Water Magician-Chapter 543: Fenmu

“Once you get used to riding, it’s pretty easy, isn’t it?”

“Yeah. Horses are intelligent creatures; they instinctively understand what we want them to do. That aside… Ryo, your riding skills have improved a lot.”

“Right? It’s because I trust Andalusia completely.”

Ryo answered happily, patting Andalusia’s neck.

The road from Nomon, leading northward to Fenmu, wasn’t particularly wide.

Even so, there was enough space for two horses to walk side by side without issue.

Moreover, with hardly any travelers passing through, their ride was peaceful and quiet.

There were no towns or even villages along the highway, so the two of them engaged in very adventurer-like travel… hunting rabbits in the forest, catching fish in the river, and surviving off the land.

“This feels kind of nostalgic.”

“Doesn’t this remind you of our journey from Rondo Forest to Rune?”

“You too, Abel?! That was fun, but it was also really tough.”

“A griffon landed right in front of us, and we even spotted a behemoth… I think tough is an understatement.”

“Abel is such a scaredy cat.”

Ryo shook his head slightly.

He had even managed to ride on the back of Grigri the griffon by offering it some meat, so he didn’t find them particularly scary.

Of course, he understood that if he ever angered one, he could be easily killed, so he wasn’t reckless about it.

It was an entirely different experience compared to riding Andalusia now…

“Well, back then, we didn’t have Andalusia or Feiwan. Now, we just sit back and let them carry us. It’s so convenient!”

“The people who domesticated horses were truly remarkable.”

Ryo shared his thoughts, and Abel expressed admiration for their ancestors.

During breaks and while camping at night, Ryo demonstrated water magic to Andalusia and Feiwan.

Particularly using

multiple times as part of his explanation.

Of course, horses couldn’t understand human speech, yet…

“They seem to be getting it somehow.”

Abel murmured as he watched.

He understood why Ryo was doing this.

There might come a time when he would need to use

to protect them.

In such a situation, if the horses panicked and crashed into the ice, it could be disastrous.

That was a method that showed a deep understanding of a horse’s nature, and Abel highly regarded it.

“Ryo, sometimes you have the strangest bits of knowledge.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“No, I meant it as a compliment.”

“If you’re going to compliment me, do it properly! Like, Ryo is amazing! Ryo is fantastic! Ryo is the best! Something like that.”

“That would be weird.”

“Eh…?”

Exchanging such banter, the two riders and their horses continued northward.

Eventually, they started reading books while riding.

Both Abel and, surprisingly, even Ryo…

“I never thought I’d see the day when you could read while riding, Ryo.”

“I realized that once you master the basics of riding, everything comes down to trust in your horse. I have complete faith in Andalusia, so reading while riding is no problem at all!”

Abel praised Ryo’s progress, while Ryo reaffirmed his deep trust in Andalusia.

As they continued their journey northward…

They didn’t encounter a single traveler on the road.

They weren’t overtaken by anyone, either.

Neither of them noticed.

Then, disaster struck—suddenly.

“Huh?”

Ryo instinctively muttered, lifting his gaze from his book.

His movement immediately caught Abel’s attention.

“What’s wrong?”

“”

Ryo’s first priority was defense.

More than themselves, he had to protect the two horses… no, Andalusia.

“I’m sorry… we’ve been surrounded without realizing it.”

“You didn’t notice? Because you were reading?”

“T-That has nothing to do with it… probably… maybe… I think?”

His uncertainty made his response sound rather weak.

However, one thing was clear—the ones surrounding them weren’t ordinary.

They weren’t just some random bandits or highwaymen.

Not that they had ever actually been attacked by bandits before…

“There are about fifty of them. Highly trained and well-disciplined.”

“So, not bandits then. What do we do?”

“I… don’t want to force our way through.”

Ryo glanced at Andalusia and Feiwan before answering.

Abel understood his concern.

While

could provide protection, there was no guarantee it would be enough.

This would be the first time the horses faced combat alongside them.

