Chapter 0607 Kyoonkai Part 2
-x-X-x-
"The royal capital has fallen. Into the hands of the prince and the Empire. The cries of the people cloud the skies of the kingdom. The people's anger runs through the land. Their hope… will give birth to a new king. His name— King Abel. He shall rise from a frontier town. The adventurer king who will blow away the kingdom's dark clouds. He shall gather the people's tears, and rise against the invaders!"
The bard Wang A-Shi sang as if telling a tale.
With his beautiful voice and the harp's tones, everyone in Zhenglin Hall listened with rapt attention.
This time, Ryo and Abel were also absorbed in the music.
When they first heard him at the 'Ryusen Residence', embarrassment broke their composure before they could truly listen, so they could not be fully captivated—but this time was different.
Perhaps because they had heard it once and grown somewhat accustomed to it.
Or perhaps because they had given up.
In any case, they tried not to think about themselves… and they listened.
"And with King Abel stands a lone magician. His magic that dims the heavens, shatters the earth, and freezes the world— tremendous water magic. With a single spell, he crushed an army of a hundred thousand—it was no fantasy. People praised him and called him: the Icefall, or sang of him as the Silver Duke."
At the instant he finished singing the final line, 'The Ballad of Duke Rondo'…
"Whoa!"
"As expected—wonderful!"
"Truly Wang A-Shi!"
The cheers burst forth.
But they subsided quickly.
Everyone realized Wang A-Shi was about to continue the performance.
"Duke Rondo went westward to forge new friendships. Into that void came a new threat. A great being beyond human comprehension. The revival of a Djinn that once drove the Central Countries to the brink of ruin. The kingdom fought. It allied with the Union and fought. But… the enemy was not human. A being beyond humanity."
What began anew was another story.
"The kingdom, exposed to the revived Djinn's assault. Tens of thousands of shadows born, a terrible Djinn that ravaged the realm—and before it stood the heroic King Abel. But… at his side, Duke Rondo was not there…"
Wang A-Shi's song wove a fresh ballad of the Knightley Kingdom.
The audience listened, holding their breath.
"Leading shadows that blanket the earth and drive the kingdom to the brink, the Djinn and its followers. The decisive battle with the kingdom was fought in eastern lands. The kingdom army under the heroic king, great alchemical healing powers, and the golden doe-ship floating in the sky… All the kingdom's powers gathered and struck down the Djinn and its followers. It was the moment when humans felled a being beyond humanity! But…"
Not a single throat cleared.
"The ground, drunk on warriors' blood, unleashed the Djinn's true power… It was unleashed! A single Djinn alone broke through all the kingdom's forces. A terrifying sight! Warriors fell, magicians lay prostrate. Even the hero king, who had felled the followers… his blade could not reach the Djinn, who had unleashed its true power. The kingdom's full strength… was on the verge of being crushed by the Djinn."
At that moment, Wang A-Shi's accompaniment became fierce and wild.
"But not yet! Not yet! The kingdom's power still remains! There is a man who set out for the endless western lands! Yes, Duke Rondo. The place he should be is not the western grounds. It is the kingdom. Yes—he belongs beside the heroic king Abel! But the Duke in that endless west… could he reach? Could he? Is there anything impossible for him? Impossible! Impossible! No such thing can be! The magician who makes all things possible. If there is anyone… Could such a thing be? Could it? Could it? Yes—it is so! He has risen! Rending the sky, appearing—the great water magician, the Icefall, the Silver Duke! He returns! To where he should be! He rains down ice and tears it apart. The heroic king's crimson magic blade and the Silver Duke's azure magic blade… the two become one and pierce the Djinn!"
Every gaze turned to Wang A-Shi.
"Once again, the kingdom is saved. By the heroic king and the Silver Duke, by their mighty power!"
At that instant, perfect stillness fell over Zhenglin Hall.
Clap, clap…
Clap-clap, clap-clap…
Clap-clap-clap-clap-clap…
A storm of applause.
"Brilliant!"
"Wonderful!"
"A genuine masterpiece!"
"Long live Abel-sama—!"
"Long live Duke Rondo—!"
Explosive cheers and an outpouring of emotion.
Here, social rank meant nothing.
From the Shitaifu-class to the imperial household, everyone applauded.
Some wept…
Only two people in the room were not moved.
"The first piece I'd heard before, so I could remain calm while listening…"
"But the new one… that was embarrassing…"
Ryo and Abel looked down.
They were apparently very embarrassed.
They were the protagonists of the tale, after all.
Amid the thunderous acclaim, a thirty-minute intermission began.
The two were summoned by Emperor Tsuin and moved to Wenhua Hall.
They felt quite relieved.
They could not imagine what would have happened had they remained in Zhenglin Hall…
"As expected of Wang A-Shi— a marvelous song."
Emperor Tsuin said, delighted, unlike the two of them.
Even the Chief Eunuch, who ordinarily kept a near-expressionless posture behind him, looked faintly happier.
"Indeed."
Ryo agreed, though still flushed with embarrassment.
"Did Duke Rondo tell him that new song?"
"Yes. Albert and I…"
Ryo answered the Emperor's question.
Abel silently nodded beside him.
"The song mentioned a Djinn. Even in these Eastern countries, there are tales in their 'romances' that include such beings."
"Is that so?"
The term 'romance' here refers to long traditional tales.
In other words, ancient stories in which Djinns appear even in these Eastern countries.
"Of course, those are stories written long ago about even older times… beings that existed only in legend. But you say one revived in the kingdom…?"
"That is correct, Your Majesty. Even in the Central Countries, Djinns mostly existed only in tradition. In fact, I heard this revival was the first in nine hundred years."
Ryo answered Emperor Tsuin.
Although Ryo did not know the full details of how Garwin, the eastern Djinn they fought this time, was resurrected, he had been present when the seal on the Djinn bound to the kingdom's south was broken.
At that time, the folklore officer of the Central Temple, Viscount Rashata Debuo, had told him much, so Ryo knew quite a bit.
"The revival of beings said to exist only in legend… is a terrifying thing."
"Indeed."
Emperor Tsuin said slowly, and Ryo nodded.
The Emperor's words were those of a statesman.
Facing something with no precedent, no manuals, and no institutional know-how, it is difficult for a nation to respond swiftly.
Because the nation is such a large organism, it is slow to move.
Knowing that, the initial response to an unprecedented encounter is necessarily slow.
That means, inevitably, some sacrifices occur early on.
A nation is a large organization.
So even if it suffers some damage, it rarely collapses into a fatal state immediately.
Yet, even if it doesn't reach a collapse, there will be citizens who lose their lives…
Those are unavoidable sacrifices.
Truly unavoidable.
But can one say that to the families left behind, face to face?
Emperor Tsuin's words carried all that bitter experience within them.
While they spoke, the thirty-minute intermission ended.
As before, they followed Emperor Tsuin back and re-entered Zhenglin Hall.
They took the same seats as in the first part.
Both noticed at once.
What was on the performance stage…
"A grand piano…"
"It must be heavy—did they bring it in?"
Ryo and Abel were surprised.
There, where nothing had been in the first half, stood a presence—what Abel described as a black, oddly shaped table.
But it was no mere table: its lid was open at a slant, and the polished surface reflected the strings stretched inside.
"Are those strings being plucked to make sound?"
"No, no. The strings are struck by an internal mechanism."
Abel asked, and Ryo replied.
Though Ryo could play piano, he wasn't deeply familiar with grand piano construction.
That was why he had long wondered.
The creator of pianos in this world, Ron Shen.
He was likely a reincarnator like Ryo.
That was almost certain… but did that mean he could actually build a piano from scratch?
Perhaps Ron Shen had played piano back on Earth.
But could that alone allow someone to construct a piano…? For example, Ryo could not.
Yet Ron Shen had made one.
The bestowed 'Shen-Lon' No. 1 is played every day at the Rondo manor, and it's no different from the pianos Ryo had played on Earth.
