We entered the mermaid village, or at least, that’s what we’re calling it.
“Yeah, there are burrows with doors all over the place.”
The decorations are quite beautiful, made of coral, and the paths are well maintained…
(It feels like a giant underwater cave.)
Then, we were guided into the palace interior.
There are reception desks lined up, but is this some kind of guild?
I tried looking at the Teleport Scroll from my Item Box…
(It’s here, displaying “Zazam, Mermaid Town”.)
So, Mermaid Island is actually within Zazam’s jurisdiction.
It’s good that I can teleport here, but I need to make sure I’m wearing underwater gear or using an item that makes me immune to water, otherwise I’ll drown immediately after teleporting.
“For now, please leave your Taming Monsters here. Otherwise, they might get eaten.”
Truly, the Mermaid Race is not to be underestimated.
Nina: “Helen, let’s leave Succubus here as well, just in case.”
Helen: “Yes, Nina-sama. The Golems probably won’t be gnawed on, but I’m worried about the others.”
Deles: “I saw Sarinaami eating Magic Stones, so even the Golems might be in danger.”
They look like they could chew through anything with those sharp teeth.
Nina: “Baird, protect them if anything happens.”
White Frontbeard (Humanoid form): “Understood!!”
Sexy Diamond Golem (Humanoid form): “Leave it to me!”
The subtitles for humanoid forms really appear, don’t they?
Teruyuki Iwamotor: “What about us?”
Maina Roppongi: “I can use headphones underwater, so I’ll just listen to music and wait~”
Koki Kaito: “If knowledge of the game is needed, I can answer immediately, so it might be best to follow along.”
Nina: “That’s right. Then, all three of you, please come with us.”
It seems Ragishino’s Taming Monsters are being left behind.
“This way, this way! This is the room where humans can relax~”
We were guided by Sarinaami, and after proceeding through the underwater passage for a while, we ascended upwards.
As we continued, we saw the water’s surface. As we climbed up…!!
Splash!!
(So bright?!)
Whoa, it’s like the cave we passed through on the way here.
It’s a hollow area where the water has receded. We rose above the water surface, with me only having my head and shoulders out, while Anju is flying.
“Woohoo, there’s airーー！”
“Anju, don’t get too excited.”
“The colors are so beautiful, aren’t they? Primarily crimson.”
As I looked around with Clarice, I saw it too.
Yeah, it’s definitely beautiful. Mermaid paintings are drawn everywhere.
The Otherworlders who came up behind us are also captivated by the interior.
“This is truly a ‘Dragon Palace’!”
“It looks like a cultural asset, with a large tatami room above the water surface.”
“It’s tatami! It looks like sea bream and flounder would dance around the surrounding sea.”
Everyone stepped onto the tatami mats, and suddenly a warm breeze blew, drying everyone’s bodies.
The moisture from their wet gear and hair vanished in an instant. Amazing.
“Hmm, is it the effect of the wind magic stones installed here?”
“Yes, and these water magic stones filter seawater into drinking water for humans.”
“…We’ll go prepare the hospitality.” “Kaumi, please.”
She dived into the water.
Come to think of it, the mermaids other than Sarinaami and Kaumi are gone.
They were likely left at the palace guild-like place. Well, it might have been an automatic disband.
(Still, it’s so dazzling.)
The cave hall illuminated by the Magic Lights.
The reception room floating on the sea surface has low wooden tables, and we sat on surrounding cushions. But Anju isn’t wearing a cushion!
(Clarice is like, “Hey! No!”)
Sarinaami, with only her upper body emerging from the surrounding water, swam over with teacups from the back. They were filled with warm tea.
Iwamoto and the others received them at the edge of the reception room and distributed them to everyone.
(A well-made Summon.)
Then, Sarinaami climbed onto the railing at the edge.
“How long has it been since we welcomed humans here? Welcome!”
“Hmm, whom did you welcome before?”
“It was the human dignitaries when the matter of constructing the Mermaid Island Prison came up~”
Hmm, when was the prison built?
“If that’s the case, it could be as far back as two hundred years ago.”
“Probably around that time.”
“Oh my, those individuals also used items that allowed them to breathe underwater.” “They used that vehicle.”
A large basket is displayed in the corner of the room.
It looks like a box that can carry people and move them.
The inside is open and visible. Yeah, it seems to seat about six people.
(There are ropes hanging from the ceiling inside, and it looks like you hold onto them to move.)
It would probably sway if you moved quickly underwater.
“Can you breathe inside there?”
“Yes, when closed, it prevents seawater from entering.”
“Even if you don’t use that, there’s also magic that can temporarily turn a human into a mermaid.”
Ah, Sarinaami almost cast that on me once.
At Zazam port, she told me to take off the lower half of my body and immerse myself in the water.
I misunderstood it as something strange at first, but thinking back now, it’s embarrassing.
(But given the content of the gratitude, it wasn’t entirely wrong…)
“Hey, hey, Sarinaami?”
“Yes, Anju-san?”
“Can I use the instant teleport here, too?”
Ah, I see.
I can come here without worrying about air.
I can just use my underwater gear or items on the reception room floor.
“Of course! Although if you’re unlucky, you might step on one of our kin who are cleaning!”
“What, you clean regularly?”
“Only occasionally~ Of course, by crawling~”
They must be hopping around.
“Hmm, in that case, we also need to have a discussion with the mermaids. Is Sarinaami our representative?”
“Yes, she’s the village chief. She’s the oldest, except for our kin who are currently petrified!”
“They don’t look that old, though.”
“Mermaids don’t age like humans. They look like this permanently~”
So, their appearance doesn’t age.
The legends of the Mermaid Race bringing eternal life probably stem not only from their longevity but also from their ageless appearance.
“So, you’re not immortal, are you?”
“No~ Eating us won’t make you immortal or extend your lifespan!”
“But humans eat us~” “Only with permission!” “Deles-kun was also eaten by Kaumi-san!” “Hey!”
I wonder if Anju’s old-man-like remark is Iwamoto’s fault.
“If you mean it that way, then with Deles-san, it wouldn’t matter if I ate him or he ate me~”
“Regarding that, we want to integrate Mermaid Island with the Great Tree.”
“Yes, Kaumi has roughly told us about it. This village might be absorbed as well.”
And so, the serious discussion began.
During that time, I was…
(Wow, Ragishino is so beautiful, even like this…)
Ah, she noticed my gaze and smiled at me!!
(Yeah, I can understand why men want to be Tamed by her!!)
