The Water Magician

"Ryo, are you sure you don't need to rest?"

"I'm fine. I'm resting on Andalusia's back."

In response to Abel's worried words, Ryo nodded vigorously.

He gently tapped Andalusia's neck, reassuring her that he was okay.

In reality, the potion had taken effect, and his wounds were healing.

However...

"I lost too much blood. I applied first aid with water attribute magic, but the damage to my organs is complex... It might be that the ice membrane wasn't enough to completely stop the bleeding."

"No, when you returned, you had a cut on your neck too, right?"

"Ah, that was because I charged in while dodging my opponent's thrust by tilting my head. It's not a deep wound."

"That's impressive..."

After hearing Ryo's explanation, Abel could probably visualize that scene in his mind.

He shook his head slightly.

After a while, the suppressing force took a break by the riverbank.

Ryo got down and sat on an ice chair.

Beside him was a worried Andalusia, but he smiled and patted her nose.

Reassuring her repeatedly that he was okay.

At that moment, Prince Lyun and his attendants arrived.

"Lord Rondo, I've heard you were injured."

"Ah, your highness, I apologize for the inconvenience. It's nothing serious. Thanks to the potion, all my wounds are healed."

Ryo stood up and replied with a smile.

"We are heading to the battlefield now. To get injured before that..."

One of the attendants, Chamberlain Wenshu, spoke up.

It seemed that Ryo was disliked after all.

"Enough, Wenshu."

"No, your highness, I must say this. Lord Rondo is your advisor, and I've heard he enlisted to protect you. If he were to get injured and miss a crucial moment..."

"I'm telling you to stop!"

When Prince Lyun spoke with a harsh tone, Chamberlain Wenshu finally fell silent.

Ryo was left speechless, barely holding back a bitter smile.

He understood what Wenshu was saying... but there are also calamities that one can't avoid.

At that moment.

Without any context, a black space appeared right next to them.

A pitch-black space, four meters on each side.

Would it be understood if I called it a 'gate'?

What emerged from there was, of course, a demon...

"Ryo, I'm sorry!"

The demon apologized as it came out.

Of course, it was Demon Leonor.

"You always appear so suddenly. And why is Leonor apologizing?"

"I heard that those two fought Ryo. And you were injured, right? I punched them, so they're okay now."

Ryo could easily imagine Leonor giving both of them a fist to the head, resulting in bumps on their heads.

He could only smile wryly.

Despite her seemingly humble demeanor, Leonor wanted to kill Ryo.

Compared to that, injuring someone was quite tame.

But he chose not to touch on that subject.

"Then shall we fight now?" he thought she might say...

Demons are often strange creatures.

"So, as an apology, is there anything you want? Anything at all, I'll get it for you."

"I've said this before, but I don't really want anything..."

"Ah, previously you rejected the kingdom, right? Then how about the Eastern Nations? In an hour, I could bring you the heads of all the royalty, and offer them to you."

"No, I really don't want that."

The moment Leonor said she would bring the heads of royalty, Ryo caught movement from Prince Lyun out of the corner of his eye.

Chamberlain Wenshu also reacted.

However, Captain Ruyao was pulling hard on the sleeves of both men, shaking his head vigorously.

Captain Ruyao's face was pale, and he even had tears in his eyes.

"Ah... Leonor, this is Prince Darwei, the prince of the most powerful nation in the Eastern Nations. So please, don't say anything alarming."

"Mu? Is that so? Did I surprise you? It's fine, since Ryo said he doesn't want it, I won't do anything. But at this rate, I will be left with a debt."

"Well... I don't think I owe you a debt, but... that's fine. But really, I don't want anything."

Ryo wasn't completely devoid of material desires.

There were some things he wanted to acquire through his own effort, but he wouldn’t want to go so far as to sell his soul to a demon to obtain them... No, it seemed he wouldn’t need to sell it this time... but he couldn't think of anything.