Water Magician

Chapter 557: The Two Are Caught

Editor: Tseirp

The next day.

Ryo and Abel left the Ryusen Residence, saying they were going to speak with Captain Myun of the Public Vessel Department.

However, they were caught just outside the gate.

Someone had been waiting for them.

“Hello. You’re Abel-san and Ryo-san, right? I’m Wang A-Shi, a bard.”

At that moment, both froze.

But they couldn’t just ignore him.

He already knew their names.

“Ah, yes, I’m Ryo.”

That was all they could manage—just their names.

And even then, it was clear they were both extremely suspicious in their behavior.

Their eyes darted nervously.

However, the bard Wang A-Shi seemed to interpret their reaction as wariness due to his sudden approach.

“My apologies for the suddenness. Actually, I saw you both in the dining hall last night when I was performing.”

“I-I see.”

“Abel-san clearly looks like a foreigner, and while Ryo-san’s black hair is common in the Eastern countries, your robe isn’t typical… at least, you don’t look like someone from Darwei. I also heard you were adventurers, and I was hoping I might hear some interesting stories from your experiences. That’s why I was waiting here.”

Wang A-Shi explained politely.

Realizing he didn’t know they were the prominent duke and king, the two relaxed just a bit.

And that made them start fumbling over their words.

“Uh, we haven’t really been on any grand adventures…”

“Y-Yeah, just a normal, really normal life.”

“Eat, sleep, repeat. Haha…”

Their eye contact was impeccable!

“Forgive me, but may I ask which country you’re from?”

“Uh…”

That single question blew up everything.

As expected from a bard, a master of weaving words.

“Even if we said, you probably wouldn’t know…”

“Y-Yeah, it’s probably a country you’ve never heard of…”

“I’m a bard, so I do know quite a lot, actually. Not just about the Eastern countries, but also the Central and Western countries, even the Dark Continent.”

Their defensive wall was effortlessly broken by Wang A-Shi’s smiling words…

“From the Central Countries…”

“The Kingdom of Knightley…”

“What?!”

They gave up and answered.

Their answer seemed to catch Wang A-Shi completely off guard.

His eyes widened in shock, speechless.

“The Kingdom of Knightley… that song I sang yesterday was about the Kingdom of Knightley!”

“Y-You don’t say.”

“To have our homeland sung about in songs—how amazing.”

Both Ryo and Abel could only mumble awkwardly at his words.

And then…

“Come to think of it, Abel-san, you have the same name as King Abel. Is that a common name over there?”

“Y-Yeah, very common…”

“How wonderful! This must be divine guidance from the god of song! Please, tell me your stories… no, allow me to follow you for a few days for a close-up interview…”

“That’s a bit…”

Abel faltered before the enthusiastic Wang A-Shi.

But a bard who travels the world with just a harp and voice—he was clearly a persistent negotiator.

“I’ve heard you’re involved in helping Count Matan, who’s been detained. I may be a bard, but I do get called to perform at the Darwei imperial court. Darwei has great respect for the arts. I believe I might be able to help you in some way through that connection.”

Hearing this, the two looked at each other.

Then, they stepped aside to discuss.

“What do you think, Abel?”

“If we’re being honest, he’d be a really powerful information-gathering asset, right?”

“Absolutely. Today’s plans are just to talk with Captain Myun at the Public Vessel Department and then hear from Captain Li Chu about the Censorate. Anything beyond that, if he can help, that would be great.”

“True.”

And so, Wang A-Shi was permitted to follow Ryo and Abel.

Public Vessel Department, near the harbor.

Wang A-Shi was allowed to tag along, but not to listen in on the conversation.

Naturally, they didn’t have Captain Myun’s permission for that.

The captain, though not strictly bound by law, intended to share sensitive information, so only Ryo and Abel were allowed into his office.

Wang A-Shi waited in the next room.

Under the promise that he’d only be told what could be safely shared afterward.

“Ah, you’ve come. Though I hear you brought an unusual guest with you?”

Captain Myun opened with that line.

“Yeah, a bard.”

“His name is Wang A-Shi.”

Abel and Ryo replied.

“So I heard. He’s the most famous bard in Darwei. His ‘Song of the Kingdom of Knightley’ is said to be spreading across the Eastern countries. Other bards sing it too, but none can match the original.”

