The Water Magician

"The royal capital has fallen. It has succumbed to the younger brother of the crown prince and the Empire. The lamentations of the people cover the sky of the kingdom. The anger of the people rushes through the land of the kingdom. The hopes of the people... will bring forth a new king for the kingdom. His name is King Abel. He will rise from the border town. The king of adventurers will blow away the dark clouds of the kingdom. He will gather the tears of the people and confront the invaders."

Thus sang the bard Wana Shee, narrating in a melodic voice.

Everyone in Masayoshi Hall listened intently to his beautiful voice and the sound of the harp.

This time, both Ryo and Abel were fully absorbed in the performance.

Previously, when they had heard it at the Dragon Spring Residence, they had regained their composure out of embarrassment before fully listening, but this time was different.

Perhaps it was because they had heard it once before and had become somewhat accustomed to it.

Or perhaps it was because they had given up on everything.

In any case, they tried not to think about their own situation... and listened.

"There is a mage who follows King Abel. This mage wields the great water magic that can erase the heavens, shatter the earth, and freeze the world. With a single strike, he can defeat an army of a hundred thousand—this is not a mere dream. People sing praises to the icefall, or perhaps the duke silver."

At the moment the final line, "The Song of Duke Rondo," concluded...

"Ooh!"

"It's just as good as always!"

"Truly the great Wana Shee!"

Cheers erupted.

But they quickly subsided.

They realized that Wana Shee was about to continue his performance.

"Duke Rondo headed west to forge new friendships. In the gap he left, a new threat attacks. A great being that surpasses human understanding. The resurrection of the demon that once drove the Central Nations to the brink of destruction. The kingdom fought. It allied with others to battle. But... the enemy is not human. It is a being that surpasses humanity."

What began anew was a fresh story.

"The kingdom is exposed to the onslaught of the resurrected demon. A fearsome demon that creates tens of thousands of shadows, trampling the kingdom... The hero king Abel stands in its way. However... Duke Rondo is not by his side..."

Wana Shee's singing spun a new song about the Naitorei Kingdom.

The audience listened with bated breath.

"The demon, leading shadows that cover the land, puts the kingdom in peril, and its kin. The decisive battle with the kingdom took place in the eastern region. Led by the hero king, the royal army, with the great power of healing crafted by alchemists, and the ship of the golden doe floating in the sky... All the strength of the kingdom gathered to defeat the demon and its kin. That is the moment when humanity can overcome what surpasses them! But..."

Not a single cough was heard.

"The land soaked in the blood of warriors unleashed the true power of the demon. It... has been unleashed! Just one, a single demon, breaks through all the power of the kingdom. A terrifying sight! Warriors were slain, mages fell to the ground. Even the hero king, who had defeated the kin, could not reach the demon who unleashed its true power. All the power of the kingdom... was about to be subdued by the demon."

At that moment, Wana Shee's accompaniment grew fierce and wild.

"But not yet! It is not over yet! The power of the kingdom still remains! That man who set forth on a journey to the endless western lands! Yes, Duke Rondo. His place is not in the west. It is in the kingdom. Yes, it is at the side of the hero king Abel where he belongs! But Duke Rondo in the endless west... cannot reach... cannot reach? Is there truly something impossible for him? Impossible! Impossible! Yes, such a thing is impossible! The mage who can make all things possible. If it is him... could that really happen? Could it happen? Could it happen? Yes, it can! It has happened! The great water mage, icefall, Duke Silver appears, tearing through the sky! He has returned to where he belongs! Raining down ice, he cuts through. The red magic sword of the hero king, the blue magic sword of Duke Silver... the two became one and pierced the demon!"