Water Magician

Editor: Tseirp

""

The moment the wall of ice was deployed, hundreds of flames burst and scattered against its surface.

Then, from the gaping hole in the ceiling, two figures descended…

And attacked the prince and princess.

Clang!

Clang!

Two swordsmen stepped forward to protect them.

They were master and disciple.

Before the princess stood Mifa.

Their swords clashed with dark shadows.

Yes, 'shadows' would be the most accurate description.

Their physiques resembled humans—two arms and two legs—but their faces were completely featureless.

"Why are Shadow Stalkers in a place like this?"

Abel muttered instinctively.

Yes, what they were fighting were Shadow Stalkers.

"Mifa, these Shadow Stalkers are strong. Be careful."

"Yes, Master."

Mifa nodded at Abel's warning.

Even Abel, a veteran adventurer, had only a handful of encounters with Shadow Stalkers.

Said to be monsters born of the forest, Shadow Stalkers dwell deep within vast forests where humans seldom tread.

Even if someone entered such a forest, they wouldn't attack indiscriminately.

It's said they only attack those whom the forest itself deems a threat.

That's why even seasoned adventurers have little combat experience with them.

And so, Abel reasoned that his sixteen-year-old apprentice Mifa would certainly have no such experience, and offered his advice.

In truth, Mifa was shocked.

A shadow with a tangible form had attacked… that was how she interpreted it.

As always, she had positioned herself to be ready to protect Princess Shio Fen.

Because it was a formal ceremony, she wasn't wearing the longer dagger her master had given her.

So, the moment something lunged at the princess, she quickly borrowed a sword from a nearby Imperial Guard and intercepted the attack…

But that initial shock and fear were wiped away by Abel's words.

She didn't know what these shadows were, but her master did.

He gave her advice— and entrusted her with battle.

Which meant he believed she was capable of fighting them.

There was no need to worry.

All she had to do was swing her sword, as always.

Amid the intense clashing of swords, another figure descended from the open ceiling.

This one was… yes, a person.

Not a featureless Shadow Stalker.

A woman with long hair the color of deep green, large black eyes—a beauty by any standard—descended slowly.

Her clothes were Eastern robes, red with green trim.

Common attire in Darwei, though something felt… off.

"I'm surprised. My spell was completely repelled."

The green-haired woman said casually as she landed lightly.

"And the two Shadow Stalkers are being pushed back?"

She tilted her head slightly, observing the fierce sword fights.

"Who are you?"

It was Emperor Tsuin who asked the question.

"Nice to meet you, Emperor of Darwei. As for who I am, I'd rather not say. My name is Marie Cloche. I've come to take your lives."

With a sweet smile, she cast a spell.

""

""

Flaming bullets fired rapidly at Emperor Tsuin.

They were blocked by a thick, automatically forming ice wall that layered itself in response.

Over a thousand rounds.

Each blast carried a level of destructive power far beyond ordinary magic.

But despite being shattered and annihilated in flashes of mutual destruction, the ice wall continued to build up.

The one generating the ice wall stood beside Emperor Tsuin—a man in a robe.

The fiery assault ceased.

"I'm a bit shocked. You, in the robe— you're the one generating the ice wall, right? Who exactly are you?"

Marie asked.

The robed man beside Tsuin looked around, surveying the area.

"No, it's you I'm talking to. What's the point of looking around? You're clearly a water-attribute magician, aren't you?"

"You're mistaken."

"Don't play dumb. You're not even doing a good job of it."

"I don't understand what you mean. As a citizen of Darwei, it's only natural for me to protect His Majesty."

"People of Dawei don't wear robes like that. And what's with that 'Oops, I messed up' look on your face?"

Marie shook her head slightly.

"Marie-san…was it? I'd like to know your affiliation."

"Affiliation? I'd rather not say."

Marie scowled at the question.

"Well, I suppose it's normal for an attacker not to reveal their identity…"

"That's not exactly it… Actually, I was told to introduce myself."

