Chapter 0542 Governor
-x-X-x-
The group arrived in the city of Nomon in the evening.
They immediately entered a large inn.
Naturally, it had been reserved in advance.
Given that the group consisted of about thirty people and included Count Bashu, a noble, that was only to be expected.
"Ryo-san, Abel-san, I'd like you both to accompany me later. Governor Li Wu is also staying at this inn, and we have an appointment with him at six o'clock."
"Understood."
Abel nodded in response to Roche Ten's words.
At the appointed time of six o'clock.
Roche Ten led Ryo and Abel into Governor Li Wu's room.
"Oh, Roche-dono, it has been a while."
"I'm glad to see you in good health, Governor."
The two exchanged greetings.
Governor Li Wu was nearly two meters tall, with a completely shaved head and an imposing presence.
If one were to describe his demeanor with a two-word idiom, it would be bold and uninhibited.
"Are these the ones you mentioned?"
"Yes. This is Ryo-san and Abel-san."
Ryo and Abel also greeted him and immediately began recounting the events in Spring Village.
They told the exact same story they had shared with Roche Ten.
"Hmm…"
When they finished speaking, Governor Li Wu murmured and fell into thought.
About a minute passed before he finally spoke.
"I see… this has been very informative. I appreciate it."
With that, he bowed his head.
"Oh, no, not at all…"
Unsure of how to respond, Ryo instinctively said those words.
"The Illusionkin… they appear in some historical texts, though they are more like historical romances rather than true records."
"Is that so? I was unaware of them."
Governor Li Wu said, and Roche Ten replied that he didn't know.
The historical romance was, in essence, a novel.
It was different from official historical records, but it couldn't be entirely dismissed.
"Yes, it's a tale from many dynasties ago. One could even say it belongs to legend. I will inquire with the imperial historians when I return to the capital. As for the part about them triggering monster attacks across various regions… These attacks have indeed occurred in many places, but not even once in 'Chuo Chuang'."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. Including Spring Village, there have been fifteen incidents that I know of. However, since nothing has happened in 'Chuo Chuang', the imperial court is reacting very slowly."
Governor Li Wu's expression was grim.
"Right now, military deployments are in disarray due to the official wedding procession of the Sixth Prince's primary consort. Prince Ryun is not participating in the imperial succession struggle, but this is the first primary consort's marriage procession in five years. It's only natural for the palace to be extremely cautious."
"Indeed… ever since the Crown Prince passed away, this is the first such event. It's said that Princess Shio Fen has faced multiple assassination attempts. Just the other day, there was an incident in my city, Boago."
"Yes, I heard about it. The princess's fleet had already set sail, but the local Governor was caught up in the attack, wasn't he? Things are starting to smell of conspiracy…"
Both Roche Ten and Governor Li Wu frowned as they spoke.
Ryo and Abel exchanged glances but remained silent.
They had witnessed one of the attacks on the princess firsthand… but it seemed the matter was not limited to Bosuntar alone.
Perhaps this was all part of a much larger movement involving the entire Eastern Countries, including Darwei.
"Oh, my apologies—Ryo-dono and Abel-dono, correct? I have fully understood your report. I will take it back to the imperial capital."
"I will stay and discuss matters with the governor a little longer, so the two of you may retire to your rooms. Feel free to order whatever you like for dinner; my attendants will assist you."
With those words from Li Wu and Roche Ten, Ryo and Abel were dismissed.
"This whole business with Princess Shio Fen's wedding procession seems incredibly difficult."
"Yeah. Even though Mifa is acting as her bodyguard, preventing all attacks is going to be tough."
Ryo and Abel continued their conversation over dinner in the first-floor dining hall.
"At least with this, we've become Level 6 adventurers. Now we can enter the imperial capital without any issues."
"At first, they said Level 7 or higher would be fine…"
"Yeah. But yesterday, it suddenly changed to Level 6 or higher… it all seems pretty messy, doesn't it?"
While Ryo and Abel had been meeting Governor Li Wu with Roche Ten, Roche Ten's attendants had checked the new entry restrictions.
Apparently, security around the capital had been tightened, and only Level 6 adventurers or higher were now allowed in.
"We have to get to the capital no matter what!"
"Abel, you're unusually motivated. This is because of that flying bracelet, isn't it?"
"I won't deny it."
Ryo chuckled, and for once, Abel admitted it without hesitation.
He was that eager to experience flight.
Perhaps flying had always been one of humanity's universal dreams since ancient times.
"Technically, our work is done. Roche Ten brought us here to report to the traveling governor. So that should be the end of it, right?"
"Probably. Now we just need to figure out how to get from Nomon to the capital."
"I still have the map we found at the equipment shop next to the Guild."
"Alright, let's take a look at it once we're done eating."
Sipping their after-dinner tea, they spread out the map and examined their route.
"The city of Nomon, where we are now, is quite far from the coast, isn't it?"
"Yeah. Darwei itself is vast, so in the grand scheme of things, it's not that far, but it is quite inland from the coastline."
"I heard that the imperial capital, Hanlin, is spread out along the southern bank of the Southern River, one of the two great rivers that flow east to west through Darwei."
"So, should we head north from here and then find a place to take a boat down the Southern River? That might be the fastest route."
"That sounds like a great idea! Abel, you're really sharp today!"
Ryo praised Abel's idea.
It's important to give credit where it's due.
Maintaining good relationships requires recognizing good ideas.
"If that's the plan… then this road heading north must be the one. Since it doesn't have a name written on the map, does that mean it's a smaller path?"
