Chapter 392: Before Going Home

The mermaids somehow sensed our situation and watched over us quietly. Finally, Dee and the others noticed these mermaids.

“Mumu!? These individuals, they are not Lord Ladavista and his people, are they!?”

“Ah, you’re right!?”

“Wh-Who are they……!”

Full of a sense of “a bit too late for that,” Dee, Arb, and Law vigilantly looked around. Seeing their reaction, the mermaids hurriedly distanced themselves.

“Ooh, mermaids!?”

“They actually exist, huh. What a surprise……”

Ortho and his group also raised voices of surprise in a similar manner. Well, they didn’t seem to be on guard as much, though.

“Everyone, calm down~”

While rubbing the back of the softly sobbing Khamsin, I called out to everyone. Then, Dee noticed the boat I was on.

“……Hm? Could it be that these individuals are Lord Van’s……?”

“Yeah, yeah.”

“Your new subordinates.”

“Wrong!”

Dee played the fool. Because he played the fool so naturally, my retort ended up being incredibly ordinary. No, could he have been entirely serious?

After denying Dee’s words, I had them dock the boat at the rocky coast. Then, after gathering everyone on the shore, I decided to formally introduce Rilda and the others.

“Err, everyone. They are Ms. Rilda and the others, members of the mermaid race living in this sea! They carried us, who had fallen into the sea, to a safe sandy beach! Truly, our lifesavers!”

I gestured with my palm toward Rilda and the others, who had only their faces poking out of the water, and gave that explanation. At that, Dee and Arb leaned back in exaggerated astonishment and raised their voices.

“Wh-What!”

Glancing sideways at Dee and Arb raising voices of surprise, Law calmly observed the mermaids.

“……To think I would be able to see mermaids, said to be legendary existences.”

When Law muttered that, Ortho and the others looked at each other.

“Hey. Since the Apkallus can find Orichalcum, don’t you think the mermaids might also have some amazing ores?”

“Oh, that certainly piques my interest.”

“Don’t say such stupid things.”

Pluriel complained with half-lidded eyes at Ortho and Kusala’s idle chatter. At her strict words, the two replied with a simple “Yeah” and fell silent.

Perhaps thanks to seeing such a comical sight, the mermaids lowered their guard a little and came closer.

“……I am Largus Dacia, chief of the Granta tribe.”

The male mermaid, who looked to be in his thirties, introduced himself. Ah, unlike the Apkallus, their first and last names have nothing to do with their race name. I see.

Nodding in understanding to myself, I looked towards Rilda. In the end, I still didn’t know whether her first name was Rilda or Uanna, but for the time being, it seemed Rilda was not the chief’s daughter. Probably.

Just as I thought that, Largus extended his palm toward Rilda and continued the introduction.

“She is the princess of the Uanna Kingdom, Rilda Uanna. She is one of the noblest existences in this sea.”

“Eh?”

At Largus’s explanation, an idiotic sound involuntarily escaped me. What did he just say?

“Eh? You’re a princess?”

“……A real mermaid princess?”

Till and Arte widened their eyes and looked at Rilda. At that, Panamera also crossed her arms and groaned.

“It’s like a story straight out of a myth. To think the one who saved us was a mermaid princess…… In this case, I am curious about what the future holds for the Boy, being the only male here.”

Muttering that, Panamera directed a meaningful gaze at me. I completely ignored it and turned my face to Dee and the others.

“……A-Anyway, we have to return the favor for them saving our lives, so we have to cooperate in repelling a large magic beast living in the sea. Because of that, we might not be able to return home right away.”

I briefly explained the situation. At that, Dee pounded his chest with his fist and gave a large nod.

“Ooh! Leave it to us! No matter what kind of magic beast it is, we will definitely subjugate it!”

When Dee gave a powerful reply, Arb and the others also raised their swords and cheered. And then, Khamsin, who had finally calmed down, agreed in a low voice.

“Please leave it to us. If the mermaids who saved Lord Van’s life are in trouble, I will use all my strength to kill the magic beast.”

“O-Ooh…… Khamsin has become a bit yandere-like……”

Slightly taken aback by Khamsin, who was overflowing with uncharacteristic bloodlust, I checked the state of the coast. The sea side had many rocks, making it look difficult for ships to go in and out, but installing a pier should solve that. On the land side, trees grew right up close, so I wanted a slightly more open space.

“……Alright. Then, once Dee and the others have recovered their stamina, let’s cut down those trees and create an open space. We can make Wood Blocks too, after all.”

When I announced that, Dee carried his greatsword over his shoulder and lifted the corners of his mouth.

“In that case, let’s start logging right now! We’ve already rested enough, so there is no problem! Right, you guys!?”

When Dee said such an unbelievable thing with a smile, Arb and the others, who had just stepped off the ship, had their faces twitch. However, Khamsin hoisted his sword over his shoulder as if mimicking Dee, and nodded powerfully.

“Yes!”

It seems Khamsin, who had awakened to the surge of murderous intent, had gained stamina equal to Dee’s. Watching the backs of those two heading toward the forest, Arb and the others followed behind with haggard faces.

It looked like a march of zombies.