Water Magician

Chapter 559: Information Gathering

Editor: Tseirp

Ryo, Abel, and Wang A-Shi returned to Ryusen Residence.

It was about the time Captain Li Chu of the White Flame Guard was expected to arrive with a report from the Censorate.

Just as the three arrived, Captain Li Chu of the White Flame Guard showed up.

Ryo, Abel, and Captain Li Chu entered the room that Ryo and Abel had been borrowing.

It had been agreed that Ryo and Abel would take responsibility for relaying the information to Wei Fon and the others.

Naturally, Wang A-Shi was not allowed to enter.

However, he was happily holed up in a room provided by Ryusen Residence, saying he wanted to turn the experience he’d just had at Plum Grove Garden into a song.

Perhaps songs were overflowing in his mind…

“Alright.”

As Captain Li Chu said this, Ryo made a small fist-pump.

It was a sign that they’d secured the cooperation of the lead investigator… proof enough for Ryo to feel confident.

“As for evidence, a minute trace of Boranta poison was found on the inside of his clothes.”

“That’s the one used for mind control, right?”

Abel nodded in response to the report.

The investigation seemed to be heading in a favorable direction.

“Also, it appears that Count Matan has no memory of the moment he grabbed the sword and attacked. That’s a known symptom when Boranta poison is used, so it’s understandable. As for the elite guard from whom the sword was taken…”

At this, Captain Li Chu hesitated.

Both Ryo and Abel furrowed their brows.

It seemed something unpleasant was coming.

“Last night, he was found hanged in his cell—an apparent suicide.”

“What…”

“You’re kidding…”

Both Ryo and Abel shook their heads slightly at the report.

Ryo asked for confirmation.

“Was it… really a suicide? Could it have been a disguised murder…?”

A classic tactic!

Silencing witnesses!

“Honestly, it’s unclear. There was no suspicious evidence to indicate foul play, but during the questioning yesterday, that soldier was apparently quite cooperative. That’s why it seems strange that he would kill himself now.”

“I see. What did he say in the questioning yesterday?”

“Right before Count Matan seized the sword, the soldier said he suddenly lost all strength in his limbs. He collapsed onto the floor, and Count Matan took the sword from there.”

“Hmm.”

Ryo made a troubled face at Captain Li Chu’s explanation.

Logically, it sounded like the soldier had been paralyzed with some kind of numbing agent or poison.

But looking at everything so far…

“Everything surrounding Count Matan seems deliberately designed to be discovered later.”

Abel stated this bluntly.

In other words, the goal wasn’t to pin the blame on Count Matan and remove him permanently—it was to temporarily remove him from the public stage, particularly from involvement in Prince Ryun’s marriage.

“So, it’s highly likely the target was the princess we met today.”

“Yeah, that’s how I see it.”

Ryo confirmed, and Abel nodded.

“Um…when you say harm the princess…?”

It seemed Captain Li Chu hadn’t heard what had happened earlier, so the two filled him in.

“I see…it’s certainly very plausible that she was the target.”

Captain Li Chu nodded.

“But…the core problem still remains.”

“What’s the core problem?”

Abel tilted his head, and Ryo asked.

“Why is Princess Shio Fen being targeted?”

“Ah, true. This may sound harsh, but even if the princess died, there wouldn’t really be any issue within Darwei, right? Prince Ryun might mourn her, but that would be the extent of it, wouldn’t it?”

Though Abel winced at Ryo’s cold remark, he nodded.

Because it made sense.

Captain Li Chu continued.

“I thought the same. But then I remembered Lord Bashu…and something occurred to me.”

Count Bashu refers to Roche Ten.

He had been attacked by Count Matan Von Debout in this incident…

“Count Bashu is the construction advisor for Prince Ryun’s new residence.”

“Ah yes, I heard that.”

“But actually, that’s rather strange.”

“What do you mean?”

Abel asked.

Ryo also tilted his head.

