Published: July 5, 2025
"Abel, the main event is Lord Rowan."
"Huh?"
After placing the three Coffins of Ice at the daimyo's office and explaining to the emperor and others, Ryo and Abel returned to the fleet.
Just as they had done when they left, they flew through the sky.
It was then that Ryo clearly stated this.
Confused, Abel tilted his head.
"Lord Rowan is the water attribute mage and alchemist who is Captain Ruyao's master, right?"
"Yes, that's him."
"Why is Lord Rowan the main event? By 'main event', you mean the real combat, right?"
"Yes. All of this started with Lord Rowan."
For a moment, Abel thought it was just another one of Ryo's delusions, but this time it seemed different.
"Well, I don't really understand Lord Rowan, but the real main event is not there, is it?"
"Huh? The real main event?"
Ryo tilted his head at Abel's words.
"The real main event is the phantom king, right?"
"Ah..."
"Since we're planning to go to the Central Nations. I don't know the reason, but..."
"That's true. We must stop him. It must be for some ridiculous reason anyway."
"I don't know if it's ridiculous or not... depending on the contents, we might need to stop him even if we have to fight. That power... it's as strong as a demon, isn't it?"
"There are a lot of issues to tackle."
The two sighed.
Last night, there had been a commotion, but as scheduled, the imperial army had departed.
In line with that, the fleet was heading north.
"Like nothing happened..."
"If the army's departure is delayed, it will cause various rumors."
"My golems were sacrificed..."
"That is certainly something to mourn, but they surely bought us time until we arrived at this ship's daimyo's office, right? We should praise them."
"Indeed! They did their best!"
Saying this, Ryo raised the teacup he held in his right hand high.
A toast... dedicated to the five ice golems who had sacrificed themselves for their duty.
The two were drinking tea on the first deck of the Rondark, just like always.
It was a familiar setting.
Captain Gorik, Lieutenant Rena, Mechanic Gunno, and First Officer Mostara had transported the two from the Archipelago Sea Region to the Autonomous City of Kubevasa, and took them along during the 'Blue Island' incident as well.
"This Rondark is incredible, isn't it? It has been going back and forth between the Archipelago Sea Region and Darwei. It must be the warship that has sailed the longest distance this year."
"I don't know if it's the longest, but it has certainly covered quite a distance."
Abel nearly agreed with Ryo's sentiment.
Then Ryo suddenly thought of something.
"Yesterday, we repelled the three attackers."
"Huh?"
"The Kouri prince's faction failed to attack with special rank adventurers, but what do you think about that? Will it have an impact on future operations?"
"I don't think so."
Abel answered immediately to Ryo's question.
Ryo looked a little surprised.
He continued, "I think it's mostly negligible, but I can't answer as quickly as you, Abel."
"Really? Attacking the enemy command with a small number is just lucky if it succeeds, normally."
"Well, that's probably true..."
In situations where a large army is already mobilized, that becomes the common perception.
The planners of operations generally believe such raid operations don't usually succeed.
After all, leading a large army takes precedence.
That is what they focus on.
Because of the large number of people involved.
And the amount of money at stake.
This means that if that fails, the damage taken is substantial.
"Striking them wouldn't hurt. I think it was that level of a move."
"Even special rank adventurers are just sacrificial pawns..."
Sighing and shaking his head slightly at Abel's words, Ryo remarked, "It's an unpleasant way to put it, but that perception might be correct."
Abel shrugged, still grimacing.
Despite being a king, Abel was also an adventurer.
Thus, he understood the intentions of the planners of operations and the position of adventurers who were used.
That was why he maintained a grim expression.
"Which means the army Kouri prince can mobilize is coming south."