Water Magician

Editor: Tseirp

On the eleventh day since setting sail.

The transport fleet had progressed without incident.

That meant that out of the three days when an attack was anticipated, two had passed uneventfully.

Today, another tea party is being held on the upper deck.

Although it is called a ‘tea’ party, coffee is being served.

It is the special blend from the Blue Jade Inn, brewed by Ryo.

Gathered around the table today are Ryo, Abel, the head of the guard, Bansox, and the transport fleet’s marine commander, Rajaton.

Rajaton took a sip, showing a look of happiness, but soon after, his expression soured again.

“By the transport fleet’s prediction, we thought yesterday, the tenth day, had the highest chance of an attack.”

“Yes, that’s correct. Now, with only the fourteenth day left, we can concentrate our defenses there. This isn’t a favorable situation for the attackers. Thus, we thought they would most likely attack in the middle. The next likely day was the fourth day when we might not have been accustomed to sailing yet… but…”

“Nothing happened on either day.”

Bansox confirmed, Rajaton provided the fleet’s view, and Abel nodded in agreement.

Of course, the best outcome would be to reach the capital without any attack.

However… constantly being on guard for a possible attack is undoubtedly exhausting.

“What’s the basis for those three anticipated attack spots?”

Abel asked.

As a king, he was eager to gain even a little experience in naval warfare from this trip, so he asked actively.

“There are islands near the route that are easy for the attacking fleet to hide behind on those three spots. In land combat terms, it would be like terrain that’s easy to place ambushes in.”

“I see.”

Rajaton explained, likely because he knew Abel was a swordsman.

With the explanation relating to land combat.

Abel seemed to understand easily.

“So that’s why we use a circular formation.”

“Circle? Oh, the fleet does indeed form a circle. In the archipelago region, we don’t specifically call it that, but your reasoning is correct. Those three spots pose a high risk of attack from all directions, so our ship arrangement reflects that.”

Preparing for an ambush is quite a task.

“Tomorrow, we will resupply in the city of Jushita, but we can’t leave the ship, can we?”

“No, I apologize… The crew will have to, but everyone else… including the princess and the guards, please remain on board.”

Bansox confirmed, and Rajaton nodded.

That seemed to have been pre-decided.

“If we disembark… unnecessary trouble will surely arise.”

Ryo muttered, imagining a typical light novel scenario.

Abel gave Ryo a sidelong glance.

Ryo noticed and questioned him.

“Abel, do you have something to say?”

“No, not really…”

Abel intentionally looked away in response to Ryo’s question.

“If you have something to say, you should speak up.”

“I just thought Ryo might want such trouble to arise. Don’t mind me.”

“How rude! I don’t wish for trouble that would inconvenience many people.”

“But if it wouldn’t inconvenience others and only affect you?”

“Well, I wouldn’t mind handling it alone.”

“Knew it!”

“W-well, it’s… not so much for killing time, but for adding color to life, a bit of variety…”

Ryo became flustered.

He didn’t want to involve others, but if it were just him… maybe a little trouble wouldn’t be so bad…

“No, if something happens, it won’t just be Ryo-san’s problem. The marines would have to respond too.”

“And us guards. Both Ryo-san and Abel-san are adventurers hired by the Blue Jade Trading Company.”

“I-Indeed…”

Rajaton and Bansox gently but firmly warned Ryo. He accepted it.

However…

“See! Because of Abel’s strange comment, now everyone’s worried!”

“Is it my fault?”

Ryo needed to reprimand Abel too.

Even though everyone understood… it was Ryo’s comment that was the issue.

On the twelfth day.

After being warned, Ryo behaved during the stopover in Jushita.

No, of course, he didn’t intend to cause trouble even if he hadn’t been warned.

He sat on the upper deck, reading an alchemy book while drinking Blue Jade Inn’s special blend coffee on an ice-cushioned chair, just like during the voyage.

That alone was already a supreme joy.

And then, finally!