“Usually, when a prince takes a formal consort, he is granted a detached residence within the Imperial Palace. It’s a customary rite of passage—a sort of graduation from living in a room in the palace to being recognized as independent. Later, if he achieves merits and is elevated to an Imperial Prince, he’s granted a large mansion known as a Royal Residence outside the imperial palace. For example, Prince Bin, the Fourth Prince, already has the Bin Royal Residence.”

“I see.”

“But in this case, Lord Bashu is overseeing the construction of not a detached palace within the Imperial Palace, but a grand estate outside the palace.”

“What…?!”

Ryo was surprised by Captain Li Chu’s explanation.

A residence outside the palace would imply…that Prince Ryun was going to be promoted to Imperial Prince.

“Are there conditions for a prince to be elevated to an imperial prince?”

“The only requirement…is to have a formal consort. The final decision is made by His Majesty.”

Captain Li Chu answered Abel’s question clearly after thinking briefly.

“If he becomes an imperial prince, he’ll be involved in the imperial succession struggle…right?”

“Yes, exactly.”

Captain Li Chu nodded at Ryo’s question.

So, if Princess Shio Fen were to die before the wedding…

“Prince Ryun wouldn’t be able to become an imperial prince.”

“Eventually, he would probably marry a new consort…but not right away.”

Captain Li Chu again nodded at Abel’s comment.

“Are we starting to see the big picture?”

“I think so.”

Both Abel and Ryo were finally beginning to understand the reason behind the attack on Princess Shio Fen.

“The most direct way to confirm it would be to ask His Majesty himself. Whether he intends to elevate Prince Ryun to imperial prince.”

“True…but that’s hardly realistic. Even if someone like Captain Myun asked, I doubt he’d get an answer.”

“Then…”

“Yeah, we’ll have to ask the construction advisor.”

“Count Bashu…Roche Ten, right?”

Abel and Ryo exchanged glances and nodded in unison.

“Excuse me, we’re going to pay a visit to Roche Ten’s inn.”

Count Bashu, Roche Ten, was staying at the ‘Moonlight Banquet Pavilion’ facing the Holy Emperor’s Plaza.

Last time, they had sneaked in from the back, but there was no need for that now.

They properly entered through the front, announced their names, and were shown in.

“Ah, hello to you both. I just finished my questioning by the Censorate.”

Roche Ten greeted them with a smile.

Compared to yesterday, when he had been attacked, his expression was entirely different.

“Glad to see you’ve recovered.”

“Seems like you’re ready to return to work.”

“Yes. I plan to return starting tomorrow. Though honestly, everything seems to be going smoothly without me.”

Abel and Ryo expressed their relief at his recovery, and Roche Ten seemed eager to return to his duties.

Once the conversation turned to Roche Ten’s worksite, the two made their move.

“Actually, just earlier, Princess Shio Fen was attacked.”

“What?!”

Apparently, the events at Plum Grove Garden had not yet reached his ears, and Roche Ten was shocked.

So Ryo gave a quick summary of what had happened.

“Well… Count Mezo… I don’t want to speak ill of others, but…”

From those few words, it was clear that Roche Ten didn’t think highly of Count Mezo.

“So, we’ve come up with a theory.”

“A theory?”

Roche Ten tilted his head at Ryo’s words.

“The series of attacks… including those back in the Bosuntar Kingdom—on Princess Shio Fen were likely aimed at sabotaging Prince Ryun’s marriage.”

“Hmm?”

“If Prince Ryun cannot hold a formal wedding, he cannot become an imperial prince.”

“Hm? As far as I know, there has been no official talk of Prince Ryun being elevated to imperial prince.”

“Yes. But we heard that his new residence is being built outside the palace grounds.”

When Ryo said this, Roche Ten’s eyes widened.

“I’m surprised you know that.”

“That’s why we suspect he may be up for elevation…”

“Ah, I see…”

Roche Ten nodded with a wry smile.

“Certainly, if you only heard that part, I can understand why it might be misunderstood.”

