NOVPUBChapter 0517 On Peace
Translator: Jay_Forestieri
Editor: Tseirp
The world was at peace.
At least, the world surrounding Ryo was peaceful.
“It’s important to have the mental capacity to focus on reading, rather than just swinging your sword around like some swordsman named Abel.”
“…Why did you have to say that out loud?”
In the mansion’s courtyard, Abel, who had been sparring with Mifa, deliberately muttered those words as he approached the table where Ryo was reading.
If ‘muttering’ means speaking loudly enough for everyone nearby to clearly hear, then sure…
But generally, that’s not muttering. It’s just speaking normally.
“There’s a phrase in my homeland: Always prepare yourself as if you were in a battlefield. It means to always remain prepared as if you were on a battlefield. Additionally, there’s an old saying, Si vis pacem, para bellum. If you desire peace, prepare for war. And Nietzsche said this: If you seek peace, it must be as preparation for a new battle. Seek short peace over long peace.”
“Sorry, I have no idea what you’re trying to say… or what it even means…”
“It means that peace is nothing but an illusion.”
Ryo, feigning the air of a philosopher, declared this with gravity.
If only he weren’t holding a snack resembling a daifuku… with its sweet red bean filling, in his right hand, it might have been more convincing.
Abel sighed quietly and said,
“Ryo, your very appearance is the epitome of peace.”
“That’s enough for today.”
“Yes. Thank you very much.”
Abel wrapped up the training session, and Mifa bowed her head.
Watching them from the corner of the courtyard, Ryo nodded in satisfaction, clearly pleased.
The next day, the three of them would set out for the capital, Jonjon.
They would travel alongside Deputy Governor Sue Ku, who was also headed there.
It was a seven-day journey by land— not particularly long.
Horses were prepared not just for Mifa but also for Ryo and Abel, meaning far less fatigue than traveling on foot.
Still, knowing they’d embark on a week-long journey the next day, there was no need for such rigorous training right up until the day before.
Back in his room, Ryo began the final check of his belongings.
“I’ll put the book I’ll read along the way in my usual shoulder bag.”
Saying this, he took a book from his boxy travel suitcase and transferred it to his shoulder bag.
Abel, catching a glimpse of the book.
“Ryo, isn’t that the one you bought in town?”
“Yes. It’s the sequel to ‘The History and Application of Talismans and Charms’, which I borrowed from the mansion’s library before.”
“‘Practical Applications: How Talismans and Charms Shape the Future’…? Ryo, you can’t even use talismans, can you? Why ‘practical applications’?”
“Well, I can’t use them, but… know your enemy and know yourself, right?”
“‘The Art of War’, huh?”
“As expected of Abel. Perfectly spot-on!”
“No, I only remember the bits you mutter…”
While Ryo praised him, Abel gave a wry smile.
He only remembered fragments of Ryo’s ramblings and didn’t understand the core of it at all.
He was well aware of that.
“In practical terms, wouldn’t it be difficult to deal with techniques or skills used by an opponent if you don’t know anything about them?”
“True. You’d always end up on the back foot.”
Abel nodded deeply as he said this.
Having been an adventurer for a long time, Abel had plenty of experience battling both monsters and humans.
Because of this, he understood how challenging combat could be when lacking any information about the opponent.
“But Ryo… we’ll be traveling on horseback.”
“Yes, I know. If it were on foot… I couldn’t read while walking anyway.”
“And you think you can read on horseback? Do you have experience with that?”
“No, no experience… wait, is it actually hard to do?”
“Unless you’re used to it, very.”
“Ugh…”
Ryo slumped in disappointment at Abel’s words.
“I even brought another book, ‘The Alchemy of the Eastern Countries’, because it looked interesting…”
Ryo’s muttering went unheard by anyone.
The next day.
The group departed from Mifasoshi, heading toward the capital, Jonjon.
Leading the group was Mifasoshi’s Deputy Governor, Sue Ku.
Accompanied by twenty of her subordinates.
The head of the escort was Solon, captain of the Mifasoshi patrol unit’s first division.
The escort force, consisting of forty members centered around Solon’s first division, was tasked with protecting the group.
Ryo, Abel, and Mifa were also part of the entourage.
“Mifa, are you doing okay? You’re not used to riding a horse, right? Are you managing?”
“Yes, Sue-sama. I’m fine.”
Mifa replied, riding alongside Sue Ku.
