The Water Magician

The various armies are deployed around the castle walls.

The royal army is positioned outside the East Gate.

Leading them is King Abel the First, with a few members from the Royal Knight Order under his command.

While the royal army is being deployed, his majesty the king asked the grand duke beside him.

"Hey, Ryo."

"What is it, Abel?"

"If I'm not mistaken, I think I see number four among the Royal Knights."

"Yes, he's there."

"Why is that?"

"Why is that?"

Abel questioned, and Ryo tilted his head in confusion.

"Since the Royal Knight Order is heading out, he must have followed them, right? It's only natural for number four to jump into danger alongside his comrades."

"Comrades..."

Ryo answered with an expression of understanding, but Abel seemed unconvinced.

"To fight together on the battlefield and to experience that together, those who have gone through such experiences are comrades, right? I don't think there’s a stipulation like 'only humans' or 'excluding golems' in that definition."

"That's true, I don't think there is."

"If that’s the case, then we can define the Royal Knight members as comrades for number four."

Ryo stated confidently.

He continued speaking.

"I didn't give any specific instruction. He must have decided to do so on his own."

"Number four is a golem, right?"

"Of course. What else would he be?"

"Even though he's a golem, does he really think to 'want to do it'?"

"That’s a tricky question. I honestly don't know if it's an emotion akin to a human's or a form of reason. However, it is definitely an action based on his own judgment, and I want to respect that judgment."

Ryo looked at number four with the expression of a parent sending off a child, his eyes filled with love, as he prepared to head into danger alongside his comrades.

"I want to fight with my friends... I respect that will."

Mixed with his joyful feelings, there was also a hint of anxiety.

Naturally.

The destination they were heading towards was the grand duke of the vampires.

A foe that even Blan the Dragon King deemed tough for Ryo.

It was scary to send the precious number four into that place.

However, even so...

"Number four has grown since the time I created him. The judgment that comes from that growth is something I believe is the responsibility of the creator to respect."

"...I see."

That was all Abel said in response to Ryo's words.

He alternately looked at Ryo and number four.

Then he nodded.

He sincerely thought that Ryo's decision was admirable.

Abel himself had repeatedly sent junior adventurers and subordinates into dangerous situations, both in the past and present.

When making such a decision, he felt far more distress than when he himself jumped into danger... Moreover, if there were casualties, it would become a memory that he could never forget for a long time.

"Honestly, I don’t want to see him broken."

"…"

"Back when I received number two's body, pierced by some magic or something, I thought I never wanted to feel this way again."

"Ah..."

Abel also remembered the time he retrieved number two's body and returned to Rondo Mansion.

"But number two was the same at that time. They acted based on their own thoughts, regardless of what the outcome might be... Even if the result was a sad one, I don't want to deny that. Of course, I felt sad, and if something similar happens in the future, I will feel the same sorrow. But if it is the result of their chosen actions, I won't deny it."

"That's admirable, Ryo."

Ryo, slightly grimacing but speaking clearly, made Abel nod in support of his thoughts.

"Therefore, what I can do is to ensure they won't be easily defeated."

"Hmm?"

"Compared to that time with number two, the garden watchers have become significantly tougher. By our standards, five hundred percent."

"I don't quite understand, but I get that they've gotten tougher."

Ryo confidently declared, and Abel shook his head slightly.

At the same time, he felt a bit envious.

"It's great that Ryo is getting stronger through effort."

"Yes, defense is like that. But as for attack... improving swordsmanship takes as much time and effort as it does for a human."