Even though they had done plenty of training, this would be their first real battle—including encountering an ice wall in a fight.

As much as possible, they had to avoid a fight.

“Shall we just wait?”

“Huh?”

“If we show that we recognize them but have no intention to fight. It will be conveyed through our actions.”

“I see. Understood.”

Ryo nodded at Abel’s explanation.

Both of them dismounted from their beloved horses and waited for the encircling group to reveal themselves as they tightened the perimeter.

They gently patted Andalusia and Feiwan’s necks to reassure them.

The two horses nuzzled against them affectionately.

Showing no signs of anxiety.

Perhaps they believed that as long as they were with their masters, everything would be fine.

Or maybe, they even had more courage than Ryo and Abel themselves…

About two minutes after the two dismounted and waited, the encircling group finally showed themselves.

Ryo and Abel were both surprised.

Every single one of them was dressed in white.

Their attire had red trimmings here and there, creating a striking contrast between white and red.

However, their clothing was not like that of ninjas or bandits. In fact, it was closer to ceremonial attire.

The thought of them traversing the mountains in such garments, coordinating seamlessly while surrounding them… suggested they were highly familiar with the local terrain.

Each of them had their hair neatly tied up and secured with a small crown at the top of their heads.

Just like Duke Helb of the Atinjo Grand Duchy.

Their elegant clothing, neatly arranged hair, and small crowns…

Gave them an almost religious aura.

“We are the Baiyan (White Flame) Imperial Tomb Guard, protectors of Fenmu. I am Captain Li Chu. I ask you this—why do you tread this path?”

“Guardians of a tomb?”

Li Chu had posed a question.

But Ryo immediately fixated on something odd in the introduction and murmured his doubt.

“We are merely adventurers heading toward Fenmu.”

Abel answered honestly.

“Why would adventurers head toward Fenmu?”

Unlike his previous sharp questioning, Li Chu’s voice softened slightly.

Though his expression remained skeptical.

“Well… We plan to board a ship at Fenmu, travel down the South River, and make our way to the imperial capital.”

“A ship from Fenmu? You must be joking.”

Abel had spoken seriously, but Li Chu’s skeptical expression turned into a deep frown.

It seemed Abel had unknowingly said something offensive.

“Could it be… that Fenmu isn’t actually a town?”

Ryo voiced his suspicion.

Abel was the one most shocked by that question.

He widened his eyes and turned to Ryo.

“What nonsense are you speaking? Fenmu is the imperial tomb of successive emperors. No one living on this continent could be unaware of that…”

“Ah, I see. My apologies, as you can see, we are foreigners…”

Ryo interrupted Li Chu’s words with an explanation.

Upon hearing this, Li Chu carefully examined Abel’s red hair and Ryo’s robe—an unusual sight in the Darwei region.

“Hmm. Now that you mention it, that does make sense.”

He seemed to be a reasonable man.

Ryo let out a small sigh of relief.

“Abel, Fenmu is apparently the Imperial Mausoleum of past emperors.”

“The Imperial Mausoleum… so it’s the resting place of former rulers?”

“Yes, yes. No wonder its notation on the map was different from other places.”

“I see.”

Ryo and Abel spoke in hushed tones.

However, their predicament was not over yet.

“Yet, the moment you stepped into Fenmu’s outer grounds, your fate was sealed. You are sentenced to death.”

“What?”

“This is sacred land, not to be defiled. Regardless of your origins, trespassing here is a crime punishable by death.”

“W-Wait a moment!”

Ryo hastily raised his hands in protest.

Beside him, Abel had already placed a hand on the hilt of his sword.

Ryo thought desperately.

Avoiding a fight is the priority… for the sake of Andalusia.

These people weren’t killing them out of personal grudge or pleasure.

It was simply their duty.

If so, then all he had to do was make them see that there was no need to carry out their duty in this case…

“Abel, I think we have no choice here.”

“Are we going to break through by force?”

“No, let’s reveal your identity.”

“My identity?”

