The Water Magician

One hour after departing from Whitnash.

On the deck, the king relaxed in an adventurer-like outfit, while the first duke lounged in his usual robe.

Naturally, they sat on ice chairs with ice cushions.

And of course, in front of them on the ice table, there were cups filled with Kona Coffee.

"Being here reminds me of the Archipelago Sea Region and the Eastern Nations," Ryo said.

"That's true. It brings back memories," Abel nodded in agreement.

Yes, at that time, Princess Iliriaja was there.

She would later become the queen...

"The number of guards is a bit higher than back then," Ryo observed.

"Yes, just a little," Abel replied.

In their line of sight were fifty members of the Royal Knight Order.

They weren't clad in heavy armor but wearing light leather armor.

The squires, who usually accompany knights, were not joining this trip.

The knights would put on and take off their armor on their own, handling all their actions independently.

It seemed that the knights were listening to a briefing or advice from their two squad captains.

"Those two are Mr. Zack and Scotty, right?" Ryo inquired.

"That's right," Abel replied.

"They were Abel's classmates, weren't they?"

"Yes."

"Feel sorry for them, don't you?"

"What's there to feel sorry for?"

"Because they're being deployed to the Western Nations just because they're Abel's classmates..."

"Well, it's part of the job."

"I think blaming everything on work is a bit excessive," Ryo shook his head slightly.

At that moment, an old man in a red outfit approached them.

Of course, a self-moving coffin followed him from behind.

"What a delightful aroma," the old man remarked.

"Please, have some too, Ms. Marlin," Ryo said as he conjured up ice chairs with cushions and ice cups for Marlin, filling them with the remaining coffee from the French press.

"Oh... this is... delicious!" Marlin exclaimed.

"Isn't it? It's Kona Coffee, a pride of the Naitorei Kingdom, sourced from a place called Kona Village," Ryo happily explained.

Marlin praised it, and Ryo spoke with evident joy.

Ryo knew that Marlin loved coffee.

During their visit to the West Dungeon, she had treated them to two excellent cups of Dark Coffee.

They were both outstanding.

So, Ryo believed she would understand the merits of Kona Coffee.

"I see. If you're used to drinking such good coffee regularly, you would definitely appreciate the qualities of the Dark Coffee served in the dungeon," Marlin noted.

"Indeed, indeed. That was also a wonderful coffee," Ryo agreed.

It seemed Marlin was thinking the same thing as Ryo.

Coffee lovers recognize good coffee, no matter its origin.

And here, there was one more coffee enthusiast.

"Is Dark Coffee perhaps coffee produced in the dark continent?" Marlin inquired.

"That's correct. Even without going to the dark continent, I have the impression that it was quite well-known in the Western Nations," Ryo replied.

"I definitely want His Majesty the King to try Dark Coffee," Marlin insisted.

Abel asked, Ryo answered, and Marlin recommended.

Recommending good things to fellow enthusiasts... is a common sight in any era, any world.

It might be evidence that human nature remains the same, regardless of time or place.

"I'm looking forward to the fun of going to the Western Nations and then to the dark continent," Abel said with a smile.

Even if it's for work, it's only natural for the king to look forward to it.

To visit with a smile.

"Oh, by the way, Ryo, can you speak the dark continent language?" Abel asked.

"Huh? Of course not."

"I see. Then you’ll have to study while on the ship."

"What...?"

"Of course, it’s not mandatory, but wouldn’t it be better if you could speak it?"

"That might be true..."

Ryo nodded at Abel's words.

When they had been sent to the Eastern Nations... or rather, when they were sent to the Archipelago Sea Region, Ryo and Abel had studied the Eastern Nations language on the ship traveling there.

Thanks to that, they were able to live comfortably in places like Darwei.

They had personally experienced the importance of learning the local language when traveling.