The Water Magician

That night, Ryo and Abel had dinner in the dining room of the Inn of Free Winds.

The topic was the matter of Duke Atinjo they heard about during the day.

"Duke Atinjo collapsed back in his homeland, right?"

"Duke Atinjo was also a phantom being, wasn't he? I had an image of him being like a demon or a monster... but he seems just like a human, collapsing like that."

"I'm curious about that."

Neither Ryo nor Abel had any acquaintance with Duke Atinjo.

In fact, they held no good feelings towards the duke and his grand duchy since he was the one who occupied the Autonomous City of Kubevasa.

However, it’s true that he is one of the important figures in this conference.

If that person has collapsed three times and is still coming to Kubevasa...

"I hope nothing happens."

"Abel, that's a flag..."

As they exchanged such conversations, the two of them thoroughly enjoyed their dessert.

Then, just as they were about to return to their room, they were called out to at the entrance.

"Lord Ryo, Lord Abel."

The two looked at the person who called them, but at the same time, they tilted their heads.

They couldn't recall the name.

Both exchanged brief eye contact, but there was no answer in either of their eyes.

Both shook their heads slightly.

However, at that moment, something flashed in Ryo's mind.

He remembered having met that person.

He had a recollection, but... it was also a memory of a rather dire situation...

(It felt like a bad name... Horrible? Bad? Scary? Sneaky? No, Zulu... Ah!)

"Mr. Zuluma!"

Ryo finally remembered the name.

"Yes."

Zuluma bowed his head.

"Zuluma?"

But Abel couldn’t remember.

"Remember when we attacked the embassy... ah, no, when the doors of the embassy were opened and we were invited in..."

"It would be useless to cover it up now. So, that was the guy next to Duke Helb at that time."

Ryo's attempt to cover it up was dismissed, and Abel recalled it as well.

At that time, Zwezuma, the second secretary, had a magic circle engraved on his chest by Duke Helb and faced Abel.

Why is Zuluma here now?

"Duke Helb wishes to meet you both."

"Ah, um, we just had dinner, and we can’t venture out anymore..."

"We have reserved a room at the inn next door."

"Ah, yes..."

Ryo's resistance was easily broken down.

Abel shook his head silently.

In the end, the two of them were taken by Zuluma to the inn next door.

"Thank you for coming."

Duke Helb, who welcomed them, greeted them with his perfectly polite bow.

Even though they understood, they couldn’t help but be impressed.

Even Ryo and Abel were.

"Indeed, we received an invitation from the Duchy of Atinjo for this conference, but... the conference starts the day after tomorrow, doesn't it?"

Ryo expressed his dissatisfaction.

"Yes. I have a personal request today, which is why I came here."

With those words, Duke Helb offered the two chairs.

Then, he immediately got to the point.

"If I go out of control, I would like you two to stop me."

"Yes?"

"What do you mean?"

Duke Helb, skipping any explanations, suddenly spoke the core of the matter, leaving Ryo and Abel confused.

"The way to stop me is to behead me or stab my heart, the vessel of my soul..."

"Sounds a bit like a vampire."

"Do you have an acquaintance who is a vampire?"

Abel replied instinctively, then Duke Helb questioned back with interest.

"When you have been an adventurer for a long time, you see all sorts of things."

"I see."

Abel responded, seemingly unimpressed, and Duke Helb nodded.

"I understand how to stop you, but why us?"

"I don’t know anyone else who could stop me."

"This out-of-control situation... Isn’t it similar to when you, Mr. Zuluma, had a significant increase in ability at the embassy?"

"Yes, it is very similar. My powers will drastically improve... not just my physical abilities but also my skills as a sorcerer."

"Are you serious..."

Duke Helb answered Ryo's question precisely, surprising Abel.

The already strong Duke Helb would become even stronger...?

"At the embassy, you had the magic circle drawn on Mr. Zuluma’s chest, right? So this time, someone will draw it on you... and you'll be controlled to go out of control?"