The Water Magician

Three days after the fall of the royal capital.

By this time, most towns in the kingdom were aware of the rebellion by the northern nobles and the fall of the royal capital to the Imperial Army.

Of course, there had been no announcements from the royal capital, the royal family, or the kingdom's government...

Since the fall, all gates of the royal capital had been closed.

This was to prevent attacks from the outside, but even more so, or at least as much, it was to prevent anyone from escaping the royal capital.

What was it that they were trying to prevent from escaping?

Important people, citizens of the royal capital, and saboteurs.

"They went that way!"

"Don't kill them, capture them!"

"No, that's impossible. They're skilled."

"That's the order!"

What had been burned was once the knight order's barracks. Now, it was a supply depot for the Imperial Army.

Five shadows were running away.

"Alright, we succeeded!"

"Not yet. We won't be successful until we've completely escaped!"

The mage said happily, while the party leader, the swordsman, admonished him.

In fact, this area was dotted with the Imperial Army and the army of the northern nobles.

"If the enemy gathers here, it seems it will make it easier for 'them' to infiltrate..."

"But if we get caught by the incoming enemies, that would be meaningless."

The priest reiterated the significance of their operation, while the female scout expressed her concerns.

Another person, the spear warrior, held a portable spear and continued running silently.

After running for about ten minutes, the five finally caught their breath.

"Did we manage to escape somehow?"

The swordsman Hector quietly asked, not directing his question at anyone in particular.

"Probably."

The scout Oriana nodded while searching for signs of danger around them.

The mage Kenji and the priest Tarlow were too out of breath to speak.

The five who had carried out the sabotage were part of the c-rank party "Morning Star."

They were adventurers who had once attempted to kidnap Abel, and after various twists and turns, had been hired by Marquis Heinlein, recently infiltrating the northern Count Gorter Territory.

After catching their breath, the fifth member, the spear warrior Aizeiya, was usually quiet...

"Who is it?"

Uncharacteristically, Aizeiya sharply questioned.

At the same time, he extended his foldable spear and got into position.

"N-no one is here, right?"

The scout Oriana, skilled at sensing her surroundings just like Aizeiya, whispered while comparing Aizeiya's stance to the dark passage ahead.

But...

"A rebel..."

Muttering this, a man emerged from the shadows of the corridor.

His brown skin and sharp features suggested youth, but his hair was strikingly white, giving him an air of calmness that belied his apparent age.

"No way..."

The scout Oriana whispered softly.

She had not sensed the presence of the white-haired man at all.

In a hurry, she drew her dagger and prepared herself.

At that moment, the leader, swordsman Hector, also moved to the front line, standing alongside spear warrior Aizeiya.

However, the rear guard was sluggish.

Priest Tarlow was still fatigued from running continuously, but the state of Kenji, the earth attribute mage, was clearly off...

"Kenji?"

Tarlow asked in concern, noticing Kenji's unusual behavior.

"N-no good..."

Kenji's whisper was so quiet that it barely reached Tarlow's ears.

"Kenji?"

Tarlow called out to Kenji again.

At that moment, the front-line swordsman Hector moved.

"Don't!"

The mage Kenji shouted, but it was already too late.

Hector rushed towards the white-haired man and swung his sword down from above.

However, the sword never reached the white-haired man.

With a swift draw from his sheath, the white-haired man had a sword in hand and effortlessly intercepted Hector's full strike.

Having failed his strike, Hector backstepped to return to his original position.

"Don't, Hector... let’s run..."

Though weak, Kenji's voice was heard by the entire party.

"What’s wrong, Kenji? What do you mean it's not good?"

Hector sharply questioned, still watching the white-haired man.