The Water Magician

Promising to reunite in the Western Nations, the Skizblaznil Vessel parted ways with the French Fleet.

The one who was probably happiest about this was Ryo.

“At least I won’t have to see the face of that explosive flames guy.”

“Well, you wouldn’t have seen him anyway since we’re on different ships.”

“That’s just a figure of speech!”

“Is it?”

Ryo was annoyed at being caught on his words, and Abel just shrugged his shoulders.

Two days later, the Skizblaznil Vessel docked at Von City.

“The five members of the Refreshing Five Peaks are waiting in this city of Von.”

“They’re prisoners of Duke Rondo, after all.”

“Officially, yes… but…”

“I understand. It’s to protect them and their families.”

Abel understood this as well, of course.

And he highly appreciated the decision Ryo had made.

“Due to various reasons, as per our previous plan, Chief Battuzon will remain on the Skizblaznil Vessel, and we have asked him not to disembark into the city.”

“That’s for the best.”

Abel nodded at Ryo’s explanation.

The Refreshing Five Peaks will stay in Von City for a while longer.

After accompanying Chief Battuzon to the Bardale Principality, once Crown Prince Zorn gains control over the principality and the Eastern Provinces, only then will the Refreshing Five Peaks move.

That is the plan.

“Let me remind you again, Abel, you must never anger Kinme.”

“Huh?”

“Because she is a demon.”

“Ah, I know. If anyone were to get on her bad side, it would be Ryo, not me, right?”

“Me? Why?”

“Because Ryo defeated Kinme.”

“But… back then, Kinme wasn’t angry. She was even grateful…”

“That was then. Don’t you think over time, the sting of that past defeat might resurface?”

“…I can’t say it won’t.”

“Exactly.”

Ryo admitted this while Abel nodded.

Ryo shook his head and made excuses.

“At that time, it couldn’t be helped…”

“Practically speaking, only Ryo can stop an enraged demon like Kinme. So, help me out then.”

“Back then, it was fine because Kinme accepted her loss, but if she were truly furious, even I couldn’t stop her.”

Abel’s unsettling words made Ryo uneasy.

The two arrived in front of the inn where the Refreshing Five Peaks were staying.

But soon, they noticed something.

From the other side of the inn, near the garden, the sounds of a sword fight echoed noisily.

“Could it be that trouble has already broken out…”

“Ryo, it’s your cue.”

“If it’s a sword fight, Abel should—”

“Leave the support to me.”

“That’s my line…”

Ryo frowned.

The two circled around to the garden of the inn.

And sure enough…

“Too slow! Always watch for counterattacks right after your strike!”

“Yes, sir!”

Boom! Boom!

Two magical attacks struck the abdomen, and two of them dropped to their knees.

“Don’t let your guard down just because you’re at a distance!”

“Y-yes…”

“…Yes.”

“Is that training?”

“Probably. Kinme is training the other four members of the Refreshing Five Peaks. The first to be countered was Guti. The magic that hit the stomach struck Toko and Mau.”

“And the last one?”

“Patris has already been knocked down.”

Abel asked, and Ryo pointed toward the edge of the garden.

Sure enough, a man lay unconscious.

“Tell Patris that when he wakes up, as punishment, he has to run the usual path around the city twenty times.”

“Yes, sir!”

Harsh punishment delivered mercilessly by Kinme was met with a slightly pleased response from Guti, Toko, and Mau.

Ryo and Abel then asked a nearby soldier.

“Is this training by Kinme?”

“Yes, Kinme-sama is currently conducting special training.”

The soldier answered, though he was trembling slightly.

The reason became clear…

“After the Refreshing Five Peaks finish their training, there will be a mock battle where we all attack Kinme-sama.”

The soldier was trembling even more.

But Ryo and Abel didn’t quite understand.

“Soldiers will attack her?”

Ryo tilted his head.

At that moment, Abel seemed to have a sudden idea.