WM V4C0719

Chapter 0719 Departure

Translator: Jay_Forestieri

Editor: Tseirp

 

It just so happened that Ryo was leaving the royal castle at that moment.

It definitely wasn’t because he’d overheard talk in the castle dining hall about “a delicious crepe shop that had just opened” and decided to go check it out.

No, of course not. Absolutely not.

 

When he stepped outside, he found three familiar faces and one box at the castle gate.

Apparently, an old man in red clothes was complaining, a young man and woman were watching with wry smiles, and the box itself was standing there in silence.

 

There was a guard there too, but he wasn’t acting arrogant or overbearing. Instead, he looked terribly apologetic, like he was saying there was just no way around it…

The royal castle guards were, fundamentally, earnest men.

 

And so, to save both sides from further trouble, Ryo stepped in.

 

“Um, Merlin-san?”

“Hm? Oh, the Fairy King’s favored child… no, pardon me. Since we’re at the royal castle, I should call you Duke Rondo.”

“No, Ryo is fine. More importantly, what’s going on?”

“Well, it’s simple enough. I asked to see my old acquaintance, King Abel, but the gatekeeper refused to let me through.”

Merlin explained.

 

Behind him, Roman and Nadia still wore strained smiles.

They probably understood that meeting the king wasn’t exactly something one could do so casually.

 

“That’s why I’m telling him that we’ve already sent word to our superiors, so please wait just a little longer. Your Grace, could you please ask them to wait as well?”

Apparently, another guard had already gone running to report to his superior or arrange an audience.

 

Given a little more time, they would probably be let through…

 

“Ah… then how about I take responsibility and bring them to Abel myself? They know each other, and Abel would definitely want to see them anyway.”

“Would that truly be acceptable, Your Grace?”

“Yes, leave it to me. Just tell your superior that Duke Rondo took them to the king.”

Ryo nodded to the guard.

 

“Oh, thank you kindly.”

“Sorry for the trouble, Ryo-san.”

“Thank you, Ryo-san.”

“As expected of the one who sealed me.”

Merlin, Roman, and Nadia thanked him, while Regna, inside the coffin, sounded impressed.

 

The guard nearly jumped out of his skin when a voice suddenly came from inside the box, but that little detail remained a secret.

 

And so, Ryo guided the three of them + one box to the king’s office.

 

 

When Ryo returned only five minutes after leaving, Abel looked puzzled, but the moment he saw the three people + one box following behind him, he understood.

Even so, Merlin’s request made him tilt his head.

“King Abel, would you let me accompany you to the Western Countries?”

“Merlin-dono, to the Western Countries?”

Abel shot a glance at Ryo.

 

Ryo hurriedly shook his head.

Of course, he hadn’t told Merlin or anyone else yet that Abel was planning to board the Skidbladnir and sail west.

That glance from Abel clearly meant, ‘Did you tell them?’

 

“I heard a survey ship from the Western Countries had arrived. If it’s a survey ship, that means it’ll be going back there, won’t it? I’d like you to let me ride it.”

“I see.”

Abel nodded at Merlin’s explanation.

 

 

Sure enough, rumors of the Skidbladnir had already reached the royal capital and spread among the citizens at astonishing speed.

The Kingdom government hadn’t officially announced anything, but rumors like that spread on their own.

 

“To be blunt, taking you aboard wouldn’t be difficult. But… are the two of you fine with that?”

As he said this, Abel looked at Roman and Nadia standing behind Merlin.

The two of them couldn’t return to the Western Countries because they had escaped the Western Church.

Maybe someday that would change, but for now, things hadn’t cooled down enough….

 

“We’d prefer Merlin-san to stay here….”

“But Merlin-san’s mind is made up….”

Roman and Nadia both shook their heads.

 

“I’ve already seen the two of you married. I’ve got no lingering regrets. Besides, it would be rude to intrude on newlyweds….”

Merlin said.

That was right. While Ryo and Abel had been sent to the Eastern Countries, Roman and Nadia had gotten married.

As ordinary civilians, they had apparently held a small ceremony in the city of Rune.

 

“And besides, I’ve left my dungeon unattended this whole time. If I don’t go back every now and then, it’ll sulk.”

“A dungeon can sulk?”

Ryo muttered in surprise, unsure if Merlin meant that literally or metaphorically.

 

“To be honest, I had thought to borrow the power of this coffin, like when I sent off the Fairy King’s favored child. But this one refused to cooperate.”

“Obviously. I would assist the one who sealed me. That much right belongs to him. I might even heed the Demon Lord’s words. But I have no reason whatsoever to help you, red-clothes.”

“See what I mean! You’ve been trailing after me all this time, and when I actually need your help, you refuse!”

Merlin fumed at Regna’s response.

 

From an outsider’s perspective, though, they were both equally at fault.

 

“What if we ask Nadia-san, as the Demon Lord, to speak to Regna-san for you…?”

“No.”

“Eh…? Why?”

“Just no.”

Merlin flatly rejected Ryo’s suggestion.

