Water Magician-Chapter 550: Request

Editor: Tseirp

The next morning.

At the edge of the training ground, Abel was, as usual, practicing his flying skills.

Next to him, Ryo had set up an ice table and chair, and was peering into the magic formula of the flight ring he had purchased.

Of course, under normal circumstances, it wouldn’t be possible to view the magic formula of a product like this.

But Ryo was a man who practiced alchemy as a hobby.

He was skilled in a certain kind of reverse engineering.

Especially during his time studying under the top-class alchemist in the Western Countries, Neil Andersen, he had been shown techniques for analyzing golem magic formulas.

Those experiences significantly deepened Ryo’s understanding of alchemy.

Gaining experience may very well be the fastest way to improve one’s abilities.

“I had already figured out that it wraps your entire body in wind-attribute magic…but this bracelet also constantly blows wind downward from four points to maintain posture… That’s very similar to a quadcopter…what’s commonly known as a drone.”

On Earth in the 21st century, drones developed into two main types: multicopters or quadcopters with three or more propellers, and airplane-shaped models.

Among these, the quadcopter type, which floats by sending air downward from four blades, has a similar principle.

To put it simply, by adjusting the rotation speed of the blades, it can freely move forward, backward, and side to side.

Thus, there’s no need for a tail fin.

This flight ring seems to follow the same basic concept, adjusting the airflow from four points to move around.

“It’s very simple. Precisely because of that, it’s incredibly reliable and unlikely to malfunction. Whoever developed this is amazing!”

“Oh? Did you figure something out?”

Abel reacted to Ryo’s spontaneous comment.

“I did, but…I don’t think there’s any point in explaining it to you. Just learn with your body.”

“I feel like you just seriously insulted me…”

“Not at all. Everyone learns best in the way that suits them. That’s all I meant.”

“…Sure.”

Ryo spoke confidently, but Abel gave him a skeptical look.

At that moment, three people approached them.

Of course, both of them noticed.

They didn’t recognize the person in front, but they did know the two people walking behind him—a man and a woman.

Well, more accurately, they didn’t know their names.

But they were two of the ten people who had arrived on the same ship…

“Good day. May we interrupt for a moment?”

The man in the lead looked to be about fifty years old.

He wasn’t a merchant—most likely a local lord.

He addressed them politely.

“Oh, yes, please go ahead.”

Ryo responded and conjured four ice chairs.

With ice cushions included, they were surprisingly comfortable.

Abel sat next to Ryou.

The lord sat across from them, and the two soldiers sat to his left and right.

Both were a little surprised when Ryo conjured the ice chairs.

And even more surprised once they actually sat on them.

“I am Von Debout, in service to Count Matan.”

The lord introduced himself with a polite bow.

“I’m Ryo of the Kingdom of Knightley. And this is… Abel of the same.”

Unusually, Ryo took the lead in introductions.

Even including the name of their kingdom.

“The Kingdom of Knightley…that would be one of the Central Countries? Hmm…I had gathered that you were foreigners, but I didn’t realize you came from so far away.”

“You know of the kingdom?”

“Not exactly—my apologies, I don’t know much. But I’ve heard of it in bard songs. They’ve been sung often here in Darwei over the past year.”

“Oh, really?”

Ryo nodded, clearly pleased by Von Debout’s words.

He felt a quiet pride in the growing reputation of his homeland.

Abel, on the other hand, kept a neutral expression.

“Forgive me, but I heard the two of you are adventurers…”

“Yes, that’s true. Though I won’t ask who told you that.”

Von Debout spoke with a smile, and Ryo replied in kind.

Those with power can easily obtain personal information.

“Since you are adventurers, I came to ask if you might be willing to work for me.”

“You want to hire us?”

Ryo glanced at the two seated beside Von Debout.

That glance alone conveyed his thoughts clearly to Von Debout.

“Yes. These two are my guards. But I need more protection.”

“I see.”

“It’s a bit embarrassing to admit, but…I was recently attacked.”

“What…?!”

“I hastily summoned these guys from my domain. But I was told even that wasn’t enough… Hiring guards in the imperial capital is difficult. You never know who might be in someone’s pocket.”

Von Debout delivered his unsettling story with a calm smile.

“So, trustworthy people are hard to find…?”

