The Water Magician

On the deck of Skizblaznil, departing from Ichiban Port and steering west once again.

There were those who had finally managed to calm down after leaving the chaotic Banban Kingdom.

"I never thought a re-capture would happen so soon. Did His Majesty Rakan know from the beginning?"

"Who knows? He might not have known. If he did know, it means he used himself as bait to lure Mafredi's rebellion."

"That's quite something."

Ryo was astonished by Abel's hypothesis.

To be honest, he didn't view the king as someone who would take such bold actions...

In fact, Mafredi, who had usurped the throne, seemed like the more troublesome figure.

"Well, it was Ryo's 'sonar,' right? The magic that probes the surrounding situation. That's how you noticed this morning's re-capture."

"Yes, yes. Did you understand the greatness of water attribute magic?"

Ryo said cheerfully.

The information Ryo had gathered had been conveyed to Abel.

Yes, without anyone around noticing.

((Indeed, the 'echo of the soul' is quite convenient!))

((Ah, although Kenneth told me mass production would be difficult, its convenience is undeniable.))

Through the 'echo of the soul,' Ryo's left ear earring and the ring on Abel's finger exchanged information.

"Mafredi seemed strong and was indeed a capable leader, but he also felt arrogant. It’s true he defeated His Majesty Rakan once..."

"There are common traits among arrogant people. They don’t consider the possibility that they too may become weak and be defeated."

"The prosperity of the wealthy must decline..."

Abel pointed this out, causing Ryo to recall the opening of the Tale of the Heike.

Yes, the proud Heike would not last long.

When pride swells, one is sure to be defeated.

This time, the situation turned around not in a night but in mere hours, so it seemed rather quick...

Abel probably thought the same way.

"Still... wasn't it all too smooth?"

"Was it the re-capture of the throne?"

"Yes. There couldn't have been as significant a difference in battle strength, right?"

"Indeed, there wasn’t a tenfold difference in numbers like when Nibann Island and Sanban Island first took the royal palace."

"Then why did it go so well?"

"That was because of that person... no, that demon."

Ryo turned to look at the red-clad demon, enjoying a late breakfast with the crew on deck.

"Lord Marlin?"

"Yes. Ms. Marlin secretly slowed down the movements of the soldiers from Nibann Island and Sanban Island."

"Slowed down their movements?"

Abel tilted his head at Ryo's explanation.

"Let’s just say it has to do with gravity... but that might not get through."

"That thing, the force that affects the entire world."

"Huh? How do you know that? Well, it's true that gravity is like that. As long as there's mass, it gets affected..."

"Didn't you and Old Man Ilalion talk about it before?"

"…Four years ago, before the liberation war, back when we were still in Run. You remember that well."

"I found it quite interesting."

Ryo was surprised while Abel laughed.

Ryo had explained it to Ilalion.

However, whether Ilalion fully understood it was uncertain.

Because Ryo knew the concept of 'gravity,' he understood that those called demons could manipulate gravity, but he didn't know why they could.

In fact, manipulating gravity was something that couldn’t be done even on Earth in the 21st century.

Rather, there was no one who had a precise understanding of gravity.

In physics, gravity holds a status akin to the final boss.

Why is it so weak?

Why is it different from the other three forces?

And why does it exist in the first place...?

Setting aside such final frontier questions of theoretical physics.

As Ryo and Abel conversed, the very Marlin approached them.

"Fried white fish is also quite exquisite."

It seemed the fish supply received from either the Pishkan Kingdom or Banban Kingdom was used to make 'karaage.'

"I have something I'd like to ask Lord Marlin."

"Yes, what is it, King Abel?"

As Abel inquired, Marlin answered with a smile.

"Why did you help the soldiers from Ichiban Island in the Banban Kingdom?"