Chapter 80
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 80
Chapter Title: Have You Heard of It? The Tourist City! (2)
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Suddenly, Zibronta couldn't tell if she'd plunged into the ocean depths or if this was all just a dream.
A cascade of white light pouring from the sky above shattered brilliantly against the coral below, illuminating a vibrant world of colorful corals and schools of fish flaunting their vivid hues as they swam carefree. Even as a few humans intruded, the sea life didn't scatter in fear or spare them a glance—they simply glided past with regal indifference. For someone beholding an underwater scene for the first time, it was utterly overwhelming.
'Ah...!'
As she followed the guide's instructions and twisted her body this way and that, tiny bubbles bubbled up around her. Then, gentle currents enveloped her like a soothing massage, and Zibronta's own body began to relax in kind.
Before long, she grew accustomed to swimming underwater.
She darted about like a mermaid from a children's fairy tale, chasing after fish tails for the thrill of it, when she sensed something enormous and graceful approaching from afar.
'It's coming this way...!'
Just like when she'd first entered the water, terror threatened to freeze her in place.
But the guide, clearly prepared for this, calmly held up a picture framed in glass to keep it dry even underwater, flashing a reassuring smile.
That smile, brimming with "it's all good," gradually eased Zibronta's anxiety.
- A massive turtle will come swim with us.
She didn't need words to grasp what the picture depicted.
A human beaming happily as they swam alongside a turtle leisurely paddling its flippers!
'Right... this is the program where you get to swim with turtles, isn't it?'
In her awe at the stunning coral reef, she'd momentarily forgotten the real highlight of this experience.
At that moment,
"...Ah!"
Gulp...
No sooner had the guide lowered the picture than the turtle loomed right in front of Zibronta.
Caught up in the surreal sight, she forgot all precautions and opened her mouth wide, swallowing a mouthful of seawater.
Without the guide's quick help, she would've gulped down far more and likely surfaced immediately, forfeiting her swim with the turtle entirely.
"How are the turtles doing?"
"They're adapting faster than I expected."
"Really? They haven't attacked anyone?"
"Attack? Some are even carrying tourists on their shells to score extra treats."
"Huh?"
"They're doing feeding experiences too. They love shellfish so much—they start acting cute if you give them the meat stripped out. Once I demo it, customers buy up the feeding packages like crazy. It's raking in decent cash."
The Farmer Turtles had adapted to their new jobs even quicker than Dominic had anticipated.
When he'd held a meeting with them via Heinrich's help, Dominic's instincts had screamed "profit potential."
And this was the payoff!
'Just sightseeing the beach from afar is only half the fun—it's like not using the place at all.'
Farmer Turtles had few predators in shallow waters, so if they made their home here, most aquatic monsters wouldn't dare come near.
What did that mean?
'Time to launch water sports!'
Ka-ching—money rolling in!
"I wonder if the turtles are holding up their end of the bargain like we agreed. Can't exactly draw up contracts with them."
"If they've made a promise, keeping it is a given. A promise is complete in itself—why complicate it with contracts? Though I respect human customs, of course."
Heinrich had slipped in unnoticed.
The dragon still learning human society sometimes nailed the core truth.
Dwarves had said something similar once, making Dominic wonder if humans were the odd ones out.
But right now, the key was whether the new tourism venture was thriving.
"Karim, how are the tourists reacting?"
"They're going wild! Reservations started slow, but word-of-mouth from return visitors has bookings piling up—some for days in advance."
"Excellent, just excellent."
"That's not all. Bundling turtle habitat viewing with Turtle Island hot springs as a day tour is huge with families, especially those with kids—practically a must-do."
"Hm."
"And when we mention the environmental fund at the end, tons donate voluntarily. The amounts are staggering."
"Keep a good list of donors. When the turtle eggs hatch, we'll invite big contributors to a 'sponsors' night.' Yachts for sunset views and onboard parties. Leak that tidbit casually."
"...The fund might outpace tourism revenue at this rate."
"Doesn't matter—whatever works. We'll cover all sea cleanup and turtle costs from it."
"You're using the fund for that?"
"It's for turtles and ocean maintenance—what's the issue?"
"...Fair enough..."
