Black Iron Magician

「He will act as a safety net in the event that Haruna or Touko let go of their hands. At present, Hund-san is making a posture that makes him hard to fall. In addition to his grip strength that matches Haruna’s, he increased his arms and legs and changed their shape optimally to stabilize his body. He’s like a bug stuck to the window glass.」

「I think that metaphor is rude, but it’s useless to say anything to the current Chinatsu…. Well, I understand the reason. Even if we fall, Hund will make new arms to catch us, huh.」

「I’m just assuming the worst case, you know. After all, it’s absurd for the safety bar to come off, right?」

「Yeah, yeah. I will do my best as your safety bar.」

Thus, Haruna and the others climbed the Rimudo Rocky Mountain with that formation. The air is as thin as climbing a high mountain, and along the way, they were constantly struck by raging winds and roaring sounds, while Rimudo himself was repeatedly somersaulting and rotating. Obviously, this isn’t about climbing up a vertical wall anymore. Sometimes, the wall they were supposed to cling to turned into a ceiling, and the three of them managed to escape the danger by using the holes Haruna had dug to conserve their strength. Thanks to their efforts, they were able to break through the tail zone of Rimudo Rock Mountain after about an hour.

「Good job, Touko! There’s no more shaking from the tail now!」

「Y-Yeah…. I’m really glad, yeah…」

Chinatsu was excited from beginning to end. But contrary to Chinatsu, Touko secretly felt nauseated.

「So, where we are now? Have we reached half――」

「――Judging from the terrain, I think we’re on Rimudo-san’s waist. The dragon’s neck is long, so I think it’s about two-thirds of the way to the head. We haven’t even reached the halfway point yet. Yay, we can still have fun!」

「…… Chinatsu, I’m sorry, but can you please use a recovery magic that works on motion sickness?」

Touko’s heart was about to break when she heard Chinatsu’s words. However, by remembering Deris’s smile (Touko’s imagination), she endured it at the very last minute.

『I see that you’re strong enough to challenge my trial. I can see why Deris, Nell, and Lilyvia set their eyes on you.』

「「「「!?」」」」

That voice was heard by everyone. The majestic voice was so clear even in this bad environment that it felt as if it was directly transmitted to the brain. And then, the four instantly understood that the voice was Rimudo’s. Perhaps the reason they were able to tell despite the sudden call was because they sensed the overwhelming presence from the voice.

『What are you surprised about? I’m a living being. I can talk, of course. Well, if I make a sound from my mouth, it will cause a disaster. That’s why I’m sending words directly to your mind. Now, listen.』

Haruna stopped walking and is wary of the surroundings. Only at this time, even Chinatsu returned to her usual self――

「After all, an announcement is essential in the attraction. Now it feels more realistic.」

――or not. But well, the party made a tacit understanding that it would be okay because she’s Chinatsu. Anyway, each of them readied themselves so that they can respond immediately to whatever will happen.

『For this trial, I was thinking that I would just fly in the sky while trying to relieve my sluggish body. However, it seems that it was a little too easy for you. I apologize for my rudeness that I was underestimating you.』

「…… Chinatsu, I have a bad feeling about this. Is it just my imagination?」

「That’s just your imagination. After all, I only have a good feeling about this.」

「That’s good news. It’s bad news for me, though…」

Hearing Rimudo’s words, Touko and Chinatsu had the opposite premonition. Which of them was right? It would be obvious from Haruna’s excited and sparkling expression and Hund’s waterfall sweat. Yes, both are correct.

『It was my duty to prepare a suitable trial according to your strength. I should correct it if there’s a mistake, but it was my fault to begin with. I can’t change the content of the trial without your consent. Therefore, I will propose to raise the difficulty of the trial by one level. Of course, if you pass the current trial, I will still acknowledge it. Now, what will you do? Don’t worry, I will wait.』

「「Bring it oooon!」」

「Okay, if you’re going to wait, let’s calm down first and――HEEEY!?」

Even though Touko wasn’t feeling well, she retorted with all her might when she heard Chinatsu’s immediate reply (Haruna also replied immediately, but Touko couldn’t hear her). It seems that her shout this time reached Hund that he was startled.

『No hesitation, huh. I understand. I promise that I will prepare a suitable trial for you. Now, you may continue!』

「Alright! Then, let’s go, everyone!」

The replies of the two were mercilessly accepted by Rimudo, and the trial moved to the next stage. In the past, it would have been a scene where Touko shouted with Haruna and then being scolded by Chinatsu. Now, the position has been reversed, and no one can stop the excited Chinatsu. No, it’s Touko’s role to stop her now, but Touko herself isn’t sure that she could manage this situation.

「Chinatsu, why did you answer immediately!? I was standing by to calm you down because I knew that you would accept it, but I didn’t make it in time because you answered immediately, you know!? I couldn’t stop you because of that, you know!?」

「I answered immediately because there was no need to stop. Besides, Haruna would have done it even if I didn’t. If so, shouting together would make me feel better, right? Just like how you shouted before ♪」

Chinatsu gave a lovely wink that would make any boy fall in love with her, but the one receiving it, Touko, was only speechless. ‘Chinatsu is still Chinatsu’, Touko regretted that she thought so and felt relieved even a little. Then, she once again pulls herself together.

(I can do it! Deris-danna believed in me, so I have to believe in myself…!)

(Hmm, despite what she said, Touko also gets fired up, huh. Does she finally understand the greatness of thrill rides?)

Setting aside their different thoughts, Haruna, who was about to take the lead, stopped on the spot and urged the others to stop with one arm. Then, Touko raised her eyebrows, while Chinatsu raised the corner of her mouth.

「Something is coming… is what Haruna saying.」

「Hey, how do you know that…?」

「Well, I can somehow lip-read short words. Deris-san told me that we won’t know what will happen in the future, so he taught me that. Also, there are unpleasant presences in swarms from under the ground around us since a while ago.」

「Ha? In swarms?」

「Yes, in swarms. I will tell Hund-san with light letters. Under the ground, be careful… okay.」

While Chinatsu was happily writing the letters, something was about to emerge from the rock surface.