The Water Magician

"Your majesty, Pope Graham and Cardinal Stefania of the Western Church have arrived."

"Ah, let's meet on the deck."

Abel nodded in response to Captain Paulina's inquiry.

On the deck, the usual ice table was set up.

The two chairs that were there had quickly turned into four.

The capable first duke had increased the number of chairs without needing to be told.

"Graham, Stefania, welcome."

"Your majesty Abel, we have something to discuss."

Abel welcomed them, and Graham spoke.

The four of them, including Ryo and Stefania, gathered around the table.

Dark continent-produced coffee was served without delay.

The aroma of coffee enveloped the four of them, relaxing them.

"It seems that the matter of the Bardale Principality has gone well."

"Yes. After explaining everything with sincerity, Chief Battuzon understood."

"I see, that's good to hear."

Graham said with a smile while Abel nodded without changing his expression.

Ryo thought to himself, could there be such a disingenuous conversation? However, he said nothing.

His expression remained unchanged.

He kept a cool demeanor throughout.

Although he thought it not quite as severe as a threat, he believed they had hinted at the Church's military power to keep the chief from acting.

If they didn’t do so, that chief wouldn’t back down... he thought to himself.

He was mostly correct.

"For now, they will hold off on formal membership until we resolve the issue."

"A relief to avoid war between East and West. However, I am not aware of the issues your excellency faces. If possible, I would like to hear about it here."

Abel asked without changing his expression.

"Of course. It concerns the subjugation of the vampires that attacked the Holy See about a year ago."

"Oh? So you came to the dark continent for that reason, meaning those individuals are indeed on the dark continent."

"Yes. In the southern dark continent."

"The southern part, is it? How interesting..."

Abel dodged Graham's jab with a nod, maintaining his expression.

"You must have brought enough military strength to carry out the subjugation. However, traveling from the northern coast to the south is quite challenging, isn't it?"

"That's right. Since we cannot go through the central part of the dark continent overland, we have no choice but to go by sea. But the eastern side..."

"There's a kraken nest, I hear."

"Yes. As expected of the Naitorei Kingdom, you already have that information."

"From a certain source."

Graham smiled broadly, while Abel utilized the information from the Refreshing Five Peaks.

In negotiations, it isn't about laying all your cards on the table.

However, withholding too much information to the point of not drawing anything out from the other party isn't good negotiation either.

Ultimately, it’s about whether you can obtain the information you want.

On top of that, you have to decide how much information you are willing to share, keeping it within acceptable limits.

"As a result of various considerations, we decided to head south around the west of the continent."

"Oh really."

Abel feigned surprise.

In truth, he was surprised.

He remembered hearing that the main trade route connecting the north and south was along the eastern side of the continent.

However, he didn’t know what the route around the west of the continent was like.

"If it’s around the west, for instance, there wouldn’t be a kraken nest, would there?"

"No, I can't say for sure. I would prefer not to fight, but if it comes to that, we do have means to counter a group of krakens."

"What!?"

It was Ryo who reacted strongly to Graham's words.

He couldn’t help it...

"I apologize. Please continue your conversation."

Of course, Ryo quickly regained his composure and held back.

If he listened here, he would be able to gather various information... So there was no need to interject.

"Well, as there are 'new alchemy tools', I am not overly worried about the voyage."

"Hmm."

"Now, I heard earlier that the Naitorei Kingdom is eager to obtain mitriro ore."

"Yes."

"However, mitriro ore is only produced in the southern parts of the continent."