Water Magician

Editor: Tseirp

“You’re not invited here!”

The man, standing with his face bright red, shouted angrily.

“Strange, isn’t it? The door opened on its own, so I thought it was an invitation.”

Talk about the height of shamelessness.

Behind Ryo, Abel listened quietly. He understood the entire situation yet kept an expressionless face.

Not even shaking his head.

This was because he was conscious of the gaze of Duke Helb, who remained seated.

“The crime of barging into an embassy—you do understand that, don’t you?!”

“As I said, I entered only because the door opened and invited me in. By the way, who are you?”

Ryo asked politely, inquiring about the identity of the person he had been speaking to.

Although he knew the man held some authority in the embassy, not knowing his name made it difficult to communicate.

“I am Zlurma, the Second Secretary of the Embassy of the Atinjo Grand Duchy.”

“Zlurma… Ah, no, just a stray thought crossed my mind about your name. Secretary Zlurma, I would like to speak with the person in charge here.”

“What? Watch your mouth! A lowlife like you…”

“Enough, Zlurma.”

Duke Helb interrupted Zlurma’s angry words.

He continued.

“We met at the garden party, didn’t we? Ryo-dono of the Kingdom of Knightley, and Abel-dono. I recall that Abel-dono was the one upset at the garden party. This time, is it Ryo-dono?”

With a smile, Duke Helb made his comment.

“No, I’m not angry at all.”

Ryo declared it firmly.

But Abel knew it was a clear lie…

“Is that so? So, may I ask the reason for your visit today?”

Duke Helb accepted Ryo’s words and inquired.

Genuinely interested in the purpose of their visit.

Ryo found this somewhat strange.

Given the commotion outside, it should have been clear that he came to protest the monopolizing of food supplies.

Still, he decided to respond politely.

“People from the Atinjo Grand Duchy have been monopolizing the food in the marketplace, and I’m here to protest against that.”

“Monopolizing?”

Duke Helb repeated softly in a questioning tone.

He looked over at Second Secretary Zlurma.

“Zlurma?”

“Y-yes! We are doing it to hasten the subjugation of the citizens…”

“I see.”

Duke Helb nodded, acknowledging Zlurma’s answer.

“It seems it’s true that the supplies were monopolized. However, as a policy of occupation, I believe it’s not wrong, so I have no intention of reprimanding Zluma and his team.”

Duke Helb stated clearly.

“I understand. Still, I’d like you to stop monopolizing the supplies from now on.”

Ryo clearly stated his request.

“As I just said, weakening the opposition by seizing food supplies is not incorrect as an occupation policy. It’s the correct course of action for the Grand Duchy’s military, and it’s difficult for me to decide to stop it on my own.”

“So, you intend to continue monopolizing food supplies after tomorrow?”

“That’s correct.”

At Ryo’s confirmation, Duke Helb nodded firmly.

“So, negotiations have broken down… How unfortunate.”

“Yes, it is unfortunate.”

“Duke Helb, I had thought we could become good friends…”

“What a coincidence, I thought so too, Ryo-dono.”

Ryo gave a slight shake of his head, while Duke Helb kept smiling.

Behind Ryo, Abel murmured, “Really?”—but everyone ignored it.

“I’ve confirmed one thing.”

“And what would that be?”

“Duke Helb, you are not human, are you?”

Ryo said it casually, as if mentioning he wasn’t in the mood for tea.

The two showed no extreme reaction.

“You! You insolent wretch!”

Second Secretary Zlurma shouted.

Thinking Ryo was insulting Duke Helb.

Ryo immediately noticed this.

“Secretary Zlurma, you misunderstand. I meant it exactly as I said. Duke Helb is not of the human race.”

“…What?”

“To be precise… should I say he’s a mix of human and something else? That sense of distortion I felt at the garden party—that was it. I finally figured it out.”

Zlurma looked puzzled as Ryo nodded, further explaining.

Duke Helb, who had been wide-eyed with surprise…

“Kukuku…fufufu…Ah ha ha ha!”

Suddenly started laughing.

“D-Duke Helb?”

It was a laugh so unrestrained that even Second Secretary Zlurma, standing nearby, was taken aback.

It was completely unlike his noble demeanor so far.

Duke Helb laughed heartily for more than a full minute.

By then, Abel had already drawn his sword, readying himself.

Finally, Duke Helb managed to stop laughing, though his smile remained.

“I never expected anyone to notice that. Honestly, I’m surprised.”

His tone had changed.

“Fufufu, just as my brother predicted, I’ve met a remarkable opponent. My respect for my brother is unwavering. To have foreseen even this… To him, I shall forever pledge my loyalty.”

With that, Duke Helb laughed again.

The word deranged laughter… seemed more fitting.

“So, the Grand Duke of Atinjo is of the same kind.”

Ryo muttered softly.

It was just a confirmation to himself, not meant for anyone else to hear.

Yet, Duke Helb, still laughing, seemed to catch those words.

“Of course. If not, I wouldn’t swear my loyalty to him.”

With a wicked smile, Duke Helb affirmed.

Abel, already with sword in hand, positioned himself.

“This guy… is he an Akuma?”

Abel’s question was directed at Ryo, but Duke Helb answered before Ryo could.

“Akuma! Do you lot know about Akumas? Humans, knowing Akumas? Really? Really now? That’s even more astonishing than you seeing through my true form!”

“Not an Akuma, actually. If anything, he’s closer to the two from the Ghost Ship Ruri.”

Ryo answered Abel’s question.

His voice was low.

But this answer triggered an even fiercer reaction.

“Ruri! Whoa, whoa, whoa, what are you people? You know about Akumas—and the ‘two’… from Ruri? How is it possible for people like you to even exist? Ah, of course, you two aren’t human either! That explains everything!”

“We’re absolutely human, you know?”

“Lies! There’s no way humans like you exist… and two of you. Standing right in front of me. Out with it! What are you?!”

Duke Helb refused to believe Ryo’s claim.

“How many times do I have to tell you we’re human…”

“I see, so you won’t talk willingly. Do I have to force it out of you? Either way, I can’t leave you alive. You might be an obstacle to our conquest. Die here.”

“Why does it always come to this?”

“Probably because of you, Ryo…”

That last exchange was between Ryo and Abel.

“D-Duke Helb…”

Zlurma, the second secretary, who had been silent since Duke Helb’s transformation, finally spoke up.

“Zlurma. Where does your loyalty lie?”

“O-of course, I offer all my loyalty to Duke Helb…”

“Good answer!”

In that instant, Zlurma’s clothing burst open.

A star-shaped mark quickly appeared over his exposed chest, right above his heart.

Upon closer inspection, one could see that it was drawn by the claws extending from Duke Helb’s hand.

“What is that?”

“It’s a magic circle, though I’ve never seen this kind before.”

Ryo replied to Abel’s question.

Though they both understood they should strike before the enemy completed his preparations…

“Once we defeat him, we can ask about that magic circle.”

“I doubt he’d tell us.”

As soon as the mark was completed.

Light erupted from Zlurma’s body.

“Well, I’ve kept you waiting. Now it’s two against two.”

Duke Helb said with a wicked grin.

Zluma’s expression was blank, but his movements seemed sharper than before.

At some point, Duke Helb had handed him a beautiful, ornate sword.

“I’ll take on the secretary.”

As a swordsman, Abel decided to face Zlurma.

“Always giving me the troublesome one…”

“I think this fight started because of you, Ryo…”

Abel countered Ryo’s complaint.

And with that, the two pairs clashed in battle.

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