As Abel spoke, he traced his finger along the road extending north from Nomon.
"It looks like it leads to a city called Fenmu."
"Something about Fenmu seems different compared to the other cities, don't you think?"
Ryo pointed out an odd detail in the way Fenmu was labeled on the map.
Aside from the imperial capital… most towns and villages were depicted with a simple house symbol inside a circle.
But Fenmu's symbol looked more like a five-story pagoda rather than a house.
It seemed grander than the other towns.
"Maybe it's a large city?"
"If it's a central hub, there's a chance they have boats or even regular ferries going to the capital."
As Ryo said this, he imagined a sightseeing boat cruising along a great river.
"Alright, then it's decided. After we complete the paperwork at the Nomon Adventurers' Mutual Aid Society to become Level 6 adventurers, we'll head north to Fenmu."
"From there, we'll take the Southern River down to the imperial capital."
Both Abel and Ryo looked excited now that they had a clear plan.
In any endeavor, having a clear outlook is essential.
Uncertainty leads to anxiety.
And a project with no direction is bound to fail!
Of course, if the plan itself is fundamentally flawed… that could lead to some unfortunate consequences…
-x-X-x-
The next day, Ryo and Abel parted ways with Roche Ten's group.
Additionally, Governor Li Wu mentioned that after stopping by another town, he would be returning to the imperial capital.
"So, both of you are heading to the imperial capital. If you stop by, be sure to visit the Imperial Censorate. That's the department that oversees us governors. I'll probably be staying in the capital for quite a while this time."
With those words, Governor Li Wu departed for the next town.
Ryo and Abel completed the necessary procedures at the Adventurers' Mutual Aid Society and successfully advanced to Level 6 adventurers.
"Alright, shall we set off?"
"Andalusia, take care of me again."
Both Abel and Ryo mounted their beloved horses.
Feiwan and Andalusia were well-behaved, requiring almost no effort to handle.
In fact, since they naturally followed the path without any guidance, riding them felt far less burdensome than driving a car on Earth.
"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
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
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
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."
"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.
-x-X-x-
Ryo released his 'pressure', finally allowing the soldiers of the White Flame Army to stand up.
Captain Li Chu took the lead and guided Ryo and Abel.
The two entrusted Andalusia and Fei Wan to others before passing through the gate.
Beyond it lay an expansive area lined with numerous tombs… resembling a kind of park.
"I see. This indeed is a fitting example of the word 'majestic'."
Ryo murmured with a nod.
He was no longer exerting any pressure.
Nor did he use the tone of a superior.
Even so, the captain seemed to feel a sense of suffocation.
Without a word, he bowed deeply.
Before continuing ahead to lead them.
At that moment, Ryo's gaze caught sight of a group of about ten people gathered in an orderly section of the tombs.
At the center stood a young man, likely around twenty years old, dressed in blue robes. His eyes were closed, his head bowed, and he appeared to be deep in prayer.
"Captain Li Chu."
"Y-Yes, Your Excellency?"
"Earlier, you mistook us for commoners and nearly took our lives."
"My deepest apologies…"
"No, I am not reproaching you anymore. But according to Darwei law, commoners do not enter this mausoleum, correct?"
As Ryo spoke, Captain Li Chu finally realized what he was looking at.
"You are correct, Your Excellency. The one offering prayers there is His Highness, the Sixth Prince, Ryun."
"Oh? So that is him…"
Ryo was surprised by Li Chu's explanation.
And Abel, standing behind him, was equally astonished.
Their reaction was natural.
After all, the Sixth Prince was the very person whom their acquaintance, Princess Shio Fen, was set to marry.
To encounter him here, of all places—the Imperial Mausoleum—was beyond their imagination.
"All imperial princes spend five days and nights within the mausoleum before their wedding to the official consort. Offering reports to the past emperors who rest here. Today is the fifth day for His Highness Prince Ryun. He will remain here until tonight and depart tomorrow morning."
Ryo silently nodded at Li Chu's explanation.
The prince, dressed in simple blue robes without any extravagant decorations, was wholly devoted to prayer. He gave no negative impression.
Though Prince Ryun himself had not noticed Ryo's presence, his attendants had.
Ryo turned toward the tomb of the previous emperor, the first one they had been led to, and bowed his head.
Since customs varied between nations, no one would likely take issue with this gesture…
Just behind him, Abel did the same.
Following Ryo's lead.
As expected, Abel was a man who knew how to read the room!
Once the two had paid their respects and turned back, they found that more people had gathered.
At the center of the group of ten stood the man in blue robes—Prince Ryun.
He gave a respectful bow.
"I am Ryun, the Sixth Prince of Darwei."
"How very polite of you. I am Duke Rondo, holding the title of Premier Duke of the Kingdom of Knightley of the Central Countries. I have come as the envoy of King Abel I to offer greetings."
Ryo responded just as courteously.
"The Central Countries…you have come from so far. I am sure those who rest here would be pleased."
"I appreciate your kind words."
Thus, the first meeting between Prince Ryun and Ryo took place in a cordial atmosphere.
Once they were a sufficient distance away, Ryun's attendants began whispering among themselves.
"The Central Countries? Is that even possible?"
"I've only ever heard of that place in legends or bardic songs."
"But if the White Flame Army obeyed them, their status must have been verified."
"Still… is that really genuine?"
"Enough!"
Ryun's single word cut off their discussion.
"His bearing was refined beyond compare. There is no doubt he is of noble birth. Do not speak disrespectfully."
"Apologies."
At his rebuke, the attendants bowed their heads in unison.
Only one man remained silent throughout.
