The Water Magician

"Today we're having a big celebration for lunch!"

"Well, it's true that we worked hard."

Both Ryo and Abel put in a lot of effort for yesterday's Kyoonkai event, and it seems that today's lunch is a celebration for that.

However, it's just the usual lunch.

But...

"Hm? We have a visitor."

Ryo said this as he ran to the gate.

Abel walked over slowly.

At the gate, Ryo was receiving a letter and reading it.

Beside him was a horned golem... precursor officer no. 1, and in front stood a small boy.

Abel recalled that the boy was the servant from the neighboring Lyun Princely Residence.

"I understand. Please convey my message that we are waiting for your highness."

When Ryo said this, the servant boy bowed his head and ran off to the residence.

"Abel, the celebration is canceled."

"Is his highness Lyun coming?"

"Yes, it seems he wants to discuss something."

Ryo said this and handed a letter to Abel.

Ryo himself crossed his arms and pondered.

"What's wrong?"

After finishing reading the letter, Abel asked Ryo.

Ryo had a serious expression.

"I'm troubled about what to do for lunch."

"Oh, I see..."

Ryo looked serious, and Abel was left puzzled.

"It's almost eleven o'clock... It seems he will arrive in about fifteen minutes, so we can't really go out to eat. But skipping lunch altogether is..."

"If it comes to that, can't we have it delivered from a restaurant?"

"Delivery? That seems possible, but... I feel bad asking them to bring it during the busy lunchtime."

Ryo frowned and shook his head.

"You have a strict sense of duty, Ryo."

"I'm not like Abel, always using authority to get things delivered."

"Have I ever done that?"

Abel tilted his head in confusion.

"When we were at the Royal Castle, you always had it brought to your office!"

"Oh, well…"

"The people from the Royal Castle cafeteria must have reluctantly brought it to you. Such tyranny from the king!"

"Count Heinlein also had it brought to his room."

"Eh? Your excellency the chancellor too?"

Ryo was surprised by Abel's words.

In Ryo's mind, Chancellor Marquis Heinlein had a very high reputation.

"When Count Heinlein or I showed up at the cafeteria, the ordinary soldiers and officials would get flustered and tense."

"Oh..."

"Well, when I wanted to hear various things directly, I would go myself, but otherwise, I had it brought to my room."

"I see! If your excellency the chancellor said that, then it's certainly true! Abel, who accepted that suggestion, is truly fit to be the king."

"What a reversal of opinion..."

Ryo was impressed, and Abel shook his head slightly.

While they were discussing this, Prince Lyun and his entourage arrived and entered the room.

This time, it was only Prince Lyun and Chief Chamberlain Rinshun who entered.

On the host side, it was just Ryo and Abel.

After exchanging greetings, Prince Lyun immediately got to the point.

"What I want to discuss is about factions."

"Factions?"

Ryo tilted his head.

Ryo had been pondering what might be discussed since the letter mentioned there were matters to consult on, but he hadn't considered factions at all.

"Indeed, the other three princes all have factions, don't they?"

"Yes. Frankly speaking, does Duke Rondo think I should have a faction too?"

It was a rather direct question.

"The reason I ask is that since yesterday, I've been approached by quite a few people from the Shtaiif Layer wanting to join my faction."

"You mean since the Kyoonkai event yesterday? Ah, could it be Prince Bin?"

"Yes. It's not an exaggeration to say that his behavior at the Kyoonkai was a failure."

Prince Lyun's expression did not show joy over his rival’s misstep.

In fact, he even seemed to be saddened...

"Actually, in the past month... since the downfall of Lord Rinsui, who was Prince Bin's right-hand man, my brother has lost the emperor's trust."

"Oh..."

There was no evidence directly linking Prince Bin to the attack on the Royal Castle.

Therefore, there were no repercussions for Prince Bin himself.

However, the emperor is not foolish.

From the gathered evidence, he recognizes that there’s a high possibility that Prince Bin was aware of the attack or even permitted it.