The Water Magician

The kingdom delegation reached the Empire's border without any issues.

And they crossed the border without any problems.

There wasn't even a formal inspection.

The reason for this soon became clear.

"The Imperial Army has surrounded the entire delegation..."

"That's a bit scary..."

"If they suddenly attacked us, we wouldn't stand a chance..."

"This is quite the VIP treatment!"

Amon stated the facts, Eto expressed her honest feelings, Nils voiced his fears, and Ryo openly showed his delight.

These four were just like that.

In this state, they were 'escorted' to the town of Gilsbach, the meeting place for all country delegations.

"Clearly, we're more like prisoners than protected..."

Ryo thought of retorting to Nils's words, but then he noticed the stiff expression of priest Zeek walking behind him.

"Zeek, are you feeling tense?"

"Huh?"

He probably didn't expect Ryo to speak to him.

Priest Zeek flinched.

"Don't worry, if they attack, I'll take them all down."

"No, Ryo, stop. That doesn't sound like a joke."

As Ryo tried to reassure Zeek, Nils interrupted him.

"Nils thinks it's okay if Zeek becomes a sacrifice... A senior who can't consider their juniors is no good, you know?"

"No one said it was okay to become a sacrifice!"

"If it were Abel, he'd definitely protect his juniors even at the risk of his own life."

"Long live King Abel!"

Nils reacted almost reflexively.

Seeing that impromptu comedy, Zeek lightly bowed his head.

"I'm sorry, I don't have many good memories of the Imperial Army."

"Zeek was an immigrant from the Empire, right?"

Eto supplemented Zeek's words.

"I understand."

Ryo nodded knowingly.

"It's because of that country name, Debuhi. With a name like that, you're practically inviting bullying. A sparkly name would be better. Like, for example, the Grand Cross Shooting Star Python Magnum Galactica Empire would be preferable."

"Ah, I knew Ryo had no sense of naming."

"!"

Ryo glared back at Nils, who had made the harsh declaration, showing a look of despair.

Everyone around, including Zeek, burst out laughing.

The inn they arrived at in the evening had an extremely large, or rather vast, garden in the backyard.

While looking at the garden, Amon appeared to want to say something.

Nils and Eto noticed but chose not to say anything.

After a moment of hesitation, Amon approached Ryo and said,

"Ryo-san, I have a request."

"Amon?"

It was unusual for Amon to ask Ryo for something.

Moreover, his expression was quite serious.

Could it be that he was going to report Nils for bullying him...?

"Hey, Ryo, you just thought something weird, didn't you?"

"N-no, it's nothing. Come on, Amon, if you have something to say, just say it."

Ryo allowed Amon to continue, trying to cover for Nils's sharp comment.

"Thank you. Actually, I'd like to have a mock battle."

"Eh..."

Ryo was left speechless by Amon's request.

And Nils and Eto nodded with expressions that said, ‘I figured this would happen.’

The three in 'Room 11' were more surprised than Ryo.

Of course, in their minds, they were picturing Ryo's 'duel' at the Royal Castle.

Honestly, none of them wanted to experience that again...

"Amon... what's going on? Did Nils tell you to go for it? I won't allow such bullying, so don't worry, okay? Should I freeze Nils in place?"

"Hey, stop that."

Nils yelled when he heard Ryo's ominous words.

Amon smiled wryly.

"No, Nils has nothing to do with this. I genuinely want Ryo-san to be my opponent in a mock battle... Is that okay?"

With that said, Ryo couldn't help but understand.

Amon genuinely wanted to have a mock battle with him.

Of course, it was fine to have a mock battle... he often had them with Sera.

However...

"It's fine to have a mock battle, but, well... we don't have any safe weapons..."

This was not a training ground or exercise field.

They certainly didn't have swords with dulled blades, and the adventurers accompanying them for the escort probably didn't bring anything like that either...

"Actually... I secretly brought my own weapon in the carriage."

Amon said with a wry smile.

It seemed he had been eager for a mock battle since before they departed.