The Water Magician

Izolda looked at Orenju, whose head had been severed, and chanted.

“[Regeneration]”

In an instant, Orenju's head and hands vanished.

Then, a new head and hands were generated onto the torso... and Orenju stood up.

"I kind of thought this would happen, but seeing it happen in reality is disheartening."

Abel, who was finally standing with the support of his sword, let out a small sigh and muttered.

The resurrected Orenju...

"Since I was nicely defeated, can't you just leave me as I was?"

He complained to Izolda.

"Your life isn't yours to decide, is it? It's Lord Garwin's. Now get to work."

"Even so, being told that by Izolda feels wrong..."

Orenju retorted, frowning at Izolda's words.

"Well, with that said... I'm sorry, King Abel, but please die."

Orenju said apologetically to Abel, who was finally standing with the support of his sword.

It wasn’t sarcasm or irony; he genuinely seemed sorry.

For Orenju, the sword fight with Abel earlier was probably over once he was defeated.

That's why he felt it was somehow wrong for a loser like him to take the life of the winner, Abel.

He thought that, but... if it was Garwin's order, he had no choice.

"Damn it..."

Abel's mutter was small.

At that moment...

A silver light flashed.

"Abel, you can't possibly fight in that state, can you?"

As the silver light stopped, a voice came from the side.

"...Sera?"

It was Sera, the b-rank elf adventurer and the next representative of the Forest of the West.

"I’m a bit late; I apologize. It takes time to rush across the kingdom from the western edge."

Sera said while shaking her head slightly.

Then, shortly after, an elf man arrived behind Sera, knelt, and addressed Abel.

"Your Majesty, two hundred elf troops from the Forest of the West have just arrived."

At that moment, the battlefield was torn apart by hundreds of arrows.

It was the attack from the arriving elves.

"Target the Phantom Soldiers precisely at the center of their chests and throats. You won't be able to defeat them otherwise!"

The voice of the great elder lady granny echoed.

"It seems lady granny has fought against the demon army before."

"I see..."

Sera explained, and Abel nodded.

Abel knew that elves had long lifespans.

But he quickly remembered.

"No, Sera, instead of dealing with them, head towards the main demon over there."

Though it seemed like they were just having fun, he thought that soon the priests' [sanctuary array] would no longer be maintainable.

"What? You think you can handle a demon's kin with just the two of you? Even in that state? Impressive, Abel."

"Huh?"

When Sera said it exaggeratedly, one of the kin, Orenju, glared at Abel.

"Why provoke me? Sera, you've been quite similar to Ryo lately..."

"Really? I’m happy you think so!"

Abel said with a sigh, and Sera responded with a brighter smile than ever.

It seems she was quite pleased to be compared to Ryo.

And while still smiling, she continued to speak.

"Well, it’s fine. The two who passed us on the way here have just arrived."

"The two who passed us?"

Abel tilted his head at Sera's words.

Meanwhile, at the demon Garwin's side...

Clang.

A distinctly different metallic sound rang out sharply.

Garwin crossed his bracers to catch the surprising strike from the swordsman who had just charged in.

"The Holy Sword Astaroth? I thought the current hero was in the Western Nations?"

Glancing at the caught sword, Garwin asked with a laugh.

"No, right now, I'm a citizen of the Naitorei Kingdom."

The one who answered with a smile was Hero Roman.

"And the one who came with me is... the demon king? Seriously, the demon king? Why are the hero and the demon king so friendly?"

Garwin looked genuinely surprised, his eyes wide open.

"Because we’re married."

Hero Roman stated clearly.

Hearing that, the demon king Nadia's face turned red as she looked down.

"What kind of joke is this..."

Garwin, the demon, looked astonished.

And it was understandable.

First of all, a human demon king is already rare.

Even Garwin, who has lived for thousands of years, only knows of one other.

On top of that, this demon king is married to the hero?