Water Magician

Chapter 457: Meeting Stalled

Editor: Tseirp

The Bashteek docked at a port several times the size of Manyama’s.

“The ships here aren’t merchant vessels, are they?”

“Indeed. There are ships of the same type as the escort ships of the transport fleet. This must be a naval port.”

Ryo and Abel leaned out from the ship’s railing, observing the port and discussing such matters.

It seemed that the transport fleet had entered the military port of the capital, Wannya.

“A military port of this size is impressive.”

Abel, who was familiar with the Knightley Kingdom’s military port, was genuinely surprised.

“Abel, our Knightley Kingdom should strengthen its naval power!”

“We should assemble an incredibly powerful fleet and dominate the seven seas!”

“In our kingdom’s case, the navy’s enemies are pirates…or sea monsters, aren’t they? Our current forces are sufficient.”

“Aren’t you lacking in ambition…”

Ryo was disheartened by the reality that Abel presented.

“However, that may be the case… eventually, strengthening our naval power might become necessary.”

“Huh?”

“You all worked hard, right? Investigating sea routes to the Western countries and the Theocracy. Trading with the Western countries via land routes is impossible, but as long as we don’t encounter sea monsters… if such monsters are warded off or spells are developed, we might be able to connect with the Western countries via sea routes. In that case, we might need escort fleets that can travel long distances.”

“Ooohhh!”

Ryo was thrilled by Abel’s line of thought.

Yes, those who govern the state must carry out policies looking twenty or thirty years, or even fifty years into the future.

But in reality… how many bureaucrats are conscious of the grand strategy for a century of the state…

After a while, the two disembarked from the ship and lined up in the farewell procession.

Who were they seeing off?

Naturally…

“Oh…”

“Beautiful…”

“Princess…”

“Long live the princess!”

Princess Iliaja was disembarking from the ship, being seen off by the sailors and marines of the transport fleet.

Those who had followed her in fleeing from the Suje Kingdom and who would continue to accompany her were already ashore, lined up behind the carriage she would ride.

After disembarking, Princess Iliaja greeted Captain Dao and Bansox.

“Captain Dao, it was a comfortable voyage. May favorable winds always blow for you and your ship.”

“Princess, your words are too kind…”

“Captain Bansox, I am grateful for your protection. May the Blue Jade Trading Company be shrouded in glory.”

“Thank you, Princess. Please feel free to use the Blue Jade Trading Company whenever you find yourself in need. We have a store in this capital as well.”

Both Captain Dao and Bansox replied with smiles.

It seems that sailors have a custom of sending people off with smiles, without showing tears.

After greeting them, Princess Iliaja approached Abel and Ryo.

“Abel-san, people do not follow the words of a king. They follow the figure of a king. If you want people to follow you, you must continuously show a figure that the citizens and soldiers can support… it resonated with me.”

“No, Princess. You understand that without me having to tell you. Keep being as you have been, and you’ll be fine.”

“Ryo-san, thank you for protecting me…”

“Oh, no, it was nothing significant.”

But Princess Iliaja hesitated, wanting to say something… and finally, a few moments later, she spoke.

“Well… I honestly don’t know what will happen to me from now on, but… is it possible to speak with you two again?”

“We plan to travel to the continent with the Blue Jade Trading Company’s connections, but I hear it won’t be immediate. So… we’ll be in this capital for a while.”

“Yeah. If you contact the Blue Jade Trading Company, they’ll probably be able to connect you to us.”

Both Abel and Ryo gave affirmative answers to Princess Iliaja’s question.

“…Would you meet with a princess who lost the country to which she should return?”

“Don’t worry about that. We are people of the Central Countries.”

“Exactly. Even if Abel can’t, I’ll come to meet you, so it’ll be alright.”

“Thank you.”

Saying that, Princess Iliaja crossed her hands in front of her chest and bowed her head.

This was the deepest bow taken by female royalty during greetings among royalty in the archipelago region.

Of course, neither Abel, Ryo, nor most of those present knew that…

Princess Iliaja boarded the carriage prepared by the principality government.

And so, she headed toward the royal palace.

“Abel-san, Ryo-san.”

It was Bansox, the captain of the escort team of the Blue Jade Trading Company, who called out to the two. Next to him stood Captain Dao.

Bansox was the second son of the chairman of the Blue Jade Trading Company, Bandelsch.

“The task was successfully completed. The payment will be made at the Blue Jade Trading Company’s Wannya branch, so come with me.”

“Oh.”

Ryo, delighted by Bansox’s words, couldn’t help but voice his joy.

Abel, too, was smiling happily.

“Thanks to you two, every one of my crew members arrived without any losses. I’m grateful.”

Saying that, Captain Dao bowed deeply.

“Oh, no, Captain, please raise your head.”

