The Water Magician

In the conference room of the Von Government Office, the leaders including the vice head of state of the Western Nations Federation, the chancellor, and the vice chancellor had gathered.

"We have decided to establish the provisional federal government here in Von City."

"...Huh?"

The vice chancellor Chigoi let out a bewildered voice at the words of vice head of state Jaja.

"We will raise the flag of counteroffensive against the Eastern Provinces from this place."

"...Is that so?"

Chigoi finally understood.

These two had fled.

Vice head of state Jaja and Chancellor Zenmoshi had fled.

They abandoned the people of the federation they were supposed to protect and escaped to Von City, the farthest from the Eastern Provinces, meaning it would likely be the last to be attacked.

It took Chigoi time to realize this as it was an action he would never choose, even if it were about Ramun Fess.

A few hours ago, Chigoi had received the report that the Eastern Provinces had declared war on the Western Nations Federation.

But of course, the central government would have had information suggesting that a declaration of war was forthcoming.

Based on that information, vice head of state Jaja and Chancellor Zenmoshi slipped away from the federal capital Tagyunza and arrived at this far western city of Von.

Von City had joined the Western Nations Federation at a fairly early stage.

Before that, it had been a large maritime city-state, and even now, it maintains a status as the western gateway of the federation.

The massive harbor likely tells that tale.

"So why is Chigoi here?"

"...I was ordered to conduct an inspection."

"Ah, right."

Zenmoshi asked, Chigoi replied, and Jaja nodded nonchalantly.

It seemed he was not asking out of sarcasm, but had truly forgotten.

Chigoi sighed inwardly, maintaining his expression.

Indeed, these two were incompetent.

They were fervent when it came to matters concerning themselves.

However, due to their fundamentally ad-hoc responses, there were times they forgot commands and statements they had issued in the past.

So how did these two rise to such high positions as vice head of state and chancellor?

"It's a balance."

Once, Ramun Fess had answered Chigoi's question with a wry smile.

The Western Nations Federation is a federation made up of small states.

Essentially, they are disparate.

The disarray is unavoidable.

If one tries to force uniformity, a strong backlash will arise.

Ethnicity, tradition, history... each has its own identity.

To forcibly consolidate them is absolutely forbidden.

It should naturally blend over decades or centuries... it has to be that way.

If you mix them with political power... it will inevitably explode.

Ramun Fess understood this.

But at the same time, he understood that the Eastern Provinces would not grant such leisurely time.

Both fundamental solutions and symptomatic treatments had to be pursued.

Thus, he brought these two local powers into the central government... but without granting them real authority.

However, because they were tasked with prominent and flashy ceremonies, they were satisfied with that.

By handling such roles, they were lavished with attention from many, and their desire for approval was fulfilled.

Chigoi, who observed Ramun Fess's exquisite balance up close, was even impressed.

So when Ramun Fess was around, these two did not hold any ill feelings towards him.

Even those emotions were controlled by Ramun Fess.

But now, it's different.

That deployment changed everything.

The supreme power they had grasped once.

It was intoxicating.

Something they had never desired before.

Why had they never wanted it?

Because Ramun Fess had not shown it to them.

If it's out of sight, it's out of mind.

The basics of emotional control.

But once it was in sight and they used it... there was no going back.

They could not escape the poison of sweet power.

That was why Chigoi left the capital Tagyunza.

He honestly did not know how the two would act upon realizing the existence of Ramun Fess, who continued to sleep.

And he held his last hope in the exorcism by Pope Graham, the leader of the Western Church...