The Water Magician

Captain Gorick left the table to report what he had conveyed to the two of them at the embassy.

Left behind were Ryo and Abel.

"Abel, how exactly will you help us gain autonomy?"

"I don't know."

"Huh? You don't know...?"

"In the end, wouldn't it be better if Ryo just barged into the embassy of the Duchy of Atinjo again?"

"What are you saying...?"

"When that happens, I'll be waiting with the citizens in front of the gate..."

"That's terrible. You freeze everything, and I'll just have to live strongly on my own."

"I'm just joking, just joking."

Since Ryo looked at him with resentment, Abel clarified that it was a joke.

"Well, I still don't have any concrete ideas on how to get them to recognize our autonomy."

"...So we're just waiting for the chairman in three days?"

"Yeah, that's right."

"Even after thinking so hard about it? I foolishly expected you, Abel, to come up with a brilliant idea. Give me back my expectations!"

"Well, you just built up your own expectations and were disappointed on your own. It's not my fault."

It seems that understanding each other is a very difficult thing.

However, Ryo did not give up.

If they abandon the effort to understand one another, then that's where it ends.

"I have a counter-proposal."

"Hm?"

"Last time, I barged into the embassy of the duchy. Well, I had no choice but to give in to the pressure of the swordsman who accompanied me."

"Huh?"

"No, that's not the point. This time, I think it would be better if Abel barges in while the Grand Duchy Navy is gathered."

"Rejected."

"Why!"

"Because I'm a pacifist."

"Which mouth says that!"

"No, I don't want to hear it from Ryo!"

They still couldn't understand each other.

"Well, let's put that aside."

"Put that aside..."

Ryo made a gesture that suggested to leave that aside.

It seemed Abel somewhat understood the meaning.

Gestures seem to be understandable.

"I think the island that Captain Gorick and the others encountered is at the center of all the problems."

"Ah, I agree with that."

On this point, both Ryo and Abel shared a common understanding.

It's wonderful to understand each other.

Perhaps that is due to the experiences they both have had encountering non-human beings.

They have had quite a bit of interaction with non-human beings, including behemoths, griffins, demons, and even ghost ship Ruri from the Eastern Nations.

This means that they understand, beyond reasoning, that there exists a world separate from that of humans.

If they understand it intuitively, then it appears in their instincts.

"The main force of the Free City Fleet seems to have turned into zombies."

"Captain mentioned that."

"The resolution of the universal question related to why they increase their comrades...?"

"Yeah, that doesn't matter."

"That doesn't matter..."

Ryo pretended to be deeply hurt by Abel's words.

Of course, Abel ignored Ryo and continued speaking.

"Hey, Ryo."

"What is it, Abel?"

"Duke Helb said he is building up power. That means..."

"Yeah, it probably relates to that island. Thinking of it as preparation for a confrontation with the island... feels the most fitting."

After thinking for a moment, Abel continued.

"In other words, Duke Helb knows exactly what that island is."

"Indeed."

"However, he had no intention of sharing that information."

"That's right."

"I don't think Duke Helb is an ally..."

"Regarding the citizens of the Free City, he wouldn't sacrifice them. To him, the populace is merely an object of control. I don't think he's a good person, and fundamentally, he smells strongly of being our enemy, but he does have some pride as a ruling class."

Ryo also recognized Duke Helb more as an enemy than an ally.

"If we're going to demand autonomy from such a person..."

"It would be best to have a suitable gift."

"That would be...?"

"That island... perhaps."

Abel and Ryo fundamentally agreed on that thought.

And both of them were adventurers.

They wanted to know the unknown, to see what they had never seen...

That's what it means to be an adventurer.

"I feel like I'm going to get dragged into something again because of Abel."