“It’s because your crew acted appropriately. It must be the result of their regular training.”

Ryo felt embarrassed by the compliments, and Abel commented.

And so, the four of them started walking.

It seemed the captain was also going to the Blue Jade Trading Company for some procedures.

“Wannya is divided between the military port and the commercial port, but they are right next to each other. Our Bashteek will be moved to the commercial port once the procedures are done.”

“Is it alright without the captain?”

Ryo asked, and Captain Dao laughed as she answered.

“That much is fine. Both ports are quite large.”

As Captain Dao said, the four of them soon arrived at the commercial port.

The Blue Jade Trading Company’s Wannya branch was located facing the port.

It was quite large compared to the surrounding companies.

Many people were coming and going, indicating its prosperity.

Bansox and Captain Dao entered through the front entrance side by side.

Abel and Ryo followed them.

“Welcome back, Captain Bansox and Captain Dao.”

The company members greeted them.

“Yeah, we’re back. Is Banton here?”

“The branch manager is in the back.”

One of the company members replied to Bansox’s inquiry.

Upon hearing this, Bansox nodded once and proceeded to the back.

The other three followed him.

Bansox knocked on a door labeled ‘Branch Manager’s Office’.

“Come in.”

A young voice responded.

They entered in the order of Bansox, Captain Dao, Abel, and Ryo.

“Brother Bansox! Welcome back, Captain Dao as well.”

“Oh, Branch Manager Banton. You’re getting used to the branch manager’s chair, aren’t you?”

“Brother… please don’t call me branch manager. At least not when we’re not in front of the staff… ah, you must be Abel-san and Ryo-san. I’ve heard about you in the messages from the head office. Thank you very much for accepting the difficult escort request this time.”

The young man, referred to as Branch Manager Banton, said and bowed deeply.

He seemed just over twenty years old, with a youthful and friendly impression.

“He may look young, but he’s quite skilled. Unlike me, big brother and Banton are suited to being merchants.”

“Brother…”

“What is it? I didn’t say it to belittle myself. I am who I am, and you are who you are, that’s all.”

Captain Bansox laughed heartily as he said that.

Indeed, seeing him laugh like this made it seem like he was better suited as an escort captain than a merchant…

Ryo and Abel then received their payment.

“Since there were no deaths among the company’s crew and escort team, and the princess arrived in the capital, it’s considered a complete success.”

With those words, Branch Manager Banton placed their reward of 300 gold coins per person, which was double the original amount, on the table.

Just looking at it, one could feel the weight, fittingly described with the onomatopoeia, ka-ching.

“This is…”

“Isn’t it quite a hassle to carry it around?”

Abel was speechless, and Ryo muttered.

“We can keep it here at our company. We are committed to supporting you until you cross over to the continent. Of course, we will also prepare accommodations for you, and you may use all the meals and services in the inn freely. We won’t charge you. Therefore, I think it would be practical for you to withdraw the necessary amount in the morning and head out into town…”

“That sounds good.”

“All-inclusive…”

Branch Manager Banton suggested, Abel nodded, and Ryo muttered, drawing from his knowledge of modern Earth.

“I’ve heard it will take some time to cross over to the continent, but how long will it actually take?”

Abel asked.

Although the Blue Jade Trading Company seemed to be covering much of the costs during their stay in this capital, he still wanted to have a rough idea.

“Yes, there is something I must tell you about that. The Komakyuta Principality has trade with the Ghegish-Lu Federation at the southern end of the continent, but…”

Branch Manager Banton paused there.

He had a slight frown on his face.

After taking a breath, he continued.

“A civil war has broken out within the Ghegish-Lu Federation.”

“Civil war…”

Ryo murmured.

“We had received information a month ago that this was a possibility. That’s why my father had informed you that crossing over immediately would be impossible… but the concerns have become reality.”

“Is it a large-scale conflict?”

“Currently, it’s not that large. For a while, we will continue to monitor the situation and consider how to resume trade. We will coordinate sending you two to the continent with that…”

“I see. Understood.”

Abel nodded once in acknowledgment of Branch Manager Banton’s explanation.

“A coup over there, a civil war over here…World peace is far away.”

Abel could only give a wry smile at Ryo’s murmuring.

Truly… peace seems to be a precious thing.

Komakyuta Principality Royal Palace.

In the council room of the principality, a conference was being held.

The main topic was how to handle the treatment of Princess Iliaja.

Indeed, even at this point, the princess’s treatment had not been decided.

Of course, it had been decided once.

The Principality refused the new Suje Kingdom government’s request for extradition.

“The principality government has accepted her as an asylum seeker, and a hearing in the capital is necessary, so immediate extradition is impossible.”

That was the response.

As already stated at that time, ‘because she was accepted as an asylum seeker’, her treatment had been decided once.