Since this world had no concept of such donations, no finger-wagging to worry about.
A satisfied smile spread across Dominic's face.
And he wasn't the only one pleased.
At the turtle habitat on one of the hot springs island's beaches.
- More humans are coming!
- Lots of little ones!
The human who claimed to be this land's master had promised the turtle leader plenty of food and a safe home.
The price? Laughably small.
Just have a few turtles swim near humans twice a day and approach when beckoned by passersby.
[That's really all?]
[Of course. Oh, and no attacking humans.]
[We wouldn't even need telling. We're smart. We don't attack allies.]
Thanks to the forest fairy who could speak with them, they'd scored this sweet deal. Talk about good luck.
"Whoa, a turtle! A real live turtle!"
Flop!
"Kyahahahaha! Look, nanny! The turtle flipped over! Kyahaha!"
"Hee-hee, so it has, young master. Even this old nanny's never seen the like!"
The turtle leader swelled with pride at the child's hysterics.
Human minds were hard to fathom, truly.
Why did showing their bellies make them so happy?
He didn't get it, but on days when humans left giggling with thanks—and heaps of big, fatty fish and shellfish as "gifts"—the leader kept flipping obligingly today too.
As the leader worked diligently, the young turtles were locked in a fierce contest nearby.
- It's my turn today!
- No way! I wanna go!
The youths growled over who would swim with humans that afternoon.
- I want more shellfish!
- Me too!
- You ate yesterday!
- I want some today!
Lately, humans entering the water toted two or three bags stuffed with shellfish meat.
The turtles had salivated at first, then realized it was all for them—and ever since, they vied daily to go.
"Who's on afternoon duty today?"
The talking forest fairy arrived.
The turtles scrambled toward her without hesitation.
"So peaceful."
Dominic lounged half-reclined at a teahouse in the central square, gazing out at the plaza.
With academy students and tourists multiplying several-fold, Evergreen's central square buzzed with barely any standing room.
"Yeah. Now this is a tourist town."
Dominic savored a rare leisurely day, admiring the scene he'd built alone.
No work worries, no money stress—this idleness was bliss!
His body trembled with joy.
Tourists flush with cash and merchants eager to extract it had sparked such fervor in the south that the saying went, "In Evergreen, even foals carry gold coins in their mouths."
Unbeknownst to Dominic, Evergreen's fame as a prosperous city was spreading.
Among the original settlers who'd built it with him from the start, none lacked for wealth now.
As pioneers, they'd claimed farmland and land early, and with labor short, they'd rolled up sleeves for every venture.
[Even with friends, keep business and personal separate. We've prospered thanks to you—paying up is only right.]
Dominic never forgot their contributions and rewarded them handsomely.
Watching his methods up close, the originals benchmarked him to launch their own businesses.
From Chinese restaurants to Kallon starting food delivery, horse-drawn carriage rentals, tour guides, small inns, or all-night bars.
Study teahouses for academy kids, book rental shops, shuttle services between academy and market, even temp staffing agencies beyond school gigs!
Dominic marveled at the business boom everywhere.
When Karim brought startup docs, he'd sign off happily—leaving Karim stunned, needless to say.
[Our mayor ain't the type to steal ideas from citizens!]
To Karim, who'd seen countless scoundrels, Dominic was a paragon of integrity.
High job satisfaction? Music to his ears.
Sensing Dominic's mood, Karim hustled through his day.
"Phew. All done? I'll drop this at the mayor's and head out, so wrap up and go, you lot."
"Sounds good! Hey, wanna hit the new grilled fish spot tonight?"
"The one near the resort?"
"Yep. Southern-style fish grill—they say the charcoal-grilled ones are to die for."
"Sweet. Tomorrow's off, so let's drink till our noses run!"
The admins, once pulling all-nighters, now got weekly rest thanks to work-study academy students handling admin and accounting.
Next year's freshmen might mean evenings off even on weekdays.
The admins grinned at the improving times.
Ting-a-ling.
"Um... is this the temporary town hall?"
Then the office door opened.
Three figures in modest robes hovered awkwardly.
"How can I help?"
Clocking out on time looked unlikely. Karim flashed a grin at his colleagues—go eat without me—and signaled them ahead.