The Water Magician

At that time, in the Naitorei Kingdom of the Central Nations, his majesty the king was holding his head in distress.

He knew that Ryo and his companions had left the delegation.

Of course, this information did not come from the intelligence network of Marquis Heinlein, but rather through the "echo of the soul."

Even the intelligence network of Marquis Heinlein had not yet spread into the Western Nations.

The echo of Abel’s soul that Ryo possessed had detached from the delegation.

This meant that information from the delegation would no longer come in.

Naturally, he had no intention of blaming Hugh McGrath for his judgment.

It was a perfectly correct decision.

That was exactly why he was troubled.

Because there was nothing he could do about it.

"Even gods cannot grasp everything..."

This was one of the most famous phrases left by King Richard, known as the restorer of the kingdom.

Abel muttered it.

In the king’s office, a young boy was ushered in.

"Welcome, Lord Irwin. Over here, please."

Abel said and gestured for him to sit on the sofa.

"I apologize for the intrusion, your majesty."

The boy, called Irwin, sat down gracefully.

His name was Irwin Ortiz. He was the head of the Shulzberry Duke House, a great noble from the Eastern Kingdom.

However, the Shulzberry Duke House was currently under suspension of ducal authority and was in the custody of the royal family.

As it stands, once Irwin reaches adulthood, that is, when he turns eighteen, the suspension will be lifted, and the duke house will officially resume.

Irwin's position was quite complicated.

During the late reign of Stafford IV, the Eastern Kingdom was in extreme chaos.

Many nobles died, succeeded each other, and lost their power...

The Shulzberry Duke House, once the largest noble house in the East, was no exception.

The direct line of descent had ended with Irwin, with all male and female heirs gone.

Moreover, the Eastern nobles who had traditionally supported the Shulzberry Duke House were nearly exterminated by the Imperial Army.

Since the war of kingdom liberation, the Eastern Kingdom had entered an abnormal state where almost all the traditional nobles had disappeared.

Currently, much of the East is managed by the royal family.

Some lands were granted as manors as a reward for the liberation war, but many still remain under the royal family’s management.

However, this was not an ideal situation.

If the area is too vast, it becomes difficult for the royal family to oversee, increasing the likelihood of corruption.

It is ideal to have loyal and wise nobles govern and ensure proper taxation...

Even though most Eastern nobles have perished, it is not that there are no successors at all.

However, many of them are still minors, which complicates matters.

Just like Irwin of the Shulzberry Duke House.

"Hmm. So you wish to return to the East and learn about governance..."

After hearing Irwin's hopes, Abel confirmed.

It wouldn’t be a problem if the return of ducal authority was delayed for five years.

However, before that time, he wanted to learn about actual territory management, and that was why he had come to the royal capital.

"Yes, your majesty. For instance, I could not learn about territory management from my father. Also, the East currently has few nobles, and the people living there must be troubled with uncertainty about who will lead them. Of course, it is your majesty the king who leads the country, but I believe it is necessary to have nobles who are closer to the people, who can support them daily. I wish to become such a noble."

"Hmm..."

To be honest, Abel was troubled by how to handle Irwin Ortiz.

In a sense, he was a beacon of hope for the people of the East.

While he was kept in the royal capital, most of the East was managed by the royal family...

Naturally, the East’s perspective on the royal family was not a favorable one.

And keeping him in the royal capital offered no benefits to the royal family.

"I understand. I will consider it."

"I see. You will return Lord Irwin to Wingston."

Wingston is the stronghold of the Shulzberry Duke House.