Published: January 26, 2026
Promising to reunite in the Western Nations, the Skizblaznil Vessel parted ways with the French Fleet.
Perhaps the one who was happiest about this was Ryo.
“At least we won’t have to see the face of that explosive flames guy.”
“Anyway, you wouldn’t have seen him since we’re on different ships.”
“That was a metaphor!”
“Is that so?”
Ryo was indignant at the way Abel caught the tail end of 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 here in Von City.”
“They’re prisoners of Lord Rondo, after all.”
“Officially, yes...”
“I understand. It’s to protect them and their families.”
Abel understood that too, of course.
And he held Ryo’s decision in high regard.
“Given all that’s happened, as planned, Chief Battuzon will stay aboard the Skizblaznil Vessel and not go ashore.”
“That’s for the best.”
Abel nodded in agreement with Ryo’s explanation.
The Refreshing Five Peaks would remain in Von City for a while longer.
Only after Chief Battuzon goes to the Bardale Principality, and Crown Prince Zorn gains control over the chiefdom and the Eastern Provinces, would the Refreshing Five Peaks be able to move.
That was the plan.
“Once again, Abel, you must never anger Kinme.”
“Huh?”
“She’s a demon.”
“Ah, I know that. If anyone’s going to anger her, it wouldn’t be me, but Ryo, right?”
“Me? Why’s that?”
“Because Ryo was the one who defeated Kinme.”
“But, back then, Kinme wasn’t angry. In fact, she seemed thankful...”
“That was then. Don’t you think she might regret that defeat after some time passes?”
“I can’t say it’s impossible.”
“Exactly.”
Ryo acknowledged this and Abel nodded.
Ryo shook his head and tried to excuse himself.
“At that time, it couldn’t be helped...”
“Realistically, only Ryo can stop an enraged demon. That’s when I’m counting on you.”
“Back then, it was good Kinme accepted defeat. But if she truly went berserk, even I couldn’t stop her.”
Abel’s uneasy words made Ryo anxious.
The two arrived in front of the inn where the Refreshing Five Peaks were staying.
But then they immediately noticed something.
From the garden on the other side of the inn came the sound of sword fights and quite a commotion.
“Could it be there’s already trouble...?”
“Ryo, it’s your turn.”
“If it’s a sword fight, Abel should—”
“I’ll handle the support.”
“That’s what I was going to say...”
Ryo frowned.
The two circled around to the inn’s garden.
Sure enough...
“Too soft! Watch out for counterattacks right after you finish your strike!”
“Yes, sir!”
Boom, boom.
Two spells hit their abdomens, 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 this training?”
“Probably. Kinme is training the other four of the Refreshing Five Peaks. The first to counterattack was Guti. Toko and Mau were hit by the spells to the stomach.”
“And the other one?”
“Patris has already been knocked down.”
Abel pointed toward the side in response to Ryo’s question.
Sure enough, a man was lying unconscious.
“Tell Patris that once he wakes up, he’s to run twenty laps around town as punishment.”
“Yes!”
The three—Guti, Toko, and Mau—who were given the punishment run by Kinme replied with a hint of happiness.
Ryo and Abel asked a nearby soldier.
“Is this training by Kinme-sama?”
“Yes, Kinme-sama is conducting special training.”
The soldier answered, but even he was trembling slightly.
The reason was...
“After the Refreshing Five Peaks finish their training, we will stage a mock battle where all of us attack Kinme-sama...”
The soldier was indeed trembling.
But Ryo and Abel didn’t understand.
“All the soldiers are going to attack?”
Ryo tilted his head.
Then Abel suddenly seemed to have a flash of insight.
“Do you mean dozens of soldiers simultaneously attacking just one Kinme?”