Water Magician

Editor: Tseirp

“If it really comes down to it, will we have no choice but to rely on Princess Shio Fen?”

“That might be the case… but relying on the princess when she’s just arrived…”

Abel and Ryo walked along as they chatted.

They didn’t have any particular destination in mind.

But there was no reason to stay at the waiting area either…

Aside from the waiting area near the Imperial Palace and the Ryusen Residence, they didn’t know many places.

“The maximum-security prison where Von Debout-san is held, it’s located in the Censorate, right?”

“Yeah, that’s what they said. Places like the Censorate and other government buildings are adjacent to the palace, right? Let’s check it out.”

Neither Ryo nor Abel had any expectation of achieving something or finding clues by going there.

The Censorate faced a main road.

Though many people passed by, none looked toward the Censorate.

It was more like they were deliberately avoiding it.

“It seems like a frightening place.”

“Yeah, I doubt anyone wants to be involved with it.”

They shared their impressions as they watched.

The Censorate building itself… wasn’t shut tight.

In fact, the main gate stood wide open, with no guards in sight.

“There’s no one standing guard?”

At Ryo’s comment, Abel nodded silently.

Peeking past the gate, they saw another gate further inside.

That one was firmly shut.

And in between…

“There’s a huge drum.”

“Are we supposed to hit that to summon someone?”

There was a drum taller than a person just sitting there.

“This building or maybe this whole department has an overwhelming presence.”

“Even if you haven’t committed a crime, you can barely breathe here.”

When Abel said that, Ryo gave him a sideways glance.

He looked like he had something very important to say.

“You don’t need to say anything.”

Abel cut him off quickly.

“I was about to list out the 108 crimes you’ve committed…”

“I haven’t committed that many.”

“So you admit to about 107, huh?!”

“No, I don’t!”

Perhaps it was their banter—

Or maybe not… but just then, a voice called out from the street.

“Duke Rondo?”

“Yes?”

The man who spoke looked to be in his 40s, in the prime of his life.

He wore a long, moss-green Eastern robe that reached down to his shins. His hair was neatly tied up and secured with a small crown.

His sash wasn’t flashy but tailored with elegance.

The sword in his left hand lacked ornamentation, but the worn grip showed it had seen much use.

Two young men, likely just of age, followed behind him, burdened with large packs.

Ryo looked at the man’s face but couldn’t place him.

But he had addressed him as ‘Duke Rondo’.

Ryo had only revealed that title once, back in Fenmu, where the imperial mausoleum was located.

There, he had met with the Sixth Prince Ryun and others…

“Captain Li Chu of the White Flame Guard?”

“Ah, so it was indeed Your Grace.”

Captain Li Chu hastily knelt to offer his respects, but Ryo quickly stopped him.

“No need for that, Captain. It’ll just draw attention…”

“My apologies.”

He stood upright and simply bowed his head.

Captain Li Chu belonged to the White Flame Guard, charged with protecting the emperor’s tomb.

Last time Ryo met him, he was guarding the tomb—so what was he doing in the capital?

“The guarding of the imperial mausoleum rotates between four units, each serving a hundred days. Our White Flame Guard’s duty ended two days after I met Your Grace. We have since returned to the capital.”

“I see.”

A hundred days of duty, followed by three hundred days of rest.

It might sound enviable—but it’s not.

It means that during those hundred days, their work must be intense and highly focused.

That’s likely why they are given three times the rest.

Not that anyone said those three hundred days were truly days off…

Captain Li Chu, and the rest of the White Flame Guard, were obviously well-trained.

Even though Ryo had been absorbed in reading, by the time he noticed them, he was already surrounded.

That alone showed how elite and disciplined their unit was—and how seriously they took their guarding duties.

“Your Grace, what brings you to the front of the Censorate?”

“Umm… Captain Li Chu, have you heard about the case of Count Matan?”

“Yes. The incident that occurred in the palace this morning, correct? I see Your Grace has already heard of it…”

“Well, I owed Count Matan a bit of a debt. I heard he’s now in the high-security prison, and I was curious, so I came here… but I suppose I won’t be able to see him, right?”

“A visit… would likely be difficult.”

Captain Li Chu answered with a regretful expression.

However, he tilted his head slightly and asked.

“But I hadn’t heard that Count Matan was an acquaintance of Your Grace?”

“Ah, actually… my identity as Duke Rondo is not publicly known yet.”

“Eh? Why is that…”

“Well… I just wanted to freely explore the capital, you know…”

Ryo answered with a wry smile.