Abel tilted his head at Ryo’s suggestion.

But then, he quickly understood.

“You mean as the king of our kingdom?”

“Yes. In any culture, a foreign king visiting the tombs of past rulers and emperors as a sign of respect is a common practice.”

“That’s true… Even in the central countries, it happens.”

“Right? If we present it that way, these people shouldn’t attack us.”

“Indeed. That might work.”

Abel agreed with Ryo’s proposal.

With that decided, Ryo turned back to Captain Li Chu.

“We do not intend to flee or resist, but may we have a little more time?”

“Your demeanor is commendable, but…”

Li Chu nodded at Ryo’s composed words but glanced around.

His subordinates also seemed puzzled.

Once again, Ryo whispered to Abel.

“Now that it’s settled, Abel, let’s do this!”

“Do what?”

“The Mito Komon performance!”

“Huh?”

Abel clearly had no idea what Ryo was talking about.

Naturally.

“I will say, ‘Silence! Be silent! Do you not see this emblem?!’ Then, you show them the royal emblem or the necklace that proves your identity as the King of Knightley Kingdom!”

“…”

“Then, I’ll declare, ‘Do you realize who stands before you?! You are in the presence of His Majesty, King Abel I of Knightley! Lower your heads at once!’ And you just hand them the necklace.”

“…”

Ryo was extremely satisfied with his perfectly crafted ‘Mito Komon’ plan.

But Abel remained silent.

Not only that—his eyes started to shift around.

“Abel?”

“Uh, well… I don’t have it.”

“Huh?”

“I didn’t bring it.”

“Bring what?”

“The royal emblem proving my identity! I didn’t bring it with me!”

Abel confessed, his voice slightly louder in frustration.

Hearing this, Ryo froze.

After a few seconds of deep breathing, he finally opened his mouth.

“…You were told to always wear it. When I first received it, Marquis Heinlein told me that, didn’t he? He even showed me how he wore his and said, ‘Please make sure to always wear it like this.’ Even the Prime Minister wears his at all times.”

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“A-Ah…”

“And yet, the king, who should be a model for everyone, isn’t wearing it?”

“I can’t help it! I’m the king… I wear it when I go abroad, but within my own country, I don’t really need it…”

Both Ryo and Abel had been transported here straight from the battlefield.

That was why Abel wasn’t wearing it…

“Abel is a wonderful king, but sometimes he has these little lapses…”

“My apologies…”

“Don’t worry! It’s the role of the Premier Duke to cover for that!”

Saying this, Ryo began to think.

A move that would turn the tables even further.

“There’s no helping it. I’ll use mine.”

“Yours?”

“Yes. As the Premier Duke of the kingdom, I’ll act as the king’s representative and pay respects at the Imperial Mausoleum. Abel… you can be my bodyguard for this, how about that?”

“Ah… I’ll leave it to you.”

“And if they still say no, well…we’ll have no choice but to fight!”

With that, Ryo took a deep breath.

Then slowly exhaled.

In that instant, the atmosphere around him changed.

The White Flame Army surrounding them instinctively reached for their swords.

Ryo slightly jutted out his chin, straightened his chest, and clasped his hands behind his back.

A faint smile remained on his face.

But it was different from usual—there was an imposing air about him.

It was the overwhelming presence that the Dragon King Ruwin had once taught him, and even the former king, Roberto Pirlo, had praised.

Without saying a word, Ryo made the soldiers of the White Flame Army recognize that he was no ordinary person.

As he slowly walked toward Captain Li Chu, he took out the necklace that proved his identity from his chest.

Despite Ryo maintaining his smile, Captain Li Chu’s face was already stiff.

“I am Ryo Mihara, Duke of Rondo, holding the title of Premier Duke of the Kingdom of Knightley. I have come as the king’s representative to pay my respects at the Imperial Mausoleum.”

Saying this, he presented proof of his identity.

“Knightley Kingdom…?”

Captain Li Chu muttered in disbelief.

