Chapter 75 - Underwater 5 (2/2)

‘I should have known it would turn out like this.’

Since she was the 37th princess, he had thought there was no way she would have a path to the throne.Artpe was foolish for having such thoughts.Who cares if she was low on the totem pole in succeeding the throne?If everyone was dead, her turn would come!Somehow, Artpe knew what she was going to say next.

[That is why······ Master.]

As if to drive home his worry, Sherryl’s eyebrows shook, and she lowered her head.

[When we recovered the kingdom, I became the representative of our kingdom.The kingdom will belong to master.This is something I should tell you after I ascend to the throne.However, I thought it would be better if you knew this beforehand…..]

Artpe was a human that had saved her life.At the same time, he had easily returned the kingdom to her care.It was something the merfolk had considered to be an impossible task.Of course, this was the natural progression of the events.

If he thought about it, it was truly ironic.Medelrud had been chased out of Diaz, and he pulled off all kinds of shenanigans with the Demon to gain possession of the mermaid kingdom.Artpe gained what they had wanted by defeating them!

[You just regained your kingdom, yet you are giving it all to me.Are you sure you are fine with this?]

Artpe let out a sigh as he asked the question.However, Sherryl answeredback with an unwavering voice.

[We are determined to see this through.Master, you killed the evil men, who tried to dominate our kingdom through force and fear.You also released us from the curse.The merfolk must repay our debt.Even if you weren’t my master, you would have become the ruler of our kingdom in the end.]

Her words were flowing out naturally like water, but it wasn’t as if Sherryl looked completely thrilled about it. How could she enjoy handing over her kingdom to a human?Still, it was much better than being ruled by Medelrud.This fact gave her comfort.

Artpe was flabbergasted, so he asked her a question.

[Who the hell taught you to repay a debt no matter what?]

[It is an instinct for the merfolk.We had to find a way to survive in this harsh ocean, and it is an ancestral wisdom that was ingrained within our body.]

[Let us say you trust this wisdom, and you follow me until the end.What if I suddenly lose my mind someday?What if I ruin the kingdom like Medelrud?]

At that moment, the light in Sherryl’s eyes shook.However, she immediately fixed her expression before answering him.

[Master won’t do such a thing.]

[You became a little bit worried by my words.]

[······that is true.]

[How the hell is that wisdom?You are just being idiotically stubborn!]

[But······.]

When Sherryl looked at him with a worried expression, Artpe let out a laugh once again. Before Medelrud invaded the kingdom, the merfolk had never had any meaningful interactions with the humans.This was why Sherryl was still unable to judge the humans.This was why this single phrase from Artpe worried her.

He thought her innocence was very cute.He didn’t show any outward signs of what he was thinking, yet Maetel was like a wraith as she moved in to pinch his cheek.He was terrified of Maetel, so he quickly erased such thoughts.He gave Sherryl instructions.

[Do you remember the reason why I entered the Road of Mermaids?]

[I do.Master wanted to use it to go to Aedia.]

[That’s right.From the beginning, I only wanted one thing from you.I don’t need you, and I don’t want your kingdom.I’m fine with you just guiding me to Aedia.You don’t even have to follow me.It is sufficient to send a subordinate in your stead to guide us.]

[What······?]

The light within Sherryl’s eyes shook.He wondered if she wanted him to explain it again, because she hadn’t understood what he meant by his words.It seemed that wasn’t the case.

[Master….Are you rejecting me?]

After a brief silence, Sherryl spoke. For some reason, her cheeks were puffed out.Artpe didn’t know the reason behind her reaction, so he was baffled by it.He replied to her.

[No.It isn’t as if I don’t like you.However, I don’t want to unnecessarily make trouble for you when you have to rule over Anaid from now on.]

[I’ve already solemnly promised everything that I am to you, master.So why are you trying to put a stain on my promise?]

[I’m not going to coerce you into doing anything you don’t want to do.That is what I’m trying to say right now!]

[You don’t have to take my feeling into account.I want to repay my debt as an honorable mermaid.I want to repay the favor to a worthy master!]

Mmmm.This was giving him a headache.He took back his previous thought that said merfolk possessed intelligence on par with the humans.These guys were idiots!

[Nyaa.]

“Huh?”

‘It isn’t as if I don’t like you, and I’m not saying you are annoying either.I’m not trying to insult you now.I just want to suggest the best path forward for you and your kingdom.I still have a whole life in front of me, and I can’t be tied down by this kingdom.’

He was about to say this to Sherryl. However, Roa, who had been sleeping soundly after her feast, opened her eyes wide.

“You were sleeping well up until now, so what’s up?”

[Nyaa, nyaa-nyaa-ah.Nyaa-ha-nyaa!]

After she squeezed out of Artpe’s arms, Roa’s butt started to wiggle by itself.This was obvious, but she only displayed such reaction when she detected a curse or an evil energy.She had already eaten all the evil energy within the kingdom, yet she was showing such a reaction.This was why it was impossible for him to comprehend what was going on.

[Nyaa nyaa nyaa nyaa nyaa?Nyaa nyaa-ah, nyaa-oooooh-nyaa.!]

Roa was willing and kind enough to explain it to her owner.Her butt and tail was wiggled back and forth as she did so.It was as if she was couldn’t wait to dash out.

“An energy that hadn’t been here before has suddenly shown up?You think it is as delicious as the curse within the Kraken?”

[Nyaaa!]

[Koo-goo-ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh!]

[R...run away······!]

[Ggoo-ahhhhhhhk!]

When Roa gave a fierce nod in confirmation, a horrifying roar rang out at the same time as the scream of the merfolk.Sherryl’s face turned pale when she heard the sound.She yelled out in alarm.

[M...my god….. Our brief absence caused the ancient temple to show up!]

Artpe had a rough idea what her answer would be, but he couldn’t help himself from asking the question.

[What is the ancient temple?]

[It is where the horrific beasts of the ocean was sealed.The Anaid kingdom exists to protect the seal!We diligently rotated guards to protect the seal.However, we weren’t able to protect it for over a week, because we were invaded by the humans.In the end, the seal is….!]

[Yes.I see.]

He let out a benevolent smile at Sherryl’s reply, and he nodded his head.However, he was cussing up a storm inside.

Of course, his Quest wouldn’t end so easily!He should have anticipated this when he was able to easily take care of the Demon and the humans!

The hero’s tough destiny had brought out something they shouldn’t have encountered!Their destiny had called out even the ancient monsters!