The Water Magician

Eastern Naitorei Kingdom. Four days away from Border Town Redpost.

The expeditionary army that departed from the City of Run was advancing, joining forces with other expeditionary troops from southern towns along the way.

"Quite a sight, isn't it?"

Abel, who had come beside Ryo, remarked as he looked at the line of carts trailing behind Ryo.

"What is it, Abel? Just because we’re here doesn’t mean I’ll give you food, you know? Hugh-san has been stressing that it’s only during meal times."

"Since when did I become a hungry adventurer...?"

"Even if you try to take something without my notice, I've set a trap that will instantly freeze you. So don't even think about stealing."

"What kind of trap is that...?"

Abel looked at the line of carts with a different expression, perhaps scared of the trap.

Of course, there was no such trap.

Not long ago, during a meeting with the leaders like Hugh and Abel, a miscreant had tried to reach for the carts.

Since the carts were completely sealed by Ryo, it was impossible for anyone else to open them. However, it was just right to freeze that person as a warning at the time.

It was amusing to see the expressions of the accomplices who had been cheering on the miscreant also freeze in shock... that’s just the kind of person Ryo is.

Since then, it was only natural that rumors spread among the expeditionary troops that anyone who reached for the carts would be frozen.

"Hey, Ryo."

"What is it? Money again?"

"No, I’m not begging for money! By the way, didn’t we do this before?"

"It’s only natural to reuse the same material... Creating new material is quite the challenge."

"Why is this even material...? Who are you, anyway...?"

Abel’s face looked incredibly tired.

However, he collected himself and asked Ryo about something that had been on his mind.

"Are there quite a few people sitting on top of the carts...?"

"You noticed well. I believe it's people who tire easily. There are also ice stairs so they can get on and off easily, right?"

The appearance of the carts had changed just a little since they left the City of Run.

There were now ice stairs attached so that people could climb onto the carts from the outside, albeit a bit steep.

"Seems like there are a lot of mage-like people. The frontliners have stamina, but the backliners really..."

Abel said as he looked over the line of carts.

"Well, it can't be helped. By the way, the first ones who wanted to sit up there were..."

"Don't tell me... our..."

"Yes, Lin."

"Ah..."

"Next was Rhea."

"Ahhh..."

"Lastly, Warren."

"Ahhh... no way! Warren wouldn’t say that!"

"As expected of the party leader. You know the members well."

"Hey..."

Abel's face was even more tired than before.

"Since entering the eastern region... there are a lot of them."

Abel said while observing the people passing by.

"They are probably from the Duchy of Inberri. They must have escaped the war to come to the kingdom."

Many people were coming from the Inberri direction, carrying only what they could hold in their hands and not large loads.

Among them, Abel's eyes fell upon two covered wagons approaching from the front.

"How unusual, two covered wagons fleeing together... Are they merchants?"

At Abel's words, Ryo shifted his gaze to the driver's seat of the leading wagon.

"Shaafi?"

He blurted out.

The man at the driver's seat looked at Ryo in surprise, his eyes wide open.

"Ryo-san?"

The man muttered and hurriedly stopped the wagon.

Then, he shouted loudly.

"Ryo-san!"

It was Shaafi, a former member of the assassination cult who was supposed to be in the Gecko's guard squad now.

Hearing Shaafi's voice and seeing the wagon stop, children began to leap out from inside.

They spotted Ryo and shouted.

"Ryo-sensei!"

Saying that, a boy who had just turned ten jumped into Ryo’s arms.

The other children also gathered around Ryo, rejoicing in their reunion.

"Everyone..."

These were kids working at the Gecko Merchant Association, including five of Ryo's disciples.

"I'm glad you're all safe..."

Ryo's eyes glimmered with a hint of moisture.

"Are you taking them to the southern part of the kingdom?"