 

Nadia was smiling awkwardly.

And judging by Roman’s expression, he was too….

 

“A grandfather who doesn’t want his grandchild to see his weak side….”

Ryo muttered so quietly that no one heard him.

 

 

Merlin shot the coffin a glare, then turned to Ryo.

“Fairy King’s favored child, undo the seal on this coffin.”

“Huh?”

The proposal was so sudden that even Ryo couldn’t help letting out a ridiculous yelp.

 

“I’ll show this fool my power and force him into submission.”

“Hah. Go ahead, if you think you can.”

“No, absolutely not. The royal castle will be wiped off the face of the map.”

Merlin threw down the challenge, Regna accepted it, and somehow Ryo ended up being the only reasonable one in the room.

 

Abel, who had been silent until now, finally spoke.

“You’re right, I can’t allow a battle here. In that case… Merlin-dono, and the one in that box… Regna-dono, was it? I think it would be best to grant the two of you permission to board the Skidbladnir. We depart in ten days.”

 

The king’s ruling.

 

The three of them bowed their heads.

 

“That was almost a disaster.”

After the three people + one box had left, only Ryo and Abel remained in the king’s office.

Of course, Abel was the master of the room, and there were countless documents still waiting for his signature…

 

“I’d heard Merlin-dono was a calm Djinn…”

“He’s apparently sleep-deprived, so maybe he’s irritable.”

“Sleep-deprived?”

Abel tilted his head at Ryo’s explanation.

 

“It seems Djinn sleep and wake in cycles measured in centuries. But Merlin-san says he hasn’t slept in thousands of years. That Akuma, Jean-Jacques, mentioned it before. Djinns grow weaker when they’re sleep-deprived. So apparently he’s in a weakened state right now.”

“He didn’t look weak at all. As expected of a Djinn.”

Abel shook his head.

 

“So Abel, you need to make sure you get proper sleep too. Sleep deprivation isn’t good for you.”

“I’m fine. Since returning from the Eastern Countries, I’ve been able to get enough sleep.”

That answer.

 

Shocked Ryo.

And it made him certain.

 

“As I thought, Abel, you’ve gone soft!”

“Hm?”

“Before, you would have thrown your whole body and soul into ruling the Kingdom. To the point where you’d barely have time to sleep.

And now… this. How tragic! ”

“For some reason, it feels like I’m being criticized.”

“The people of the Kingdom are working themselves to the bone every day just to get by, and meanwhile King Abel is slacking off.”

“I’m not slacking off. You’re the one who said sleep deprivation was bad, Ryo. I told you I’m getting enough sleep, and now you criticize me for it? That makes no sense.”

Abel’s argument was entirely reasonable.

 

“A proper King Abel should be buried under paperwork, spending every waking hour signing documents.”

“That sounds like a very unfortunate image of a king.”

“That’s exactly the kind of thing that earns the people’s sympathy.”

“I don’t know about sympathy, but compared to before we were sent to the Eastern Countries, I do have more time now.”

“That’s because the approval system changed while we were gone. His Majesty the former king and the Prime Minister are signing things too…”

“Exactly. That’s why I can afford to go to the Western Countries.”

“So that was your goal all along!”

“My goal?”

“It’s possible Garwin sent us to the Eastern Countries just so you could arrange all this. The whole thing was King Abel’s conspiracy!”

“Yeah… that’s pushing it.”

 

Abel dismissed Ryo’s wild theory with ease.

 

“Putting that aside, Abel, the former king and the prime minister may have allowed it, but did Rihya really, truly approve?”

“You mean the trip to the Western Countries?”

“Yes. We were gone for a whole year after being sent to the Eastern Countries…”

“W-well… she did allow it.”

Abel answered, but his eyes wandered.

 

“That’s a lie! Eyes speak louder than words. Yours just darted all over the place.”

“No, I’m not lying. As I said before, she allowed it on the condition that you’d act as my guard. But… when I get back, she made me promise that the three of us, including Noah, would tour the Kingdom together.”

“As expected of Rihya… She knew stopping you was impossible, so she demanded something in return. She’s far better at negotiations than King Abel.”

“I think so too.”

Ryo said admiringly, and Abel nodded in agreement.

 

But then Abel thought of something.

“What about you, Ryo? Are you going to be okay?”

“Me? What do you mean?”

“Sera.”

“She asked me to bring her back souvenirs.”

“O-oh.”

“She apparently visited the Western Countries long ago. So she told me all kinds of things.”

“As expected of an elf.”

Abel nodded in admiration.

 

Elves apparently lived far longer than humans.

Neither Ryo nor Abel knew their exact lifespan.

 

But they did know that Sera’s grandmother, Obaba-sama, the Great Elder of the western forest, had lived for over two thousand years.

As for her exact age… no one had ever asked.

 

 

 

Ten days later, Whitnash.

The place was packed with so many people that it could have been mistaken for a grand harbor festival.

It had been announced that at noon today, the kingdom ship docked there would depart for the Western Countries.

And not only that, King Abel I himself would be aboard, making an official visit.

