Published: July 5, 2025
Starting tonight, we will have seven consecutive posts!
Ten days after Ryo and Abel left the mansion of the earl, Vivi.
"Isn't Abel his majesty the king?"
"That's right, he is the king."
"Isn't it true that many kings use their power to oppress the people?"
"I don't recall doing that, but there might be some kings like that."
Ryo attempts to spark a debate, which Abel skillfully redirects into a general discussion.
"Many kings are bad people, so does that mean Abel is also a bad person?"
"Yeah, that doesn't make sense to me."
It seems they are having a discussion that has nothing to do with logical development.
"By the way, isn't Ryo the first duke?"
"Huh? Well, yeah, that's a possibility..."
Ryo tries to brush off the unsettling implications of Abel's words.
"A duke is on the side of the powerful, among those who wield state power, they're near the top."
"Y-Yeah, there might be people who think like that, or maybe not..."
"In the end, Ryo must also be a bad guy."
"I strive to be a duke who is close to the people, making efforts every day."
Ryo counters Abel's assertion with his daily commitment.
He is sincere in that feeling.
...Probably.
As they engage in such trivial conversation, they continue on their way.
Of course, each of them is riding their beloved horses, and behind them are five large ice carts following along.
Yes, somehow the number had increased from four to five.
"After leaving Darwei, we don't know when or where we can resupply," Ryo explains, a result of his purchasing.
Ryo is not the type to travel haphazardly; he is very methodical!
"When it was just me and Ryo, it was incredibly casual..."
"Of course. Abel can endure it, but we cannot make Andalusia suffer."
Hearing Ryo's words, Andalusia lets out a happy whinny.
Ryo has taken it upon himself to believe that Andalusia fully understands human speech.
At that moment.
"Huh?"
Words slipped from Ryo's mouth without thinking.
Even Abel, riding beside him on Feiwan, could hear it.
"What’s wrong?"
After a moment of tilting his head, Ryo continued walking...
"Ice wall layer 10."
A transparent ice wall was erected around the party.
It was Ryo's ice wall, prepared in anticipation of an attack.
Because it was 'layer 10.'
"An ambush?"
"I think it's still just reconnaissance... but I suspect it’s bandits or mountain robbers or something like that."
"This area can be considered a frontier for Darwei."
"In the last two or three days, we've only seen small villages. But just because it's a frontier doesn't mean the public safety should worsen."
"That's true, but in reality, it probably does."
Ryo's indignation for the people living in the frontier was met with Abel's shrugging off of the harsh realities of governing as a king.
No one likes poor public safety.
Living securely... that is one of the most important and wonderful things for both the people and the country.
There shouldn't be anything that must be obtained at the cost of public safety... it seems implausible.
"Peaceful, safe, and secure is the best."
"That's right."
Both Ryo and Abel are adventurers who understand the importance of peace.
"Huh?"
A minute later, Ryo tilted his head again.
"What’s wrong?"
"The number of watchers has increased."
Ryo answered Abel's question, but it seemed he was dissatisfied with some part of it.
"Does that mean an ambush is near?"
"No, it's just... I think the new watchers are from a different group."
"Huh? So you’re saying two organizations are watching us?"
"Yes, that's what it means."
Ryo nodded at Abel’s words.
"We were planning to camp tonight, right?"
"Yes, that's right. At least the map we received didn't depict any large towns. In villages, we can't stay in homes, and realistically, we would just borrow some space in a corner of the village, right? So in the end, we'll be camping."
Both Ryo and Abel, being adventurers, were used to camping.
Even if you call it camping...
"I'll use an ice wall to surround us, so it won’t be a struggle at all."
"Ryo, you're so convenient."
"Hehe, this is the true value of water attribute magic."