WM V4C0717

Chapter 0717 King Abel’s Decisiveness

Translator: Jay_Forestieri

Editor: Tseirp

 

The morning after the Skidbladnir docked at Whitnash, Ryo and Abel departed for the Royal Capital.

“So we really only stayed in Whitnash for a single night…”

“I have all sorts of scheduled appointments waiting for me back in the capital. It couldn’t be helped.”

“A Whitnash lightning tour…”

Ryo murmured, shaking his head slightly.

 

Even after welcoming the Skidbladnir, the two of them were kept busy with various duties and didn’t have the chance to go out into the city.

It was an official duty, so it couldn’t be helped, but still…

 

“Next time, I want to come here strictly for leisure.”

“I completely agree.”

“Still, I was able to verify the sea monster repellent installed on the Skidbladnir. The magic formula had evolved significantly compared to the one I intended to install when I was modifying the designs back in the Republic.”

“Evolved?”

“Yes. Remember how I mentioned before that the sea monster repellent in the Western Countries are based purely on magic formulas?”

“Ah, right. You did mention that before.”

 

Back when the two of them had been flung across the world to the Eastern Countries, Ryo had shared that piece of information with Abel.

In comparison, the monster-repelling technology used in the Central Countries was lagging.

Ryo figured that because anything related to the sea, even alchemical engineering, fell strictly under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, the sheer size of the organization naturally made it sluggish to adapt.

 

“Apparently, the new formula used for the monster repellent on the Skidbladnir is so powerful that it keeps almost all monsters away, even Krakens.”

“That is incredible…”

Abel said, his eyes widening in surprise.

 

Indeed, while the oceans were teeming with monsters, the greatest threat the two of them had faced was the giant squids… the Krakens.

They had tasted bitter defeat so many times that Ryo frequently grumbled, muttering, “Not those things again!”

 

And now, a device existed that would keep even those Krakens at bay…

 

Ryo possessed direct knowledge regarding the core ‘sea monster-repelling magic formula’ used in the Western Countries.

He had been shown the highest level of civilian technology available within the Franzoni shipping company, one of the absolute top maritime companies in the Republic of Mafalda, a nation famous as a maritime power.

That was where it started.

 

Later, after they had secured the Skidbladnir, it had been explained to him that a monster repellent utilizing that very magic formula would be installed on board.

However, the version he had just inspected was an even further evolution of that technology.

 

Even so, the fundamental principle remained identical.

By emitting specific vibrations loathed by sea monsters from the lower section of the hull, it prevented them from approaching.

 

A whale’s voice can travel up to five hundred kilometers away… which meant that vibrations could traverse five hundred kilometers underwater.

Of course, this occurred because the sound utilized specific ‘layers’ within the ocean, bouncing along them to cover vast distances.

But even without that phenomenon, vibrations naturally traveled a considerable distance through water.

 

Above all, the <Passive Sonar> and <Active Sonar>, which were Ryo’s specialties, were both based on the vibration of water molecules.

Therefore, fields involving vibration could be considered Ryo’s forte.

 

That being said, he didn’t possess the data regarding exactly what kinds of vibrations the monsters disliked.

Because of that, replicating the effect on his own had been an immense challenge…

 

However, he had now been given a thorough look at the monster repellent on the Skidbladnir.

He had even transcribed the entire magic formula onto sheets of ice.

It seemed he would be able to study it thoroughly.

 

“Do you think the monster repellent from the Skidbladnir can be adapted for the ships of the Central Countries?”

“Let’s see… it might be difficult to do right away. From a brief look, it seems necessary to adjust the settings depending on the specific sea region.”

“Adjust them by region? Meaning that even for Krakens, there are variations depending on where they live?”

“Yes, exactly. Even with humans, people’s preferences for food differ depending on the region, right? Some people love spicy food while others can’t stand it. It seems the Krakens have their own distinct traits as well.”

“I see. Which means we’ll need to conduct surveys across the seas of the Central Countries first.”

“Precisely. Before leaving Whitnash, I obtained permission from Goro-san to conduct research and development at the Royal Alchemy Workshop, so I’ll consult Kenneth once we get back to the capital.”

