Black Iron Magician Chapter 193

「If it isn't Deris-san. Thank you for coming all the way here. Are you tired?」

Joseph, who returned his atmosphere to a soft one, responds with respect as if responding to an important guest. … However, that's from the perspective of a third party, and it's unclear how it actually is.

「Haha, you've got a good joke again. I live in Adelheit, so it's just a little walk.」

「Oh, pardon me. Since you haven't come to the castle recently, I thought you had moved away. From now on, please make an appointment and come without hesitation.」

Deris and Joseph shake hands as if they are best friends who haven't seen each other in a long time. They both have smiles on their faces.

「Kukuku.」

「Hohoho.」

Those are smiles from their hearts that show their emotions.

「What the hell is this…? Joseph-san, who is this man?」

「As I explained earlier, there are other people besides Akirsan who want to be a hero. And then, our country Adelheit doesn't place any importance on what your job is. We are adopting meritocracy here. Hohoho.」

「W-What…!?」

Akira was stunned. The selection process, which he thought he would be nominated as a hero because of his job, was denied by Joseph's words. He declared that the job of a hero has no meaning here.

「Hmm, you're the rumored temporary hero Akirkun. The real thing is more handsome than the rumor, huh. Are those extras your friends?」

「T-Temporary… H-Haha. And who are you? Are you also aiming for the hero position like me? You seem quite old, though.」

「Yeah, you are right. I'm not fit as a hero. In the first place, it's my disciple who will participate in this selection.」

「Disciple?」

Akira's reaction was delayed because he was distracted by Deris, but there are several figures behind him. The first one he noticed is Nell Lemure, the leader of the Magic Knight Order, who has an overwhelming presence. The one standing next to her is Chinatsu, the one who was taken away from the castle by Nell. Chinatsu is now the vice leader of the knight order, so her attire is something that fits her title. Next, there are boys and girls lined up. They are about the same age as him and there's someone with a gallant and muscular figure among them. And then, Akira noticed her presence.

「Katsura, Haruna!?」

「Ah, Toue-kun, long time no see. And everyone too!」

When Haruna greeted with a cheerful smile, the classmates, including Akira, stiffened. They recognized the ability of Touko and Chinatsu, but they never thought that Haruna would appear in this place.

「Well, she's my disciple who will participate in the selection. The ones behind me are all graduates of this country's academy and will participate too, so please get along with them. And you too, Self-proclaimed Hero-kun.」

Deris tapped Akira's shoulder lightly and emphasized that nickname close to his ear. Probably because Akira is still inexperienced, he unconsciously opened his mouth to get back at Deris.

「I think I'll have to decline that. This is a sacred place to choose a hero. This is not a place for your disciple, who's only as good as a village girl, you know? Well, the way back is over there.」

「Come to think of it, I heard a rumor that there was a weak hero who was defeated by Touko in one hit, but who was that again? Ah, that's right. He took an arrogant attitude at that time, so there was no turning back for him. Pfft, it sure is tough to be a person who's getting carried away because of his title but has no real ability. Moreover, his pride is too high. Well, someone like that is beyond saving.」

「Y-You bastard…!」

「Shishō! Please stop it at that! The mood is becoming strange.」

「By the way, our Haru is better than Touko, you know? I wonder who's the one who should go home? Ah, just so you know, the way back for the loser is over there.」

「Shishooo!」

Tit for tat. In this regard, Deris is savage, except for some women. He accurately brings out the subject that the opponent dislikes and pokes it persistently. When Haruna, who's supposed to be his disciple, tried to stop Deris, the graduates of the academy remembered Deris's words when they entered the room and understood what he meant. Still, this is also part of Deris's strategy. Being abused this much, there's only one action that Akira, who has no resistance to it, would take.

「Fine! I request a duel with you, with your disciple! Let's see who's more worthy of being a hero and settle it here!」

The quarrel was bought splendidly.

「Mage Prime Minister Joseph. What's wrong with this boy? He's proceeding without permission, you know? A duel he said, that is barbaric…」

「W-Wha――」

「Oh my, I'm sorry for everything. But, Deris-san too, please restraint yourself. We are in the presence of the King.」

Joseph controls Akira who tried to raise his voice and shows to the throne. There was no one there until a moment ago, but a man wearing a gaudy crown and a bright red cloak is there unnoticedly. He is Claude Adelheit, the king of the Magical Kingdom Adelheit.

(Uwah, the quarrel was so funny that I didn't notice him… Hey, he somehow seems to be worn out, doesn't he?)

Leaving aside the attire, after seeing the king, Karua feels that he doesn't seem like a king. Claude is rather thin, but due to the tiredness of his daily government affairs, the dark circles under his eyes and the pallor in his cheeks make him look thinner and weaker. Rather than a leader of the country, he looks more like a middle-manager who is beaten by his superior and complained by the citizens. And above all, he's not standing out that she doesn't know when he appeared.

「You are before the King! Everyone, bow your head!」

However, since the knight leader Nell says so, there's no choice but to accept it. As Nell instructed, everyone present puts one knee on the floor, lowers themselves, and begins to bow their heads. Deris, who was quarreling a while ago, is also doing so with a nonchalant look. Akira glares at him while clenching his teeth, but Deris just brushes it off and pays no heed to it. If they were not in front of the king, Deris would have whistled intentionally.

(There are 14 remaining classmates. There are 3 boys of Hero-kun's followers, 3 female fans, and the others are those who remained in the castle. Their abilities are almost as expected. There's no problem, huh.)

But in his mind, he's cunningly thinking about how to make his cute disciple feel refreshed the most. Even the bloodlust that Akira gives off is a measure of his ability for Deris.

On the other hand, the throne room has become completely quiet. Mage Prime Minister Joseph stands on the right side of the king, and Knight Leader Nell stands on the left. After the top of the civil and military departments has taken their positions, King Claude slowly opens his mouth.

「Uh-huh… This is an important occasion to select the hero of our Adelheit. I'm delighted that everyone is gathered――!? Cough, cough…!」

「T-The King is!? Someone, call the doctor!」

The king, who was talking while looking around, suddenly shook his body and began to cough violently. He was terribly surprised as if he had seen a ghost.

Chapter end

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