The Water Magician

The ceasefire flag was raised on the flagship of the Sujay Kingdom.

The signal flags spread the news throughout the Sujay Kingdom Navy.

As a result, the fighting began to subside.

Finally, Abel found the opportunity to drink the potions he had on hand.

"Mr. Abel! As expected... whoa!"

Running towards Abel was Ban Socks, the captain of the guard.

However, he was taken aback by the blood and the large hole in the armor at his feet.

"Ban Socks, this is the fleet commander of Sujay, Admiral Lockday. He has surrendered to us. Take him to the ship with respect."

"Ah, understood. But wouldn't it be better to heal that admiral first?"

"Hm? Oh, I forgot. You also have a big hole in your stomach."

Ban Socks suggested after observing Admiral Lockday's condition, and Abel remembered.

"You were stabbed with a sword, after all."

Weakly but clearly, Admiral Lockday spoke to Abel.

"Out of the five stone spears I launched, only two pierced...?"

"That's right. The ones to your throat and chest, and the one in your left leg, were received with the blade upright, using the belly of the sword."

"That's outrageous..."

Abel answered nonchalantly, surprising Admiral Lockday.

"Here, take this special potion I received."

Saying so, Abel handed the potion he pulled from his pocket to Lockday.

"That's not a wound that a potion can just fix."

Ban Socks's words could be heard.

Indeed, it was a fairly deep wound.

The sword had pierced from the abdomen to the back, and with a slight twist, the hole had become larger...

Without saying anything, Lockday downed the potion he had been given.

Then...

The large hole closed up.

"Seriously?!"

Ban Socks exclaimed in surprise.

"I saw your wound close up, but to think it would happen to me... I can truly understand that I've been given something extraordinary."

Admiral Lockday touched his own abdomen and looked at the crystal-like bottle that had contained the potion.

"That's Ryo's special potion. I don't understand it well, but it should perform better than ordinary ones."

"Better than ordinary... This is something you can't get without spending quite a bit of money."

Lockday responded in disbelief to Abel's words.

Once the surprise settled, Lockday looked at his companions who were still collapsed on the deck.

"However, Monlashu has had his arm severed. A potion can't handle limb loss..."

"Ah, apparently that's impossible. The one who made that potion said so too."

Abel nodded in agreement with Lockday's words.

Limb loss cannot be healed with a potion.

"Is there a priest who can use [Extra Heal]?"

"A priest? There's one advanced healer, but... is that okay?"

Not understanding the implication of Lockday's words, Abel questioned back.

"Our army has surrendered. That means you have the decision-making power over the resources we possess, including human resources. That includes deciding who will be healed by the healer."

"Hmm. I don't really understand the finer details, but... allowing the recovery of one person should be permissible. I'll take responsibility, so Monlashu should be healed."

"...Thank you."

Admiral Lockday bowed his head in gratitude for Abel's decision.

Abel turned to Ban Socks, who was by his side.

"Ban Socks, you heard my words just now, right? You'll be my witness."

"Ah, understood. Ban Socks, captain of the Aoyama merchant guard, will testify."

Ban Socks nodded vigorously.

Admiral Lockday, flanked by Ban Socks and Abel, crossed the ice bridge and landed on the Vashteque.

"Whoa!"

In that instant, cheers erupted from the Vashteque.

They were victory shouts and words of gratitude towards the Aoyama merchant guard and Abel.

Some among them were even crying.

"Well done, Ban Socks!"

Said Captain Dao, who leaped towards him.

"Y-yeah."

Ban Socks blushed, flustered.

"Abel..."

"Yeah, we managed somehow."

Ryo interrupted, and Abel raised one hand to speak.

"It's not just somehow. Just after having my armor repaired, you made a huge hole..."

"Using that technique Ryo studied to repair it..."

"I said I couldn't do it yet, just learned it!"

Alchemy is not easy.

And then...

"Your Highness..."