The Water Magician

Two days later, a letter of apology arrived from Lord Kan addressed to Sue Koo.

"It says there was a misunderstanding, and he's sorry. It's unacceptable to let attendants die due to a misunderstanding."

"It says here that he wants us to come tomorrow."

Mifa confirmed as she looked at the letter handed to her by Sue Koo.

"Yes. I'll go for a bit. Mifa, you are also supposed to visit Princess Shio Fen's retreat palace tomorrow, right?"

"Yes. Last time, the princess said so, so I will go with Lord Abel."

"That's good, then I can relax. You should take at least a small squad with you. I will also go with a full battalion, everyone fully armed."

"Is it to ensure we are ready for anything that may happen?"

"Yes. We must be prepared in case it turns into a war right then and there."

Mifa responded with surprise, while Sue Koo spoke with a serious expression that left no room for joking.

In fact, Sue Koo was contemplating the possibility of a military confrontation in her mind.

And she planned to bring enough combat strength to win, should such a confrontation occur.

If they were to mobilize such military power within the royal capital, it would undoubtedly lead to a scolding from the king later on... but it was better than being careless and dying.

The next day.

"Alright, let's go, Mifa."

"Yes, Master."

As the two of them exited the mansion's door, a lined-up unit awaited them.

Twenty bodyguards centered around Captain Solon's first patrol unit, alongside the maximum combat strength that Sue Koo could mobilize within the royal capital—two hundred men.

"Are we going to war or something...?"

"Sue-sama said she would prepare a capable force even if it turned into war..."

Abel murmured without realizing it, to which Mifa recalled their conversation from yesterday and responded.

The lined-up unit was fully armed.

If they were at their stronghold in the City of Mifasoshi, they could likely mobilize several dozen times this amount of combat strength...

Nonetheless, this was still a considerable power that could be mobilized within the royal capital, outside of the king's command.

It demonstrated the magnitude of Sue Koo's power.

As Abel and Mifa passed in front of them, eight bodyguards stepped forward.

"Lord Abel, we are tasked with escorting Lady Mifa. I am Miran, the captain of the seventh escort squad."

"You helped with the mounted training for Ryo and me. I appreciate your help again today."

Captain Miran greeted them, and Abel responded.

Mifa bowed her head beside Abel.

Abel, Mifa, and the seventh escort squad, totaling ten people, mounted their horses and headed towards Princess Shio Fen's retreat palace.

The reason for traveling by horse instead of walking was that retreat speed would be overwhelmingly faster on horseback in case of an emergency.

It was clear that moving quickly was better for both returning to the mansion and rushing into the retreat palace.

"Does Sue Koo have horses apart from those in the mansion's stable?"

"Yes. Sue-sama has a ranch on the outskirts of the royal capital. Of course, she has one in Mifasoshi as well... I believe she may own the most horses outside of the royal family."

"That's impressive."

Abel expressed genuine surprise.

"By the way, where is Ryo-san today?"

"He was called to the Censorate."

"What? Did he get wrapped up in some trouble?"

Mifa asked worriedly.

The Censorate played a police-like role in monitoring and inspecting issues within the royal capital.

Simultaneously, they also had a prosecutorial aspect, making it a place that ordinary people tended to avoid.

Therefore, when the announcement "The Censorate has arrived!" was made, those with a guilty conscience would scatter like frightened spiders.

It might be equivalent to the phrase "Police!" in modern Earth.

"No... it seems he requested some documents he wanted to see during the Censorate's hearing the other day, and one of them has been located..."

"Uh...?"

"Right? It's hard to understand. I don't get it either."

Seeing Mifa tilt her head, Abel nodded in agreement.

"Well, that's Ryo. It's to be expected with him."