Published: July 5, 2025
Starting today (February 16th) and until the release date of the sixth volume of the novel (February 20th), I will be posting for five consecutive nights!
(However, it seems that some bookstores in the Kanto region already have the sixth volume available today (16th)... I saw a photo! How wonderful!)
The following day.
Public Ship No. 10 arrived at the port town of Hoi An in the Duchy of Atinjo.
This time, the formal diplomatic route from Darwei has conveyed the visit of Duke Rondo and the docking of Public Ship No. 10.
Because of this, everything is going smoothly.
“Captain Ra Woo, thank you to all the crew members,”
Ryo said, bowing politely as he disembarked at the port.
Of course, Abel also expressed his gratitude.
The two beloved horses were also making sounds, undoubtedly conveying their feelings of appreciation.
“No, Duke Rondo, please lift your head.”
Captain Ra Woo said hurriedly.
Seeing Duke Rondo, who is respected even by the emperor, bowing so deeply, understandably made him feel uneasy.
“I believe the journey still continues, but we all wish for your safe return, from all the crew of Public Ship No. 10,”
Captain Ra Woo said, and the lined-up crew members deeply bowed as well.
Though Public Ship No. 10 is returning to Darwei, Ryo, Abel, and the two beloved horses' journey is far from over.
From the port town of Hoi An to the capital Kamphor of the Duchy of Atinjo, they will travel with a welcoming party.
It seems that the welcoming party has already arrived.
“We have been waiting for you. Your grace, Duke Rondo, and also Lord Abel,”
a familiar figure greeted them.
“It's been a while, Zuluma,”
Ryo said with a bright smile.
Zuluma has a fateful connection with the two since their time in the Free City of Kubevasa.
Moreover, he has a deep relationship with them among the people of the Duchy of Atinjo.
For this reason, Zuluma was chosen as the leader of this welcoming party.
Seeing this welcoming party, Abel commented,
“Are there not too many soldiers?”
“Now that you mention it…”
Ryo nodded.
There were perhaps a hundred cavalry and a thousand infantry.
Indeed, it is a welcome for an important person from a foreign land, and that person is carrying a sword passed down from the royal family.
There must not be even the slightest mistake.
That is certain.
But still...
“It’s domestic travel, and this is a fairly busy route from the main port to the capital, right?”
“Yes. In fact, when we transported Duke Helb’s ice coffin previously, we came through this port to the capital, and it was quite busy back then.”
Abel and Ryo were speaking in hushed voices.
Behind the Andalusia and Feiwan they rode, the usual ice cart followed them.
“Um... what’s inside? Just books and money, right?”
“Yes. The bag contains various books we've received and the money given to us in Darwei. In Darwei, we have 'bank' cards, so we can withdraw money, but we also have cash for use outside of Darwei like this time.”
With the two and the two horses centered around the cart, the party began to move.
“From here to the capital, it was two days, right?”
“Yes. Last time it took two days.”
Ryo nodded in response to Abel’s question.
This time, the speed is not much different from the last time.
Including Ryo and Abel, some are mounted, but since most of the party consists of infantry, the movement speed cannot be said to be fast.
“Hmm…”
“What’s wrong?”
After they had moved away from the port town of Hoi An for a while, Ryo tilted his head, and Abel asked.
“We’re being monitored, but the numbers…”
“Is it a lot?”
“About fifty people total…”
“...Huh?”
Abel exclaimed in surprise at Ryo's answer.
That reaction is only natural.
It is impossible for fifty people to be monitoring them.
That is far too many.
While having a larger number of watchers would indeed lessen the chance of the target escaping, it would also increase the possibility of the target noticing their presence.
After all, the monitored target is the welcoming party, and escaping is not an option.