let’s see whether I will achieve my goal first or Chinatsu will find the way to go home first!」

「Bring it on!」

「…… S-Seriously?」

In conclusion, after much worry, Chinatsu’s mentality has grown considerably.

This arc ends here~