Seeing that expression, Captain Li Chu looked surprised.

He likely still remembered the intimidating aura Ryo had exuded in Fenmu.

To him, Ryo had been a frightening figure.

But that awkward smile now softened that impression a little.

Nodding firmly, he said,

“I understand. It’s hard to even enjoy street food when everyone’s watching you.”

“Yes! Exactly! Captain Li Chu, you really understand!”

At that, the two of them laughed together.

“You’ve done it again, Ryo, charming everyone…”

Abel’s quiet murmur went unheard by the others.

After a good laugh, Captain Li Chu glanced toward the Censorate and said,

“Meeting with Count Matan himself would be difficult, but perhaps I could arrange a meeting with the person in charge.”

“Really?!”

Ryo was surprised by the unexpected offer.

Abel, standing behind him, was just as surprised.

“The one in charge of the Censorate is the Censor-in-chief, but he’s rarely here. The person actually overseeing investigations, interrogations, and impeachments is Secretary Shau. If you’re willing to reveal your identity as Duke Rondo, I believe I can make an introduction.”

“Oh!”

“In fact, I came today to deliver something Shau-sama requested. I can introduce you when I deliver it. Of course, he probably won’t share all the details of the investigation… but if we frame it as trying to prevent Count Matan’s retainers from acting rashly, he might be more willing to cooperate.”

“Thank you!”

Ryo nodded enthusiastically, clearly grateful for Captain Li Chu’s suggestion.

Following Captain Li Chu’s lead, Ryo and Abel proceeded behind him.

Instead of beating the drum, Li Chu knocked on a small side door in the gate, just wide enough for one person.

The door opened from within, and the group was ushered inside.

“…What’s the drum even for then?”

Ryo muttered, his voice just audible.

Captain Li Chu chuckled and answered,

“That drum is for those who wish to file a formal complaint to the Censorate. It’s not used for regular visits.”

“Li Chu, I see you’ve brought the item I requested yesterday.”

The one speaking—Secretary Shau—was likely over seventy years old. Yet, the word ‘sprightly’ suited him perfectly. He seemed like the type to laugh with a “ka-ka-ka”.

“And this… astonishing person behind you, who might they be?”

His gaze was piercing.

“This is His Excellency, Duke Rondo of the Kingdom of Knightley, one of the Central Countries.”

“A pleasure. I am Duke Rondo of Knightley.”

“Oh… Duke Rondo of Knightley, you say…”

Upon hearing Ryo’s greeting, Secretary Shau narrowed his eyes.

“Your Excellency, may I ask to see some form of identification? Forgive the discourtesy, but as someone who works for the Imperial Censorate, it is in my nature—shall we say, a professional habit—to investigate such matters thoroughly…”

“Of course. Here you go.”

Ryo handed over a necklace.

Secretary Shau held it up to an alchemy tool brought by a subordinate.

He confirmed the floating inscription.

“Thank you. It is indeed as you say, premier duke of the Knighltey Kingdom. But… speaking of Duke Rondo of Knightley…”

He paused, casting a meaningful glance at Captain Li Chu.

Receiving the look, Captain Li Chu nodded and spoke.

“Yes. Likely just as you imagine, Sir Secretary.”

“My goodness… to think he is that fearsome a man. Well, if the songs are true, then of course…”

Secretary Shau murmured, shaking his head slightly.

Ryo and Abel had no idea what the exchange meant.

They didn’t know the bard’s songs, after all.

“And may I ask, what brings such a noble figure to us?”

“Actually, it concerns Count Matan.”

Ryo offered a brief explanation: that he and Abel had come in relation to Count Matan, who had aided them in the past.

“I see. It would indeed be troublesome if Count Matan’s retainers were to act rashly. Especially now, with the wedding of the Sixth Prince Ryun approaching. If Your Excellency can help restrain them, it would be greatly appreciated.”

“I intend to cooperate as much as I can.”

“However, you will not be allowed to meet Count Matan or be present during questioning. This is the Censorate. No matter how high your rank, we cannot permit any deviation from the law.”

Secretary Shau spoke with a smile—but his eyes were not smiling.

“Of course. However, I do have two specific requests concerning the interrogation.”

“Go on.”

“First, I’d like to know how he managed to take a sword from an imperial guard. His retainers say he is completely inept at martial matters. Second, I want to know what’s inside his clothes.”