“So he’s that famous…”

“You brought him along without even knowing?”

Captain Myun chuckled, shaking his head.

“He sang that song at the Ryusen Residence last night. This morning, he caught us at the inn’s exit, asking for adventure stories.”

“He offered to help us with the Count Matan situation…”

“I see. Speaking of which, about that Count Matan. When I reported to His Majesty last night, I asked what he thought of the situation… and it seems His Majesty also found it strange.”

“Oh ho.”

Ryo and Abel were a bit surprised by Captain Myun’s words.

Given that Count Matan had stolen a sword in the palace and attacked another official, they thought a death sentence was inevitable.

Perhaps only delayed due to the upcoming wedding of the sixth prince, Ryun.

But it seems the emperor also found the situation suspicious.

“His Majesty knows that Count Matan Von Debout is not at all… well, suited for combat. The fact that he managed to disarm an imperial guard and attack another perplexed him. Also, while Count Matan may be inflexible, His Majesty sees him as serious and not at all foolish. Based on that, he thinks something about this doesn’t add up.”

“I see.”

“Do you think Von Debout-san might avoid a death sentence?”

Ryo asked hopefully.

But Captain Myun could only shake his head slightly.

“If there were proof he’d been manipulated somehow, maybe… but without it, who knows? Either way, if this was a plot to frame him, it’s way too sloppy. There were better ways to do it.”

“Exactly. If even the emperor suspects something, it’ll be hard to bring down Von Debout-san, right?”

Ryo agreed with the captain’s reasoning.

“So that means the goal wasn’t to frame Lord Von Debout?”

“Hmm…was the real target Roche Ten-san? But he wasn’t even injured…”

Both Abel and Ryo frowned in thought.

Not knowing the true aim left an unsettling feeling.

At least, the chance of Lord Von Debout being sentenced to death seemed to be diminishing…

As long as they could find evidence he was manipulated, which the Censorate’s Secretary Shao had said was possible, there was hope.

Which is why they really needed to figure out the mastermind’s real target…

Captain Myun slowly started piecing something together in his mind and spoke:

“In the aftermath of this incident, even if temporarily, both Count Bashu and Count Matan were removed from their roles.”

“Lord Roche Ten was the advisor for setting up the Sixth Prince’s new residence. Count Matan was the host for Princess Shio Fen…”

“Someone new might be taking their places… to interfere with the ceremony?”

Abel confirmed their roles, and Ryo followed with a flash of insight.

“Entirely possible!”

Captain Myun nodded deeply.

Then, as if recalling something.

“Count Bashu’s replacement hasn’t been named. But Count Matan’s was decided yesterday. Since a detailed investigation will be necessary, given the scale of the incident. His replacement is Count Mezo. Part of the Fourth Prince’s faction.”

“Do you think he might try something?”

“I don’t know. But the wedding ceremony is tomorrow. After that, the Ministry of Rites will proceed solemnly according to tradition, and outside interference will be nearly impossible. If anything is going to happen, it’ll be today…”

“What’s happening today?”

“Hmm…”

Captain Myun couldn’t answer Abel’s question.

Even he didn’t know every detail.

Just then…

“I heard the Princess’s schedule was changed for today.”

Said a new voice. It was Captain La Wu of the Tenth Ship.

“Changed?”

“Yes. Count Mezo forced the decision. Apparently, there will be a flower-viewing at the Plum Grove Garden.”

“The Plum Grove Garden is way too open. The public can easily enter. It’s extremely difficult to ensure the safety of royalty there.”

“He said it’s to allow the people to see her as well.”

Ryo and Abel listened quietly to the exchange.

But both of their expressions were tense.

They knew Princess Shio Fen had been attacked multiple times already.

They stood up simultaneously.

“For now, let’s head to this Plum Grove Garden.”

Abel declared, and Ryo nodded. The two left the room.

They quickly reunited with bard Wang A-Shi in the adjacent room.

“Wang A-Shi, do you know the Plum Grove Garden?”

“Yes, of course. Did something happen?”

“We’re not sure. But would you like to come on an adventure with us?”

“I’d love to!”

Ryo invited, and Wang A-Shi gladly accepted.

The three of them ran toward the Plum Grove Garden.

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