Black Iron Magician

―――― The 15th day of training.

Early morning on the day of our departure for the Adelheit Magic Academy. There is a little more time left until the meeting time with Nell and Chinatsu. After all, you can afford this kind of time if you get up early, so you can feel profitable. Now, what should I do with this free time?

「Uhh, Goshujin-samaaa, good morning…」

By the time I and Haru finished breakfast, Lily, who was sleeping beside me eating, woke up. Hey, are you getting up now? Her pride as her maid is just her appearance, and other than that, she is completely useless. Good grief, just who did she look like? There’s the thing that yesterday’s me entrusted to me, so I can’t just eat and do nothing. Now, what to do?

「――Morning. Ah, right. Lily, sorry but there’s something I want you to do after breakfast.」

「Eh…? W-Work! Being entrusted with a task by Goshujin-sama is like a dream come true! Is it cooking? Or is it laundry!?」

「No, it’s more important than that. It’s something very important that only Lily, the top maid in our house, can do.」

「D-Don’t tell me, are you finally…! Gulp」

「If can, change into your maid uniform, eat your breakfast and come outside. Haru, come with me when you’re ready to leave.」

「Me too? I understand!」

「I-In a maid uniform, outdoors, and with Haru-chan…!? It’s so extreme, Goshujin-sama was even more extreme than I expected…!」

I purposely not retorting anymore, but Lily’s delusion is not going to happen. After all, something more extreme is going to happen. I came up with a good idea if I had to say myself. Kukuku…

「Ah! Lily-senpai, that’s not good. There are still green peppers left.」

「Haru-chan. I didn’t tell you this before, but devils die when they eat green peppers…」

「Haru, devils are omnivores, so don’t worry and make her eat it. She’s a picky eater.」

「Got it! I’ve never let my younger brothers left their food, so I’m a little confident. Don’t worry, I’ve cooked it deliciously. Come on, you can definitely eat it! Gobuo-kun, hold her.」

「Gobu!」

「S-Stooop!」

Kukuku. Good, you should chew it slowly while thanking the farmers. The more you chew, the more your dislike will turn into like, and your dislike of vegetables will disappear. Kukuku…

「N-Noooooooo!」

A maiden’s cry echoed through the mountains.

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

When Lily’s dislike of vegetables was peacefully resolved, we gathered in the garden. It’s to let her do the work.

「Okay, are you ready?」

「I’m ready!」

「I-I’m fine… 」

When I called out to them, Haru in the orange robe saluted, and Lily in her maid outfit noded while blushing. Both are motivated.

「Okay. Then, I want the two of you to do a mock battle. Attacking the eyes or other vital parts is not allowed. This battle is only within the scope of training. Do you understand?

「Yes!」

「Y-Yes… Eh? Huh? A mock battle?」

「Lily-senpai. Thank you for becoming my sparring partner. Let’s do our best!」

「Yes, let’s do our be―― NOO!」

Suddenly, Lily began to scream loudly. What, is she emotionally unstable?

「Goshujin-sama, what’s the meaning of this!?」

「I feel a terrible deja vu in that line, what’s wrong?」

「There’s no pink development here! Why did it become a mock battle with Haru-chan!? I can’t keep up with the development at all!」

「Calm down, Lily. Let’s say it’s all for you and for Haru.」

「For me and Haru-chan…?」

Yes, I was thinking about it. About a way to make Haru, Lily, and I happy. A way to make everyone happy!

「I’ll start by explaining the important condition. If I were to solve Lily’s pursuit for insatiable desire, there’s a great chance that I will die in the process. This must be avoided at all costs. Do you understand?」

「No, Lily is confident that Goshujin-sama will be fine.」

Don’t be sure there. I mean, what is that confidence for no particular reason? I’ll die when it’s the time for me to die, you know?

「… There, I thought about it. If I can’t fulfill your wish, I’ll just let you vent your desire in another thing!」

「D-Don’t tell me――」

「A battle is a good thing. It’s a noble ritual where you can communicate with your opponent by crossing fists and improve each other. It’s no exaggeration to say that there is no better act of courtship than to take the very life you’ve led up to this moment and sublimate it to a further level…!」

「――Courtship, act…!」

Alright, she’s hooked! I’m glad that she’s so simple!

「And from ancient times, maids have a history of supporting the necessities of life, and at the same time, fighting as bodyguards for the master. Coincidentally, Lily, you are the head maid of our house, and you have a junior, Haru. I’ll formally command you as your master. Lily! As the head maid, fight with Haru and improve yourself!」

「Yes, yes! I accept it with all my heart!」

Perhaps she was moved, Lily accepted with teary eyes and nasal voice. If she’s deeply moved that much, it somehow feels as if I’m deceiving her and it pains my heart. But, I’m not deceiving her. This is a necessary process for Lily. Even if she is not as passionate about fighting as Haru, I thought that some of her frustration would be relieved if she could get absorbed in other things.

The good thing about this idea is that it’s not limited to Lily. It will be profitable for Haru since she will have a sparring partner of a different type from me. In the end, I’ll be relieved of my worries and everyone will be happy. Ahh, what a perfect plan. I’m scared of myself.

「Haru-chan, as your senior, I’ll be your sparring partner. Come at me with all your might.」

「Yes! I will do my best!」

「You guys, follow the rules properly!」

Now, the question is, is Lily really a suitable opponent for Haru’s mock battle? Well, Lily can be said to be a perfect opponent for that.

「I’m going!」

「Come!」

Haru chants 『Gravas』. Gravity is applied to the entire field including Lily, and she starts running when Lily’s movement is restricted. She activated the magic almost at the same time she started running. This is the result of her regular training. Without using any cheap tricks, Haru jumped at Lily in a straight line like a wind.

「…… Huh?」

「Haru-chan, I think that your attack is too straightforward, you know?」

When she realized it, Haru was pinned down on the ground by Lily. The other day, she was using the pinning technique against Gobuo, but now she’s in the opposite situation. Her joints are tightly locked. In addition, there’s a difference in their base ability. No matter how good Haru is, there’s no way she can reverse the situation. To begin with, she doesn’t seem to know why she’s lying on the ground.

「We have a winner. Lily, go easy on her next time. It won’t be training for her.」

「Y-Yes! Understood! Uhh, I’m so happy…!」

「Haru, even if Lily is like this, she’s a monster that I’m employing, you know? You should think that she’s far stronger than Gobuo, so don’t hesitate to use iron balls like when fighting Nell.」

「Y-Yes! Thank you very much, Lily-senpai!」

「No, I’m the one who should thank you, Haru-chan…! I now have something to live for…!」

Lily is an expert in pinning technique and she’s a great devil who’s in the lowest rank of the Great Eight Demons. If you can defeat her, you surely can defeat almost all of the Demon Kings. And my favorite disciple, Haru, can make the impossible possible by training with one of the Great Eight Demons on a daily basis. It’s efficient and effective training. It’s truly wonderful.