“Misunderstood?”

Roche Ten’s words caused both Ryo and Abel to tilt their heads in confusion.

“Indeed, the new residence is being constructed outside the imperial palace by His Majesty’s order. However, it is not particularly large.”

“Not large enough to be considered a royal residence?”

“Exactly. May I ask… how much do you two know about the royal residences that imperial princes establish?”

“Hardly anything.”

“Yes, we really know nothing.”

Roche Ten gave a nod and began his explanation.

“A royal residence is a small, independent domain established by an imperial prince.”

“An independent domain?”

“It’s almost like a castle. It’s not merely a place to live. Within its grounds, soldiers are trained, retainers and talented individuals are supported, and it serves as a place for the prince to learn how to command people and govern land. For that reason, a royal residence is typically vast. By the way, the inn you two are staying at is called the Ryusen Residence, correct?”

“Yes.”

“That place used to be part of the royal residence…established by an imperial prince during the reign of the emperor three generations ago.”

“That was just part of it…?”

“It’s said to have been five to ten times larger.”

The two were left speechless by Roche Ten’s words.

Clearly, what he described was far beyond the scale of a mere ‘residence.’

“The property I’m in charge of building is merely a residence. True, it’s quite spacious compared to a typical detached residence built after welcoming a legal wife in the palace, but it is by no means large enough to be called a royal residence.”

At this point, Roche Ten sipped his tea.

Then, he adjusted his expression slightly and continued.

“That concludes the explanation I’d normally give to the general public.”

“The general public?”

Abel asked.

“However, I will share a bit more with you two. Adjacent to Prince Ryun’s residence are several empty houses and vacant lots. If all of those were cleared and integrated with the main residence, it would be large enough to be called a royal residence.”

“What…?”

Ryo was stunned by Roche Ten’s additional information.

“And who decided to build Prince Ryun’s residence in that location…?”

“As I mentioned earlier, it was, of course, His Majesty the Emperor.”

Roche Ten answered firmly to Abel’s question.

It might mean that the emperor already has plans to eventually elevate Prince Ryun to the rank of imperial prince.

Which in turn would mean…he’s going to be thrust deeper into the vortex of political intrigue.

“Her Highness the Princess has truly married into a difficult situation…”

Ryo’s quiet murmur reached no one’s ears.

That night.

At the Bin Royal Residence, residence of the Fourth Prince.

“Fool!”

“My deepest apologies…”

A man in his early twenties roared in anger.

The Count Mezo knelt on both knees, bowing in apology.

“Enough! Get out!”

Spitting out the words, the young man dismissed Mezo, who quickly left the room as if fleeing.

The young man was the master of the royal residence.

In other words, Prince Bin, the Fourth Imperial Prince himself.

His features could be described as handsome, though he appeared somewhat high-strung.

With a scowl on his face, he paced the room.

“Lin Sui, I followed your plan, and look where it got us!”

“Yes…I am ashamed of my inadequacy.”

Lin Sui bowed deeply in apology under Prince Bin’s reproachful words.

However, had anyone seen Lin Sui’s expression beneath his bowed head, they would have been shocked.

Because he was smiling.

Lin Sui was regarded as Prince Bin’s right-hand man.

Prince Bin himself saw him that way.

Though he scolded him harshly, it was, in a way, a sign of dependency.

A form of trust.

But, upon seeing Lin Sui’s smile…

“So, do you have another plan? At this rate, Ryun will be elevated to Imperial Prince.”

“The wedding is tomorrow, so it can no longer be stopped. Once Princess Shio Fen becomes the legal consort, even if she dies afterward, it won’t matter. The fact that he married a legitimate princess will be established, and the conditions for him to become an imperial prince will be met.”

“That’s why I’m asking! What’s the next plan?”

“Unless we directly eliminate Lord Ryun, I see no other way to stop it.”

“Wha…what did you say…?”

Prince Bin was speechless at Lin Sui’s proposal.

