Published: July 4, 2025
The lunch break was coming to an end.
In the conference room, a fair number of diplomatic missions from various countries had gathered.
In one corner, there were several leaders.
"Lord Ryo sure asks unusual questions. What qualities and abilities are most needed for a sorcerer?"
"Yes. I come from the Central Nations, where there are no sorcerers... I thought Ms. Sue Koo, who was active as an adventurer in the southern part of the continent where the Bosunta Kingdom is located, might know."
"The first thing that comes to mind... is indeed an unwavering heart."
Unlike mages, sorcerers can 'launch' talismans and spirit talismans to manifest magical phenomena.
However, when it comes to launching talismans and manifesting magical phenomena, it must be done calmly.
Because if one fails at that point, the sorcery can go out of control.
When sorcery goes out of control, it can backfire on the practitioner.
That is why those who become sorcerers are trained from a young age to maintain a stable mind.
That was Ms. Sue Koo's explanation.
"So, the famous sorcerer Duke Helb has an unshakable heart..."
Hearing Ryo's murmured words, Abel glanced over silently.
"Ah, that was the one who moderated earlier. Indeed, that person is a powerful sorcerer. I had heard the name, but facing him makes his strength clear."
Ms. Sue Koo nodded.
There was also someone quietly listening to this conversation, not saying anything.
It was Queen Iliriaja of the Sujay Kingdom.
She had moved closer to Ryo and Ms. Sue Koo, listening intently to their conversation.
"Do you have any thoughts, Queen Iliriaja?"
Ryo directed the conversation towards her.
"No, I was also attacked by a sorcerer, so I understand there are various challenges."
"The fact that you can say that with a smile is proof of your majesty's strong heart," Ryo praised Queen Iliriaja with a near wry smile.
Ms. Sue Koo looked surprised at the story of the attack.
Yes, coincidentally, both of them had experienced an attack by a sorcerer and had confronted one...
Furthermore, Prince Lyun of Darwei and Princess Shio Fen approached to join the conversation.
"We too have experienced an attack by a sorcerer."
Prince Lyun said, laughing as well.
"When you hear it like this, it seems sorcerers are always on the attack..."
"It’s not a fault of the sorcerers themselves but a problem of the people who use them."
Sorcerers, who can use the highly stealthy talismans and spirit talismans, seem to have a high aptitude as attackers.
Just then, a booming roar echoed through the conference room, and the door blew off.
"Ice Wall!"
Without a moment's pause, Ryo constructed a wall of ice.
However.
Crack!
It shattered under the impact of something.
"Ice Wall Layer 10!"
Clang, clang, clang...
"Only now at layer ten can it finally shatter..."
While surprised, Ryo caught sight of the cause.
"Duke Helb..."
Duke Helb, holding a splendid sword in his right hand and four talismans floating around him, entered.
"The Duke who moderated earlier?"
"But the atmosphere is different."
It was the voices of Prince Lyun and Princess Shio Fen.
Even though the two had no aptitude for magic, they could tell that Duke Helb was in an unusual state.
"Ryo."
"Yes, Abel. It seems that the feared situation has occurred."
Both Abel and Ryo had been informed by Duke Helb himself.
That he might be taken over by the phantom king.
Several rays of light shot from Duke Helb.
Clang...
But all were repelled by the ice wall.
"Ice Wall Layer Twenty!"
However, because the repelled ice wall was not unscathed, Ryo renewed it.
Each strike was surprisingly powerful.
Like that of a demon.
"Abel, Ms. Sue Koo. Please evacuate everyone outside the building."
"Lord Ryo, are you going to face Duke Helb alone...?"
"Yes, I'll hold him back."
Ryo firmly nodded at Ms. Sue Koo's words.
"Ryo, will you be alright alone?"
"Yes, I’ll manage somehow. Abel, please especially take care of Prince Lyun and Princess Shio Fen with Mifa. From earlier, it seems Duke Helb's attacks are trying to massacre all the leaders. If something happens to Prince Lyun of Darwei, this meeting that has already reached the signing stage will become meaningless."