The Water Magician

The morning after the two searched for a restaurant.

A herald arrived at the mansion.

"His Majesty the Emperor is here."

"Excuse me?"

Shortly after, a carriage guarded by about twenty horsemen stopped in front of the mansion.

A man stepped out of the carriage.

His attire resembled that of a high-ranking official from the Shtaiif Layer...

"Welcome, Your Majesty the Emperor."

Suzu greeted as instructed by the herald, stepping forward.

Abel lowered his head behind him.

"Lord Rondo, I apologize for the sudden visit."

Emperor Tsuin greeted with a smile.

"We've just moved in and have nothing prepared, but please come in."

Suzu led the way as Tsuin followed.

He was satisfied to see that the mansion he granted was well maintained.

However, after a fleeting glance, he turned back again.

It was a second look.

In the direction his gaze returned to, it seemed a figure in blue clothing was cleaning...

But that was a misunderstanding.

There was no person in blue clothing.

No, it was not a person...

"U-Um, Lord Rondo, what is that cleaning?"

"Yes, that is a mansion management golem."

Suzu answered with a hint of joy, pleased to surprise the Emperor.

"Golem... I've heard of them. They aren't made in the Eastern Nations, nor are there wild golems... Isn't their production prevalent in the Western Nations? Do they have golems in the Central Nations too?"

"Yes. Recently, there are even in the Central Nations. Our neighboring country, the Handalu Federation, has been deploying them on the battlefield."

"Really..."

Tsuin was further astonished by Suzu's explanation.

He then stopped and looked closely at the golem cleaning nearby.

"I received a report from the Ministry of Construction that Lord Rondo does not require attendants or maids, but is this what it means?"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"It’s almost like a shikigami."

Tsuin's mutter surprised Suzu.

"I apologize, Your Majesty, did you just say shikigami?"

"Yes, indeed. While it is not mainstream, there are sorcerers who have their shikigami do various tasks within the mansion. I've seen it once..."

"That's interesting!"

Suzu's enthusiasm was evident.

Tsuin continued, chuckling lightly.

"Even just watching is rather entertaining..."

"Your Majesty, we are running out of time."

The one who interrupted Tsuin was a man who had been following just behind him.

Clearly a military man, a guard, with an obstinate-looking face...

"Tin... Don't make such a scary face."

Emperor Tsuin replied, grimacing.

However, it seemed true that time was of the essence.

"I apologize for holding you up, Your Majesty. Please, this way."

Suzu said, leading the way once more.

They entered one of the forty rooms.

Chairs and tables were arranged for a meeting of about four people.

Emperor Tsuin sat at one of them, while Suzu sat across from him.

Behind each of them stood the intimidating Tin and Abel.

The guard Tin was intent on staying close to Emperor Tsuin.

Seeing this, Tsuin shook his head slightly and said to Suzu.

"I apologize, Lord Rondo. This Tin Meow, as you can see, is my bodyguard... His rank is Commander of the Forbidden Army, and he commands fifty thousand."

"Wow, that's impressive."

Suzu nodded enthusiastically, genuinely admiring.

Tin appeared to be in his late thirties to early forties.

Though he was about the same height as Abel, he was more muscular.

His hair, originally black but now intermixed with white, looked gray from a distance.

The sword hanging at his left hip was simple, likely well-worn and suited to Tin's hand.

It was fine now since Emperor Tsuin was also in plain attire, but if he were in formal imperial garb, the lack of decoration would stand out.

Suzu noticed.

The people from Darwei used double-edged one-handed straight swords.

Sometimes they would hang them at their hips, but often they would be held in hand.

However, Tin had kept his sword at his left hip since dismounting, even while riding.

"Lord Tin, you keep your hands free to protect His Majesty, don't you?"

It was merely a guess.

But he said it.

It was true that Tin had a scary face, but that was all for the sake of his lord.