The Water Magician

"Wow, I really appreciate your help."

At the entrance of the Inspectorate near the Imperial Palace, a tall man, nearly two meters in height with a completely shaved head, performed a darwei-style bow with his hands crossed in front of his chest and lowered his head deeply.

"No, I'm just glad we were able to save you. Besides, we were also heading to the imperial capital."

One of those who had their heads bowed waved his hands in a flustered manner.

It seemed that the companions behind him were also smiling wryly.

"I, Lee Wu, will never forget your kindness for the rest of my life. Since I will be staying in the imperial capital for a while this time, please feel free to come to the Inspectorate anytime."

Saying that, Lee Wu, the inspector, once again bowed and entered the Inspectorate he belonged to after a year.

"Alright, let's fulfill our duties as well."

"Yes."

In response to the words of their leader, the third rank adventurer Jun Luo, the strategist, the mage Baliri, nodded with a smile.

The scout Chunk, the healer Shun Li, and the other swordsman Rosso all nodded silently.

They were a party of five third rank adventurers led by Jun Luo, who had once commanded a fierce retreat against a group of monsters led by the phantom being Garibechi on Tiger Mountain.

"First, let's deliver the documents from Vice Daimyo Fu Ten to the Ministry of Military Affairs, and then report to my lord at his residence."

"That's right, the Ministry of Military Affairs is just a bit north of this Inspectorate."

Baliri responded to Jun Luo's confirmation of their steps.

Although they belonged to the adventurers' mutual aid association in Boago, they often came to the imperial capital due to handling many jobs like this.

While they might not be low-ranking adventurers, being third rank, they were even sometimes designated for tasks directly by the lord.

They even took on the responsibility of transporting government-related documents.

It was only natural for them to be considered upper-ranking adventurers.

After parting ways with Jun Luo and the others, Lee Wu passed through the gates of the Inspectorate for the first time in a year.

However, he felt no particularly profound emotions.

Returning to this Inspectorate in the imperial capital was mostly for reporting, and he spent more than half the year traveling all over Darwei.

The role of the Inspectorate to which Lee Wu belonged was simply to oversee the regions of Darwei.

While the "Central Yellow" where the imperial capital is located was mostly under direct control of the emperor, other regions were governed by dukes or earls.

To be honest, the territory of Darwei is far too vast, and there are many places that are out of sight of the central authority.

Dukes and earls were originally those entrusted by the emperor with the management of their territories, but over generations, it had become hereditary.

The emperor and central government also struggled to manage such a vast territory.

The differences in local products due to the sheer vastness were indeed quite challenging.

Thus, as long as taxes were properly paid, they had to allow a certain degree of discretion... or that was how it had to be.

However, as a result, some lords emerged who imposed heavy taxes and enriched themselves.

With the authority to oversee such lords, Lee Wu and other inspectors belonging to the Inspectorate traveled across all of Darwei.

Among them, many lords were quite wary of Lee Wu, known for his strong character and reputed to not accept bribes...

"Minister, Inspector Lee Wu has come to report."

"Let him through."

Lee Wu was admitted into the office of the minister of state, who oversaw the Inspectorate.

"Inspector Lee Wu, I have returned."

Lee Wu bowed deeply, just as he had done before Jun Luo and the others.

Sitting at the end of his bow was his superior, Minister Jueon of the Inspectorate.

Minister Jueon was seventy-five years old.

He had neatly tied his snow-white hair and secured it with a red crown.

He stroked his long white beard down to his chest, a habit he had when deep in thought.