Water Magician
Chapter [NaN]

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Editor: Tseirp

That day, the port of Purri, the capital of the Suje Kingdom, was abuzz with excitement.

The reason? Princess Iliaja, the Sixth Princess, was returning to the capital… after three months away.

Rumors had been swirling that she would soon ascend to the throne as queen.

For those who paid close attention, it might have seemed suspicious that both rumors had spread so rapidly on that very morning.

As if someone had deliberately disseminated them.

It was as if someone was trying to steer public opinion in a specific direction.

As if someone had carefully orchestrated everything…

Otherwise…

“The Princess is supposed to arrive at noon.”

“The entire navy is said to be loyal to the Princess.”

“They say that Kabui Somal, who has become the Lord Protector, led a rebellion to place the Princess on the throne.”

Rumors like these, so detailed, could hardly have spread among the populace on their own…

If Ryo had heard these rumors, he would have muttered,

“This is what they call information manipulation…”

As noon approached.

A fleet of ships appeared on the horizon.

With each passing moment, their numbers grew.

“Are those…?”

“The Royal Navy?”

“If they’re enemies, we’re in big trouble.”

The citizens gathered at the port began to voice their thoughts as they watched the increasing number of ships, despite the lack of any official explanation.

Yet, no one left the scene.

They stayed out of anticipation.

If the fleet was indeed led by the Princess, as the rumors suggested, and if the navy was indeed loyal to her, and if the undefeated admiral and Lord Protector was supporting her…

The people’s hopes were high.

When the fleet finally came into full view.

It became clear that it was a massive armada, filling the horizon.

The masts bore the Kingdom’s flag and the Royal Navy’s ensign.

“Wow…”

No one there had ever seen such a vast fleet.

And no wonder.

There were four hundred warships.

Such a sight was something most people would never witness in their lifetime.

Leading the fleet was a graceful ship.

A vessel so elegant that once seen, it could never be forgotten, a trimaran.

“It’s the Bralcau…”

“One of the Navy’s flagship-class vessels…”

“I heard Lord Kabui Somal often sails on it…”

The four hundred warships came to a stop just outside the port.

But one elegant trimaran sailed smoothly into the harbor.

The center of the harbor had been guarded by soldiers since morning, and the pier had been cleared.

As if it were the most natural thing in the world, the ship glided into place.

From the ship disembarked… a beautiful woman.

A woman everyone knew.

A woman everyone loved.

A woman everyone… wished to see crowned as queen.

“The Princess…”

“Princess Iliaja…”

“The Princess has returned!”

And with that, the people’s emotions exploded.

“Long live the Princess!”

“Long live Princess Iliaja!”

Cheers erupted throughout the harbor.

Spreading from the port into the heart of the capital.

Princess Iliaja disembarked from the ship, smiling warmly as she waved to the crowd.

“Wah!”

Once again, the people’s emotions surged.

To the citizens of the Suje Kingdom, a worthy ruler had returned to lead them.

“This is amazing. It’s the perfect showcase for the Queen of Ships, the Rain Shooter!”

“Uh, yeah… but isn’t Princess Iliaja the main star here…?”

“Ah, but the escort role is crucial too! In a way, it’s incredibly important.”

“I suppose that’s true…”

On the deck of the Rain Shooter, Ryo and Abel watched the scene unfold with delight.

“The people’s joy is overwhelming.”

“She’s quite popular. Remember what you said, Ryo? A ruler should have the support of the people.”

“I did say that. It’s the first principle, the Moral law.”

“What’s that?”

“First: the Moral law, Second: Heaven, Third: Earth, Fourth: the Commander, Fifth: Method and discipline. The Moral law is that which makes the people and the ruler share the same purpose. If you govern according to the Moral law, the people will willingly follow you to life or death.”

“Now I’m even more confused…”

“It’s a passage from ‘The Art of War’. The Moral law refers to the kind of politics that can align the people’s hearts with the ruler’s. When that’s done right, the people will follow the ruler even to the point of life and death… they’ll fight alongside them with enthusiasm.”

“I see. Well, it’s only natural, but…”

“The fact that you find it natural, Abel, shows that you govern justly. And Princess Iliaja must have acted in a way that genuinely connected with the people during her time as a princess. That’s why she’s gained such support even before ascending the throne. I just hope she continues to rule with the ‘Moral law’ once she becomes queen.”

Ryo nodded repeatedly as he gave this serious explanation.

“Ryo, sometimes you say surprisingly sensible things.”

