WM V3C0540

Chapter 0540 Lord

Translator: Jay_Forestieri

Editor: Tseirp

 

“Oh, they’ve already warmed up to you, haven’t they?”

The next day, as Ryo and Abel were each stroking Andalusia and Feiwan, Deputy Governor Fu Ten arrived at the stables and spoke with admiration.

 

“Andalusia and I are one and the same!”

Ryo declared confidently, and Andalusia nuzzled against him.

 

“I see, that’s good to hear. Southern horses are very intelligent, possess great endurance, and are sturdy. Sure, their top speed may fall slightly short compared to northern horses or those of the northern nomadic tribes, but that speed can only be maintained for a few minutes. Overall, southern horses are the best.”

“Oh! Andalusia really is smart!”

Ryo said happily, stroking the horse’s head even more fondly.

 

 

However, after carefully examining Andalusia, Fu Ten tilted his head.

Then, he leaned toward the stablemaster and asked in a hushed voice.

“Have we ever had an ash-gray horse like that?”

“Actually, it just arrived two days ago.”

“While we were away at Tiger Mountain? Then it’s no wonder I don’t remember seeing it.”

 

Fu Ten nodded at the stablemaster’s explanation and then walked over to Abel and Feiwan.

 

“It’s just that none of the stablehands, including myself, recall receiving that ash-gray horse…”

But the stablemaster’s words went unheard by anyone.

 

 

“I never imagined someone could tame Feiwan.”

Fu Ten chuckled as he watched the black horse lick Abel’s face.

 

“Somehow, it seems to have accepted me.”

Abel replied with a wry smile.

 

Then, he continued.

 

“Are you sure it’s alright for me to receive such a magnificent horse?”

Even from Abel’s perspective as a king, the black horse before him was truly exceptional.

It was a steed worthy of being presented as a tribute to the emperor.

 

“I don’t mind. The people in the imperial capital would never be able to draw out its full potential. That would only make Feiwan feel lonely.”

“Whether I can bring out its full potential is another matter…”

“From what I saw of your riding yesterday, it’s clear you’ve been used to horses since childhood. You’ll be fine.”

Fu Ten laughed as he dismissed Abel’s concerns.

 

Fu Ten’s horse was brought forward.

“Alright, let’s head to the lord’s manor.”

 

 

It was an hour-long fast ride, just like the day before.

 

But this time, the results were vastly different.

 

“Ryo, you’re not tired at all.”

“Of course not. I have Andalusia with me!”

Abel noticed that Ryo showed no signs of exhaustion.

 

Indeed, the saddle, stirrups, and other equipment were of excellent quality.

But even so, the difference from the previous day was too drastic.

 

“These horses were properly trained for riding. They’re nothing like carriage horses.”

Fu Ten remarked as he dismounted.

 

“Well, yeah, I know that, but…”

Abel understood the reasoning, yet the difference was still too extreme… especially for Ryo.

 

 

When Fu Ten, Abel, and Ryo arrived at the lord’s manor, they were immediately led inside.

The guards’ salutes to Fu Ten were not mere formality.

It was as if they had known him for a long time…

 

The architecture of the manor was entirely different from anything Ryo and Abel had seen before…

 

Single-story buildings were intricately connected, with small courtyards, ponds, and even gazebos scattered throughout.

 

“It feels… Eastern.”

“Not just Eastern, but specifically Oriental?”

“Ah, just talking to myself!”

Abel looked at him suspiciously, but Ryo quickly brushed it off.

 

 

The room they were led to was essentially an office.

Unlike the offices of the central countries, there were no lounge chairs or reception sets.

Instead, chairs were arranged around a large desk.

 

“Ah, Uncle, thank you for coming.”

A refined-looking man in his late thirties stood up to greet them.

 

“Roche-sama, it has been a long time.”

Fu Ten bowed deeply.

 

“Uncle, such formalities are unnecessary…”

“No. I am merely a deputy governor now. It is only natural to show respect to my lord.”

“Uncle…”

 

Lord Roche Ten’s face showed a sorrowful expression.

It seemed Fu Ten had a complicated past.

 

 

Roche Ten shook his head slightly and turned to the two visitors.

“They must be the two I was informed about.”

“Yes. This is Abel, and this is Ryo. As you can see, they are foreigners, but they are trustworthy.”

“Abel-san, Ryo-san, I am Roche Ten, Count of Bashu.”

Roche Ten introduced himself with a smile.

 

“Ten?”

Abel muttered.

 

He spoke just softly enough that it wouldn’t seem intrusive.

This way, if it was not an issue, the other person would naturally explain.

It was a good way to start a conversation.

 

“Yes. Deputy Governor Fu Ten, who brought you here, is my uncle.”

“I see.”

Abel nodded at Roche Ten’s response.

So he was part of the lord’s family… his ability to take control of the chaotic governor’s office was no coincidence.

 

“My uncle was once a lord himself, governing even further south in the Barrow County of Bashu.”

“Roche-sama…”

“No, let me say this. I still cannot accept it! What happened was not Uncle’s fault! It was tragic that the Crown Prince passed away. But to place all the blame on Uncle as the head of security that day…”

“Roche-sama!”

 

Fu Ten’s voice wasn’t loud, but it was sharp. At that, Roche fell silent.

 

 

For a while, an awkward silence filled the room.

 

 

It was finally broken by the highest-ranking person present.

 

“I apologize. Let us focus on resolving the current issue.”

