Black Iron Magician

When I stepped into the front line, there was a purple mist. It was easy to guess that it was poisonous, as my subordinates who entered the area slowed down and were suffering. Four ogres’ bodies are lying at my feet. The limbs are bent and the heads are broken. Perhaps getting a terrible blow, some died while spewing vomit. The difference in strength must have been obvious. I can see nothing but fear in their dead faces. And now, the person who seems to be the cause, Nell Lemure, is fighting in front of me. No, it’s not a fight. It’s an overrun, a massacre by an overwhelmingly strong person.

We were trying to capture the fort with our army. We are in no position to make excuses even if they fight back and annihilate us. But there was certainly a burning emotion, akin to anger, swirling inside my heart. I would be disqualified as a commander to cite my own emotions. Still, a hero who is unconcerned about having his brethren killed is disqualified as a hero. Ahh, what a troublesome position I’m in. Which position should I prioritize?

――It’s easy. I just need to take the good points of both positions. As a hero, I will suppress my emotions and defeat Nell, who’s said to be the strongest in the kingdom, with a calm mind. There’s plenty of time to cry later.

「Haha, nice to meet you. You are Nell, the knight leader, aren’t you?」

Attempts to greet as a gentleman in order to invite carelessness. The behavior that the goblins that have attacked so far have never been, will be a little surprising.

To catch you off guard, try to greet them as a gentleman. You will be more or less surprised by this behavior, which has not been seen in any of the goblins that have attacked you before.

「No, you’ve got the wrong person.」

「………」

H-Hou. She’s feigning ignorance, huh? As expected of a person who is said to be the strongest. She’s very good at advanced psychological warfare as well.

Still, her appearance is different from the rumored Nell Lemure. I heard that she’s golden-haired, but the person in front of me is black-haired, just like the people of the east. And above all, she should have a feminine and uneven body. But the real thing is―― straight down. Is that a child body? No, it’s said that goblins and humans have different sensibilities, so she may be a beautiful woman with outstanding style for humans. After all, rumors are just rumors. I should believe only what I see and hear.

「Oi, he may be looks like that, but he’s strong. Be careful.」

A man in a black robe appeared while saying so. He is probably her subordinate, but what’s with that way of talking? Is he knows no fear? Or is he trying to hide her identity by using that wording? Ahh, I see. Then it makes sense. What a clever plan.

「Yes, I know. After all, I can feel the pressure from a strong person, and I can feel it from him.」

There is no doubt about it. There can’t be two people with such straight and fearsome warrior eyes. Pure and straight, yet hungry for the strong. That kind of eyes.

「I’m sure his race is goblin king or above since he can speak words so fluently. What will you do? Since this is unexpected, should I help you?」

「D-Deris-san, don’t jump out so suddenly. Also, you are too fast…! Ah, it seems that it’s not the time for that. I’ll fight too!」

This is bad, her friends are appearing more and more from the other side of the fog. Assuming that she’s as powerful as I am, the battle will be tougher if her direct subordinates joined. I’ll take on her and have the soldiers and the ogres to buy time――

「No, let me do this. Please.」

What!? She throws away her advantage!?

「Eh!? Wait, ehh!?」

「… Oi, are you sure? Chinatsu will take all the other enemies, you know?」

Her subordinates are also terribly worried. Of course they are. They respect and admire her after all.

「No problem. I have a feeling that I can grab something if I fight him here.」

…… Her mind that values chivalry is wonderful. After all, the rumors were unbelievable. I heard that she has a violent temper, but look at her. To think that she’s this virtuous, I have to learn from her as a hero.

「Chinatsu, are you fine with it?」

「She won’t listen to others when she’s like this after all…. Promise me that you won’t overdo it!」

The man in the black robe agreed, and the black-haired girl who came later also agreed, though she was a little dissatisfied. Being loved by the subordinates this much, I envy her as someone who stands at the top. But, that doesn’t mean I’m going to hold back. After all, I’m a hero and a commander of this army.

「Everyone, leave this to me and go to the destination while taking a detour. Many of our brethren have fallen, but we still have our dream. Let’s defeat those who stand in our way and keep going!」

「「「「「GIAAAAAAHHHH!!」」」」」

At my declaration, my dear brethren shouted. As soon as they resumed their march, Nell-dono’s subordinates disappeared into the fog.

「Well then, let’s have a good match. Nell Lemure-dono!」

「………」

…… No reply? No, it’s not. She focuses all her nerves and all her senses on the fight, so much that she can’t hear my voice. She pulls out a black staff from the pouch on her waist and holds it downward. It’s a wonderful natural posture, with no sign of stiffening caused by the tension. I shouldn’t be fooled with her young appearance. I have no idea how many battlefields and training she went through to reach that point.

In front of such a person, will my power really work? I’m ashamed of myself for being so conceited until I stood here. If I could win this battle, I should probably take a good look at myself again.

I’ve been so focused on nurturing my subordinates lately and neglecting myself. Let’s see, the next thing I need to work on is――

==============================

Gobuon| 12 years old | Male | Goblin Hero

Job: Hero LV6

HP: 780/780 (+150)

MP: 710/710 (+150)

Strength: 483 (+150)

Endurance: 235 (+150)

Agility: 275 (+150)

Magic Power: 375 (+150)

Intelligence: 473 (+150)

Dexterity: 432 (+150)

Luck: 232 (+150)

Skill Slot

◆ Sword Arts LV100

L Sword Emperor LV12

◆ Fire Magic LV100

L Crimson Flame Magic LV6

◆ Command LV84

◆ Encouragement LV42

◆ Art of Conversation LV30

◆ Friendship LV17

◆ Instruction LV12

==============================

―― Oh my. In the end, many of the skills are deeply related to my brethren. But in a sense, it’s also typical of me. It’s the result of always searching for the right path as a hero and as a goblin.

Ahh, that’s right. I’ll believe in myself for now. As a hero, I spread the correction to all stats and distributed the benefits to my subordinates around me to strengthen the group. Don’t think that my subordinates that are heading into the fog are the same as before. I and Nell-dono, with each other’s subordinates, let’s see who will be the winner―― Here I come!