The Water Magician

Among the thirty assassins, six were captured, and one was encased in ice.

The ones who were captured were five individuals who sustained severe injuries to their legs from the initial ranged attack and could no longer move, along with one woman who had surrendered.

The one encased in ice was, of course, Natalia.

"To think someone would be sniping from such a distance..."

When Ryo brought the ice-encased Natalia, Shouken, the leader of the adventurers, remarked with admiration.

"It was strange that one person was so far away. This woman is a high-ranking member of the assassination cult."

At Ryo's words, the members of the delegation stirred with excitement.

"So they really are part of the assassination cult..."

"No wonder they are so strong..."

"A female executive..."

The adventurer who made the last remark was given disapproving looks by the female adventurers around him.

The moment he spoke, the woman quickly sensed the emotions mixed into those words.

Never underestimate a woman's intuition!

(Ice Wall Package)

Ryo encapsulated the six captives within an ice wall.

The opponents were assassins.

If they self-destructed, it would lead to serious consequences.

"Abel, just in case, I've enclosed those six within an ice wall."

He whispered to Abel in a hushed voice.

Reporting, contacting, and consulting are important.

"Got it."

Abel nodded and turned to the negotiator, Ignis, to ask.

"What should we do about these individuals?"

The highest authority present was Ignis, the negotiator.

However, he was aware that he was not accustomed to rough situations and had no information at all about these attackers.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Abel, but I have no knowledge about them. Even if we were to interrogate them, I wouldn’t know how to judge their answers. If everyone agrees, I would like you, as an A-rank adventurer, to take the lead..."

"I agree."

The first to agree was Shouken, the leader of the adventurers.

"I also believe it would be appropriate to leave this to Mr. Abel," added Dantan, the squad captain leading the knight order.

Behind him, Zack and Scotty nodded in agreement.

Thus, with the core members' approval, Abel was designated to lead the interrogation.

And, as was natural, Ryo stood by Abel's side.

But before the interrogation began...

"Ryo, what is the name of that female executive?"

Ryo quietly confirmed with a small voice.

"It's Natalia. The person who previously led this assassination cult was referred to as 'the leader.' It seems she killed the leader, being influenced by the executive known as 'Kuro.'"

"Seriously...?"

Upon hearing this, Abel shook his head slightly.

After exchanging some information, Abel turned to the six individuals and began speaking.

"I'm going to interrogate you... but I don't expect you to answer honestly. So, I'll just talk unilaterally, and you can listen in silence."

The members of the delegation exchanged glances in surprise at his unexpected words but refrained from speaking.

After all, they were assassins.

It might indeed be true that they wouldn't answer even if questioned.

"First of all, I know that you are what is referred to as the assassination cult."

He stated this firmly.

The five individuals showed no change in expression.

However, the surrendered woman’s expression wavered just a little.

"Ryo, can we encircle just that woman separately?"

"Yes, we can."

In a quiet conversation, and without anyone noticing, the female assassin was encased separately in an ice wall.

If it became known that information was leaking from the female assassin during the interrogation, the five might attempt to silence her, knowing the risks involved.

It was a likely scenario.

"Next, it is also clear that this woman encased in ice is the executive, Natalia."

This statement could not leave the five men unresponsive.

Why would an outsider know such information?

They had been informed that Abel was an A-rank adventurer, but still, knowing the name of the cult’s executive was clearly strange.

"That's right, your village used to exist in the kingdom, didn’t it? The village that perished encased in ice. Your leader must have died there..."