Lord Roche Ten gestured for the three to sit.

 

He took a seat behind his desk and flipped through the documents that had been prepared in advance.

 

“I reviewed the reports after receiving notice yesterday. It seems that my chief retainer, Bozo, ordered action on the Tiger Mountain incident just before I returned from the imperial capital. He must have done so because he feared I would be angry if action was delayed… I apologize for the delay in handling this matter.”

“No, in principle, swift responses to problems should be commended. However, in this case, the timing was unfortunate…”

“Indeed. It coincided with the marriage procession. And for the governor to get caught up in sabotage…”

Roche Ten shook his head in frustration.

 

“Roche-sama, you are aware that monster attacks have been occurring across the country, correct?”

“I’ve only heard rumors, but yes. This isn’t information that has been widely circulated yet, is it?”

 

At that, prompted by Fu Ten, Ryo once again recounted what had happened in Spring Village and the details of their discussion.

 

 

After listening, Roche Ten fell into deep thought.

 

After a moment, he spoke.

“Would it be alright if I asked who this Illusionkin you previously met was?”

“Ah…”

Ryo was unsure and looked at Abel.

 

After a brief moment of thought, Abel responded.

“Only if this stays between us. If you can promise that…”

“I understand. I promise.”

“The person we met was someone called Duke Helb. Do you know of him?”

“No…”

“I don’t either.”

Both Roche Ten and Fu Ten shook their heads at Abel’s question.

 

Since Darwei was a superpower, even the upper class might not be familiar with the affairs of neighboring countries.

Besides, that country wasn’t even adjacent—it was located further south on the continent…

 

 

“He is the younger brother of the Grand Duke of Atinjo, a duchy in the southern continent. Atinjo lies even farther south than the Bosuntar Kingdom.”

“I do know of Bosuntar. Even farther south than that…?”

“Wasn’t there a Free City called Kwebasa south of Bosuntar?”

Roche responded to Abel’s explanation, and Fu Ten followed up with a question.

 

“Kwebasa is directly adjacent to it. And just recently, Atinjo annexed it.”

“I see.”

Fu Ten nodded at Abel’s words.

 

“There is also the Ghegish-Lu Federation in the southern continent, but it’s said that Atinjo will likely swallow it up as well. Whether or not that will have any impact on Darwei remains to be seen, but that’s the situation.”

“The younger brother of the ruler of such a powerful nation…”

As Roche Ten murmured, Ryo’s gaze shifted.

 

“Ryo?”

“Uh, if we’re already revealing things about Duke Helb, wouldn’t it be the same if we mentioned his brother as well…?”

“You’re right!”

At Abel’s sudden realization, both Roche Ten and Fu Ten turned their attention toward him.

 

“Although we haven’t met him personally, according to Duke Helb, his brother—the Grand Duke of Atinjo—is of the same species as him.”

“In other words… an Illusionkin. A country ruled by beings who are not human.”

Fu Ten shook his head slightly.

 

 

Even if the entire southern continent were unified, it wouldn’t come close to Darwei in terms of power.

Still, the very idea of a nation ruled by non-human beings was unsettling.

 

“That said, as we agreed earlier, let’s keep the details about the Atinjo Grand Duchy confined to this room. Since Bosuntar lies between us, we’d rather not stir up unnecessary trouble.”

As Roche Ten said this, Fu Ten nodded in agreement.

 

“However, regarding the monster attacks happening across the land… if there’s a possibility that someone is orchestrating them from behind the scenes, we need to take action. Ideally, a central government department… like the Ministry of War—would handle this, but I have no political backing.”

“I’m sorry.”

Fu Ten lowered his head apologetically at Roche Ten’s grievance.

 

“No, this isn’t your fault, Uncle! That was a poor choice of words on my part… Oh, that reminds me, Provincial Inspector Li Wu, who has been traveling around on an oversight mission, will be visiting the neighboring town of Nomon. Perhaps we could consult him?”

“That sounds like a good idea. Unlike other inspectors, Li Wu is a principled man. If it’s for the good of the nation and its people, he will surely help.”

Fu Ten nodded in agreement with Roche Ten’s suggestion.

 

“Then let’s do that. By the way, I have a proposal…”

As Roche Ten spoke, he turned his gaze toward Ryo and Abel.

 

 

After the meeting, Deputy Governor Fu Ten immediately returned to the city of Boago.

With the governor absent, he couldn’t afford to be away for too long.

 

 

As for the two of them…

 

“We somehow ended up traveling to this Nomon town with Lord Roche.”

“We didn’t have much choice. He did offer us a reward, after all.”

Ryo sighed, shaking his head, while Abel responded in a relaxed manner.

 

“But that’s not what you’re after, Abel!”

“What do you mean?”

“He promised to use his authority as a lord to boost your achievements and promote you to Level 6 Adventurer!”

“Well, I won’t deny it.”

“So rankings can just be raised at the whim of an important person…”

Abel accepted the accusation, while Ryo groaned in frustration at the unfairness of it all.

 

“So, Ryo, you can just stay at Level 7 and earn your promotion the proper way through completing quests.”

“No way! It’s unfair if only you get to rank up!”

“Then that makes you guilty as well, doesn’t it?”

“Ugh…”

 

Of course, having a noble sponsor approve an adventurer’s rank-up wasn’t against the rules.

There was even a cap—such promotions could only go up to Level 5… naturally, neither of them knew such technical details.

 

 

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

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