There were even schemes to eventually marry her to someone from the royal family, push the child born as a legitimate heir… and intervene in the Suje Kingdom as a ‘legitimate heir to the throne’ a couple of years later.

Amidst this… the transport fleet was attacked.

Moreover, when hearing the scale of the assault fleet, it was quite large.

And the commander was said to be Admiral Rockday.

Admiral Rockday of the Suje Kingdom Central Navy is known as an extremely talented admiral, reputed to have a 90% win rate in warfare.

And one of the most trusted admirals of First Sea Lord Kabui Somal.

Winning the battle and capturing over ten ships, including Admiral Rockday… was delightful.

While it was delightful, that wasn’t the issue.

Such a prominent figure led a powerful fleet to attack the transport fleet.

Despite the potential for full-scale war.

In other words, it also means that Kabui Somal, who became the Lord Protector, is determined to secure Princess Iliaja.

The Komakyuta Principality, being a neighboring country, was well aware of the excellence of Kabui Somal, who had led the Suje Kingdom Navy as the First Sea Lord.

Painfully aware.

Now that such a person had become the head of the country… he would become an even more troublesome enemy, and it was presumed that the Suje Kingdom itself, which had previously had some vulnerabilities, would become stronger than before.

Therefore, in the end, the meeting did not progress…

Dosnaji was the fifth secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Komakyuta Principality.

At 42 years old, he was the most successful of his peers, and it had been ten years since someone in their early forties had been appointed as a secretary.

Even within the vast Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he was a high-ranking official, being tenth in seniority, and undoubtedly part of the leadership.

However, in this council meeting, he was at the very bottom.

And that was inevitable.

The council meeting was attended by the lord, who was the sovereign, admirals, generals, ministers, and first secretaries of various ministries.

The only reason the fifth secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was present was that he was in charge of the southern part of the Suje Kingdom.

In other words, the Tamako Province of the Suje Kingdom, where Princess Iliaja had fought.

The resistance in the Tamako Province was very peculiar.

The morale in the Tamako Province was very high.

Given the high popularity of Princess Iliaja, it seemed as if the entire province rose to protect and serve her.

However, in contrast, the movements of the rebel forces were sluggish.

Compared to their blitzkrieg capture of 90% of the Kingdom, their sluggishness was astounding.

It could be inferred that something must have happened to the First Sea Lord Kabui Somal, who is the central figure, or at the capital.

Therefore, Dosnaji, the fifth secretary, questioned the third secretary, who oversaw the central part of the Suje Kingdom.

If something unusual was happening.

However, the response he received was cold.

“Just do your own work. Don’t interfere with others’ jobs.”

He knew that!

No one was interfering out of personal desire!

The reason he was speaking up was that this issue concerned the actions the entire principality should take!

And yet…

“Haa…”

Dosnaji sighed softly, very softly.

It was like this, all the time.

He understood this when he became a senior official in the central ministries.

There were very few bureaucrats working for the country and its people.

The higher the position, the lower the percentage.

This was not only true for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs where he worked.

But for all ministries…

When they first joined the ministry, everyone was filled with hope and passion… to create a better country for the nation or the people.

But as time passed and their positions rose, these disappeared.

Because they had less time to actually go out and interact with the people.

A senior colleague of Dosnaji had once said this.

Surely, that must be one of the significant reasons.

For whom is this work being done?

This is something that should always be reconsidered in any job.

Neglecting that would lead to cutting corners.

If you cut corners, you cannot do a good job.

If you can’t do a good job, your motivation gets sapped.

If your motivation gets sapped, you cut corners even more…

Once you take a wrong step, it’s a downhill slide.

Dosnaji shook his head slightly, dispelling the thoughts inappropriate for this place.

He then concentrated on the contents of the meeting.

However…

Nothing had progressed since earlier.

Realizing this, Dosnaji sighed for the umpteenth time when the doors of the conference room opened, and the chamberlain of the lord entered.

However, he was not as calm as usual, and even from Dosnaji’s position, it was clear that he seemed flustered.

The chamberlain handed over a piece of paper, and the lord almost stood up after reading it.

The conference attendees held their breath, wondering what was going on.

The lord handed the paper he received to the prime minister next to him.

After reading it, the prime minister murmured,

“This is…”

Involuntarily.

Being made to wait this long, it was natural that some would become irritated.

“What is written there, Prime Minister?”

That was said by Admiral Guss.

“Well… It says that the First Sea Lord of the Suje Kingdom, or rather, the Lord Protector, Kabui Somal, has arrived in this Wannya and requested an audience with His Majesty.”

Immediately after the prime minister said that, no one spoke a word.

Silence filled the room…

Three seconds later.

“Impossible!”

“What is that!”

“Is it genuine?”

“They must have checked his identification plate, surely.”

