Arisugawa avoided death by making a new contract.
Losing one’s soul is something that cannot be helped.
“Hey, can you wait for the payment? At least until I achieve my goal.”
“Hold on a moment, I have a question. Where are you trying to go that badly? To the ends of hell?”
I explained that I had been traveling to stop the evil deeds of the Dark Elf and that I needed to cross to another continent. At first, he gave a half-hearted smile, but as I told him about another world not shown on any map, his expression gradually changed.
“Hmph, you seem to have looked into quite a few things. I thought you were a bunch of idiots, but it doesn’t seem entirely unlikely.”
“Say whatever you want, so, will you help me?”
Diepser touched his chin and curled his lips.
“Let me see, I can wait for the payment. But come back to see me again, it’s a promise.”
It seemed I had managed to pique his interest, and I was saved for the time being. As I was about to sigh in relief, the waves in front of me began to churn and change shape again.
“Hey, wait a minute. I told you we can’t swim.”
“See you then, it’s a promise. Don’t forget, you can’t escape from this contract.”
The next moment, the water, as if possessing a will of its own, attacked us. Trying to prevent our escape, we were entangled and quickly dragged into the black sea. Without even having time to breathe, we were tossed about underwater like leaves blown by the wind. The moonlight disappeared, and no one’s figure could be seen. Only his words echoed in my head.
Then, finally, I couldn’t even see the bubbles I was exhaling.
…
The sound of gentle waves could be heard in the distance. I felt warmth on my back. I slowly opened my eyes, which ached. As light shone in, I reflexively tried to rub them, only to notice my hands were covered in sand. My mouth felt unpleasant with sand and saltwater. As I stood up, I spat out the sand with a bit of saliva.
The surroundings were a calm beach. Plants that looked like palm trees grew there, and the temperature was high. However, it wasn’t the damp feeling of the deep forest, but a pleasant heat. The sea breeze was strong and refreshing. The sun shone brilliantly in the sky. Judging by its height, it was likely around noon. Could it be? Had we been warped to another continent?
It had been midnight where I was before. As I brushed the sand off my body, I recalled what had happened. I had met a young man called the Deep Sea Witch and made a contract. I had been close to losing my life, but perhaps he had some conscience, as he said he would help me. But knowing him, he might not have actually kept his promise. Come to think of it, what about everyone else?
The thought of not being able to confirm anyone’s figure when swallowed by the sea flashed through my mind. Could it be that we were scattered? That was a definite possibility. I immediately looked around and found only my luggage left behind, stranded at the water’s edge. Even the contents were thoroughly soaked. I just wanted to meet someone and talk.
“Um, are you alright?”
Suddenly, a cute girl’s voice could be heard from behind me. When I turned around, there sat a mermaid girl with golden scales, looking up at me. Her golden hair was dazzling, and her fins looked as if they were coated in gold powder. She was truly a golden mermaid. She simply stared at me, surprised as I was.