Of course, pianos are instruments and differ by manufacturer.
The key weight varies considerably.
That's why, at competitions like the Chopin Competition, performers can choose a piano from three or four manufacturers for their program.
Each time, the stage piano is changed…
Probably this piano had been brought in in that same way.
As he mused, a woman appeared.
She began to play the piano.
Of course, the piece was unfamiliar to Ryo.
Yet it was composed on a gentle melody reminiscent of the Darwei-style music the Shitaifu performers had played so far—a flowing tune that conjured an image of the southern river running through the capital.
Many closed their eyes and listened, relaxed and content.
Three such pieces were performed.
Afterwards, Workshop Chief Ron Shen appeared and greeted the audience with the performing woman.
"Thank you for allowing the unveiling of the grand piano 'Shen-Lon' today."
He began and then shared a few behind-the-scenes stories of its creation.
But most people were not chiefly interested in those details…
"From today, we will accept orders for the 'Shen-Lon'. Please place orders with the Shouhoukan."
At that instant, the princes' families and most of the Shitaifu ladies turned to their attendants and household members and conveyed something.
Then the attendants and household members left Zhenglin Hall.
They likely headed to…
"Did they all run off to place orders at the Shouhoukan?"
"Given their speed, I'd say so."
Ryo asked, and Abel nodded.
The Shouhoukan is the bureau in the Darwei Imperial Palace that handles arts-related matters.
The Chief Eunuch of the Shouhoukan had scolded Ron when he performed outside earlier.
Ryo and Abel could already picture the pandemonium that would follow as they processed orders…
The piano was moved to the rear of the stage.
It would not be returned to Chouonkaku; this instrument might remain in Zhenglin Hall.
Like the one that's always kept in a school gymnasium…
And so the second part, featuring the princes, began.
-x-X-x-
"The Twelfth Prince…"
"Prince, there sure are a lot of them, huh."
Hearing that the first performance was by the Twelfth Prince, Ryo was surprised and Abel was impressed by the number of princes.
"Our kingdom doesn't have many royals, does it?"
"Yeah, it's few. Even compared with Darwei, it's nowhere close, and among the Central Countries it's still relatively small."
"What does that mean for our national security?"
"You mean that with fewer royals there's a higher chance the royal line could be wiped out if their lives are targeted, and that would be a serious problem?"
"Yes, that's what I mean."
Ryo nodded vigorously.
If there are no longer any proper objects of loyalty to pledge to, the kingdom itself will wobble.
Simply having a large royal family is enough to make the state resilient.
Look at the Tokugawa shogunate.
One factor that allowed the shogunate to last for over two hundred and sixty years was surely the many descendants of Tokugawa Ieyasu—especially his children.
Ieyasu had eleven sons and five daughters…
When the seventh shogun, Tokugawa Ietsugu, died in 1716 at only six years old, the shogunate line might have ended; yet the shogunate continued by taking shoguns from the three branch houses (Gosanke) founded by Ieyasu's sons.
That continued for another 150 years.
After that seventh Ietsugu, the eighth shogun who came from the Kii Tokugawa house—the famously rambunctious Yoshimune—took over.
All of it thanks to the founder Tokugawa Ieyasu having had many children…
"Abel, the Knightley Kingdom must increase its royal family!"
"I agree, but… I feel like I've heard something like that from Marquis Heinlein before."
"Ooh! As expected of the Prime Minister."
Ryo had a very high opinion of Prime Minister Marquis Heinlein.
"However, it's not easy to increase the royal family…"
"True. In that case, there's no choice—we should begin research into extraordinary methods."
"Extraordinary methods? What do you mean by that?"
Ryo put his hand to his chin in a heavy, exaggerated manner and nodded repeatedly as he spoke.
Abel looked at him with a rather skeptical expression.
Given his past experiences… that reaction was understandable.
"We should make clones of Abel and stock them!"
"What's… a clone?"
The words of Mad Scientist Ryo were difficult for Abel.
"A person with the same genes as Abel… we'll create people who look exactly like Abel, and if Abel dies, we'll have one replace him. Because they're identical down to genes, everyone won't be confused and will accept them."
"…Is that even possible? And what even is that?"
"It's not possible yet, so we must research it. I think a field derived from alchemy might conceivably produce such a thing. Let's investigate when we return to the Central Countries."
"You said 'a person exactly like me'?"
"Yes, yes. Exactly the same as Abel at the genetic level… genes are like the core of Abel, and from that they'd be identical."
"Sounds… dangerous. Vetoed."
"Down with royal tyranny!"
Thus, the mad research that strayed from the path of humanity was banned in the kingdom.
"Then I'll go underground to continue my research…"
Ryo's defeated, evil-doctor-like mumble reached Abel's ears, but Abel just shook his head slightly and ignored it…
"Abel, did you notice?"
"Yeah—the Fifth Prince still isn't here, right?"
"That's not what I meant."
"What did you mean…"
Abel frowned at Ryo's denial.
Prince Ryun, the Sixth Prince, had been elevated to imperial prince, which meant he had leapfrogged over the Fifth Prince…how did the Fifth Prince feel about that? Or is he simply not present?
This had to be a matter of concern between the two.
From what they could see, there were ten princes present.
The former First Prince, the previous Crown Prince, was already gone.
And there were princes up to the Twelfth Prince.
So one person was missing… it was reasonable to conclude the Fifth Prince was not present.
That was Abel's thought, but Ryo's observation was different.
"The items on the trays have shifted to dessert-like… more snack-like things."
"Ah… now that you mention it, true."
In the first part, most of the fare had been more substantial, rice-and-meal-type dishes.
Of course, because these were trays, they didn't carry large portions.
Servants tended to be present: when a plate was emptied, another dish would be brought and placed on the tray.
And often it was a different dish each time.
From what they could see, the high-ranking princes and ministers only nibbled at them, but the two were different.
With no pressing matters, they both enjoyed the music and the food.
Each time a plate was emptied, another dish was set down.
Naturally, this made them want to see how many types were prepared.
Both of them were adventurers who liked to explore mysteries!
However!
It would be bad to eat so much that they couldn't move.
As Abel said… they had to stay aware that they were always being watched.
They were not anonymous people.
The famous Duke Rondo and his bodyguard swordsman.
So, coordinating more closely than usual with their stomachs, they explored the variety of dishes…
"In the end, in the first part we only managed to sample up to the twelfth plate."
"Given that none were the same, they must have prepared quite a lot."
"The dishes we couldn't eat…"
"The staff who worked will eat them later, right?"
"It's good if it doesn't become food waste."
Both Abel and Ryo were enjoying the Kyoonkai.
Maybe in a slightly different way from other attendees…
The second part of the concert began with the Twelfth Prince and continued through to the Seventh Prince.
Prince Ryun, the Sixth Prince, had been raised to imperial prince and had just married a principal consort, so he went last this time.
That should mean it was the Fifth Prince's turn next, but…
"Ah—Prince Bin, the Fourth Prince, is preparing."
"So the Fifth Prince really isn't present."
Ryo and Abel confirmed and nodded when they saw Prince Bin step onto the stage.
Whether the Fifth Prince had died or was simply unable to attend, they couldn't tell…
"I'll judge for myself how much Prince Bin has it in for us."
"…Why the superior attitude?"
Abel shook his head slightly at Ryo's remark.
Prince Bin stood alone on stage, holding a flute.
The first breath…
"Mmm…"
Unbidden, an appreciative sound slipped from Ryo's mouth.
Even Ryo, who had said he'd judge him, had to admit the clear, pure tone.
With no other instruments to accompany it, the flute stood out all the more.
A beautiful, undulating sound that somehow painted a picture with its tone.
It was like a small boat lit by moonlight, with a single person playing a flute upon it…
After a while, however, the mood of the piece changed.
Rough, as if to blow everything away.
