Water Magician

Vol 4. Chapter 720: Skidbladnir

One hour after leaving port from Witnash.

On deck were the king, relaxing in clothing almost like an adventurer’s, and the Premier Duke, relaxing in his usual robe.

Naturally, they were sitting on ice chairs with ice cushions.

Naturally, on the ice table in front of them were cups filled with Kona coffee.

“Being like this reminds me of the archipelago region and the Eastern Countries.”

“It does. Takes me back.”

Abel nodded at Ryo’s words.

Yes. Back then, Princess Ilyaja had been with them.

She would later become queen, but...

“Compared to back then, we have a few more guards.”

“We do. A few.”

At the end of Ryo and Abel’s gazes were fifty members of the Kingdom’s knight orders.

As expected, they were not wearing heavy armor, but light leather armor.

The people called squires attached to the knights would not be accompanying them on this journey.

The knights would put on and take off their armor by themselves, and they would handle their other tasks by themselves as well.

Those Kingdom knights seemed to be receiving instructions or points of caution from the two company commanders.

“Those two are Zack and Scotty, aren’t they?”

“They are.”

“They were your school friends, Abel.”

“They were.”

“Poor things.”

“What is?”

“Simply because they were your school friends, they’ve been dragged all the way to the Western Countries...”

“It can’t be helped. That’s also their job.”

“I’m not sure everything should be blamed on work.”

Ryo shook his head slightly.

As the two were speaking, an old man in red clothes approached them.

Of course, the self-propelled coffin was following along behind him.

“What a fine aroma.”

“Please have some too, Merlin.”

As Ryo said that, he generated an ice chair with an ice cushion and an ice cup for Merlin as well, then poured coffee from what remained in the French press.

“Oh... This is quite...delicious.”

“Isn’t it? This is Kona coffee, the pride of the Knightley Kingdom. It’s harvested in a place called Kona Village in the Kingdom.”

Merlin praised it, and Ryo happily explained.

Ryo recognized Merlin as a coffee lover.

Because when he had visited Merlin’s western dungeon, Merlin had served him wonderful Dark Continent coffee twice.

It had been extremely delicious.

So he was sure Merlin would understand the goodness of Kona coffee as well.

“I see. If you normally drink coffee of this quality, then of course you would understand the virtues of the Dark Continent coffee I served in the dungeon.”

“Yes, yes. That was wonderful coffee too.”

As expected, Merlin seemed to have thought the same thing as Ryo.

Coffee lovers recognized delicious coffee no matter where it came from.

And there was one more coffee lover here.

“Is this Dark Continent coffee perhaps coffee from the Dark Continent?”

“It is. In my impression, even without going all the way to the Dark Continent, it had spread fairly widely through the Western Countries.”

“I do hope King Abel will try Dark Continent coffee as well.”

Abel asked, Ryo answered, and Merlin recommended it.

Recommending something good to a fellow enthusiast.

It was a common sight in any age and any world.

Perhaps it was proof that the essence of people remained the same regardless of time or place.

“That gives me one more thing to look forward to in the Western Countries, and beyond that, the Dark Continent.”

Abel smiled happily.

Even if he was visiting a foreign land as work for the country, as part of his role as king, surely he was allowed to have things to look forward to.

So that he could visit with a smile.

“Ah, come to think of it, Ryo, can you speak the Dark Continent language?”

“What? Of course I can’t.”

“I see. Then you’ll need to study while we’re aboard the ship.”

“What...”

“Of course, I won’t force you, but it would be better if you could speak it, wouldn’t it?”

“Well, yes...”

Ryo nodded at Abel’s words.

When they were blown to the Eastern Countries—or more precisely, when they were blown to the archipelago region—Ryo and Abel had studied the Eastern Countries language aboard the ship that carried them from there to the Eastern Countries.

Thanks to that, they had been able to live comfortably in places like Darwei.

They had personally experienced the importance of learning the local language before traveling.

“I don’t mind learning, but who will teach me? Back then, I’m pretty sure the chief engineer taught us... Is it someone from the crew?”

“Apparently, every member of the crew has mastered the Dark Continent language perfectly.”

“What...”