He appeared to be in his mid-twenties.
Considering that most of Ryun's attendants were the same age as him—nineteen—he was the oldest among them.
"Lin Shun, what do you think?"
Ryun addressed the silent man.
"I question the timing of this."
Lin Shun responded in a calm voice.
"You suspect one of the princes summoned them?"
Ryun asked, frowning.
"No… realistically, that seems unlikely. However, for an emissary from a distant foreign nation… a high-ranking duke, second only to the king—to arrive in Darwei at this precise moment. Just as Your Highness is about to marry, it is difficult to consider it mere coincidence."
"I see. So this may be the design of someone… for some purpose."
Ryun nodded at Lin Shun's hypothesis.
Even if that duke was not an enemy, the fact that he had appeared in Darwei at such a crucial moment was likely influenced by some unseen force.
They could not afford to be careless.
"Well, to begin with, the imperial palace is no place for carelessness."
Ryun smirked as he envisioned the palace.
To be honest, compared to the imperial capital, where conspiracies swirled endlessly, the tranquility of this imperial mausoleum felt almost refreshing…
But tomorrow, he would have to leave here and return to the capital.
The woman who would become his official consort was arriving.
He had to be there to welcome her.
"Do not let Princess Shio Fen suffer…"
"Your Highness…"
"I know. There's no turning back now… for many reasons."
Ryun gave a small nod and returned to his prayers at the imperial mausoleum.
An hour later, Ryo and Abel finished their prayers.
"Captain Li Chu, thank you for your guidance."
"N-No! It was the greatest honor of my life to escort Your Excellency!"
The fifty soldiers of the White Flame Army all knelt on one knee in unison and bowed to Ryo.
Ryo looked northward.
There, he could see the Southern River and a massive ship anchored at its shore.
"That ship belongs to the Sixth Prince, correct?"
Ryo asked Captain Li Chu.
He recalled someone telling him that traveling to the imperial capital by boat from here was out of the question.
Of course, someone connected to the imperial family—like the prince—was an exception.
"Yes, Your Excellency. I apologize…"
"No need. Still, traveling all the way to the capital by land would be exhausting. Ideally, I would like to acquire a ship somewhere and sail down the Southern River to reach the capital… would that be a realistic option?"
"It is possible. If you travel east along the river for half a day from this city of Fenmu, you will reach the town of Borhen. Borhen is one of the key hubs for river transport along the Southern River, so you should be able to procure a ship there. However…"
Captain Li Chiu hesitated for a moment and glanced at Abel…
Before continuing.
"Your Grace, may I ask… are there any others accompanying you?"
"No. Just this swordsman here. He alone is more than enough."
Ryo smiled warmly before adding,
"As long as he and I are together, we can take on an entire nation's army if necessary."
At that moment, the soldiers of the White Flame Army seemed to audibly gulp.
They knew it had to be a bluff. Or perhaps just a joke.
And yet… it felt strangely believable…
"So, I'd advise against angering this swordsman."
"Understood…"
Thus, with the crisis averted, Ryo and Abel mounted their beloved horses once more and set off eastward along the river toward the town of Borhen.
Later, of course, the White Flame Army reported everything to the imperial capital… but Ryo and Abel were completely unaware of that…
-x-X-x-
"Well, that was a close one."
"No kidding."
"I don't want to get Andalusia involved in a fight. Peace is the greatest thing in human life."
Ryo and Abel were walking along the path by the Southern River, riding Andalusia and Feiwan.
"This all started because Abel forgot to bring his identification…"
"My bad! I've said it many times already… but Ryo, you didn't notice until we were surrounded, either!"
"A-Are you blaming me now? You were too busy reading your book to notice anything yourself!"
A swordsman and a magician, blaming each other.
Both let out a small sigh and said:
"We should stop reading books while riding."
"We must stay vigilant."
And so, they made a firm decision.
Ten Minutes Later.
"These buns are delicious!"
"They're filled with minced meat, and the juices are incredible."
The two happily munched on something that seemed like meat buns, bought along the way.
They weren't reading books!
They weren't letting their guard down!
But, since they were traveling, they might as well enjoy the journey.
And one of the best parts of traveling was snacking!
The road from Nomon to Fenmu had absolutely nothing, but the road from Fenmu to Borhen had shops along the way.
It was probably because this road ran along the Southern River.
As expected of a great river, the Southern River had a width of over a kilometer everywhere.
As a result, many ships of various sizes traveled along it, and numerous shops had sprung up to cater to them.
The two were enjoying the benefits of those shops…
"Back on the road from Nomon, we were threatened with execution just for getting close…"
"Even on this road, it took over an hour past Fenmu before we saw any shops. Maybe ordinary people still aren't allowed near Fenmu?"
"Not even being able to visit graves… that must be tough."
Abel's reasoning was met with Ryo's common-sense response.
"Well, it's not just royal graves—there are also many burial treasures. They can't let grave robbers get anywhere near."
"Ah, I see."
Throughout history, kings and emperors had been buried with valuable treasures.
Sometimes, this was done to ensure the deceased could live comfortably in the afterlife… but to grave robbers, it was simply wasteful.
"They're not using it anyway. So we might as well put it to good use!"
"How shamelessly bold of them!"
"Yeah… that's one way to put it."
Ryo fumed, while Abel let out a wry smile.
After all, Abel was a king himself, and one day, he too would be buried with treasures.
"My golems will protect your grave forever, Abel!"
"O-Oh…thanks?"
Of course, Ryo had not yet built a golem capable of guarding a grave indefinitely.