Some might even hear thunder…
A small boat tossed about by towering waves.
The moonlight that had seemed to protect it was gone.
Waves crashing down on the small boat…
At the instant everyone pictured that hopeless scene…
The storm ended.
The small boat was once more bathed in moonlight… and that was the end of the piece.
"Whoa!"
"As expected of Prince Bin!"
"The best flute in Darwei!"
Thunderous applause.
"Well… I must admit it was quite a performance."
"You could just say that it was amazing."
Ryo, for some reason pouting, nevertheless conceded the excellence of the performance, and Abel praised it frankly.
Even these two admitted it had been superb.
"He may be Prince Ryun's rival, but I'll admit he's good at the flute."
"Not just good—that was downright amazing."
"But the Third Prince who performs after him will have a hard time, won't he?"
"And Third Prince Churei is the sort who leans toward martial skill rather than the arts, right? I wonder what he'll do."
Ryo and Abel whispered this to each other while watching the stage.
Not center stage, but off to the side, an instrument had been placed.
"That's the 'koto' Ryo mentioned, isn't it?"
"Yes. More precisely, I suppose it's called a guqin. The seven-string one."
Ryo knew of it and had seen it in movies back on Earth, but he didn't know the detailed playing techniques.
The guqin had been used several times in the first part, and because Ryo muttered 'koto' then, Abel remembered it.
But it's different from the Japanese koto.
The big difference is that the koto's bridges aren't there.
Yes—those little bridges that support the strings from below.
However, an even bigger question remained:
Why was it placed at the edge of the stage instead of the center?
That question was answered at once.
"A woman has sat down in front of the guqin."
But she did not seem about to play right away.
She appeared to be waiting for something.
"Ah—Prince Churei has come up on stage. He's come up, but…"
"He's holding a sword."
"Could it be that it's not a performance but… a sword dance?"
As if answering Abel, Prince Churei began to dance in the center of the stage, sword in hand.
The guqin began to accompany him.
At first, the guqin matched the sword dance.
But it didn't end there.
Rather, the guqin began to take the lead over the sword dance.
The performer was watching Prince Churei's sword dance closely.
Having confirmed it, she then began to lead.
"Is the guqin overpowering the sword dance?"
The words slipped from Abel's mouth.
But the sword dance did not yield.
It increased its tempo, sharpened its edges, and took on a wildness in return.
"The sword dance isn't losing either."
"Are they fighting—the sword and the guqin?"
Neither Ryo nor Abel stopped murmuring, and neither took their eyes off the sword dance.
And their ears did not leave the guqin.
They collided, they sparked off one another, and yet each elevated the other…
The energy of sword and guqin climbed to its peak…
Shh.
Swoosh.
A razor-sharp strike and a single resounding stroke.
With that, the duel between sword and guqin came to an end.
"As expected of Prince Churei and Her Highness the Consort."
"Every year, the prince's sword dance is different!"
"This is precisely what makes the Kyoonkai what it is!"
Voices like that rose along with the applause.
"Prince Churei does a sword dance every year, doesn't he?"
"To raise martial skill to the level of art—that's quite something."
"Watching it makes me feel like I'm watching Abel's sword practice."
"He's been swinging a sword every day since he was little. In other words, that prince…"
"Saying he 'leans toward martial skill' isn't an exaggeration."
Abel and Ryo both wield the sword.
So they understood.
Prince Churei's sword, even in a sword dance, was not mere show.
Its essence was a sword meant to cut people, not merely to display.
And he had elevated that into art.
With single-minded devotion, one must throw oneself into the sword to reach that level…
"The one playing the guqin was the consort, apparently."
"They seemed like they were fighting each other…"
"The consort must be a woman of strong core."
"Like Sera?"
"Also like Rihya in some ways."
Abel and Ryo nodded repeatedly.
Those who waited on the two of them were solid, resolute people.
"That was an impressive set of performances."
"As expected from the princes."
Both of them were impressed.
At their refusal to slack off even a little.
"They're in front of the Emperor, after all. They can't afford to slack off."
"Well, yes, that's true…"
Ryo pretended to push up his glasses and pointed out, with the air of a prosecutor, and Abel resignedly accepted the jab.
"Now I'm curious to see how the top contender in the crown prince race, Second Prince Kouri, will perform."
"Odd way to put it, but I'm interested too."
"With flute, sword dance, and guqin done… will he come out with a straight-on violin assault?"
"What's a 'straight-on violin assault'?"
Ryo's unique expressions were sometimes hard even for Abel to understand.
In fact, more often than not, he couldn't quite get them…
While they exchanged such remarks, people appeared on stage.
"A lot of them, aren't there?"
"About ten? And look at the princes' seats."
"Ah… Prince Kouri is still sitting in his seat!"
That's right—Prince Kouri, who should be the star, didn't step on stage; he sat smiling faintly and watched.
"That boy in the middle hasn't turned ten yet, right?"
"He must be Prince Kouri's son."
He could still be called a child.
You could see he was nervous even from a distance.
Nevertheless, he stood center stage holding a violin.
Around him were violas, cellos, and even a double bass.
"A string quartet… no, there are about ten of them."
"Looks interesting."
This performance took on a different flavor from those before.
Technically, the boy still had room to improve.
But considering he's not even ten, his skill was more than sufficient.
He had been nervous before starting, but once he began to play…
"He's playing with such poise."
"Incredible—he must have been trained hard."
Ryo and Abel exchanged impressions.
Unlike the earlier presentations by Prince Bin and Prince Churei, the audience now seemed less transfixed in rapt attention and more like they were cheering him on, urging him to do his best.
And when he finished without a mistake until the end…
"Whoa!"
"As expected of Shon-sama!"
"Marvelous!"
A storm of cheers and applause.
They weren't enchanted by the music itself so much as moved by his earnest effort.
"This might be why Prince Kouri is said to be calculating!"
"Well, that may be so… but he worked hard, so that's fine, isn't it?"
Abel forced a smile at Ryo's remark.
"No, the idea was to lower the tension here for a bit… to loosen the nerves, and then bring out the big finale with Princess Shio Fen and Mifa. No matter what, they'll stand out. In that way, he must have bought favor with Prince Ryun's camp."
"I see. It could be a calculated move. Prince Kouri, being the frontrunner in the succession, can afford that kind of strategy."
Neither Ryo nor Abel was being cynical; they simply observed.
While they talked, the stage was rearranged.
"Is that the guqin from earlier?"
"No, it's different. It has bridges… a zheng? A guzheng? There are many strings."
"I see. I count about twenty."
Ryo answered, and Abel, with his keen eyes, counted the strings.
Its appearance was closer to the Japanese koto than the earlier guqin.
Because the strings were raised by bridges.
A single guzheng stood at the center.
Four more were placed behind it.
After a moment, six women ascended the stage.
Princess Shio Fen took the central guzheng.
Her attendants took the four behind.
And beside Princess Shio Fen, only one stood holding a violin—Mifa.
"Yes, she doesn't seem overly nervous."
"That level of tension is probably just right to bring out their best."
Both Ryo and Abel sensed that the princess and her party were approaching with just the right nervous energy.
Too much tension is bad.
Too little tension is bad.
That applies to instruments and people alike.
It began with a single stroke from Princess Shio Fen.
Four guzhengs supported that.
They painted in the listeners' minds the gentle sunlight of spring.
And then, gently—truly gently—the violin entered.
Before long, Princess Shio Fen's guzheng and Mifa's violin intertwined.
The performance projected an image of a row of cherry trees in Ryo's mind.
Cherry blossoms in full bloom lining both banks of a river.
Beautiful.
And fleeting.
Blooming proudly under the spring sun.
Then, after a key change, the scene shifted to cherry trees under the moon.
Enchanting.
Like falling snow.
Pale blossoms bathing in the moonlight.
From there, the tone suddenly became fierce!
