Water Magician
Chapter 578: Envoy

Editor: Tseirp

That day as well, the sounds of violin and a small piano echoed through Chouonkaku within the imperial palace. (TLN: Chouonkaku is the music instrument workshop within the imperial palace of Darwei)

Outside, however, on one of the outdoor stages, a lone swordsman was swinging his sword.

“To swing a sword in this bastion of music— such utter boorishness!”

“Well, I’m just bored.”

The water-attribute magician, who had been practicing the piano moments ago, rebuked him, and the swordsman deflected it lightly.

Typically, Workshop Chief Ron would practice with single-minded focus.

When he got stuck or had questions, he would ask Abel, but otherwise, he practiced alone.

Ryo would also play the piano or read the alchemy books he had brought, spending time alone.

That, it seemed, was why he was swinging his sword.

Chouonkaku had many stages, both indoor and outdoor, for performances.

They varied in size, and the largest outdoor stage was big enough for open-air concerts, so there was no problem with Abel practicing sword swings alone there.

“Well, Abel’s swordplay is quite a spectacle. So it’s not a bad sight.”

Ryo, who had just called it boorish, immediately reversed his stance.

“R-Really?”

Abel blushed.

Yes, Abel was rather shy.

“Why don’t you practice an instrument too, Abel? There are plenty of violins.”

As Ryo pointed out, the workshop had many violins made by Ron.

There were also smaller violas, large cellos, and even larger contrabasses—practically the entire family of string instruments.

There was even a piano, which Ryo privately considered a mutant string instrument.

Yes, a piano is a string instrument.

While sound is produced by pressing keys, a hammer inside strikes strings.

Which produces the sound.

Thus, it is classified as a string instrument.

However, some view it as a percussion instrument because the strings are ‘struck’ with hammers.

Technically, it is classified as a ‘keyboarded string percussion instrument’… so, in essence, it is both.

A piano is a piano.

“I just… don’t really feel like playing that much.”

When Abel said that, his expression seemed a little lonely.

Ryo tilted his head, not understanding why.

“I practiced the violin so hard for my older brother.”

“Your brother? Crown Prince Cain?”

“My brother was perfect, even with the violin. That’s what you call a genius, I suppose.”

Looking as if he were seeing something that was no longer there, Abel’s gaze grew distant.

“I still think your playing now is quite amazing…”

“I can’t even hold a candle to him.”

Ryo praised Abel’s playing, but Abel shook his head slightly, denying it.

“I practiced because I wanted to get even a little closer to my brother…”

“He was your aspiration, wasn’t he?”

“My aspiration, huh… yeah, that’s true. But…”

Abel chuckled bitterly before continuing:

“Once I realized I could never reach him, I fell into despair.”

“What…”

Ryo was so shocked by Abel’s words that he was at a loss for words.

It was hard to imagine the hardworking Abel falling into despair from understanding he could never reach someone.

“So, what did you do then, Abel?”

“My brother told me he wanted me to support him with my sword.”

“Ah, I see.”

“Of course, I had already liked the sword before that. But it was at that moment that I decided to dedicate everything about my sword to my brother.”

With a gaze filled with sadness and nostalgia, Abel looked into the distance.

When people devote themselves to someone, they can display unbelievable strength.

But what happens when that ‘someone’ passes away?

Can one continue to give their all even then?

“My brother always cared deeply for the nation and its people. Even when I last saw him, when he could no longer get up from his bed, he still did.”

Ryo listened in silence as Abel continued.

Abel gave a faint smile and continued:

“So, the sword I once dedicated to my brother, I now dedicate to the nation and its people.”

When Abel declared this, the sadness and nostalgia disappeared from his face, replaced by the determined expression of a king.

“My sword is dedicated to you, Abel. I will support you with all my strength.”

“Ah, I’m counting on you.”

With that, Ryo and Abel smiled at each other.

For five days, Ryo and Abel continued to visit Chouonkaku.

During that time, the imperial capital remained peaceful, and the palace was calm.

However…

“A special envoy from the Choouchi Empire?”

“They’re coming tomorrow?”

