The Water Magician

The next day.

Ryo delivered documents to the Holy See at nine o'clock as usual, then returned to the kingdom delegation's dormitory.

Immediately, he headed towards the adjacent alliance delegation's dormitory.

Since both delegations were from the Central Nations, they frequently exchanged information, making visits between the dormitories quite common.

Of course, it was not Ryo himself making these visits, but the clerks.

Thus, Ryo's approach to the alliance dormitory did not stand out too much.

However, the message he conveyed at the reception desk did catch some attention.

"I am with the kingdom delegation. Please relay my request to meet with Lord Robert Pirlo."

"Uh…"

The dormitories assigned to the three Central Nations were originally run as regular inns.

During this period, the Holy See had leased them.

Therefore, the dormitory had a reception area.

However, the person at the reception was a member of the alliance delegation.

"Excuse me, but do you have an appointment to see His Majesty?"

The receptionist did not appear to be an adventurer… their manner of speaking was somewhat refined.

Ryo couldn't help but harbor such an incredibly rude impression.

"No, I do not. However, if you could let them know that Ryo, the adventurer from the kingdom, wishes to meet, His Majesty the former king would likely order for me to be brought in."

Ryo said confidently.

((Why can you always say that with such confidence…))

A voice filled with disbelief from another "Your Majesty" echoed in his mind.

((Abel might not know, but negotiations between nations often hinge on the personal trust established between their leaders. Therefore, it is always best to build a proper relationship.))

((…I feel like Ryo is more suited to be the head of the nation.))

((That's a misunderstanding. I do not possess the endurance to handle mountains of documents like Abel.))

((Well, I am confident in that one aspect at least…))

Abel sighed deeply and responded.

As Ryo waited at the reception, a knight came down the stairs.

Surely, he was the captain of Lord Robert Pirlo's guard…

"I am Captain of the Guard, Grown. Lord Ryo, please come this way."

With that, he began to walk ahead.

Ryo followed closely behind.

They arrived at the central room on the fourth floor.

"Ah, Lord Ryo. It's rare to see you here. Please, take a seat over there."

When Ryo entered, former King Robert Pirlo stood to greet him.

The reception was more fitting for the first duke of the kingdom than for a mere adventurer.

"Hmm. I am not sure who the target is, but it seems someone from my delegation is being watched by Archbishop Goon's associates."

"Yes."

Robert Pirlo nodded once, then placed his hand on his chin, contemplating.

"Actually, similar reports have come in."

"Is that so?!"

"Grown, please provide the details."

Robert Pirlo instructed the captain of the guard, Grown, who stood in the corner of the room, to explain further.

"For the past ten days, we have confirmed that there has been covert surveillance separate from the 'welcome team'. There are four observers. The target is likely to be former His Majesty the king."

"I see…"

The alliance delegation had been aware of the surveillance.

If the target was the leader, it would indeed be easier to notice.

After all, he was the most heavily guarded individual.

"Well, I am accustomed to being watched and targeted."

Robert Pirlo laughed as he said this.

It was said that when he was the current king, he was constantly hunted by the alliance's regent, Lord Aubrey…

Whether that was true or not remains a mystery only Lord Aubrey could clarify.

"However… while I have received such reports, it is also true that I find them hard to accept."

"Eh? What do you mean by that…?"

"Hmm… I can tell when I’m being watched or targeted for assassination. After half a century of it, one cannot help but notice. But this time, I do not feel that sensation or pressure… It feels as if the target is not me, but something I possess. Or perhaps, something around me…"

"I-I see…"

To be under constant watch and the threat of assassination for fifty years…