“But they must be busy, so I haven’t asked any of them to teach.”

“Huh? Am I studying by myself?”

“No. The members of the Kingdom’s knight orders who can’t speak the Dark Continent language will study with you. It isn’t only you, Ryo. Don’t worry.”

“Even if you tell me not to worry...who’s the teacher?”

“Me.”

Abel answered with a bright smile.

Ryo was silent for a full thirty seconds.

After a while, he finally opened his mouth.

“Abel...you understand the Dark Continent language?”

“Yes, I do. సంపూర్ణంగా మాట్లాడగలడు.”

“What did the second half mean...?”

“I said I can speak it perfectly.”

“Hrmm...”

Abel showed off his ability, and Ryo could not say a word.

“Well, fine. Being able to learn the language of the place we’re visiting in advance is something to be grateful for. Bring it on!”

“That’s a good attitude. Zack and Scotty said that when it was decided I would be teaching, the people from the Kingdom’s knight orders were brimming with motivation too... Better motivated than not, right?”

Abel nodded several times.

“Ah, so Zack and Scotty will be taking your class too, Abel.”

“No, they won’t. Those two can speak the Dark Continent language as well.”

“What did you say...”

“It was a required subject at the Royal Academy.”

“Elite education is terrifying...”

Yes. The two of them were Abel’s school friends.

“I studied it at the royal castle even before entering the academy.”

“Imperial education...”

“That’s how it is.”

“Oppose educational inequality! Equal opportunity to learn!”

Ryo shouted the slogan, but no one followed after him.

Of course, Abel merely shrugged in silence.

In any age and any country, candidates for rule were absolutely required to learn foreign languages.

Apparently, that was true in this world as well.

The Central Countries and Western Countries used the same language.

There were differences in dialect, differences in degree, but they were minor enough to hardly matter.

In that case, “foreign language” probably meant the Dark Continent language.

After all, there was almost no exchange with the Eastern Countries.

“It seems I’ve fallen behind...but I’ll do my best. I’ll manage it!”

Ryo thrust up his fist and declared his resolve.

However...

“But I have something much more immediate to look forward to.”

Ryo said that happily.

“Something immediate?”

“Yes. The food on this ship!”

Abel tilted his head, and Ryo answered.

Yes. This sea voyage was said to take more than twenty days.

It also served as a sea-route survey, but since the king was aboard this time, as expected, they would return along the same sea route the ship had used when coming from the Western Countries.

Originally, this was a route with little sea-area information.

Traveling it repeatedly and improving the accuracy of that information was also a necessary measure.

It had taken twenty-two days to arrive from the Western Countries to the Central Countries.

Of course, the return trip might take even longer.

And when it came to the pleasures of such a long journey, naturally, there was food.

However, His Majesty the King was skeptical.

“Well, yes, I’d be happy if delicious food came out...but this is a ship, you know? If you include the crew and the attendants, including the knight orders, it’s easily over a hundred people. Securing that much food is one thing, but cooking in the kitchen must be difficult too. They may bring out something nice occasionally, but won’t the basics be dried meat?”

“Th-there is that possibility...but in the archipelago region, we got delicious food.”

“Ah...that was Head Chef Susie of the Rhohn Dark.”

“As expected of Abel... You remember perfectly.”

“You remember the names of people you owe, don’t you?”

“O-of course...”

Abel said it as if it were obvious, and Ryo, who was not especially good at remembering names, agreed while faltering.

Of course, he did intend to remember everyone he met.

He intended to, but...

He remembered Head Chef Susie, but as for the other sailors...only about ten of them...

“W-well, the Rhohn Dark is one thing. But like that ship, if we’re going to be on a long journey, I want the food to be good!”

“You’re free to hope.”

“Hope is the energy that keeps people alive!”

“...”

Abel was left speechless by Ryo’s impassioned speech.

Incidentally, Merlin, who had been at the same table the entire time, said nothing as he enjoyed his coffee.

Regna, who could not even enjoy the coffee, said nothing either.

The crew members working on deck during that time also said nothing.

Ryo’s impassioned speech continued.

“I have become certain after seeing everyone on the Skidbladnir working in such orderly fashion.”

