Water Magician-Chapter 544: Bowing in Respect

Editor: Tseirp

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.

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“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…

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