The Water Magician

Deeply slashed on his left leg and wounded in several other places by swords, Abel was pinned to the ground.

He had lost quite a bit of blood, but his consciousness was still clear.

"To think there are four vampires here..."

Abel said, glaring at Count Regio Robert.

"You had good skills for a human; you are indeed an a-rank adventurer. But you are still just a human. Challenging a fight you cannot win is truly foolish."

"There are battles that one must not flee from, you know. A vampire wouldn't understand that, I suppose."

In response to Robert's words, Abel grinned and replied.

"To be able to talk back even in this situation, huh? Very well, I shall behead you here. There are many others who will serve as witnesses for this public execution."

With that, the soldiers holding down Abel lifted his upper body to make it easier to behead him.

Then Robert raised his sword.

"Are you really going to kill that man?"

The voice swept through the area, making the four vampires, including Robert, shiver involuntarily.

They turned towards the door.

A young man entered the mock battlefield.

Walking neither too fast nor too slow, he moved as if this was the correct speed... his movements refined over many years.

Though he was merely walking, he exuded an aura that made onlookers feel he was the embodiment of all answers... such was his presence.

"L-Lord Ancestor..."

Robert swallowed hard and finally managed to say those words.

"Why are you here...?"

"I am an observer and a spectator. So, I appear anywhere, you see?"

The person referred to as 'Lord Ancestor' approached Abel and, as if to confirm something, looked at him and said.

"Well... So, Robert, I'll ask you again, are you really going to kill this man?"

"Even if it is Lord Ancestor, I won't meddle in the politics of the country..."

Robert, visibly tense, seemed to be putting on a brave front, perhaps not wanting to have his duty infringed upon.

"Of course. I have no intention of interfering in the politics of the country as per the established agreements."

When Lord Ancestor said that, Robert clearly relaxed and let out a quiet sigh.

Then, straightening his back, he stated clearly.

"Yes, I will kill him."

"I see..."

Lord Ancestor quietly replied and then turned to Abel to continue speaking.

"Adventurer Abel, Count Regio says this... Is that acceptable to you?"

Lord Ancestor seemed to know Abel's status.

It was implied.

Wasn't it time to reveal his identity and negotiate diplomatically?

"I am Abel, an a-rank adventurer. That's all there is to it."

"I see..."

Letting out a slight sigh, Lord Ancestor said.

As Robert raised his sword, Lord Ancestor began to step away from Abel.

At that moment, Abel's murmur reached Lord Ancestor's ears.

"Damn it, I guess this is when I should say that the world has gone out of joint."

Lord Ancestor's reaction was swift.

"Wait, Robert!"

With lightning speed, he received and deflected Robert's descending sword.

"W-What are you doing?!"

"Wait, Robert."

After deflecting Robert's sword, Lord Ancestor reiterated.

The one who was equally surprised as Robert was Abel, who had anticipated the sword but found it stopped mid-swing.

With his eyes open, Lord Ancestor had placed himself in front of Abel to block Robert's sword.

Robert and the other vampires were astonished by that action.

"Lord Ancestor?"

"I have a few questions for this man."

Lord Ancestor said that and then faced Abel to ask.

"Adventurer Abel, what did you just say?"

"...Huh?"

Abel could not understand what Lord Ancestor was asking.

Therefore, he simply asked for clarification.

"You! Lord Ancestor is asking you! Answer him..."

"That's enough, Robert. Adventurer Abel, what did you say earlier?"

Recalling the words he had spoken, Abel answered.

"Earlier I said... damn it, I guess this is when I should say that the world has gone out of joint...?"

"Yes, what about afterward?"

"Oh... The world has gone out of joint."

"Ah, what a cursed fate. To have been born to mend that."

Following Abel's words, Lord Ancestor continued.

"Why do you know the continuation...?"

Abel was flabbergasted.