Guzhengs and violin tangled violently, each elevating the other, both breaking through…
A flurry of cherry blossoms spun across the mind.
The wind that blew became a raging storm of spring.
The cherry blossoms began to shine on their own, riding the storm and racing everywhere.
Not a terrifying storm, but a storm that delivered light to every place.
The guzhengs and violin, having heightened each other, wove the main melody and the countermelody together, alternating and swapping, captivating the entire audience…
They reached a peak and then ended.
In the perfect silence, the small sound of catching breaths was audible.
Princess Shio Fen and Mifa.
Clap-clap…
Clap-clap-clap-clap…
"Wonderful…"
"I never expected it to be this moving…"
Almost everyone rose to their feet, some with tears, praising the performance.
"Princess Fen's guzheng was marvelous."
"Her attendant Mifa's violin… I'd heard it was amazing, but this exceeded my imagination."
Praises from the families of the other princes reached Ryo and Abel.
"It was splendid!"
"Yeah, a magnificent performance."
Thus, all the performances at the Kyoonkai had concluded… or so it seemed.
-x-X-x-
"Your Highness, that was splendid."
Rising from the throne, Emperor Tsuin praised her.
"It is most humbling, Your Majesty."
Princess Shio Fen bowed her head.
Seeing that, the Emperor nodded deeply, as if satisfied.
"Indeed, this year's Kyoonkai was also a fine affair."
But at that moment, a young voice cut in from the side.
"Your Majesty, there is something I wish to report."
It was Fourth Prince Bin.
At that instant, Ryo and Abel exchanged sour looks.
They had both had a vague feeling this might happen.
They had seen Prince Bin alone, without applause, wearing an expression like he had swallowed a bitter pill while everyone else praised Princess Shio Fen's performance.
It was understandable that he wouldn't be happy to see the camp of Sixth Prince Ryun, his nearest and greatest rival, being praised…
"Surely he doesn't intend to criticize the recent performance."
"That'd be impossible. It was excellent, and the Emperor just praised it."
Ryo and Abel spoke in fairly low voices.
"What is it, Bin?"
Emperor Tsuin addressed Prince Bin.
"The custom of the Kyoonkai is for the heads of noble houses to perform. With respect, there is still someone here who has not performed."
"Hm? I thought everyone had performed?"
Prince Bin extended his right arm and pointed at a certain person.
"Duke Rondo."
"Eh?"
Ryo was startled by the sudden accusation.
Of course, he had not been told anything about this in advance.
"Unseemly—desist, Bin."
It was not the Emperor but Third Prince Churei, seated beside him, who rebuked Prince Bin.
He frowned openly as he looked at Prince Bin.
"No, I will not desist. Duke Rondo's seat is the crown prince's seat that oversees the six ministries and two divisions. As long as he sits in that seat, it is only natural that he should perform at the Kyoonkai."
Prince Bin's reproach continued.
Neither Ryo nor Abel knew whether Prince Bin's claim was correct.
Nor did they know what the right course of action was.
So Ryo looked at Emperor Tsuin standing before the throne.
At that moment, the Emperor gave a faint smile.
It was the smile of a mischievous boy.
"Duke Rondo, since Prince Bin speaks thus, I had thought your performance unnecessary… but what say you? Might Albert-dono the guard's violin be allowed to be heard here? I confess I am curious."
Yes—that mischievous-boy smile was one borne on Prince Bin's action, a smile that meant the Emperor would like to hear Abel's violin.
Ryo glanced at Abel at his side.
He saw Abel shrug his shoulders.
"If it is His Majesty's request, I will perform with all due humility."
When Ryo said that, Abel went to the front of the stage and bowed to the Emperor.
It was a bow of the utmost elegance.
"To bow like Duke Helb here? As expected of Abel."
Ryo's tiny, whispering remark was heard by no one.
Yet by that single bow, Abel had succeeded in shifting the audience's perception from 'just a guard' to 'truly Duke Rondo's guard'.
Then he accepted the violin from Mifa, who was still on stage.
"I look forward to it, Master."
"That last performance was marvelous."
Mifa handed over the violin, and Abel accepted it with a smile, praising Princess Shio Fen's playing.
When Mifa stepped back to the edge of the stage, Abel straightened and scraped the violin bow across the strings.
The piece was the usual one.
"As I thought… Paganini, 24 Caprices, No.24…"
Offstage, Workshop Chief Ron Shen muttered.
Ron Shen had heard Abel perform before at the Chouonkaku.
He had been moved.
He had admired him.
Those feelings now rose again.
"To play such a difficult piece… so lightly."
Ron Shen murmured.
Among those present, only Ron Shen, Mifa, and Ryo knew Paganini.
For the others, it was their first time hearing it.
Yet everyone was captivated.
Tricky yet beautiful.
Unfamiliar connections of sound, yet entrancing.
Such is Paganini's music.
On Earth, Paganini influenced many musicians who became pillars of musical history:
Liszt, Schubert, Brahms, Schumann, Berlioz…
Among them, Liszt's influence was immeasurable.
Shocked by Paganini's playing, Liszt resolved to become 'the Paganini of the piano', pursuing virtuosity on the instrument.
One of the world's most famous piano pieces, Liszt's 'La Campanella', is an arrangement of the theme 'La Campanella' from Paganini's Violin Concerto No.2's Rondo third movement.
So strictly speaking, it's 'Grande etude de Paganini No.3 in G-sharp minor—La Campanella'.
Even though Caprice No.24 is a violin solo, it displays an astonishingly wide range of tone.
Packed with many 'unconventional' techniques and pushing virtuosity to its limits, the piece is known as difficult even to play.
To make it one's own and perform it perfectly is…
"Perhaps the reason Abel admired Crown Prince Cain's violin was because of this Caprice No.24."
Ryo murmured that as mere speculation.
Abel had once said,
That Crown Prince Cain's violin playing was genius.
He had admired him.
But knowing he could not reach that level, he had despaired.
Ryo thought the piece the Crown Prince had played then might have been this one.
And Abel had practiced,
until he immersed himself completely.
Yet he knew he could not reach it…
Even so, to Ryo's eyes and ears, Abel's playing sounded perfect.
Ryo had heard many violinists play this piece on Earth.
Famous professional violinists.
Compared to them, Abel's performance was by no means inferior.
On the contrary…
"I prefer Abel's playing."
Ryo thought clearly.
He nodded slightly and said,
"If Crown Prince Cain were to hear Abel's violin now, I'm certain he would praise it."
Such a marvelous performance.
The four-and-a-half-minute piece ended in the blink of an eye.
"Amazing…"
"What is this…"
"This is nothing like the violins we know…"
"This is Duke Rondo's guard…"
Those murmurs could be heard.
Clap-clap-clap…
Ryo started the applause.
Clap-clap-clap…
Then Workshop Chief Ron Shen.
Clap-clap-clap-clap-clap-clap…
Then Mifa and Princess Shio Fen.
The applause spread… and the entire Zhenglin Hall was wrapped in clapping.
Abel bowed his head to Emperor Tsuin from the stage, violin in hand.
"No—marvelous! Albert-dono's astonishing performance! I did not expect such a thing. Truly, Duke Rondo's guard!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
The Emperor praised him, and Ryo answered on Abel's behalf.
All's well that ends well…
"Wait!"
Prince Bin's voice rang out again.
Even Emperor Tsuin's brow creased slightly at that.
"At the Kyoonkai, it is customary for the head of the house, the consort, or the heir to perform. Albert-dono is none of those."
"Cease, Bin."
Even Emperor Tsuin reprimanded Prince Bin's outcry.
The Emperor did not raise his voice.
But many felt his displeasure.
It was surely related to Abel's astonishing performance that had so impressed everyone.
To end the Kyoonkai with such a performance would make this year's gathering remembered for a long time.
Those present would boast of having been there…
But Prince Bin's protest sought to ruin that.
"No, I will not stop. What I say is not incorrect."
