Published: July 4, 2025
"All the pending issues have been resolved!"
"Was it really that much of a concern?"
After returning to his mansion from the neighbor's house and having a cup of tea, Ryo declared.
However, once again, Abel's reaction was not favorable.
"Abel is only denying things! This was an issue that involved the responsibility for billions of people in Darwei. It was not something to be judged lightly. If this isn't a pending issue, then what is!"
"Ah, yes..."
Under Ryo's fierce demeanor, Abel accepted it without much resistance.
I should mention that it's unclear whether there are actually billions of people in Darwei.
I don't think there are that many, though...
"Anyway, it was a fulfilling visit to the neighbor's."
"That's true. It was good to confirm that Mifa is growing well."
"Mifa is a hardworking person. Even without the fear master, she continues her training every day. No, perhaps being exposed to such a terrifying gaze allows her to do her best."
"What is this fear master...?"
Abel shook his head slightly at Ryo's usual whimsical terminology.
However, it seems he remembered something at that moment.
"Wasn't that the captain of the princess's guard, Bijis? Shouldn't Ryo have dealt with her instead of me?"
"I'm a mage, you know?"
"Still, it's her. Previously, she slashed at Ryo on the ship."
"Well, that's true... but that was an unfortunate accident. Such things happen often."
"Yeah, they shouldn't happen often."
Ryo displayed a sense of depth while Abel made a sensible remark.
"Even so, it can't be helped, can it? If we questioned every bad person, we would miss our opportunity to strike. A preemptive attack is the shortcut to victory."
"I'm saying it would be a big problem if we were attacked while being mistaken..."
"You need to be strong enough to defend against sudden attacks. The world isn't kind, after all."
"Yeah, I don't think it's a world issue..."
In any case, the time had come to take the next step.
"Since we've decided to support Prince Lyun from the shadows, we must do what we need to do."
"Huh? What do we need to do?"
"Of course, we need to strengthen our fighting power!"
Ryo declared with a look that said it was obvious, raising his right fist.
Abel didn't understand why it was "obvious."
That said, it didn't seem like strengthening their fighting power would be a bad thing.
So, Abel asked.
"What specifically should we do?"
"Um... well, specifically, I'm still a bit..."
Ryo's answer was stammering.
Abel let out a small sigh.
The stammering person then criticized him.
"Don't just leave it all to me, Abel! You need to think properly too!"
"Even so, I practice swinging my sword every day and make efforts to get stronger."
"What kind of way of saying that is that! It makes it sound like I'm just playing around all the time!"
"I never said that."
Abel easily dodged Ryo's finger-pointing.
Ryo, who was like a growling dog, seemed to have thought of something and muttered, "That's it!"
"I just thought of a specific strategy for strengthening your fighting power, Abel."
"...I'll listen for now. What is it?"
Abel's gaze and demeanor were filled with suspicion.
"That."
Ryo pointed at Abel's wrist.
"Huh? Flying Ring?"
"If you can use that freely and at a faster speed, it will strengthen our fighting power."
Ryo said something that sounded reasonable for him.
Even Abel had to admit it.
However, he knew that it wasn't easy.
Having tried it, he understood well.
"This Flying Ring doesn't allow for much speed, you know? Well, I don't know what kind of usage Ryo is envisioning."
"Of course, it's complete three-dimensional combat, which ultimately leads to personal combat!"
"...Huh?"
Abel couldn't understand the meaning.
So he decided to say it plainly.
"I don't understand."
Upon hearing that, Ryo puffed his cheeks in frustration, expressing his dissatisfaction as a water attribute magician.
Nevertheless, water attribute magicians have a big heart.
With a mind deeper than the sea and cooler than ice, he decided to explain.
"First, Abel, what are the blind spots for a human in combat?"
"Well, it's behind them, of course."