“Hm?”

“The food on this ship is delicious.”

“...Are those two things related?”

“Of course they are.”

Ryo was full of confidence.

“On the ocean, there are no delicious street stalls. The only outlet for the crew’s stress is delicious food made in the kitchen. In other words, if they’re working with good expressions, the food served on the ship must be delicious.”

Ryo’s argument was magnificently confident.

“They were probably going out into Witnash until yesterday, weren’t they? Maybe they’re wearing good expressions because they ate in town?”

“Ah...”

Ryo lost his words at Abel’s observation.

It was true that they had been docked in Witnash for several weeks, so they might have eaten in Witnash.

Since Witnash was a large port town, the food was delicious...

“E-even so. If this were a ship with bad food, then all the more, thinking about the next few dozen days of meals should darken the crew’s expressions. But their expressions are bright.”

“So the food served on this ship should be good.”

“Yes, exactly.”

“Well, I hope that’s true too.”

Ryo nodded with confidence once more, and Abel, having no need to deny it, accepted the argument.

After all, they would know by evening.

The Skidbladnir was a trading ship.

It had been designed and built with trade between the Western Countries and the Dark Continent in mind.

Its speed through the water was astonishing.

Because of that, it had also been envisioned for use not only in pure trade, but also for travel between continents by high-ranking government officials and the like.

Therefore, there was a distinguished guest room in the stern.

Separate from the captain’s cabin.

That was extremely unusual.

“Abel, taking over such a valuable distinguished guest room like you own the place.”

“No, no matter how you think about it, I’m the king, so I’m the only one who can use it.”

Inside that distinguished guest room, the Premier Duke pointed out the problem, while the king insisted the criticism itself was strange.

“Everyone is equal aboard a ship. His Majesty the King and an apprentice sailor are all equally one human being!”

“...Even if I didn’t use it, who would use the distinguished guest room?”

“Uh...well...some other important person...”

“Then that would be you, Ryo, the Premier Duke.”

“I-I don’t need it!”

Ryo showed a strong rejection reaction.

Ryo was bad with that sort of strange special treatment.

Even though he demanded things like a once-a-month cake privilege.

“To begin with, isn’t it strange for you to say ‘some other important person’? Everyone is equal aboard a ship, right?”

“Gnn...”

Abel pushed back with sound logic, and Ryo was defeated.

The argument had been unreasonable from the start.

“It can’t be helped. I will recognize Abel’s use of it. But if you’re going to use it, please do your work seriously.”

“Did you know, Ryo? Apparently, at the table in this distinguished guest room, special meals may sometimes be served for me, you, and Captain Paulina.”

“Why didn’t you say that sooner? Long live privilege! Duke Rondo, the foremost vassal of King Abel, is none other than me!”

Ryo reversed himself instantly.

He did not know what the “special meals” would be, nor how frequently they would appear, but food meant for the king could not possibly be bad.

Yes. If one stayed near important people, one could get delicious food.

That was a common truth that applied across many ages and many worlds.

Occasionally, important people were served bland meals because of too much poison-testing or excessive concern for health, but...in the Knightley Kingdom, there was none of that.

As the two were having such a conversation, Captain Paulina entered the distinguished guest room with one man.

“Pardon the intrusion, Your Majesty. Allow me to introduce Kovac, who serves as head chef aboard this ship.”

Head Chef Kovac, whom Captain Paulina introduced, bowed his head.

He had a large body and a plump face.

He seemed quite nervous, but he looked extremely good-natured.

“I-it is a pleasure.”

“Chef, I’ll be counting on you for delicious food.”

“Yes, Your Majesty! Leave it to me!”

When Abel spoke to him, his face lit up at once, and he answered energetically.

Saying that they would finish the dish and bring it in, Captain Paulina and Head Chef Kovac withdrew once.

And the conversation exchanged between His Majesty the King and the Premier Duke who remained behind was, of course, about Head Chef Kovac.

Because the head chef looked, at a glance...

“He looked like he would make good food.”

“Somehow, he reminds me of the head chef at the Rune adventurers’ guild.”

Abel and Ryo reached agreement.