Prince Bin continued his accusation.
But that was a poor move.
Everyone here understood that.
Everyone except Prince Bin himself.
"Is it a rule that the head of the house must perform at this Kyoonkai?"
Ryo asked in a deliberately mild tone.
He directed the question not to Prince Bin but to Emperor Tsuin.
"Not a rule so much as a custom, I suppose. But Duke Rondo is invited here as my honored guest. Albert-dono's performance is sufficient."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Emperor Tsuin replied, and Ryo bowed his head.
Did anyone notice the faint smile that crossed Ryo's face at that moment?
Perhaps only Abel, who was on the stage, noticed.
"I beg Your Majesty's indulgence. I am inept—I cannot play the violin like Albert, nor the flute like Prince Bin, nor the guzheng like Princess Shio Fen."
When Ryo said that, the Emperor nodded once.
"However… since I was invited to the unveiling of the piano 'Shen-Lon', perhaps I might play lightly on the piano? Of course, after such performances, it is hardly fitting to match them… but many Shitaifu-class houses will likely acquire pianos soon. If I can help even a little, I would like to…"
"Ho… I see—the piano, is it? That is interesting."
Emperor Tsuin, surprised by Ryo's suggestion, warmed to it.
He remembered that Ron Shen had arranged for the first 'Shen-Lon' Grand Piano to be installed at Rondo Manor.
Everyone except those two reacted with surprise and began to whisper among themselves.
The atmosphere grew restless.
"Very well! Prepare the stage."
At the Emperor's command, the piano was once again placed at the center stage.
While that was happening, Abel returned and spoke to Ryo.
"Hey—you okay?"
"Not as much as Abel… but my fingers have started moving somewhat like before. I play for Andalusia and Feiwan every day, so it should be fine."
At Rondo Manor, it had become commonplace to find Andalusia and Feiwan sleeping contentedly on the lawn while Ryo's piano flowed from the house.
Ryo sat before the prepared piano.
It had been a long time since he last played at a concert.
"Well, even if I make a few mistakes, no one will tell."
He murmured with a slight laugh.
The piece he was about to play was one he had played back on Earth.
Thus, it was a piece unfamiliar to these 'Phi' people here.
So a few mistakes wouldn't matter.
Perhaps for that reason, he felt surprisingly little nervousness.
If it had been a recital on Earth, not making mistakes would be expected.
What was demanded went beyond that.
So he had been tense all the way up to the morning of performance day…
Compared to that, this stage felt light in pressure.
Still, the image in Ryo's head was the finals stage of the Chopin Competition.
Because the piece he loved was Chopin.
He exhaled.
He took a short breath and began with a weighty four-note chord.
It was a prelude that evoked the winter era of Chopin's homeland Poland, under another nation's rule.
But it was not merely dark… the spirit of a people who would not bow under oppression swelled.
They measured the timing to surge forth—toward the main first theme.
"What? This is…"
Workshop Chief Ron Shen, offstage, was astonished.
It was that famous prelude… of course Ron knew it.
After those sixteen-bar prelude came the resplendent… first theme!
"Of course. Chopin's Polonaise No.6 in A-flat major… 'Heroic'."
The first theme of the Heroic Polonaise, as rendered by Ryo's hands, was brilliant and dazzling… and yet powerful.
A theme that spoke of a people liberated from tyranny and reclaiming their country—bright, filled with hope.
Land bathed in spring sunlight.
Smiling people dancing in peace.
Everyone there thought of the long-hoped-for, beloved homeland.
In the country's spring, all live in smiles.
…Yet the bright future did not last.
A neighboring country sought to re-subjugate the freed Polish people.
Poland's army stood to fight.
Fearless Polish cavalry at the forefront.
The two armies clashed head-on!
They felled and were felled, over and over.
An endless battle…
After such all-out collisions came a tragic end.
Poland's land ravaged, despair blanketing the nation.
But!
The Polish people rose again.
No matter how oppressed, they refused to give up and stood up again and again!
Then the first theme returns.
Dressed in splendor yet stronger than before… stronger, and stronger still!
A concentrated will—a people's resolve that never surrenders hope for the future.
It paralleled the history of the Heroic King who rallied his people and led them to liberate occupied lands—much like the history of the liberated Knightley Kingdom.
The power of will.
The power of the people's resolve.
That power burst forth… and the finale arrived.
Silence followed.
"Magnificent!"
At Emperor Tsuin's single exclamation, the silence abruptly ended.
"Woooaaah!"
"What is this!"
"This is the piano!"
"This is Duke Rondo!"
"Is this some sort of magic?"
"No—it's the pinnacle of artistry, not magic!"
Voices flew about.
A thunder of applause.
"Ryo-sama… I did not expect this of you."
"Yes…"
Princess Shio Fen said with a faint smile, and Mifa, standing behind her, nodded.
"You are a reincarnator as well, Duke Rondo, aren't you?"
Workshop Chief Ron Shen spoke, certain.
He did not believe Ryo had composed the piece himself.
No matter how genius, that would be impossible.
Chopin's piano works are unique.
But Ron noticed a serious problem had emerged.
"No one else can play such a piano like that."
The piano that had just been officially unveiled… and there, suddenly, a peak-level piece had been played—that was an unexpected development.
What effect would this have on the piano's future diffusion?
No one could say…
"Duke Rondo, what is the name of that piece?"
As the applause subsided, Emperor Tsuin asked from the throne.
"Yes, Your Majesty. The piece is called 'Heroic'."
"Ho."
"I performed it for King Abel, whom I revere and to whom I pledge all my loyalty."
Ryo said that and bowed with great respect.
Was that bow directed to Emperor Tsuin?
Or was it… perhaps—for King Abel, who sat at the table with his face flushed?
-x-X-x-
"Let's have a big celebratory lunch!"
"Well, we certainly did our best."
Because both of them had worked hard at yesterday's Kyoonkai, today's lunch was apparently to be their afterparty.
Mind you, as always, it would simply be a meal.
However…
"Hmm? There are visitors."
Ryo said that and ran to the gate.
Abel walked there more slowly.
At the gate, Ryo received a letter and read it.
Beside him stood the horned golem—Messenger No.1-kun*…and facing them was a small boy. (TLN: Previously Advance-Notice Officer No.1-kun)
Abel remembered that the child was a page from the neighboring Prince Ryun's royal residence.
"Understood. Please tell His Highness we await him."
When Ryo said that, the page bowed and ran back to the prince's residence.
"Abel, the afterparty is cancelled."
"Prince Ryun is coming?"
"Yes. He says he has something he wishes to consult about."
Ryo said that and handed the letter to Abel.
Ryo himself folded his arms and fell into thought.
"What's wrong?"
Having finished reading the letter, Abel asked Ryo.
He looked rather serious.
"I'm troubled about what to do for lunch."
"Ah, right, I see…"
Serious Ryo—Abel felt a bit let down.
"It's nearly eleven… His Highness will arrive in about fifteen minutes, so we can't really go out to eat. But skipping lunch is…."
"If it's absolutely necessary, couldn't we have food delivered from a shop?"
"Delivery? That might be possible…but I feel awkward asking them to bring food during what will be a busy lunchtime."
Ryo frowned and shook his head.
"Ryo, you're so conscientious in matters like that."
"I'm not like Abel, who always leans on his authority to have things delivered."
"Have I ever done that?"
Abel tilted his head in confusion.
"When you were at the royal castle, you always had meals brought to your office!"
"Oh, well, yes…"
"The castle cafeteria staff must have reluctantly brought food to Abel. Tyranny from the king!"
"Marquis Heinlein also had meals brought to his private room."
"Eh? The Prime Minister as well?"
Ryo was surprised at Abel's remark.
Ryo held the Prime Minister, Marquis Heinlein, in high regard.
"When Marquis Heinlein or I, the king, appeared at the cafeteria, ordinary soldiers and clerks would get flustered or nervous."
