I was confessed to by an Ancient Species merman I saved.
The rocks may have been eroded and carved away by the waves. This spot was just right, with a pocket of air. Faint light reflected off pearl scales, scattering in seven colors.
“How is it? This is my favorite room. I have several others, of course.”
“It’s very lovely, thank you.”
That’s right, since I was saved, I should ask for information about my companions. They might still be nearby.
“I’m glad you think so. Well then, um, I want to know all about you, Hiroaki.”
“I was on a ship with my companions when a little accident happened, I guess.”
Should I say it was an attack rather than an accident? Pearl listened to my story with a happy expression.
“Why do you like me? Honestly, I don’t think I have many admirable qualities.”
“What are you talking about! I watched you from afar, fighting the monster Scylla. You were magnificent!”
“Scylla? No, that person was…”
“That was undoubtedly the legendary monster, Scylla. I can’t believe they actually exist. Suddenly, the sea became rough, so I went to see what was happening, and there you were, fighting with a dagger in hand, Hiroaki.”
Is that so? Well, at this point, the monster’s name doesn’t matter. What’s important is the location of the ghost ship where everyone was.
“So, I want to go back to my original ship.”
“No! Please don’t go. I fell in love with you at first sight, Hiroaki. Please stay here.”
Pearl grabbed my hand, tears welling up in her eyes. Oh boy, could this really be my moment of being popular? Maybe it’s a case of “to each his own.” Or perhaps she simply values my being human.
“I’m sorry, but my companions are waiting.”
“Why? When I’m offering you so much passion.”
Offering passion… Could this be what the Water Goddess meant by offering passion in the depths where gold sleeps? Is this merman the Water Goddess?
“I must walk the path to hell.”
“The path to heaven, surely? But that’s fine. You seem to have quite a strong heart.”
Heart? What does that have to do with anything? Could they possibly mean my heart is the passion I’m supposed to offer? Things are getting a bit ominous.
Seemingly noticing my hand reaching for my sword, Pearl drew her dagger first.
“In stories, there are endings like this. The prince actually had someone else he loved. And the mermaid girl, her love unrequited, vanishes into bubbles. But there’s a way to avoid that: stab the prince’s heart with a dagger.”
What is this poem? Wasn’t this supposed to be the way back to our homeland for the Treasure Beastman Race? This isn’t helping at all; it’s a game over right here.
“Wait, what are you going to do by stabbing my heart?”
“I’m going to take it out while you’re alive. Don’t worry, I’ll return the rest to my companions.”
I want to know what you’re going to do with the heart you take out. Is it that you gain power by eating hearts or something?
The seawater wetting my feet began to gather as if it had a will of its own. This is bad, she’s going to use water magic!
Seawater overflowed from behind me as well, engulfing my body.
“GURUGURUGURUGURU”
I couldn’t escape because of some kind of membrane. Reaching out to tap it only made it bend limply. Pearl’s figure appeared in my distorted vision. She approached me while sitting on a throne made of water.
The silver dagger in her hand was visible outside the water. If this continues, I’ll just die trapped in seawater. I have to escape somehow.
I grabbed the edge of my cloak and spun my body. At the same time, I pulled out my dagger and slashed through the membrane.
“Wha—!”
The gathered water flowed out, like a water balloon bursting. Once freed, I took a big breath.
“Sorry, but I can’t give you my heart. If you’re going to eat, eat another fish.”
“Eat it? I would never eat something like that!”
The scattered water flew towards me as sharp spears. I hastily moved away from that spot. I ran desperately through the narrow cave.
“If you had just stayed still, I would have taken it without you suffering!”
The high-pressure water was like a blade. It grazed my cheek, leaving a red line along with the pain. It almost hit my eye. I didn’t even have time to blink.
But running around would ultimately lead nowhere to escape. I was cornered against a crystal-like wall. This was truly a battle of desperation; I had to somehow endure the attack and counter.
Pearl raised two fingers and pointed them at me.
A second after that action, or perhaps it was even faster, I couldn’t comprehend it for a moment. I felt a strong impact and pain in my shoulder before my nerves finally registered that I had been attacked.
“Ugh…!”
“I could take off your limbs one by one, you know.”
She’s finally showing her true colors. Of course, a man covered in sand and seawater wouldn’t be popular.
