Black Iron Magician

Chapter 288 Preparedness

A White Bastard Bear emerges from the darkness. Despite its fancy and fluffy fur, its expression is that of a ferocious beast. Perhaps because of its anger at the girls who entered its nest without permission, the atmosphere is clearly not welcoming Haruna and the others.

「The White Bastard Bear is said to use its strong arms and sharp claws to crush rocks to build its nest.」

「Ah, I see. That’s why the cave is spacious. It’s to match its size, huh.」

「Hm? Is this the same monster that was on the guild’s subjugation request? There’s a scar on its right wrist.」

However, the anger isn’t conveyed to the girls. The way they are chatting at their own pace is just like high school girls on break time. It’s the first time for the White Bastard Bear to see humans who are not afraid of its appearance.

「Roar…!」

It was an intimidating action that would have made any weak monsters run away immediately. Legend has it that even a bedridden old person would jump out if the White Bastard Bear hits the ground while breathing roughly.

「Are you talking about the request we were about to take as a compromise? Was something like that written on it?」

「The more difficult the request, the more supplementary information will be written. Haruna, you should check it properly from now on. I’m sure there have already been some casualties.」

「I-I see~」

「Then, since we are here, should we take back the scarred right arm as evidence? Also, it’s our job as adventurers to eliminate the threat before it causes any more casualties.」

「The fur can be used to prevent cold and used as fuel, the meat for food, and those sharp claws are likely to sell well. Waah, there’s nothing to be thrown away!」

「R-Roar…!」

The adventurers in front of the bear aren’t listening to its threatening voice. They are already in the process of figuring out how to use the materials.

「―― Then, is bear hot pot okay?」

「I think it’s okay. The hands can be sold at a high price as ingredients, so I think it’s better to cook them in town.」

「Ah, so bear’s hands are also high-class ingredients here, huh. Hmm, I’m a little reluctant….」

「The paw part is delicious, you know?」

「That’s right, the paw part is delicious!」

「Why do you know that, Haruna!?」

Looking at Haruna and Zeta drooling, the White Bastard Bear finally sensed that its life is in danger. At the same time, it also felt a bottomless fear, perhaps because it had never struggled as a strong monster in the harsh land of Snowtail.

「Can I fight it? I want to warm up.」

「I don’t mind. If it’s Chinatsu-san, I’m sure you can handle it skillfully.」

「Then, I’ll prepare the fire. Let’s see, I’m sure I have a pot in my pouch….」

Even if it wants to run away, the exit of the nest is blocked by Haruna and the others. Above all, in the inner part of the nest is―― the White Bastard Bear prepared itself and took a battle stance. And the moment it roared… Chinatsu sent its head flying.

The blood splatter dyed the walls and ceiling in bloody color. The white huge body wobbled for a moment and then fell on the ground.

「Yep, it’s sharper than mass-produced products.」

Chinatsu swung her katana to remove the blood and then wiped the blade with a cloth.

「That katana is the one you used before you borrowed Nell-san’s Pluto, isn’t it?」

「Yes, it was the one given by Mage Prime Minister Joseph. The new weapon ordered by Shishō seems to take some time, so it won’t make it in time for this trip. I’m using this one as a substitute.」

「Hee~」

「Hoo~」

The two are curiously looking at Chinatsu’s katana.

「W-What?」

「No, I’m just thinking that it’s a good weapon for a substitute. After all, the White Bastard Bear’s tough neck was cut off in one slash. Chinatsu-san is very skilled, but this weapon sure is sharp.」

「Chinatsu-chan takes care of it perfectly, huh. With this, you can cut your opponent easily unless it’s a strong opponent like Hund-san!」

「Setting Zeta-san aside… Haruna, that’s what you call a flag, right? Could it be that you were saying it while knowing that?」

「Yep. If a strong enemy will appear, I will raise the flag assertively.」

「I-I see….」

She did it on purpose. Haruna is someone who will assertively raise the flag if there’s a high possibility that a strong opponent will appear.

「――Kuu~」

「Hm? Did you hear something?」

「I did.」

「Yes, I did.」

Chinatsu put her hand on the handle of her katana that was returned to the scabbard. The three didn’t think of it as ‘mishearing’. Then, they nodded to each other and decided to go to investigate the inner part of the nest. Except for Haruna, who can see well in the dark, light is essential if they want to go any further. Chinatsu applied Holy Enchant on her katana to put light on it, and she used it as a light source to move deeper.

「Well, it’s shallower than I expected.」

However, they reached the end of the cave sooner than expected. It’s right after a corner after they moved a little. The innermost part of the nest is a space larger than the passage, and there are leaves gathered there as a bed. And the one there is――

「――A monster cub, huh.」

It seems to be the child of the White Bastard Bear that was killed a moment ago. The White Bastard Bear’s child. In other words, a bear cub.

「The request said that it was very ferocious, but it was because it had a child, huh….」

「Chinatsu-san, you remember that much, huh? You’re amazing.」

「I just saw it today, so it’s still fresh in my mind. This much is natural.」

「Ugh, I’m ashamed….」

Basically, Haruna was only looking at the level and the name of the monster.

「I’ll ask just in case, what should we do about this bear cub?」

「I think we should kill it now. Judging from its appearance, it has grown to just before its independence. Even if we let it go, I’m sure it can survive alone. If so, people might get attacked again.」

「I agree with Zeta-san’s opinion. Look, over there.」

In the direction Haruna pointed, something that look like bones are piled up. Most of them belong to other monsters, but if you look closely, there are also human bones.

「It has tasted people already. As Zeta-san says, it’s dangerous if we don’t kill it here. It may hold a grudge and attacks people.」

「Kuu…!」

Receiving the gazes of the two, the bear cub growled, probably understanding their intention.

「…Fuu. It’s somehow hard to do it because it looks cute.」

「Chinatsu-chan, in this case, it doesn’t matter whether it’s cute or not. You have to think about the people who live in this country.」

「Haruna is quite severe, huh…. No, you are right. I know. It’s irresponsible to think that we shouldn’t kill it just because it’s cute.」

Chinatsu quietly readied her katana and made sure to finish off the monster in front of her. She did it with a single slash so that it can die peacefully.

「I’m really weak with this kind of thing, huh. Chasing after Haruna sure is a thorny path….」

「Is that so? On the contrary, I think that part of Chinatsu-chan is very important, you know?」

The three warm themselves around the fire while Haruna is preparing the hot pot. It takes time to prepare a large bear, so they are eating the wolf meat they got on the way while waiting. The meat melts in the mouth and the umami of the ingredients overflow. Thus, the deliciousness eased the conflict a moment ago.

「Haruna-san’s cooking ability is really wonderful! What is this? What is this!?」

「You can ask for second helping~」

「Please!」

The appetite of Zeta, who’s absorbed in eating, is launching a ferocious attack on the stockpile of food. With Haruna joining her, the wolf meat will probably run out here. While admiring the two who can eat in this bloody place, Chinatsu looks outside the cave. The blizzard is still raging outside, and there’s no sign of it stopping.

(The situation is bad in terms of time…. Ugh, my stomach….)

‘I want to be mentally strong,’ Chinatsu, who earnestly wished so, took the stomach medicine she got from Deris.

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