The Water Magician

Chapter Start

Fifteen kilometers east of the capital Jakelea of the Handalu Federation.

That place is the Closed City East.

As a city governed directly by the federation government, it is a place where, as its name suggests, not just ordinary citizens but even nobles may only enter with special permission.

The entry and exit of this city are strictly managed, and within such a place, there was Korn.

Located to the south of the Handalu Federation is the Duchy of Inberri.

A country that achieved complete independence as a result of the Great War.

Korn is a c-rank adventurer from the Duchy of Inberri, and he also sometimes undertakes espionage work for the duchy.

After delivering Prince Willy, the eighth prince of the Juu Kingdom, to the Naitorei Kingdom together with Ryo, he received a directive from the Duchy of Inberri to infiltrate the Handalu Federation's Jakelea.

Following his infiltration, through various intelligence activities, he obtained information that a "new weapon" was being developed in the Closed City East.

Investigating the details of that "new weapon" became his new assignment.

The infiltration into the Closed City East was extremely difficult, but Korn, being an experienced individual, managed to succeed in getting in and was on the verge of obtaining information from the weapon workshop today.

Within Korn’s mind, there was a significant question.

In this world, when one speaks of "weapons," it is most often those created through alchemy.

The kingdoms and the Empire are top-notch in alchemy... however, the alchemy of the Handalu Federation is, to put it frankly, nothing special.

Once, the alchemy of the federation was supported by the Duchy of Inberri, which was a vassal state.

However, with the complete independence of the Duchy of Inberri due to the Great War, and now being more of an enemy to the federation, there is no way the level of the federation's alchemy could be high.

Yet, they are developing a "new weapon."

Moreover, it is on the brink of being deployed in actual combat.

Where did they obtain such alchemy?

To put it more clearly, from where did they bring in such a genius alchemist?

That was Korn’s question.

“Well, if I can infiltrate, I’ll find out... maybe.”

Muttering to himself, the horse-drawn carriage that Korn was operating arrived at the entrance of the weapon workshop.

Though it is called a weapon "workshop," it has a vast area, likely for testing the weapons.

At the entrance, they undergo strict checks every time.

“Hello. It’s Koronpan.”

“Oh, Koron. You’re always a hard worker.”

"Koron" is Korn's alias.

"We appreciate it. My father's medical expenses are quite high, so I need to earn."

Saying this, Korn lifted the entrance of the horse-drawn carriage as usual to make it easier for the guards to inspect.

Korn did not bring any suspicious tools for his infiltration investigation.

Thus, no matter how thoroughly they checked, it didn’t bother him at all.

“Alright, no problems.”

For a solid five minutes, the two guards opened boxes and barrels to check.

“Koron, are you using the first entrance again today?”

“No, I was told to bring it to the fifth entrance today...”

When Korn said this, the guards' demeanor changed.

“The fifth, huh...? In that case, we can’t let you go alone. Two of you, follow Koron. You don’t know the place, do you?”

“Yes, that would be helpful. I was told to go to the fifth entrance yesterday, but I had no idea where it is and was wondering what to do.”

Of course, this was a lie.

He was perfectly aware of the location.

However, he had already investigated that external contractors entering the so-called "Fifth Area" would always be accompanied by guards.

“Koron's bread is delicious... I’m impressed that you’ve finally expanded to the 'Fifth' area.”

Saying this, the captain of the workshop guards laughed.

"Koronpan."

This bakery itself is neither a shop nor a brand created by Korn.

It has been a small yet renowned bakery within the Closed City East for twenty years.

However, its reality is that it was established and operated by the intelligence department of the Duchy of Inberri since the vassal state era.