Chapter 381: Deity of Seas (1/2)

The singing prompted Arthur to go into the inner palace. The woman followed him, but it seemed the spirit with the fishtail didn't want to intrude on his meeting with Her Majesty.

On her glass throne sat the Deity of Seas, fabric-like structures protruding from her lower back to bloom like a flower and cover the hall. Other than the wooden doll, which was quite inhuman, this spirit was the closest Arthur met to the shape of a human.

The Deity had fish scales covering her neck to her chin, and each scale reflected a myriad of colors. There were fins instead of ears on each side of her face, but she looked otherwise human.

'She's beautiful,'

Arthur found himself mesmerized by her beauty, even if he didn't feel attracted to her. However, he could tell that there was something odd about the way she looked.

'Hypnotizing?' There was no change in spiritual energy, so Arthur didn't think she was doing it on purpose. Instead, it was simply the Deity's passive ability to charm everyone who gazed at her.

”Welcome,” her voice was sweet and crisp as she greeted him. ”I thank you for answering my invitation,” a smile overtook her lips.

Arthur was surprised by how polite and friendly she was, as that was relatively rare for people of high status. Since she showed respect, he could only requite the same.

”Greetings, Great Deity of Seas,” Arthur placed his hand on his chest in greetings. ”I ask for your forgiveness for coming to your palace so abruptly, but I'm on a quest that requires your assistance.”

”Straight to the topic, I see,” The Deity smiled sweetly. ”What is it that you seek, Golden One?”

”Do you know where the bookkeeper is?” Arthur didn't mind the nickname she called him. However, his question seems to confuse the deity.

”The storyteller?” she asked with disappointment as if she was expecting something else. ”He is in the snowy mountains north from here, recording the story of trolls and brave knights.”

Arthur had no idea what kind of story that was, but he wanted to hear it. However, his attention shifted to the disappointment that the Deity had on her face. As he was trying to phrase what he was thinking, the Deity beat him into it.

”Is that all you are here for?” she said, and he could hear the disappointment in her voice. ”Don't you want something else?”

”Uh,”

Arthur paused.

”Uh,”

Arthur had no idea what to reply. Her eyes held expectations of something more important to come, and he felt like a boyfriend whose girlfriend wanted him to propose.

”My friend here wants to contract you!” it might be low, but Arthur couldn't help it as he panicked and gestured to the woman next to him. ”She's going to be the greatest pirate!”

”What...” the woman, which was mute and dazed until now, was confused as Arthur suddenly threw her under the bus. ”I... I...”

However, the Deity only glanced at her and then back at Arthur. The expectations within her eyes and the silence in the hall made Arthur feel pressured to say something.

”Did I offend you in some way?” he couldn't help but ask. The silence stretched and resumed as the Deity's expression crumbled rapidly.

”No,” she said after a lengthy silence. ”I must have mistaken you for someone else. I apologize.”

Despite saying that that, her sweet and friendly attitude was nowhere to be seen now. Arthur believed she was lying, but he didn't know if he should seek the truth or how to do that.

”Great Deity,” the woman beside him stepped forward after finally gathered her courage. ”I'm here to seek a contract with your esteemed self.”

Arthur suddenly realized that this woman spoke the language the earlier spirit gave him. However, she used Alvan Language when she was with him. She piqued his interest.

”Is she truly your friend?” the Deity didn't answer the woman but spoke to him directly. Arthur turned toward her and met her icy gaze. ”You can contract one of my generals,” she said after seeing Arthur's silence.

”Th-th-thank you, great one!” the woman bowed. Then, seeing the Deity of Seas wave her hand dismissively, the woman left the hall hurriedly. Suddenly, the hall's temperature dropped by several degrees once Arthur was the only one left with the Deity.