`

The Water Magician

Chapter 816: 0769: Corruption 💔

Published: July 5, 2025

"To wrap the world in peace, King Abel has arrived~♪"

Singing such a song, the first duke returned to Skizblaznil.

Behind him, a cart carrying the purchased ingredients was being transported by magic.

Following closely behind were Head Chef Kobatchi and the kitchen staff, surprised by the magic of the cart.

"Chef, is this area suitable?"

"Yes, yes, I truly appreciate it, Ryo-san."

Ryo cheerfully asked, and Chef Kobatchi expressed his gratitude.

The ingredients transported by the cart were taken into the ship's hold.

"Abel, I have completed my task magnificently."

"Ah, I saw that. It was wonderful, but... what was that song earlier?"

"It's a song called 'King Abel has arrived!' I made it up on the spot as we were returning. Should I sing it all from the beginning?"

"No, that's fine."

Ryo had been helping with the purchase of ingredients for the Skizblaznil.

Specifically, he assisted in carrying the items purchased using the cart magic.

Since Von City had quite a large market, the Skizblaznil decided to stock up on a good amount of supplies.

However...

"We will be staying in this city for about a week."

"Why is that?"

"Graham came by earlier. It seems there are matters to be dealt with by the church."

"Matters to be handled by the church? In this city, with the French Fleet?"

Ryo tilted his head at Abel's explanation.

But after three seconds, he struck his right fist against his left palm.

It was a gesture indicating that he had a flash of insight.

"I understand now, Abel."

"I think I don't even need to ask, but go ahead and say it."

"You plan to crush the pirates that attack this city with the French Fleet."

"Yeah, I told you before that pirates attacking the city is unlikely."

"It could happen, you know. This is the dark continent. I'm worried that your conventional thinking, being tied to the norms of the Central Nations, might one day trip you up."

"Why are you always so confident?"

Instead of justifying his theory, Ryo attacked the one denying it, while Abel shook his head slightly.

By the way, it's almost unheard of for pirates to attack cities even on the dark continent.

Abel's perception is accurate.

"Another possibility is... discovering that the leaders of this city are persecuting the clergy and believers of the Western Church, and intending to eliminate them."

"This isn't the Western Nations. If they do that, it would rapidly worsen relations between countries."

"Even so, as the Pope, I would have to fight for my believers, even if it breaks my heart."

For some reason, Graham ends up fighting with a heavy heart.

"If it were Graham, he wouldn't tackle it head-on, right?"

"Ugh... that's true."

"Wouldn't he try to avoid causing a stir?"

"...Does that mean an inquisitor would assassinate the leaders of the city?"

"That's a possibility."

"How terrifying."

For some reason, Graham ends up issuing assassination orders.

"Abel, please be careful!"

"Me? Why?"

"If you end up opposing Graham, there's a possibility you could be assassinated by an inquisitor while you sleep..."

"At that time, Ryo would protect me, right?"

"...If I can't protect you, I'll take revenge on the rival."

"Just make sure to protect me first."

"...I'll do my best."

For some reason, Graham is set up to be plotting Abel's assassination.

Human imagination knows no bounds.

The group of the Western Church, led by the rumored Pope Graham, had established their base at the rented inn "Western Droplet Inn."

The main reason the Western Droplet Inn was chosen as the base was its proximity to the Von Church.

It was less than a hundred meters in a straight line.

Graham himself, being the Pope, stayed at the Von Church during the day.

The news spread, and believers from nearby towns came to visit.

For these believers, it was a once-in-a-lifetime fortune.

They returned home and passionately shared their newfound luck with acquaintances.

"It seems there has been movement among the Vira believers. They have been seen more than ever in various places around Von City."

"My stay here seems to have had some effect."

Graham nodded slightly at Stefania's explanation.