Of course, it wasn’t due to any brotherly affection over the thought of killing his sibling.

Both Prince Bin and Prince Ryun were sons of the current emperor, though by different mothers.

Their ages were relatively close, but they didn’t grow up particularly close.

His shock came from the weight of the suggestion— ‘killing a fellow prince’.

Naturally, if it were discovered, the punishment would be death.

Furthermore, the Second and Third Princes were constantly watching Prince Bin’s movements.

Just as Prince Bin was watching theirs.

Could he really move to kill another prince without being found out…?

“I do have a plan.”

Lin Sui spoke in a calm voice.

That calmness helped ease Prince Bin’s heightened emotions.

“Understood. Proceed with the plan.”

That was all Prince Bin said.

He didn’t ask for details.

He didn’t question it.

Part of it was trust. But also…he knew that sometimes, it was better not to know.

Once again, Lin Sui bowed deeply. Out of Prince Bin’s line of sight, he wore a malevolent, sinister smile. No one saw it.

That same night.

In Princess Shio Fen’s temporary residence within the imperial palace.

The formal schedule had finally ended, and three people sat drinking tea.

Princess Shio Fen, her attendant Mifa, and the captain of her guards, Bizis.

The wedding ceremony would be held the next day, followed by numerous rituals.

Eventually, there would be a formal presentation to the citizens of the capital—a grueling schedule.

“Tightly packed schedules are nothing new.”

Princess Shio Fen said with a laugh.

From a young age, it had been normal for her, as a princess, to carry out such routines.

So this wasn’t particularly difficult for her.

The only difference this time was—she’d had multiple attempts on her life.

“Still, I was surprised at the Plum Grove Garden.”

When Princess Shio Fen said that, Mifa and Bizis nodded.

“To think, Abel-sensei and Ryo-sama would show up!”

“Th-That’s what surprised you?”

“Not the attackers?”

Mifa and Bizis were shocked by Princess Shio Fen’s words.

“Assassination attempts are routine, aren’t they? What was more surprising was those two showing up.”

Princess Shio Fen said it casually.

“Well…it certainly was surprising.”

“I forgot to ask for their contact information.”

Mifa agreed, and Bizis regretted the oversight.

“In that situation, it couldn’t be helped. Still, I’m glad to know they’re in the capital. I hope they come visit the residence once things settle down.”

“But it’s a prince’s residence. It might not be easy to visit…”

“They might be stopped at the gate…”

Mifa and Bizis gave more practical responses to Princess Shio Fen’s hopeful wish.

“But if it’s those two, don’t you think they might just force their way in?”

“That would be its own problem…”

Princess Shio Fen laughed, and Mifa gave a small shake of her head.

Just then, a voice came from outside the door.

“Your Highness, Prince Ryun has arrived.”

“What?”

Even Princess Shio Fen let out a surprised voice.

As far as she knew, it was not customary in Darwei for a groom to visit his bride the night before the wedding.

In some countries, it was even considered taboo.

Even so, she couldn’t refuse.

“Let him in.”

“Princess, I apologize for visiting at such a late hour.”

“No, Your Highness, it’s quite all right.”

As the two exchanged greetings, the attendant Mifa and the princess’s guard captain Bizis quietly exited the room.

Inside remained only the Sixth Prince Ryun and Princess Shio Fen.

“It’s late, so I’ll be brief. There’s something I have to tell you before tomorrow’s wedding.”

“Yes.”

Prince Ryun took a deep breath. Then exhaled.

He looked directly at Princess Shio Fen.

His expression was astonishingly composed.

Honestly, the image she had of Prince Ryun was neither foolish nor dull, but rather indecisive and not very proactive.

That impression, of course, had been built from hearsay.

Although they had met before, their conversations were brief and superficial.

In truth, this was the first time they had ever truly spoken…

But…

Just from seeing his composed expression, Princess Shio Fen revised her understanding.

The image of the prince she had been given was wrong.