But if he ever did… even after humanity perished, the golem would continue to guard the grave… it sounded like the beginning of a tragic story…
"I just came up with a better idea!"
"…Why do I feel like I shouldn't ask?"
"If I modify Abel's body so he doesn't die, there's no need for a grave at all!"
"Yeah, I definitely shouldn't have asked…"
Naturally, Ryo did not have the technology to make Abel immortal.
"But there are many possible methods! I could turn Abel into a vampire, or extract his soul and place it into a golem. No worries—technology is advancing every day! By the time you're about to die, I'm sure new techniques will have been developed!"
"Let me think about that for a moment…"
Thus, Mad Scientist Ryo was born!
"By the way, this was my first time feeling Ryo's pressure… it's impressive."
"Pressure? Oh! Even King Roberto Pirlo praised me for it, but I didn't realize it was that strong. The Dragon King next door in the Rondo Forest taught me. I guess it makes a difference when you learn directly from the real deal."
Ryo answered happily.
The previous king, Roberto Pirlo, had ruled one of the nations within the Handal Union and had complimented Ryo's pressure when they traveled to the Western Countries together.
The Dragon King, Ruwin, resided in Ryo's domain, the Rondo Duchy. Ryo often brought him seasoned meat and rice.
To Ryo, it was just like sending a seasonal gift or an offering.
If he could receive training in exchange, it was a great deal.
"But Abel, don't you give off pressure all the time?"
"All the time? Really?"
"Well… like during military parades and such."
"Ah…yeah, I guess. That's just part of my duties as king. But even compared to that, your pressure was overwhelming."
"Haha, you're making me blush."
Being praised for his aura by King Abel himself made Ryo quite pleased.
During their time in Fenmu, Ryo had acted as the kingdom's representative in his role as the highest-ranking duke. So, receiving direct recognition from the king was a great honor.
That evening, they arrived in Borhen.
"Captain Li Chu said that Borhen is a key hub for river transport along the Southern River, but wow, it's big!"
"Yeah. A wide river makes a difference, huh?"
With a river at least a kilometer wide, even ocean-going ships might be able to sail inland with ease.
"This is exciting!"
"We should be able to find a good ship here."
"No! That's not what I meant!"
"Huh? But that's why we came here…"
"No, no, no! What we're looking for in Borhen… is delicious food!"
"Uh…yeah… just don't eat too much."
The two found a nice inn and enjoyed a good dinner.
The next morning.
"I-I'm fine, I can still travel…"
"You're riding Andalusia, after all."
"I definitely didn't eat too much…"
"Yeah, you have zero credibility right now."
Ryo was visibly struggling.
Of course, it was because he was too full.
Of course, it wasn't because he overate at dinner.
Well, okay, he had eaten quite a lot for dinner, but that was nothing a night of sleep couldn't fix.
That wasn't the problem.
The real issue was… he had eaten too much breakfast.
"I never imagined there would be such delicious white rice…"
"Ah, rice, huh? Just like in the Rondo Forest, you really love rice, don't you, Ryo?"
Yes! The inn's breakfast had delicious white rice!
Not the slightly dry rice they had eaten in the southern part of the continent, but real 'white rice'—exactly the kind that Japanese people picture when they hear the word!
Ryo didn't dislike bread, of course, but he absolutely loved white rice.
Since they hadn't stayed at an inn while passing through Fenmu, it had been a while since he last had rice…
"I let my guard down…"
"Already overeating so early in the morning…"
"This is because I trust in Abel and Andalusia. The rest is up to you…"
"Hey…"
Even while dealing with a useless water-attribute magician, Abel managed to secure a boat.
It was shaped like a cargo ship, but it had a retractable roof to provide shelter in case of rain.
Of course, there was enough space for both of their horses to board as well.
"Four days to the imperial capital, including meals. Four gold coins for two people and two horses."
"That's cheap. Is that really all it costs?"
"Until a week ago, there were a lot of passengers heading to the imperial capital. With the princess's wedding, the place turned into a festival, and many people went there to make money. But now, the timing is so close to the wedding that there aren't any passengers left."
"Ah, so everyone who wanted to go has already left. Lucky for us, we don't have to deal with the crowds!"
Both of them had a fair amount of money deposited in the bank.
They withdrew what they thought they'd need for their travels, carrying about twenty gold coins each.
Considering that, paying four gold coins for both of them, plus their horses, was indeed a bargain.
"Looks like there are other passengers besides us."
"Yeah. Are they… soldiers?"
Ryo noticed about ten men and women who had already boarded, and Abel nodded in agreement.
Since it was a cargo ship, the deck was quite spacious.
It had only a single deck, with nothing but the cargo hold below.
Because the hold was filled with goods, passengers were expected to stay on the deck.
"Being under the sunlight feels much better than being in a cramped, dark space."
"It would be rough if it were summer or winter, though."
And so, the two surrendered themselves to the journey, watching the riverside scenery from the deck of the ship.
-x-X-x-
The sea voyage was peaceful.
Besides the two of them, there was also a group of about ten soldiers on board. However, since the ship was quite large, they didn't have any particular interactions…
Abel was reading a book, while Ryo was scratching something onto an ice board.
Then, on the afternoon of the third day.
"Hehehe…hehehe, hehehe…hah!"
"What's with that eerie laugh…?"
"I'm in such a good mood that I'll forgive that comment of yours today, Abel. I've finally completed it!"
"Completed what?"
"The Theory of Magic Power (Hypothesis)!"
"…Huh?"
Ryo was ecstatic, while Abel tilted his head in confusion.
"The Theory of Magic Power? What's that?"
