The Water Magician

"Well then, Ryo, I've kept you waiting. Let's fight."

With those words, a smile that could only be described as terrifying appeared on Leonor's face.

"So this is how it is after all..."

Ryo let out a deep sigh.

"Of course! It's a heartwarming event that makes you grateful to be alive, isn't it?"

"No, that feels like a misunderstanding..."

Leonor said cheerfully, while Ryo responded with distaste.

"Ryo?"

Finally, Abel managed to call out.

"Abel, you absolutely mustn't get involved. The one who treated Hero Roman like a child's play... that is Leonor, right in front of us."

"......"

Abel was left speechless.

Who would have thought he would encounter such a being at this moment?

Roman surpassed him. He had felt that certainty when their swords crossed.

To treat Roman like a child's play means that Abel would be treated the same way.

After all, since earlier, he had been shooting down with stone icicles without letting the opponent do anything.

"From the way you put it, the hero has gone to Ryo, hasn't he? That's good, that's good. Since he was born a hero, he must grow stronger."

Leonor nodded repeatedly, looking delighted.

"Now then... is that swordsman an acquaintance of yours? I kept him alive because he seemed to have that sort of connection."

Leonor looked at Abel and asked.

"Yes. If you lay a hand on Abel, that would be cheating. If Abel gets hurt, I will die, and from that point on, you won't be able to fight me at all."

Those words seemed shocking to Leonor.

"W-What do you mean?!"

He spoke with obvious panic.

(This can be used for negotiation. I thought securing Abel's safety would be the biggest challenge, but...)

Ryo aimed to secure Abel's safety first.

"I promised a woman that I would deliver Abel safely. If I can't keep that promise, I will sacrifice my life. So Leonor, you mustn't harm Abel."

"Hmm... But there's this method too, isn't there? If you harm that person, Ryo will become furious. Then I can fight Ryo seriously."

Leonor rested his chin in thought as he shared his theory.

"Leonor, do you want to fight me with all your strength, or do you just want to win against me?"

"Aren't those two the same thing?"

"Not at all. If Abel gets hurt, I will die regardless. That makes our full power useless, doesn't it? However, if you swear not to lay a hand on Abel, I promise to fight you with all my strength."

"...That promise... is it not a lie?"

Leonor narrowed his eyes and confirmed with Ryo.

"Yes, I promise. Leonor, can you swear it?"

"Very well. I swear not to lay a hand on that person... Abel."

(Phew. I've somehow secured Abel's safety. Even if it's just a verbal promise, I feel like Leonor won't break such a promise.)

"That being said, Abel. Please watch from a distance. No matter what happens, even if I look like I'm about to die, do not interfere. You mustn't even draw your sword. Understood? Promise me."

"...I understand, I promise."

Under the pressure of Ryo's stern demeanor, Abel promised not to interfere.

"Leonor, before we begin, I want to ask you something."

"Hmm? I can answer if it's something I can, but what is it?"

"The orb you recovered earlier. Is that the cause of the great tsunami in the City of Run?"

Ryo's question was spot on.

"Ah, that's a rather difficult question to answer. It is indeed a function of that... we call it a 'gem.' It's due to the function of that gem. However, is it something that occurs naturally? No, it's not like that. It's more like a bit of trash disposal... or thinning out... something like that."

Leonor's response was quite vague.

However, it was very close to the hypothesis Ryo had in mind, with similar terms being mentioned.

The term 'thinning out.'

"So, you mean that to reduce the number of monsters that have overpopulated 'a certain place,' the gem connects the Dungeon of Run and 'that certain place.' The monsters that have increased in 'that certain place' move to the Dungeon of Run. And the act of humans hunting the monsters overflowing from the Dungeon of Run is the great tsunami. Is that correct?"

"Wow, you're pretty much on point. Basically, whether it's Run or anywhere else, there should only be as many monsters as the inhabitants can handle. Apparently, they adjust and send them as well. This year seemed to have a bit more, though..."