“…Extremely efficient, as always.”

Abel remarked, thoroughly impressed by Ryo’s words.

 

Goro was the Lord Admiral, the absolute head of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs.

Within the Kingdom, all administrative affairs relating to the sea fell under his ministry’s jurisdiction.

Therefore, Ryo had figured it would be best to follow proper etiquette and secure official approval first.

 

“From the Royal Capital… I believe the Royal Alchemy Workshop, not just the Royal Castle, is now capable of establishing direct communication with the Ministry of Maritime Affairs in Whitnash.”

“Is that the alchemy tool Kenneth developed a while back to link separate cities together?”

“Yes, that’s the one. It was precisely because we had that technology that I judged we didn’t need to keep the Ministry of Maritime Affairs bound to the capital.”

“I see.”

 

As technology advanced, the shape of governance shifted along with it.

It was a perfectly natural progression.

And within the Knightley Kingdom, that ideal was actively being realized.

 

Just like their departure, the King and the First Duke’s retinue took two days to journey back to the Royal Capital.

Ryo headed straight for the Royal Alchemy Workshop.

Abel stepped directly into his office to tackle his work.

 

For those residing at the core of the state, rest was a luxury that simply did not exist!

 

…Of course, on occasion, a certain someone could be found sprawled out limply across a sofa, but that was by no means an act of slacking off.

Yes, absolutely never… probably.

 

It wasn’t until five days later that Ryo returned to the King’s office.

Incidentally, during those five days, Abel had apparently been locked in fierce, exhaustive debates with various related departments… but that was a tale for another time.

 

Ryo was provided strictly with the conclusion.

 

“I’ve decided that when the Skidbladnir sets sail for the Western Countries, I’m going to be on board.”

“…Excuse me?”

Ryo failed to process Abel’s words.

However, humans possess the remarkable ability to recall their memories and re-evaluate information.

 

“Do you just want to see the view from the deck? You should have just asked to climb on board the other day.”

“No, I mean that I will be traveling to the Western Countries aboard that ship.”

“…Excuse me?”

Ryo failed to process Abel’s words a second time.

 

However, humans possess the remarkable ability to recall their memories and re-evaluate information… as many times as necessary.

 

“Ah, so you’re going to put a statue of yourself or something on the ship and have them transport it to the Western Countries? I’m not sure if increasing the ship’s cargo with something so eccentric is a good idea, though.”

“No, I myself will board the Skidbladnir to travel to the Western Countries, and eventually to the Dark Continent.”

“There is absolutely no way that would ever be allowed!”

Ryo finally scolded him out loud.

 

“You are the King, Abel. You can’t just abandon the country on a whim.”

“But when we were thrown into the Eastern Countries recently, I was away from the country the entire time.”

“That was an unavoidable accident! It was entirely the fault of that Djinn!”

 

Garwin’s magic power or spell had gone completely out of control, which was what had flung Ryo and Abel across the world.

 

“Just listen for a moment. As we discussed before, the Kingdom’s reconstruction is firmly on track. However, that reconstruction will eventually conclude, and the manufacturing capabilities of our guilds and workshops will end up producing a massive surplus. We will desperately need a market for those goods, but finding one within the Central Countries will be incredibly difficult.”

“Yes, I understand that part.”

“At this exact juncture, the Western Countries… or rather, the Van De Vie Theocracy is looking to establish maritime trade routes between the Western and Central Countries. And in reality, the Skidbladnir has successfully bridged the two regions. As the Kingdom that holds Whitnash, I believe we must position ourselves as one of the primary hubs for that trade.”

“Yes, I understand that as well.”

“If the King of this nation visits in person, the governments of the foreign nations will understand just how serious we are about this trade alliance. That is why I must go myself.”

“…”

Abel laid out his arguments with flawless logic, leaving Ryo momentarily speechless.

 

Of course, if Ryo truly wished to argue back, there was plenty of room to do so.

Ryo understood that perfectly well.

But… more than anything, he understood Abel’s true underlying feelings.

 

“You’ve armed yourself with a flawless theoretical defense, but at the end of the day, you just want to go yourself, don’t you, Abel?”

