Water Magician

Editor: Tseirp

The two arrived at the mansion at exactly three o’clock.

It seemed arrangements had already been made, as they were promptly led inside.

A servant knocked on a door ahead of them, and the two entered.

“Ah, welcome, thank you for coming.”

They were greeted by a man with dark skin, black hair streaked with white, appearing to be around fifty years old.

He seemed to have been working.

As his desk was covered with several documents.

After guiding the two to the seating area, the man sat down as well.

“My name is Borger Wong Mogok. I must apologize for my daughter’s rather presumptuous request…”

“No need for apologies… I’m Abel, from the Kingdom of Knightley, in the Central Countries.”

“I am Ryo.”

“Yes, I know of you both quite well.”

“You… know us?”

Abel tilted his head in curiosity.

“To be frank… I am involved in the nation’s intelligence activities. I hold the position of Director for Western Operations.”

“I see. So the people guarding her from the shadows were your intelligence agents.”

Abel nodded in response to Director Mogok’s explanation.

At that moment, there was a knock on the door.

A young woman entered, carrying tea for four.

It was the girl from earlier.

With poise and grace, she placed the cups on the table.

When she finished, she bowed.

“My name is Mifa, daughter of Borger Wong Mogok. It is an honor to meet you.”

“I’m Abel from the Kingdom of Knightley. Your conduct is quite impressive.”

“Thank you.”

Mifa replied with a shy smile, taking a seat beside Director Mogok.

“Actually, Mifa will become a lady-in-waiting for the Princess in a few months. She’s been undergoing various training in preparation for this role.”

“I see. So her desire to improve her swordsmanship is related to this?”

“Yes. It is my duty to protect the Princess.”

Mifa declared confidently in response to Abel’s question.

“Hmm… We’ll discuss more of this in time.”

Abel said, his expression tightening slightly as he continued.

“Although I agreed to take you on as a disciple, I must admit I’ve never had one before. Besides, I don’t know how long I’ll stay in this town, nor how much freedom I’ll have in my actions.”

He glanced briefly at Director Mogok.

He continued.

“Your sword style and philosophy likely differ from mine. So, I’d like you to continue your current training for forms and techniques.”

“Yes.”

“I aim to teach through practical experience. We’ll conduct sparring matches, and I’ll point out anything you need to improve on. That’s how I’d like to proceed initially. Does that sound acceptable?”

“Yes! Thank you very much!”

Mifa stood and bowed deeply in gratitude.

Watching this, Director Mogok smiled and spoke.

“You’re currently staying at an inn, correct? I would like to invite you to stay at this mansion instead. It would make it easier for Mifa’s training.”

“Father! Thank you so much!”

Mifa said with a delighted smile.

“Is that all right?”

“Of course. Please think of this as your home and feel at ease.”

At this, Abel seemed to realize something and said quietly.

“Ah, um… is it all right if Ryo stays too?”

“Certainly. In fact, Deputy Governor Sue provided conditional approval for both of you to stay here if you wished. So please, make yourselves comfortable.”

“Thank you very much.”

Ryo finally spoke, bowing his head politely.

Ryo rarely spoke in front of new acquaintances unless necessary.

In such cases, he preferred to sit quietly and sip his drink, blending into the background.

A perceptive and considerate mage.

After leaving Director Mogok’s office, the two were guided by Mifa.

“I’ll inform my mother about your stay. Please follow me.”

She said cheerfully.

Trailing behind her.

Ryo whispered to Abel with a worried expression.

“Abel, while Mifa’s father was an understanding man, her mother will likely be furious, putting us in a dire situation.”

“What?”

Abel responded with a surprised tone.

Ignoring Abel’s reaction, Ryo continued,

“Her mother probably dislikes Mifa’s obsession with swordsmanship over traditional pursuits. She may even resent you for encouraging it… and there’s a chance she could poison our food.”

“…Isn’t it fine for a girl to dedicate herself to the way of the sword?”

“How naive! There are all kinds of people in the world. Differences in opinion between parents and children are not uncommon. This family could very well be one of those cases. Be on your guard.”

Ryo warned Abel firmly.

Emphasizing caution before things went awry.

“What makes you think that?”

“Because it’s a classic story trope!”

“Ah, right… I thought you’d say something like that, and you did.”

Abel sighed, shaking his head slightly at Ryo’s mention of a classic narrative.

As they conversed, they arrived at Mifa’s mother’s room.

“Mother! My master has agreed to stay at the mansion!”

“Oh my! How wonderful, Mifa. This will help you grow stronger.”

Her mother responded with a smile, holding up a stone to the light, seemingly comparing it to others arranged on her desk.

“Ah, you must be Abel-sensei and Ryo-sama. Thank you very much for accommodating my daughter’s impudent request.”

“No, this is fate of some kind. I’ll be staying at your residence for a while. Being in a foreign land, I may inadvertently cause some inconvenience, but I ask for your understanding.”

“Please, think nothing of it. Make yourself at home.”

Mrs. Mogok responded with a kind smile to Abel’s words.

(What a relief she’s a good person.)

Behind Abel, Ryo let out a sigh of relief, gently patting his chest.

Although he had theorized about the possibility of a dramatic turn of events, it wasn’t something he had truly wished for.

After all, if things had gone south, it would have been a hassle to manage.

…Though, if it had happened, he wouldn’t deny he might’ve been moved by the drama.

After Ryo and Abel left the room, accompanied by Mifa, Director Mogok also departed from the mansion shortly thereafter.

He made his way to the office of Deputy Governor Sue Ku.

“Sue-sama, Abel-dono and Ryo-dono will be staying at my residence.”

“Is that so? It’s wonderful that Mifa was able to secure a sword instructor. Strengthening her abilities, even slightly, could help prolong Mifa’s— and ultimately Princess Shio-Fen’s life. We must do all we can before sending her off.”

“Indeed…”

Deputy Governor Sue Ku spoke with a warm smile, but Director Mogok’s response carried a tinge of worry.

“Director?”

“It’s just… I fear she may become even more fixated on the sword…”

“Yeah…”

The Deputy Governor could understand Director Mogok’s concern.

As a lady-in-waiting to the Princess, Mifa was expected to meet many demanding requirements.

In terms of knowledge and etiquette, Mifa was near perfection.

Not only did she possess a diligent nature, but her loyalty to Princess Shio Fen, a cherished childhood friend, was unshakable.

There was no issue there.

However…

“In ‘that country’, I’ve heard exceptional musical ability is highly valued. The higher, the better…”

“That responsibility would fall to another lady-in-waiting. According to Mifa.”

In truth, Mifa’s musical talent already exceeded the required standard.

This was precisely why she had chosen to focus on honing her swordsmanship— something she believed was critical to safeguarding the Princess’s life… both of them could understand her reasoning.

Mifa, too, was aware of the concerns voiced by those around her.

Yet balancing both swordsmanship and music to perfection… was nearly impossible.

Thus, she resolved to dedicate herself to the one skill no other lady-in-waiting could substitute for; the sword.

The one skill that could definitively ensure the Princess’s safety.

That was Mifa’s unwavering determination.

“Understanding Mifa’s feelings makes it all the more complicated.”

“Indeed…”

Both sighed deeply.

TLN: Please read my translations at tseirptranslations.com, I did not give permission to any site to host my translations. 

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