He was so mentally overwhelmed that his mind struggled to catch up with the unexpected words.

“This is my proof of identity. Do you have any alchemy tools to verify it?”

“Y-Yes. Please wait a moment.”

Ryo’s words snapped Captain Li Chu back to reality.

Even his manner of speaking had changed…

That was understandable.

He took the necklace from Ryo and held it up to an alchemy tool provided by one of his subordinates.

These kinds of tools existed in the central and western countries.

And apparently, they also existed here in the eastern countries.

Watching from behind, Abel found himself wondering.

Why could an identification necklace made in the central countries be verified with an alchemy tool from the East?

Of course, no one present could answer that question.

“I have confirmed it. Thank you.”

With that, Captain Li Chu returned the necklace to Ryo.

At almost the same moment Ryo took it back, all of the White Flame Army members dropped to one knee.

“It was our duty, but we have been terribly disrespectful. Please, forgive us…”

“I don’t mind.”

Captain Li Chu’s voice trembled as he apologized, while Ryo nodded magnanimously.

Yet, the pressure Ryo exuded did not fade.

“So, may I proceed with paying my respects to the late emperors?”

Now, Ryo’s tone was that of someone at the absolute top of the hierarchy in this situation.

Even in subtle nuances, he wove in the undeniable difference in status.

This was the art of negotiation.

“O-Of course. I shall guide you myself…”

Captain Li Chu remained kneeling, his head bowed low.

He honestly did not want to raise his head.

Though it had been his duty, he had just threatened to execute someone of such status.

He had no precise knowledge of the Knightley Kingdom.

But he knew it was one of the great powers in the central countries, one that even traveling bards sang about.

A legendary kingdom, in a way.

In Darwei, the concept of a ‘duke’ did not exist, but he knew that dukes were at the highest level of the aristocracy.

And ‘Premier Duke’ meant the highest of the high…

Probably second only to the king himself.

To accompany the king…

At that moment, Captain Li Chu shuddered.

He suddenly recalled.

A song he had heard in the imperial capital. A bard’s song.

‘With King Abel walks a single magician. His magic erases the sky, shatters the earth, and freezes the world. With but one spell, he annihilated an army of a hundred thousand. Not a legend, but reality. People sing his praises as Ice Fall or the Silver Duke.’

Right, the song of Duke Rondo.

The Duke of Rondo!?

Didn’t the identity just verified before his eyes say… Duke of Rondo?

It did.

Duke of Rondo…

The legendary magician sung about by bards!

And such a man was standing right in front of him?

Such a man was standing right in front of him!

Such a man…was standing right in front of him…

“Y-Your Excellency…Duke Rondo.”

“Yes?”

“If I may… I have just one last question, as a matter of duty…”

“Go ahead. What is it?”

“After you have paid your respects at the Imperial Mausoleum… where will you be going?”

“Is that something you need to know?”

“M-My deepest apologies!!”

Captain Li Chu bowed even lower.

Sweat dripped from his forehead.

In an instant, he realized his blunder.

He had claimed it was ‘a matter of duty’.

But as a mere guardian of the tombs, he had no right to ask where this duke would go afterward…

Even if his departure were to bring ruin to a nation…

“Well, very well. As my companion mentioned earlier, we are heading to the imperial capital, Hanlin.”

“I see…”

“We had planned to take a ship, but if that’s not possible… oh, I know. I could freeze the entire Southern River and ride across on horseback. That might be fun.”

Ryo said this with a smile.

In that instant, not only Captain Li Chu but every member of the White Flame Army felt cold sweat run down their backs.

Only a few of them realized that this duke was the one from the bard’s song.

But even those who didn’t know the song felt a terrifying certainty—that this man truly could freeze an entire river and ride across it.

Such was his overwhelming presence.

“Well, we’ll deal with that later. For now, please guide us to the Imperial Mausoleum.”

His tone returned to its usual polite manner.

And so, Ryo, Abel, and their two horses narrowly escaped certain death.

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

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