The Water Magician

Time rewinds a little.

The Darwei diplomatic mission has set sail from the Autonomous City of Kubevasa.

Out of the ten public ships, nine are heading north along with twenty ships of the Darwei fleet toward the imperial capital, Hanlin.

Only the tenth ship is heading toward the port town of Hoi An in the grand duchy.

The purpose is to retrieve Ryo and Abel.

The problem became apparent when the Darwei diplomatic mission arrived at the imperial capital Hanlin.

"His majesty the emperor has been kidnapped?"

The members of the diplomatic mission received such astonishing news.

It had only been ten days since they left the imperial capital Hanlin, stayed for seven days, and returned from Kubevasa to Hanlin, taking fourteen days in total.

They had only been away for a month.

What on earth happened during that time?

The Darwei diplomatic mission headed to the Imperial Palace.

This was standard procedure.

Of course, the person they should report to, Emperor Tsuin, was not present, yet reporting was not an option they could avoid.

They proceeded to the Imperial Palace at a slow pace.

During this time, they continued gathering information.

Information was continuously being relayed to the diplomatic mission, specifically to Prince Lyun, Princess Shio Fen, Chief Chamberlain Rinshun, and Captain Ruyao, who were in the main group.

The first piece of information they discovered was...

"Is Elder Brother Kouri in charge?"

It was reported that the second prince, Kouri, was managing the affairs within the Imperial Palace.

Indeed, before the diplomatic mission's departure, when Emperor Tsuin and Prime Minister Byang Byang collapsed, Prince Kouri had acted as a proxy in governmental matters.

Based on past instances, this was not strange.

"Prime Minister Byang has collapsed again, the Chief Eunuch has been dismissed and is under house arrest? And the Commander of the Forbidden Army, Tin Meow, is missing?"

This report clearly furrowed Prince Lyun's brow.

Assuming Prime Minister Byang's collapse was understandable given his age, the dismissal and house arrest of the Chief Eunuch was troubling.

Furthermore, the Commander Tin's disappearance?

That meant that those who were closest to Emperor Tsuin were currently absent from the center of power.

Moreover, information from the Lyun Princely Residence also came in.

"Four days ago, the Kouri Princely Army entered."

"What about Wenshu and the others?"

The Lyun Princely Residence had many retainers, centering around Chamberlain Wenshu.

"They seem to be unsure of how to act, or even if they should resist. It appears that the Kouri Princely Army is not being aggressive, just maintaining surveillance."

"I see. Wenshu's judgment is correct."

Upon receiving this report, Prince Lyun nodded.

Then he looked at Princess Shio Fen and said,

"Shio, I believe the maids are also safe."

"Yes."

The closest maids to them, including Mifa, had attended the meeting, but most of the other maids remained at the residence.

Hearing that they were likely safe brought a sigh of relief to Princess Shio Fen.

However, both Prince Lyun and Princess Shio Fen were filled with questions.

"While the Kouri Princely Army has entered our residence, what about the neighboring Rondo Mansion?"

That was the question both of them had.

The Rondo Mansion was the residence of Duke Rondo and his bodyguard, Abel, who were both absent.

Indeed, there was no need for the Princely Army to go to such lengths to force their way into the mansion...

"After the Kouri Princely Army subdued the Lyun Princely Residence, they apparently sent troops to Rondo Mansion as well. However..."

The reporter averted his gaze slightly.

He seemed to be unsure how to proceed with the report.

"Speak as you heard it."

"Yes. There were golems lined up in front of the gate of Rondo Mansion."

"Golems from Duke Rondo?"

"Leading the formation was a golem with horns on its head, followed by a row of golems armed with ice spears... they were in a position that allowed no one to enter."

"That makes sense."

"And behind the golems, there were two splendid horses glaring at the Kouri Princely Army... it seems the Princely Army's horses were frightened."