The Water Magician

As the three were enjoying their conversation, five adventurers entered the room.

Among them, Ryo quickly recognized a woman with light blue hair.

"Wait? Kinme is here."

"Ah, that's from the 'Refreshing Five Peaks.'"

Ryo, at any rate, and Abel were both good at remembering people's faces and names.

Especially since becoming king, Abel had almost a hundred percent success rate in not forgetting the faces and names of introduced individuals.

It was part of his duties as king.

"Oh, Ryo-san!"

"Eh? Your majesty Abel!"

Kinme spotted them instantly, smiling and waving, and the other four recognized Abel.

The members of 'Refreshing Five Peaks' asked the master for permission, and two tables were joined together, allowing all eight to sit.

"I thought I'd get to see you soon, and here we are."

"Eh?"

"By the way, Kinme mentioned something after we parted last time."

Kinme said, tilting her head, while Guti, the pink-haired assassin, nodded repeatedly.

"Could it be that Kinme also has future sight ability...?"

"No, I can't see it."

Ryo replied in surprise, and Kinme denied it with a smile.

However, it seemed she realized something else.

"Me too?"

"Only someone like the chief would have future sight, right?"

"Ah, no, um..."

Kinme tilted her head, Guti pointed it out, and Ryo was cornered.

Seeing this, Abel decided to lend a hand.

"Actually, before coming to Jerdan, I was in the Bardale Principality with Hosoiina. There, I met Chief Battuzon."

"Come to think of it, I heard that the chief returned."

"I didn't expect both of you to be involved."

Abel explained, Guti nodded, and Patris with green hair was surprised.

Abel intentionally stopped at that point.

He remembered that 'Refreshing Five Peaks' had previously mentioned their affiliation with the Bardale Principality.

He thought it wasn't necessary to mention a minor quarrel he had with the chief.

However...

"Chief Battuzon used Ryo and the others to drive Garwin away, didn't he?"

"!"

Kinme hit the nail on the head.

Ryo and Abel were both astonished.

The other four members of 'Refreshing Five Peaks' were confused.

Kinme wasn't necessarily blaming anyone; she spoke with a smile.

However, the party members seemed to read something from that smile.

"Is Kinme...?"

"Is she a little angry?"

Patris and Guti pointed out, while Toko and Mau exchanged fearful glances in silence.

"I'm not angry. I actually wanted to avoid getting involved, so I told everyone to do work away from Hosoiina."

"The reason I was rejected when I said I wanted to return to Hosoiina was that."

"You didn't want to get involved with the chief?"

"I didn't want to deal with the hassle of Garwin. He's an old acquaintance, but he's truly a pain."

Kinme shrugged as she said this.

Even among demons, it seemed not everyone got along well.

"By the way, Ms. Marlin said something similar."

Ryo recalled the demon Marlin who had talked about Garwin.

"Ah, that’s right. The one in red probably also doesn't like Garwin. I can understand that~."

Kinme nodded vigorously.

"When an old acquaintance becomes troublesome, it's the same everywhere."

"Hey, why are you saying that while looking this way?"

Guti said, and Patris frowned as he complained.

The two were childhood friends as well.

"But the return of Chief Battuzon means that you guys won against Garwin, right? Impressive~."

"Uh, well, that aspect is a bit complicated..."

Ryo hesitated slightly.

Whether he should mention the assistance of the demon Leonor...

He found himself caught on that point.

After all, the term "demon" was something humans didn't know.

If they found out, it seemed they would be killed by demons.

Exceptionally, Ryo and Abel knew, but mentioning it here would mean the four humans of 'Refreshing Five Peaks' would also learn...

Ryo glanced at Abel and continued speaking.

"Due to various restrictions, it’s a bit difficult to discuss here."

"That's right. I can't go into detail. I hope you'll excuse me for now, but perhaps one day we can discuss it."

Ryo said, with Abel supporting him.

Abel also remembered how to handle the term "demon."

Therefore, even when he was at the Royal Castle, he never mentioned that word in front of anyone other than Ryo.