Black Iron Magician

Chapter 403 Members Selection

「Hmm. In conclusion, the previous Hero Alliance is not strong enough. Rather, they will be a hindrance, right?」

King Dias summarized the talk so far. Maybe I should say that he’s being thoughtful in this indescribable atmosphere. He’s a capable king after all.

「To put it simply, yes. It’s a different story if they’re growing fast like Haru and Chinatsu…. Well, it’s a terrible thing to wish that on other heroes.」

「Ah, by the way, it’s better not to challenge them with a large number of people. Maria and the others are vampires. Far from being a hindrance, they will strengthen the enemy instead.」

「The characteristics of a vampire, right…? I remember reading a book at the academy… saying that they could regenerate… and gain a temporary ability boost… by drinking blood…」

「Not only that. If your blood got sucked more than a certain amount, you will become a vampire. Also, they can use blood for other things the stronger they are. Maria can use her blood as a catalyst to strengthen magic. If you compare it, it should have been at least as powerful as the Philosopher’s Stone.」

「S-Speaking of the Philosopher’s Stone, it’s something that can unleash a lot of mythical magic with just the size of a pebble, right!?」

「There is an anecdote that this stone could supply a country with enough magic power to last for decades….」

It’s too late now, but I should have asked for a drop of blood from Maria. If I used the wedding gift as a pretext and praised her, I think I could receive it.

「Even her blood is extraordinary, huh…. Then, how are you going to fight the 『Vampire Princess』, Deris-dono?」

「The ideal is to infiltrate with a small group of elites and destroy them one by one. Well, Maria always appears in unexpected places and at unexpected moments, so I think it won’t go that well. In order to increase the odds of winning even slightly, the members should be carefully selected. For the ones who are fighting on the front line, we need at least level 8, and even if they want to devote themselves to logistical support, we need at least level 7.」

「I-It’s a great hero class, which we don’t know if we can find even one on the continent, right!?」

Noct is doing a good job with the retort. With this, the discussion will be very lively even if Chinatsu and Touko are absent.

「No, if it’s level 7, you can find one if you search properly, you know? Look, we even have Hund-kun here.」

「You didn’t hesitate at all, huh. Well, if you ask for my help, I will help you as a resident of the Jiba continent.」

「I appreciate that. Still, when it comes to a high level, it would be Deris-dono and Leader Nell―― and from our country, the ones suitable would be Mage Prime Minister Weerel and Knight Therese, huh.」

「Ara? I heard that Weerel have reached level 7 quite a while ago, but Therese too?」

「Yes, it seems that she was doing her best in her duties and training when Leader Nell was absent. She declared it loudly in the castle, so everyone who works here knows about it.」

Come to think of it, Therese was someone who wouldn’t hide her status. Before leaving Adelheit, I secretly gave her a training menu, and it seems that she was doing it seriously. And then, after her level went up, she declared it while laughing loudly. Yeah, I can easily imagine that.

「Fufu, she’s not bad. Well, I had my eye on her after all.」

「I hope she could refrain from going around to announce it, though…. Haru, Chinatsu, and Touko were nominated, so they will participate. The other candidates are the hero of Snowtail, the Warrior King of Galdevalan, and Gramps Giorgia of the Adventurer Guild. But well, I think the Warrior King won’t participate with Nell around.」

「It’s strange, isn’t it? It’s annoying that he seems to be avoiding me.」

「Look who’s talking.」

It is inevitable from the viewpoint of national defense, but since Nell started working as a knight, Galdevalan has been pressured thoroughly, both physically and mentally. I don’t think he will nod his head even if Dias asked for help. Well, the battle situation won’t change even if he participated, so let’s just remove him from the list.

「Ah, that’s right. Alezel should have arrived at the Jiba continent. If the distribution of goods stopped, the merchants will die, so let’s ask her for help.」

「You’re right. Also, it’s easier to cooperate with her rather than with strangers. She’s also very good at spy activities, so it’s just right.」

「If we are lucky, Zeta-chan may still be with Alezel~. Well, I’m sure she will make a disgusted face, though~」

「K-King Dias, if I didn’t mishear it, I heard they mentioned the name Alezel…. That’s the name of a big shot, right!?」

「Noct, you should take a break. The information is obviously exceeding the amount you can process.」

Due to information overload, Noct takes a break for a turn.

「If we calculate the arrival time of the airship from the date of their departure, they should have arrived already at the Jiba continent. King Dias, have you seen Quitet’s airship, or have you heard any news about it recently? They must have come from the west.」

「Quitet’s airship? I’m sure someone would have noticed if it flew over Adelheit, but I don’t recall any such news. If it didn’t pass through our country, it may have headed for Tazarnia on the west, or one of the countries on the south or north.」

「I see…. Well, it’s helpful that we could narrow down their whereabouts to some extent. Thank you.」

Too bad, there’s no information about them. Zeta said she would go back to Snowtail, so the probability of them headed north is high. Hmm, maybe Owner has some information about it. Let’s go to the Quitet Magic Item Store later.

「Just in case, I will check if there’s such information. Please wait until tomorrow morning.」

「Thank you. Alright, let’s do the preparations now. I will do it thoroughly. Fortunately, Maria said that she would wait for years. Let’s give it everything we’ve got.」

「If we see it from another perspective, she’s telling us to come at her in the best condition, right?」

「Hahaha, I guess you could say that….」

「Mama is really greedy after all~. Not only Haru-chan and the others, but she also wants to enjoy Goshujin-sama’s power~. I don’t think the land of Crocus will be safe~」

「………」

Noct-kun, who was half revived, was staring at us with a pretty worried look on his face. Don’t worry. It’s probably going to be fine!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

While Deris and the others were devising countermeasures in the castles, the disciples, Haruna and the others, were enjoying tea in the knight leader’s room in the knight headquarters after finishing the tour of the castle.

「I’m sorry to barge in so suddenly, Canon-san.」

「No, no, please don’t be. I’m relieved that Vice Leader is doing fine.」

Although it was night, the knights in charge of the night shift were still working. Today, Canon was assigned to that shift, and he was entertaining Haruna and the others in the leader’s room.

「Everyone was worried about you, you know? They worried whether you would collapse from the stress of being pushed around by Leader Nell during the trip.」

「H-Haha, you guys worry too much, hahaha.」

「C-Chinatsu-chan, your eyes aren’t laughing, you know?」

「Ara, should I show you an example? Like this. Oohohohoho!」

「It’s scary if Chinatsu laughs like that. And I will be worried about her head the next moment.」

「T-That’s right. I think that laughter only suits Therese.」

「To think that I would receive such a compliment from Canon-san, who’s known as the Princely Young Man…. I’m very happy desuwa!」

「I’m sorry, please stop with that nickname…」

It was also chaotic here.