Black Iron Magician

Chapter 161 The Most Atrocious Supporter

It was right after the match of Chinatsu was over. Prince had left the infirmary and was watching the semifinal at a distance. However, he was overwhelmed by the impact of the match and the difference in level. Since he’s better than the average spectator, he could understand the contents of the match. He felt a headache after being shown such a fight.

「Prince, do you have any countermeasures…?」

「…… I’m thinking.」

The students returned to the infirmary, which became a strategy meeting room, and began a meeting. However, the atmosphere is very gloomy.

「You don’t have any, right~… If Haruna gets serious, she will be at least at that level after all~…」

「H-Hey, Prince hasn’t answered yet. Don’t say something that would lower his motivation.」

「But, that’s not wrong… I was surprised that Weerel was so strong when she got serious, but Chinatsu-san was even stronger. No matter how much we support Prince, there is no chance of winning…」

「Stop being timid! Even if there’s a 1% possibility, it’s our duty to keep up the hope! There must be some ways…!」

「Well, even if you say so…」

「The opponent is like a hero. No, she is actually a hero… Making countermeasures against a hero is quite difficult…」

It was fortunate that there was a break due to the stage being destroyed, but they still couldn’t think of any countermeasures against Haruna. Noct was thinking hard that black smoke appeared from his head, but the result was the same as everyone else. They were in a deadlock situation.

「Heya, excuse me~. Whoa, what’s with this room… the air is bad, isn’t it? Is this room properly ventilated?」

There, Deris barged in without reading the mood. Not only he didn’t have the intention to read the mood, but he even showed his dislike of the stagnant air.

「We are troubled by your disciple. Good grief, Knight Leader Nell and you sure have raised outrageous monsters.」

「It’s an honor to be praised so highly by Prince Dias. Well, I think Haru would have bloomed sooner or later even if I didn’t train her. I’m just increasing the efficiency and providing what she needs. …… Well, she’s also talented in housework, so I have no intention of letting her go.」

「Housework?」

「Ah, no. I’m just talking to myself. More importantly, you seem to be in a deadlock, huh?」

When Deris looked around, everyone averted their gazes and looked down. Their silence became the answer.

「I got the general situation from your reactions. There’s too much difference between Haru’s power and yours that you don’t know how to fight her. And now you are arguing in circles, right?」

「… Yeah, you are right. We still haven’t found a way to win against Haruna Katsuragi.」

Prince said so while leaning against the wall with a posed look. In a sense, Deris was impressed by Prince who kept his style even at such times. Then, as if to wipe away this gloomy mood, Deris spread his arms exaggeratedly.

「Attention! I’ve got some good news for you with such gloomy faces!」

「G-Good news…?」

「Eh, what?」

「When I said good news, then it’s good news. And I have three of them! How’s that? Did you see hope?」

「No, I don’t understand what you are talking about…」

「…… First, I will hear about it. Then, I will judge whether it is good news or not.」

「As expected of Prince, you are wise. Well then, I’ll explain it.」

Deris began to explain his good news that would help them.

「First, as her master, I put some restrictions on Haru for the semifinal match. Well, this is the same as the previous matches, though.」

「Hmm… what kind of restrictions?」

「I prohibited her to use that huge staff. It means that she can’t use magic through the staff and she can’t use it to attack. Ah, let’s tell her not to use it to defend too. Well, I don’t know if that is necessary, though.」

「She’s prohibited to use magic, to attack, and to defend through that staff, huh… If so, that staff will be no longer a threat. It also eliminates the uncertain factors related to it.」

「I know, right? Then, this is the second one.」

Deris raised his index finger and middle finger, showing the so-called peace sign.

「I prohibited her to leave her staff. To be specific, releasing it from her hand and put it on the stage just like when she was fighting Dry there.」

「Um, what does that mean…?」

Solte had a question mark. On the other hand, Dry nodded that he understood it.

「To reduce her mobility, huh?」

「That’s right. As you can see, that staff is extremely heavy. I’m not even sure if Dry there can lift it up. As for Prince and Kiel, I can say that it’s impossible.」

「Eh? I feel like she was swinging it around with one hand during the break, though…?」

「… In other words, it’s something like that.」

「Something like what!?」

In addition, he also prohibited Haruna to use gravity magic to lighten her Doggan Staff. Well, it will also violate the first one if she used magic on her staff. Not being able to make full use of her dark magic is a great hindrance for Haruna.

「If you fight Haru when her mobility is reduced by half, you will considerably have a better chance, right? Look, the light of hope is getting bigger again. And then, there’s the third one that will reverse the situation.」

Deris raised three fingers.

「I will apply support magics on Prince.」

「「「「「「――!?」」」」」」

The students, including Prince, looked surprised. Or rather, they looked bewildered.

「T-That’s…」

「It’s nothing strange, right? Even though your magic is not immature, it’s still developing. Then, it will be more efficient if I directly apply the support magic since my magic is several steps higher. It’s that simple.」

「W-Wait! In the first place, why did you put out such favorable conditions for Prince even though you are Haruna’s master? It’s strange no matter how you think about it!」

「About that, well, you can think of it as free service. We and Prince have a common goal, so I will do this much as the first step in building trust. Well, if you can’t trust me, you can refuse. In that case, the first and second good news will still be carried out.」

「P-Prince, what do you think?」

「………」

Dias thought about it. Even if it’s only the staff restrictions, the winning percentage will increase dramatically. However, is that enough to win against Haruna? The answer is that would be questionable. If possible, he would like to take the third good news. In order to do so, it’s necessary to understand Deris’s real intentions.

Even though Deris has formed an alliance, he is still Haruna’s master. Why is he trying to help his disciple’s opponent? On the contrary, is there any merit in doing so?

Just as Prince arrived at such thoughts, Karua opened her mouth.

「… And then, what’s your real intention?」

「If things go as it is, the match will over with no real competition. If possible, I don’t want Haru to fight Chinatsu without warming up. It’s even better if she can fight an equal opponent before going to the final.」

「You said it frankly, huh…」

「………」

They unexpectedly got the truth easily.

「Either way, you don’t have a choice. I’m giving you a handicap here. If you are determined to win, you have to show it that you are going to win no matter what it takes. So, what’s your answer, Prince Dias?」

「I am――」

――And then, we return to the matter in Nell’s private room. Prince, accompanied by the most atrocious supporter, went to the semifinal stage.