Water Magician

Editor: Tseirp

“Wow, last night’s dinner and this morning’s breakfast were absolutely delicious!”

“Yeah. Good food is always a plus.”

Ryo said cheerfully, and Abel responded with a smile.

Delicious food is justice.

It makes those who eat it happy.

Just then, the receptionist brought a letter to them.

“This just came in.”

“Thank you.”

After a quick glance, he handed it to Ryo.

“Let’s see… Princess Iliaja wants to meet us. It’s an invitation to a tea party. What else does it say… oh, it mentions they’ve acquired some fine tea leaves from the continent. That’s great! We should definitely go.”

Ryo loves coffee, but he also enjoys tea, such as black tea and green tea.

“Ryo, there’s more written, isn’t there?”

“It also says she has some matters she’d like to discuss. But that’s no big deal, just minor stuff. The location is… the royal palace’s annex? There’s a guesthouse there? If she’s staying in a place like that, she can’t go out and play whenever she wants. How unfortunate.”

“It can’t be helped. The principality would be in trouble if anything happened to the princess. After all, she was attacked during the transport, so even staying in this city doesn’t guarantee her safety.”

Thinking of the princess without freedom made Ryo sad, while Abel, though sympathetic, explained the situation.

People of high status have no freedom.

Abel, who experienced that firsthand after becoming a king, shook his head slightly.

On the flip side, it made him appreciate the rare moments he could act freely now.

In that regard, he had a slight, just very slight, appreciation for Djinn Garwin.

Just a little, though.

“But if she’s in the guesthouse… can we even meet her if we go?”

“Who knows? Well, we’ll find out if we go.”

Ryo responded casually to Abel’s doubt.

Indeed, they’ll know if they go, and they won’t if they don’t…

“Right this way, please.”

When the two arrived at the guesthouse’s main gate and stated their names and purpose, they were quickly escorted inside.

“We got in smoothly.”

“Yeah. It seems they were informed of our arrival.”

Ryo and Abel whispered to each other.

Though they were allowed in…

“Isn’t security unusually tight?”

“You noticed too, Abel? There were about twenty guards at the main gate, right? And there are soldiers posted at every corner along this path.”

A significant number of guards were stationed within the guesthouse.

“Maybe they know you’re a dangerous swordsman, Abel.”

“What are you talking about…?”

“Abel, the ruthless and cruel swordsman. Your infamous reputation must have reached the royal palace of the Komakyuta Principality.”

“Like hell.”

“Otherwise, how would you explain this level of strict security? If you think about it that way, everything makes sense, doesn’t it?”

Ryo confidently countered Abel’s denial.

Strangely certain of his interpretation.

“You could replace ‘Abel’ with ‘Ryo’, and it would still make sense.”

“I’m a harmless, gentle, and earnest magician. I’m not like you, Abel.”

“More like a dragon in sheep’s clothing.”

“Oh, that phrase sounds cool. Like, ‘He seems calm, but actually…’”

“That’s not it. It’s a metaphor for thinking you’re hiding a dragon with sheep’s clothing, but it’s obviously too big to be hidden. Even if you think you’re concealing it, it’s still completely exposed.”

“That’s just mean…”

Whispering back and forth, they followed their guide until they finally reached their destination.

“Abel-san, Ryo-san, thank you for coming.”

Princess Iliaja greeted them.

“Princess Iliaja, I’m glad to see you’re well.”

“Princess, we’ve come to join you.”

Both Abel and Ryo smiled warmly as they greeted her.

Despite their different statuses, they were like comrades who had fought together.

Even after just a few days apart, meeting again made them happy.

Well, technically, the two were a king and the premier duke…

“Please, follow me.”

Princess Iliaja led them to a large terrace.

The guesthouse itself was perfectly designed so that even a large terrace was hidden from view from outside the premises.

The trees were also planted strategically.

However, the garden visible from the terrace was filled with many soldiers.

At this point, it seemed more like they were guarding against external attacks rather than preventing the princess from escaping.

Noticing the change in Ryo’s expression as he saw the numerous soldiers.

Princess Iliaja spoke with a wry smile.

“If I think of it as them protecting me, I’m grateful.”

“As expected of the princess. With just a change in perspective, the world changes. I’d like a certain Abel to hear this!”

“And which Abel would that be?”

Ryo praised the princess while Abel gave Ryo a side-eye.

“N-no, I didn’t mean to imply the Abel right in front of me~ Come on, don’t be like that~”

Ryo tried to cover up with a cheerful smile.

Princess Iliaja laughed, Abel shook his head slightly, and Ryo took his seat.

The tea was served.

Poured into each cup.

Judging by how well it had been steeped, it must have been brewed right after the two arrived at the guesthouse.

Most likely by the capable chief butler.

The cups had no handles.

A soft fragrance wafted up.

“This is… not black tea but green tea.”

Ryo murmured.

Then, he took a sip.

The fresh taste of the tea leaves and a slight bitterness spread in his mouth.

