Black Iron Magician

Chapter 438 The Origin of the Strongest

Who is the strongest mankind in the world? Unlike the previous story about the tower in Crocus, the answer to this question varies from person to person. There will be a bias in knowledge depending on where a person lives, and different positions and statuses may lead to a different answer from what they actually believe. That’s how diverse human beings are, and they are troublesome creatures that are swayed by status and factions. ‘That guy in my country is the strongest’, ‘No, that person in my country is stronger’―― something like that.

Then, what about me? It’s obvious. The moment you ask me that, I will nominate Nell without any hesitation. It’s not because she’s my wife or anything like that. This isn’t just me, but anyone who lives on the continent of Jiba, especially anyone with any knowledge of combat, whether it’s a king, a knight, an adventurer, or an intelligent man, would probably answer the same. Even the belligerent Warrior King, who stands at the top of the warrior nation Galdevalan, is no exception, and even old geezer Joseph, who was treating Nell like an enemy, would recognize her strength.

After all, she had single-handedly defeated Galdevalan, which boasts the strongest military force in Jiba, and she was clearly holding back. If you were to dig up her achievements during her adventuring days with me and Alezel, you will find many legends that even Haru and the others don’t know. If you were to hear that someone split the sea, you may just dismiss it as a silly rumor. However, given the small framework of the Jiba continent, there were times when ordinary people witnessed the legend directly during Nell’s work, even though it was rare. If there are witnesses, the legend would become a reality, and the circulated rumors would become legitimate information that’s seen and heard by many people. It’s only natural that she would be recognized as the strongest.

Well, I’ve talked a lot about my wife, but the person who knows the most about the famous Nell is me. If Alezel were here, she would probably say something like ‘There you are boasting about your love again’, but I have no such intentions. I am saying this purely as a matter of fact. If you want, I can show you the proof. I will tell you a story that no one else knows, or rather, that only we (including Alezel) know.

「「――Crap….」」

I think I’ve mentioned this before, but when I and Nell first met on the continent of Dai, she was still a feral child. What do people normally think when they heard the words ‘feral child’? Most people probably think of a child raised by a wild carnivorous monster, especially a wolf-shaped creature. Nell, however, does not fit this description. Indeed, the creature that raised Nell had a wolf-like appearance. It was walking on four and howled like a wolf. However, it was so big and had white scales instead of fur. Its fangs and claws were bright red as if they were burning hot.

「A human and an elf, huh…. What do you want from me?」

In addition, it could speak. It looked like a wolf at first glance, but I think it was some kind of dragon. As for its level―― I’m not sure about it. I and Alezel were busy trying to survive, so we didn’t have the time to think about it. I think it was at least considered as a candidate for the Great Eight Demons.

「Wow, do wolves talk these days? As expected of a big city, it’s so advanced!」

「Hey, Alezel, we’re in the middle of a forest, you know?」

For some reason, I and Alezel were working together as adventurers since that time. At the time, I was a reckless inexperienced teenager who secretly aspired to be a hero. Moreover, I had no mentor to guide me, and I didn’t even know much about this world yet. It was inevitable that I would fall right into Alezel’s clutches and accept the guild’s incredibly difficult subjugation request. So, I and Alezel went on a mission to subjugate a large unidentified monster and encountered a ridiculous monster in the nest of the white wolf (temporary).

「Setting that aside, Alezel, isn’t this a little impossible? I was so excited last night, but I’m sober now. I know this pattern. We’re definitely going to die.」

「Stop being timid! Compared to the escape drama at that time…! …… But well, uh, how should I put it… maybe we can barely make it? No, maybe we will die? Yes, we are going to die…」

「Don’t suddenly become timid! The one who took the initiative to take this request was you, right!?」

「Kuh, I guess this is the end of our adventure! I guess this is the end…!」

「…… Oi, why are you wrapping the preserved meat around me? Have you finally started to escape from reality?」

「Eh? Ah, no, you’re wrong. There’s no way I will do something that won’t earn me money~. If you flaunt this much meat, you can at least buy some time as a bai――cough! …… Deris, we’ve only known each other for a short time, but I didn’t hate you! Bye!」

「I won’t let you escape, you wicked elf!」

「Whoa!? H-Hey, where are you grabbing me!? Let go, let me gooo! I won’t be able to escape like this! As a man, you should obediently sacrifice yourself to protect the life of this lovely elf girl!」

「Too bad! I’m not that honorable! If I’m going to die, we’re going to die together! We will be together no matter what! I’m going to return all the favors I’ve received from you right now…!」

「Y-You demon!」

Well, we were young in many ways. We were so young and so stupid that we were quarreling in front of an enemy that was almost unbeatable. On the contrary, it was amazing that we could pull each other legs even though we were in a dilemma where we might die. In a sense, they were in sync with each other.

「…… Oi.」

「Miser Alezel, White Wolf-sama is saying something! Be quiet!」

「Bastard Deris, what are you talking about…!? I’ll sue you for repeated sexual harassment of me, the elf village’s greatest treasure!」

「All you have to do is not try to escape!」

「All you have to do is let me go!」

「――OI!」

「「I’m sorry!」」

When the wolf shouted, we showed our non-resisting intention on the spot. The two of us dropped our weapons and took a dogeza form in a smooth movement. We already left our shame somewhere. We unexpectedly came to the same conclusion: while there is life, there is hope.

「……? What’s this about? Some kind of ritual?」

But unfortunately, the white wolf didn’t get it. Yeah, it was unfortunate.

「I don’t really understand, but I understand that you’re afraid. Don’t worry, I don’t eat people.」

「Seriously!? I knew that you were a noble being! Hehe!」

「I believed this would happen in the beginning!」

…… Yeah, now that I recalled about it, I realized that our behavior was disappointing. It’s a dark history. I will never tell Haru about this.

「However, I can’t overlook the talk about subjugating me. If you don’t want to die, tell me everything. If not――」

「「――Please ask me anything!」」

Then, we honestly told it everything we knew, including that we had received a request from the Adventurer Guild to subjugate an unidentified monster. The white wolf’s expression grew stern as we spoke, and I didn’t feel like living at that time.

「I see…. I have a request for you two.」

Of course, we agreed to do it without even asking about the content of the request.