Editor: Tseirp
Three weeks had passed since the attack on the Detached Palace.
The capital, Jonjon, was at peace.
In particular, the Sue Ku residence could be called the heart of that peace.
“Pierce! ”
The chant of Ryo echoed through the garden.
The sound of all the lances being deflected by a sword followed.
“Not yet! Pierce again! ”
The doubled number of icy spears were once again deflected by the sword.
“Well done. Let’s take a short break.”
“Yes…thank you…”
Ryo’s words were t with a breathless reply from Mifa.
It was a slightly modified version of Mifa’s training routine.
“To be able to deflect 32 of Ryo’s icicle lances isn’t bad at all.”
“Thank you!”
Praised by Abel, Mifa, though unable to hide her fatigue, bowed happily.
“Not bad? That skill would put you in the top three of the Rune Knights! If you insist on using a one-handed sword… parrying and deflecting techniques are a must.”
“To be ranked among the top three in the Rune Knights, the elite of the Kingdom!”
Ryo’s words made Abel nod with delight.
The growth of one’s disciple brings the greatest joy to a master.
“Um, what is this Rune Knights you’re talking about…?”
While seated in a chair recovering from her exhaustion, Mifa asked a question.
“They’re one of the most powerful knight orders in our Knightley Kingdom. A knight order is… well, a combat unit.”
“They’re people who train daily in the use of swords, spears, and shields to defeat enemies on the battlefield. Compared to adventurers, they are true professionals in combat.”
Abel and Ryo explained.
Since Mifa had little knowledge of the central countries, even the concept of knight orders needed explanation.
“To think that I could be strong enough to compare with people like that…”
Mifa asked anxiously.
“You’re fine!”
Ryo gave her a thumbs-up with a reassuring grin.
After the gesture, Ryo glanced at Mifa’s one-handed sword.
Staring intently.
“Um, Ryo-san?”
“Hey Ryo, you’re making Mifa uncomfortable.”
Abel said as Mifa and Abel addressed Ryo, who was staring at the sword.
“Oh… is Mifa fixated on one-handed swords because they’re the standard in Darwei?”
“Eh…?”
Mifa was startled by Ryo’s insight.
“Well, when we were talking at the Censorate’s office, Boffo-san ntioned that one-handed swords were standard in Darwei, right? Since you’ll be heading to the court there as Princess Shio Fen’s lady-in-waiting, if sothing happens and you need to fight by seizing an enemy’s weapon, it’s likely to be a one-handed sword… so, it’s better to get used to wielding one now, isn’t it…?”
“Yes, that’s exactly correct.”
Mifa nodded, wide-eyed with surprise, confirming Ryo’s deduction.
Ryo nodded several tis but stopped when he glanced at Abel.
“Abel doesn’t seem surprised at all. Did you already know?”
“I didn’t know, but I guessed it might be sothing like that.”
“Ugh… is that why you’re acting so smug?”
“I don’t think I’m being smug.”
For so reason, Ryo responded irritably, while Abel chuckled wryly.
“I’ve heard since long ago that in the area around Darwei… what the central countries call the ‘Eastern Lands’— one-handed swords were the standard. So, I thought that might be the reason.”
“The power of education… terrifying.”
“Well, you could probably grip it with both hands if you really tried… but compared to a bastard sword, it’s short.”
“The length, weight, and grip of a sword are determined by how it’s ant to be used. It’s never arbitrary. Weapons are a matter of life and death. For your own life, for the lives of those you must protect, and… for the lives of your enemies. Every aspect, from length to weight to thickness, is honed for functionality. That’s the essence of weapon design.”
Both Ryo and Abel used swords.
However, the design of their swords differed.
Length, weight, balance, and even the grip varied.
All of these characteristics had a purpose behind their specific asurents.
“Mifa, you’re dedicating everything to protecting Princess Shio Fen, aren’t you?”
“Yes, Master.”
With a gentle gaze, Abel confird, and Mifa nodded firmly.
That was the unshakable core of Mifa’s being.
“All right! Let’s continue the training. Endurance directly translates to survival chances. Let’s give it our all, Mifa.”
“Yes! Please guide !”
At Ryo’s urging, Mifa stood and walked to the center of the garden.
Watching this, Abel remarked.
“Hearing that from soone like Ryo, who’s practically a pillar of endurance, is convincing.”
“Those who remain standing to the end are the ones who survive. It’d be tragic to say you couldn’t block an enemy’s attack because you were too tired to move.”