 

Previously, thanks to the envoy jointly dispatched by the Central Countries, relations with the Western Countries had improved.

This voyage was meant to deepen that even further.

 

Among the kingdom’s citizens, a sense of hope had begun to spread that the kingdom would go out as far as the Western Countries from now on.

The nation’s future was bright!

Such hope was being born.

 

Giving the people hope was one of the duties of a nation’s leader.

In that respect, Abel was performing his role as king flawlessly.

 

 

In one corner, where government officials had gathered.

A man in a white robe and an elf woman were talking.

 

“So you’re even going as far as the Dark Continent. I’ve never been there myself, so I’m jealous.”

“Yes, someday… once an official sea route is established, let’s go together.”

“Really? You promise? Absolutely?”

“Y-yes, of course.”

Taken aback by Sera’s intensity, Ryo smiled and made the promise.

 

 

In another corner, the Skidbladnir’s captain and officers were being introduced to King Abel I.

“To have the honor of welcoming the renowned King Abel aboard is our greatest pleasure.”

“Captain Paulina, I’ll be in your care.”

Abel greeted the female captain, her short-cut dull blond hair and striking black eyes leaving a strong impression.

 

Paulina continued by introducing her crew.

“This is my vice-captain, Yaya. In any situation, either he or I will command the ship.”

“I am Yaya. Your Majesty Abel, please leave the Skidbladnir to us.”

“Vice-Captain Yaya, I’m counting on you.”

He was about the same age as Paulina, a little shorter, but gave off a bright and energetic impression.

 

Finally, Paulina introduced the first officer.

“This is First Officer Rochea. She will take the lead in opening the sea route between the Western Countries and the Central Countries.”

“I am Rochea, First Officer. It is an honor to take part in establishing the route between the Western Countries and the Central Countries, one that will endure for decades, perhaps centuries.”

“Yes, Rochea-dono. For the sake of all the ships that will follow, I’m counting on you to find the safest route.”

Normally, a first officer handled most of the ship’s practical navigation duties, but aboard the Skidbladnir, which served as both a trial voyage and advance survey, route development itself was also part of her role.

 

Behind Abel during these introductions stood Queen Rihya and Prince Noah.

Noah was only three years old, but he gazed at his father, King Abel, with shining eyes.

Smiling softly, Rihya stroked his head.

 

Much is demanded of those born into royalty, and at times those demands can even be inhumane… such as having no freedom to choose one’s own path.

Even so, there was still a warm family there.

 

 

From yet another corner, two company captains of the Royal Knights were watching.

Normally, a company of the Royal Knights consisted of fifty knights.

But for this royal escort, twenty-five elite knights had been selected from each company, for a total of fifty.

And so there were two company captains.

 

Zack Cooler and Scotty Cobook.

The two captains, and Abel’s old schoolmates, would be leading the knights as his escort to the Western Countries.

 

“I will not betray Sera-sama’s trust!”

“Zack, Sera-dono has nothing to do with this mission.”

“That doesn’t matter!”

“I genuinely have no idea what you’re talking about anymore.”

Ever since the royal capital disturbance, Zack had carried unrequited feelings for Sera.

Of course, he had never confessed them.

Instead, he had resolved to become a knight worthy of standing beside her… and lived each day by that vow.

 

His friend Scotty watched him with a warm, tolerant look.

He knew Sera and Ryo were in love with each other.

That left him with mixed feelings… but in the end, all he did was shake his head and keep silent.

 

Their superior, Dantan, Captain of the Royal Knights, placed his hands on both their shoulders from behind.

“I’m counting on you.”

“Leave it to us!”

“We’ll protect him with our lives.”

Dantan urged them on, Zack nodded, and Scotty bowed his head.

 

 

And in the final corner stood an odd trio + one box, an unusual combination for government personnel.

“Roman, Nadia, live happily together.”

“Merlin-san, take care of yourself too.”

“Please come visit again.”

Merlin, Roman, and Nadia exchanged their farewells.

 

It looked exactly like a grandfather saying goodbye to his grandson and granddaughter-in-law.

The coffin watched the scene in silence.

 

To put it mildly, it was a bizarre sight.

 

 

After all those scenes had played out, King Abel finally boarded the Skidbladnir.

Naturally, the king’s boarding itself was a ceremony.

 

To show himself to the people. To give them hope for the Kingdom’s future.

 

That too was part of the duty of a ruler.

Instead of climbing aboard by the rope ladder hanging from the ship, Abel walked up the gangway…the temporary staircase set in place.

As he climbed, he waved to the people gathered at the harbor.

 

“Your Majesty!”

“Long live King Abel!”

“Safe travels!”

 

Amid those thunderous cheers, the Skidbladnir, carrying King Abel and the others, departed for the Western Countries.

 

 

Previous  |  Main  |  Next​​​

If you like my translations, please support me on  Patreon and unlock early chapter releases! 7 day free trial is available for Bronze tier now! Patreons are enjoying 5 to 9 chapters early now depending on subscribed tier!