The Water Magician

In the room are Chancellor Zenmoshi and Vice Head of State Jaja.

"Zenmoshi-sama, we have received a report regarding Ramun Fess."

Upon hearing this, Zenmoshi reads the report he received.

He reads it once.

Then twice.

And a third time...

"Is this true?"

"Yes. We are gathering additional information."

"Understood. Inform me as soon as you know!"

Chancellor Zenmoshi's voice is hurried.

Seeing this, Vice Head of State Jaja becomes interested.

"What kind of report is it?"

"Well... it seems that the severely injured Ramun Fess was brought to Von City a few days ago."

"What?!"

"It was brought in by Chigoi and others."

"I see. So Chigoi was involved... And Ramun Fess is in a serious condition?"

"It is said that he was seen unable to rise from bed."

"I see."

Jaja nods, grimacing at Zenmoshi's words.

The head of state has had no reports regarding his whereabouts for several months.

And now, he is seriously injured?

Moreover, he was brought to this city?

"Zenmoshi, how about we deploy two thousand of the guards we brought to search for him?"

"Eh, Jaja-sama?"

"The Eastern Provinces army hasn’t arrived yet, right? It should still take quite a while for them to reach this city. Deploying around two thousand out of the three thousand guards shouldn’t be a problem."

"Indeed... Understood."

A large-scale search operation across the city began.

Two days later.

"Why can’t we find him even after searching so much? No matter how expansive Von City is, there shouldn't be many places to hide an injured person."

"Don’t rush, Zenmoshi. We will find him soon."

While Chancellor Zenmoshi complains, Vice Head of State Jaja tries to calm him down.

During the two days that Zenmoshi and Jaja were searching, the French Fleet remained docked.

This means that the Skizblaznil Vessel, part of the French Fleet, is still in the Port of Von.

"Today as well, the soldiers brought by the Vice Head of State and Chancellor are running around all morning."

"That's true."

"The leaders just have to give orders without trouble. It’s the subordinates who always have to struggle."

"...Why are you looking at me when you say that?"

"Just because..."

When Abel glares at Ryo and questions him, Ryo quickly averts his gaze.

Of course, Ryo isn’t blaming Abel... he shouldn’t be.

"The leaders just sit back and give orders. I want them to try being in the position of those who have to execute them," Ryo wants to say.

"...Why are you looking at me when you say that?"

"Just because..."

When Abel glares at Ryo again, Ryo again turns his gaze away.

By the way, the two are currently drinking coffee on the deck of the Skizblaznil Vessel.

The Royal Knight Order and Room 10 are at the port practicing their swordsmanship.

Weapons are laid on the deck of the Skizblaznil Vessel, being maintained by the crew.

Today, there’s no space for sword practice.

At that moment, both Ryo and Abel's stomachs growled simultaneously.

It was a clear claim that it was almost lunchtime.

"I heard from Chef Kobatchi that there is a famous long-established fried chicken shop."

"Oh! Is that true? That sounds great. I'm starving, shall we go eat?"

"As expected from the hungry swordsman Abel. I thought you’d say that."

"What? Ryo, aren’t you coming? Then I’ll go alone..."

"Of course I'm going! Why are you trying to leave me behind when I provided the information?"

"Because I'm the hungry swordsman."

"That doesn’t make sense."

Ryo shakes his head slightly.

The two of them, hungry, head down the gangway towards the long-established fried chicken shop.

"The soldiers running around are quite rough."

"That’s true. They might be anxious..."

As Ryo and Abel walk toward the famous fried chicken shop, they occasionally run into the searching soldiers.

They talk while observing the situation.

"The way they open and close doors is rough, and their language is high-handed. They aren't drawing swords or raising fists, but I think there will eventually be a clash."

"A clash? With who?"

"With me and Abel."

"Huh?"

Abel tilts his head in confusion.

"They’ll rush into us and get in our way! ‘I’ll throw you in jail!’ they’ll say. And when we wipe the floor with them, their leader will come out... something like that. I think that’s the classic development."