The Water Magician

After the unveiling of the New Golem, Ryo and Abel were invited by Graham to a tea party on the deck, following the return of two individuals from the Empire and Robert Pirlo.

Abel speculated that they had intentionally waited until Fiona and Oscar from the Empire had left before inviting them, as they likely wanted to discuss matters that couldn’t be spoken about in their presence.

The conversation quickly turned to the topic at hand.

“I hear that the kingdom's ship, the Skizblaznil Vessel, also has a small golem similar to the ‘White Knight’ on board.”

“When did such information surface...?”

Graham asked with a smile, while Ryo stood there in shock, coffee in hand.

“I had received reports regarding the small ice golem being trained by the Royal Knight Order in the Holy Capital. That’s the one, right? If it’s an ice golem, does that mean Lord Ryo is involved?”

“W-well, it’s still in the prototype stage…”

“I’ve heard that Lord Ryo previously received a golem from the Kyushi Duchy. Is the knowledge gained from that being utilized here?”

“How do you know all this…?”

Ryo’s eyes widened in disbelief.

His shock had morphed into fear.

“Th-that golem is not combat-ready yet. It’s just like a newly hatched chick, so it cannot engage in mock battles with the White Knight or anything like that.”

“I certainly wasn’t hoping for anything like that.”

Ryo said desperately, and Graham smiled wryly.

“Is that so? I’m glad to hear it.”

Relieved, Ryo took a sip of his coffee.

“It’s generally said that vampires are not skilled in alchemy.”

“I’ve heard that too. In the history between humans and vampires, vampires were overwhelmingly superior, but the turning point that changed that was alchemy.”

“Your Majesty Abel is correct. Among those, the golem has become the most effective force in countering vampires.”

“I see.”

Abel nodded at Graham’s explanation.

It was a very easy-to-understand rationale.

“Duke Roznyark… no, I should refer to him as Grand Duke Zoltan now. It is said that he is exceptionally skilled in alchemy.”

“Oh?”

“However, his alchemy is somewhat different from what we imagine.”

“Different how?”

“Yes. How should I put it... it’s alchemy that alters living beings’ bodies…”

“Oh.”

Graham seemed to find it difficult to explain, but Abel nodded.

He had somewhat imagined what it might be.

Ryo, who was silently listening, thought of Earth’s biotechnology.

And the demons they had confronted in the Eastern Nations.

They were “creating” black wyverns.

Ryo himself had never heard of such alchemical topics in the Central Nations.

It had not come up in conversation around him.

Yet, it seemed natural that an approach to alchemy would arise from a biotechnological aspect.

After all, this ‘Fai’ possesses the useful energy known as magical power.

“Previously, when Marquis Shionka Dinu Lesco led the attack on the Holy See and the Holy Capital, the vampires he commanded were incredibly weak.”

“Weak? Vampires?”

“Indeed. They were lacking experience.”

“Could it be that...?”

“Yes, I have begun to think that recently, Zoltan might have lent some of his creations—those produced in a short time—to Dinu Lesco.”

Abel asked in surprise, and Graham nodded.

“A Grand Duke who can produce as many vampires as he wishes…”

Ryo’s murmur was quite small, but Graham heard it.

“It’s troublesome enough if it’s just the Grand Duke, but there’s also the possibility that he has many vampire subordinates.”

“Is there any glimmer of hope in this?”

“Unfortunately, there isn’t.”

Abel sighed, and Graham smiled wryly.

Ryo decided to ask something that had been on his mind.

“I have a question!”

He raised his hand.

“Go ahead.”

“What exactly is this ‘New's Blessing’ that Zoltan mentioned?”

Yes, Zoltan had said that.

From the context of the conversation, it seemed like something that suppressed the powers of vampires.

“It is said to be a kind of barrier that protects the Holy Capital alchemically, particularly effective against vampires.”