Chapter 138
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 138
Chapter Title: Voyage to the Forbidden Zone
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The coastal shore rang with the harsh cries of seagulls, the air thick with the briny scent of the sea.
The harbor bustled with countless ships coming and going, a hive of activity, but the mood between Melissa and me hung heavy and subdued.
Melissa's eyes were rimmed red, as if she might burst into tears at any moment.
"Hey, you three-headed octopus. Snap out of it and let's go."
I gave her shoulder a light tap and started walking. She nodded quietly and followed.
I hadn't originally planned to bring Melissa along.
For one thing, it was too dangerous. For another, leaving the Cascadia estate empty with both of us gone meant too many unfinished tasks.
But this time, Melissa had been stubbornly insistent, so I didn't stop her.
"Wow, that's impressive."
Melissa let out a gasp of admiration at the massive griffon soaring into the sky.
A Hyper Griffin.
Griffons were already large four-legged birds by normal standards, but a Hyper Griffin was over five times the size, with speed nearly three times greater—an elite variant.
Beasts of that scale often carried enormous structures on their backs, functioning like living hot air balloons for transport.
Of course, they were incredibly rare and expensive to procure, but we had someone with us who could cut through all those complications in an instant.
The Saintess Nadia Ten Lilibel.
Or rather, her disguised identity: High Priestess Navel.
She wouldn't be joining the actual search herself, but we'd needed her to bless us with a divine relic.
"There's a Mermaid Guild here that I used to do business with. They handle jobs like searching for shipwreck survivors, maritime rescues, anything sea- or ship-related—for a price."
"You actually managed to connect with them."
"This city has good ties with the mermaids."
Melissa led us down to the seaside streets with familiar ease.
A thin veil infused with special power now cloaked the three of us.
"You don't have to come with us."
"I'll wait on the ship. Don't worry about me."
A Saintess must have an insanely busy schedule, yet she seemed oddly relieved.
'Her position probably keeps her swamped day in and day out, so even this brief break feels like a treat. Look at that expression—definitely.'
Melissa came up with her own guess about the Saintess's demeanor.
Mermaid guild buildings were typically constructed over the water, like floating sea shacks.
"Oh my, customers. What can we... Aigoo, if it isn't our big benefactor!"
The moment Melissa opened the door, a mermaid poked her upper body out from the seawater pooled at the counter and flashed a bright smile in greeting.
She was a beautiful woman in her twenties with flowing blue hair.
People often imagine mermaids with humanoid torsos that still look distinctly otherworldly, but surprisingly, their upper bodies were almost indistinguishable from humans.
If anything, the only difference was the faint gill-like scars on their ears and necks.
Aesthetically, it was easy to see why mermaids had suffered from siren legends that portrayed them as alluring temptresses.
The interior connected directly to the sea, so mermaids lounged half-submerged or slipped in and out of the water constantly.
"It's been a while."
"Sure has. How've you been?"
"Thanks to you, doing well. Any news since last time?"
"Sorry. We've tried everything, found other bodies, but not the one you described."
"......"
"I hate to say it, but... honestly, it weighs on our consciences too. Bodies that go undiscovered this long? The odds of finding them are basically zero."
"Even a personal item...?"
"If a big predator swallows it whole, there's nothing we can do."
The guild leader's face soured with regret.
"Sorry to bring only bad news."
The mermaid laid out their long-term search efforts candidly.
"Human bodies don't last long underwater after death."
"I know. That's why this is my last shot."
"Hmm... Alright. We'll handpick our elites for this..."
"No. This job's a bit different."
The guild leader's expression shifted subtly at Melissa's request.
It turned to outright shock when the Forbidden Zone came up.
After the details followed, it settled into wary suspicion.
"Phew... The Forbidden Zone's off-limits even for us... Not sure if we should..."
Melissa pulled a pouch from her bosom and handed it over as the mermaid pondered.
"Advance payment. This is the final job."
