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The Water Magician

Chapter 880: 0833 Exorcism ✨

Published: July 5, 2025

The next day at noon.

At Von Church, an exorcism was about to take place.

Surrounded by ten individuals, including Graham dressed in the Pope's formal attire and Stefania dressed in the cardinal’s formal attire, eight inquisitors who excelled in light attribute magic stood in a circle around Ramun Fess, who lay on the altar.

From a short distance away, Vice Chancellor Chigoi and other high-ranking officials from the federation watched.

Graham began to chant,

"O great goddess, I bow before you and beseech you to return our friend, who is ensnared by a different principle than ours, back to this world's principles. To release our friend, who bears wounds different from yours, and your child, who bears wounds different from ours, we humbly request: Dispel Curse."

As Pope Graham's incantation came to an end, light emanated from the ten surrounding individuals and gathered.

The soft and warm light slowly enveloped Ramun Fess.

However, it suddenly burst.

"The exorcism has failed..."

"Your Majesty..."

A mournful voice came from the high-ranking officials of the federation.

"I could not be of assistance."

"No, Your Holiness, I am grateful."

Vice Chancellor Chigoi bowed his head to Graham.

"As you may know, Lord Nyu awoke after sleeping for six months. Please do not let Lord Ramun Fess lose hope."

"Thank you. But..."

"Yes, the situation has become dire."

Chigoi's intention was clear to Graham as well.

Even if they managed to protect Ramun Fess from the vice head of state and chancellor, the Western Nations Federation itself was facing a breakdown due to the Eastern Provinces' encroachments, with some nations declaring their withdrawal from the federation.

The real issue was that several countries had openly declared their withdrawal in just the span of a day from yesterday to today.

Moreover...

Graham had received a report just one hour before the exorcism began that a declaration of war had been issued from the Eastern Provinces against the Western Nations Federation.

Naturally, Chigoi must have received that report too.

"A declaration of war has been issued?"

"Your Holiness, you are also aware of this?"

Chigoi nodded at Graham's words.

"The Eastern Provinces have finally resorted to military force, but it seems the federation may collapse before that force is actually deployed."

Chigoi, usually strong-willed, showed signs of weakness.

However...

"Still, there will be resistance until the very end, won't there?"

"Of course."

Chigoi raised his face to respond to Graham's confirmation.

"Perhaps the last stronghold will be here in Von."

"I see. That’s also why you brought Lord Ramun Fess here for the exorcism."

"Yes. Your Holiness took the trouble..."

"No, we were planning to descend south along the western coast, so stopping at Von City was quite convenient."

Graham replied with a smile.

That was the complete truth.

Of course, he did not mention that they were on their way to subjugate Grand Duke Roznyark Zoltan in the southern part of the continent.

Chigoi and the other officials from the federation did not ask what the expedition was for, either.

It was the unspoken understanding between nations.

Questions that the other party cannot answer or does not want to answer should not be posed.

That is how relations between countries function.

Both Vice Chancellor Chigoi, who had been holding the Western Nations Federation together as Ramun Fess's right hand, and Pope Graham understood that.

Thus, the two were supposed to part ways...

Until Bishop Mikita, in a hurry, came running to Von Church.

"Your Holiness, this is serious. Vice Chancellor Jaja and Chancellor Zenmoshi of the Western Nations Federation have arrived in the city."

"What did you say...?"

It was Vice Chancellor Chigoi who reacted before Graham.

Vice Chancellor Jaja and Chancellor Zenmoshi were the two currently steering the federation, effectively sidelining Chigoi.

There was no clear reason for these two to appear in Von City, which could be considered the farthest western point geographically within the federation.

No, that was not entirely accurate.