“Yes, that’s what I heard. That’s why Taikan-sama told us repeatedly not to perform outdoors tomorrow.” (TLN: Grand Chamberlain)

Ryo tilted his head, Abel confirmed, and Workshop Chief Ron sighed as he answered.

It seemed Ron’s performances still had not been recognized by the Grand Chamberlain.

“You’re improving little by little. There’s no need to rush.”

“Thank you very much!”

Abel comforted him, and Ron responded with a smile, pleased by the praise.

“The Choouchi Empire… that’s the country of General Yun, the one frozen in ice, right? After causing such a commotion, how dare they show their faces here!”

Ryo spoke indignantly.

“They’re probably here to reclaim their prisoner. Even for a regular soldier, if it’s known they’ve been captured, the country will negotiate to have them released. It’s only natural, especially if it’s a ‘general’.”

“That’s discrimination!”

“You mean, people should be treated equally regardless of rank, right?”

“Of course.”

Abel confirmed, and Ryo nodded vigorously.

“So, even if the Kingdom’s premier duke were captured, the Kingdom should only conduct standard negotiations for release?”

“T-That’s a different matter entirely.”

It seemed anyone would change their stance when it concerned themselves.

Ryo quickly corrected himself.

“The Kingdom would run just fine without you, Ryo.”

“How can you say that! I contribute to the kingdom too.”

“Ooh? For example?”

“For example… ah! I eat lots of meals and cakes, reducing the kingdom’s food waste! ”

“What is ‘food waste’…”

Ryo’s earnest comeback didn’t seem to resonate with Abel.

“The best way to avoid prisoners is to not wage war in the first place.”

“Well, that’s true… But sometimes, countries capture regular travelers or merchants to use as bargaining chips. Such things happen between nations.”

“Ah…”

As Abel pointed this out, Ryo recalled similar cases from Earth’s history.

Differences in national ideology and perspective often led to such situations…

It was bothersome for the people, but sometimes inevitable.

This was one aspect of sovereign nations.

The world was not a simple place.

“The frozen General Yun in the manor’s garden—only you can move that, right?”

“Yes. No one else can.”

“Then, if we agree to release the prisoner, we’ll need to move that frozen block to the palace, won’t we?”

“Ah, I’ll have to be there, then. I guess we should let His Majesty know I’ll be at Chouonkaku.”

And so, the fact that Duke Rondo was staying at Chouonkaku was conveyed to Emperor Tsuin.

The next day.

The palace was somewhat bustling.

However, since the palace was unbelievably vast, not all of it was busy.

Only certain parts.

That day, Ryo and Abel visited Chouonkaku as usual.

Following the Grand Chamberlain’s instructions, Chief Ron practiced indoors.

Ryo also played the workshop piano and read the books he had brought…

Around Chouonkaku, time flowed as gently as ever.

“Art slows the passage of time.”

The water-attribute magician remarked smugly while sipping tea.

“That envoy from the Choouchi Empire is coming at noon, right?”

“So I heard. To come and break the beautiful flow of artistic time—how utterly boorish.”

“I don’t get what you mean.”

Ryo was indignant for some reason, while Abel could not understand how art equaled beautiful time.

To Abel, it seemed like Ryo was simply complaining without reason.

Noon.

The envoy arrived at the palace as scheduled.

The audience was held in the Taiji Hall.

“Envoy of the Choouchi Empire, Lord Berke Holan of House Erdenet.”

The herald announced, and a group of five men and women entered, led by a single man.

The leading man was over 180 cm tall, with a commanding presence.

However, what drew the courtiers’ eyes was not his stature.

His black eastern robes, edged with gold thread, contrasted with his white hair flowing down to his back.

He appeared to be around thirty years old.

With his dignified bearing, it was clear at a glance that he was someone of high rank in the Empire.

Some of the officials even felt a tightness in their chests and averted their eyes under the weight of his presence.

“Envoy, you have traveled far.”

Emperor Tsuin spoke briefly.

In response, Envoy Berke placed his hands together before him and bowed.

In the Eastern nations, an ‘envoy’ is someone dispatched with full authority by the sovereign.

