Published: July 4, 2025
The next day, past nine o'clock.
"The sweet and spicy stir-fried pork and vegetables from last night was delicious. Abel is quite good at cooking, isn't he?"
"Well, it's basically just stir-frying, so it's not that impressive."
"No, no, the balance of seasonings was exquisite. It's the kind of side dish that goes wonderfully with rice."
"I learned a lot from Warren back in the day, and that has really helped."
Abel replied with a smile.
"So, is Warren the best cook among the 'Red Sword'?"
"Yeah, Warren's cooking is really tasty. It's not that others are bad; it's just that Warren is too skilled."
"Somehow, I can easily picture that."
The image of Warren happily cooking with a smile was an easy one to conjure.
The two were walking towards the neighboring house.
Of course, the precursor officer no. 1 had gone ahead.
The two had become skilled at following the proper procedures.
They were continuously evolving!
When the two arrived in front of the residence of Prince Lyun and Princess Shio Fen, a woman was already standing by the gate.
Next to her was an ice golem.
"Huh? Captain Ruyao?"
"I’ve been waiting for you, Lord Rondo."
Captain Ruyao placed her hands together in front of her chest and bowed.
"I did come to ask you something, Captain Ruyao... but it wasn't written on the precursor paper, was it?"
"Yes, it wasn't. However, I had something I wanted to ask you, Lord Rondo. Also, today, Prince Lyun and Princess Shio Fen are currently at the Imperial Palace and are not here. The other attendants have gone with them, so I will be taking care of their absence."
It seems that once a prince's advancement is decided, things get quite busy.
Captain Ruyao, along with the friendship proof no. 2, led the way for the two.
Seeing friendship proof no. 2’s presence, Ryo nodded in satisfaction.
Seeing them work properly seems to delight their creator.
"Last night, I had a brief look at the control system of friendship proof no. 2, so to speak, the movements of its limbs."
"Oh!"
"I kind of understood the control system, but I didn't comprehend the recognition system at all..."
"Recognition system?"
"It recognizes voices and moves? That sort of thing. And the bipedal walking part is also very complicated in the control system..."
"Wow, but to see that much in just one night... Captain Ruyao, that's amazing!"
"I'm flattered."
Ryo praised with a smile, causing Captain Ruyao to blush with embarrassment.
Behind Ryo, Abel muttered a word that no one could hear.
"Here comes Ryo's charm."
Once they were shown into the room, tea was served before the three, and Ryo began to speak.
"Actually, the main reason I came today is not for friendship proof no. 2, but..."
"You had a question regarding the bracers' magic formula, didn't you?"
"You understand that!"
"I saw friendship proof no. 2's magic formula, and Lord Rondo's level of alchemy is unbelievably high. Considering that, I thought you must have deciphered the entire magic formula for the bracers in just one night."
"Well, it's not quite that impressive."
Captain Ruyao openly praised Ryo's alchemy level, and Ryo blushed.
After a moment of embarrassment, Ryo continued.
"There’s just one part of the magic formula that I completely don’t understand."
"Could it be the magic power amplification...?"
"Yes, yes, that's it! So that is the magic formula or string related to magic power amplification!"
Captain Ruyao nodded in affirmation, and Ryo joyfully nodded multiple times in return.
However, afterwards, Captain Ruyao tilted her head slightly.
And then...
"I apologize, your highness. I'm not very knowledgeable about the contents of that magic formula."
"Huh?"
"That was a string taught to me by my alchemy master long ago. By using it, magical power can be amplified, allowing for significant effects with less consumed magical power. I learned it at a young age, but... I recall my teacher didn’t provide a detailed explanation back then."
"When you were younger... Excuse me, but you still look quite young, Captain Ruyao. How old were you at that time?"