"Oh…"
"Well, he said that when he needed to hear things in person, he would go in person, but otherwise he preferred to have meals brought to his room."
"I see! If the Prime Minister says that, it must be right! Abel accepting that suggestion proves he's fit to be king."
"What an about-face…"
Ryo was impressed while Abel shook his head slightly.
While they spoke, Prince Ryun and his entourage arrived and entered the room.
This time, only Prince Ryun and Chief Attendant Lin Shun came in.
On the hosts' side, there were only Ryo and Abel.
After greetings, Prince Ryun got straight to the point.
"What I wish to consult about concerns factions."
"Factions?"
Ryo tilted his head.
Because the letter had said he wished to consult about something, Ryo had thought of several possibilities, but factions was not among them.
"If I recall, the other three princes each have their own factions."
"Yes. To be frank, Duke Rondo, do you think I should form a faction as well?"
It was a very direct question.
"The reason is that since yesterday, I have received multiple offers from Shitaifu-class members asking to join my faction."
"Yesterday—you mean the Kyoonkai. Oh, could this be about Prince Bin?"
"Yes. Brother Bin's behavior at the Kyoonkai could be called an unprecedented blunder."
Prince Ryun's expression did not look pleased at the rival's mistake.
Rather, it looked almost sorrowful…
"In fact, over the past month… since the fall of Lin Sui-dono, who was Brother Bin's right hand, Brother Bin has lost the Emperor's trust."
"I see…"
The assassination attempt on Prince Ryun had produced no direct evidence tying Prince Bin to it.
Thus, there was no formal accusation against Prince Bin himself.
But the Emperor is not foolish.
From the accumulated evidence, he suspected it was highly likely that Prince Bin had known of or permitted the attack.
Moreover, a witness was confirming Lin Sui's involvement.
Thus, Lin Sui was expelled from Prince Bin's retinue.
Then there was Prince Bin's conduct at the Kyoonkai.
Especially his demand that Duke Rondo perform—the Emperor showed clear displeasure, his expression betraying it.
Everyone present—aside from Prince Bin—understood this.
Naturally, members of the Shitaifu-class who belonged to Prince Bin's faction took notice.
Can one continue to stay under Prince Bin like this?
No—not at all.
That much was clear.
But now it was impossible to join the Second Prince's or Third Prince's factions.
So then…
They considered joining Prince Ryun's new faction.
Originally, many of those in Prince Bin's faction were people who had been late to join the Second or Third Prince when their factions formed.
Or they were people who had lacked influence five years ago…
They had grown in power over five years and had momentum.
But they had not attached themselves to Prince Bin because they admired his character or wisdom.
Those people were attempting to switch masters and were approaching Prince Ryun as their new destination.
Emotionally, one might say such people don't deserve a second glance…
However, questions about factions are extremely difficult for those involved in politics.
From a civilian, non-political perspective, factions seem wholly negative.
One imagines putting one's faction people into positions regardless of ability or merit.
And in reality, that often happens.
When it does, those around them and the populace suffer negative consequences.
Seen that way, it's obvious that factions are undesirable.
Ignoring factional ties and placing talented people in appropriate positions.
That is the correct organizational approach.
That is true.
No one could deny that.
But in reality, it does not work that way…
Once an organization reaches a certain scale, factions inevitably form.
This holds true in any era and any world.
Therefore, people form factions and gather in groups.
Perhaps that is part of human nature.
What's difficult is that some people dislike grouping.
Truly, people are complicated beings…
People gather.
In politics—an arena where a single mistake can mean dismissal, even death for oneself and one's family—gathering in groups becomes a way to survive.
So they gather.
So they attack those who do not gather.
They may preemptively remove those who are not allies…perhaps logic like that prevails.
In democratic nations, matters are even more severe.
Numbers are power; those who do not gather lose their reason for existence.
A member of parliament cannot propose new laws alone.
Because rampant pork-barrel laws would be dire… numbers have become power.
In the end, decisions come down to majority votes…
Yes, numbers.
Humans still have no decision-making method better than majority rule.
Humans still lack political approaches that do not rely on grouping.
Denying factions is easy, but in practical politics, people simply don't know another way.
Perhaps in a perfect dictatorship…
Ryo pushed those wandering thoughts to the corner of his mind.
"Before I answer whether you should have a faction, I want to confirm one thing with Your Highness."
Ryo looked at Prince Ryun and asked.
"For whom do you believe politics should be conducted?"
"For the people."
Prince Ryun answered immediately to Ryo's question.
His gaze was fixed firmly on Ryo.
Completely unwavering.
Completely steady.
Prince Ryun then spoke slowly, choosing his words.
"Previously, Duke Rondo said this: 'It begins with the Moral Law'."
"Yes."
He referred to a passage from Sun Tzu.
'First: the Moral law, Second: Heaven, Third: Earth, Fourth: the Commander, Fifth: Method and discipline. The moral law is that which unites the people's will with that of their ruler. Therefore, the people will willingly die and live for the ruler, without any doubt or hesitation."
The Moral Law is politics that assimilates the people's feelings to those of the rulers.
That is correct governance; if done rightly, the people will share life and death with their rulers.
Hence, the primacy of 'the Moral Law'.
Although known as a military treatise, Sun Tzu's focus is on statecraft.
How to maintain a nation.
How to strengthen it.
How to govern it…
Within national governance, Sun Tzu clarified the role of war.
Even in pursuing war, the aim is not merely to fight and win.
Win without battle; incorporate the enemy's strength into your own and strengthen the nation.
Of course, when considering the foundation of a nation, what do you consider? The people.
That is the most fundamental basis of a nation.
On that rests war, diplomacy, and everything else.
"First is the Moral Law. The people are the nation's core. Therefore, I believe politics should be conducted for the people."
Prince Ryun said once more, and Ryo nodded and continued.
"Your Highness, if you do not lose sight of that, the nation's politics will not go astray. Rulers must always keep that in mind."
"Yes."
"And if you keep that in mind, everything else is a minor matter."
"Eh?"
"Whether to form a faction or not is a minor matter."
Ryo smiled faintly and said that, then took a sip of tea.
He then spoke slowly.
"Do not confuse ends and means. The end is politics for the people; consider what means will achieve it."
"Yes…"
"When striving to enact politics for the people, is it impossible without factions? Does having a faction guarantee success?"
"No…"
"When striving to enact politics for the people, is it always possible without factions? Does having factions always prevent it?"
"No…"
"Exactly. Whether factions exist or not, sometimes it can be done and sometimes not. Ultimately, factions are just one tool. Their absence does not make it impossible. Their presence is not a guarantee."
This Darwei nation is, after all, a society based on status.
It might even be called a semi-dictatorship.
Not everyone can become the head of a faction, nor is holding a large faction the only way to win the imperial contest.
Numbers are power, but numbers alone are not the only power.
"In other words… whether to form a faction is up to you. Do as you like."
"Yes."
Ryo nodded to Prince Ryun's reply.
"However, one thing…my personal opinion…"
"Yes, please."
"You don't need to actively form a faction, nor should you fawn on those who come courting… but for personnel whom you judge useful to the future nation you envision, it would be wise to keep an eye on them so other forces don't crush them."
"I see."
Prince Ryun nodded at Ryo's suggestion.
"Do not enclose them as your faction members. Simply let them feel you are watching—that someone is paying attention to them. Just the awareness that someone is watching can help people overcome difficulties."
"I will engrave that in my mind."
They discussed various other matters after that, and Ryo's meeting with Prince Ryun concluded.
-x-X-x-
"A little late, but now it's time for the after-party!"
After seeing off Prince Ryun and his entourage, Ryo made the announcement.
Of course, it was really just a normal lunch.
"I am hungry, that's true."
Abel nodded.
It was a little past twelve-thirty.
"Let's head to the Holy Emperor Plaza!"
And so the two of them set out for the Holy Emperor Plaza.