They are, in essence, the embodiment of their nation.

And thus are treated with the utmost respect by the host country, while the envoy behaves with awareness of their role as a national representative.

“This time, due to a great misunderstanding, an unfortunate conflict occurred. Resulting in our general being taken prisoner. I am here to investigate this matter and engage in subsequent diplomatic negotiations.”

Envoy Berke stated.

His tone was polite, and his words carefully chosen, but their substance was far from humble.

‘A great misunderstanding’, ‘unfortunate conflict’, ‘investigation’…he accepted no responsibility on behalf of his country.

He was claiming it was an accident, not intentional.

“Don’t mock us!”

One of the courtiers raised his voice.

He was fairly young… around twenty years old.

Not a minister…

“Prince Bin, even if you say that…”

Envoy Berke responded with a faint smile.

At that moment, several people’s expressions shifted.

They were surprised.

That the envoy, who had just arrived from the distant north, could accurately identify who had spoken.

However, some did not show their surprise outwardly but felt it internally.

That was Emperor Tsuin himself.

“Envoy, you mentioned ‘subsequent diplomatic negotiations’ earlier.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. Our nation wishes to establish formal diplomatic relations with Darwei. I have been authorized to negotiate a trade treaty to establish an embassy in the future.”

A murmur spread through the court.

Most of the officials knew little about the Choouchi Empire itself.

Only Emperor Tsuin and Prime Minister Byan, who had ordered investigations, knew anything… yet even then, only roughly where it was located.

They did not know its population, resources, or even the name of its capital.

“A treaty will require various preparations.”

Emperor Tsuin said, aware of how lacking their information was.

“We understand, Your Majesty. And are prepared for it to take some time.”

Envoy Berke replied with a respectful bow.

“Then, we will have your party remain in the capital for a while.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

“Prime Minister.”

Emperor Tsuin called upon Prime Minister Byan.

“Yes, Your Majesty. For accommodations, I believe Ryusen Residence would be appropriate.”

“Very well, make it so.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Prime Minister Byan responded without delay, and the lodging was decided.

Ryusen Residence was not too close to the palace, yet offered excellent hospitality, making it the most suitable choice, a fact Emperor Tsuin also recognized.

As the details were to be discussed from the following day onward, the atmosphere suggested the envoy’s party would now withdraw… but Envoy Berke spoke up.

“If I may, Your Majesty, I have a request.”

“Speak.”

“I would like to request permission to treat our General Yun, who is currently in captivity.”

Envoy Berke’s expression did not change; he continued to wear a faint smile.

Perhaps it was the content of this request combined with that smile that irritated someone.

As a voice rang out once more.

“Such a thing cannot be permitted!”

It was again the young voice of Fourth Prince Bin.

Normally, a mere prince would not attend such an audience.

However, in Darwei, an imperial prince holds a rank equivalent to a minister.

So they attend foreign envoy receptions and the daily morning court.

Experiencing politics firsthand is important for future successors to the throne.

However…

“Restrain yourself, Prince Bin.”

The voice was not loud or harsh… but the long-serving Prime Minister Byan’s words struck the young prince.

Struck by the prime minister’s words, Prince Bin turned away with a pout.

“Minister of Justice, your thoughts?”

Emperor Tsuin addressed the Minister of Justice, who oversaw legal affairs.

“As long as he does not leave the capital, there is no problem.”

The Minister of Justice replied.

Then, Emperor Tsuin glanced toward an elderly man standing at the edge of the court.

This was the Deputy-Director of the Censorate, Secretary Shau, who held police-like authority, handling on-site enforcement and investigations.

Receiving the Emperor’s gaze, Secretary Shau gave a small nod.

It meant that all information had already been gathered and was under analysis. So there was no problem in returning the prisoner.

He also understood that this was an extremely political issue intertwined with diplomacy.

And that the nation needed to display magnanimity for future negotiations.

“Very well. We will have him delivered to Ryusen Residence shortly.”

“Your Majesty’s gracious mercy is deeply appreciated.”

Thus, the greeting of the Choouchi Empire’s envoy concluded.

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

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