Water Magician

Chapter 0519 The Princess

Translator: Jay_Forestieri

Editor: Tseirp

On the morning of the seventh day after leaving the city of Mifasoshi.

The group finally arrived at the capital, Jonjon.

As the cityscape came into full view, two members of the group sat frozen in astonishment on horseback.

Unlike them, the others had visited the capital several times before and were unperturbed…

“All made of stone…”

“The stark contrast to the wooden buildings of Mifasoshi is incredible.”

Both Ryo and Abel said, thoroughly awed by the stone construction of Jonjon.

“Jonjon has a good quarry nearby that produces high-quality stone. These stones are transported by ship. The city, built at the mouth of the great Jon River, expanded westward through its canal system.”

Mifa explained, noticing their amazement.

She was a good student who knew how to assist her master.

“Abel, you’ve got yourself a fine disciple.”

“I won’t deny that.”

Abel responded with a nod, echoing Ryo’s praise.

Blushing down to her ears, Mifa could only smile at their compliments.

“As I mentioned before, the Censorate officials want to speak with you both. Regarding the Autonomous City of Kwebasa and the Atinjo Grand Duchy. However, we’ve already informed them of the details you shared in Mifasoshi, so this is more of a formality.”

“That’s fine.”

Sue Ku explained, and Abel nodded.

Recalling the explanation given before they left Mifasoshi.

“I’ll vouch for both of you. So you’ll be staying at my residence. The Censorate will come to the house for the discussion, so there’s no need for concern. Oh, and Mifa will also stay at my residence, not at the Mogok manor, so please continue her training.”

“Understood.”

Abel replied, with Ryo nodding in agreement.

It became clear how much effort Sue Ku had put into making arrangements.

And that she held considerable influence even in the capital.

That afternoon. At Princess Shio Fen’s Palace.

“Princess, it’s been a while.”

“Mifa, call me Shio as always while we’re here.”

“…Yes, Shio-sama.”

After about half a year apart, Mifa and Princess Shio Feng were reunited.

“Mifa, I’ve heard that even after you returned to Mifasoshi, you continued to devote yourself to the sword. Director Mogok said the same thing when I met him several times.”

“How embarrassing…”

Princess Shio Fen laughed, and Mifa blushed deeply, lowering her head.

Princess Shio Fen was seventeen, and Mifa was sixteen.

The Mogok family was an old and prestigious lineage, and Mifa’s father, Director Mogok, had long been stationed in Jongjong. Because of this, Shio Fen and Mifa grew up as close as sisters.

They were like sisters, classmates, and best friends.

When it was decided that Princess Shio Fen would marry into Darwei, Mifa returned to Mifasoshi during the preparation period to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to serve as a lady-in-waiting.

However, she had long resolved to live her life by Princess Shio Fen’s side, preparing as necessary over the years.

Her recent training in Mifasoshi was simply a final polish.

And then, there was the sword.

Princess Shio Fen’s betrothed was Prince Ryun, the sixth prince of Darwei, aged nineteen.

Because his mother did not hold a high status originally, he was not involved in the succession dispute for the imperial throne.

Still, his position left room for uncertainty about the challenges Princess Shio Fen might face.

Mifa had made a firm decision… if any trouble could be resolved by the sword, she would be the one to wield it.

“I heard you apprenticed yourself to a swordmaster while you were away.”

“Yes. To master… a sensei named Abel.”

“And you stood in front of his inn for three days straight?”

“You even know about that… so embarassing.”

Mifa’s face turned an even deeper shade of red, realizing that her reckless actions had reached the princess’s ears.

She was indeed embarrassed by her impulsiveness in hindsight.

“That’s so like you— acting with such straightforward determination.”

Princess Shio Feng said fondly.

Gazing at Mifa with a touch of admiration.

“If this Abel-sensei was someone you were so determined to study under, he must be extraordinary.”

The princess paused as if realizing something, then said with wide eyes.

“Don’t tell me you’re in love with him…”

“No, absolutely not!”

Mifa vehemently denied it, her face still red.

“Besides, my teacher is married and has a wife and child back home.”

“I see…”

The princess looked slightly disappointed.

