The Water Magician

"That captain, poor thing. He was so stiff. It must be because of Abel's stress interview."

"What do you mean, stress interview?"

While observing the patrol ship ahead of the Skizblaznil Vessel from the deck, Ryo cast a sympathetic glance, and Abel shrugged.

"Well, during the conversation with Abel, he was sweating profusely, right? That’s not normal."

"Don't ask me. I didn't say anything special."

"Maybe you put some scary pressure on him?"

"Like Ryo's 'pressure'? I wasn't exerting any at all, was I?"

"The pinpoint pressure that only targets the intended person..."

"What on earth is that?"

Just as Ryo and Abel were conversing, Paulina happened to walk by.

"It seems those people were surprised to see your majesty mentioned in the 'Song of the Naitorei Kingdom Liberation War.'"

"Song?"

"The royal capital has fallen. The younger brother of the crown prince and the Empire have taken it. The people's lament covers the kingdom's sky..."

"Huh? How do you know that song?"

Paulina hummed it, surprising Ryo.

It was a song that was supposed to be spreading in the Eastern Nations...

"We heard it when it spread to the Western Nations, but recently, it has also been spreading in the dark continent."

"A year ago, when I was in the Western Nations, it hadn't spread at all."

"That's true... The first time I heard it was six months ago in the Gosron Duchy. Now, many Bards are singing it, including here in the dark continent."

"So there are Bards here too..."

Ryo was astonished by Paulina's report.

Abel shook his head silently.

His expression seemed to indicate he had given up on various things.

It was spreading in the Eastern Nations.

Now, it is also spreading in the Western Nations and the dark continent.

Being famous seems to be quite a challenge.

Paulina returned to her work, leaving the two behind once again.

"Abel is the one being sung about, huh."

"I'm not the only one. When we were in the Eastern Nations, there was also the 'Song of Duke Rondo.'"

"That was that. It should only be in the Eastern Nations."

"...It doesn’t seem that way to me."

Ryo expressed hopeful speculation, but Abel denied it.

"Anyway, it's good that we seem to be able to enter peacefully."

"That’s for sure."

"I hope it stays peaceful while we are here..."

"What is it? When Ryo says that, I suddenly feel anxious."

"How rude! I'm a Duke who loves peace, you know!"

"Is that so? Even though you love peace, peace just doesn't seem to come to you."

"What a thing to say..."

Ryo let out a small sigh and shook his head.

The Skizblaznil Vessel entered the port of Bolen.

That sight quickly spread as a rumor throughout the City of Bolen.

"A gigantic ship is coming in!"

"Since a patrol ship is leading, there must be some important person aboard."

"I've never seen a shape like that. It's not a ship from this continent."

"Is it from the Western Nations? Even if it is, I've never seen a ship like that."

"Let’s go see who’s getting off!"

Such conversations were exchanged everywhere, and by the time the Skizblaznil Vessel docked, a crowd had gathered in the port.

In the midst of that, a gangway was lowered from the ship.

Twenty knights descended and lined up at the end of the gangway.

At that stage, the crowd’s anticipation grew.

Without a doubt, some important person was about to disembark.

And then, coming down was...

A single man.

His red and white attire was neither flashy nor extravagant.

But even from a distance, one could tell that it was well-tailored and had good taste.

The man himself...

"Ooh..."

"He's dignified, but... who is he?"

"He's definitely a member of royalty."

"The prince of the Western Nations?"

No one explained, but his royal atmosphere was clear at first glance.

The buzz spread further.

"Abel, you were the center of attention."

"A crowd formed without us noticing."

Ryo and Abel were "walking" toward the Lord's Manor.

Yes, they were walking, not using a carriage or horses.

Of course, the Royal Knight Order protecting them was also walking.

"Shouldn’t we have at least loaded a horse for Abel onto the Skizblaznil?"

"Are you going to make that horse experience that storm?"