“First Princess Iliaja, and now the First Sea Lord.”

“No, it’s the Lord Protector.”

“Either way!”

However, all the words flying around were probably summarized by the next one.

Namely…

“What is he up to…”

That was the answer everyone sought, but no one here could provide it.

An hour later.

Royal Palace, audience chamber.

“Lord Protector of the Suje Kingdom, Kabui Somal.”

In response to that voice, the doors opened, and a man entered, his cloak billowing.

Imposing.

There aren’t many men to whom those words apply as well as they do to this man.

About 180 cm tall.

In his mid-thirties, with hair closer to brown than black, brown skin, and eyes of a light blue that stood out remarkably in that complexion.

His features were very well-formed, and even during the time of the old government of the Suje Kingdom, he was more popular with the noble ladies than anyone else.

However, as indicated by the thin sword scar on his right cheek, he was a man who had walked the battlefields.

With both fists clenched and crossed over his chest, Kabui Somal, the Lord Protector of the Suje Kingdom, took the Suje Kingdom’s most respectful male bow and knelt on one knee.

He waited for the lord to speak.

In this place, the first person allowed to speak was the highest-ranking person, the lord of the Komakyuta Principality.

Therefore, the assembled courtiers bowed their heads and waited for words.

However, ten seconds passed, twenty seconds passed, and thirty seconds passed, yet no words were heard.

The courtiers raised their heads slightly and glanced at the lord.

The lord continued to look at Kabui Somal, who was kneeling from the top of the steps…

Surely thinking that this couldn’t go on.

The chamberlain standing diagonally behind the lord whispered softly in his ear,

“Your Majesty, please speak.”

That finally seemed to awaken the lord.

“Welcome from the Suje Kingdom, well done on your journey.”

“I am humbled.”

Replied Kabui Somal to the lord’s words.

This finally allowed others to speak.

First, the Prime Minister spoke.

“Your Excellency Kabui Somal, Lord Protector. May we hear the reason for your visit?”

“Certainly, Prime Minister.”

Kabui Somal replied, standing up.

“Recently, there was an unfortunate armed conflict between the fleets of both countries. I am here for the resolution of that matter. And also…”

Here, Kabui Somal deliberately paused.

After taking a breath, he continued,

“To take custody of Princess Iliaja of our Suje Kingdom.”

That was the expected answer.

While it was anticipated, for the head of a country to come to the royal palace of another country and state it to the lord and all the courtiers was…

“Outrageous!”

The first to utter that word was Admiral Guss.

The Navy’s foremost hawk.

An advocate for war against the Suje Kingdom.

“That is not something to say in the presence of His Majesty! Know your place! ”

“I apologize for that, Admiral Guss. However, I merely answered the Prime Minister’s question about why I had come. If you wish for a private meeting, we can move to another location.”

“You…”

Admiral Guss, whose face turned red with anger at Kabui Somal’s polite reply.

These two have faced each other in naval battles many times.

You could say they are rivals of a sort.

Although, in terms of track record… Kabui Somal is almost undefeated.

“We cannot answer about Princess Iliaja’s matter at this time.”

“Oohh…”

Kabui Somal tilted his head slightly in response to the Prime Minister’s reply.

In fact, even Kabui Somal was surprised by that answer.

He had expected to be firmly rejected.

(Does this mean… it could be settled through negotiation?)

He began to think so.

Preparations had been made for any outcome.

However, it was certainly best to resolve the matter without the use of force.

“Then, may we proceed to discuss the unfortunate armed conflict, and during that time, may the Komakyuta Principality decide on the princess’s situation?”

“Yes, you may take it that way.”

Kabui Somal confirmed, and the Prime Minister nodded.

Subsequently, the ‘Peace Pavilion’ near the royal palace was rented by the Komakyuta government for Kabui Somal, the Lord Protector of the Suje Kingdom, and his party to stay.

‘Blue Jade Inn Wannya’ prepared as lodging for Ryo and Abel.

As the name suggests, it is an inn operated by the Blue Jade Trading Company in the capital city of Wannya.

The ‘Blue Jade Inn Wannya’ faces the second central plaza in the city of Wannya and is a very elegant, five-story stone building.

It is a coveted inn for the people of the Komakyuta Principality, renowned as a place they wish to stay.

Compared to the main branch in Manyama, it is much larger and boasts various facilities and amenities.

“Abel, did you see the open-air bath in the room? It has a wonderfully fragrant wooden tub.”

“You really like baths, Ryo…”

“Of course. I live for baths and will die for baths. I plan to have my epitaph engraved with that.”

“I-Is that so…”

However, they were about to be further astonished.

By the next words of the employee.

“There is also a large communal bath in the basement.”

“What!”

The ‘Blue Jade Inn Wannya’ had yet to reveal all its offerings.

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