After Alice gave a brief explanation and disappeared, I took a quick look around. I’m pretty sure that Kuro has sent word to Funf-san, and we’ve agreed to meet in front of Kuro’s gate…… but I can’t see anyone who seemed like they’d be Funf-san.

  [……It’s almost time for the appointment, isn’t it?]

  [Yes. I feel bad to keep her waiting so long, so it’s time we……]

  [However, it seems like Funf-san hasn’t arrived yet huh.]

  [Eh?]

  [Eh?]

  Hearing my words, Sieg-san tilted her head, really looking like she was wondering what I meant, but it seems like she realized something soon.

  [That’s right, isn’t it? Kaito-san hasn’t met Funf-sama before. Funf-sama has been here since a while ago. She’s waiting for us to finish our conversation.]

  [……Errr…… All I see is a gate and that humongous armor though.]

  In the direction that Sieg-san pointed, all I could see was the gate of Kuro’s house…… and that humongous armor-like object in front of it.

  Even so, that humongous armor really is quite intense. It’s definitely over 20 meters, looking like a giant robot.

  [Even among the Count-ranks, Funf-san is one of the most powerful ones, and being one of the Six Kings’ executives, she has a variety of nicknames…… but she was most famous for being the “Portcullis’ Giant Soldier”.]

  [……Which means?]

  [That giant armor over there is Funf-sama.]

  ……I see, that giant armor wasn’t just there as decoration, but Funf-san huh…… Arehh? But if that’s the case, I think that that giant armor was there when I arrived at Kuro’s home last time too…… and I think Kuro said Funf-san was outside when I came to visit…… Arehh?

  As I was feeling a little confused, the huge armor that had been immobile until then started walking towards us, each of its steps making a loud sound.

  W- What an amazing intensity. But why did it start moving now…… Ahh, it’s because it’s time for our appointment huh.

  Just like that, the giant armor moved to a stop just in front of us. Immediately after, the 20-meter tall armor collapsed into pieces, turning into magic particles before falling to the ground.

  Then, when the huge armor completely disappeared…… In its place stands a woman. It was a woman so small in comparison to the armor she was wearing, having the average height for a woman, not even reaching 160cm. A girl with short pink hair and dark brown eyes…… and a tight-fitting bodysuit that clearly shows off her excellent proportions…… Is she Funf-san?

  [We have been expecting your arrival, Miyama Kaito-sama, Sieglinde-sama. I’ve heard about you from Kuromu-sama. Nice to meet you, I’m Funf, the gatekeeper of Kuromu-sama’s castle. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.]

  [Ah, y- yes. I’m Miyama Kaito. It’s also a pleasure to make your acquaintance.]

  [I’m Sieglinde. It’s an honor to meet you.]

  With movement as refined as a knight’s, Funf-san bowed her head with her hand on her chest. Seeing her greet me like that, I couldn’t help but straighten my posture and returned her greeting.

  Thereupon, Funf-san stared at me for a moment…… and smiled.

  [Well, that should be enough for the formal greetings, right? I’ve heard from Kuromu-sama that it’s better if I talk to you in a relaxed manner, but is this tone of voice alright?]

  [Ah, yes. Of course.]

  [Kaito and Sieglinde it is then. I’m glad that I could meet you. Ah, it’s alright if you also talk with me casually.]

  I’m glad…… How should I say this…… Just from talking with her for a bit, I could tell that she was a kind person. She also had this dependable aura around her…… wait, arehh? The color of her hair…… “It changed from pink to blonde?”


  [……Arehh? Funf-san, your hair became blonde?]

  [Unnn? My hair…… Hmmm, could it be that it was pink-colored earlier?]

  [Yes.]

  [I see, ahaha. I guess I had been rather nervous earlier huh.]

  Saying that, Funf-san wryly smiled, but Sieg-san and I only exchanged glances and tilted our heads. Thereupon, perhaps sensing our doubts, Funf-san explained with a bright smile on her lips.

  [Have you two seen Megiddo-san’s hair change color?]

  [We had.]

  [I have the same constitution as Megiddo-san. When I’m in battle, or rather, when my body is clad with a lot of magic power, my hair changes color to pink. My hair had originally been blonde.]

  [……I see.]

  As she explains, Funf-san showed us her hair color actually changing from blonde to pink.

  I don’t really understand stuff about constitutions, but indeed, when Megiddo-san wants to battle, or if he’s angry or excited, his mane would turn black.

  It seems like her hair color changes depending on her mental situation and magic power.

  [Incidentally, by changing my hair color like this……]

  [By changing it?]

  [Other than color, it doesn’t change anything~~]

  [……Is that so?]

  [Unnn, on the contrary, they would know that I’m in a battle stance. Well, it’s not that big of a demerit though.]

  ……She sure is very easy to talk to. She basically had a cheerful and friendly atmosphere, and the tempo of conversation easily advanced.

  I think comparing them in itself is rude but…… She’s several times easier to talk to than the Ten Demons.

  **********