She had thought that perhaps Mifa, who had never shown any interest in men, had finally found someone she was drawn to… but it seemed her devotion to Abel-sensei was purely as a master of the sword.

“I may not have that luxury, but I want you to find happiness, Mifa. Who knows? You might meet someone wonderful in Darwei, so there’s no need to rush.”

“Shio-sama…”

Mifa shook her head lightly.

“The departure for my marriage procession has been scheduled for a month from now.”

“A month…”

“Yes. Most of the preparations are complete, and I wish I could leave sooner… But apparently, some people want to interfere or sabotage the procession. Causing the delay.”

Shio’s tone was casual, as though discussing a minor inconvenience.

“Sabotage…? How exactly…?”

“The surest way to ruin it would be to kill me, of course.”

“Wha…?”

Shio smiled as she spoke, leaving Mifa speechless.

“As a princess… it’s not so easy to directly harm me. Instead, they’ll likely target the people around me, weakening my support.”

“…”

“That’s why, Mifa, you might be a target too.”

Shio grasped Mifa’s hands firmly with both of her own as she said this.

“Be very careful.”

“Yes, I understand.”

“You’ll be safe once you’re inside this detached palace, but even getting here is dangerous if you’re alone. Make sure to bring someone with you… For instance, it would be ideal if Abel-sensei could accompany you.”

“Uh…”

Mifa was rendered speechless by Princess Shio Fen’s sudden suggestion.

“Why not? Is he… um, not suitable for court matters? But this is just a detached palace, so there shouldn’t be any issues with protocol.”

“Oh, no, there shouldn’t be any problems like that. My master may be an adventurer, but I feel he comes from a rather high status originally.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yes. My master’s violin playing… forgive me for saying so, but he’s far more skilled than the royal court orchestra members.”

“My goodness! To be that skilled with the sword and also play the violin better than the court musicians? That’s extraordinary… almost suspiciously so.”

“Suspicious…?”

“I mean, whether he’s actually human or not…”

“He’s human!”

The idea that Abel’s humanity could be doubted…

The investigation of Abel and Ryo, however, concluded in a single session the day after they arrived in the capital city, Jonjon.

“That wrapped up quickly.”

“Considering we came all the way to the capital for this, it feels inefficient…”

“Well, we were originally supposed to arrive at this port anyway, so it’s fine.”

“Everything is the fault of that group of Krakens! Next time I meet them, I’ll crush them to bits!”

“What does crush them to bits even mean…?”

“It’s the signature phrase of a tyrannical dictator who used to say, ‘What’s Abel’s is mine, and what’s mine is mine’. You should remember that phrase too, Abel… oh, wait, no, don’t. If you became a tyrant or a mad king, that would be a disaster.”

“Yeah, I don’t really get it, so I’ll just forget it.”

While recalling that tyrannical dictator’s pipe organ recital from some TV program, Ryo pulled a book out of his bag.

The book was titled ‘Practical Applications: How Talismans and Charms Shape the Future’.

“In the end, you didn’t get to read it on horseback, did you?”

“No, I couldn’t. It was too difficult. Even before feeling motion sick, I just couldn’t focus on the letters. I did ask Deputy Governor Sue Ku about it along the way, and she said that with practice, you can get used to reading while riding at a walking pace.”

“So she can do that? She must have a lot of experience.”

“Yes, so I plan to practice riding whenever I can…”

As Ryo spoke, he glanced out the window and saw the vast backyard of Deputy Governor Sue Ku’s mansion.

It was not just wide but enormous, the kind of space that could only be described as sprawling.

There were no trees, just low grass resembling a lush lawn stretching endlessly.

At the far edge, there appeared to be a stable as well…

“Don’t tell me you’re planning to ride horses there…”

“Exactly! I’ll practice until I can read books while on horseback!”

“Sometimes I wonder. Is there something fundamentally off about your passion, Ryo?”

Abel muttered to himself, shaking his head slightly at Ryo’s declaration. His words, however, went unheard by anyone.

Even peculiar efforts are still efforts.

Effort never betrays you.

However… whether such efforts would be understood or appreciated by others remained uncertain.