The Water Magician

The demons and their kin led by Garwin disappeared, leaving three human men behind.

One was the king.

One was the king of the underworld.

And one was… a thug.

The king was Batuzon, the lord of the Bardale Principality.

The king of the underworld was Barza, the man who ruled the underground world of Oasis City.

The thug was Bozun, a low-ranking subordinate of Barza, one that even Barza did not recognize.

All of them were reluctantly under the command of Garwin's party.

Batuzon stood still, not moving.

He likely could foresee what would happen next.

After letting out a sigh, Barza crossed his arms and closed his eyes.

It seemed he had no interest in what would happen next.

Only Bozun was fidgeting around, looking anxiously at his surroundings.

He was the only one who noticed that three soldiers were approaching from the city and ran south.

In other words, he fled.

Whether he would be able to escape or not, no one knew.

"Your Majesty, are you safe?"

"Yes, no problem."

The soldiers bowed, and Batuzon nodded nonchalantly.

A little later, Zorn, the crown prince, arrived, descending from the castle walls.

"Father, are you unharmed?"

"Zorn, well done."

"No, it was thanks to the cooperation of the Naitorei Kingdom."

"That includes you."

The conversation between Zorn and Batuzon reached Abel's ears, albeit faintly.

At that moment, Abel felt a slight sense of discomfort.

What came to mind was the conversation with the Refreshing Five Peaks.

He realized that Ryo’s treatment must have been completed by now.

Crown Prince Zorn walked over to Ryo and Abel.

"Your Majesty Abel, Your Grace Duke Rondo, thank you so much for this time."

He said this, bowing deeply.

"No, Zorn, it was the least I could do."

"Abel is right."

"Knowing that makes me feel relieved."

Abel and Ryo responded, and Zorn smiled.

For just a moment, there was no one there who noticed that Abel's eyes glinted sharply.

"The issue is not with the crown prince."

Abel's mutterings were unheard even by Ryo beside him.

His gaze was directed at the approaching chief.

"Your Majesty Abel, it is an honor to meet you. I am Batuzon, the lord of the Bardale Principality."

"Lord Batuzon, I am King Abel the First of the Naitorei Kingdom."

Batuzon and Abel exchanged greetings.

Of course, Abel's eyes showed no hint of sharpness.

Instead, he even wore a smile.

However, that smile felt somewhat off to Ryo, who had a long relationship with him.

It was a smile that suggested something was being hidden, a sense of unease.

Yet, Ryo did not let that question surface on his face.

"Father, the one who fought alongside Your Majesty Abel just now was His Grace Duke Rondo."

"Nice to meet you, Lord Batuzon."

Zorn introduced, and Ryo performed a formal greeting in the Central Nations style.

It was a flawless display, even to Abel, who had once taught him.

After that, the party moved to the royal palace in the Capital of Hosoiina.

Once at the royal palace, it was Crown Prince Zorn who welcomed the Naitorei Kingdom's party.

"I am sorry, Your Majesty Abel. My father Batuzon is unable to properly entertain you due to the fatigue from being a captive..."

"Zorn, please do not worry about it."

Abel nodded with an air of nonchalance.

However, the truth was that the words Zorn had received from Batuzon were not of that nature.

As soon as he returned, Batuzon had said this.

"Leave before I am forced to take your words as binding."

"Father?"

Zorn questioned his father's words in disbelief.

"Isn't it true that no treaty has been concluded between the Naitorei Kingdom and our nation?"

"That is certainly true... since you were not here, my lord..."

"Then it would be best for you to return home as is."

"Even though there is no treaty, Your Majesty Abel and His Grace Duke Rondo fought for us, didn't they? And yet..."

"Of course, it won't be for free. I will give you the appropriate compensation."

"That's not the issue..."

Zorn frowned.

He understood very well.

His father, Batuzon, was an astonishingly pragmatic man.

That is why he was able to unite the Eastern Provinces and become the central nation.