The Water Magician

"You're not invited!"

A person standing with a bright red face shouted.

"That's strange, isn't it? The door opened on its own, so I thought I was welcomed in," Ryo replied nonchalantly.

What a bold move.

Abel, who was listening behind Ryo, understood the entire situation but maintained a blank expression.

He didn't even shake his head.

He was aware of the gaze of Duke Helb, who was still sitting in his chair.

"You understand the crime of barging into the embassy, don't you?!"

The man standing shouted again.

"That's why I entered; the door opened, and I was invited. By the way, who might you be?" Ryo asked politely, inquiring the name of the person he had been speaking with.

While it was clear that this person was an important figure at the embassy, it was hard to have a conversation without knowing their name.

"I am Zuluma, the second secretary of the Embassy of the Duchy of Atinjo."

"Zuluma... Oh, no, it's just that your name made me think of something else. Secretary Zuluma, I would like to speak with the most important person here."

"What did you say?! Step back! You, a mere lowborn...!"

"Enough, Zuluma."

Duke Helb interrupted the second secretary's words and continued.

"We met at the garden party, didn't we? Lord Ryo of the Naitorei Kingdom and Lord Abel. I recall it was Lord Abel who was angry back then, but this time it is you, Lord Ryo?"

Duke Helb said this with a smile.

"No, I'm not angry at all," Ryo stated clearly.

Abel could tell that was a blatant lie...

"Is that so? Then, what brings you here today?" Duke Helb asked, accepting Ryo's words for the time being.

He was curious about the reason for their visit.

At this point, Ryo found it a bit strange.

Considering the commotion outside, they should have realized he had come to protest against the food hoarding.

However, he decided to answer politely.

"The people from the Duchy of Atinjo have hoarded food in the market, and I'm here to protest against that."

"Hoarding?"

Duke Helb murmured, questioning Ryo's words in a low voice.

Then, he looked at the second secretary Zuluma beside him and asked, "Zuluma?"

"Y-Yes! To hasten the submission of the citizens..."

"I see."

Zuluma answered, and Duke Helb nodded.

"It seems that hoarding is indeed a fact. However, I don't believe it is wrong as an occupation policy, so I have no intention of blaming you or Zuluma."

Duke Helb stated clearly.

"I understand. That aside, I would like you to stop the hoarding from now on."

Ryo made his request clear.

"As I just said, it is not wrong to weaken the enemy by taking their food as a policy of occupation. It would be difficult for me to stop what appears to be correct for the Grand Duchy Army on my own."

"So, does that mean food will continue to be hoarded from tomorrow onward?"

"That's correct."

Duke Helb nodded clearly at Ryo's confirmation.

"So our negotiations have failed... What a pity."

"Yes, a pity indeed."

"Duke Helb, I thought we could become good friends..."

"What a coincidence, I thought so too, Lord Ryo."

Ryo shook his head slightly, while Duke Helb continued to wear a smile.

Abel, standing behind Ryo, mumbled, "Really?" but everyone ignored it.

"I have one thing I am certain of."

"What is it?"

"Duke Helb, you are not human, are you?"

It was said in a tone no more intense than discussing whether or not one felt like having tea that day.

Neither of the two showed an extreme reaction.

"You! How rude!"

Zuluma, the second secretary, yelled in anger.

He thought Ryo had insulted Duke Helb.

Ryo quickly realized this.

"Secretary Zuluma, you're mistaken. My words carry their literal meaning. Duke Helb is not of the human race."

"...What?"

"Well, to be precise... I should say he is mixed with something other than a human, shouldn't I? The distortion I felt at the garden party was that. I finally came to understand."

Zuluma's face contorted in confusion, while Ryo nodded in further clarification.

Duke Helb, who had been surprised with wide-open eyes...

"Ku ku ku... Huhuhuh... Ah ha ha ha ha!"

He burst into laughter.

"D-Duke Helb?"

It was an uncontrollable laugh that startled the second secretary Zuluma standing beside him.