The kitchen of the Rune adventurers’ guild served food that was cheap, large in quantity, and above all, delicious.

The head chef who managed that kitchen was a large-built former adventurer, and the impression he left was of someone always smiling as he cooked.

“He was nervous earlier, but his smile at the end was wonderful.”

“He must be confident in his ability to make good food.”

“This is promising.”

“I completely agree.”

Both Ryo and Abel decided to wait for the food with anticipation.

Ten minutes later.

Captain Paulina, who would dine with the two of them, took her seat at the table, and Head Chef Kovac entered immediately afterward.

“Today, as the first day commemorating His Majesty’s departure for the Western Countries, I would like to serve a traditional dish known by everyone in the Western Countries...while also said to be the most delicious of all: ‘Lady Nyu’s Dish.’”

“Oh, I look forward to that.”

“Lady Nyu’s Dish?”

Head Chef Kovac explained happily, Abel looked eager, and Ryo tilted his head.

Yes. Ryo had tilted his head because he remembered hearing it somewhere before.

And what came out was...

“Fried chicken!”

The correct answer escaped Ryo’s mouth on reflex.

“Your Grace Duke Rondo, you know karaage?”

Head Chef Kovac wore a beaming smile.

Ryo could say nothing and simply nodded again and again.

Yes, again and again.

The place where Ryo had eaten it was Zephyros, a city west of the Holy Capital Marloma.

If he remembered correctly, he had ordered it after seeing “karaage set meal” written on the menu...and then it had come out.

It had been unmistakable fried chicken.

And now, arranged on the table before him...

A mountain of fried chicken piled high on a large platter!

“This looks delicious.”

Abel nodded.

“Please help yourself, Your Majesty.”

“It is traditional to freely take as much karaage as you like from the large platter and eat it.”

Head Chef Kovac spoke, and Captain Paulina explained.

“I see. Then I’ll take one...”

As Abel said that, he boldly stabbed a piece with his fork and brought it straight to his mouth.

It was the way an adventurer would eat rather than a king.

Once he put it into his mouth, it seemed hot enough that he huffed a little, but as the meat juices spread through his mouth, his eyes opened wide.

Even watching from the side, one could tell it was delicious.

“This is excellent!”

After swallowing the fried chicken in his mouth, Abel praised it highly.

“Thank you very much!”

Head Chef Kovac smiled from ear to ear.

Captain Paulina said nothing, but she smiled and nodded several times.

As captain, it would be a lie to say she had felt no anxiety.

She had been tasked with guiding to the Western Countries the king of the Knightley Kingdom, known as a great power of the Central Countries—and not only that, a young king even called the Hero King.

Onboard a ship, inconvenience was inevitable to begin with.

She knew, of course, that people in high positions in a country tended to become displeased in such environments.

But all of that could be shut down with the words, “Because we are aboard a ship.”

On a ship, even a king obeyed the captain.

That was the tradition of the sea.

The most effective method for improving that sort of tense situation was delicious food.

East and west, ancient and modern, that {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} truth did not change as long as people were people.

But this time, there was a problem.

People of the Western Countries were entertaining a king of the Central Countries.

The question was whether a king of the Central Countries would recognize the taste of the Western Countries.

That was something no one could know without trying.

For more than half a year since the Skidbladnir’s outfitting had been completed and the ship had gone out to sea, Head Chef Kovac had satisfied the stomachs of the crew.

Even from the perspective of Captain Paulina, who prided herself on having eaten many of the delicacies of the Western Countries, his food deserved the highest evaluation.

Yes. No matter what the dish was, it was extremely delicious.

That was why she had complete trust in Head Chef Kovac’s skill.

And yet...

Whether he could satisfy the tongue of a king from the Central Countries was something no one could know until they tried.

The result was perfect.

“Ahh, truly, this is delicious...”

Next, the Premier Duke was eating too.

His eyes were closed, and he looked genuinely delighted.

Seeing that much, Paulina became certain.

Head Chef Kovac’s skill would satisfy even the royalty and nobility of the Central Countries.

It was the moment Captain Paulina’s greatest worry disappeared on the very first day of departure.