Black Iron Magician

Chapter 372 Kidnapping II

「――So, Haru and Chinatsu were taken away?」

「Umu….」

When I was relaxing after a meal, Hund came and told me what just happened. A woman named Stella Baha, who claimed to be Rimudo’s wife, flew away with the two girls in her hands. The development is too sudden, and I couldn’t think straight because of the alcohol in my head. Even though it’s their territory, is it normal to kidnap people in the city? …… Well, if it was me, I would do it depending on the situation.

「Rimudo wouldn’t do something like that, and his subordinates wouldn’t go against his will, but I didn’t know about his wife. Well, I have never met her after all. By the way, did the girls resist her?」

「Chinatsu was trying to, but it seemed that she was held tightly with one arm and couldn’t win against her strength. As for Haruna, err… she said that she was going to visit her house while waving her hand with a smile.」

Haruuu…! You should have understood that you shouldn’t follow strangers…! W-Wait, I repeatedly warned her not to attack the dragons, so maybe she was keeping that promise and didn’t resist? In other words, it was my fault?

「…… S-Setting Haru aside, if Chinatsu couldn’t get out, it means that this wife is quite strong. I guess she’s at least level 8.」

「In other words, she’s at the level of the Great Eight Demons, huh. I didn’t know that there are still powerful people out there.」

「That said, most of them belong to the current organization of the Great Eight Demons, so it’s unlikely that they will emerge as a separate force. Rimudo’s wife, Maria’s daughters, which are Lilyvia’s sisters, and Vakala’s executives. They are strong, but they are always devoted to the head of the organization, so no one is aiming to take over the head.」

In a sense, Lilyvia’s subordinates, Black and Red, are also in the Great Eight Demons class, but they are treated as exceptions due to various circumstances.

「Still, they are in this state even if we want to save the girls….」

「Suya~…」

「I-I’m full…. Urp….」

「… How did this happen?」

Nell lies down on the table while holding a beer mug, sleeping peacefully. Touko is full because she was aiming to overthrow Haru’s appetite. Neither of them could move from this spot, and if they move, I feel like various things would come out of their mouths.

「Nell was drinking happily, and Touko was eating without considering her own limit. The result is this. It’s strangely quiet even though these two are here, right?」

「Well, it would be a lie if I said I didn’t think so….」

「Thanks to it, it seems that Nell’s detection skill didn’t kick in even when the two were kidnapped. Ah, but it’s better not to attack Nell herself, okay? Whether sleeping or dead drunk, she will fight back if she’s in danger.」

「I don’t think anyone is thinking of doing so.」

「You’re a good boy, Hund-kun. When I was a kid, I was trying to play pranks on her as revenge, but I met a terrible fate. She won’t hold back at a time like this, so it’s better not to do it.」

「I’m surprised that you survived….」

My toughness was formed because I had a party with Nell and Alezel.

「Ah, now is not the time for that. Is it because of the alcohol that I’m saying something unnecessary?」

「Still, what should we do? I felt that her strength is close to that of Lilyvia-dono. I don’t think I alone can compete with her. Also, we can’t ignore the surrounding dragons.」

「… She said that she was going to invite Haru and Chinatsu to her house, right?」

「Hm? Well, yes. She rephrased it from abduction and kidnapping, though.」

Given Rimudo’s personality, this action was at the sole discretion of his wife. No matter how active his wife is, while Vakala and Maria are interested in the girls, it’s unlikely that she would do any harm regardless of the trials of the Great Eight Demons. If so, did she really just want to invite them to her house? No, that’s too optimistic. I don’t think it’s possible, but if she’s a stalker dragon who claimed to be Rimudo’s wife, it would be the worst development. I can’t predict what a real idiot will do.

「Ah, that’s right. I have the Book of Hawkeye.」

「Hawkeye?」

I’m pretty sure that Haru was dressed the same as usual when she went out. If so, the bookmark in her shoe will work. If you take a peek at the Book of Hawkeye, I can find out what Haru’s situation is right now. I immediately take out the book from my bag.

「………」

「Hey, why are you suddenly reading a book? I don’t think we have the time for that.」

「Hmm….」

「Hey, can you hear me? What are you groaning about?」

「Hm? Ah, yeah, I can hear you. I was just sorting the situation a bit. Alright, Hund-kun! I’ve decided our plan!」

「What!? Is that true!?」

「Let’s go back to the inn and get some sleep for tomorrow!」

Zudooon!, Hund collapsed in a classic way. He’s serious, but despite everything, he’s good at playing along. I like that part of you, Hund-kun.

「W-Wait, what do you mean by that!?」

「Well, the girls are fine. Rather, they are in a happy family situation. They even predicted that I would use this book and prepared a message card.」

「I don’t understand at all….」

「It means that we will still make it in time even if we pick them up tomorrow. Nell and Touko are in this situation today, so let’s just take a rest. I’ll have you do your best to swim between the islands tomorrow, so you should sleep and heal your tiredness today. The dragons will be swarming at us as we try to cross the island after all.」

「U-Umu?」

Hund-kun seems to be terribly confused, probably because my attitude has become lighter since I looked into the book. I guess I have to explain it in detail.

「On the way to the inn, I’ll explain it so that you can understand. Now, I’ll carry Nell―― Hey, Gobuo!」

「Gobbu!」

When I snapped my fingers and called him, Gobuo appeared out of nowhere. Well, he was under the table the whole time, though.

「I leave Touko to you. Bring her to Lily’s room.」

「… Gobu, gobu gobuu.」

「Hm? What’s wrong?」

「He says that you should carry her yourself.」

「Eh, you can understand Gobunese!?」

「Gobunese…. Well, I’ve got a lot of subordinates under my command, so I somehow can understand the nuance.」

「Gobu gobu.」

Gobuo nodded as if to say that he was right. I was surprised that Hund-kun could understand Gobuo’s words. But I was also surprised that Gobuo refused to follow my instructions. Haru, did you order Gobuo to be thoughtful and to create a nice atmosphere!?

「Gobuu gobuu.」

「He says that a princess carry would be even better.」

「Gobu! Gobu gobu gobu!」

「But! It’s at a time like this that you have to be a gentleman――」

「―― I got it. Yeah, I got it, so you don’t have to translate it anymore.」

Thus, I carry the two of them on my back and go home.