Black Iron Magician

Chapter 194 Can’t Help It If You’re Surprised

The unconscious king was carried away by the doctors. It was so sudden and so unexpected, so the throne room was filled with an indescribable atmosphere. It hadn’t been that long since they had recognized the king’s existence, and then this happened. The reason why the king became like that is unknown. The hero selection was suspended for a moment, and Joseph and Nell also left the room after the king.

After a while, the two returned. They stand in the same position as before the king fell and continue the program.

「I’m sorry to keep you waiting. Apparently, the king is a little sick…」

‘That was a little?’, everyone thinks so.

「We will do the greeting for the selection in place of the king. … But well, you don’t need that kind of thing, right? It seems that you were ready to go even before we started, so let’s leave this pointless thing and get down to business.」

‘She said that the king’s greeting is pointless,’ everyone thinks so.

「The first thing that our Magic Kingdom Adelheit seeks from the hero is strength. As you know, Adelheit is classified as a small country in the Jiba continent. We are in a friendly relationship with Tazarnia, but not with the rest of the countries. So, if we were to join the alliance, we’re likely to start from a weaker position than other countries.」

「We are looking for overwhelming power to overcome such a ridiculous situation. We are looking for a hero who can take the lead in defeating the demon king by establishing a superior position in the alliance. For example, someone with a deterrent level like me!」

It has tremendous persuasiveness.

「But, it’s just about being strong. You’ll be joining the alliance in a party, so it’s essential to cooperate with your companions. The people gathered here will be divided into two main groups. It would be great if the party could be made up of only the strongest ones, but from what I’ve seen, I don’t think that would be the case.」

「Having said this much, I’m sure you all understand, right? At this selection, the guests of Mage Prime Minister Joseph will fight those who are led by Deris. Well, the number is not equal, though… Let’s make it the number of people that will participate in the alliance. Each of you should choose four representatives from your group. Then, we’ll have a mock battle between them.」

Nell and Joseph continued to explain the format of the match. The mock battle would be a four-on-four knockout competition, and the winner would be the team that defeated everyone in the opposing team. Just like a team competition in kendo, they will fight one after another. It might be a good match with a repetition of win and lose, the first player maybe will defeat everyone in the opposing team, or the last player maybe will turn the tables.

「Then, we will decide the hero within the group that wins this mock battle. Well, the candidates are reduced here, but do you have any objections?」

「… I don’t have any objections, but can I ask something?」

Akira light raised his hand toward Nell. Then, Chinatsu begins to pray, hoping that he won’t do anything unnecessary.

「Let’s hear it. What is it?」

「Leaving aside the other representatives, I want Haruna and I to be included in this mock battle. Not that it’s for revenge for before, but both sides won’t feel refreshed if we leave it as it is, right? That is, of course, if they agree to it.」

Akira fluently said so while turning his provocative gaze toward Haruna and Deris. ‘What will you do?’ Nell asks Deris and the others with her eyes.

「No problem, is what I want to say, but I can’t just decide on my own. Do you have any objections?」

For the time being, Deris looked around at the rest of the group.

「I’m sure it’s fine if it’s Haruna. Or rather, she can just do it alone, can’t she?」

「Yeah, I support Haruna too. There’s no need to worry about her.」

「I agree…」

「After showing such things at the graduation festival, there’s no one who would object, right?」

「Ohohoho! Haruna-san and Chinatsu-san are fixed to participate, so the problem is the rest of the members! Shouldn’t we decide that first? I have no intention to give up on this! Well, if you want it no matter what, I will give up on it!」

「Um… there you have it, yes.」

In the end, Chinatsu summed up the decision that was unanimous, in other words, it was the default decision.

「As you’ve heard, we have no objections to this. We will accept it.」

「Is that so. Then, we will do it at the training ground of the knight order headquarters one hour from now. Until then, other than Haruna and Akira, you should decide the representatives and the order. Mage Prime Minister Joseph, can you guide them there?」

「Yes, of course. Ah, that’s right. I’ll tell you in advance, we won’t give you any advice after this. You should think of the plan to increase the chance of victory and decide the order by yourselves. Well then, let’s disband for now. I wish you all the best.」

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After disbanding, Akira and the other classmates left the throne room and came to the floor of the castle where they usually live. Joseph will send someone to pick them up when it’s time, but it seems that he won’t be getting in touch with them more than that. It’s a bit unexpected for Akira, who was hoping for information from Joseph. Only in this case, Joseph is completely a bystander. Akira has to change his awareness.

「Still, is it going to be okay?」

During the strategy planning, one of Akira’s followers raised a question with a slightly tense expression.

「What is?」

Akira, who had somewhat regained his composure after returning to this familiar floor, acts gracefully.

「I mean, about the opponents this time. If what Touko said before is true, Katsuragi is stronger than Touko. Moreover, they have Rokusai. To be honest, no one can win against her except you. There are also the others. There’s that muscle――」

「――Murakoshi, you can’t win if you are scared, you know?」

「T-That’s true, but…」

One of the followers, Murakoshi, seems to be afraid of Haruna’s potential. That’s understandable. Setting aside after got transferred, back in Japan, Haruna was so strong that she could beat the class delinquents that were led by Satou with just one hand. No matter how weak her status is, it’s hard to shake the strong impression she had at that time. In addition, Haruna’s group has Chinatsu and the others whose identities are unknown. Especially, Dry is a target of fear in a different sense from Haruna because of his tough appearance that seems peerless.

「Well, I understand what you want to say. Katsuragi and Rokusai sure are opponents that we shouldn’t deal carelessly. That’s why I’ll be the first player and beat them all myself. There’s no problem, right?」

Akura’s suggestion is that he would be the first player and defeat everyone. In the current situation where most of the members other than Akira are level 3 and 4, it seems that the choice that can gain momentum with the first move seems to be the optimal solution, but…

「You will? Well, if so…」

「Ah, I agree with that! Akira-kun, you’ve finally reached level 6, right!? You are invincible now!」

「That’s right. I’ve not just been playing around since I lost to Touko. Besides, I have the power of 『Brave Chain』. If by some chance I lose in the middle of the match, I can use it to help the rest of the team. At that time, I’ll leave it to you all! I believe in you!」

The students shouted loudly with Akira in the center. Akira, who raised the morale of the members with his skillful talk, has the leadership ability to attract others. However, his true feelings are not like that. The only thing that lies behind his refreshing expression is a dark feeling where he’s seething with anger.

「……Fuu.」

Joseph, who was looking at them from a distance, has a long time experience as the mage prime minister in the political world, so he could saw through Akira’s expression. After letting out a small sigh, he headed for the venue ahead of time without looking at them anymore.