The Water Magician

"The Western Nations... Ryo would definitely want to go..."

"First and foremost, that's for sure."

In the Royal Castle Palace, in the king's office.

King Abel the First had finally moved out of the detached palace and returned to his original office.

There, he was in consultation with Chancellor Marquis Heinlein.

"A golem army... No, even I would want to see that."

"Your Majesty cannot go."

"Indeed... That is, after all, the case."

With a slightly lonely expression, Abel let out a small sigh.

He was originally an adventurer.

Wanting to see things he's never seen before is a natural feeling.

However, he is currently the king.

Moreover, he had somehow managed to survive thanks to Ryo, so he couldn't act recklessly...

"If this were a normal delegation, it would be fine for the leader to be the first duke Ryo, but considering the Empire and the alliance... it might be too much of a burden for Ryo."

"His abilities seem fine, but then again, his negotiating experience..."

Abel frowned, and Chancellor Marquis Heinlein also frowned.

"This is something we can't overlook... Now then, what about the leader?"

Abel's expression darkened even more.

Abel had no siblings.

His only brother, the late Crown Prince Cain, had died of illness.

He had no sisters either.

Furthermore, his father, Former King Stafford, also had no siblings.

The late younger brother Raymond had committed suicide after a rebellion. Raymond had no children.

In addition to that, Stafford had neither brothers nor sisters.

Looking at it this way, the current royal family of the Naitorei Kingdom is quite small.

"A lack of blood, or perhaps a dilution... there are no direct descendants..."

"Your Majesty, you should have many children..."

"Y-yes..."

Marquis Heinlein said this with a serious face, and Abel nodded.

"If necessary, marrying a concubine is also..."

"No, I should probably avoid that or Rhea will hit me."

Abel imagined Rhea hitting him with her staff technique and shook his head multiple times.

While the two were discussing this, misfortune descended upon them.

"Your Majesty, C-rank adventurer Harold wishes to have an audience with you along with his party."

"What?"

Abel questioned with a frown.

Even more than Abel, Chancellor Marquis Heinlein frowned.

It was rare for him to frown so much...

Ryo had seen the group completely by chance.

He was planning to sneak out of the Royal Castle to eat a cake set at 'Café de Chocolat' when he saw the group walking.

Under normal circumstances, he wouldn't have paid any attention at all.

Perhaps he wouldn't have even noticed them.

Especially with his vision filled with cake.

However, at this moment, perhaps because the keyword 'Café de Chocolat' had popped into his mind... he immediately remembered who the group was.

"That's the Mont Blanc kid and the capable priest! Plus one more."

Indeed, it was the three-man party that had previously caused a ruckus at 'Café de Chocolat', shouting for "Give me Mont Blanc!"

Those three were now walking inside the Royal Castle.

It's quite rare for a mere C-rank adventurer to be walking within the Royal Castle.

Of course, Ryo was also a mere C-rank adventurer, but he was simultaneously the first duke... so it was fine.

"This feels like a sign of an incident."

Muttering a line akin to that of a mystery novel's protagonist, Ryo decided to follow the three.

Led by a guard, the group entered the audience chamber.

Ryo followed them at a slight distance.

That sight was reflected in the eyes of those working in the Royal Castle, but no one spoke to them.

When one of the guards tried to call out, another stopped him and explained.

The guard who received the explanation was surprised and looked at Ryo from a distance.

Such scenes repeated within the Royal Castle.

In his casual robe, he certainly did not appear to be the 'first duke'.

Still, he had occasionally wandered around the Royal Castle, so many of those working there recognized him.

Nobles may not know him, but the guards do... that is Duke Rondo.

Of course, there were guards at the door leading to the audience chamber, but they did not stop Ryo either.