The Water Magician

From today, we will be posting for three consecutive nights.

One month after the turmoil in the Sujay Kingdom.

Ryo and Abel had returned to the imperial capital, Darwei Hanlin.

"We made it here from the Sujay Kingdom without any problems."

"Abel..."

Ryo called out Abel's name with an exaggerated sigh at his words.

"Hmm? Did I say something weird?"

"Don’t you think it's odd to imply that it’s boring that we weren’t attacked by a kraken?"

"No, I didn’t say that at all, did I?"

"I could tell by the atmosphere."

"It’s a misunderstanding..."

Ryo declared, while Abel shook his head slightly, insisting he was wrongly accused.

"It’s because we were on the Rondark."

"Yeah?"

"That ship is a lucky ship."

"That might be true."

Since there was no particular reason to deny Ryo's claim, Abel agreed.

The two decided to head north along the Southern River from the imperial capital Hanlin, ultimately passing through the 'Corridor' located northwest of Darwei, traveling by land to the Central Nations.

At one point, they considered crossing the sea, but this journey involved not just the two of them who could manage well.

"The safety of Andalusia and the others is our top priority."

When Ryo said that, Andalusia leaned her cheek against Ryo's.

"Well, let's take our time returning by land."

When Abel said this, Feiwan licked Abel's face.

It was an expression of affection from their beloved horses.

The two and their steeds successfully boarded a boat heading upstream.

It was shaped like a cargo ship, but it had a movable roof for rainy weather... It was the same type of ship they had ridden when they went down the Southern River before.

"Four days from the imperial capital to Sanzouan, meals included, with two people and two horses for four gold coins..."

"Just like the last time we boarded near Fenmu and came to the imperial capital."

"Back then, Ryo was of no use at all."

"W-What are you talking about?"

Abel sighed as he said this, while Ryo averted his gaze.

"Ryo ate too much for breakfast, and I ended up having to search for the ship alone."

"...I feel like that might have happened, or it might not have."

"Eating too much is dangerous."

"Yes, I'll keep that in mind."

Ryo nodded obediently at Abel's word of caution.

The two spread out the map of Darwei they received when they departed from the imperial capital.

"Sanzouan is the city on the southern riverbank opposite Bolhen, where we boarded the ship to the imperial capital."

"That’s right. From there, it’s completely over land."

As they looked at the map, Ryo and Abel considered the anticipated route ahead.

It seemed that heading northwest from Sanzouan led to the 'Corridor' that connects to the Central Nations.

Despite being called a 'Corridor', it wasn’t a hallway.

It was a relatively flat area nestled between mountains that ran north to south, referred to as the 'Corridor'.

"Once we reach Sanzouan, we’ll need to buy a lot of supplies for the journey."

"Supplies for the journey? Buy a lot? What do you mean?"

"Up until now, it was just me and Abel, so we managed with a simple travel preparation. We could even source food locally, living day by day."

"Oh, I see..."

"But from now on, it won’t be like that."

As Ryo said this, he looked at Andalusia and Feiwan, who seemed to be enjoying themselves comfortably on the deck.

For some reason, the two horses suited the deck very well...

"Well, it’s true that we should prepare various things for the journey for the sake of the two horses."

Abel nodded in agreement.

He didn’t want his beloved horse to suffer either.

"And Abel, I’m going to return to being an adventurer from now on."

"Huh? What do you mean by that?"

Abel tilted his head at Ryo's declaration.

"The Duke Rondo is a temporary guise. The true identity is... Ryo, the water attribute magician!"

"Uh, I don’t quite get it."

"In other words, there’s no need to hide behind being Duke Rondo anymore."

"Hiding behind... Well, being an adventurer is generally easier."

Abel, being the king, understood this quite well.

Originally, Ryo had revealed his identity as Duke Rondo to avoid combat in Fenmu.