The Water Magician

As Ryou descended into the lobby, Bangaan and Amaria stood up from the sofa and became perfectly still.

"Thank you for waiting."

"No... Your grace, you must be busy..."

"Let's skip the formalities. We are not strangers to one another."

Ryou casually interrupted Bangaan's greeting and swiftly sat down opposite the two.

"Do you have Dark Coffee and... ah, any chocolate cakes?"

"We have 'Whole Chocolate' for this month's chocolate selection."

"How straightforward! If it's made of chocolate, anything is delicious... That was a famous saying, wasn't it? Well then, I'll have that."

Ryou ordered the coffee and cake as if it were the most natural thing.

"How about both of you?"

He further urged the two.

"Ah... yes... but..."

"I'll have Whole Chocolate and Dark Coffee too."

"...I will have mille-feuille and Dark Coffee."

Amaria quickly placed her order with lightning speed, her expression hinting she had something to say, yet ultimately remaining silent as Bangaan ordered mille-feuille.

Ryou watched the scene with satisfaction, nodding in approval.

One of the key elements for world peace, "delicious food" was ready.

This should create a harmonious atmosphere.

At the very least, no matter the topic, it wouldn't turn into a hostile situation.

After enjoying their cake and coffee with happy expressions, the three entered into conversation.

The point was that they talked not while eating, but after completely feeling happy.

"Actually, the reason for my visit today is concerning the Mitril Ore."

"Oh?"

Bangaan initiated, and Ryou nodded once.

Ryou knew that the Intelligence Agency, to which the two belonged, was indeed an organization related to intelligence.

He didn't know the specifics of their organizational structure or how much information they had, but he assumed they would be more aware of the purpose of his visit than other government agencies.

However, since he didn't know the extent of the information they possessed, he needed to keep his answers vague.

"And?"

"Although it's still at the rumor level, I've heard that your grace has come for the purpose of purchasing Mitril Ore."

"I see."

Bangaan was probing, and Ryou neither affirmed nor denied.

Bangaan understood as well.

He didn't expect Ryou to unilaterally provide any information.

To negotiate, they needed to use the information they had.

"It's been revealed that several incidents over the past few weeks within the Republican Territory can be explained when considering the Mitril Ore as the center."

"Hmm."

"The other day, a place called the Head of State's Third Warehouse was attacked, and the only item stored there was a single piece of Mitril Ore. In other words, the attackers aimed to obtain the Mitril Ore."

"What...?"

Naturally, Ryou's expression shifted.

It was only natural.

He had just been told that there were people targeting the Mitril Ore held by the Republic, apart from themselves.

Moreover, these individuals were willing to resort to strong-arm tactics.

But who could possibly do such a thing?

"I've heard that those who desire Mitril Ore are organizations like the government. Although the church is adversarial to the Republic, they shouldn't be involved this time. Our king, your majesty Abel, has already discussed matters with Pope Graham... So who could have carried out the attack...?"

"That's right. It wasn't the church. In fact, from investigating a separate incident, it has been concluded that this series of disturbances was not caused by the church."

Bangaan agreed with Ryou's explanation.

Then, after a brief pause, Bangaan decided to ask.

"So the reason for visiting your grace was... to inquire about the intended use of the Mitril Ore?"

"Intended use?"

"Yes. For what purpose is it being purchased? If we can understand that... it might also help us identify the attackers this time."

"Ah... I understand what you're getting at. I get it, but..."

Even Ryou was troubled.

The kingdom desired Mitril Ore for alchemy tools.

The 'Bracelet of Concealment' and the 'Brooch of Fusion Magic'... though the names were ones Ryou had come up with arbitrarily, Mitril Ore was necessary for their mass production.