Most likely, he had been feigning incompetence to avoid being drawn into the succession struggle…

Prince Ryun slowly—but clearly—spoke.

“I will advance to the rank of Imperial Prince, and aim for Crown Prince, and eventually the throne.”

Princess Shio Fen was surprised for only a moment.

“I understand.”

She bowed respectfully.

“The other day, at the Imperial Mausoleum, I declared my intentions to the past emperors. I imagine you will have to endure many hardships.”

“Please don’t concern yourself. I will support you, Your Highness.”

With a determined Prince Ryun and a smiling Princess Shio Fen giving her full support.

Though they were not yet married, it was possible that in that moment, their hearts became truly united…

That same night, in the dining hall of ‘Ryusen Residence’.

A new ballad titled ‘The Uprising at Plum Grove Garden’ was being sung by the bard Wang A-Shi.

This wasn’t a traditional song like those of the ‘Kingdom of Knightley’, but more of a topical piece—a song crafted from recent events.

Even so, most of the audience had heard that something had happened at Plum Grove Garden.

However, no one knew the actual details.

That’s why everyone was listening with rapt attention.

Genuinely intrigued.

Well, everyone except for two individuals.

“Abel, I mean…this is so incredibly embarrassing.”

“Ryo, I couldn’t agree more.”

In ‘The Uprising at Plum Grove Garden’, both Ryo and Abel were mentioned by name.

That, of course, added to the song’s realism…which made sense, but still…

They were portrayed as having performed heroic deeds.

But neither of them was used to being sung about in ballads.

“Maybe we should issue a ban on this song too…”

“Yes, we’ll consider that.”

The duke plants the idea, and the king goes along with it.

Of course, their little scheme won’t succeed…

The next morning.

Ryo suddenly looked up, as if he’d noticed something.

“What is it?”

“It seems about fifty familiar people have gathered outside.”

“Huh?”

Ryo’s response made no sense to Abel.

Familiar, he said—but from this angle, they couldn’t even see the inn’s entrance.

And where would fifty acquaintances even come from?

It’s not like they had that many contacts in the imperial capital.

And they came ‘this’ early in the morning?

“They might not be here for us, you know.”

“True.”

Ryo nodded at Abel’s point.

So the two of them took their time getting ready.

Today, the wedding ceremony of the Sixth Prince Ryun and Princess Shio Fen would be held at the imperial palace.

With Count Bashu Roche Ten attending the court, there would be limited places for the two to gather information.

“Abel, shall we head toward Holy Emperor Plaza and beat up some shady characters to make them talk?”

“Ryo, I have absolutely no idea what you’re talking about.”

Ryo, in the style of an old-school violent detective drama, had made the suggestion, while Abel shook his head in confusion.

Surely, guards in the Kingdom of Knightley don’t resort to violence to get suspects to confess.

“That’s…truly admirable.”

Ryo said with a satisfied nod.

For some reason, acting smug.

Then, the two stepped outside through the gate.

There they saw…

A group clad in white clothing with red trim.

The contrast between white and red was strikingly beautiful.

Everyone had their hair neatly tied up and secured with small crowns atop their heads.

The combination of ceremonial attire, styled hair, and those little crowns was, as always, exquisitely well-balanced.

“The White Flame Army?”

Abel murmured.

Ryo, who had identified them with his , wasn’t surprised. He also thought, as always, that their formal uniforms looked incredibly cool.

“Good morning, Captain Li Chu.”

Ryo greeted first.

“Good morning, Duke Rondo.”

Captain Li Chu placed both hands over his chest and bowed his head.

It was the formal style of greeting in Darwei.

Looking around, Abel saw that not just Captain Li Chu, but all fifty members of the White Flame Army performed the same gesture.

Captain Li Chu raised his head and spoke clearly.

“Your Grace, Duke Rondo—His Majesty the Emperor wishes to meet you. We have been sent to escort you.”

TLN: Please read my translations at tseirptranslations.com, I did not give permission to any site to host my translations. 

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