“Well, yes. That’s exactly it.”

Faced with Ryo’s point, Abel roared with laughter and readily admitted it.

 

When Ryo had traveled to the Western Countries and shared the sights with him through the Soul Resonance, Abel had been content with just that.

But after being flung to the Eastern Countries and walking the earth with his own two feet… he realized he truly wanted to go himself.

 

Naturally, if the Kingdom were in a state where such an endeavor was impossible, he wouldn’t have pushed the matter.

But currently, the Kingdom was in a position where it could afford to be flexible.

 

In fact, it almost felt as though everything was aligning at the absolute best possible moment.

 

A circle of highly competent vassals.

Nobles working hand-in-hand with their people to bring prosperity and development to their territories.

An enterprising spirit brought about by the momentum of recovery.

The entire Kingdom was brimming with these positive forces.

 

Furthermore, an alternative ruler was readily available… a proxy king who would absolutely never harbor any desire to usurp Abel’s throne.

 

“In fact, it made me realize that right now might be the only chance I’ll ever get.”

The figure that flickered through Abel’s mind was his father, Stafford IV.

His father was still only in his fifties, and Abel had always felt that his father harbored a deep sense of unfulfilled duty as a ruler.

 

In the midst of the Kingdom’s Liberation War, Abel had been forced to ascend the throne out of sheer necessity.

Afterward, because Stafford had been confined to his sickbed for so long, Abel had never been able to ask about his true feelings, nor had it been possible for Abel to simply hand over the crown.

 

But now, he had recovered.

 

Because Abel’s popularity within the Kingdom was absolute, he couldn’t simply hand the throne back to his father at this late stage.

His father likely wouldn’t desire that either.

But if there were still unfulfilled regrets lingering within his father’s heart…

 

“I think leaving things to Father for a little while wouldn’t be a bad idea.”

In the past, he had been known as a highly brilliant monarch, standing on equal footing with Rupert of the Empire.

But after being systematically drugged by the Empire’s machinations…

 

It was harder to believe that he didn’t have lingering regrets.

 

“When you proposed traveling to the West, Abel, what did your vassals have to say? For instance, what did His Excellency the Prime Minister say?”

“Alexis, you mean? Naturally, he opposed it at first.”

“I knew it.”

Ryo nodded in deep agreement.

 

“But he granted permission, provided a certain condition was met.”

“Good heavens…”

Ryo gasped in shock.

Ryo had assumed that Marquis Alexis Heinlein, the Prime Minister, would be the absolute first person to put a stop to Abel leaving the country… especially to travel to a place as unimaginably distant as the Western Countries.

 

“W-what about Knight Captain Dontan? Surely he opposed it as well?”

“Yeah, he opposed it at first. But he granted permission, provided a certain condition was met.”

“W-what about Rihya? Didn’t she fiercely berate you for intending to leave Prince Noah behind?”

“Yeah, she opposed it at first too. But she granted permission, provided a certain condition was met.”

Abel replied, shrugging his shoulders.

 

Ryo’s face contorted into a frown.

The very people he was certain would absolutely oppose it… had indeed opposed it initially, but then every single one of them had granted permission under a specific condition?

 

“What exactly is this condition?”

“They said it’s acceptable as long as you accompany me as a bodyguard, Ryo.”

“…Excuse me?”

“As long as that requirement is fulfilled, they’re fine with it. After all, I won’t be gone for years on end. It’s not a matter of the state failing to function in my absence; their concern is entirely about whether my life will be safe over there.”

“So because having me along as a bodyguard resolves that… they agreed to such a condition?”

“Exactly. So, what do you say, Ryo? Don’t you want to visit the Western Countries, and even the Dark Continent beyond them?”

Abel asked with a laugh.

 

The expression on his face alone made it entirely clear that he already knew exactly what Ryo’s answer would be.

 

While Ryo certainly had a few complaints he wanted to voice, his final answer had been decided from the very beginning.

“Of course I’m going too.”

There was simply no other possible response.

 

And thus, the ‘Western Tour’ of King Abel I of the Knightley Kingdom was officially decided.

 

 

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