"In simple terms, it's about what magic power actually is."
"…And? What is magic power?"
Abel could tell that Ryo wanted him to ask, so he went along with it.
Abel was a really nice guy.
"Magic power is gravity in extra dimensions."
"…What?"
Abel tilted his head.
He had absolutely no idea what that meant.
"Hehehe, with this, I can explain all the magic power in the world. Every fantasy story ever written, every novel, comic, or anime that has used the word 'magic power'—I can explain them all! The authors themselves probably didn't realize they were using the gravity of extra dimensions as magic power…hehehehe. This is the fusion of fantasy and science fiction! I will create a new genre—SFF, Science Fiction Fantasy!"
Ryo was passionately rambling, but Abel still didn't understand a thing.
Most of the words were unfamiliar, but since the main topic was 'magic power', Abel decided to focus on that and ask again.
"Ryo, what exactly is magic power?"
"Magic power is gravity in extra dimensions."
"Yeah, still don't get it. Those are just more words I don't know."
"Right…I figured…"
Ryo was finally brought back to reality.
And then he thought—
Explaining this to Abel…isn't that impossible?
To understand Ryo's theory, you need a lot of prior knowledge.
Especially knowledge of physics.
Especially knowledge of theoretical physics.
Especially knowledge of superstring theory.
First, in physics, all forces or interactions in this universe can be classified into four types:
'Gravity'; 'Electromagnetic Force'; 'Strong Nuclear Force'; 'Weak Nuclear Force'
Every force that exists falls under one of these four categories.
For example, chemical reactions—like 'something burning'—are all based on the movement of electrons and thus fall under the 'Electromagnetic Force' category.
In physics.
Among these four, the 'Strong Nuclear Force' and 'Weak Nuclear Force' only act at subatomic levels, around the size of an atomic nucleus.
These forces are powerful but only function in an extremely tiny world that people cannot perceive.
So, for now, we'll ignore them.
'Gravity', on the other hand, is something that every person living on Earth knows.
They have also experienced it.
They have experienced the feeling of being 'pulled by the Earth'.
That is 'Gravity'.
Everything that is not 'gravity', 'strong force', or 'weak force' falls under 'electromagnetic force'…at least, that's a simple way to think about it.
Now, there is a question that physicists have pondered for many years.
That is…
'Why is gravity so weak?'
For people living on Earth, gravity constantly pulls them downward…they might not think of it as weak.
No matter how powerfully you throw a ball, no matter how strongly you kick it upward, the ball never reaches space—it always falls back to the ground…
That's because Earth's gravity pulls it back.
How could such a force possibly be weak?
But think about this:
Consider a magnet.
Even a very, very small magnet can lift a paperclip off a table.
Against gravity.
The force that pulls the paperclip upward is the force of electricity and magnetism—the 'electromagnetic force'.
The Earth, which weighs approximately 5,972,400,000,000,000,000,000 tons, pulls the paperclip downward. Yet a tiny magnet, weighing just a few grams, can easily overpower that pull.
That's the difference in strength between 'gravity' and 'electromagnetic force'.
If we compare the strengths of the three forces other than 'gravity'.
If we set the 'Strong Nuclear Force' = 1,
'Electromagnetic Force' = 0.01
'Weak Nuclear Force' = 0.00001
The 'weak force' is quite weak, right?
But what about 'gravity' when compared in the same way?
'Gravity' = 0.0000000000000000000000000000000000000001
That's how it looks.
Yes, it's too weak!
Overwhelmingly, ridiculously weak!
So weak it almost seems like an error!
That's why some physicists think:
"It's just a measurement error."
"It's only a fraction leaking out from the real thing."
An error? The real thing? What does that mean?
They argue that:
The true form of 'gravity' does not exist in our three-dimensional world.
Now, recall something:
'Superstring theory' that has come up several times before.
Superstring theory, or simply string theory. One of the leading-edge theories in physics.
The last time it came up was…right, when the Holy Pope was frozen.
According to this theory, our universe has at least nine dimensions or more.
However, we can only perceive three dimensions.
The remaining six dimensions are… beyond our perception.
These six hidden dimensions are called extra dimensions.
The key to Ryo's magic power theory lies in these extra dimensions.
Gravity is the only force that can pass between dimensions without any loss.
Some theoretical physicists believe that the true source of 'gravity' exists in extra dimensions.
What we experience in our three-dimensional world is merely a fraction of it leaking from the higher dimensions.
That's why the gravity we perceive is so incredibly weak.
This means that in the extra dimensions, there exists an immense amount of gravity.
So, where are these extra dimensions?
Answer: They are everywhere.
In front of our eyes, behind our heads, above us, below us.
Inside our stomachs, within our hearts, and of course, right next to our brains.
Ryo even believes that humans exist within all nine dimensions, but we can only perceive three of them.
Which means, the so-called extra dimensions exist everywhere.
But we simply cannot recognize them.
That's why we can connect to them from anywhere.
And we must connect to them and use them.
Because without doing so, we lack what we need.
Yes. We lack everything.
Just gathering magic power with sheer willpower?
Just generating magic spells out of thin air?
No friggin' way.
It is simply not enough.
From the very beginning, a question had lingered.
Creating water? Creating ice?
Even if one were to use water vapor from the air, it would be far too insufficient.
Then, where did the missing portion come from?
E = mc²
E is energy.
m is mass.
c is the speed of light.
Einstein's equation suggests that matter can be created from energy.
Yes, matter was created from energy.
But there is a major problem here.
It is said that the mass actually converted into energy by the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima was only about 0.7 grams.
