Black Iron Magician

――――BAAM!

「Wow, it looks like they are still having a blast up there.」

「It’s causing concern, but we can rest assured as long as we can hear the sound. It’s a sign that both sides are still staying there. Now, let’s make some distance while we can. If we’re fighting someone as strong as Nell-shishō, we won’t make it in time to clear the trial.」

「Gii!」

「…… Hey, Chinatsu. Why is that bat still on your shoulder? You don’t need it anymore, right?」

「No, Gii-kun is absolutely necessary. Besides, I’ve got Haruna’s permission.」

「If it’s only one Gii-kun, it won’t consume MP that much!」

「I-I see…. Still, how can that bastard Kira keep receiving attacks like that? Is it his ability or something?」

「If you don’t destroy his head that’s hidden somewhere, his body will be immortal! …… Something like that?」

「In that case, I think Nell-shishō would want him as a training partner.」

「「You’re right.」」

It was unanimous without a doubt.

「We ignored one and defeated five, so… there are two remaining Great Eight Generals, huh? Both of them are in this underground facility, right?」

「Hey, hey! If we see them, I want to fight them!」

「No, it’s my turn next. That bugged-head bastard was killed by the white wolf, so I can’t feel refreshed. I was holding back, letting him say what he wanted to say, you know?」

「Sure, sure. Whatever the order, you two can fight them.」

「Of course! Then, Touko-chan will fight first and I’m next! Hmm?」

When they landed on the floor after passing through the shortcut, they found themselves in a place with a different atmosphere than before. The overall flooring is now really sturdy. There’s no nuclear bomb in this world, but everything here is covered with steel like a nuclear shelter. Well, Haruna broke through the steel ceiling and landed here, but from a general point of view, this place can be considered as impregnable.

「Is this a shelter for important people? It looks like a straight path here.」

「Also, I feel like this is the lowest floor.」

「Hmm…. I sent my ki through the floor, but it seems that there are no hollows or man-made object below here. As Haruna said, this is the lowest floor.」

「Okay, we’re almost there. Let’s do our best!」

「「Oooh!」」

The three disciples energetically raised their fists. The war with Elderado Great Empire was finally coming to an end.

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

At the innermost part of the bottom layer of Elderado’s underground facility. This place, built as an air-raid shelter for the exclusive use of Emperor Titos, was designed to thoroughly protect the emperor no matter what kind of attacks might rain down on the ground where the imperial capital and castle are located, or whoever invades. Or that was how it was supposed to be. The perfect preparation was shattered in just several hours by four people, who started their invasion from the border. The fortress that had maintained the country’s territorial line for so many years was passed by at the beginning, the army that boasted the world’s highest combat power was rendered incapable of fighting, the impregnable imperial castle was invaded from the throne room, and the underground facility, which collects the best of human technologies, was being breached at an astonishing speed. Since these events take place in half a day, the defenders could only laugh. Of course, the laugh was self-deprecating.

In this innermost room, considered to be the safest in Elderado, a man is sitting, waiting for his death. He’s wearing the clothes that’s only the ruler of this country can wear, and he’s wearing the emperor’s crown as proof of his status as the ruler. The man keeps staring at the iron door in front of him.

「…… It’s about time.」

The roaring sound that has been heard from afar for some time is now so close. The source of the sound is just beyond several iron walls, or perhaps they are already next door. The walls of this room are so thick, so he couldn’t quite grasp the exact location. However, he could clearly understand that the footsteps of death are nearby.

――――Creaaaak…

Suddenly, an ominous sound of metal being forcibly twisted was heard from the heavy door. That sound was something you would never normally hear. Then, the man gulped his saliva.

And finally, the iron door guarding this room was completely torn off from the wall. The iron door was sucked into the jet-black end of the passage, and then, sharp black claws grabbed the wall beside the door.

「Damn, just how many iron doors they made? There’s no end to them. Chinatsu, I wonder if we can melt the broken iron doors and use them for something?」

「Touko, before that, look ahead.」

「Hah?」

「………」

Two girls, Touko and Chinatsu, appeared from behind the destroyed door. Urged by Chinatsu, Touko looked ahead and met the man’s gaze. This was the moment when the man’s presence was completely recognized.

「Oh, this guy looks like a king. Hey, isn’t he the emperor? We will win if we defeat him, right?」

「Wait a minute. Excuse me, we are Carmine’s representatives in this war. Are you the Emperor Titos Elderado?」

「…… Indeed, I’m Titos Elderado.」

The man who called himself Titos stood up from his chair and drew his sword from the scabbard at his waist.

「There are only a few hours left until the time limit, but it seems that I was unable to escape. Still, to think that you could bring down my country in half a day or so… I’m amazed by your extraordinary strength. You completely look like human, but are you really undead?」

「I’m sorry, but we are not here to have a chat. In this war, we Carmine will win if we take your head. Prepare yourself.」

「Heh, even I have some military experience. Don’t think that you can take my head so easily.」

Chinatsu and Touko prepared their weapons, and the man also pointed his sword in front of him. The air in the room suddenly becomes tense, and the sense of tension dominates the place.

「…… Sigh. Time out.」

Chinatsu suddenly sighed, put her sword back in her scabbard, and made a ‘T’ sign with both hands.

「Whoa!? H-Hey, Chinatsu. Why don’t we just beat this guy already!?」

Touko, who thought they would go straight into battle, fell forward.

「Now, now. We’re going to talk about it now. Your Majesty Titos, this arrangement is a bit strange, isn’t it?」

「What are you talking about?」

「I mean, on this level, there were some soldiers wearing gas masks, just like in the upper lab, but we didn’t find Elderado’s greatest forces, the Great Eight Generals. Isn’t it strange that the Great Eight Generals are completely absent from this place, which should have been the most heavily guarded?」

「…… What are you trying to say?」

「To put it bluntly, I want to ask if you are really His Majesty Titos. You see, we haven’t met the generals who have the nicknames of wind and ice. If you are a body double and the real emperor is acting together with a user of wind teleportation magic, it will be quite troublesome.」

「A body double!? There’s really such a thing!? That’s amazing!」

「………」

While the man was silent and Touko was being impressed, footsteps were heard from behind Chinatsu and Touko.