At Ryo’s words, Secretary Shau narrowed his eyes and asked,

“The first point—I also questioned that myself. For an imperial guard to be disarmed is unheard of. We’ve actually detained the soldier in question here at the Censorate. And are interrogating him now. But… what do you mean by the inside of his clothes?”

“There is testimony that, when he lunged to strike, there was a sweet scent coming from inside his garments. We’re wondering if there might be something hidden there… Perhaps something related to sorcery.”

Ryo stared directly at Secretary Shau.

With a gaze that seemed to say: I know what you are.

After holding that gaze for a moment, Secretary Shau looked away.

Chuckling.

“I’m curious who gave that testimony… but more than that, it’s unsettling. It seems Your Excellency has realized that I am a practitioner of sorcery.”

“Yes. I’ve met several sorcerers before. You have the same… feel to you.”

Ryo nodded at Shau’s words.

“When you mention something relating to sorcery in the chest area… you must be referring to the ‘Puppet Technique’… It’s a secret among secrets. Half-legendary. Even I only know of it in theory. Most wouldn’t even know it’s carved into the chest. So tell me—how does a duke from the Central Countries, where sorcery is said to be nonexistent, know of such a thing?”

“That’s simple. I saw a similar spell used before my very eyes. A pentagram carved into the chest.”

Ryo was referring to Duke Helb.

“There’s someone who used it…? Was that here, in Darwei?”

“No, it wasn’t.”

“I see… Should I be relieved, or disturbed that there’s someone beyond Darwei with such power…?”

Shau shook his head slightly.

After a moment’s thought, he spoke.

“Now that you mention a sweet scent—I have heard of something. There’s a technique that clouds consciousness when rubbed into the body. It’s not sorcery per se, but…considering the nature of ‘control’, it might be quite relevant to this case.”

“I see.”

“We’ve actually already conducted the first interrogation of Count Matan. But he remained unconscious the entire time. We only examined his body… And there was no ‘sweet scent’ then. If it dissipates easily, perhaps it was Boranta poison.”

Shau spoke with a furrowed brow.

It seemed the serious questioning would begin tomorrow.

Still, both Ryo and Abel couldn’t help but wonder—was it really okay for an outsider like Ryo to be hearing all of this?

Even so, the information was valuable, so they nodded and listened attentively.

“Of course, that was just me thinking out loud. I may have said it a bit loudly, and someone may have overheard, but if anyone claims I said it, I’ll deny it with all my strength.”

“Understood.”

Secretary Shau muttered, and Captain Li Chu nodded.

Ryo and Abel nodded silently as well.

Talking to oneself—it happens.

Yeah, can’t be helped.

And so, Ryo and Abel left the Censorate.

Captain Li Chu remained behind to speak with Secretary Shau a while longer.

Perhaps because they were being watched, and he wanted to stagger the timing…

Left alone were Secretary Shau and Captain Li Chu.

“Li Chu… honestly, what a terrifying person you’ve gotten acquainted with…”

“My apologies. I guided the two of them during their visit to the Imperial Mausoleum…”

Shau spoke with a wry smile, and Li Chu responded in kind.

It was clear that he wasn’t being seriously reproached.

“I’ve heard the bard’s songs too. I thought the descriptions were typical exaggerations, but… That’s no ordinary man—that’s a monster.”

“He’s really that powerful?”

“Anyone who can see magic power would agree with me. A magician whose magic power doesn’t leak out of their body at all—such a being should not exist.”

Shau was a seasoned practitioner of sorcery.

And he could see magic power…

That was the result of rigorous training.

In fact, at the Darwei Censorate, there’s a training regimen to develop mana perception.

Though it takes years, many do eventually acquire the ability.

As a matter of common sense, a magician with no mana leakage is unheard of.

So if such a person exists, they are beyond the bounds of reason.

In other words: a monster.

“Well… as far as the investigation into Count Matan goes, we’ve gained some very interesting information. I suppose the fear I felt was a small price to pay… that’s how I’ll have to look at it.”

“I didn’t realize it was that bad…”

He couldn’t understand the level of fear that Shau had experienced.

“Being able to see magic power is incredibly useful. Even hidden enemies become visible. That benefit is immeasurable in the Censorate. But this time… never before has that ability scared me so much.”

“Honestly, you didn’t seem that surprised, Sir Secretary…”

“Of course not. Provoking someone like that—now that would be a terrible move. Look—now that it’s over, I’m starting to sweat.”

Secretary Shau said, shaking his head slightly.

“In any case… this situation has become extremely troublesome…”

His murmur didn’t even reach Captain Li Chu.

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!