"Told to introduce yourself?"

Ryo tilted his head.

An attacker being told to give their name?

By a superior?

But she herself didn't want to?

It made no sense.

"Haa…"

Marie let out a long sigh.

Then, after taking a breath, she introduced herself.

"I am one of the Seven Star Generals of the Choouchi Empire— Marie Cloche."

"Choouchi…?"

Ryo muttered, furrowing his brow.

Others in the room echoed the name, but most of them were tilting their heads.

Some were exchanging confused looks with those beside them.

It was apparently a nation unknown even to Darwei's court officials.

"Why is it that all these empires— like the Debuhi Empire and now the Choouchi Empire— have such ridiculous names?"

Ryo's muttering was apparently louder than he intended.

Even Abel, in the middle of his sword fight, glanced at him.

If his look could be put into words, it would likely be something like, "There goes Ryo saying weird stuff again".

But surprisingly, someone actually agreed with Ryo.

"Right!? It's such a dumb name, isn't it? Choouchi. Choouchi! You can't be serious, right? Ugh, you might be a water-attribute magician in a robe, but you've got a good sense of style!"

"Uh, thank you… I guess."

Anyone would be surprised if an enemy suddenly agreed with them—even Ryo.

Still, Choouchi really is a bad name…

"That's why I didn't want to say it. But whatever. I've named myself, carried out the attack, and completed the mission."

"Mission?"

Her voice wasn't exactly a mutter, and Ryo caught it, prompting him to ask suspiciously.

Marie, realizing what she'd said, showed a genuine 'Oops' face.

"F-Forget I said that…"

"Nope."

"Thought so. Then—die."

At that moment, Marie lunged at Ryo… but stopped halfway.

Her eyes widened in shock.

"What…what kind of trap is this…?"

She asked toward the empty space in front of her.

Nothing could be seen from the outside.

Even the ice wall was still some distance away.

"You shouldn't be able to see it… how did you know there's a there?"

Ryo tilted his head.

But that wasn't what Marie reacted to.

"Dynamic? Steam? Mine?"

Her words trailed off.

Because Abel had just defeated one of the Shadow Stalkers.

And then, without pause, he rushed to Mifa's side and cut the second one down with a single slash.

"Aww…what a shame. Oh well. I'll head back for now. Farewell, Emperor of Darwei. Until next time."

With those words, Marie flew up through the open ceiling and vanished.

For a while, no one spoke.

The first sound was Abel sheathing his sword.

()

Silently, Ryo dispelled the ice barrier.

Then, the room erupted into a cacophony.

"Your Majesty!"

"Are you unharmed, Your Majesty?"

"Who was that woman just now?"

"What were the Imperial Guards doing?!"

"Wasn't the palace supposed to be impenetrable?"

Voices came from all around.

"Your Majesty, I have something to tell you about the green-haired woman."

Ryo leaned in close and whispered quickly into Emperor Tsuin's ear.

Tsuin nodded slightly, without a word.

Imperial Guards quickly surrounded him for protection.

And with them, Emperor Tsuin was escorted away.

Ryo walked forward.

There, the Sixth Prince Ryun and Princess Shio Fen were thanking Abel and Mifa.

"Thank you. Thank you so much for helping us."

"No, Ryo's ice wall was there too, so actually, the two of you were under pretty heavy protection."

Abel replied modestly to Prince Ryun's words.

"Thank you, Mifa."

"No, Princess, protecting you is my duty."

Mifa answered happily in response to Princess Shio Fen's gratitude.

The first to notice Ryo approaching was Prince Ryun.

"Duke Rondo, thank you for protecting me, my consort, and His Majesty."

He said this while placing both hands together in front of his chest and bowing.

"No, no, Your Highness, I only did what was natural. Please raise your head."

Ryo replied kindly.

Indeed, at that moment, doing nothing and protecting no one was never an option.