“Everyone is questionable to some degree.”

“Ah…so if everyone’s uncertain, you figured you might as well go with us.”

“Not that bluntly, but yes.”

Von Debout replied with a wry smile to Ryo’s blunt phrasing.

“You see, these two accompanied you on the same ship.”

“Yes, I remember. They were also watching us in the square the other day.”

“Exactly. They vouched for your abilities.”

“But what if we were the attackers?”

“Guests of the Ryusen Residence being the culprits? That seems…highly unlikely.”

Von Debout smiled as he answered Ryo’s hypothetical.

Apparently, attackers weren’t the wealthy type.

Assassins like Golgo 13 didn’t seem to exist in Darwei…

“And last night, the two of you were listening to the piano performance. This is just my impression, but I felt you came from a well-educated and noble background. I have a good eye for people, you see.”

Von Debout smiled and declared this confidently.

Ryo and Abel exchanged glances.

It would be hard to deny that outright…

To be honest, Ryo wasn’t sure how to respond.

So he looked at Abel and gave a small shake of his head.

Abel nodded slightly and took over the conversation.

“You want to hire us as guards, but we’re not going to stay in the capital forever.”

“Of course, that’s understandable. I only need protection for ten days. Five days from now, the wedding ceremony for the sixth prince, Ryun-sama, will be held at the royal palace. Then, seven days from now, there will be a public celebration for the citizens of the capital. After that, in ten days, we will leave the capital and return to the Matan domain. I’m asking for your service during that time—how about it?”

Neither Ryo nor Abel had any knowledge of the schedule for the royal wedding or formal procession.

So getting that information was a helpful bonus.

“What are the terms?”

“I will cover the entire cost of your stay here at the Ryusen Residence. In addition, how does 100,000 Jang per person per day sound? That would be ten gold coins each.”

“Specifically, where and how are we expected to guard you?”

“I’d like you to provide escort within the Ryusen Residence and during travel to and from the Imperial Palace. The primary responsibility will fall on Wei Fon and his group…I’d like you to assist them.”

Von Debout glanced at the male soldier seated to his right.

It seemed his name was Wei Fon.

He certainly gave off the aura of someone highly skilled.

“I see. I’d like to talk it over a bit…”

“Of course. Please let me know once you’ve decided.”

With that, Von Debout and his guards left.

Ryo and Abel were left to discuss things.

“Abel, our luck has finally turned!”

For some reason, Ryo was excited.

“Why are you so excited…?”

Abel didn’t understand at all.

“It’s a protection job from someone important!”

“Well, yeah, I guess.”

“And he said he’s already been attacked!”

“Yeah, he did mention that.”

“Isn’t it strange that he still wants to hire us under those conditions?!”

Ryo dramatically pointed at Abel.

It wasn’t like Abel had said anything odd.

But Ryo was clearly playing the part of a prosecutor exposing corruption.

“Strange? He just said he’s short on manpower, right?”

Abel, entirely unfazed, responded like always. ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm

“I’m sure we’re about to become pawns in Von Debout’s grand conspiracy!”

“…What?”

“He’s planning to assassinate the Emperor of Darwei and frame us for it!”

Of course, this was just one of Ryo’s usual wild fantasies.

Yes—this was typical Ryo.

“You never cease to amaze, Ryo. Your imagination just never runs dry, huh?”

“Why do you sound kind of exasperated?!”

“I just… really don’t get it, that’s all.”

“You’ll regret it after the trap’s been sprung!”

Abel shook his head, while Ryo puffed up his cheeks indignantly like a cartoon character.

“So…should we turn the job down then?”

“Absolutely not! Let’s take it!”

“Huh? I thought taking the job meant we’d fall into a trap?”

Abel didn’t believe any of Ryo’s conspiracy theories, but he also didn’t feel a strong need to take the job.

Sure, having accommodation fully covered and ten gold coins a day per person was tempting.

But it wasn’t like they were desperate for money.

Still, Ryo insisted on taking the job.

“You can’t catch a tiger cub without entering its den! We must dive headfirst and tear the roots out of this conspiracy!”

“I don’t fully get it, but if you want to take it, sure.”

“You can never have too much money.”

“Yeah… can’t argue with that.”

And so, the two of them decided to accept Count Von Debout of Matan’s request for protection.

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