The Water Magician

Two days after his majesty the king and the first duke's party departed from the royal capital, they arrived at the port town of Whitnash in the morning.

As they entered the town in their carriage, there was already a crowd gathered along the roadside.

Although no flags were being waved, the atmosphere was one of welcoming his majesty the king...

Amidst this, the carriage carrying King Abel, guarded by the first imperial guards regiment and the Royal Knight Order, proceeded.

"Long live his majesty the king!"

"Lord Abel!"

"Oh, he waved at us!"

"What a dignified figure..."

"That person next to him in the robe is cute as well."

Such voices could be heard among the people.

Abel smiled and waved from inside the carriage.

He was told by Dantan, the Royal Knight Commander, to absolutely not get out of the carriage.

"When I came here before, there was a festival, but it's just as lively now."

"Whitnash has developed remarkably in the last two years."

In response to Ryo's comment, Abel waved at the crowd with a smile.

"Originally, Whitnash was a large port town, but now it has become one of the top cities in the kingdom."

Abel continued smiling and waving as the party advanced and arrived at the port.

The crowd gathered at the port also watched from a distance as the party arrived.

And cheers erupted for Abel as he descended from the carriage.

Being constantly observed is a reality.

Ryo, who followed behind Abel, murmured, "His majesty the king has it tough."

When Ryo and Abel got out of the carriage, two individuals were waiting for them.

One was a woman in her early thirties with long hair, striking blue eyes, and a tan complexion.

"Your majesty, I am honored by your visit."

"Darlene Dingley, you seem to be governing well as the daimyo. Impressive."

"I am deeply grateful."

Abel praised, and Darlene, the daimyo of Whitnash, bowed.

The other was a man in his late forties with chestnut hair and black eyes, also with a tan complexion. He was tall but gave off a flexible impression.

However, he was someone Ryo already knew.

"Goro-san, is that you?"

Ryo called out to Goro Ganda.

The daimyo of Kona Village, which produces Ryo's favorite Kona Coffee... why is he here?

"Ryo, do you know the lord of the ocean?" Abel asked, surprised.

"The lord of the ocean? Minister of the Ministry of Ocean Affairs... Wait, Goro-san, you've become the minister of the Ministry of Ocean Affairs?"

"Yes, your grace, Duke Rondo."

Goro greeted with a soft smile, just as Ryo remembered him.

"The Ministry of Ocean Affairs, is that the place Abel mentioned before? The one that manages everything related to the ocean in the kingdom..."

"That's right. Ryo, you mentioned before that you would inspect the ministry, as the corrupt first duke, and confiscate their assets."

"Eh..."

Ryo was left speechless by Abel's words.

Darlene, the daimyo, and lord of the ocean Goro widened their eyes in shock.

"Ah, that was, of course, a joke."

"That's more or less an admission that you said it."

"How cowardly, scheming king Abel!"

It was a playful exchange between Abel and Ryo.

The two watching them averted their gazes, seemingly trying hard to suppress their laughter.

Of course, they had to hold it in.

Standing before them were the king and the first duke.

The two most powerful figures in the kingdom.

"The Ministry of Ocean Affairs has moved its headquarters from the royal capital to Whitnash due to your majesty's administrative reforms. Inspections by the duke are always welcome."

With a slight smile, Goro joined in on the playful banter between the two.

"W-Well, if Goro-san is the lord of the ocean, you should be able to handle it without me needing to do an inspection."

Ryo tried to hide his flustered demeanor, at least he thought he did, and nodded with a casual air.

"Is that so, Ryo? If I remember correctly... didn’t you say that the issues of vertical administrative divisions had been overcome, but had become too large and lost their innovativeness? You said the Ministry of Ocean Affairs was in that state, didn't you?"

"I-I did say that... But if Goro-san is at the top, then surely it must be improving."