Published: July 3, 2025
"If we're going to mobilize the troops, I think now is the perfect time."
"Yes, I agree. If we act now, there won't be any reinforcements from the Empire's mainland, not even by chance."
Abel asked Count Heinlein, and the Count agreed.
Ryo was nodding along beside them.
For some reason, Abel could see through Ryo's nodding due to the atmosphere of the moment.
Then Ryo made a suggestion.
"We will hold the departure ceremony in the square, right? Are we going to fly again? Or…"
"No, this time we won't be flying. It would be nice to give a speech from a slightly elevated position, but… perhaps we can have a platform set up in the square…"
"In that case, shall we make an altar of ice?"
"Ah, that sounds good!"
The image of the departure ceremony venue was being formed between Abel and Ryo.
Count Heinlein did not interject at all.
His initial skepticism toward Ryo had already transformed into complete trust.
There was a hint of resignation in that trust.
(Ryo could kill anyone at any time if he wanted to. There's no one who could stop him…)
That was the sense of resignation.
On top of that, Abel was managing to solidly secure Ryo as an ally through genuine feelings, which brought him some comfort.
Even if he were to become an enemy, it would mean despair; as an ally, he represented hope.
"I’ll talk to Ilalion about it. We’ll need to use the voice transmission magic to deliver my voice far and wide."
It seemed that the discussion about setting up the venue was coming to an end.
"This is going to be busy! We’ll have to change our monthly cakes to weekly ones, or else it won't be worth it!"
Ryo said this and glanced at Abel.
"No, Ryo will just create the altar on-site on the day of the event, right? That's easy, isn't it?"
"Wha…"
Ryo was left speechless by Abel's calm remark. It was a speechlessness caused by the truth being pointed out.
"If I don’t prepare the image from now, it could collapse on the day… Also, you know, it takes a lot of magical power, so we need to save on magical power consumption starting now…"
After being rejected for the cake increase, Ryo was flustered.
"The cake privilege is for once a month."
"Ugh… So this is what a tyrant is. The tyranny of the powerful reaches its peak here!"
Ryo was frustrated after having his request for more cake officially rejected, while Abel remained completely unfazed.
Observing the two, Count Heinlein smiled wryly.
On the day of the liberation army’s departure ceremony.
"There are so many people."
"Ugh, did we arrive too late?"
"Not only from Run but also from Acre, Whitnash, and Kairadi; adventurers have come from everywhere."
The three d-rank adventurers were amazed at the sheer number of people, regretting that they couldn’t secure a spot in the front row.
Of course, it was Amon, Nils, and Eto from Room 10.
"Over on the other side of the front row, a beautiful ice fence has been set up."
"Probably made of ice…"
"It must be Ryo’s…"
The ice fence sparkled under the sun, showing no signs of melting.
"But there’s also the possibility that it’s Ryo-san’s apprentice…"
"Ah…"
At Amon's suggestion, Nils recalled the scene he had witnessed.
After completing a request from the Gecko Merchant Association, he had gone to report back, where he saw children who had not yet reached adulthood playing with ice walls and icicle lances in the backyard.
It wasn’t bloodthirsty enough to be called a mock battle; rather, it was a heartwarming scene of small children swinging sticks and pretending to be knights or swordsmen.
Yes, it would be seen as a heartwarming sight by those who did not know the truth…
However, the three knew that the ice wall could repel most attacks and that the icicle lance possessed unmatched penetrating power when its tip was sharp.
This was because it was the magic of the water attribute magician they knew all too well.
“Have you noticed?”
Suddenly, the head of the Gecko Merchant Association, Gecko, spoke from behind the three, smiling.
“Their teacher is Ryo-san.”
“I knew it!”