So it was true he had merely done what was natural.

"I didn't know you were Duke Rondo, Ryo-sama."

It was Princess Shio Fen who said this and bowed.

"Ah…um…it's not that I was hiding it…"

Ryo faltered with his words.

Then he glanced to the side and added,

"I was going to tell you, you know? But Abel told me not to."

"Why would you lie about something that would be exposed so quickly…"

Abel immediately dismissed Ryo's excuse.

"So, Duke Rondo, you knew the Princess already?"

"Yes. I was helped a great deal in Bosuntar."

Prince Ryun nodded once and Ryo responded.

"Lady-in-waiting Mifa is a sword disciple of Abel-sensei."

Princess Shio Fen introduced her with a smile.

"Mifa has grown into a wonderful bodyguard."

Abel praised her.

Mifa's face turned bright red at the compliment.

At that moment, a man approached them.

"Excuse me for interrupting, Your Highnesses, Duke Rondo. You are being summoned."

It was Captain Li Chu.

He deliberately didn't say who was summoning them.

Still, the fact that someone would dare interrupt a conversation between a prince and a duke made it clear who it must be.

"Excuse me, I'll be back shortly."

Ryo said, and Prince Ryun, Princess Shio Fen, and Mifa bowed their heads.

Ryo and Abel followed Captain Li Chu.

"That was quite the close call."

"Yeah, they were a troublesome bunch."

"No. Not that, Abel."

"Hmm?"

Ryo denied it, and Abel tilted his head, confused.

"Given how things played out, His Majesty might have been killed."

"…Huh?"

Ryo's words made no sense to Abel.

They spoke in hushed voices, just quiet enough that Captain Li Chu walking ahead wouldn't hear.

Though, perhaps he could hear…but he wisely kept walking without turning back.

"There was a high possibility His Majesty would have died."

Ryo repeated.

"What do you mean?"

"Remember, right before the attack, His Majesty said something about wanting us to protect Prince Ryun? That sort of thing."

"I still don't get it…"

"When someone says something like that just before a major event, they often end up dying."

Ryo said this with full confidence.

Of course, Abel still didn't understand.

"Is this that whole 'pathos of things' thing you always talk about?"

"Close, but no. This is what's called a classic trope—or a flag."

"I see…there are all kinds of strange ideas."

Abel still didn't understand Ryo's logic…

"Let me explain. For example: 'When this war is over, I'm going back to my village to get married'. Or 'I'll take over the family business when I return'—people who say those things tend to die in the war. That's a flag."

"…That's terrifying."

Abel could understand the logic, but wasn't sure whether to believe it.

Still, if things really did happen that way, it was certainly frightening.

So he responded honestly…

Abel was a good man.

"That's why, keeping silent and taking action is best. Don't say it—just do it. That's also much cooler. So be careful, Abel."

R-right…"

As they talked, they arrived at Emperor Tsuin's chambers.

Inside were Tsuin and four men who were clearly military officers.

When the three entered, Tsuin waved a hand and dismissed the four.

"Ah, Duke Rondo, I've been waiting. I didn't even get a chance to thank you earlier before I was whisked away."

"No, Your Majesty. Your safety is of utmost importance. The actions of those around you were entirely appropriate."

Ryo had seen this in movies and dramas before.

Like when the U.S. President is attacked and the Secret Service moves them.

It's not about the person.

It's about the symbol.

So in such cases, the president's will is ignored.

It was in a similar fashion that Emperor Tsuin had been evacuated…

"There are still many unknowns, but there is one clear fact about the green-haired woman earlier. I wanted to tell you about it."

"Go on."

"She's an Illusionkin."

"An Illusionkin? That word rings a bell…hmm, from where…"

Tsuin stroked his chin in thought.

Ryo helped him out.

"Most likely from Governor Li Wu's report."

