Chapter 459: Lord Protector

Editor: Tseirp

The two left the Blue Jade Trading Company Wannya branch.

“What a pain. I can’t think of a way to meet the Lord Protector.”

“We’re talking about the leader of a country. You can’t just meet him that easily.”

“In this kind of situation, it’s typical for the Protector’s carriage to be attacked, and we happen to pass by and help, thus forming a relationship.”

“That sort of thing doesn’t happen.”

Ryo wished for a typical light novel development, but Abel immediately denied it.

“Besides, wouldn’t the guard of a national envoy be the strictest?”

“I understand what you’re saying, Abel, but…”

“Give it up.”

Ryo pouted unhappily, and Abel shut it down with one word.

The two of them were heading towards the ‘Blue Jade Inn Wannya’, where they were staying.

Naturally, they would pass by the ‘Peaceful Sea Inn’ again on the way.

There was quite a crowd gathered this time.

However, a large area near the entrance of the ‘Peaceful Sea Inn’ was secured by guards.

Probably to be ready if any assassins were lurking among the crowd…

“It’s the same kind of crowd as at the commercial port.”

“Maybe they’re trying to get a glimpse of the ship’s owner.”

As Ryo and Abel were having this conversation, a carriage stopped in front of the inn.

Immediately, it was heavily guarded by the guards.

“No way…”

“This is the pattern where the Lord Protector arrives!”

Abel was surprised, and Ryo spoke happily.

Then he continued.

“And amidst all this, he gets attacked by ruffians…”

“The security is pretty tight to prevent that from happening.”

“Ugh… it seems this won’t follow a perfect pattern after all. That’s a shame.”

The man who got out of the carriage exuded an overwhelming presence just by stepping out, making it impossible for anyone to ignore him.

Overwhelmed by his presence, the voices of the crowd fell silent.

A voice echoed.

“Lord Protector, the man here named Abel thwarted your plan and became the cause of your intervention. Also, I have something to discuss regarding the Rain Shooter in the port.”

“Hey…”

The voice seemed to trigger the crowd to start talking again.

Of course, even while that voice was echoing, Kabui Somal continued to walk without stopping and entered through the doors of the ‘Peaceful Sea Inn’.

However, he stopped there and spoke to the man accompanying him.

“Narun, did you hear those words just now?”

“Yes, Your Excellency. However, such ramblings are common. We are in enemy territory, so there are those who will incite others.”

The man called Narun shook his head slightly as he answered.

“No, not that. Well, that concerns me as well… But it’s not that. It’s the words Rain Shooter.”

“Rain Shooter? Come to think of it, that was mentioned. What about it?”

“Probably, the Rain Shooter is the original name of the Bralkau.”

“Wha…”

Narun was speechless at Kabui Somal’s words.

The ship they arrived on was called Bralkau, but that name was given when it was commandeered by the Suje Kingdom Navy.

Even those who commandeered it didn’t know the original name of the ship.

It seemed that the ship’s name was once painted on the stern, but by the time it was commandeered, the paint had already peeled off.

However, six months after it was commandeered, when the steering wheel was removed for repairs, the ship’s name ‘Rain Shooter’ was discovered engraved on it.

It was thought to be the original name of the Bralkau…

“Very few people, even those involved with the ship, know that name, let alone the navy. It’s interesting that name was shouted in that situation.”

“Indeed.”

Narun nodded at Kabui Somal’s words.

“Narun, I want to know who those people who spoke earlier are. Investigate.”

“Understood.”

“Also, inquire about the name ‘Abel’ with Rockday.”

“The Admiral is in Golan Prison, but…”

“We’ve had our people infiltrate that place for some time now, haven’t we?”

“Yes. Is it alright to use them?”

“By all means. Use them.”

“Understood.”

Golan Prison is located on the opposite side of Wannya Island from the city.

It mainly holds political prisoners and prisoners of war.

Due to its nature of holding prisoners of war, the Suje Kingdom infiltrated spies and bribed many of the guards to control them.

He instructed them to confirm information using those methods.

