Case 225: Fatally stabbed in the heart.

Case 225: Fatally stabbed in the heart.

''...''

''...''

Holy shit.

What the hell are those pay-to-win effects??

Of course, I'm talking about the Mermaid Queen's illusive appearance. Currently, we're following her to the guest room for some talk, and for that, I am having a chance to really look at her from behind. I mean, back when we met her at the Empire, she didn't seem this glamorous...

Her half-revealing, half-conservative outfit seems to have been made by taking out a piece of that certain dazzling ocean in everyone's dream—with waves and glitters flowing across the surface of the material. Most of all, there is this smooth current that flows throughout the dress, further enhancing the eye candy that is her hourglass figure.

As for her hair, it has pretty much the same effect, albeit a bit more subtle. Combined with numerous rainbow bubbles and more cosmetic decorations around her body, she really does look like a mythical mermaid—without the tail.

I'm not quite sure where the tail is, either.

In any case, it's quite an embarrassing situation. Imagine your company's important partner being caught trying to disguise as one of your employees—with her whole family, no less. I might have played around too much this time.

But now, I can talk to the crux of the problem, so it's fine, I suppose.

Eventually, we reach a rather grand room at the end of the hallway. After settling down, the Mermaid Queen herself brings us tea, and before I can ask her about the lockdown—

''My... I don't think I've seen these cuties before. Whose children are they? Your parents, perhaps~?''

Faced with Mermaid Queen's intense gaze, Elysia and Stella instinctively hang to Emy and my side, attempting to hide but only enhancing their cuteness.

''Of course, these angels are my children!'' I proudly exclaim.

''???''

Immediately, a flood of question marks appears on her face. She turns to my daughters, and then me, and then Emy.

''But... How??''

''Heh. Magic, of course.''

A bit flabbergasted, Mermaid Queen shakes her head a few times before regaining her composure.

"So, what are you doing here, may I ask?" She utters as she stares directly into my eyes. ''Rather... How did you get here in the first place...?''

Fortunately, she is still that same bubbly and easy-going woman I remember. If this were anyone else, they would've pressed us for the trespassing since a while ago.

''I was guided here by a fish when swimming in the ocean.'' I reply seriously.

''...My. Do you expect me to believe that~?''... If you insist.'' Mermaid Queen lets out a sigh. ''How about my first question, dear?''

Oh, my phone's ringing. It's Anna... Is there something urgent?

With my mind a bit chaotic, I hurriedly pick up the call.

''Hello?''

[Sylvia, where are you?!]

''In the castle, why?''

[Who are you with??]

''...Emy, my daughters, and the Mermaid Queen. I've been able to meet her—''

[Get out right now!]

''What?''

[It's dangerous—]

THUD—!

''Oh.''

All of a sudden, my vision is shaken violently as everything goes static. When I finally calm my eyes down, I notice something poking out of my left breast.

It's... A blade.

A ripping purple blade coated in a strange layer of mana has pierced my chest, rendering my whole body stunned. Rapidly, the surroundings begin to fade away as my consciousness slips, and the last thing I remember is the silhouette of Emy and my daughters trying to save me, coupled with the Mermaid Queen's insidious smirk.

Ah, I swear... I wanna eat fish after this.

chirp—! chirp—!

''Ugh...!''

Slowly lifting my heavy eyelids, I am once again greeted with the blinding sunlight. Behind where I'm lying down is a flourishing forest, and in front of me is a vast plain. What a beautiful scene... Wait.

'Once again'?

What was I... Right. I just started my trip to Atlas, where the sun can't reach, and... And I had two children with Emy!

''Yes...!''

Oh, and I also got stabbed. My heart probably got decimated by that blade. Where am I, though? Heaven?

No, I don't think Heaven would take someone like me. I think hell would fit me more. I can be a succubus, for example. Yeah, and then I can go around and sleep with beautiful girls...

''...''

Okay, let's face reality.

Where the fuck am I??