"Ah! Li Wu. He sent a report, but it hasn't arrived at the capital yet… Well, that's fine. If I recall, his report mentioned beings called Illusionkins who led monsters. He also said that report came from an adventurer—was that you, Duke Rondo?"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"I see. That clears things up."

Tsuin nodded deeply.

"An attack with monsters, on the imperial palace no less, and even introducing themselves… a challenge to our Great Darwei, no doubt. But earlier, I asked my ministers, and none had information on this so-called Choouchi Empire. We must investigate further."

The report to Emperor Tsuin concluded without issue.

"A challenge from the Illusionkins… sounds like trouble."

"Internal struggles for the throne, external threats from Illusionkins. Even a superpower isn't immune to instability."

Ryo and Abel shook their heads slightly as they walked back toward their lodgings at Ryusen Residence.

"Our Kingdom of Knightley should also shift toward military expansion!"

"…Huh?"

The Premier Duke urged the King.

"We must have overwhelming military might, so much so that no neighboring country dares to challenge us! That, in turn, will prevent war!"

"I don't entirely disagree… but the kingdom already has considerable military strength. Even in peacetime, it's quite useful."

"Do we really have such forces?"

"Yes. The adventurers."

"Ah…"

The kingdom is a country of adventurers.

Abel had once left the royal family to become an adventurer— so that capable adventurers could be brought in as the kingdom's strength.

"Our friend became king!" …that kind of bond was especially powerful among adventurers.

"From that perspective, Abel, you're a schemer…"

"It's not that elaborate."

"You seduced innocent adventurers and made them dance in the palm of your hand… How terrifying."

"Innocent adventurers? Like Phelps or Gramas?"

Phelps was Phelps A. Heinlein, heir to Marquis Heinlein.

Gramas was Hugh McGrath, the Grandmaster.

Both were adventurers—or former adventurers—but…

"Those two are extreme exceptions!"

Ryo objected loudly.

They were the next Marquis and next Count.

More like core political figures than adventurers.

Indeed, they might be exceptions.

"If you want examples, try Ra-san or the three from 'Room Ten'."

"Well, I suppose they're pure-hearted."

The four Ryo mentioned could certainly be called innocent.

At the very least, more so than the adventurer and Premier Duke currently making an impassioned argument…

"Abel, were you just thinking something rude?"

"Nope? Must be your imagination."

The adventurer-king smoothly dodged the adventurer-duke's accusation.

"Still, I wonder what traits Illusionkins actually have…"

"That came out of nowhere. Traits?"

"You know how Djinns are good with gravity magic or don't die even if you cut off their heads? Or how akumas can appear anywhere using those pitch-black gates…and yeah, they also don't die from decapitation."

"Duke Helb, Grand Duke Atinjo's brother, was a sorcerer. But that woman…Marie, was it? She didn't throw talismans or anything. Maybe she's a magician?"

"Yeah, she felt more like a magician. Hmm…"

Both Abel and Ryo pondered, but there just wasn't enough information to go on.

"Oh right, Duke Helb didn't fly, but Marie flew through the air, didn't she? That part really intrigues me."

"If it's about flying, I can do that too."

Abel said a bit proudly.

"Ah…right, it could be an alchemy tool."

Ryo responded, looking at the flight ring Abel wore on his left hand.

It was a possibility worth considering.

He was also curious about how alchemy had developed in the Eastern countries, including Darwei.

"Abel, let's stay in the imperial capital a bit longer."

"Hm? I don't mind. Apparently, we can't return to the Central countries unless that 'Corridor' thing opens anyway."

"Exactly. And I'm also curious about what His Majesty meant when he asked us to protect Prince Ryun, and the movements of the non-humans are also a concern."

"You're pretty much non-human yourself, Ryo…"

"I am a perfectly ordinary human being."

"R-right…"

Ryo leaned in to assert his point.

Abel, overwhelmed by his intensity, gave in.

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

If you like my translations, please support me on Patreon and unlock early chapter releases! 7 day free trial is available for Bronze tier now!