Seeing this, Cecile tightly clenched her hand as if she was holding onto something and pitched with all her might. Even though there was nothing in her hand, through the telescopic spell, Richard could see Ruin getting walloped by a glob of water. He was speechless by the sight of Cecile manipulating the water through his spell like this. Hadnât she only awakened to this power and used it for the first time in her life a minute ago?
âHow is she not the least bit confused by all of this?â he marveled. Even if she didnât overreact and shriek, âHoly! How did I manage to do something like this!â wasnât it normal to at least appear surprised or even a little frightened? Yet, Cecile displayed none of these reactions.
Instead, she immediately put her newfound power to use by punishing the archmage without hesitation. Grabbing him by the collar, Cecile commanded, âIâll keep what just happened a secret from Estian, so do as Iâm about to say this instant!â She demanded Richard show her a close-up view of Estian and Ruin using the spell. When she got what she wanted a moment later, she yelled, âWhat did Crown Prince Ruin say to make Estian look like that?â
Only then did Richard turn to look at Estianâs expression for himself. To his surprise, Estianâs face was pale and rigid. Even for him, the emperorâs expression was a first.
âIâll make him pay!â Cecile screeched. As the words left her mouth, the glob of water that had been floating beside Richard zoomed away and began pummeling Ruin.
* * *
The sight of Ruin getting continuously punished by a glob of water made Estian recall something Richard had once said: it was witches that held power over water. âThe empress clearly has something to do with it,â the archmage concluded.
Even though it was unfounded speculation, Estian didnât dismiss the archmageâs words as nonsense. He knew full well that Richard wasnât one to fool around in regards to such matters. Nevertheless, he issued a gag order to the archmage until things grew clear.
Now, in the present, Estian bit his lip as he watched the movements of the water glob. âThat scoundrel Richard must be utterly delighted right about now,â he thought with a scowl. He needed to hurry back to Cecileâs side. The archmage was obsessed with mysterious powers and curiosities that heâd never encountered before. It wasnât a stretch to imagine how excited he must be at the empressâs side.
While Estian was worrying about his wife, Ruin had managed to get back up to his feet. Swiftly turning in the opposite direction, the crown prince prepared to make a run for it. However, before Estian could react, the glob of water shot through the air like a cannonball and smacked the back of the princeâs head, causing him to instantly stagger from the impact.
Up until now, the fight between the two of them had been pretty evenly matched in skill and strength. If Richard had joined the fight, it mightâve ended earlier, but Estian knew the archmage wasnât the type of man who would readily give his assistance. âNot like he has any reason to help.â Richard was the type whoâd wait until they had spent all their strength and were exhausted, rather than help.
Estian made a move to kick Ruinâs back, but the latter sensed his movement and instantly evaded by performing a crouching jump. Just when the crown prince thought he had succeeded, the glob of water shot over and hit the prince squarely in the face.
âUgh, seriously!â Ruin screamed, sounding genuinely irritated by the hindrance. In truth, the power of the globâs attacks wasnât that great. All it managed to do was slightly hobble Ruin and soak his clothes. The wet clothes sticking to Ruin obstructed his movements ever so slightly.