“Now then…I wonder who they are…”

No one answered Kabui Somal’s muttering.

“Ryo, what was that about?”

“Abel, this is to see how they will react.”

“I understand that, but…you shouted my name…what if I’m attacked?”

“It’ll be fine! We’ll capture the attackers and use that to force a meeting!”

“…What about my safety?”

“You should protect yourself.”

Ryo declared firmly to Abel.

Of course, this conversation was possible because of the deep trust between them.

…Probably.

“Thanks to you, Ryo, I’m going to get attacked…”

“But Abel, you thwarted the Suje Kingdom Navy’s plans, didn’t you? I’m not lying.”

“You built the bridge…”

“If Abel can take on their revenge single-handedly, everything will work out! Rest assured.”

“Yeah, as the one being attacked, I can’t be reassured at all.”

Ryo nodded enthusiastically, patting Abel on the shoulder, while Abel muttered, shaking his head.

That night, in the special guest room of the ‘Peaceful Sea Inn’.

“I have a report.”

Narun, the aide to the Lord Protector Kabui Somal, began his report.

“The voices we heard in the evening came from the people staying at the ‘Blue Jade Inn Wannya’ located in one corner of this square.”

“‘Blue Jade Inn Wannya’, you say. I’ve stayed there before, it’s a high-class inn. So these are people who can afford to stay there.”

“They appeared for dinner at the main dining room of ‘Blue Jade Inn Wannya’ last night, so it’s certain they are staying there. However, we couldn’t discover their names.”

“A place like that, the staff must be very professional. They wouldn’t leak customer information.”

As Narun apologized for his report, Kabui Somal nodded generously.

“If I can have more time tomorrow, I’ll continue the investigation. I’ll make contact with Admiral Rockday tonight, so I’ll combine that with the report…”

“Alright, I’ll leave it to you. But don’t dig too deep. They’re not necessarily confirmed enemies. Avoid conflict whenever possible.”

“Understood.”

Narun nodded, accepting Kabui Somal’s order.

At the same time, in Golan Prison.

A visitor arrived at Admiral Rockday’s cell.

Normally, such a thing would be impossible.

Impossible, but…here, with enough money, anything is possible…

“Report on the battle.”

The visitor requested, and Rockday nodded once before beginning to speak.

It was a report on the battle that attacked the transport fleet.

After hearing the entire report, the visitor nodded once.

Although they took no notes, Rockday knew they remembered everything.

Kabui Somal had several people with such unusual abilities around him.

“His Excellency has one question: Who is this ‘Abel’ person?”

Admiral Rockday was surprised by the visitor’s question.

He answered slowly.

“As expected of His Excellency. To already know about Abel… Abel is the swordsman who crossed the ice bridge first and overwhelmed Commander Monrashou as mentioned in the previous report. He comes from the Kingdom of Knightley in the Central Countries and was cooperating with the Blue Jade Trading Company’s escort team.”

“I see. I’ll report that.”

“Ah, wait a moment.”

Rockday hurriedly stopped the visitor as they were about to leave.

“The water-attribute magician working with Abel is troublesome as well. His name is Ryo. I thought he was the central figure in the construction of the ice bridge, but… upon investigation, it turns out it wasn’t the case. Ryo constructed that ice bridge all by himself.”

“…Didn’t you say it was a two-hundred-meter bridge?”

“Yes, I did. Even with multiple magicians, it would be difficult to construct such a large-scale magic, yet a single magician bridged it. Please convey this to His Excellency. To be wary of Abel and Ryo. It’s difficult to admit, but the battle this time was practically their doing. Don’t underestimate them.”

“I understand.”

Rockday conveyed the threat of the two, and the visitor nodded, committing it to memory.

Though the visitor found it hard to believe, it didn’t matter.

They were there to relay what they heard verbatim.

Kabui Somal would decide whether it was factual.

The next day.

In the Komakyuta Principality, a meeting was being held in the conference room at the royal palace.

Meetings had been ongoing for several days.

Initially, it was a court meeting, but since the previous day, the king had been absent due to ill health.