In other words, even if all that energy had been converted into mass…it would have only produced 0.7 grams of matter.
Water projectiles? Ice spears?
To generate them would require an enormous amount of energy.
Using magic power as energy?
Simply using magic power?
Using one's internal reserves of magic power?
There's no way that would be enough!
The missing portion must be drawn from somewhere else…
Magic power floating in the air?
It would be wrong to say it doesn't exist.
But if that's the case…what about the law of conservation of energy?
Would it be ignored?
Would it collapse?
It's still not enough.
When dealing with physics—when handling it rigorously—there is always a key term that must be considered.
That term is 'system'.
In a closed system…
Within the same system…
Even the law of conservation of energy applies within a system…
All kinds of…
If that is the case, then there is only one way to bypass this limitation.
'It must be drawn from another system.'
And that other system is the 'extra dimensions'.
However, 'gravity' is still just gravity.
Most magical phenomena fall under 'electromagnetic force'.
Are they separate forces?
Yes, but in reality, 'gravity' and 'electromagnetic force' share the same fundamental nature.
Ultimately, they are just different vibrations of 'strings'…that is what string theory proposes.
Originally, at the birth of the universe, 'gravity', 'electromagnetic force', 'strong force', and 'weak force' were all one single force.
As time passed, temperatures dropped, and pressure decreased, and these forces separated into the four we recognize today.
If that is the case, then couldn't 'gravity' be converted into 'electromagnetic force… at least, through magic, it seems possible.
"Djinns like Merlin-san and Garwin can control gravity. But they can also wield the four magic attributes. If we consider that gravity itself is the source of magic power, then it makes sense that they can use all attributes of magic…"
Ryo was explaining aloud, but he was really just talking to himself.
Abel didn't understand a single bit of it, nor did Ryo expect him to.
"Once magic is activated, even if distance increases, it remains connected—like a magic thread continuously supplying magic power. For example, a spell like
From the moment he arrived in 'Phi' and began using magic, Ryo had questions. And now, he was beginning to realize that he might have been approaching an answer all along.
Even if it was largely unconscious.
There is a physical phenomenon where distance seems to be irrelevant. It is called 'quantum entanglement'.
In quantum entanglement, a pair of entangled photons is created and then separated.
But no matter how far apart they are, if one photon is affected, the other photon reacts 'instantly'.
That is quantum entanglement.
Yes, 'instantly', regardless of distance.
This phenomenon was experimentally confirmed in the early 21st century.
Ryo had a vague feeling that extra dimensions might be involved in this phenomenon.
That's right—by the 21st century, humanity was already beginning to reach into phenomena related to extra dimensions!
"Of course, I believe that magic power flows through our bodies. Maybe it's even present in the air. But what if those magic power are just catalysts that draw upon the gravity stored in the extra dimensions…?"
It wasn't a perfect explanation.
There were still missing pieces.
But…at this moment, Ryo felt confident enough to say it outright.
"In other words—magic power is gravity from the extra dimensions!"
"Yeah…sorry. I don't get it at all."
Ryo concluded, and Abel declared, utterly lost.
"Well, that's fine! Once we return to the Kingdom, I'll publish this!"
"Publish…? What do you mean?"
Ryo declared, and Abel tilted his head in confusion.
"Huh? There must be places to present research papers, right? Remember how Kenneth once published his research on fusion magic and long-distance communication via the splitting of magic stones? A place like that…"
"Oh, that. That's only for members of the Royal Academy of Sciences. Kenneth and that old man Ilarion are members… but you aren't, are you?"
"No, I don't remember ever joining something like that. What kind of elitist organization is that?"
"It's an institution where only top researchers in their fields are admitted. I think you need two active members' recommendations and two published papers to even apply. You probably don't qualify…"
Hearing that, Ryo slumped in disappointment.
But he quickly recovered.
"I don't need to publish it there! I'll reveal it to the world!"
"Reveal it?"
Ryo declared it like a journalist about to expose a major scandal.
"I'll include it in the sequel to 'The Hungry Swordsman Abel'! I'll change the entire fantasy novel genre with this!"
"Wait, Abel is a swordsman, right? You're going to put magic power theory into that novel?"
"It's fine! I'll introduce a righteous, pure, and noble magician named Ryo who will explain everything!"
"The moment you called yourself righteous and pure while stealing Abel's spotlight, I had my doubts…"
Abel wasn't exactly worried about the fate of the story, but he couldn't help but shake his head slightly.
Feeling sorry for the novel's version of himself.
And so, would Ryo's magic power theory truly change the future of fantasy novels…?
A grand challenge was about to begin!… Or at least, maybe.
-x-X-x-
"This is an incredibly massive suspension bridge…"
"The river is wide, but maybe it's built like this so any kind of ship can pass? Amazing."
The great bridge spanning the western outskirts of the imperial capital, Hanlin, was visible even from far down the river.
Near the capital, the South River was said to be nearly two kilometers wide, making the bridge spanning it almost unbelievably large.
After a while, the boat carrying the two approached the bridge.
"It's quite high, even from the river surface…"
"Yeah, it's a massive structure."
"Abel, perhaps for national prestige, we should also…"
"No need!"
"Why not?!"
"Because our kingdom doesn't have a river this big."
Ryo had no rebuttal for Abel's perfectly reasonable response.
Instead, he decided to propose something else.
"In that case. Let's build a 100-meter-tall statue of you!"
"…Huh?"
"So that the citizens of the kingdom can feel pride!"
"No need…"
"Why not?!"
"…It's way too embarrassing."