“How rude! It’s not sometimes, it’s all the time!”

“Yeah, I can’t agree with that.”

“Ugh…”

As they exchanged banter, Princess Iliaja and her entourage made their way to the royal castle.

Of course, Lord Protector Kabui Somal followed on horseback behind the princess’s carriage.

As foreigners, Ryo and Abel were scheduled to enter the city last, along with the guards.

They were told that rooms had been prepared for them in the royal castle.

“That’s very kind of them. I wish the Knightley Kingdom would prepare a dedicated room for me in their castle too.”

“What, you wanted a private room?”

“Of course! As the Premier Duke, I would issue unreasonable orders using my authority…”

“I’ll have it arranged immediately. But from that day on, you’ll be buried in paperwork.”

“I take it back! Wielding power and flaunting the Premier Duke’s authority is wrong! I want to be a duke who’s close to the people…”

Ryo quickly reversed his previous statements at Abel’s words.

“A Premier Duke who is close to the people? All I can imagine is you lounging around in the ‘Café de Chocolat’.”

Abel muttered to himself, knowing Ryo wouldn’t hear it.

Princess Iliaja’s quarters were located in a secluded part of the royal castle.

Known as the ‘White Annex’. This annex was exclusively for the Sixth Princess, Iliaja.

And even after her return to the capital, she would continue to live there until her coronation as queen.

The White Annex was quieter than the castle itself, with fewer people coming and going.

Making it easier to guard.

Although connected to the main castle by a corridor, the annex being a separate building had its advantages.

Additionally, three pavilions were adjacent to the ‘White Annex’.

Though called pavilions, they were more like guesthouses, fully equipped for comfortable living.

One of these was assigned to the swordsman and the robed magician.

“Oh! This is great. When I heard pavilion, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but this place has a spacious living room, two bedrooms, and even a study! It’s part of an annex, yet it’s so well-appointed… it really shows the strength of the Suje Kingdom as a nation.”

“Thank you very much.”

The maid who had escorted them to the ‘White Annex’ smiled warmly and bowed at Ryo’s praise.

Abel watched the scene out of the corner of his eye.

(He wins people over with just a few compliments… Ryo is a natural charmer.)

“Abel, were you just thinking something strange?”

“Nope, not at all. Weren’t you more concerned about the coffee?”

“Oh, right! The maid mentioned that Kabui Somal-san promised us some delicious coffee once we arrived at the castle. It’s supposed to be from the eastern part of the kingdom…”

“Ah, that would be Kenja.” (TLN: Lit. Sage)

“Huh? Kenja?”

Ryo’s mind immediately thought of the word ‘sage’.

“Yes. I’ll bring it right away.”

The maid replied and left the room.

“Abel, it’s called Kenja here.”

“That’s what she said. Why? Is there something strange about it being called Kenja?”

“No, it’s just… Come to think of it, I haven’t heard the word sage being used here.”

“Hmm? I’m not sure what you mean, Ryo…”

Perhaps in the Central Countries, there were no individuals referred to as sages.

Even Ilarion Baraha didn’t call himself a sage…

After a short wait, the maid returned with the coffee.

As soon as she entered the room, the aroma filled the air.

“Oh… what a wonderful smell.”

“It sure is.”

Ryo said with delight, and Abel nodded in agreement.

Though Ryo was obviously a coffee enthusiast… he suspected that Abel was equally fond of the drink.

“Abel, you used to indulge in Kona coffee, didn’t you?”

“Indulge might be putting it too strongly. It was just about the only simple way to relax back then.”

“Oh right, buried under paperwork.”

“Shut up…”

As they exchanged jabs, the maid set the coffee cups on the table and poured coffee from a decanter.

“This is incredible…”

“Yeah. There’s something comforting about the smell of coffee.”

Both of them savored the aroma before taking their first sip.

“Aah…”

“Ooh…”

Ryo and Abel could only manage to express their approval with sighs of satisfaction.

They took another sip.

“Hmm…”

“Yes…”

Once again, their only words were simple murmurs of contentment…

“Does it have a fruity note?”

“Yes, and a hint of honey? Like the kind you sometimes find at the core of a perfectly ripe apple…”

“Well, whatever it is…”

“It’s delicious.”

Ryo finished, and Abel nodded in agreement.

“Thank you very much.”

The maid smiled again, bowing in response to their satisfied expressions and words.

In that pavilion, the rich aroma of coffee mingled with a peaceful atmosphere that spread throughout the room.

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