The Water Magician

"I'm sorry for suddenly bringing this up without prior consultation."

In front of Ryo, Lord Protector Kavui Somaru bowed his head.

"Ah, please don't worry about it. I had a feeling it might come up."

Ryo replied cheerfully.

He seemed glad to be of help.

"I recalled the scene when the Bralcau was being constructed... was it called the Queen Rain Shooter back then? You protected that ship from the magical cannon fire of the Duchy of Atinjo."

"Yes, yes. Since I'm a water attribute mage, I'm quite good at defense."

"Then, you sank all five ships with your ice spears..."

"That's right. That was my favorite technique called [icicle lance shower 'fan']. I sank the ships without hitting a single crew member. It was a proud moment for a water attribute mage."

Ryo responded happily to Kavui Somaru's words.

At that moment, Captain Ra Woo of the Tenth Ship arrived.

"Lord Kavui Somaru, I apologize for my rudeness earlier. I hope you understand that I never intended to undermine your authority."

"Of course. We're going into a life-or-death battle. There's no need to hold back in that meeting. Honest opinions will save the lives of our subordinates."

Both Captain Ra Woo and Kavui Somaru were men of the sea and originally naval officers.

They seemed not to dwell on trivial matters.

"It seems we will be stopping at the ports where Princess Shio Fen made her announcement while heading north from Boago."

"That's right. All the towns have large ports, so they can handle any supply needs without any issues."

Captain Ra Woo nodded in agreement with Kavui Somaru's confirmation.

Since the Tenth Ship, led by Captain Ra Woo, was part of Princess Shio Fen's announcement fleet, they were all familiar with those ports.

"Will the flagship really be the Rondark? No offense, but the Tenth Ship is one of the hardest ships to sink among the Darwei fleet. If we face their fleet, the flagship will likely take the lead more often. Is it really alright not to use the Tenth Ship in case of emergencies?"

Captain Ra Woo asked.

"Yes, I completely agree."

Kavui Somaru nodded with a smile.

Then he continued speaking.

"However, it seems the Rondark has good luck. The captain, too, but we sailors tend to value such things, don’t we?"

"I see, I can definitely agree with that."

Kavui Somaru and Captain Ra Woo nodded as they laughed.

The two left the room to receive reports from their subordinates.

"Isn't it nice? It feels like a bond between sailors, men of the sea."

"I understand what you're saying. Those kinds of connections can only be made between true specialists in that field."

Ryo and Abel talked about Kavui Somaru and Captain Ra Woo.

"Will you become like that someday, Abel?"

"Me? What kind of specialist?"

"...Governance?"

"Governance? Who would I connect with?"

"...His Majesty Emperor Rupert of the Empire and His Majesty King Robert Pirlo of the Union?"

"I'm sorry, but I can't imagine that at all."

"Even though I said it myself, I couldn't imagine it either."

It seems that connections between specialists don't happen easily.

"Perhaps it's more likely among swordsmen?"

"I see, that does make sense. Like who?"

"...Mifa?"

"Isn't that a bit different?"

"Even though I said it myself, I couldn’t imagine it either."

It seems that masters and disciples are something different altogether.

While such a meeting was taking place in the town of Boago in Southern Darwei, further north in the capital of the Payu Nation, which had fallen to the Chououchi Empire...

In the temporary Phantom King's office.

"Leader, the emperor is..."

"I told you there's no need for an introduction!"

The one who entered the Phantom King's room was a man about 180 cm tall, dressed in luxurious eastern attire.

His features resembled those of Envoy Berk and the Phantom King, but he appeared to be around sixty years old.

Compared to the other two, he gave a rather frail impression...

"Your Majesty, you have graced this disheveled place with your presence..."

"No greetings are necessary!"

The frail man interrupted the Phantom King's greeting.

He was Emperor Wanshan Ku of the Chououchi Empire.