“True enough. All right, I’ll join in too. Ryo, send so of those icy lances my way.”
Saying this, Abel rose from his chair and headed toward the garden’s center.
“Huh? You’re joining in, Abel?”
“Yeah. Why not?”
“Of course, but… let’s make your lances sharp instead of blunted.”
“No, please don’t. That would kill if I ss up…”
“Really? Then let’s start you at 256 lances.”
“That’s… impossible…”
anwhile, in the reception room of the Sue Ku residence, Sue Ku and Director Mogok were having a discussion.
Incidentally, Director Mogok had co from Mifasoshi with his wife to see Mifa off as she accompanied Princess Shio Fen on her journey.
“The Princess’s departure is in three days. We’ve managed to uncover so of the connections behind the Dezai incident before then.”
“Yes. But… as expected, the ones funding Dezai were…”
“Indeed… it’s the fallout from the struggle for the next emperor’s throne in Darwei. We couldn’t identify which of the three princes is involved, though.”
Director Mogok and Sue Ku both frowned.
Their investigation within the borders of Bosuntar hadn’t been able to pinpoint which of Darwei’s three princes vying for the throne had provided funding.
Naturally, Dezai had died during the investigation.
An apparent suicide in prison…
“It was staged as a suicide, but there’s a high likelihood…”
“It was a silencing asure.”
Sue Ku speculated, and Director Mogok nodded in agreent.
The recent suicide had reportedly thrown the Censorate into considerable turmoil.
“If I recall, Darwei has been in disorder ever since the death of the Crown Prince, the first prince…”
“Exactly. Afterward, the three princes rose to the rank of imperial heir, but the fact that no new Crown Prince has been appointed suggests even the Darwei Emperor is uncertain.”
“The second prince, the third prince, and the fourth prince… So does this an that the fifth prince, the sixth prince, or others not elevated to imperial heir rank are…”
“Yes. They’re not considered candidates for the next emperor. Of course, if they are later elevated to imperial heir, it could open the possibility… however, most would view it as too late by then. They likely have no real chance.”
“Well, if they lack prospects, powerful supporters won’t rally behind them.”
Sue Ku let out a heavy sigh.
Darwei is a vast and powerful empire.
Its emperor wields imnse authority.
For those aspiring to the throne, no action is too extre.
Defeat in such a struggle often ans forfeiting one’s life.
More often than not, the new emperor would order the loser’s death.
“To think her life would be threatened even in her holand for marrying the sixth prince, who is outside the succession struggle…”
“It’s disheartening, though perhaps inevitable.”
Both Sue Ku and Director Mogok admired the intelligence and grace of Princess Shio Fen.
Neither wished to see her ensnared in a power struggle…
Yet they knew there was little they could do.
They understood that well.
“At the very least, I hope her attendants, including Mifa, can offer her solace.”
Sue Ku’s words drew a nod from Mogok.
The next evening.
In the garden of Sue Ku’s estate, a mock battle was taking place between Abel and Mifa.
Seated on chairs around the garden were not just Ryo as usual.
But also Sue Ku herself, along with Mifa’s parents, Director Mogok, and his wife.
Today marked Mifa’s final day of training.
“That’s enough for now!”
Abel called an end to the training.
Mifa was out of breath.
Today had been a grueling day of consecutive battles, culminating in a full-force mock duel with Abel.
Naturally, she was exhausted.
Still, Mifa sheathed her sword, and stood upright.
And bowed deeply to Abel.
“Thank you very much!”
Her voice was hoarse, but the gratitude in it was unmistakable and heartfelt.
“Mifa, you’ve done well.”
Abel’s gaze was gentle.
“I’ve taught you everything I can for now. Of course, the path of the sword is long and endless. I’m still on my own journey. So keep practicing diligently.”
“Yes.”
“Oh, right.”
As Abel spoke, Ryo appeared from behind him.
Holding sothing in both hands.
Abel took the object and extended it toward Mifa.
“This is my gift to a departing disciple. Please take it.”
“This is…”
What Abel handed her was a long dagger.
Too short to be called a sword, yet longer than what one might imagine as a dagger.
A blade 59 centiters in length.
“According to the Censorate, this length is permissible for personal protection in the Darwei Imperial Palace. While it can’t be carried during ceremonies, it’s allowed in the palace with the proper approval. Princess Shio Fen has agreed to submit the necessary paperwork for you.”
“With this, I will protect the Princess…”
Mifa accepted it, tears streaming down her face.
Abel looked slightly uncomfortable.
