The Water Magician

“Your Majesty Abel, His Grace Duke Rondo, Explorer No. 3, thank you for gracing us with your presence.”

Crown Prince Zorn, now Chief Zorn, expressed his gratitude.

“I think it was a good ascension ceremony.”

“The people seemed happy, too.”

Abel nodded, Ryō praised, and Explorer No. 3 silently nodded. Since Explorer No. 3 couldn’t speak, that was understandable...

((Explorer No. 3 is taking the strongest stance. There’s a possibility he will become a major figure who surpasses Abel one day.))

((What are you talking about?))

Between the Creator and the Hero King, the future of Explorer No. 3 was discussed through the Echo of the Soul.

“What does Lord Battuzon intend to do?”

Abel’s question was one he absolutely had to ask.

Depending on the circumstances, it could be considered interference in internal affairs.

The person who supported the establishment of the new government was asking the top of the new government... it was a question but also a confirmation of “You understand, right?”

What had taken place was a sort of coup d’état.

What would they do with Battuzon, who was the head of the former regime and the father of the new government’s leader?

“There is a warm climate island where he can live in seclusion.”

Zorn answered immediately.

He had already prepared various arrangements.

“I see.”

That was all Abel said.

“Peace is the best.”

Ryō said simply and innocently.

In response, Explorer No. 3 nodded as well.

“I’m aware. Since then, we have held several summit meetings with the Western Nations Federation.”

Zorn nodded deeply and replied.

The Eastern Provinces and the Western Nations Federation had been at war.

Moreover, through the scheming of the Eastern Provinces, several small states forming the Western Nations Federation had seceded.

Although the war had ended, the Western Nations Federation government likely held no good feelings toward the Eastern Provinces, and even more so toward the Bardale Principality.

Having swiftly consolidated his country, Zorn understood that rebuilding relations with neighboring countries was an urgent matter.

He had prepared measures for that.

Now, he wanted to gain cooperation to succeed.

From the people before him, who held influence in both the Eastern Provinces and the Western Nations Federation.

“Are you planning to go to the Western Nations Federation again?”

“Yes, that’s the intention.”

Abel nodded in response to Zorn’s question.

Indeed, this was serendipity for Zorn.

“Could you deliver a letter of introduction from me?”

“A letter of introduction?”

Abel asked back at Zorn’s request.

The Bardale Principality itself could deliver such a letter.

Since it came from its own chief, it had been done before.

But deliberately asking the king of a neutral country to mediate signaled good relations with that king.

That might ease the anxiety and dissatisfaction among those in the Western Nations Federation government, even if only slightly.

After all, in a sense, these were the kings who had saved the Western Nations Federation.

Zorn handed the letter of introduction to Abel.

“May I read it?”

“Of course.”

Abel asked, and Zorn replied immediately.

For Abel, this was a letter he would deliver himself.

Although unlikely, if anything strange was written, it might be interpreted that King Abel endorsed it.

So a confirmation was necessary.

“This is...”

However, after a quick read, Abel was surprised.

He passed it politely to Ryō, who was sitting properly beside him.

“Amazing...”

Ryō was also surprised.

‘Annual alternating summit meetings in each other's capitals.’

That was understandable—shuttle diplomacy.

‘Proposal to pledge brotherhood with Zorn as the younger brother and Ramun Fess as the elder brother.’

This! This was the astonishing content!

“Ramun Fess is the head of state of the Western Nations Federation, right?”

“Yes.”

“And Zorn is Chief Zorn, right?”

“Yes.”

At Ryō’s confirmation, Zorn smiled wryly.

He seemed to think he should explain.

“When it involves the nation, approval from the chiefs’ council is necessary, but a personal brotherhood pledge does not require that.”