CH 76

Maki and Chiharu frantically searched from the window. Maki had always had good eyes. As for Chiharu, she used to wear contact lenses, but her eyesight had improved upon coming to this world.

“So, what I thought were white waves, was really the sunlight reflecting off of their scales…”

“How many are there… There are more than we saw on the merfolk island.”

Maki muttered as she turned around and said to no one in particular,

“Is the merfolk kingdom close to Lowland?”

Maybe there were a lot of merfolk near Lowland, just like there were a lot near the island. So, was the merfolk kingdom in-between Lowland and the island? They would have to go there eventually, but they had never learned about its location.

However, everyone traded glances but kept silent. It was no wonder. Because they didn’t know.

“Do you know anything, Aeris and Grudo?”

Edwy finally asked.

“I have heard about it being an island that was near the border of Midland and Lowland.”

“But I heard it was closer to the elf territories.”

Grudo and Aeris replied.

“In other words?”

Maki said.

“No one knows.”

“Then how were we ever supposed to visit it!”

Maki couldn’t help but shout.

“You had plans to go?”

“Amia invited us. We were supposed to go once things settled down.”

“Maki-chan.”

Chiharu interrupted her.

“Maybe finding it is the quest!”

“That’s way too hard! We’ve only been in this world for two months! Even the 300-year-old elf and dwarf don’t know!”

Maki put her hands on her head and tousled her hair.

“Also, Chiharu. This involves you just as much as it does me.”

“Right, sorry!”

Chiharu said. Maki sighed and then asked again.

“Argh. But why would there be so many here if they didn’t live nearby? Is there a merfolk store here too?”

“No.”

Nyran shook his head.

“Merfolk can be seen here occasionally, as the beach is very beautiful. But I’ve never seen this many gather here before. That’s probably why the birdfolk came to watch.”

And then Nyran turned to Aeris and said,

“Aeris. After we land at the airport, I would like to stop by the beach before we head to the castle.”

“I don’t mind. But it would be best to take Maki and Chiharu straight to the castle.”

“We will lose a lot of time if the merfolk catch the Saintesses. So that is a good idea.”

“Very well. We will split into two groups.”

And so Kaider and Nyran would stop by the beach before going to the castle.

The airship flew slowly around the beach and then headed for the port. Then it landed.

They got out one by one. And though airships were in no way unusual, a crowd had gathered around.

“What? Did information about the Saintesses leak? Ah.”

As Kaider looked around them, he suddenly noticed something.

“What is it, Kaider?”

“Maki. And especially Chiharu. Don’t come out yet!”

“What? But we already did.”

“Tsk.”

When the crowd began to open before them, a merman draped in thin cloth walked out towards them.

“Beloved children.”

“Ah, it’s that young guy we met on the island!”

Chiharu shouted in surprise.

“So you remembered me.”

“Of course we did. It was only two days ago.”

Chiharu chuckled. That meant that this young merman swam all of the way here in just two days. But it was not too strange, as they were just as fast as the birdfolk, if not faster. However…

“What happened?”

“I would like to talk by the sea, if that’s possible.”

Chiharu looked at Maki. Then they said,

“Okay.”

And they nodded and started to walk towards the sea.

“Maki. Chiharu! Don’t go!”

Kaider shouted.

“It will probably take longer if we don’t go.”

“Why don’t you come too if you’re so worried?”

After all, they had decided not to go off on their own anymore.

“Tsk. We have no choice. Nyran and I will go then.”

“No, we will all go.”

Edwy said.

“There is no point in going to the castle without Nyran.”

“Th-that’s true. Then we’ll all go. Uh, hey! Maki and Chiharu!”

Maki and Chiharu were walking ahead with the merman.

“Even if they aren’t getting abducted, they are too spontaneous. We have to catch up with them! Let’s go.”

Why wouldn’t the Saintesses act like normal ladies? Kaider knew he was being unreasonable, but he still felt annoyed as he chased after them.

“It’s the white philosopher.”

“The royals.”

“Then who are those girls?”

“The Saintesses.”

“The Saintesses!”

The voices rang around them as they followed the merman to the beach.

Many merfolk were standing near the rushing waves. A short distance away, Lowland soldiers were watching them with an air of nervousness. A few of them had gone out to talk to the merfolk, but it seemed like they were being ignored.

“That is my father.”

Nyran muttered.

“His Majesty himself?”

Kaider was surprised. This was highly unusual. The king himself had come out to talk to them.

“So, here is another person who is too spontaneous.”

“Kaider. My father is much the same. He came all the way to the train station, remember?”

“Unlike Midland, my home and Nyran’s have a lot of people to act as helpers. There is no need for the king to go wandering around. His guards must have a headache.”

“It’s the same with the Saintesses. It really cannot be helped.”

While the guards watched, the merman led the Saintesses over to where the Lowland king was standing.

“We have come to meet the Saintesses. We have no business with Lowland. You can return to your castle.”

He said as he pointed in the direction of the castle. The people around them were more annoyed than the king was.

“How dare you treat the king of this country like that!”

One of the guards said as he stepped forward. But the king stopped him with a hand. Then he looked at Maki and Chiharu, and then glanced toward Kaider and Nyran.

“So, you have nothing to say to Lowland. Very well. We will wait here until you are finished with the Saintesses.”

The merman looked like he was going to say that that won’t be necessary. But the king continued before he could.

“After all, the Saintesses were originally invited to our castle.”

So it was you who ruined our plans, the words seemed to say. The merman fell silent and then took Maki and Chiharu towards the waves. Maki and Chiharu bowed to the king and then followed after the merman.

And then, all at once, the merfolk surrounded them. It was hard to believe that they had looked so indifferent a moment ago.

The king sighed and said,

“Nyran. Kaider. It’s been a month since I last saw you two. I feel bad for keeping you so busy.”

Kaider kept his eyes on Maki and Chiharu as he said,

“I know how it can be when a dungeon is involved. Please don’t worry about it.”

Nyran nodded.

“Father, will you please tell us what is happening here?”

He asked.

“There is not much to explain. A few hours ago, I heard that a crowd of merfolk had gathered to our beach. I was told that they had business with Lowland, but when I came, they say they do not. But they wouldn’t tell me why they were here either. And so we’ve been in a stalemate.”

The king said with a sigh.

“I had no idea that they were waiting for the Saintesses. Maybe I should be relieved. I’m too surprised to know what to say. In any case, so they are this generation’s Saintesses. They seem quite normal to me.”

He said rudely. It was then that Aeris caught up with them and said in an exasperated voice.

“Dark eyes and hair. Short and quiet. The Saintesses were always like that. No more and no less. What were you expecting, Kilian?”

“That’s true. But since they apparently stole my son’s heart, I expected a little more glamour.”

“They didn’t steal anything.”

Nyran was annoyed that such rumors had spread.

“And I wouldn’t choose a woman just because she was glamorous.”

“Oh, so you like Saintesses to be plain.”

“I didn’t say that.”

Nyran couldn’t help but answer to the king’s teasing. Still, he kept his eyes on Maki and Chiharu the whole time.

“Still, what are they talking about?”

“Hopefully, it’s an invitation to the merfolk kingdom.”