The Water Magician

On the Day of the Queen's Ascension Ceremony.

Ryo and Abel were having breakfast together.

Usually, Princess Iliriaja would eat with them, but today she was absent.

The ascension ceremony has a spiritual aspect, as it involves reporting to ancestors and previous kings.

Because of this, the king or queen who is being crowned apparently does not eat breakfast.

"Breakfast is important, though... It's quite unfortunate," Ryo said.

"Well, a king's body is human yet not quite human," Abel replied, drawing from his own experience.

"Not quite human?"

"Yeah. It's like a role that connects the past and the future... A king cannot attain the happiness that ordinary people can, right? Of course, they accept this before their ascension, and I accepted it when I ascended..."

"That's true. Ordinary people enjoy things like... eating all the cakes at Café de Chocolat, planning all-you-can-eat events at the royal castle cafeteria, or exploring fifty stalls at the royal capital's market."

"Yeah, none of those are enjoyed by a normal person."

"Really? Then, freezing people I dislike indiscriminately, freezing the ground beneath Abel's feet to trip him, or attacking the Royal Knight Order's garrison... Is that more realistic?"

"You'd get caught, wouldn't you?"

King Abel dismissed all of Ryo's opinions.

"Watching you, I can understand that instead of giving up the happiness that ordinary people attain, you gained the power to oppress the good citizens."

"What do you mean by that...?"

"I must ensure that Princess Iliriaja does not end up like that after her ascension!"

Abel shook his head slightly, looking at Ryo who was filled with determination.

At that moment, Lord Protector Kavui Somaru arrived.

"Lord Ryo, the bracelet you requested is complete."

He presented a silver bracelet adorned with intricate decorations, featuring a blue magic stone from a bait ball at its center—a rather elegant piece.

"Oh! It's nice! Thank you!"

Ryo received it and, after checking it, bowed in gratitude.

Then, he promptly summoned an ice plate and connected it to the bracelet.

Both the ice plate and the line of water were created by Ryo's magic.

So, it could be taken out anytime!

"It'll take three minutes. Please wait a moment."

"Understood. Sorry, but could I get some coffee as well?"

While Ryo worked, Kavui Somaru sat in an empty chair and asked a maid for coffee.

As they waited for Ryo to finish, a conversation began between Abel and Kavui Somaru.

The topic was about the Crown Prince's Palace.

"I heard that the Crown Prince's Palace is sealed off, but where are the Crown Princess and Lord Jolt?"

"They are residing in a corner of the Crown Prince's Palace itself. The palace is spacious. Even if it's sealed off, it doesn't mean that no one can enter or leave. With a palace as large as that, there are always ongoing daily duties. To begin with, there were hardly any suspicious individuals entering, so not only the palace's guards but also the royal castle guards are stationed at the palace's entrance."

Kavui Somaru answered with a grim expression to Abel's question.

It seemed he had wished for a stricter measure.

However, due to various circumstances, it seemed they had reached their limit in getting to this point...

"Such a grand event occurred. Rumors are probably spreading, right?"

"Well, yes. After all, a corner of the Crown Princess's building collapsed. Naturally, various rumors will circulate, both inside the royal castle and the royal capital. Still... the Crown Princess is indeed the Crown Princess."

"Hierarchy is troublesome, isn't it?"

"Absolutely."

Abel imagined the hardships, and Kavui Somaru nodded slightly.

Exactly three minutes passed.

"Alright, it's complete."

Ryo said as he began testing various things.

Then he passed it to Kavui Somaru.

"By stroking the blue magic stone part, it will activate. It’s the same thing the princess wore the other day."

"Ah, thank you, Lord Ryo. When I spoke to His Highness last night, he seemed pleased. Even though he acts strong, there must have been parts he was worried about. He said he would wear it on his right arm."