The Water Magician

King Abel's day in the Western Nations is very busy.

Inspections, meetings, conferences, inspections, meetings, conferences, inspections, meetings, conferences...

Amidst all this busyness, King Abel is having dinner.

Originally, he was invited to a dinner at the embassy of some country, but the ambassador and deputy ambassador suddenly fell ill, leading to the cancellation of the dinner.

Thus, he is having his meal at the lodge.

At that moment, a suspicious first duke approached Abel.

"The people of the kingdom should be grateful to King Abel, who works so hard."

"Huh?"

"I truly respect Abel from the bottom of my heart."

"O-oh, is that so?"

Though he doesn't quite understand, Abel feels a little shy.

"I have good news for such a King Abel."

"Huh?"

"I would like to report on the golem production from the temporary Royal Alchemy Workshop's Holy Capital Research Institute (tentative)."

"The temporary Royal Alchemy Workshop's Holy Capital Research Institute? I don't know anything about that... Is Ryo the person in charge?"

"Yes, yes. We haven't submitted the application yet, so it's (tentative), but..."

"Well, that's fine. So, what's going on with the golem?"

"Come forth, swordsmanship instructor no. 4!"

As Ryo said this, a golem made of ice, holding a sword in its right hand, appeared, illuminated softly from Murakumo's Sheath.

Its characteristic feature is its jaw, which extends like a beard.

In terms of overall appearance, it gives a slimmer and more supple impression than Ryo's previous golems.

However, what Abel felt was something different.

"Oh… impressive, isn't it?"

"Right?"

"Even though it just holds a sword, I can feel its prowess as a swordsman."

"Do you understand?"

"Yeah, I can tell. Its walking style… that's probably what gives that impression."

"As expected of a former A-rank swordsman."

Ryo was genuinely surprised.

"This… number four will, just like numbers one to three, serve as a squad captain for Ryo's oniwaban, right?"

"Yes, of course. The combat data collected by number four will be installed and spread among the garden watchers."

"So that's why it’s a swordsmanship instructor."

"Yes."

Ryo nodded happily at Abel's words.

Originally, the term "oniwaban" in Ryo's mind refers to ninjas.

A ninja squad directly under the shogun of the Edo Shogunate… they are warriors, one against a thousand.

Since it bears the name of "oniwaban," Ryo had always thought a certain level of individual combat ability was necessary.

However, Ryo's golem was originally a rice field management golem.

With respect to walking, he was confident, having packed knowledge from Earth's bipedal robots, but when it comes to actual combat…

Though it had performed well in the Eastern Nations, it was not combat with a sword.

Ultimately, what Ryo aims for is to prevent people from dying on the battlefield and to eradicate war.

He is considering the possibility of a powerful golem bringing that about…

"The sword that number four has… is curved like Ryo's, right?"

"Yes, yes. It’s a custom sword for number four, generated based on my sword 'Murakumo,' called 'Murakumo Revision.'"

Ryo answered cheerfully.

"Can number four fight now?"

"In a mock battle? Of course."

"Okay, then… Zack, help me out a bit."

"Yes!"

And thus, a mock battle between squad captain Zack Cooler and swordsmanship instructor number four from the garden watchers was about to take place.

They borrowed the back garden of the lodge for the mock battle.

"How far can we go with this?"

"The body of the golem is made of my ice, so it won't break easily with swords. Thus, it’s fine to strike it adequately with swords. I don't think the golem will hold back either…"

"Got it, I'll fight with that in mind."

Nodding at Ryo's explanation, Zack prepared himself.

Then, the mock battle began between swordsmanship instructor number four and squad captain Zack Cooler.

It started, but…

"Your walking style and body movement aren't bad, but your use of arms is…"

"Yes…"

"You're not cutting with the sword, you're hitting with it."

"Yes…"