Making things even more chaotic.

An increasingly confused meeting… meant that nothing was ultimately decided.

Attending today’s meeting was Dosnaji, the fifth undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Even while he was here, work was progressing at the main office, so his workload was likely increasing.

“At the very least, I wish something would be decided…”

Dosnaji muttered to himself.

There’s nothing more exhausting than a meeting where nothing gets decided.

Why can’t anything be decided, despite all this discussion?

What is the value of having these discussions?

Do we even need discussions to decide anything in the first place?

Ultimately, discussions reveal not what is right, but who is skilled at navigating them and who holds the power to decide.

These thoughts, unrelated to the meeting, ran through his mind…

Currently under discussion, as always, was what to do about Princess Iliaja.

Alongside this, Kabui Somal’s request to meet with Princess Iliaja was also being considered.

As usual, the pro-war advocate and naval hawk Admiral Gus called for the expulsion of Princess Iliaja and Kabui Somal from the country.

Prime Minister Botan, known as a moderate, attempted to calm the situation.

Amidst this, many ministers expressed their selfish opinions…

Dosnaji sighed softly.

And muttered to himself.

“Nothing changes today either.”

But that wasn’t the case.

A report suddenly came in.

“Report: The Suje Kingdom Navy has deployed near the border. The number of ships is 400.”

“Four hundred!?”

“Their entire main force…?”

“Is the Suje Kingdom planning to start a full-scale war? ”

“No, Lord Protector Kabui Somal is here in Wannya.”

“Meaning this is…”

“A message to hurry up and decide…”

“A threat…”

“Damn you, Kabui Somal! We won’t succumb to your threats!”

The last line was from the pro-war Admiral Gus.

But no one joined in on his enthusiasm.

Everyone was too intimidated by the fleet of 400 ships that had appeared at the border.

Negotiations were a mix of firmness and flexibility.

The Komakyuta Principality was being toyed with by Kabui Somal.

That night. Once again, in the special guest room of the ‘Peaceful Sea Inn’.

“I have a report.”

For the second night in a row, Narun, the aide to Lord Protector Kabui Somal, began his report.

First, he relayed Rockday’s battle report and message.

He then continued with what had learned today about the two individuals in question.

“Their names are Abel and Ryo. They are staying at the ‘Blue Jade Inn Wannya’. Their stay is apparently as ‘special guests’ of the Blue Jade Trading Company, with all kinds of conveniences provided for them. Also, Admiral Rockday’s battle report seems accurate, with Ryo, the water-attribute magician, creating the ice bridge, and Abel, the swordsman, boarding the flagship with the Blue Jade Trading Company’s escort team, defeating Commander Monrashou and Admiral Rockday.”

“I see. I thought it was rare for the cautious Rockday to allow boarding of the flagship, but…a 200-meter ice bridge. And with a swordsman who can overwhelm even Monrashou and Rockday as opponents…losing is understandable.”

Kabui Somal smiled wryly at Narun’s explanation.

He then continued speaking.

“Both of them are very intriguing talents. Intriguing, but…for now, the matter of Her Royal Highness the Princess takes precedence…”

“Yes.”

“The fleet has moved to the border as planned, right?”

“Yes. The report has reached the Komakyuta government, and the court meeting was in a brief uproar.”

“I see. Things are going as planned so far.”

Kabui Somalu nodded as he listened to Narun’s report.

This was a measure taken in anticipation that the principality would firmly refuse to hand over Princess Iliaja.

Of course, it’s a move that could be effective even in other situations.

The effect is a ‘push’.

Kabui Somal’s actions and desires would receive a push from behind…that’s the intended effect.

“Tomorrow, I will again visit the royal palace and request an audience with Her Royal Highness the Princess.”

“Understood. However, it seems His Majesty the King has not been in good health these past few days, so an audience with him might be difficult.”

“So I’ve heard. I’ll try making the request to Prime Minister Botan.”

“Do you think it will work?”

“Well, who knows? At the very least, it’s better than making the request to Admiral Gus.”

Kabui Somal said with a laugh.

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