The Water Magician

Three days after the battle with the Dragon King, on the outskirts of Dazuru city.

The Fundebie Kingdom Fleet and the Skizblaznil Vessel were heading south along the west coast of the dark continent.

The fleet anchored and remained stationary during the night.

Since this was an unfamiliar sea area, it would be disastrous if they ran aground on a reef.

During the daytime, it was possible to see quite a bit of the ocean from the ship, but at night, visibility was nonexistent.

“Was it around noon tomorrow that we’re supposed to arrive at the city?”

“Yeah, I believe it’s a city called Augé. It seems to be the southernmost port town along the western coast that people from the Western Nations are aware of.”

“And we're going to resupply there, right?”

“Yeah. They say that beyond that, they don’t know what’s ahead. Augé is said to be quite a large city, so even a massive fleet like the French Fleet can dock there.”

“That city is part of the Western Nations Federation, right?”

“Right, so cooperation should go smoothly there, but…”

Abel trailed off.

“Why did you stop there? You were going to say there’s actually a problem or something?”

“They say that if you go deep into the city… towards the east, you can see the sheer cliffs of the central dark continent.”

“What?! We definitely have to go there!”

Ryo's face transitioned from surprise to sheer joy.

“I was amazed to learn that the reason why we can’t access the central part of the dark continent is due to these towering cliffs, but the fact that they extend close to the edge of the continent and are visible from the city is incredible.”

“Yeah, yeah. Many people from the continent must have wondered since ancient times what lies above those cliffs and what exists there.”

“Even though I haven’t seen it, you talk as if it’s right in front of you.”

“Of course! I’ve already envisioned it in my mind! Distance is a trivial matter.”

“Impressive, the eye of the heart.”

Ryo puffed out his chest with pride, while Abel shrugged.

He didn’t believe in such things as the eye of the heart.

At three o’clock the next afternoon, the French Fleet, including the Skizblaznil, entered the port of Augé.

Since it had been known in advance that they would be stopping here through the Western Nations Federation, all procedures went smoothly.

“We had quite a hard time at various ports before, and sometimes we were ignored by the government office after docking.”

“It can’t be helped. We were originally supposed to go to the Western Nations, but we arrived at the dark continent first. It’s all the storm’s fault.”

“King Abel shifting the blame…”

“…Considering it’s past noon, we might be a bit late. It seems the visit to the cliffs will have to wait until tomorrow.”

“What…”

“They say it takes over two hours one way.”

“If we set out now, we wouldn’t return until night…”

Ryo resigned himself.

“It's fine, the cliffs won't run away,” he muttered.

“Your Majesty, I have a letter delivered from the Western Nations Federation government.”

Someone from Augé’s government office, who came to handle the docking procedures, handed over the letter.

“Hmm, let me read it.”

Abel said this and immediately started reading.

After finishing, he spoke up.

“Captain Paulina, Zack, Scotty, it seems accommodations have been prepared for us in the city. I will be moving there. Scotty, you’re in charge of the guard at the inn. Zack, you’ll be responsible for guarding the ship. Captain, that’s the plan.”

“Understood.”

“Got it.”

“...I understand.”

Zack and Scotty nodded at Abel's orders, while Captain Paulina contemplated for a moment before accepting.

Initially, Abel intended to stay at Skizblaznil during the night in this city.

He had communicated that to those around him, but the fact that he changed his plans after reading the letter indicated that there was information in the letter that warranted a change.

Paulina understood that.