Abel wasn't fond of such things.
"In many countries, great leaders often have grand statues built in their honor. It would be fitting to have a statue of Abel, the Liberator and Hero!"
"I…really don't need that…"
"As a king, you should be able to endure such minor humiliation!"
"See! So you admit it's humiliating!"
"Ah! I fell into Abel's trap!"
"You totally did that on purpose…"
It seemed even a king had to deal with a lot.
Their boat arrived at a massive dock that resembled a port.
There was a designated area for mooring.
The ten or so soldiers who had accompanied them disembarked first and quickly walked ahead.
As soon as Abel and Ryo stepped off the boat, an official-looking inspector approached them.
It appeared they were being treated differently from the soldiers.
"There's a chance our wanted posters have been distributed without us knowing…"
"And if they have?"
"Of course…"
"Yeah, I'm not sacrificing myself."
"You got ahead of me!"
"Please proceed with the disembarkation process. May I see your identification?"
The inspector asked politely.
He didn't seem to consider them dangerous individuals.
"Great choice, Inspector!"
"You were actually ready to fight?!"
Ryo and Abel had an ominous conversation…
Both of them presented their adventurer cards.
In Fenmu, Ryo had revealed his title as Duke of Rondo to keep Andalusia out of battle, but he didn't want to do that here.
After all, their top priority in the imperial capital was acquiring the 'Flying Bracelet'.
Until then, they wanted to avoid anything that might restrict their freedom.
"Alright, Level 6 Adventurer Abel-dono and Ryo-dono. Confirmed. Welcome to the imperial capital."
The inspector smiled warmly.
The disembarkation process seemed to be just routine.
Ryo exaggeratedly patted his chest in relief.
Abel shot him a sharp glare.
Regardless, they had successfully arrived in Hanlin, the imperial capital.
"It's 10 a.m. now. A bit early for lunch."
"Obviously. We just ate breakfast on the boat."
"It was grilled river fish, right? That was quite delicious."
"Before lunch, we're buying the bracelet!"
"You're really eager, aren't you, Abel…"
Ryo shook his head slightly.
Abel walked over to the inspector and started asking something.
It wasn't hard to guess what.
He was undoubtedly asking where they could find the bracelet.
More specifically, the location of the Imperial Central Workshop that manufactured them.
Soon, Abel returned.
"They sell them at a shop inside the Imperial Central Workshop compound."
"And you got the directions, right?"
"Of course. Let's go!"
Abel started walking.
Due to the crowded streets, both he and Ryo dismounted and led their horses on foot.
Ryo shook his head again with a resigned expression.
But deep down, he was happy.
Abel wasn't usually interested in material things.
Seeing him so excited made Ryo, as his companion, feel the same way.
"Abel, be careful or you'll bump into people."
"Yeah, yeah, I got—"
Thud.
A man emerged from a side street and bumped into Abel.
"I told you so."
Ryo murmured.
"Oh, my bad."
Abel gave a light apology.
In truth, their shoulders had barely brushed. It was actually the other guy's fault for looking in the wrong direction…
However…
"Hey! Stop right there!"
The man's voice was low and threatening.
He wore a traditional Darwei-style robe, crossed over the front and fastened with a sash rather than buttons.
These were known as Eastern-style clothes.
He wore pants, a reddish upper robe that extended to his knees, and a sword hung at his left hip.
He didn't look like an adventurer or a thug—more like someone from the military wing of the government.
At least, that's what Ryo assumed.
"Huh?"
Abel turned back, completely unconcerned.
"You dare bump into the blade that carries my soul and show no respect?!"
"If it's your soul, maybe you should hold it with both hands?"
Abel replied nonchalantly, annoyed by the red-clad man's words.
"You bastard!"
"Look, I'm in a hurry. If you want to fight, do it some other time!"
"Don't screw with me! But fine, I have no time now either. Noon!"
"Huh?"
"Noon at the Holy Emperor Plaza! I'll settle this with you there!"
"Uh… yeah, sure, whatever."
"You better show up!"
The red-clad man shouted.
Abel casually waved and walked away.
Ryo, beside him, was practically bouncing with excitement.
"Congratulations, Abel!"
"For what?"
Ryo praised him and Abel frowned and asked.
"You've completed the Classic Light Novel Trope: A Sudden Run-in that Leads to a Fight!"
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
Ryo, clearly thrilled, was met with Abel's unimpressed response.
"After you beat that red-clad guy at the plaza, it'll turn out he's the subordinate of some bigshot, and then you'll get ambushed later! I can already see the plot!"
"What kind of nonsense is that? Besides, that won't happen."
"Why not?"
"Because I'm not going to the plaza."
"Huh…?"
Ryo's face froze in shock.
Even as his face went stiff, his feet kept walking beside Abel. The image was bizarre.
"But… if you don't go, he might be waiting for you there the whole time…"
"Not my problem. He set the place without asking me. I never said I'd go."
"Abel… that's so cowardly…"
"Like I've got time to entertain guys like that."
Ryo mourned the story's collapse, while Abel said something entirely reasonable.
And he was right— who has time for that?
And so, the two continued toward the Imperial Central Workshop.
Cutting across a large plaza.
"Right, we were told to cross the plaza with the big clock tower on the left."
"Yep, there it is— that's a huge clock."
The clock face was probably as wide as three of Ryo put together.
Mounted on a building about twenty meters tall, it was quite an imposing sight.
"There are a lot of people too…"
Abel began to say when…
"Outta the way, outta the way!"
A man holding a box about the size of his head came running toward them, shouting…
Whoosh…CRASH CLANG SMASH.
