The Water Magician

"Has anything been issued from the Empire?"

"Yes, Your Excellency the Treasurer. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Empire has announced that its citizens are caught up in the turmoil in Count Gorter Territory and that their safety is not guaranteed. They declared that 'the Empire will take all necessary measures to ensure the safety of its citizens.'"

This is the Royal Castle 'Palace' in the Royal Capital Crystal Palace, specifically the office of the Treasurer.

The reporter is Deputy Minister of Finance Shart.

The report is received by Treasurer Fuka.

Treasurer Fuka has been using various tricks to avoid scrutiny regarding issues involving Duke Flitwick, the Alliance, and Knight Commander Bacala prior to the turmoil in the royal capital.

Furthermore, he has contributed significantly to the resolution of the turmoil in the royal capital and continues to hold a prominent position in the core of the nation, stationed in a corner of the Palace.

Even Fuka received the same report from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that had been delivered to other ministers.

"In other words, it's a declaration to dispatch troops into the kingdom? Is it the same old pattern again?"

"Protection of one's citizens" is a common method used throughout history.

Naturally, this leads to war.

The Empire and the Kingdom have been engaged in conflicts involving tens of thousands of people every few years for the past thirty years.

This incident seems to be another trigger for that.

Normally, this would be just "business as usual," and preparations would proceed quietly. However, the Kingdom has not yet recovered from the chaos of the royal capital turmoil.

The Royal Knight Order was once decimated due to the turmoil and is currently undergoing reorganization.

Additionally, guards present in the Noble District during the unrest were killed, leaving the military strength of the royal capital and its surroundings significantly weakened.

Moreover, the ongoing deterioration of security in the eastern regions shows no signs of improvement, and a shortage of military strength is becoming evident across the entire Kingdom.

"The Minister of Military Affairs said he would encourage the northern lords to participate."

"That’s how it is... Even if it ends in a draw, we’ll have to give rewards from the national treasury to the lords who participate... The financial burden will increase again..."

Treasurer Fuka immediately identified the problems related to his authority.

Indeed, there is no state action that costs as much money as war!

"Well, we can think about the rewards for the lords after the war... Soldiers will come from the royal capital, right?"

"Yes. Although they are being organized, the Royal Knight Order will participate. Also, the Royal Magic Guild and the First Army of the Kingdom, along with conscripted militia."

"That too... It will cost money again..."

Fuka sighed deeply, expressing that his feelings were gradually becoming more negative as he spoke more directly than before.

In the Southern City of Run, life was peaceful.

Particularly around Ryo, it was peaceful.

It was just as peaceful as always.

He woke up before sunrise.

Stretched intensely for thirty minutes.

Then, while creating tiny Tokyo Towers from ice on both hands, feet, and shoulders, he ran outside the walls of Run.

He had breakfast and diligently worked on alchemy until noon.

During that time, Sera sometimes came to read in the living room.

For lunch, they often ate together at one of the shops near the East Gate, centered around the Feast Pavilion.

Afterward, they usually had mock battles at the Lord's Manor.

Dinner could be eaten at home, or they might grab a bite at the adventurers' guild cafeteria or at a shop they passed by.

Then, he would take a bath and go to bed.

An astonishingly regular life.

There were two forces that disrupted this regular life.

One was the three from Room 10.

And the other was...

"Ryo, are you there~?"

An A-rank adventurer swordsman barged in through the side entrance without knocking.

He thought Ryo would be there, but if he found an elf woman reading in the living room, he would surely be surprised.