Water Magician-Chapter 551: Sudden Turn

Editor: Tseirp

Von Debout would enter the imperial palace at eight in the morning and leave at six in the evening.

He had been keeping this schedule until the attack occurred. After that, it seems he secluded himself in the Ryusen Residence.

However, now that Ryo and Abel have been assigned as his bodyguards, Wei Fon, who leads the guards, has permitted him to return to his previous schedule.

“Wei Fon-san is the one with the most power…”

“Well, Ryo, even if you think so, you shouldn’t say it out loud.”

Abel warned Ryo gently.

“I wouldn’t have been allowed to take my job either if Marquis Heinlein had said no…”

“But that’s just because the Prime Minister outranks you, right?”

“I… am the king, you know…”

“A king is just a figurehead, carried around on a palanquin. You shouldn’t get the wrong idea.”

“I see… so I was mistaken.”

Apparently, even His Majesty the King has had his struggles.

On the third day of their assignment as bodyguards.

Ryo and Abel were waiting outside the imperial palace along with the rest of the guard detail.

In simple terms, it was a waiting area for attendants and guards while their masters were inside.

Lower-ranking officials didn’t have attendants, but nobles or high officials like Von Debout did.

This class was referred to as the ‘Shitaifu class’.

There were quite a few of them, along with a significant number of attendants.

In times like this—when the wedding of a crown prince’s official consort was taking place—the number of people inside the palace increased drastically.

Naturally, so did the number of people waiting outside.

There were different types of waiting areas, but the one they were using was a large gymnasium-like space where multiple groups could wait together.

Since Von Debout entered the palace in the morning and came out in the evening, their wait was long.

But others only stayed for about thirty minutes.

Ryo glanced around, somewhat exaggeratedly.

Then quickly sat down next to the leader, Wei Fon.

“Something the matter, Ryo-san?”

Although Wei Fon always had a stern expression and never compromised on his duties, he spoke politely to Ryo and Abel.

Always adding ‘-san’ to their names.

“Yes. There’s something I want to clarify regarding our bodyguard duties.”

“What is it?”

Wei Fon encouraged Ryo to continue.

Abel came to sit next to Ryo as well.

Ready to stop him if needed.

“I heard that three princes are competing for the imperial throne. Which faction does Von Debout belong to?”

“Hey, Ryo!”

Abel raised his voice, shocked by how blunt the question was.

Certainly, it might be important information for a bodyguard— but it wasn’t something a hired guard should be casually asking.

Wei Fon narrowed his eyes at Ryo.

“Hm.”

He stared for a minute before speaking.

“My lord is not affiliated with any faction.”

“Huh?”

Ryo was surprised.

“Is that… even possible? I mean, wouldn’t he be subject to harassment from the princes’ factions? And if he’s not aligned with anyone, no one would protect him in such cases, which could be a big problem…”

“I understand what you’re saying, Ryo-san. And in the Darwei Imperial Palace, that is not unusual.”

“If that’s the case…”

“That’s why he was attacked.”

“…Ah, I see…”

Von Debout had previously mentioned being attacked.

Of course, no one knew exactly who was behind it.

But it wasn’t hard to imagine.

It was likely one of the three princes vying for the throne.

Or someone from their factions.

They may have tried to force Von Debout to join their side through intimidation.

Or it might have been a warning to others who refused to align themselves.

In any case, in a cutthroat factional struggle, remaining neutral was the most dangerous position.

Because in a crisis, no one would protect you.

Because you could be made an example of.

Because… you could even be framed…

“Anyone related to Count Matan! Present? Is anyone here connected to Count Matan?!”

Count Matan was Von Debout.

“I’m one of Count Matan’s guards!”

Wei Fon stood up, raising his hand and calling out.

Not only Ryo and Abel, but the other nine guards also stood up.

“There’s a problem! Count Matan has been detained in the imperial palace!”

“What?!”

The situation had taken a sudden turn.

“Any updates?”

“Yes, some.”

The reply came from a female guard who had gone to gather information from the palace.

Her name was Nuan, and she held a vice-captain role.

“It appears the lord suddenly attacked Count Bashu with a sword.”

“…What are you saying? The lord doesn’t carry a sword. He doesn’t even have a dagger on him.”

Wei Fon frowned in response.

“Yes. Supposedly, he took a sword from the Imperial Guard and attacked. Many witnesses saw it happen…”

“Ridiculous…”

Wei Fon spat.

After that, no one said a word.

Abel broke the silence.

“How skilled… is Lord Von Debout with a sword?”

“Oh, not at all. He’s a just and honest man who works hard, but when it comes to swordplay, archery, or magic, he’s completely hopeless. That’s why we guard him…”

“And this man supposedly stole a sword from the Imperial Guard? That’s the emperor’s elite force, right?”

“Yes, Abel, you’re correct.”

Abel posed the question to Ryo, and Ryo nodded.

The Imperial Guard were the emperor’s personal elite troops.

“Indeed… Even if he caught them off guard, it would be impossible for him.”

Wei Fon said, and the other nine guards nodded.

Von Debout clearly wasn’t suited for combat at all.

“So what’s happening to the detained lord?”

“He was taken to the high-security prison.”

“What on earth is going on…?”

The group of guards fell into silent contemplation.

Abel noticed Ryo tilting his head, deep in thought.

“What is it, Ryo?”

“If my memory is correct, the victim, Count Bashu…”

“Count Bashu… Bashu… ah! That would be Lord Roche Ten!”

Count Bashu, Roche Ten, was the nephew of Deputy Magistrate Fu Ten of Boago.

The two of them had once met the Inspector Li Wu in the city of Nomon.

So they weren’t complete strangers.

“You two know Count Bashu?”

“Yes, we owed him a favor not long ago.”

“Since Roche Ten’s domain of Bashu is far from the capital, maybe his guards or attendants are waiting somewhere too?”

Wei Fon asked, Abel answered, and Ryo started looking for a lead.

“It seems Count Bashu wasn’t injured.”

Nuan reported.

“If he was attacked, he must have been shaken. He likely returned to his inn for the day. The interrogation by the Censorate will probably be tomorrow or later.”

“If we can find the inn, maybe we can ask him directly what happened?”

Ryo suggested based on Wei Fon’s deduction.

“Yes, that would make sense. Count Bashu, as the victim, knows best what really happened. But… will he meet with retainers of the accused attacker?”

“We’ll try to convince him…”

“You’ll go, then?”

“Yes, of course.”

Ryo gave a firm nod to Wei Fon’s question.

Abel also nodded beside him. fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm

Though they had only known Von Debout for a few days, he was still their employer.

And no matter what insults he may have suffered, neither of them believed he was the kind of man who would steal a sword from the Imperial Guard and attack someone.

That’s why they were determined to find out what really happened.

Especially since there were supposedly many witnesses…

“Alright. Let’s split up and find the inn where Count Bashu is staying. Once we find it, I’ll have you two go speak with him.”

With that, Wei Fon gave the order, and Ryo and Abel nodded in unison.

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