The Water Magician

Last night, Ryo stayed in the guesthouse of the duchy castle, in the room next to Prince Willy.

"Please wear this outfit. It is tailored similarly to what the prince wears. Also, I would like you to conceal your face with a hooded robe when going outside the carriage..."

"Ah, in that case, should I use this robe I always wear to cover my face?"

Ryo showed the robe he received from his usual dullahan, responding to Lord Rodrigo's suggestion.

"That works well. So, please conceal your face with that. While we are traveling, you will primarily stay inside the carriage. When we camp, we will set up a tent, and you will spend time there with Prince Willy."

"Understood."

There were two box carriages, two pack carriages, four guards from the Juu Kingdom, six adventurers from the Duchy of Inberri, and then Ryo with Prince Willy and Lord Rodrigo.

This comprised the entire party.

(Feels a bit small for a prince's movement... well, I don't really know that much about it.)

"Does it feel small?"

Suddenly, Ryo was startled by a voice from behind, especially since it voiced his thoughts.

"N-no..."

"It's fine. In reality, this is quite a small group for royalty. However, our country is neither wealthy nor a strong nation, and on top of that, I am the eighth son."

"The eighth son..."

Prince Willy said with a wry smile.

Hearing that, Ryo felt a mixture of emotions he couldn't quite express.

"While it's certainly better to have many children to continue the royal bloodline... when you're the eighth prince, after you become an adult, you must either join the knight order or the magical association and work. I have territories assigned to me, but I am merely responsible for managing the royal family's manor… so I have to entrust the management of the manor to my few subordinates, and I must earn my own living..."

"It's a harsh world."

Prince Willy chuckled bitterly, and Ryo lamented the misfortunes of the world.

Even though he is a prince, he has to earn his own living... it must be quite tough.

"Ah, but up until the border of the Duchy of Inberri, two squads of twenty from the duchy knight order will provide us with protection."

The chances of an attack within the duchy appeared to be extremely low.

Inside the moving carriage, Prince Willy and Ryo began to converse about various topics.

There was only Lord Rodrigo in the carriage, and he generally didn't speak unnecessarily.

That left Prince Willy feeling rather bored.

During this time, Prince Willy's way of addressing Ryo changed from "Ryo-dono" to "Ryo-san."

They were together in the same carriage.

Naturally, they would become more familiar with each other.

Prince Willy was currently fifteen years old and seemed to be studying abroad at the Royal Academy of Naitorei.

It was an academy for royals and nobles, and it appeared that other royals from different countries were also studying there, aside from Prince Willy.

(I wonder if I look similar to the fifteen-year-old prince... Is it true that Mongoloids tend to look younger?)

Ryo thought to himself.

In actuality, although Ryo looked slender, he had solid muscles when touched.

It was only natural, considering he couldn't wield a sword otherwise.

Prince Willy, however, seemed not to be very skilled with a sword.

"I can use a bit of magic, but... it seems I don't have much talent. After all, the Juu Kingdom is particularly a backward country when it comes to magic..."

Prince Willy said, looking down.

"But if you can use it even a little, if you practice every day, your magical power will increase, and your magical control will improve as well."

"Really?!"

Upon hearing Ryo's advice, Prince Willy's eyes sparkled with excitement.

"Yes. I was terrible at first too, but I practiced every day."

As Ryo said this, he recalled the nostalgic times in the Forest of Rondo and gazed into the distance.

In reality, it had only been about half a year since he left the forest.

"Do you think someone like me, who was told I lack talent, can really do it...?"

"Your Highness... talent doesn't matter. Effort is everything. A long time ago, a Kishi known as Gunsou said something like that. He continued to work hard and became a Kishi with multiple titles."