It was a delicious balance.

“This is delicious.”

Abel remarked, his face showing genuine surprise as he praised the tea.

Ryo silently nodded in agreement.

He quickly took a second sip.

Savoring the flavor that somehow evoked a sense of nostalgia.

The taste brought back memories of the tea he used to drink at his grandparents’ house long ago…

In front of them, a treat was placed.

A small orange-colored confection…

“Is this… a dumpling? A manju?”

It was… perhaps the closest description would be a bite-sized dumpling.

Ryo picked it up and took a bite.

Inside, he found another familiar taste.

“Sweet potato filling? It’s nostalgic but delicious.”

He murmured, instinctively taking another sip of tea.

“This is… perfect as a tea snack.”

He smiled without realizing it.

Seeing this, Princess Iliaja also smiled.

She had been a little worried if the two visitors from the central nations would enjoy the taste.

“That is called Kaerupla, a traditional confection from the archipelago region.”

“Ah, I see! It’s delicious. I could get addicted to this.”

“Indeed. I’ve never had it before, but the filling isn’t too sweet, it’s just right.”

Princess Iliaja explained, Ryo expressed his joy, and Abel also took a liking to it.

Kaerupla was typically orange, but the mixture could be adjusted to create various colors, adding a visual appeal. The table was lined with colorful Kaerupla treats.

As the tea party continued in a warm and friendly atmosphere…

“Princess, this just arrived.”

A letter was delivered.

Princess Iliaja quickly read it.

And Ryo noticed a brief shadow cross her face.

Abel seemed to notice it too, and the two exchanged a subtle nod.

“Please convey that I understand.”

“Is that alright, Princess?”

“Yes, it’s fine. It’s something that was bound to happen eventually. And sooner is better than later.”

“…Understood.”

With a deep bow, the chief butler, Ronk, left the room.

Of course, neither Ryo nor Abel brought up the matter at hand.

Though they were curious, it wasn’t their place to interfere.

However…

“Abel-san, Ryo-san, the letter was from Lord Kabui Somal.”

“What…?”

The Princess herself revealed the surprising news, catching Ryo off guard.

Abel remained silent, but his expression showed his surprise.

“Actually, there was a discreet contact last night. Expressing a desire to visit soon and explain various matters. The letter just now was to inform us that the principality has granted permission, so he asked if it would be alright to visit now.”

“I see.”

“So, since the Princess has granted permission, Lord Kabui Somal will be coming here?”

Abel nodded at the Princess’s explanation, while Ryo confirmed.

“Yes. If you two don’t mind, I would like you to join me in hearing what he has to say.”

“Eh…?”

“That… might not be acceptable to Lord Kabui Somal. He would likely prefer a one-on-one meeting with you, Princess… or something close to that.”

The Princess made the request, Ryo was surprised, and Abel responded with a practical perspective.

After all, Abel and Ryo were complete outsiders in this matter.

“You’re right. But… no, I’m sorry. It was a strange request, forget I mentioned it…”

“Of course, we don’t mind at all.”

“Huh?”

“We’ll stand right behind you, Princess, and keep a sharp eye out! Leave it to us!”

Ryo said, thumping his chest with his fist.

As if to say they had it covered, though it was unclear if the gesture was fully understood.

“Hey, Ryo…”

“Abel. The person coming is the one who killed her family.”

“Ah…”

Ryo’s words made Abel fully grasp the situation.

Including the slight trembling of Princess Iliaja’s fingers.

She was about to face the person who had killed her family.

Given her position, it was inevitable, but it wouldn’t be easy to stay calm.

Even though she had been trained in the royal household from a young age, this was not a simple matter.

Moreover, a one-on-one meeting… normally, that would be impossible.

Abel realized he hadn’t been considerate enough.

“You’re right, Ryo.”

He admitted it honestly.

“If we can be of help, we’ll support you.”

“After all, we’ve survived the battlefield together. In a way, we’re comrades.”

Abel said, and Ryo nodded in agreement.

They were both good-hearted people.

“Comrades…”

Princess Iliaja murmured.

“Comrades help each other.”

“Well, we can’t do much, but we can at least stand behind you.”

“I could even surround you with an to ensure you’re safe from any sudden attacks.”

“Well, I doubt he’d try to kill me in this situation. He didn’t do it on the battlefield, so there’s no point in doing it now.”

“Don’t worry, if he attacks, Abel will protect you with his life.”

“Well, I will, but… you could protect her too, Ryo.”

“What’s the point of a swordsman who’s slower to react than a magician?”

“That’s harsh… Besides, you calling yourself a magician is a scam.”

“How rude! Don’t compare me to someone who talks big and does nothing, like you, Abel!”

“What is that supposed to mean…?”

Watching the two bicker… or rather, playfully banter, Princess Iliaja smiled.

The trembling of her fingers had completely stopped.

“Thank you, both of you.”

She crossed her arms in front of her chest and bowed deeply, showing the utmost respect due to royalty.

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