“Hehehe… I finally understand. I’ve finally grasped it.”

The joy welled up inside Ryo, making him tremble with excitement.

Beside him, Abel, who had also been reading a book, looked at him with suspicion and said;

“What’s with the creepy laugh?”

“I’m in such a good mood right now that I’ll forgive your rude remark, Abel.”

Uncharacteristically magnanimous, Ryo nodded and brushed off Abel’s comment.

Then, he thrust the alchemy book he had been reading in front of Abel.

“It’s the technique that repaired your armor.”

“Oh… the armor shop in Manyamya, right? My armor was in tatters, but it came back looking brand new… that was impressive.”

“Yeah. The book, recommended by the armorer, explains the foundational techniques of alchemy, as well as their application in other fields. I understand it now!”

“That’s amazing.”

Ryo spoke with delight, and Abel praised him honestly.

Seeing Ryo’s dedication and focus always impressed Abel.

Engaging in something doesn’t always guarantee the desired outcome.

You might not acquire the technique you wanted.

But still, Ryo pursued it diligently.

Such a person is a rare asset, Abel thought.

And Ryo was one of those people.

They often exchanged banter, but it was all out of genuine respect.

There was no falsehood in their relationship.

“The term ‘restoration’ might make one think of turning back time, but that’s not the case.”

Ryo spoke joyfully, almost as if giving a speech.

Abel listened in silence.

“The technique involves rejoining the severed edges of structure cut by a sword. So, for example, if it’s burned to charcoal or dissolved by acid, repair becomes quite difficult. But since it was mostly sword cuts this time, it could be repaired in a day. Still, considering the repeated process, repairing that many cuts in one day is impressive… that armorer must be highly skilled in alchemy.”

“Uh… I don’t fully understand, but… can you do the repairs now, Ryo?”

“Ugh… I understand it, but understanding and applying it is different. If I study deeper and practice… I might be able to do it…”

Ryo replied, his mouth forming a pout.

There is a big gap between understanding and application.

“I see. I believe you can achieve it someday, Ryo.”

“Leave it to me. I’ll make it happen!”

Abel expressed his expectations, and Ryo nodded happily.

If it became possible, Abel could have his leather armor repaired anytime.

Ryo, on the other hand, would acquire a new alchemy technique he loved.

It was a win-win situation… probably.

Five hours after docking at Jushita.

The fleet, including the Bashteek and twenty escort ships, set sail, having completed loading all cargo.

Nothing happened during the stopover.

“That was good.”

“Indeed, it was good, but…”

“What is it, Abel? You seem to imply that it would’ve been better if there had been trouble. If something happened, the guards and marines would have a hard time.”

“That’s what you were told, Ryo.”

Abel shook his head in exasperation.

“I was just thinking, with only the fourteenth day left… what the attackers, the Suje Kingdom, are planning.”

Abel’s concern was valid.

Ryo understood that too.

“In strategy, there’s a saying to avoid the strong and strike the weak. In battle, it’s wise to avoid well-prepared forces and attack those that are vulnerable. As we approach the fourteenth day, the transport fleet will increasingly focus on defenses.”

“…Ryo, you say complicated things sometimes.”

“It’s written in ‘The Art of War’, a famous military treatise.”

“How do you know about such a book?”

“I read it in my hometown’s library. It’s fascinating.”

“I’m more interested in the fact that your hometown’s library has military treatises…”

‘The Art of War’ was one of the books Ryo devoured in middle school.

Along with Machiavelli, it had steered Ryo towards a path of historical study.

Until then, he had aspired to be a theoretical physicist, but these books changed his life direction…

Books indeed hold immense power.

“…What is the Suje Kingdom’s military thinking?”

“Yeah. I have no idea.”

“Perhaps… after all this build-up, they might not attack at all…”

“What do you mean by build-up…?”

“I understand that not being attacked is the best outcome, but still…”

“Well… Let’s focus on the fourteenth day.”

And on the fourteenth day… there was no attack.

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