Because it was not exactly the peak lunch rush of twelve to twelve-thirty…
"Maybe there'll be fewer customers?"
"Looks like more people are leaving than going in."
Glancing over several shops, Abel and Ryo both nodded.
"What do you say? Shall we have the Brothy Wheat Noodles again after a long time?"
"Ah, good idea. It's been quite a while. The last time was… when we ate with the 'Spring View' party, right?"
"Exactly. Feels nostalgic. But didn't we end up meeting at the next-door shop for lunch the following day too?"
Talking like that, they entered a place whose menu board outside advertised brothy wheat noodles.
"Welcome! This way, please."
The proprietress, apparently in charge of the floor, spotted them and pointed to seats.
They were able to sit down without trouble.
"When you behave well every day, nice things happen at times like this."
"Behave well every day? That so?"
Ryo said with a smile, and Abel tilted his head.
As usual.
But then…
"Huh? Abel-san, Ryo-san?"
The familiar voice calling to them belonged to…
"Jun Luo?"
"Everyone from 'Spring View'!"
Both Abel and Ryo immediately knew who it was.
After all, they had just been thinking about them.
The five members of 'Spring View' were eating lunch at the next table.
"We really do run into each other at this shop, huh?"
"Indeed."
Abel confirmed, and Jun Luo laughed and nodded.
"The last time we met was a month ago, right? Have you been in the Imperial Capital ever since?"
"Yes. Our lord travels back and forth between his domain and the capital, but we've been carrying out tasks he's assigned here."
Jun Luo answered Abel's question.
But… his complexion did not look good.
"Judging from that, the assignments aren't going well?"
"That's right."
Jun Luo nodded and glanced at Barili, the magician of 'Spring View'.
Barili returned the glance with a nod.
Some sort of permission seemed to have been given.
"In fact, we're searching for the whereabouts of eighty Second-Rank Adventurers…"
"What…?"
At those words, Abel cast a quick look at Ryo.
Catching that look, Ryo asked,
"Is this separate from the seventy Second-Rank Adventurers who were driven off by Lord Rowon?"
"You know about that incident!"
Jun Luo asked back in surprise.
The other four members of 'Spring View' looked startled as well.
"Ah—well—we're on friendly terms with His Highness Prince Ryun, the Sixth Prince…"
"I see! I see! Yes, it was Prince Ryun whom those seventy attacked. But aside from that, another eighty Second-Rank Adventurers have disappeared."
"Could it be… those eighty were also hired by a certain prince, but then vanished?"
"…Just how much do you two know?"
Ryo's question drew a wary look from Jun Luo, who asked in return.
"We might know… rather a lot. We're also acquainted with Shau-san, the Secretary of the Censorate."
"The Secretary of the Censorate… Someone that important? Then you also know which prince hired the eighty…?"
"Yes. It was His Highness Prince Bin, the Fourth Prince, wasn't it?"
Ryo answered without hesitation.
"Exactly. Apparently Lin Sui-dono, said to be Prince Bin's right-hand man, had been in charge. But after the attack thwarted by Lord Rowon, Lin Sui-dono fled the capital. At the same time, those remaining eighty Second-Rank Adventurers also vanished."
"Then they're probably no longer in the capital. Maybe in Prince Bin's territory or something like that?"
Abel asked after Jun Luo's explanation.
"Other adventurers have checked Prince Bin's domain… but there's no sign of such Second-Rank Adventurers entering."
Jun Luo gave a small shake of his head.
"That Lin Sui who fled—what kind of person is he?"
"Ah, we don't know the details either, but he's said to have managed Prince Bin's entire camp. Truly everything, down to the smallest detail. So, in just a single month since Lin Sui left, Prince Bin's circle is reportedly in great turmoil. In fact, Prince Bin himself has been failing repeatedly this past month and is said to have greatly damaged the Emperor's trust. The final blow seems to have been yesterday's Kyoonkai."
"That information—was it from Roche Ten-dono?"
"Yes, from our lord. He's staying in the capital again now."
"Huh? Come to think of it, Roche Ten-dono wasn't at yesterday's Kyoonkai, was he…"
Ryo tilted his head.
The Shitaifu Class performed music there, but he certainly hadn't seen him performing or seated among the guests.
"I don't think he attended. The Kyoonkai requires all the princes and all the Ministers of the Six Departments to attend. But aside from that, only fifteen Shitaifu households are chosen each year. Our lord performed two years ago, so his turn is still far off."
"There sure are a lot of rules."
Ryo nodded at Jun Luo's explanation and sipped his tea.
"By the way, didn't Prince Bin also hire Third-Rank Adventurers in the capital?"
"Yes. Some of them were the ones spying on us."
Jun Luo replied with a grin to Ryo's words.
So they had realized they were being watched.
"After we parted with you all, it seems we were spied on as well…"
"Eh?"
"We obtained the necessary permissions and captured them."
"That's… my apologies."
Apparently, Jun Luo hadn't known that Ryo and Abel had also been under surveillance.
He bowed his head.
"No, no, it's no problem. We caught them and handled it properly."
"Handled…?"
Ryo said with a sly smile, making Barili the magician widen his eyes in surprise.
"We just handed them over to the proper authorities."
Abel added, and the five members of 'Spring View' nodded in relief.
The slightly disappointed look on Ryo's face afterward was surely a mistake of perception…
After this exchange of information, Ryo, Abel, and the five of 'Spring View' left the eatery and parted ways.
This time, the two men even made sure to give their mansion's location.
The day after meeting Prince Ryun and 'Spring View', a visitor came to Rondo Manor.
For the usually quiet residence, two visitors on consecutive days were rare.
"Huh? Captain Myun?"
"Ryo-dono… pardon me—no, Duke Rondo, please forgive this sudden visit."
Captain Myun of the Imperial First Ship offered a bow that combined boldness with elegance.
Truly fitting for a former admiral favored by the Emperor.
Both Ryo and Abel thought so.
Once shown into the room, Captain Myun immediately spoke.
"I have heard that Duke Rondo maintains friendships with both the Komakyuta Principality and the Suje Kingdom."
"Yes. We visited both before coming to Darwei."
"Were you aware that, at Prince Ryun's wedding, delegations from those two nations came to the Imperial Capital?"
"Yes. I met Chairman Bandelsh of the Komakyuta Principality, and Lord Protector Kabui Somal of the Suje Kingdom. Before they returned home, they kindly came to offer their farewells."
Ryo answered as he recalled it.
Captain Myun's expression tightened.
"Then this will be quick. Those two nations formed a fleet and headed for the Archipelago Region… but they appear to have gone missing."
-x-X-x-
"…Missing?"
Ryo tilted his head and looked at Abel beside him.
Of course, Abel also shook his head—he had no idea either.
"The fleet had scheduled stops at several ports along the way. But we received reports from each of those places that, even after the scheduled time had passed, the fleet never arrived."
"Since it's ships, couldn't they be delayed by the weather or something?"
"Considering that possibility, we waited for a while. After waiting, reports reached the capital that they did not make port."
"Hmm."
Both Ryo and Abel frowned.
"After receiving those reports, the Darwei Fleet Headquarters sent out ships and searched both along the route and even in areas off the route. That was a week ago… the situation changed the day before yesterday."
"The day of the Kyoonkai, right?"
"Yes. That day, a patrol fleet that was on reconnaissance rescued a single vessel. The people aboard that vessel were carrying letters to the capital."
"And?"
Ryo and Abel pressed on—the connection between the missing fleet and a letter was unclear to them.
"This is that letter."
Captain Myun said so and held out an envelope.
"Huh? To me?"
Ryo was surprised.
"The addressees are Ryo-dono and Abel-dono. When it arrived at Fleet Headquarters, they opened and checked it, so please forgive that the seal has been broken."
Captain Myun said this as he handed over the envelope, which they accepted.
On the front was written: 'To Ryo-dono and Abel-dono'.