He slightly bumped into Abel and fell dramatically.
The box's contents were scattered everywhere.
Apparently, it had been full of eggs.
"Yikes…"
Ryo muttered in disappointment.
Naturally, many of the eggs were broken.
Of course, Abel merely glanced briefly at the man and started to walk away with Feiwan.
"Hey, you! Stop right there!"
The fallen man shouted.
Abel and Ryo continued walking.
"I said wait, dammit!"
The man ran ahead of Abel and blocked his path.
"What? Me?"
"You bumped into me and ruined my eggs. Of course I mean you!"
"You were the one running with a box of eggs. Besides, we barely even touched."
"What did you say?!"
"I'm in a hurry right now."
"Don't mess with me!"
Abel waved the man off dismissively, and the man became furious.
The man wore a type of robe commonly seen in Darwei, overlapped in front and tied with a sash instead of buttons.
What's commonly called Eastern clothing.
He wore pants, a yellowish upper robe that extended to his knees, and a sword hung at his left hip.
He didn't look like an adventurer or a thug—more like someone from the military wing of the government.
"Ah, whatever. If you wanna fight, come later."
"Hey!"
"Yeah, that's right! Come to Holy Emperor Square at noon. I'll take you on then."
"…Huh?"
Abel's words left the yellow-clothed man stunned.
"What? You don't want to? If not, that's fine too."
"No…ah, okay…fine."
The man accepted Abel's words, albeit with a puzzled look.
And then, the two horses and two people left the scene behind.
Abel noticed something.
Ryo, walking beside him, was staring at him with sparkling eyes.
"What is it, Ryo?"
"I'm just… deeply moved!"
Abel asked suspiciously, and Ryo responded with sparkling eyes and a radiant smile.
"…Huh?"
"This is the classic light novel development: A sudden run-in that leads to a fight—twice in a row! I've only ever read about it in books! Abel, you're amazing!"
"Yeah… I have no idea what you're talking about."
"I've never had that happen even once in my life, and yet you've had it happen twice in such a short time! You're clearly one of the chosen ones!"
"Uh…huh…"
Ryo was moved. Abel didn't understand a word of it.
Ever since reincarnating, Ryo had hoped to experience one of those classic light novel tropes, but it had never happened.
That's why he was so impressed with Abel, who effortlessly triggered them.
"I must apologize to you, Abel."
"What's this about now?"
"When you avoided that red-clothed guy's challenge earlier, I said it was cowardly. But now, with the yellow-clothed guy, you told him to come to Holy Emperor Square— so you plan to take them all down at once, don't you? That's so like you, Abel!"
"No, I'm not going."
"What…?"
Ryo froze again at Abel's words.
Still, he kept walking calmly.
Perhaps his body was on autopilot.
"You should at least go to the square… they might be waiting there all day, you know?"
"Doesn't matter. They're the ones who ran into me, and I was the one inconvenienced. Feiwan was surprised too, right?"
Abel said this as he stroked his horse's neck, and Feiwan happily licked Abel's cheek.
"Abel… you coward…"
"I'm not gonna waste time with guys like that."
Ryo, disillusioned, shook his head slightly, and Abel shrugged.
"I think it should be around here…"
"There's a lot of people here too."
Abel and Ryo, with their two beloved horses, were looking for a specific shop.
"Oh, there it is."
Abel found it and raised his voice.
Ryo looked in the same direction.
There was a rather grand-looking gate ahead.
And then—
A man came flying out of a shop next to it…
Thud.
He fell.
He didn't touch Abel at all.
When the man nearly fell, he tried to grab Abel— but Abel dodged effortlessly.
No contact whatsoever.
Naturally, Abel kept walking, heading straight for his goal: the Imperial Capital's Central Workshop.
The store that sold the long-dreamed-of flying bracelets was finally within reach.
There was no time to get distracted by trivial matters.
Even if he didn't show it, his heart was racing.
So…
When the fallen man shouted—
"Hey! You! Hold it right there!"
"Come to Holy Emperor Square at noon!"
That's all Abel said before walking through the workshop gates without even looking back…
The man wore a type of robe commonly seen in Darwei, overlapped in front and tied with a sash instead of buttons.
What's commonly called Eastern clothing.
He wore pants, a blue-ish upper robe that extended to his knees, and a sword hung at his left hip.
Like the others, he looked like a military official rather than an adventurer or thug… he was left speechless and stood there alone.
Abel and Ryo passed through the gates of the Central Workshop safely.
They immediately noticed the sign.
'Sales Counter This Way'
Even as he read the big sign, Ryo turned to Abel and said:
"Abel… three times in a row is insane."
"What now?"
"The classic light novel trope—random run-in escalating to a fight—happening three times… I fear you may be reaching the end of your lifespan or something."
"I don't care, as long as I get that bracelet."
"Ah…right…"
Ryo understood.
There was no point saying anything more.
Abel was replying, but clearly, his mind was elsewhere.
They tied their horses in front of the store and went inside.
"Welcome."
Three elegant-looking young women bowed in unison.
That alone told them that the shop catered to high-end clientele.
"Sorry, I'm looking for a bracelet… one that lets you fly."
"Yes, you mean the 'Flight Ring', correct?"
When Abel asked, one of the ladies smiled and pointed to a display of flying bracelets on the wall.
They were all a pale green color.
Apparently, they only came in one color.
"Yeah, that's the one!"
Abel answered happily.
"There's only one color available, but you may choose from 24 different designs. Please, come this way."
And so, Abel and Ryo began selecting their flying bracelets.