The Water Magician

The Skizblaznil Vessel, stationed at the entrance of Von Port, was under a concentrated magical barrage.

However, the robed mage at the bow crossed his arms and declared with confidence, "Such attacks won't break my defenses."

Ryo stated this with unwavering confidence.

In fact, he had successfully deflected all the magical cannon fire from the Eastern Nations Fleet, leaving both the Skizblaznil Vessel and Von Port, as well as the French Fleet that had come out of the port, unscathed.

"As expected of Ryo. No one can surpass him when it comes to defense," Abel praised him wholeheartedly.

"Aw, it's not that great," Ryo replied, feeling bashful.

Abel often gave such straightforward compliments at times like this.

He instinctively understood that it would help the other party perform to their full potential.

It was a result of his education to prepare him for a future leader.

In some worlds, this might be referred to as the study of imperial governance.

"Still, I can't figure out their aim," Ryo mused.

"Huh?"

"If they’re attacking this much, they should know they can't breach our defenses. Yet, they keep attacking. The mages in the fleet shouldn't have unlimited magical power either."

"That's true."

Abel tilted his head at Ryo's observation.

"Such flashy attacks..."

"Flashy attacks..."

Ryo stopped short as he realized something, and Abel too came to an understanding.

"Are they trying to keep our attention diverted?"

"A diversionary operation."

The two of them arrived at the same conclusion.

"There was a report that the Camel Corps had arrived east of the town, right?"

"Yes, there was. It seems they are still facing off against each other."

"In other words, something is happening inside the town..."

Ryo frowned.

He realized they had been outmaneuvered.

Just then, a report came in.

"The Von Church has been attacked. However, it is said that Pope Graham and the others defended it fiercely!"

"The target was the church, then."

"Does the church have gold or jewels? It's a common trope in stories for churches to be hoarding wealth."

"That trope again. But this time, it doesn't seem to fit."

"Huh? Is that so?"

"Most likely, Ramun Fess's custody is at the church."

"Oh, that head of state. I see now."

Abel speculated, and Ryo accepted it.

If they could assassinate such a charismatic figure... it would be a great victory for the Eastern Nations, or more specifically, for the Bardale Principality.

It would determine the outcome of this war.

"Rumor has it he's badly injured and unable to move, right?"

"Yes, that's the rumor, but according to Captain Paulina's report, he seems to be continuously sleeping."

"Continuously sleeping?"

"The cause is unknown, and it seems that the exorcism by Graham and the others failed."

Abel responded to Ryo's inquiry.

"Exorcism... I've heard of that magic. They attempted to exorcise Harold's 'spirit curse of explosion' but it didn't go well."

"That's right. The exorcism magic is common in the Central Nations and the Western Nations. It's a powerful spell performed by about ten priests and clergymen... in other words, practitioners of light attribute magic. The more powerful the casters, the greater the effect."

"That's an unusual magic. Especially in the Central Nations, it's usually expected that as long as you chant the incantation, the magic will activate. But this exorcism is different."

"True. I don't know the exact details, but based on what Rhea told me, it's a magic that has existed for over several hundred years."

Rhea was once recognized as a saint and was the queen of the Naitorei Kingdom.

"If the Pope... Graham and the others couldn't exorcise it, that means it's nearly impossible to do so, right? Even though the high priest was involved, it didn't work... and that's why they went to the Western Nations in search of the demon king's blood."

"Yes. I don't know what they plan to do with Ramun Fess, but... either way, his life is in danger."

Ryo and Abel both shook their heads slightly.

They understood they were caught up in a war, but the act of taking a life still filled them with unease.