The Water Magician

"His Highness Lyun has arrived at the palace."

Those words were met with surprise in the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

The Hall of Supreme Harmony in the Darwei Imperial Palace is the center where morning politics are conducted.

It is where the emperor carries out state affairs.

However, at present, the master is absent.

In his place, the one administering the national government is the second prince, Prince Kouri.

Prince Lyun, the sixth prince, had continued to decline repeated requests for his presence from Prince Kouri, citing illness.

It is only natural that many would be surprised if someone who had not attended for over a month suddenly made an appearance.

"I have come to the palace as my illness has healed."

"I have been waiting."

Prince Lyun stated his purpose, and Prince Kouri, seated on the throne, responded.

Normally, had the emperor been seated on the throne, it would be the emperor allowed to speak next.

However...

"I have a matter I wish to inquire of my Elder Brother."

Prince Lyun raised his voice.

"Your Highness, that is disrespectful!"

Of course, that voice did not come from Prince Kouri.

It came from a young man standing next to Prince Kouri, who was seated on the throne.

"Was it Earl Barfo who spoke just now?"

Prince Lyun asked quietly, deliberately.

Though calm, it was precisely because of this calmness that an indescribable sense of pressure was felt.

"Oh."

Prince Kouri whispered softly, so softly that no one else could hear.

Perhaps he was the only one among those present who noticed.

The change in Prince Lyun.

"At last, the tiger reveals its true nature."

Prince Kouri thought with a faint smile in his heart.

However, regardless of that, the situation continued to unfold.

"Indeed, it was I who spoke."

The man referred to as Earl Barfo replied.

"I am currently appointed as Deputy Prime Minister."

He answered seemingly confidently.

But upon closer inspection, one would see that his fingertips were trembling.

He too was exposed to the indescribable pressure from the long-absent Prince Lyun.

"That is a strange statement. The Deputy Prime Minister is to assist the Prime Minister in administering the government. Only his majesty the emperor should be able to appoint someone to that position. Now, when did you receive such approval from his majesty the emperor, Earl Barfo?"

"I was appointed by his Highness Prince Kouri, who holds great authority."

"The authority for Prince Kouri to act as the representative of his majesty the emperor is dictated by law. It is based on past conventions. Naturally, the high-ranking appointment authority possessed solely by his majesty the emperor should not have been granted. Did Prince Kouri violate that and appoint Earl Barfo as Deputy Prime Minister? That is a lie."

"L-lie?"

Earl Barfo was taken aback by Prince Lyun's assertion.

"Prince Kouri is a talented individual well-versed in the law. There is no way he would commit such an unlawful act. It is only natural that what you say, Earl Barfo, must be a lie."

"Wha...?"

Such boldness stems from this matter.

Naturally, Prince Kouri was present as well.

Since he was seated on the throne, that was to be expected.

Therefore, everyone understood that Prince Lyun did not take his own words seriously in the slightest.

Moreover, everyone understood that while he verbally attacked Earl Barfo, in reality, he was indicting Prince Kouri.

"Fufu..."

Prince Kouri couldn't help but chuckle at the throne.

It wasn't a loud laugh, but all eyes were drawn to him.

"I wish to speak with Lyun alone for a moment. Everyone else, please step outside."

With those words from Prince Kouri, everyone except Prince Kouri and Prince Lyun exited the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

All doors and windows were closed.

"Elder Brother, please return the great authority to his majesty the emperor."

Once they were alone, Prince Lyun immediately brought it up.

But that was a statement he shouldn’t have needed to make.

The emperor of Darwei is solely Tsuin.

That emperor declared his return to all of Darwei.

Nothing had changed, and they were simply returning... no ceremonies were needed, just a return.