The Water Magician

The scene of the Phantom King's head being severed and his heart pierced was visible even from the main camp of Darwei.

It was visible to Abel and General Yun, who were still fighting.

"It seems my partner did it. Surrender and retreat."

"I refuse..."

"What?"

You're not retreating even at this point?

Why not?

Abel immediately shouted.

"Ryo!"

"I understand!"

Ryo shouted back.

So, in other words, it wasn't over yet.

Even without Abel shouting, Ryo had already realized it.

They had defeated the Phantom King, but they hadn't finished him off...

"This is how you defeat a phantom, right?"

Previously, Duke Helb had said so.

If he were to be taken over, he wanted them to sever the head and pierce the heart, which is the vessel of the soul.

They had done just that, but... it felt like they hadn't finished the Phantom King off.

And in Ryo's mind, related to what Duke Helb had said, another scene appeared.

It was within the Embassy of the Duchy of Atinjo in Kubevasa.

Abel had severed the head of Secretary Zuluma and pierced his heart.

Yet, the headless corpse of Zuluma had attacked them.

"That was... marked with a star-shaped magic circle on his chest by Duke Helb."

Ryo slashed the clothes of the Phantom King, who was lying on his back with Murakumo's tip.

Indeed, there was...

"A star-shaped magic circle. What does this mean? Is he not the real Phantom King?"

"That's not it, Duke Rondo."

Kakin.

Ryo deflected the Phantom King’s head that had flown toward him with Murakumo and leaped back.

In his line of sight, the Phantom King stood up, his head fitting back in its rightful place.

However... something was different.

"Ah! His hair color has changed from black to white!"

Yes, the Phantom King's hair had turned into long white strands.

But when the Phantom King's face had white hair...

"Could it be... Envoy Berk?"

"Yes, that's correct."

It wasn't the Phantom King's ruggedness, but rather the polite yet imposing presence of Envoy Berk.

"Dual personality?"

"Well, I don't know that term. Originally, this body was used by my Elder Brother and me... my Elder Brother was fulfilling the role of the Phantom King, and we used it together."

Ryo's modern terminology didn't get through, but it seemed to be something complex involving two people.

Then, Envoy Berk clearly smiled and said.

"By the way, that move you just used was impressive."

"…"

"Duke Rondo is a water attribute mage. Yes, that was indeed the case."

"What do you mean by that…?"

"By pouring your own blood onto the opponent, you invade their body, mixing your blood and controlling their bloodstream... No, I hadn't thought of that."

"Are you imagining things?"

Like a magician perfectly figuring out a trick, Ryo tried to divert his gaze sideways.

Of course, it was meaningless.

"In other words, this current body is also contaminated by Duke Rondo's blood."

"Um, could you phrase that a bit softer?"

"Then let me express it this way."

As Envoy Berk spoke, twelve talismans danced around them.

"＜Karma Flame＞"

At that moment, Envoy Berk's body burst into flames.

"Eh?"

Ryo couldn't possibly understand what that meant.

Moreover, the clothes worn remained intact while only the body burned away...

The body turned to ash completely, but in the next moment, a dazzling light enveloped the area.

When the light faded, there stood Envoy Berk.

"…Huh?"

"Yes. I resurrected from the ashes."

"I wasn't confused..."

Ryo answered, frowning.

Envoy Berk's new form looked pristine.

In other words, the blood of Ryo that had splashed on him was completely gone.

The technique Ryo had used earlier could no longer be employed.

Kakin.

Envoy Berk's charge was so swift that Ryo couldn't even see the sword flash.

Of course, Ryo had not let his guard down and managed to intercept that strike...

"Fast and strong."

"Thank you."

Envoy Berk lightly bowed his head in response to Ryo's involuntary murmur.

At that moment, Ryo noticed something in his view.

There were people running in from near the castle.

He must have realized that something was amiss.

Envoy Berk grinned.

"Those are... the 'vessels', right?"