"...Understood. Against regulations, but with a high priestess from the Holy Kingdom here, we'll prep a ship and crew. Give us 30 minutes."
The guild leader sighed wearily and dove under the counter into the sea.
She spoke with the familiarity of repeated negotiations, but Melissa looked tense.
The guild leader returned about 10 minutes ahead of schedule.
"Sorry for the wait, ma'am. Another job got canceled, so we rounded up crew faster. Your ship's ready—board whenever."
We headed silently to the back of the building, where a small vessel awaited indoors.
It wasn't adorned with flashy decorations or premium materials.
This boat was only going as far as the Forbidden Zone's edge, not inside.
Still, blessed with mermaid magic, its design ensured stability despite the modest size.
"We'll handle sailing, so no need to touch anything."
A young green-haired mermaid girl grinned as she explained the details.
While we finished boarding prep, I quietly took in the surroundings.
I'd heard of Mermaid Guilds, but this was my first time visiting one.
I'd fought mermaids before, but that was different.
That's when it happened.
I felt a gentle tug on my sleeve. Turning, I saw a little green-haired mermaid peeking from the sea passage, beaming cutely with sparkling eyes.
"Big bro, you're super handsome. Once we're done, wanna go on a date and explore the seabed...?"
Thwack!!!
Luna shot out like lightning, grabbed the mermaid's ear as she climbed onto the deck toward me, and yanked hard.
"Kyaa?!"
"Where do you get off pulling that crap? Wanna die? I'll rip the sugar right outta your voice."
"Kyaaa! Let... let go!"
The other mermaids prepping work ignored the screaming mermaid entirely.
Luna had been wandering around sightseeing solo—how'd she get here so fast?
The guild leader glanced at the scuffle, shook her head knowingly, and sighed.
"Sorry, sir. She's young and in that hyper phase—can't resist hitting on hot guys."
"You sure that's okay?"
"Haha, we'll keep her in check. No worries."
Mermaids came in all types, just like people.
Mermaid-operated ships differed fundamentally from human ones.
No sails or rudders needed—just designs prioritizing passenger comfort or utility while staying afloat.
The hulls used special materials, heavier than standard but far smoother and sturdier thanks to innate mermaid magic.
"First time riding a mermaid ship in my life."
Melissa, her mind a whirl, silently gazed at the endless ocean ahead.
This wasn't just any sea—it was where her mother, father, and little eleven-year-old sister Arsha had vanished.
No wonder her mood was sour.
Mermaids flanked the ship like escorts, swimming swiftly. Perhaps drawn by them, a pod of dolphins trailed alongside.
"Young master? It'll take about six hours to reach the Forbidden Zone boundary. Rest easy till then."
"Ah, sure."
"Pfft. So cute."
As I stared silently out to sea from the deck, the green-haired flirt winked mischievously.
She was pretty, sure, but Luna perched on the mast, staring down with those colorless eyes, gave me chills.
Her flirting was getting bolder.
I wasn't the only one noticing.
I left the dragged-off mermaid behind and entered the cabin, spotting High Priestess Navel—er, the Saintess—munching cookies in the lobby.
"No seasickness?"
"Oh, no. I'd heard mermaid ships were incredibly comfortable, and it's true."
I sat slowly across from her. The holy knight guarding her shot me a displeased glare.
But he held it in.
Probably because no one treated the Saintess this casually, plopping down right in front of her.
In the Holy Kingdom, the Saintess was inviolably sacred.
Barring insanity, she received absolute deference.
"Sir Knight, you're dismissed for now. Rest."
"No, ma'am. In any situation, prote... I mean, guarding Navel is my duty."
"It's fine. Young Master Leon will protect me now."
He seemed more wary of me than the sea.
Not outright rude—he knew his place—but suspicion lingered in his eyes toward me.
Probably because I was male.
"Sir Knight."
"...Understood. Call me if anything arises."
Unable to defy her order, the holy knight left the cabin with a conflicted look.