He wasn’t good with words in such emotional monts.
Mifa’s parents stepped in to break the tension.
“Abel-sensei, thank you for guiding Mifa.”
“We can’t thank you enough. Her skills have improved beyond anything we could have imagined. To see her grow this much is astonishing…”
Director Mogok and his wife expressed their gratitude.
“It’s all due to Mifa’s own efforts. She will likely feel the peak of exhaustion tonight. So please let her rest thoroughly. Although, given her youth, I’m sure she’ll recover by tomorrow after a good night’s sleep.”
Abel spoke with a gentle smile.
anwhile, Mifa remained standing, tears streaming down her face.
Supported gently from behind by her parents.
There was deep familial love in that mont.
After the Mogok family departed, Sue Ku summoned Abel and Ryo to her study.
“The day after tomorrow, Princess Shio Fen will set out for her journey.”
Abel and Ryo nodded in acknowledgent.
“Abel-dono, you stayed to oversee Mifa’s training. Now that she’ll be accompanying the Princess… I assu you’ll also head north to Darwei?”
“Yeah. From Darwei, we plan to return to the Central Countries.”
Abel’s response was firm.
“It would have been easier if you could have joined the Princess’s bridal procession, but given the importance of the national undertaking, it was, of course, impossible.”
Sue Ku’s unreasonable comnt elicited wry smiles from both Abel and Ryo.
Although Princess Shio Fen herself might have welcod the idea… it wasn’t feasible.
The bridal procession was to be managed by officials sent from Darwei’s central governnt, in cooperation with Bosuntar’s escorts.
“The procession will consist of ten ships, stopping at Darwei’s ports as part of the ceremonial journey to the imperial capital, Hanlin. The first stop will be the southernmost port town, Randa…”
Sue Ku explained, pausing to sip tea and moisten her throat.
Before continuing.
“Following the bridal fleet will be a convoy of rchant ships, from Jonjon to Randa. As part of the send-off—a tradition in Eastern countries. There should be room on one of these rchant ships for the two of you.”
“Oh!”
Ryo exclaid in surprise.
“Of course, these rchant ships will conduct trade in Randa before returning here to Jonjon. From Randa, you’ll need to make your way north through Darwei on your own…”
“That’s fine with .”
“ too.”
Abel and Ryo agreed to Sue Ku’s proposal without hesitation.
“I’ll prepare identification docunts issued by our governnt. While these should be effective in Darwei’s southern regions, I can’t guarantee their utility closer to the capital…”
“We’ll manage.”
“That’s reassuring to hear. As for your assets… the money you brought from the Archipelago region—I can convert it into letters of credit for easier transport. In Darwei, you can exchange these in Randa for Darwei-specific credit notes, which can be used to withdraw funds at any bank across the country.”
Ryo nodded in agreent to Sue Ku’s explanation, but hearing the last part, his eyes widened in astonishnt.
“Wait, did you just say bank?”
“Yes, that’s what I said.”
“What’s a bank?”
Ryo asked, Sue Ku nodded, prompting Abel to echo the question.
In the Central and Western Countries, banks didn’t exist.
The Adventurers’ Guild served as an alternative.
“It’s similar to how the Adventurers’ Guild manages funds for adventurers, accessible from any branch within the country, but more widely applicable.”
“I see. That does sound convenient.”
Ryo explained, and Abel agreed, nodding.
Sue Ku quickly deduced that banks were nonexistent in their holand.
“I’ll have soone on your rchant ship handle the necessary procedures for you.”
“Is that all right?”
“Of course. The ship you’ll be boarding is the Sue Ku. One of my own rchant vessels.”
Sue Ku replied with a broad smile.
“So you’re not just an administrator but also a rchant. No wonder this mansion is so impressive…”
“I thought you might have been an adventurer in the past.”
Ryo remarked, and Abel added.
“Both are true. Using the money I earned during my adventuring days, I started a business separate from my family’s holdings. My primary trade is in horses, but I dabble in various ventures.”
“Vogue should have followed your example…”
Abel muttered under his breath, unheard by anyone else.
Two days later.
Princess Shio Fen’s bridal ceremony was held.
Amid cheers from the citizens of Jonjon, the ten-ship bridal fleet set sail from the port.
Followed by dozens of rchant ships.
Including the Sue Ku, carrying Ryo and Abel.
“At last, we’re heading to the superpower, Darwei! I can’t wait to see it.”
“Let’s hope we can pass through smoothly.”
Both wore expressions of hope as they looked forward to the journey ahead.
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