Inside was a single letter.
'Challenge Notice
I have taken custody of people from the Komakyuta Principality and the Suje Kingdom. If you want them returned, come to the location marked on the attached map.
You may come with any number of people.
Clothing and equipment are free.
The purpose is an ordinary contest. Regardless of the result, if the two of you come, I hereby promise the taken people will be returned unharmed. Also, if the two of you win, I am prepared to offer information that is extremely important and valuable to Darwei.
—From Ruri'
"…What is this?"
"It says 'Challenge Notice'."
"Ruri… could it, by any chance, be those two from the ghost ship Ruri?"
"I don't know any other Ruri."
"Rather than a challenge notice, this looks like a threat letter."
"Well, at least it seems the fleet passengers are alive and uninjured, so that's something."
Ryo and Abel talked as they looked at the letter.
"A demand for a rematch means they're stronger than before, right? They know our strength and think they can surpass it—so they ask for a rematch?"
"This is troublesome."
Both remembered the battle on the ghost ship.
It had not been an easy fight.
Especially for Ryo—he had been deprived of water-attribute magic during that battle…
"They said it was something like a water-attribute monster. Not being able to use magic is pretty rough for a magician."
"Yeah, not being able to use magic for an ordinary magician isn't just rough—it's hopeless."
Ryo grimaced as he complained, and Abel corrected his mischaracterization.
"Even so, not going is…"
"Not an option, certainly."
The conclusion had been decided from the start.
"Captain Myun, bringing this to us means the Darwei Fleet also knows, right? Will you cooperate in taking us to the island marked on this map?"
"Of course. There is indeed no diplomatic relation with those two countries. But if the diplomatic mission that came for the prince's wedding was kidnapped on the way home, Darwei cannot remain uninvolved. There's also national honor at stake."
Captain Myun answered, nodding to Ryo's question.
Even though it was in the southern waters off Darwei, if a diplomatic mission had been captured within Darwei's sphere of influence, it could be said their honor had been trampled.
However, the Darwei fleet alone could not handle everything.
There was a clear addressee.
Moreover, that addressee was…
"At first, the Fleet Headquarters didn't know that the 'Ryo-dono' on the envelope was the same person as Duke Rondo."
"Do they know now?"
"Yes—because I told them."
"Ah…"
"It was necessary to prevent the fleet headquarters from acting rashly. My apologies."
"Rash action?"
"They were going to send people here and forcibly take the two of you…"
"I see."
That would have been likely.
But if the target was the emperor-favored Duke Rondo, they'd be more cautious.
So Captain Myun decided to reveal that Ryo = Duke Rondo.
"We understand the matter of the challenge notice. Please send us to that island."
"Thank you."
"However, we'd like to notify several parties first."
"The fleet is already beginning preparations… but all preparations should be completed by tomorrow morning."
"Understood."
After putting a few arrangements in order, Captain Myun returned to Fleet Headquarters.
"How much stronger have those two from Ruri gotten…I wonder."
"I don't know, but if something like their 'true form' appears, it would be beyond us. I don't think they'll bring that out, though. Those two probably just want to enjoy the fight, right?"
"Ryo, do you know what they are?"
"No, just speculation."
With that caveat, Ryo told Abel a certain hypothesis.
Abel was left speechless by its content…
"I hope you're wrong."
"Same here."
Ryo shared their plans for later that day.
"We'll be making a few stops today as well."
"From Prince Ryun's Royal Residence?"
"Yes. After that, we'll inform His Majesty at the Imperial Palace. The Fleet Headquarters may have already notified him, but it's better to tell him directly."
Ryo knew that this extra step would smooth relations later on.
"First, the neighboring Prince Ryun's Royal Residence…"
Ryo stopped speaking and looked toward the garden.
There, a golem wearing a yellow scarf ran up and stopped.
Ryo laid his hand on its head and concentrated.
"How's Whatchamacallit Token No.2?"
"I've granted Captain Lu Yao administrator privileges over Friendship Token No.2."
Captain Lu Yao is the commander of Prince Ryun's palace Yulin guards.
"Administrator privileges?"
"Administrator rights? Full access? Full control? Well, so any order can be issued."
"But it has no combat capability, right? It's about the size of a person."
"Indeed, it isn't armed, but it can at least act as a shield."
"Like…if something happens while we're away?"
"It's a matter of possibility."
Ryo nodded at Abel's question.
"If Abel ever reached the point where he wanted to remove someone— so pushed that the only option left was force… what if the strong force protecting that person were gone?"
"Ah… Prince Bin might become desperate and attack Prince Ryun. But if he did such a thing, he'd surely draw the Emperor's wrath this time, wouldn't he?"
"Yes. In calm reflection, you'd see that. But when a person is cornered, even such obvious things become invisible. It's best to take measures you can. If nothing happens, it can be laughed off later."
"Exactly."
When people are driven to the wall, you can't predict what they'll do.
With just a little loss of judgment, they may do things they'd never normally do.
Make decisions they'd never normally make.
Give orders they'd never normally give.
In matters of security, those who make preparations that may seem excessive… are often the ones who survive.
The two first visited the neighboring house.
Prince Ryun's Royal Residence.
Since it was an emergency, there was no prior notice.
Prince Ryun was observing training with his attendants.
"Sorry for the sudden visit, Your Highness."
"Duke Rondo, no need to worry. Is there a matter?"
Ryo briefly explained the situation.
At the mention of the 'ghost ship Ruri', everyone was surprised—apparently, the ghost ship Ruri was known in Darwei as well.
Even as a legendary ghost ship.
"I understand. If the diplomatic mission that came for my wedding was kidnapped, we cannot simply leave it be. Don't worry about the Royal Residence—go rescue them."
"Your Highness, thank you."
Ryo expressed his gratitude to Prince Ryun.
However, he also conveyed a concern.
"As you may know, the whereabouts of eighty second-class adventurers remain unknown."
"The ones employed by Lin Sui over at Prince Bin's house, right?"
Officially, that was the case, so Prince Ryun chose his words carefully.
Even when surrounded by allies, a high-ranking prince must be cautious with his phrasing.
"We don't know how they'll act. Please be careful."
"Understood."
Before leaving the residence, Ryo told Captain Lu Yao something.
"Friendship Token No.2 will accept all orders from Captain Lu Yao. Use it anytime. If you like, you can leave it at the Royal Residence."
"Thank you! It's fine at the Rondo Manor instead of the Royal Residence. I'll come by to check on it from time to time!"
Captain Lu Yao replied with a smile at Ryo's words.
She was originally beautiful, and her smile made her all the more attractive.
As a golem, Friendship Token No.2 probably couldn't understand the charm of a smile…
Next, the two headed to the Imperial Palace.
They did not give prior notice here either… or rather, there was no way to request an audience with the Emperor without prior arrangement…
Generally, people without an appointment cannot meet the Emperor.
However…
"His Majesty will see you. We will guide you to the Taiji Hall."
They were granted an immediate audience.
"Duke Rondo, I heard about the matter of the diplomatic mission earlier."
Through the Fleet Headquarters, Emperor Tsuin had also been informed of the matter.
"I came to ask for the aid of the Darwei fleet, Your Majesty."
"Mm, of course, we will dispatch the fleet. The Fleet Headquarters sent a proposal for a detachment composition. According to it, twenty fast ships will be assembled, with Myun as commander."
"Captain Myun?"
Even Ryo and Abel were surprised at that.
Captain Myun is the Captain of the Imperial First Ship.
Of course, they knew he had once been an admiral…
"It seems Myun personally requested it. A temporary return to admiral status. If it's Myun, I can entrust you two to him with peace of mind."
Emperor Tsuin said this, nodding repeatedly.
Then he sent them off with these words:
"Duke Rondo, Albert-dono, may fortune be with you."
"Your Majesty, we will be back."
Thus, the two set off to face Ruri with the Darwei detached fleet.