Though also on horseback, Sue Ku handled her mount with remarkable skill.
“The Deputy Governor is quite good.”
“Yeah. It seems she’s trained from a young age and has ridden a lot since. From what I’ve seen, Sue Ku gives off the impression of a seasoned adventurer, someone with plenty of hands-on experience… She might even be of noble or royal descent.”
“Like King Roberto Pirlo of the Union…”
Abel speculated, and Ryo mused, recalling the former king of the Union.
“By the way, Mifa is heading to Darwei to serve as a lady-in-waiting for Princess Shio Fen, right?”
“Yes, that’s what I’ve been told.”
Abel nodded in confirmation.
“I looked up what ‘princess’ means. Originally, it was a title for the emperor’s daughter. But it seems the nations of the Eastern Countries started using it as well.”
“Yeah, that’s right.”
Ryo explained proudly, but Abel responded casually.
“What’s with that reaction? Don’t tell me you already knew that, Abel?”
“I learned about it back when I lived in the royal castle. Apparently, the title has been used across dynasties, even before the rise of Darwei.”
“Ugh… prince education is scary.”
Ryo groaned, tilting his head in mock defeat.
“By the way, Ryo, you’re not reading any books after all, huh?”
Abel had noticed that Ryo, riding on horseback, wasn’t holding any books.
“Yeah. I tried right after we set off, but it’s impossible. I didn’t realize horses were this bumpy…”
“Well, yeah. You haven’t ridden horses that much to begin with, have you?”
“I used to ride a fair bit during drills when I was an instructor for the Rune Knights. Even in the capital, I’d sometimes borrow horses to ride.”
At this, Abel narrowed his eyes slightly and asked,
“…Where were you borrowing horses from?”
“Of course, from the royal castle. They were well-trained and super easy to ride.”
“Yeah, that’s an overreach of authority.”
“Excuse me?”
“A duke isn’t allowed to ride the royal family’s horses without permission.”
Ryo’s eyes widened in shock at Abel’s words.
“Wait, what? But nobody ever told me that…”
“Well, there’s hardly anyone who’d dare lecture the Premier Duke.”
“What the…!”
Ryo slumped, dejected.
But in times like these, he knew a reliable strategy.
“Why didn’t you tell me sooner, Abel!”
Yes, blame-shifting.
“I’m hearing about it just now, too…”
“Didn’t you get reports about it or anything?”
“Now that you mention it, I don’t recall seeing any.”
“You’re always buried in paperwork, but maybe you’re not actually reading all of it…”
For some reason, Ryo’s tone became that of a prosecutor or inquisitor.
Even though he was the one who’d done something wrong.
“I read everything properly. What’s more likely is…”
“What’s more likely?”
“That Marquis Heinlein handled it.”
“The Prime Minister? Why? He’s never scolded me about it.”
Ryo tilted his head in confusion.
It was true— he’d never been reprimanded by the prime minister.
“Perhaps he used his authority as Prime Minister to grant you special permission.”
“Wow… that’s so like the Prime Minister. Truly a national treasure!”
Abel speculated, and Ryo nodded enthusiastically.
In Ryo’s mind, Marquis Alexis Heinlein, the kingdom’s prime minister, was held in the highest regard.
Likely the very pinnacle of admiration.
“Come to think of it, I’ve seen Marquis Heinlein reading documents on horseback…”
“What?!”
“His subordinates would bring him documents, he’d read through them in an instant, and then issue instructions.”
“Our Prime Minister is practically perfect, isn’t he? Administratively brilliant, a former captain of the Royal Knights, and even the best in intelligence gathering across Central Countries… he’s like the protagonist of some epic tale. No, actually, he’s so perfect that readers probably wouldn’t relate to him at all!”
“I can’t speak to reader sympathy, but yeah, he’s undeniably perfect.”
Abel somehow found himself agreeing with Ryo’s effusive praise.
And so, before anyone realized it, Ryo’s misconduct faded into obscurity.
“Heh heh heh, just as planned.”
Ryo’s muttered words should have gone unheard.
“Still, a fine would be appropriate. If Marquis Heinlein hadn’t covered for you, you’d have to pay up. But don’t worry, fines don’t leave a criminal record in the kingdom.”
“Ugh…”
Ryo could only pray that Marquis Heinlein had handled things smoothly.
Even a premier duke couldn’t go against the king.
TLN: Please read my translations at tseirptranslations.com, I did not give permission to any site to host my translations.
